Madhouse (Cal and Niko Series #3)

The First Two were Better

I loved the first two books, but this one just wasn't as good because the story wasn't as strong -- probably because there wasn't as much at stake as in the first two. In Book 1, the mystery of Cal's life was revealed and in book 2 the love of his life was kidnapped. In this one, there's a horrible demon on the loose in NY, but there's nothing really that much on the line (well, except Cal's virginity...) Still the writing is great and Cal's narrative continues to be engaging. There's also a tantalizing glimpse at the end of the book that might lead back to the central narrative that made the first two so darn good...

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Exciting

I love Rob Thurman's books. She makes me laugh and keeps my attention to the end. I had my coworker read the first book and now she's hooked on the series.

Bloody Good Third Installment

The plot is compelling as the Leandros brothers attempt to track down and kill a reintegrated, bloodthirsty 'redcap' cannibal named Swaney Beane. Swaney, (with ropy white hair saturated in bloody red gore), is crafty, hidden and nearly invincible causing the brothers to go after him several times. Consequently, the pace races during these confrontations and returns to moderately fast in-between. To keep matters jumping, a secondary plot to kill the 'puck' Robin Goodfellow is integrated resulting in random attacks by man-eating/drinking beasts. I truly enjoyed this story which is the goriest to date. Small armies of revenants abound as body parts float by and mutilated corpses hang from hooks. Further, the brothers meet a desiccated informant dwelling in the basement of the Met and enlist the services of an exceedingly aggressive boggle. On the personal front, Cal finally gets some, but his satisfaction is marred by his lack of real emotion and his intentionally hurtful followup meeting(s) with his former love interest, the teenage seer Georgiana.

A must read for occult fans.

This book is great. Cal is part monster-part human, stubborn, tough and has way to much attitude. It makes for a great read. Lots of action, plus the plot in this book is unpredictable. I've read the whole series and can't wait for the next one.

Rob Thurman Rocks

This series is great. The myths and Robin's clever little anecdotes about his past history are hilarious and add greatly to the storyline. Cal's humor remains unchanged, exactly as it should be, and relationships continue to grow in complexity. I look forward to the next book. Based off the ending of this one, it promises to be a thriller.

Great read

I love this series. I also love the spin on the lore and legends. You just never know what will show up or the twists you didn't see coming. The family, friendship, action and humor. This book was no different. More sexualized, but I get that because of the need to tell a piece of Robin¿s life. As well as Cal¿s future and current dilemmas. And speaking, holy cow. From nut job killer to being the hunted yet again. Those Leandros brothers just can not catch a break. I¿m dying for Deathwish so I can see what happens next.

Awsome

this the best book in the series which is also very good as well.

Madhouse madness

There is more of everything in this book. More action, more emotional highs and lows, and best of all, more monsters. Rob really out did herself this time.

Thoroughly addicted

This series has easily made a spot for itself on my top ten list, or rather it has migrated it's way to #1 and will be staying there for a very long time. With wonderfully developed characters and an interesting storyline along with terrifying all-new supernatural creatures that are bound to make your heart race, Thurman has created a masterpiece that will go down in 'the greatest books ever' history. I literally carry these books with me everywhere I go in case I have a longing to reread one or more of my more favorite parts in the novels and I am not ashamed to admit it. It's an honor to be able to read his creations and as a writer myself, I have the utmost respect for his ability to attach his characters to the reader so thoroughly that when Cal, Niko or Goodfellow bleed, our bodies hurt right along with them. I am greatly looking forward to his next four installments and am literally on the edge of my seat for the fourth especially. Madhouse contains one of the greatest endings I have ever read and that is saying something.

A reviewer

Rob Thurman¿s Madhouse After the mayhem of the first two novels, Cal and his brother Niko are settling down to a routine life of monster-killing on contract. That means, everything that can go wrong, does so horribly. Cal (half-human, half-REALLY nasty monster) continues to struggle with not losing control or endangering those he has let himself care about. Making it worse, he can¿t resist practicing his non-human ability to supernaturally open gates to other places, thinking that it might be essential in more-than-usually dire situations. To Cal¿s shock, Niko looks exactly like the peri (human-looking except for wings) tormented by Robin the puck just by being in his bar. Hmm. The twisty core of this novel focuses on who is (repeatedly) trying to kill Robin, and why the puck won¿t help Cal and Niko find out the would-be killers and motives. Monsters, pointy weapons, guns, sex, impossible ethical questions¿urban fantasy promising and delivering a fascinating mix.

Couldn't put it down!!!

In Ms. Thurman¿s latest and highly anticipated installment in the series following snarky half-monster Cal Leandros, his sword-and-sarcasm-wielding brother, Niko, and their sex-crazed, self-indulgent, and can¿t-shut-up-for-five-seconds-straight companion, Robin Goodfellow, the boys find themselves once again in the midst of nefarious forces as a seemingly easy job proves to be anything but. Soon, Cal and Niko¿s already too-eventful lives are complicated by a centuries-old serial killer, a hot werewolf with an agenda all her own, and a mummy whose hobbies include reanimating the dead. And when Goodfellow is attacked by a mysterious party bent on silencing the ebulient puck for good and all, the brothers must do everything they can to discover who¿s targeting Goodfellow¿without becoming targets themselves. Madhouse begins with a bang and never slows down. The villains are scarier, the action never stops, and the plot is marvelously intricate without ever being hard to follow. The twists and turns alone are clever enough to keep you up long past your bedtime, but add to this Ms. Thurman¿s skill as a character-builder and her wickedly dry sense of humor, and you¿ll be calling into work ¿sick¿ until you¿ve read every last word.

Great urban fantay

Cal and Niko were years on the run from the Auphe, evil supernatural beings that are so bad that even hell don¿t want them. They live in their own bleak dimension where half human- half Auphe was imprisoned for two years. Now he has opened a supernatural detective agency with his devoted and overprotective brother Niko and for the first time they have friends. Robin Goodfellow, a puck is their and Niko are involved with a vampire Promise.---------- Something strange happened at the Metropolitan Museum and through Promise¿s friend with the Valkyrie Sangrida, Cal and Niko are on the case. A display case shatters from the inside and the remains of Sawney Beane, the non-human Redcap are missing. Somehow centuries ago people formed an army and burned him at the stake but he is back and on a killing streak eating human flesh with the Revenants. Cal and Niko go against him many times are lucky to come away with their lives. As if they didn¿t have enough with Sawney to worry about, Robin becomes a target from someone who wants him dead.------------ Cal is still messed up with his time with the Auphe and is wary of everyone except Prmise, Robin and Niko and he hopes that he can learn to live without fear. He is a hard edged diamond in the rough who is starting to learn to trust people like the werewolf and the vampire. This is a great mystery wrapped inside an urban fantasy. Readers will feel for Cal who gives up the woman he loves because he knows the Auphe will never leave him alone. He is a Byronic hero who knows his life is not his own.---------- Harriet Klausner

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