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tynga's review against another edition
3.0
The life of seven unlikely people will change forever the day Father Value, Jackal (aka Creeps) hunter, dies on a mission. He died to protect a mystical book and his partner, Elly, will risk her life - and the one of many others- trying to keep it out of Creeps' hands. Will she succeed or will his death be in vain?
I dove into Night Owls hoping for a good old urban fantasy, and while the genre is accurate, I'm afraid to say I wasn't impressed. This review will be very hard for me to write because I usually mention the things I liked and things I disliked about the book, but in this case, I didn't like nor dislike the novel, it kind of left me unaffected. While this isn't a bad novel, I just didn't feel passionate, or even involved in any of the proceedings. I didn't even care who lived or died, which is sad.
I think one of the main reason I didn't feel connected is the lack of a clear main characters. Reading the synopsis now I realize Valerie and Elly were suppose to be the main characters, but it was far from clear. Valerie (a vampire), Chaz (her human Renfield), Elly (Creeps Hunter) & Cavale (former Creeps Hunter) share, it seemed to me, equal parts of the main spotlight. On top of this, Justin (human) and Sunny & Lia (succubi) bring up the rear with secondary roles. All of these characters sharing the scene, fighting for our attention, just made it hard for me to connect with any of them in particular and it didn't help with my lack of caring. Not only are they many, none of them are particularly amazing.
The plot was correct if not particularly engrossing. We followed a rather linear line of action, without many surprises, but the fighting scenes were well delivered. Unfortunately, the solution to their problem was so simple in the end, it was ridiculous. Miss Roy should've thought harder to find something complex enough to justify the trouble they all went through.
I think the best aspect of this novel was the lore because it featured a type of characters I hadn't encountered before: Jackals/Creeps. They are some kind of cannibal (because they eat human flesh) shape shifters who smell like rotten flesh. They have abilities and weaknesses similar to your traditional vampires (sunlight, silver, etc), but they kind of look like wolves when turning and some of them have special skills.
All that being said, I did finish reading this novel without dragging my feet too much, so it wasn't a bad novel, it just didn't stir any passion from me whatsoever, so I didn't like it either. As far as I know, this was Lauren's first book and I think she has potential, so even though I won't keep reading this series, I won't disregard anything she writes in the future either. I would suggest you read an excerpt (I couldn't find one for you sorry!) before you decide to buy the book, and see if you think you might like it.
I dove into Night Owls hoping for a good old urban fantasy, and while the genre is accurate, I'm afraid to say I wasn't impressed. This review will be very hard for me to write because I usually mention the things I liked and things I disliked about the book, but in this case, I didn't like nor dislike the novel, it kind of left me unaffected. While this isn't a bad novel, I just didn't feel passionate, or even involved in any of the proceedings. I didn't even care who lived or died, which is sad.
I think one of the main reason I didn't feel connected is the lack of a clear main characters. Reading the synopsis now I realize Valerie and Elly were suppose to be the main characters, but it was far from clear. Valerie (a vampire), Chaz (her human Renfield), Elly (Creeps Hunter) & Cavale (former Creeps Hunter) share, it seemed to me, equal parts of the main spotlight. On top of this, Justin (human) and Sunny & Lia (succubi) bring up the rear with secondary roles. All of these characters sharing the scene, fighting for our attention, just made it hard for me to connect with any of them in particular and it didn't help with my lack of caring. Not only are they many, none of them are particularly amazing.
The plot was correct if not particularly engrossing. We followed a rather linear line of action, without many surprises, but the fighting scenes were well delivered. Unfortunately, the solution to their problem was so simple in the end, it was ridiculous. Miss Roy should've thought harder to find something complex enough to justify the trouble they all went through.
I think the best aspect of this novel was the lore because it featured a type of characters I hadn't encountered before: Jackals/Creeps. They are some kind of cannibal (because they eat human flesh) shape shifters who smell like rotten flesh. They have abilities and weaknesses similar to your traditional vampires (sunlight, silver, etc), but they kind of look like wolves when turning and some of them have special skills.
All that being said, I did finish reading this novel without dragging my feet too much, so it wasn't a bad novel, it just didn't stir any passion from me whatsoever, so I didn't like it either. As far as I know, this was Lauren's first book and I think she has potential, so even though I won't keep reading this series, I won't disregard anything she writes in the future either. I would suggest you read an excerpt (I couldn't find one for you sorry!) before you decide to buy the book, and see if you think you might like it.
ptaradactyl's review against another edition
4.0
Easy, interesting, and a different twist on the usual urban fantasy. I really want to see where the series is going.
whichcraftidk's review against another edition
5.0
Why did it take me so long to pick this up? The author was at a panel I was going to at C2E2 so I thought I should get the book. I was maybe 20% of the way through by the time of the panel. So glad I went, because I know she's working on a second one.
Night Owls is a nice change from most urban fantasy. The most powerful MC is a woman and she's not hopelessly pining for a man or about to meet her long-ago lover. She's a badass, but readers don't learn that for a while (I don't think this is a spoiler...hope not). She's a book seller and she likes it that way. Her Renfield is a friend and they're both good people. I liked them.
I loved the relationship between Val (the vampire) and Elly (the young hunter [lower case h] with her on the book cover). They could have hated each other, they could have killed each other. But they each found something appealing in the other and worked together because they had to. I would have expected them to be catty or hurt each other but they both adapted.
Have you ever wanted to throw a book because the damn characters wouldn't grow up and deal with the big problems instead of focusing on their less important personal ones? I have--plenty of times. But not with Night Owls. It was everything I want when it comes to character interaction.
I hope to see a lot more of Val, Chaz, Elly, Cavale, and Justin and see how they deal with their situations.
