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cdescription77's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
faehistory's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
perfectlymisaligned's review against another edition
4.0
The only complaint i have about this book, is that the story drags slightly about half way through. Otherwise, another great book from Thurman.
rclz's review against another edition
4.0
Moonshine is the second book in Rob Thurman's Nico and Cal series. This one's as good or better than the first. These two, are about as tough as tough gets and have to be but you just can't help routing for the brothers to make it through another awful mess. They have some of the most awful enemies imaginable and not near enough friends. Great books although I wish they'd squeeze in a bit of romance and maybe if they ever get stable they will. Promise, Nico's, lady is a vampire and I'd love to see that relationship developed more. As for George and Cal I guess we're just going to have to wait and see if Georgiana has the patients to wait Cal out. That is one very stubborn. Good books...good enough to buy.
rachelini's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't enjoy this as much as the first in the series, but it was still engrossing enough. I just prefer backstory and origin stories to fighting, so first books are usually my favourites.
knboereads's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, this was awesome. Cal is a funny, engaging narrator (whatever he thinks of himself) and Niko and the other cast of characters are each in their own way interesting and a fun read.
This plot was great, amazing even. Went one way, then another, all connected, and then came back around to punch you square in the face, something Cal no doubt would appreciate.
The supernatural creatures in Thurman's world are nasty, scary, and quite a lot of them are ugly. No sparkling vampires (though Promise could, if she wanted to, and I wouldn't mind because she is the literal queen) and neon eyed elf beauties here. Thurman's creatures are all bloodstained teeth and visceral descriptions of various body horror nightmares. Not for the squeamish, especially if you have a vivid imagination.
Cal is endearing (again, despite himself) as ever, and Niko is the zen master of ruthless justice, though honestly I'd like to see him ruffled up just a bit. Promise is looking more and more promising (Hah! I love terrible puns) as a regular character (and I hope that's true, having had yet to read the rest of the series)and Robin Goodfellow is without a doubt my favorite puck. *slight spoiler alert* I actually weirdly grew a little fond of Flay (and Slay was weirdly adorable)but we'll see how that ends up (if ever) but as for new characters they were certainly interesting.
My one complaint is that George is honestly kind of annoying. With her zen 'what will be, will be" attitude, which basically puts her in danger, and her seemingly empty-headed unwillingness to 'look' whether danger is ahead, for her, or for Cal, or for them both as a couple, I kind of want to knock some sense into her. However, since this is the second book, and honestly there recently hasn't been enough page time with her character, I'm going to hold off on my final judgment a little longer.
But that was the only sore point, and not even really a big one, nor did have anything to do with Thurman's writing. Speaking of, Thurman's writing is great. First person narratives are not always my favorite and I find myself having no problem whatsoever with this one. Not only is Cal a great narrator and character, but Thurman's prose sometimes goes into the near poetic, when it's not detailed, engrossing, sarcastic, and funny, of course.
I'm excited to read the third book.
This plot was great, amazing even. Went one way, then another, all connected, and then came back around to punch you square in the face, something Cal no doubt would appreciate.
The supernatural creatures in Thurman's world are nasty, scary, and quite a lot of them are ugly. No sparkling vampires (though Promise could, if she wanted to, and I wouldn't mind because she is the literal queen) and neon eyed elf beauties here. Thurman's creatures are all bloodstained teeth and visceral descriptions of various body horror nightmares. Not for the squeamish, especially if you have a vivid imagination.
Cal is endearing (again, despite himself) as ever, and Niko is the zen master of ruthless justice, though honestly I'd like to see him ruffled up just a bit. Promise is looking more and more promising (Hah! I love terrible puns) as a regular character (and I hope that's true, having had yet to read the rest of the series)and Robin Goodfellow is without a doubt my favorite puck. *slight spoiler alert* I actually weirdly grew a little fond of Flay (and Slay was weirdly adorable)but we'll see how that ends up (if ever) but as for new characters they were certainly interesting.
My one complaint is that George is honestly kind of annoying. With her zen 'what will be, will be" attitude, which basically puts her in danger, and her seemingly empty-headed unwillingness to 'look' whether danger is ahead, for her, or for Cal, or for them both as a couple, I kind of want to knock some sense into her. However, since this is the second book, and honestly there recently hasn't been enough page time with her character, I'm going to hold off on my final judgment a little longer.
But that was the only sore point, and not even really a big one, nor did have anything to do with Thurman's writing. Speaking of, Thurman's writing is great. First person narratives are not always my favorite and I find myself having no problem whatsoever with this one. Not only is Cal a great narrator and character, but Thurman's prose sometimes goes into the near poetic, when it's not detailed, engrossing, sarcastic, and funny, of course.
