Liviania’s review of Blackout (Cal Leandros, Book 6) by Rob Thurman
Urban Fantasy published by Roc 1 Mar 11
It seems like many romance readers hate the amnesia plot. Urban fantasy readers complain about it less, likely because it is used less. But I think Rob Thurman used it well. Despite being the sixth book in the Cal Leandros series, Blackout is accessible to new readers since Cal is discovering who he is and what his world is like. (Hint: It’s filled with things that go bump in the night.)
Cal wakes up on a beach. He’s surrounded by dead giant spiders, armed to the teeth, and carrying three fake IDs. There’s only one thing to do: get a haircut and work as a waiter. Okay, that’s what he does due to the generosity of the people in Nevah’s Landing, South Carolina. But pretty soon a man claiming to be his brother shows up – accompanied by a monster.
Readers of the series know that Niko is his brother, Robin is his best friend, and Cal isn’t usually that polite. The personality that Cal develops in the absence of his memories is intriguingly normal, considering that Cal became noticeably insane around Deathwish or Roadkill. Thus, new Cal pulls off two tricks. First, as mentioned before, is introducing new readers to the series. Second, older readers empathize with Niko’s dilemma. Does he help Cal to regain his memories or does he allow Cal to remain ignorant and happy? Old Cal is missed, but new Cal has his good points.
I enjoy character driven novels, so I got a kick out of Blackout. One of the reasons I love the Cal Leandros series so much is the chemistry in the ensemble. At the same time, others might be less satisfied with this entry than me. Blackout focuses much less on the action. Overall, the novel moves somewhat slower. When action scenes do occur, they’re less explosive. I found the trade-off acceptable and certainly won’t skip Blackout when rereading the series. At the same time, if I’m just revisiting one book in the series, it’s not likely to be Blackout.
Rob Thurman’s dialogue and narration remain snappy. Cal might be less prickly and sarcastic in this book, but he’s still a smartass. Not a romantic smartass, however. For those who like a dash of romance with their urban fantasy, another series might be better. Cal’s relationship with Delilah was always more about sex than romance, and at this point it’s definitely over. (Well, aside from one of them potentially killing the other in the future.)
Blackout may not be my favorite book in the series, but I thought it was a good change of pace. The characterization is strong, the story is fun, and the emotional beats work. There’s a reason I look forward to the newest entry in this series every year.
Grade: B+
Summary:
Some things are better forgotten.
I was alone, and I was lost. I didn’t know where I was; I didn’t know who I was. It doesn’t get more lost than that. Knowing what I knew and not knowing anything else at all, why would I want to be in the darkness where monsters hide?
Because killers hide there, too…
Half-human Cal Leandros has always walked a bloody line between keeping his mortal soul free and clear (sort of) and unleashing the horror of his otherworldly heritage. The one thing that’s always saved him is the memory of his brother, Niko, his friends, and those he loves… until now.
Cal wakes up on a beach littered with the recently slaughtered remains of a variety of hideous creatures that were obviously looking for trouble. The fact that he was the one doing the slaughtering doesn’t bother him. The fact that he feels like a natural-born killer doesn’t either. What bothers him is that Cal doesn’t remember Cal anymore…
And he’s not sure he cares.
Read an excerpt here.
Other books in this series:
