Customer Reviews

Deathwish (Cal Leandros)

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Picking up right where "Madhouse" left off, the Auphe (evil hell dimension hopping/traveling monsters) are again a threat to our heroes, brothers Cal and Niko Leandros. If that wasn't enough to deal with, there's also ex-lovers, mysterious ancient cabals, family complications and an unknown assailant that has killed a client. Things get darker as Cal's Auphe heritage starts to rise to the surface to become more central to his personality. Can Cal fight his darker impulses and should he?

"Deathwish" has all that snappy and snark-tastic dialogue that has become the author's trademark but we're also treated to something new. I love the first person perspective of Rob Thurman's novels but in "Deathwish' the narrative/perspective changes back and forth between Cal and Niko's view. We have a great opportunity to see how Cal's long suffering brother views him and the choices he's made in his life. This also has the benefit of adding more depth to Niko's character as we get more insight on what motivates him.

"Deathwish" is a bit psychologically darker than previous novels as the alternating character perspective also allows us to see just how far and to what lengths the brothers are willing to go to protect each other, and the answer is...there are no limits.

In my opinion, Deathwish is the book of the month, the book of the year, and the book of the series thus far.

To start with, the addition of Niko's POV in this book added unbelievable depth to both his and Cal's characters. If you loved the brothers before--and I know you did--then you'll begin to feel as if you hardly knew them before now. Flashes of their childhood are more prevalent in this book, giving you further insight into both their past and the way they are now.

Another major attribute were the villians. As much as I liked Sawney Bean, Cerberus, and Darkling, they were always second fiddle to the Auphe, and in Deathwish, the Auphe are the major villain. Though that's not to say that there's a scarcity in new monsters--hell no. We've got mermaids, chupacabras, and mummified cats coming out of the wazoo.

Deathwish has all of the action of the first three books, plus added suspense and angst that will keep you up to all hours of the morning, heart pounding, adrenaline racing, fingers almost ripping pages in anxiety to see what happens next.

Happy reading.

I so wish I'd discovered this series with book one. As it is I really have to go back and read the whole thing, because "Deathwish" is fantastic!

Cal has more to deal with than any young man of twenty should have to face. He struggles with the Auphe side of his nature constantly. He knows his very presence puts anyone he cares about in danger. He loves his brother Nik even though the two of them are incredibly different, and he constantly fears what might happen to Nik because of him. To make matters worse, anyone who can tell or finds out that Cal is half-Auphe instantly distrusts him. It's enough to make anyone bitter, and Cal's pretty unstable to begin with.

Nik is on a far more even keel than his brother; he's had to be. At the age of four their mother handed him baby Cal and told him it was his job to raise his brother. Ever since he realized that the Auphe were tracking Cal, however, he's trained himself to kill. Somehow he must keep Cal alive though murderous vampires, disgusting sea monsters, an immortal hunter, a vengeful mummy, a lecherous puck, and Auphe plans that are far, far worse than the torture they've already put Cal through.

The panoply of characters surrounding the Leandros Brothers made the story truly come alive. Promise is an interesting vampire, someone who loves Nik yet occasionally has trouble relating to him. Robin, the lecherous puck, is a delightfully conflicted character. Everyone from the werewolf that occasionally shares Cal's bed to the mummified cat that adopts Robin to the force-of-nature hunting Promise's daughter turns out to be fascinating in his or her own right.

The humor--whether crass or dark, snarky or hilarious--is right on target, and eminently quotable. The action is fast-paced and fascinating, and the plot twists are delicious. I tend to roll my eyes when I find out there's yet another series with vampires and werewolves in it, but this one definitely felt original and different. There's so much more in it, from mummies to revenants, giant sentient rats to Boggles, and the author makes them unusual and fun.

Being old enough to be their mother (but hopefully more sympathetic than her), I shouldn't get so caught up with the Leandros brothers, but I absolutely love both of them.

Thurman has done a beautiful job in this series: nothing is formula, nothing is predictable (except for the devotion of the brothers to one another, and Goodfellow's libido). She has built the characters of Cal and Niko so skillfully that they have become complex and real. I actually forget for a time that they aren't really living breathing guys trying to survive in the Big Apple. And although the intensity of the bond between them would normally seem unnatural or unbelievable, the author communicates the background for that relationship so effectively that the reader has no doubt that this is the only way these brothers could be. It's a beautiful relationship, it makes the reader believe in the reality of absolute, unconditional commitment.

Plenty of action, good plot, and interesting supporting characters, especially Goodfellow and Delilah (I like George too, and I really wish Cal could get together with her, although Delilah is a lot of fun). Like at least one other reviewer, I'm not much impressed with Promise -- the only time she seems real is when Goodfellow is getting on her nerves.

I read a lot, and have been tending towards urban fantasy lately. No author I've found is as skillful at it as Rob Thurman.

I'm going to agree with five-star reviewers: this book was excellent. It had all the action, wit, thriller and suspense that the first three had. The point-of-views alternate between the brothers, and that was interesting once I got use to it, so it works well with the story. It was different getting a peek at what Niko thinks and sees. Twists in the story that closed well in the end, it seems like other issues closed in this book as well, like the one with George. Not much of Robin this time, which is fine since he usually plays a big part in the others, so each character gets some attention and a shot at enticing the readers. Hope to see more of Delilah in the next one. Looking forward to the next installment and Ms. Thurman's new series out later this year (another strong female character we can all love..hopefully). All in all, great addition to a really interesting series. Five stars!!