I'm excited to read the third book.
nelsonseye's review against another edition
4.0
Some really great moments: Cal and George; Flay and Slay. I cannot begin to describe my love for Niko; what an awesome character.
tita_noir's review against another edition
4.0
Second installment of Cal and Nik Leandros' series.
After successfully negating the threat of Cal's other family (the evil, death mongering elves known as The Auphe) and killing the entity that possessed Cal in the previous book, the brothers decide to remain in NY. To their surprise, after having been on the run and having only each other for so many years, they have created bonds.
First there is Promise, the lovely vampire who has awakened romantic feelings in the normally impassive Nik.
Then there is George, the lovely young psychic who raising feelings on longing in Cal.
And finally there is Rob, a.k.a Robin Goodfellow. The long lived Puck of fantasy lore who himself has been longing for friends and companions.
So the brothers have begun a business of sorts with Promise as security/bodyguards for the Fae. But their first real client entangles them with the werewolves who later kidnap George to force the brothers to find a mysterious fae relic.
Cal and Nik along with Promise and Rob set out to find the relic and free George.
Ok. This second installment is just as good as the first. The author does a great job of revealing more about the brothers and their background. But she also allows them to grow. I really enjoyed the fact that she allowed the two isolated souls to grow their little inner circle. Promise, who was a minor -- if intriguing -- walk on character in the last book was a revelation. I really enjoy her with Nik (my fictional boyfriend) and most importantly I enjoy her with Nik and Cal. She doesn't interfere with --- what to me is --- the central and best relationship in the series, and, even better, she understands and navigates it so well.
This installment was just as dark and biting with the same wit as the previous book. And most importantly, the relationship between the two brothers is just as deep and strong. I especially like that Cal is growing into his own a bit. I was also gratified to see that he was starting to use some of his Auphe self. Yes, I know he hates and rejects it intensely, but I am of the mind that if he intends to really defeat them that he needs to fight fire with fire so to speak. I actually hope that Thurman's plan is to allow Cal's Auphe abilities to grown and expand so that the field evens a bit for him.
I just love this series.
I highly recommend!
After successfully negating the threat of Cal's other family (the evil, death mongering elves known as The Auphe) and killing the entity that possessed Cal in the previous book, the brothers decide to remain in NY. To their surprise, after having been on the run and having only each other for so many years, they have created bonds.
First there is Promise, the lovely vampire who has awakened romantic feelings in the normally impassive Nik.
Then there is George, the lovely young psychic who raising feelings on longing in Cal.
And finally there is Rob, a.k.a Robin Goodfellow. The long lived Puck of fantasy lore who himself has been longing for friends and companions.
So the brothers have begun a business of sorts with Promise as security/bodyguards for the Fae. But their first real client entangles them with the werewolves who later kidnap George to force the brothers to find a mysterious fae relic.
Cal and Nik along with Promise and Rob set out to find the relic and free George.
Ok. This second installment is just as good as the first. The author does a great job of revealing more about the brothers and their background. But she also allows them to grow. I really enjoyed the fact that she allowed the two isolated souls to grow their little inner circle. Promise, who was a minor -- if intriguing -- walk on character in the last book was a revelation. I really enjoy her with Nik (my fictional boyfriend) and most importantly I enjoy her with Nik and Cal. She doesn't interfere with --- what to me is --- the central and best relationship in the series, and, even better, she understands and navigates it so well.
This installment was just as dark and biting with the same wit as the previous book. And most importantly, the relationship between the two brothers is just as deep and strong. I especially like that Cal is growing into his own a bit. I was also gratified to see that he was starting to use some of his Auphe self. Yes, I know he hates and rejects it intensely, but I am of the mind that if he intends to really defeat them that he needs to fight fire with fire so to speak. I actually hope that Thurman's plan is to allow Cal's Auphe abilities to grown and expand so that the field evens a bit for him.
I just love this series.
I highly recommend!
thereadingbel's review against another edition
3.0
The story was not bad but really not my cup of tea. I not a real big fan of fantasy but i think the concept of shape shifting and werewolves are an interesting take in a story. This story is more of a werewolf pack that are part of the mafia. There is a lot of fighting by Cal he seems to come to his own in this book his powers become stronger. Niko is always thinking of himself as a monster and he is actually far from it. They all get seriously injured and heal then fight another day. There is a lot more to the story some love interest between Niko and Promise and Cal and Georgia. I enjoyed the banter sometimes between the two brothers Cal and Niko. Being in New York and becoming bodyguards/detectives has the plot full of action as Cal and Niko fight sometimes to the point of death is an acceptable result but yet for Cal he fears clown but death he embraces. This to me is silly that you can embrace death but fear clowns. I give the book 3 stars not sure if i will continue with the series but if werewolves are you thing this is a decent read.