Slashback

by Rob Thurman

Reviewed by Coral

A supernatural serial killer targeting humans has arrived in New York, bringing back memories that the Leandros brothers would rather forget.

Trying to track the present day serial killer, who seems to have made them a target, proves near impossible as the rest of the supernatural world would rather stay silent to avoid drawing the killer’s attention onto themselves.

While 12 years ago, Niko and Cal nearly fall prey to a serial killer, a moment they both have refused to talk about since. But in order to catch the supernatural killer, it is their past that may hold the key.

I really wish that the summary on the back of the book would not give away huge plot points. I guess it’s supposed to be obvious that the case from the past connects with the case in the present, but I think too many details were given.

I liked that we had some Niko chapters again. I wish that we could have a book made up of completely Niko chapters, as Cal’s internal voice can get a little repetitive.

I don’t know why, but I cannot warm to Ishiah as a character. In this book he seems really passive-aggressive over the whole Robin and monogamy thing. In general I tend to dislike characters (or people) who try to change their romantic partners after professing that they like/love them the way they are.

Promise is another character I could do without, mostly because it doesn’t seem like the author is going to spend the time in making her an actual character rather than a background character. Since I like the character of Niko, I really wish that more time was spent developing this relationship rather than having Cal just say he’s worried about it.

I really wasn’t sure what to think about the double reveals at the end, as they mostly seemed at cross-purposes. Without giving too much away, I don’t mind the idea of reincarnation in this universe but I had trouble with the idea of Heaven and angels. It isn't just in this series in particular, I just have a hard time with the heavenly and supernatural worlds being merged as it doesn't seem to be done in a seamless way.

Grade: B

Ruby's Review:

I am happy to say that this book was the most enjoyable one I have read from this series in a while. There were a few points that I complained about last book that were dealt with in this one. There was an actual plot for one. And it had nothing to do with the Auphe. Niko got chapters back and had dimension to him again.

Was it a good plot? Not really. It was kind of obvious. Was there any new depth added to Niko? No. Were any of the other characters that have been hanging about since about book one further developed in any way? Nope. Robin actually degraded a bit for me. Did Cal rant endlessly and repetitively? You betcha.

I am so sick of reading Cal’s internal monologues. They take up pages and always say the exact same things. And what’s worse, it seems like they have been saying the exact same thing since the beginning of the series. Niko is all he has, Niko raised him, he’s part monster, their mom is a con artist and a whore, they have trust issues… blah blah blah.

Same crap, different chapter. I am so over it. I am over this series and this author. I’m done.

Grade: C