Deathwish (Cal and Niko Series #4)

This is an excellent urban fantasy

Cal Leandros is half-human and half-Auphe; he looks human, but has the power to move about space and dimensions so he can travel from one plane to another. He denies his Auphe heritage and does not look in the slightest like the pointed ears, pale skin, razor claws and crimson eyes of that evil species. Mortals know the Auphe as elves from mythology. They want Cal but he and his brother Niko defeated their efforts to snatch him. Soon eighteen more arrive; Cal notices they are all females, which worries Niko as he thinks the enemy has switched tactics from muscle to something worse.

While trying to figure out how get rid of the latest infestation Cal and Niko are handed a case by the latter¿s vampire lover Promise. Her former lover Seamus the vampire feels someone is stalking him and he wants the brothers, who have opened up a preternatural private investigator firm, to find out who and why. They learn the Vigil who clean up supernatural messes are watching the flamboyant vampire; they feel he is coming close to exposing himself to humans. Their mission is to keep humans and monsters separated. While the siblings deal with these two problems, a third issue surfaces. Promise¿s daughter Cherish the thief and con artist stole something from a monster who is in town to retrieve it. Between the Auphe, the Vigil, and the theft, the siblings feel they are back in the MADHOUSE.

This is an excellent urban fantasy due to the two brothers, who love one another and will do whatever it takes to keep their sibling safe. Readers will feel the story line is moving at the speed of light as the Leandros brothers move from one escapade to another adventure without a respite. Told in the first person rotating chapters between Cal and Niko, fans know up front and in person what motivates each of them. They make a great team as they battle against overwhelming odds leaving the audience to root for them to succeed and wait for their next misadventures.

Harriet Klausner

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Awesome

This book follows perfectly in the footsteps of the earlier books. Some plot twists and non-stop action make this book impossible to put down. Its great to watch the way these characters develop. Cal transforms from a mouthy,angst ridden punk who kicks ass into a mouthy punk that kicks even more ass. And Niko... I'm not tellin' read it yourself.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Outstanding

This book was amazing. As usual, Thurman does not disappoint. Deathwish follows up and expands on the power of the books before it. Humor, friendship, loyalty, horror, action and plot twists a plenty. I couldn't wait to see what happened w/the turn of each page. And most important, the brothers bond which makes the series the unstoppable force it is. I loved how this time around we got an even deeper look into the boys as we got POV's from both Cal and Niko. Now Nik, we didn't know a lot of his inner workings before. This book opens him up. It's a whole new world for fans of the Leandros boys. I can only imagine where the road leads next, I can't wait to find out.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Deathwish

Published a year after Madhouse, Rob Thurman's Deathwish starts immediately afterwards. Before the characters have a chance to recover from the physical and emotional torments, they are plunged into another dysfunctional family nightmare: this time, Promise brings the brothers in to save her vampire daughter's life-or unlife. I really enjoyed that, for the first time, the chapters alternate viewpoint between Cal and Niko. We've had Cal's assumptions about his brother, but protective big brothers can conceal more than younger ones realize. Definitely satisfying, along with more puck and peri issues, old enemies, and a new one even more lethal than Niko. Read the novel, then re-read the opening chapter for ah-ha moments you wouldn't have picked up on the first time.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Rob Thurman strikes again!

In the latest of the Cal and Niko series of books, Ms. Thurman proves once again that she's a magician. I don't believe I have ever read another book that was so touching and captivating while still being laugh out loud funny.

**If you want to read this book, I strongly suggest starting with Nightlife, the first of this series. You won't want to miss out on Moonshine or Madhouse (#2 and #3 respectively) either.

One of the most amazing parts of this book in particular is that we finally get Niko's point of view. If for no other reason, that would make this my favorite book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Highly Recommend

I love Cal, Nik & the ever horny Robin. This series has it all: action, sexy & funny all served to you in great stories.

A must read

I thinknthe book was amazing and by every other person review it must be better then i though... and it was and is

Another great ride

Characters held true to her first three books. The brotherly love is awesome and handled without being soupy. In a couple of places I did lose who's view point the dialogue belonged to, but this was minor. I have fifty pages left to finish... and I am eager to read her next book which I already bought and is sitting there waiting for me. Again: great read and great ride.

The trinity of outstanding genre writters just went Quad

Kelly Armstrong, Patricia Briggs and Carrie Vaughn were sitting at the top of the Urban Fantasy heap. I never thought I would add anyone named Rob but lo and behold, not only is the name forever added to my list, but "Rob" is a chick! Cmon guys, whats up with that?

Seriously, I love this series. Action, adventure and great characters and a Puck. What else could you ask for?

KEEP EM COMING!

Answers the last books cliffhanger

I loved it enough to buy copies of it for all my science fiction/fantasy reading friends. Glad the author wrote it as it answers the last books cliffhanger.

I love the interplay between the brothers. The supporting cast is well written and the plot is believable despite the fantastic nature of it. Laws of physics established in that world are followed.

I did have a little trouble with the switching viewpoint (every chapter is from the other brother's POV). But once I got the hang of it it was fun to see the Niko's (older brother) take on things since the first books were written from Cal's POV.

I recommend reading the other books first so this book will make sense but I just love the warm relationship between the brothers who stand by each other through all the rough times.

My next favorite character is the Puck character. A jester, a lewd, crude socially unacceptable and loving friend.

great read

The genre is fantasy/ science fiction. The relationship between the 2 brothers is touching. I have read his previous books and enjoyed this as much as his other books.

Worth every star!

Ms. Thurman, kudos to you on this latest instalment in the lives of Cal and Niko. I loved it. It had suspense, the gruff emotionality of strong men, brutality, betrayal, and real dread. The Auphe are truly scary monsters in the closet come to life for the brothers and the author's handling of this story is masterful. I have to say I love Robin; he's a totally dissolute and wholly endearing puck. And the cast of minor characters only enriches the experience. This is an experience to be savored and re-lived. This book and the previous ones in this series live in my keeper table. Brava!!

A MUST READ

The story and charchaters are amazing. You will not get bored. If you are a supernatural fan you will enjoy this book very much.

Entertaining Fourth Installment of this Dark Fantasy Series

Set in present day New York, Caliban (a.k.a. Cal) Leandros, a hybrid human/auphe (Auphe=homicidal race upon which elfin legend is based) and his Zen like, sword wielding brother Nikko are simultaneously pitted against the remaining Auphe and an in-human beast master/hunter. (The beast master is trying to capture/kill the daughter of Nikko's vampiric girlfriend; and the Auphe are after Cal and Nikko for reasons best left to discovery w/in the book.) The pace is fast, the imagery is dark/fantastic, the characters are interesting (including angst ridden, 20 something, semi-slacker but deadly Cal and his self-sacrificing, sometimes rigid but insightful brother Nik). Furthermore, the dialogue is clever/playful and the brother's relationship is curiously credible and endearing/uplifting. The plot also has a surprising twist ending. If you're looking for dark urban action combined with fantasy and populated by likable characters, I heartily recommend this book. Note, I also suggest you read the first three books in this series entitled "Nightlife", "Moonlight", and "Madhouse"."

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