Helpful Score: 2
For a while it seemed like every time I turned around I was getting another recommendation to try this series. I finally broke down and ordered Nightlife and I'm glad I did. The closest comparison I can come up with for this book is to the Harry Dresden series. The world is completely different and so are the characters but there's something similar there. Maybe it's the humor. Cal and Harry both have a sarcastic, self-deprecating wit. They both have a quality that makes you root for them and enjoy the time you spend in their head.
I really liked the world the author created. I was really surprised at the creature the Grendels turned out to be. I can't remember another time that I've seen the race portrayed like that. It was interesting though. I felt bad for Niko and Cal being stuck with that kind of mom.
The book is written in first person so if you find Cal's humor irritating I'm afraid none of the book will work for you. At times his inner commentary was irritating, but overall I liked him as a narrator. One thing that I wasn't really expecting was his young age. At times I just wanted to shake him and tell him to grow up. His brother Niko was a little too perfect for me to enjoy. He was too everything. Not only did he sacrifice whatever life he wanted for his brother, he never had any moments of resentment or anger about it. He was also human but almost indestructible. He seemed better at everything than anyone else. It was kind of irritating.
Toward the end of the book the reader will experience a narrator change. It was really disorientating for me. I had to reread and figure out what happened. I didn't really enjoy reading from this narrator's viewpoint very much. I found him irritating and it seemed like his experience went on forever. I also was confused about one point. Cal remembers everything that happened to him at the end, but I'm curious if he retained all the other memories from Darkling too. If he did wouldn't that mean he remembers everything that happened to him during his missing two years?
I'm definitely interested in reading more of this series. Hopefully Cal grows up a bit. I'm curious to read more about Georgina and Robin and Promise. Did anyone else think that it was odd that no one remarked how different Promise's name was? I think that I'm most looking forward learning more about Robin. He's my favorite character so far.
I really liked the world the author created. I was really surprised at the creature the Grendels turned out to be. I can't remember another time that I've seen the race portrayed like that. It was interesting though. I felt bad for Niko and Cal being stuck with that kind of mom.
The book is written in first person so if you find Cal's humor irritating I'm afraid none of the book will work for you. At times his inner commentary was irritating, but overall I liked him as a narrator. One thing that I wasn't really expecting was his young age. At times I just wanted to shake him and tell him to grow up. His brother Niko was a little too perfect for me to enjoy. He was too everything. Not only did he sacrifice whatever life he wanted for his brother, he never had any moments of resentment or anger about it. He was also human but almost indestructible. He seemed better at everything than anyone else. It was kind of irritating.
Toward the end of the book the reader will experience a narrator change. It was really disorientating for me. I had to reread and figure out what happened. I didn't really enjoy reading from this narrator's viewpoint very much. I found him irritating and it seemed like his experience went on forever. I also was confused about one point. Cal remembers everything that happened to him at the end, but I'm curious if he retained all the other memories from Darkling too. If he did wouldn't that mean he remembers everything that happened to him during his missing two years?
I'm definitely interested in reading more of this series. Hopefully Cal grows up a bit. I'm curious to read more about Georgina and Robin and Promise. Did anyone else think that it was odd that no one remarked how different Promise's name was? I think that I'm most looking forward learning more about Robin. He's my favorite character so far.
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