I love this series, and it keeps getting better and better. This time around, the author shook things up a little with the format. The first three books were all told from Cal's point of view, which worked just fine. Deathwish, however, alternates between Niko and Cal as the narrator. I'm of two minds about this - on the one hand, it was very cool to see the world, and in particular Cal, through Niko's eyes. He loves Cal unconditionally and that was great to read first hand. It also added a lot more humor as we saw how clearly they understand each other (and Niko's positive reinforcement of Cal with "unhealthy" food was very funny). On the other hand, it was sometimes difficult to remember who was speaking and I found myself flipping back to the chapter start to see which brother was talking. Since they are often talking about the same events, they're both men, they refer to the other as brother and know the same people, readers need to be careful of the nuances to differentiate, especially after hearing only Cal for the last three books. I think overall, the benefits are worth the extra attention and would like the new format to continue.

The plot was very suspenseful as we learn that not only do the Auphe want to torment Cal, they have a new plan that has Cal and Niko contemplating drastic measures to ensure it doesn't happen. Though the Auphe are the main danger here, a subplot involving Promise's heretofore unmentioned daughter Cherish, a vampire ex-lover and a ruthless hunter consume most of the book - and shakes up Niko's relationship with Promise. We also get to see Niko lose his cool, and show just how deadly he is. The best development was the maturing of Cal, and Niko recognizing it. The two brothers disagree more and Cal takes a stronger stand on issues, even overruling Niko. The books have always been blatant about how protective Niko is of Cal - yet here we see firsthand that the reverse is true. A very small plot twist at the end actually surprised me! All our favorite characters are here, Robin, Delilah, and even Mickey.

The conclusion was very satisfying, while still leaving room for further adventures. Though I am disappointed that Thurman's next book will start a new series with a different, female, protagonist (I want more Cal!), I am also excited to see where she goes with a heroine. In any case, the author has earned a loyal fan in me and I'm anxious for more, Trick of the Light: A Trickster Novel (Trixa). Highly recommended!

This series is one of the best out! Each book in the series continues to get better and better although it is hard to believe any one book can be better then the previous. I have absolutely no complaints about this book (for the matter I don't have complaints about any book in the series!) This book had a different feel due to a lot more chapters in Nik's Point of View (POV) but it was definitely not a problem. If anything it gave more insight into who Nik is as well as more information about Cal and Nik's childhood. Cal matured in this book and Robin offered wonderful comic relief as always. The plot was solid and there was plenty of character development. The only complaint I have is that I have to wait for the next book in the series. I always believe that is the true testament of a great series, when your only complaint is that you can not wait to get your hands on the next book and feel a little empty knowing that you have to wait a while for it. Another solid book and trust me this series is a must read!

This gets better and better. Deathwish, the fourth in the series, is darker, deeper, more violent, the characters more conflicted than in the first three books. Cal and Niko are so beset by apparently unbeatable opponents, you wonder how they'll get out alive this time. With the Auphe returned to take Cal and kill everyone he knows and loves and other nasty things out for their blood, not only are their lives in danger, so is Cal's sanity. Seeing out of Niko's eyes gave me a whole new perspective - I always saw him as being too hard on Cal and wondered why Cal took it - in Deathwish you learn that Niko has one purpose in life, one obsession, to keep Cal alive. This is a great read - couldn't put it down. I see that Rob is bringing out a new book this year and I hope that doesn't mean Deathwish is the last of the series, because I think I'm a little bit in love with Cal and Niko.

I read a ton, but don't write too many reviews. This series, though, just begs a recommendation. Ms. Thurman is doing a wonderful job of bringing her characters along in this 4th book in the series. I was a bit worried when I saw the first person switch in voices between Cal and Niko - but it really worked, providing more insight into both of the brothers. I lived in terror through most of the book that she was preping to kill both characters off - thank goodness that didn't happen.
I really look forward to the next in the series.

I'm sad because I cannot imagine the series continuing to improve past this point. Deathwish is just too good.

It starts right where the last book left off, still in the scene from the end of Madhouse, and it does not disappoint. It's clear from the get-go that it's going to be all Auphe all the time, with one complication heaped on after another until you begin to look back every few pages and ask (much like the poor brothers Leandros), "How can this possibly get any worse?!" I began keeping track of how many pages I had to go, because it was hard to believe we could be that deep in the muck and still have half the book left. And yet it keeps getting deeper, right up to the end, which features a truly explosive climax...and then there's still a satisfying bit of book left! I actually assumed there must be a couple of sample chapters from the new series Thurman's got coming out this fall, but nope; Cal and Niko aren't quite done yet.

The brothers share the POV in this one, alternating chapters between them. Cal's a bit less angsty here (or maybe things just get so dark that it doesn't seem like he's overreacting), but just as funny as usual. Niko is calm, dry, and hilarious. What goes through his head is not what I would've expected from seeing the character from the outside for three books. As is usual in Thurman's writing, he does not fit the stereotype you'd assign him. Instead, he's his own person, and that's a very interesting person.

There's lots of Robin and Promise, and Promise has some of that blank canvas of a past filled in (with, of course, the addition of more complications). Several minor mysteries get cleared up, such as the Case of the Disappearing Dead Bodies from Madhouse. Some plot threads are left flapping in the breeze, presumably (hopefully!) to be cleared up in future installments of the series...though if she writes no others, this is a hell of a note to go out on. Like I said, it'd be hard to top. I fear that after this, future books might be a letdown, and yet there's so much more I want to know and see about Cal and Niko and their friends.