Fantasy Book for Guys – Nightlife by Rob Thurman

Okay, I know the title of this review says “fantasy book for guys” but the truth is that this book will appeal to ALL fantasy book fans. I chose this title for two reasons:

-it catches your attention
-the two main characters in this series are guys

In Nightlife we’re introduced to Cal Leandros, the product of a demon and a human witch. Cal possesses extraordinary powers as well as burdens, the most pressing being his fear of his demon lord father, who scares him witless. Aiding him on the run from his wicked father is his older brother, Nikos. Nikos is a full-human whose calm and demure demeanor hides a dangerous adeptness with weapons and extraordinary martial arts skills. These two main characters and their interactions make Nightlife an enjoyable ride.

The book starts with a heart-pounding flashback and moves on to present-day life after Cal has been rescued from the reaches of Hell by Nikos.

Being on the run, Cal and Nikos remain on guard at all times and pick up odd jobs in New York City. But the black Auphes, evil and murderous elves ruled by Cal’s father, persist in following them. Cal and Nikos don’t yet know why the Auphes are so interested in Cal but they shrewdly assume it has something to do with some master plan of Cal’s father. After all, why would a demon lord deem to mate with a human witch?

Things get complicated when a male banshee decides to take over Cal’s body, per the order of the Auphes, to make his capture easier.

In this book, monsters coexist in the open alongside humans. A troll lurks under the Brooklyn Bridge, a boggle roams around Central Park, and vampires, werewolves, and elves walk freely in the streets of New York. Along with these creatures we meet a human who has turned into a dog, a teenage psychic, a mysterious healer, and a used car salesman named Robin Fellows (Goodfellow), who is actually a mischievous elf in disguise. All of these unique characters work to set a mystical mood. With the use of first-person narrative, Cal retains a cynical and biting undertone throughout most of the book, which mixes with good old humor to provide a fun read.

Thurman creates a creative masterpiece that makes use of a compelling modern-day setting and highly imaginative characters to make the story come alive. The plot is never predictable, and the characters are even more appealing. As such, Thurman has written an engrossing and suspenseful fantasy book page-turner that will make readers want to know more about the highly appealing Leandros brothers.

By the way, Rob Thurman is a woman!

Check out Nightlife, the first book in this fantastic fantasy book series!