Nightlife

By: Rob Thurman

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

In New York, there's a troll under the Brooklyn Bridge, a boggle in Central Park, and a beautiful vampire in a penthouse on the Upper East Side. Of course, most humans are oblivious to this, but Cal Leandros is only half-human. His father's dark lineage is the stuff of nightmares - and he and his entire otherworldly race are after Cal.

He and his half-brother Niko have managed to stay a step ahead for three years, but now Cal's dad has found them again. And Cal is about to learn why they want him, why they've always wanted him....

©2010 Rob Thurman (P)2010 Penguin Audio

Are we there yet?

I did struggle through this one. The plot was a little predictable and the main character barely had any chance to develop from his whining self pity before the story is hijacked by someone even less likable. This also another case of the fist personnperspective completly ruining any chance of developing side characters that are more interesting than the limiting main character. Also, the narrator's voice was like listening to a chain smoker tell his life story. If that is your tabacco-laced cup of tea, go ahead. As for me, I don't think I will be listening to any more of these. Maybe in print, but not voiced by this guy.

Great story, bad performance

I have read & listened to all the books in this series, one of my favorites. The narrator for Nightlife is not good at all but all the rest of the books have an excellent narrator. The series is really good so either get through Nightlife quickly (or even better read it) then enjoy the rest of the series

Great read

I loved the book but I do believe it would be better with a bit less cursing G-D is one of those that's just to crass but the story itself is great

Wasn't sure at first but it hooked me

Honestly when the book first started I wasn't sure if I would continue.

I was on my third book, for some reason the first two I started (unrelated to this one) just did not hold my attention. I started to feel the same way with this but stuck with it. I'm glad I did.

Written, in some ways, like an old school detective movie and flowed kind of like an old Magnum PI episode but in a way that was entertaining and kept me hooked.

Just downloaded the next two books in the series and hoping the trend continues.

Review for the Whole Series

What did you love best about Nightlife?

This book was narrated by a different narrator from the rest of the series. It was fine, but the narrator for the next 9 books really makes the characters his own (and corrects a lot of mispronunciations that the first narrator made.) It took me a little while to get into this book and get to know and care about the characters, but it was worth it. There are tons of books in the series and the characters continue to evolve and develop. I've enjoyed the series, and I'm waiting for book 11 to come out!

Amazing!

I was introduced to the series by my younger sister who was right when she said I would love it. I was thrilled to see it on audio and although it was bittersweet as my sister has since lost her battle with breast cancer, I decided I would listen to it in her honor! I am so glad I did. Patrick Lawlor did a fabulous job with the embattled brothers. I can only hope that we see more! Not only do you get the love of two brothers but a battle between the good and bad, made more difficult when one of the brothers teeters on both sides! You won't regret listening!

Great Job!

Would you listen to Nightlife again? Why?

Yes. Love the voice of Cal. Just like what I would think. Great to listen to when working out.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Nightlife?

The point where Niko and Cal's friends said goodbye to him as they were going to kill Cal/Darkling.

What does Patrick Lawlor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The snarky tone that he can get to his voice and all the other inflections he does so well.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Cal saw his brother taken by Abbigor.

Any additional comments?

Superb reading of the book but I was wondering if the was he said Auphe was how Rob told him to say it or if that was something that he brought himself. Awesome if he did. It really sounds like someone punching him in the gut every time he says it.

Love the Book, the Audio Not So Much

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

No. I liked the book very much, but the audiobook was a chore for me. I'm glad I didn't give up on the series, tho, because the subsequent books narrated by MacLeod Andrews are a real treat.

What did you like best about this story?

The main character, Cal Leandros, is convinced that he's an unlovable monster, but I loved him nevertheless. What's more, other characters in the story love him, too, no matter how hard he tries to push them away and keep his distance.

How could the performance have been better?

Sorry, but Patrick Lawlor was simply the wrong choice of narrator for this book. He's not a bad narrator by any means, and I'd certainly listen to other works by him, but he is totally wrong for Cal, who is a snarky, emo, bad-tempered, foul-mouthed kid/teen in this book. Mr. Lawlor sounds much older, and his dramatic emphasis is too overdone for the jaded Cal.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Nope. And I think that I'd have DNF'd the audiobook if I hadn't already read the book (several times) first.

Any additional comments?

This is one of my favorite Urban Fantasy series. To date, I've read/listened to all 10 books and am keeping my fingers crossed for book 11 to be released.

Big fan of the series

I've always been a fan of this series, have most of them on paperback. But don't have much free time to sit down and read them like I used to, so finding them on Audible was great! Narrator did a great job. The only thing that threw me off was how "Auphe" was pronounced. Looking forward to going through the rest of the series.

Like a bag of potato chips

I like urban fantasy, so this book was right up my alley. The characters are likable; the main character is funny; the narration is nuanced and the story itself is fine. That being said, I purchased this title a few years ago and listened to it. I re-listened to it, because I saw the title in my library and couldn't remember it at all. When I re-listened, I remembered little bits, but not much. It is like a bag of potato chips: filling, satisfying, no nutritional value. But you're still going to eat it.