Night Owls is a nice change from most urban fantasy. The most powerful MC is a woman and she's not hopelessly pining for a man or about to meet her long-ago lover. She's a badass, but readers don't learn that for a while (I don't think this is a spoiler...hope not). She's a book seller and she likes it that way. Her Renfield is a friend and they're both good people. I liked them.
I loved the relationship between Val (the vampire) and Elly (the young hunter [lower case h] with her on the book cover). They could have hated each other, they could have killed each other. But they each found something appealing in the other and worked together because they had to. I would have expected them to be catty or hurt each other but they both adapted.
Have you ever wanted to throw a book because the damn characters wouldn't grow up and deal with the big problems instead of focusing on their less important personal ones? I have--plenty of times. But not with Night Owls. It was everything I want when it comes to character interaction.
I hope to see a lot more of Val, Chaz, Elly, Cavale, and Justin and see how they deal with their situations.
buuboobaby's review against another edition
5.0
While I love Urban Fantasy, I don’t often have the opportunity to read much of the genre because so many of the titles currently being released are part of a longer, multi-volume series, or, when a book comes along that I think is interesting, I just don’t have time to fit it into my jam-packed reading schedule. I had seen several positive reviews for Night Owls, so I determined to make the time to read Lauren M Roy’s debut novel. I’m so glad I did! This is such a fun read, and it clicked for me within just the first few pages. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in just a few hours.
Valerie is a battle weary vampire, who has settled down as far away from California and the terrible memories that still haunt her ten years after a monster hunting mission gone bad. Now the proprietor of a late night bookstore, Night Owls, she’s made herself comfortable in a small college town, making a new life, and new friends, for herself. When Elly races into town, she destroys the peace that Val has built around herself. After one of her most loyal customers is murdered, Val is determined to find out the reason for his death. What she does is open a whole giant can of worms that threatens everything and everyone she loves.
Read complete review here -
http://www.mangamaniaccafe.com/?p=10289
Valerie is a battle weary vampire, who has settled down as far away from California and the terrible memories that still haunt her ten years after a monster hunting mission gone bad. Now the proprietor of a late night bookstore, Night Owls, she’s made herself comfortable in a small college town, making a new life, and new friends, for herself. When Elly races into town, she destroys the peace that Val has built around herself. After one of her most loyal customers is murdered, Val is determined to find out the reason for his death. What she does is open a whole giant can of worms that threatens everything and everyone she loves.
Read complete review here -
http://www.mangamaniaccafe.com/?p=10289
a_chickletz's review against another edition
3.0
For the first in the series it wasn't that bad!
I really liked the characters. The devotion Chaz has for Val outside of him being her Renfield is adorable and I hope that she comes to understand it time.
However, I thought the story was a little flat at times. I think it was because we understood the 'story' but the not the people themselves. I liked the characters but I felt that I never got to really 'know them'. Kind of like speed dating or going on a blind date, you wanna know who you're talking to.
Because this is the first in a series, I'm hoping the next book will be beefier and a bit more drawn out when it comes to characters.
I am looking to continue on.
Bring on book two!
I really liked the characters. The devotion Chaz has for Val outside of him being her Renfield is adorable and I hope that she comes to understand it time.
Spoiler
Because I will be damned if he chooses Kataya.However, I thought the story was a little flat at times. I think it was because we understood the 'story' but the not the people themselves. I liked the characters but I felt that I never got to really 'know them'. Kind of like speed dating or going on a blind date, you wanna know who you're talking to.
Because this is the first in a series, I'm hoping the next book will be beefier and a bit more drawn out when it comes to characters.
I am looking to continue on.
Spoiler
With the ghoul in the trunk, I hope to god he's someone who adds to their interesting clique of friends.Bring on book two!
mmichellemoore's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars - I enjoyed the world building and the characters. The plot could have moved faster at points but I'm looking forward to what Roy does next in this series.
nelsonseye's review
4.0
I really liked this one. The jacket image and plot overview are somewhat misleading (this is more of justice league than a dynamic duo) but that didn't distract from my overall enjoyment of the novel. I will definitely read more of this series.
sdramsey's review
4.0
I picked this book up initially because a writer friend mentioned it, and it sounded interesting. I enjoyed the author's handling of the vampire ethos and her introduction of other unique elements into the world of the story. The characters are well-drawn and interesting, and the story surprised me several times. Would definitely read another in this series. Great paranormal/urban fantasy reading!
chelsjulian's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like it. I really did, but it just fell flat. The premise was interesting. The writing was boring and the characters didn't connect.
ssejig's review against another edition
3.0
I can't remember where I read about this book but it's been on my TBR list for a long time. Of course, it's a book about vampires so where would I read it but in a lonely apartment in the middle of the woods with no one else around. It freaked me out just a little bit. But it's a good start to a what appears to be a series that I'm going to be continuing.
The book opens with Elly Garrett running from the Creeps. We're not really told what they are but the vampire in the story, Val, calls them the Jackals. They're after a book that Ellie and Father Value, her mentor, found a couple nights prior. But now Elly is on her own after Father Value has been killed. And after her first safe haven turns out to be not so safe, she's turned to the only person she knows left in the world. It's the same person that Val turns to when she needs help figuring out what the heck is going on. Lots of paranormal, lots of blood and gore, but a series that, as I mentioned before, I'm going to keep reading.
The book opens with Elly Garrett running from the Creeps. We're not really told what they are but the vampire in the story, Val, calls them the Jackals. They're after a book that Ellie and Father Value, her mentor, found a couple nights prior. But now Elly is on her own after Father Value has been killed. And after her first safe haven turns out to be not so safe, she's turned to the only person she knows left in the world. It's the same person that Val turns to when she needs help figuring out what the heck is going on. Lots of paranormal, lots of blood and gore, but a series that, as I mentioned before, I'm going to keep reading.