robynrussell's review against another edition
3.0
Funny but definitely not the best writing of all time.
texaswolfman's review against another edition
5.0
Great start to a new urban fantasy series. Love the characterization and action. Looking forward to the next one.
chllybrd's review against another edition
I snagged a copy of NIGHT OWLS off of Netgally but after reading half of it I just couldn't get into the story or the characters so I am filing it as did not finish.
shai3d's review against another edition
3.0
It was a good read but there really wasn't that spark that would raise it above the pack.
renpuspita's review
3.0
3 stars
The first genre I love is fantasy. No matter what how many books I read, I still love fantasy. Even I still a little bit wary when it comes to Urban Fantasy. Since the second genre I love is romance, and Urban Fantasy usually just have HFN (Happy For Now), less don't have romance. Surprisely, last year prove that I don't mind with the lack of romance. So when there's new urban fantasy with catchy cover by a debut author called Night Owls, I snatched a copy on the NetGalley. I admit the blurb also help, for the idea of the vampire as a bookseller/librarian is interesting.
Night Owl is a very traditional urban fantasy, but instead have 1st POV like much UF we know today, it have 3rd POV and told from multiple POV. That's the problem number one. The story told from Valerie McTeague (aka Val), the vampire that own the bookstore Night Owls, her Reinfield Charles (aka Chaz) and Elly Garrett as a hunter who hunt Creeps, the enemy of this book. First I don't have any idea what is Creeps. I think it something paranormal creature going awry and zombielike (or ghoul-like). And then when Val called it Jackal, I realize that it was like werewolf, but they eat human flesh, and they love when their prey were virgin.
Night Owls have 7 important character, Val, Chaz, Elly, Elly's foster brother, Cavale, Val's employer that pursue by Creeps, Justin and two lesbian succubi called Sunny and Lia. All must cooperate to prevent the Creeps for harm Justin, because Justin somehow have a knowledge from the book that had been snatched by Elly and cost her teacher's life, Father Value. The story first told from Elly's POV, then Val's, then Chaz's and then all intertwined in the middle of the story. This is for me, is problem number two, too much character but not enough world building. The world is too simple and somehow lack of explanation. So many characters and so many event happen,make me confused and hard to focus to the story. Also lack of emotion make me can't attached to the characters.
It's not that Night Owls bad, but I will said it's not stellar either. I see it have "first book in series" syndrome and I can see that this book have potential. I think if Night Owls focus just in one character, like Val or Elly, it will make the story more interesting and reader can connect with the the characters. The myth about vampire (like how the vampire made) and the Jackal is interesting and I think can be explored more. I want to give this 3,5 stars, but the ending somehows make no sense whatsoever. I don't know if I can called it cliffhanger, just not connected with the main story.
I think if you want to read a traditional urban fantasy with things that go bump in the night, consider to read Night Owls. If you love romance, maybe you will disappointed to see the lack of romance, even there's just a little hint of romance between some characters, but I'm not sure if it will be explored more.
Thanks to Random Publishing and NetGalley for provide the copy
The first genre I love is fantasy. No matter what how many books I read, I still love fantasy. Even I still a little bit wary when it comes to Urban Fantasy. Since the second genre I love is romance, and Urban Fantasy usually just have HFN (Happy For Now), less don't have romance. Surprisely, last year prove that I don't mind with the lack of romance. So when there's new urban fantasy with catchy cover by a debut author called Night Owls, I snatched a copy on the NetGalley. I admit the blurb also help, for the idea of the vampire as a bookseller/librarian is interesting.
Night Owl is a very traditional urban fantasy, but instead have 1st POV like much UF we know today, it have 3rd POV and told from multiple POV. That's the problem number one. The story told from Valerie McTeague (aka Val), the vampire that own the bookstore Night Owls, her Reinfield Charles (aka Chaz) and Elly Garrett as a hunter who hunt Creeps, the enemy of this book. First I don't have any idea what is Creeps. I think it something paranormal creature going awry and zombielike (or ghoul-like). And then when Val called it Jackal, I realize that it was like werewolf, but they eat human flesh, and they love when their prey were virgin.
Night Owls have 7 important character, Val, Chaz, Elly, Elly's foster brother, Cavale, Val's employer that pursue by Creeps, Justin and two lesbian succubi called Sunny and Lia. All must cooperate to prevent the Creeps for harm Justin, because Justin somehow have a knowledge from the book that had been snatched by Elly and cost her teacher's life, Father Value. The story first told from Elly's POV, then Val's, then Chaz's and then all intertwined in the middle of the story. This is for me, is problem number two, too much character but not enough world building. The world is too simple and somehow lack of explanation. So many characters and so many event happen,make me confused and hard to focus to the story. Also lack of emotion make me can't attached to the characters.
It's not that Night Owls bad, but I will said it's not stellar either. I see it have "first book in series" syndrome and I can see that this book have potential. I think if Night Owls focus just in one character, like Val or Elly, it will make the story more interesting and reader can connect with the the characters. The myth about vampire (like how the vampire made) and the Jackal is interesting and I think can be explored more. I want to give this 3,5 stars, but the ending somehows make no sense whatsoever. I don't know if I can called it cliffhanger, just not connected with the main story.
I think if you want to read a traditional urban fantasy with things that go bump in the night, consider to read Night Owls. If you love romance, maybe you will disappointed to see the lack of romance, even there's just a little hint of romance between some characters, but I'm not sure if it will be explored more.
Thanks to Random Publishing and NetGalley for provide the copy
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!