Nightwise

By: R. S. Belcher

Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

R.S. Belcher, the acclaimed author of The Six-Gun Tarot and The Shotgun Arcana, launches a gritty new urban fantasy series set in today's seedy occult underworld in Nightwise.

In the more shadowy corners of the world, frequented by angels and demons and everything in between, Laytham Ballard is a legend. It's said he raised the dead at the age of 10, stole the Philosopher's Stone in Vegas back in 1999, and survived the bloodsucking kiss of the Mosquito Queen. Wise in the hidden ways of the night, he's also a cynical bastard who stopped thinking of himself as the good guy a long time ago.

Now a promise to a dying friend has Ballard on the trail of an escaped Serbian war criminal with friends in both high and low places - and a sinister history of blood sacrifices. Ballard is hell-bent on making Dusan Slorzack pay for his numerous atrocities, but Slorzack seems to have literally dropped off the face of the Earth, beyond the reach of his enemies, the Illuminati, and maybe even the devil himself. To find Slorzack, Ballard must follow a winding, treacherous path that stretches from Wall Street and Washington, DC, to backwoods hollows and truck stops while risking what's left of his very soul....

©2015 Rod Belcher (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

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Any additional comments?

An urban fantasy that does not follow the tired template of a wizard (vampire, werewolf, angel…) attempting to redeem himself from his dark past and facing off against an evil wizard (vampire, werewolf, demon, former teacher/master…) who wants to steal or possesses a magical object or raise a demon/god (supernatural villains are pretty limited in imagination) in order to control/destroy the world. Despite his superior powers, our hero is only able to prevail with the help of his friends and a valuable lesson is learned by all.

Laytham Ballard is a magic-using, drug-using, people-using anti-hero. He’s capable of being a truly bad guy, has a truly bad past and is not particularly haunted by that (though he plays lip service to guilt and has a conscious when it suits him). An outstandingly refreshing character in a genre where the idea of a bad-boy protagonist is a guy with the thinnest veneer of roguishness covering his heart of gold.

Despite plot being secondary to the characters in this book, I don't want to risk spoiling it. Suffice to say that the story itself is more than serviceable.

That Bronson Pinchot is outstanding should go without saying.

Highly recommended.In response to a couple of objections by other reviewers:

Freaky sex (S&M). This is mentioned for a short time early in the book followed a bit later by a single sex scene that can easily be skipped. In the last 3/4 of the book sex of any kind does not come up in any meaningful way. Perhaps reading the whole book before writing a review would be helpful to all.

The main character being arrogant/narcissistic/a trash-talker. First urban fantasy novel?

Enjoyed Story And Narration

Latham is convinced he's a rock star magician or "Wisdom", he's kind of a jerk, can be self-serving, impulsive, and has a killer West Virginia accent. I had no problem liking this character throughout the story, in spite of his faults. Latham is also a little bit 50 shades. An extremely unique character and now one of my favorites along with Sandman Slim. If the BDSM lifestyle puts you off (it's not a huge part of the book- but it's a normal part of a lot of the main characters lives) or you don't like foul language, sex, or violence then this book isn't for you. It's NOT Dresden. What is it to me? is A fantastic, unique, story that is wonderfully narrated by Bronson Pinchot. I hope there is another installment.

EVERYTHING WAS INDISTINCT AND DREAMY

Listen to the Sample
There is a audience for this, but it ain't me. Too me this is over written and the author tries too hard to be cool and to shock the reader. In the sample he is kind of making a speech and doing a lot of explaining. Hours later, nothing has changed he is still doing a lot of speaking and a lot of explaining.

Darker more Deprived Dresden

This novel is very well done. However - it is NOT for the faint of heart or for people who get queasy. This should come with an NC-17 rating as it is obviously is only meant for adults. Sex, Drugs, Violence, S&M - mixed with magic in a gritty telling of the underbelly of "The Life". The content is very volatile but the author has moments of prose that Byron or Shelly would be envious of. The only downside is that it ended too soon.

Bronson Pinchot needs to give seminars on how to read books - he is one of the best narrators out there and never fails to deliver. He really brought the novel to life and the separation of characters in his vocal acting makes it that much more visceral and real.

