Moonshine (Cal Leandros)

After seeing Niko and Caliban defeat the auphe (or did they?) in Nightlife, I was curious to see what would be in store for them in Moonshine. Well, what would a half-auphe and human with near preternatural sword skills do? Become supernatural private investigators. In this novel, they are contracted to look into some shady power plays occuring within the werewolf community, but that it only the stepping stone to more serious problems. As with the previous novel, Thurman does a fantastic job of portraying two brothers that care deeply for one another. Their every action demonstrate how strong their bond is and that they would do anything for each other. What I love about this series is the characters, how richly they are drawn and how Thurman peels back more layers of their complexity with each book. I found Moonshine a wonderful read. The writing was filled with the same gripping imagery as Nightlife and the plot was even better. This is an absolute must read for anyone who enjoys urban fantasy.

A little over a year ago, it occurred to me that every book I picked up in the Newly Released section of my local bookstore was really just a clone of every other: same plot line, same characters, same oh-so-sticky dilemma from which the heroine (And who can honestly say they are not just the tiniest bit tired of reading nothing but female first person?) must extract herself time and time again. It got to the point where I was avoiding the bookstore, I was so bored. Then I picked up Nightlife--and couldn't put it down. Cal, Niko, and Robin have *substance*; they are uniquely believable, human (at least as far as their hopes and failings are concerned), and damned funny. Nightlife was an amazing read--I was so hooked that I was reading it while waiting at stoplights--and Moonshine is every bit as enjoyable as its predecessor. It has a plot all its own, new, terrifying villains, and yet keeps everything that made Nightlife so addictive: the relationship between two brothers who have nothing in the world but each other, the hilarious conversational interplay, the amazing action, and Robin, the smooth-talking Puck with the attention span of a gnat and a collection of designer duds that a Hollywood starlet would envy. Ms. Thurman is one of the best new writers to hit the fantasy scene in years. If you're a rabid fan of urban fantasy, go and get copies of Nightlife and Moonshine NOW. You won't be disappointed.

Rob Thurman proves to be not just a flash-in-the-pan author with a strong follow up to "Nightlife". After the events of the last book and years on the run, Cal and Niko are seemingly free to settle and start to build lives that include friends and even romance. But opening up to others was never Cal's strength and having friends just means more people are at risk from the monster he believes himself to be. When one of these friends is kidnapped to force his cooperation, it makes Cal's worst fear a reality and he will have to learn to accept help from those around him to get them back. As entertaining and facinating as the supporting characters are it is still Cal and Niko's book. And although their love and support is usually expressed through sarcasm, nothing can come between the brothers. Like Nightlife "Moonshine" is full of creativity and innovative antagonists. The use of language is masterful...I wish I had as much wit and could banter as well as the characters in this book. Best of all Rob Thurman proves once again it is possible to write an intelligent, compelling and exciting supernatural book without using smut to sell it.

Rob Thurman introduced us to the brothers Niko and Cal (Caliban) last year. Cal finally met his father and learned just what his true heritage was. Unfortunately, Cal was possessed by evil and nearly lost everything he held dear. "Moonshine" nearly takes up where "Nightlife" left off. Niko and Cal are a little better situated now. They have a real apartment in New York City and both young men are enrolled in college courses. But, they've got to do something to keep the money coming in, so they're acting as private investigators and exterminators in partnership with the vampire Promise and of course, Robin Goodfellow, the infamous Puck. Their first job is ridding a carnival of bodachs--which are Scottish evil spirits who've dressed up as clowns. Next, they've got to run with the wolves. Literally. The "Kin" is the appelation Thurman gives to the Werewolf Mafia. When they are contacted by one mob boss to spy on another to determine whether they really are in allegiance, the $50,000 offered for a few hours' work seems to good to pass up. They should have, though. As a result of that first night, the psychic Georgina is captured and events are set into motion that pit the whole team against serious odds with very little time to get Georgina back. Rob Thurman writes engaging, real, and interesting characters. She imbeds hooks sharp as cats' claws into the reader and keeps them reading--and guessing--all the way through. You don't have to read "Nightlife" to enjoy "Moonshine," but I think you will definitely want to. Thurman's writing was good for her initial offering, but has only improved with the second book. Can't wait for the third!

Dark and irreverent, like an injection of pure angst into the bloodstream, Moonshine is everything that was great about Nightlife, and more. Cal and Niko have taken up monster killing to make ends meet, but their latest job turns out to be more than they bargained for. Promise, Niko's lady vamire, and Robin, the licentious puck of legend, are along for the ride as well. There are twists, turns, suprises, love, and big guns,what more could you ask for? I'm only left wondering how I'm ever going to wait a whole year for the next one. . .