I recommend this audio book to those who aren't afraid to take chances and aren't afraid to face the gritty reality that lives in our world - ok so we have the depravity without the spells and magic, at least this story makes it a little bit better.

Became an instant fan from word one

What did you love best about Nightwise?

The voice of the main character, all his aspects...basically the main character.

What other book might you compare Nightwise to and why?

Incorruptible, Thomas Hunter Files Vol 1, because the world is dark, the magic gritty, the character is a smart ass.

Have you listened to any of Bronson Pinchot’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I loved Bronson Pinchot who was the perfect voice for Lathan Ballard.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed, of course.

Any additional comments?

I search high and low for urban fantasy that is dark, gritty and interesting, the way I think it should be. I don't want to see elves who look like Orlando Bloom ever again in my life. I need to spend my time with a character who isn't afraid to swear, take risks, bleed. I don't want see the hero casting spells. I need to see him pulling power from within, paying with blood or sanity or both. And I want to see actual cases that an occult detective could investigate. Nightwise hit on every cylinder. I loved it from start to finish and I would like another one, please.

Well written, well performed

The writing is engaging and the performer delivers it well.

The story is a well-realized story typical of the genre. Main character is tough, talented and respected and from the South. He's 'experienced' in the school of hard knocks; has lots of impressive alternative, drug related magic. The writer is skillful at painting the dystopian world, so a good choice for fans of magic, dystopia, and tough-as-nails hard-boiled detective-type. He owes someone a favor and it involves tracking down and exacting vengeance on a despicable person.

But the descent into depravity of some characters is more than I can stomach. I left at the nightclub scene where he walks thru a room dedicated to customers who enjoy real, live, 'snuff' action and reflects on how this used to bother him. I don't need these scenes in my head.

Can't handle the political bullying.

What disappointed you about Nightwise?

First the author tells us in his world Americans were behind 9/11 instead of radical muslims.Second he gos on and on about how the working class in America are to blame while the protesting bums are the heros. Idiocy.

Has Nightwise turned you off from other books in this genre?

No

Have you listened to any of Bronson Pinchot’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The performance was good.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It could have been an interesting story if the author could have put his politics aside.

The New Harry Dresden

Any additional comments?

This will be a treat to all that love the Dresden Files. It is very close, and along the lines of that world. This is well done by Bronson Pinchot , he makes the whole book come to life! 5 stars in my opinion.

Worth it!

Bronson Pinchot is my favorite narrator. He really makes the story pop. I loved this story! Excellent from start to finish.

The American Mathew Swift

If you could sum up Nightwise in three words, what would they be?

Freestyle-magus, darker-than-most-"dark"-stuff, freak'n-great-book

*dashes make words

What other book might you compare Nightwise to and why?

I would say this is a mix of Alex Verus, Mathew Swift, and, well, Belcher's other stuff. Sure, there's a Dresden feel but this is much more Game of Thrones level than Narnia level. That's how I would compare them.

Have you listened to any of Bronson Pinchot’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is a hell of a lot better than the Grimoire stuff from Correia. Still not a huge fan but, he doesn't destroy it like others I know.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

American Druid Gangster

Any additional comments?

This is original (as much as can be anymore) and well done. Definitely recommending this one.

Along depressing lack of story

Would you try another book written by R. S. Belcher or narrated by Bronson Pinchot?

no

Has Nightwise put you off other books in this genre?

no

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Bronson Pinchot?

The narrator did a good job it was the product that failed.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No, It started as a depressing "story" and meandered endlessly.

Any additional comments?

The main character was a badly written drug addict, and the other people were one dimensional with no real purpose to the plot (or lack of it). It ends with a nod to a series but I only struggled to the end to see if there was a conclusion.
I got this because of the good reviews and the fact that it was likened to Harry Dresden....... In my opinion it is not! It lacks the humor, sadness and people that one can care about in a H.D. tale. It was one long dirge of misery that I found I kept tuning out of.
I'm sending it back.

Be in no doubt he is not a "Good guy"

Any additional comments?

The story is about a bad man and an adventure he goes on for an old friend.