What do you think?
Rate this book
Trickster #1
Trick of the Light
When Trixa learns of a powerful artifact known as the Light of Life, she knows she's hit the jackpot. Both sides[angel and demon[would give anything for it. But first she has to find it. And as Heaven and Hell ready for an apocalyptic throwdown, Trixa must decide where her true loyalty lies, and what she's ready to fight for. Because in her world, if you line up on the wrong side, you pay with more than your life[]
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2009
45 people are currently reading
3233 people want to read
About the author
Rob Thurman
43 books1,563 followersRob Thurman is currently writing three series for Penguin Putnam's imprint ROC FANTASY, as well as a brand-new mainstream series for Simon & Schuster's POCKET BOOKS.
Rob has also written for a Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner Anthology, WOLFSBANE AND MISTLETOE. This year, Rob contributed a post-apocalyptic, "grim" faerie tale Western to the anthology, COURTS OF THE FEY.
Rob's work is dark, non-stop action from beginning to end, rife with purely evil sarcasm as sharp as a switchblade - and probably nearly as illegal. If one shoved LORD OF THE RINGS,
THE SHINING, and PULP FICTION into a wood-chipper, the result would be what Rob aims to deliver in a novel or short story.
A member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), ROB THURMAN lives in RURAL Indiana - land of endless fields, infinite cows and where dialup is still the only soul-crushing option.
Rob has also written for a Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner Anthology, WOLFSBANE AND MISTLETOE. This year, Rob contributed a post-apocalyptic, "grim" faerie tale Western to the anthology, COURTS OF THE FEY.
Rob's work is dark, non-stop action from beginning to end, rife with purely evil sarcasm as sharp as a switchblade - and probably nearly as illegal. If one shoved LORD OF THE RINGS,
THE SHINING, and PULP FICTION into a wood-chipper, the result would be what Rob aims to deliver in a novel or short story.
A member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), ROB THURMAN lives in RURAL Indiana - land of endless fields, infinite cows and where dialup is still the only soul-crushing option.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
November 7, 2023
Hmm. What to say?
Trixa is a bar owner in Vegas. When first we meet her she's just burned down a nightclub with her two companions, Griffin and Zeke, who she took in years earlier when they were just a couple of starving teens on the street. The arson's okay, though, because the club is owned by a demon and burning down his rebuilt clubs is sort of a favorite pastime of the trio.
There's also Trixa's bff, Leo, a sexy Native-American who runs the bar with her and has known her and her family for ages. He and Trixa bond most tightly where her late brother is concerned. The three of them were close and, you guessed it, a demon killed Kimano while he slept. Not cool. And the reason for the vengeance Trixa seeks that also drives the story.
That's all I'll say about that.
Despite a few problems, I really liked this story. I had a hard time putting it down. Thurman doesn't write romances, although she has a serious addiction to writing hot male characters and romance almost always has a thread.
My complaints have to do with the end. I won't be too specific because there are major spoilers I don't want to give out, but my problem is that certain things could have been better presented and almost seemed like a ripoff when the reveal finally came. The climax of the story is quite good, very exciting, but it's followed by about three chapters of wordy wrap-up that could have been achieved in one chapter of 'showing' rather than 'telling'.
But, this complaint aside, I will definitely buy the next book in this second series by Rob Thurman. Her signature series -- Cal Leandros (although I think it should be called The Leandros Brothers), beginning with "Nightlife" -- is also a lot of fun.
Trixa is a bar owner in Vegas. When first we meet her she's just burned down a nightclub with her two companions, Griffin and Zeke, who she took in years earlier when they were just a couple of starving teens on the street. The arson's okay, though, because the club is owned by a demon and burning down his rebuilt clubs is sort of a favorite pastime of the trio.
There's also Trixa's bff, Leo, a sexy Native-American who runs the bar with her and has known her and her family for ages. He and Trixa bond most tightly where her late brother is concerned. The three of them were close and, you guessed it, a demon killed Kimano while he slept. Not cool. And the reason for the vengeance Trixa seeks that also drives the story.
That's all I'll say about that.
Despite a few problems, I really liked this story. I had a hard time putting it down. Thurman doesn't write romances, although she has a serious addiction to writing hot male characters and romance almost always has a thread.
My complaints have to do with the end. I won't be too specific because there are major spoilers I don't want to give out, but my problem is that certain things could have been better presented and almost seemed like a ripoff when the reveal finally came. The climax of the story is quite good, very exciting, but it's followed by about three chapters of wordy wrap-up that could have been achieved in one chapter of 'showing' rather than 'telling'.
But, this complaint aside, I will definitely buy the next book in this second series by Rob Thurman. Her signature series -- Cal Leandros (although I think it should be called The Leandros Brothers), beginning with "Nightlife" -- is also a lot of fun.
November 5, 2009
Let me start with saying that I had doubts and I was totally wrong; this is a terrific book in every way.
That said, I whined a bunch while reading this book. Wrote notes about being tired of stories where demons are evil fallen angels who are suddenly all bad (they were angels once after all) and angels are cold and distant and don't really care about people. Wrote notes wondering if the character of Trixa was a Mary Sue who was so perfectly living out the author's dreams of perfect physical and mental performance. I was enjoying the book, especially the supporting characters of Zeke and Griffin, but really looking forward to seeing where it was going and if the "big surprise" ending would make it all worth it. Knowing how much I liked Rob Thurman's other books, I was hopeful, but my natural skepticism was honestly in action.
I WAS WRONG!!! It was fantastic in every way. I never should have doubted her for a second. With the warning not to read the end and to expect a big twist, I thought I knew what to expect, at least a bit. I was mostly right and yet totally wrong. And tons of stuff happens that I never expected that explained every loose end and made all aspects of the story richer and more complex. It was original and very much unexpected. Even the nice tie-ins earlier in the story mentioning the character of Robin and the situation in NYC from the Cal Leandros stories was given more depth. It was just cool. And I loved being surprised and seeing old tales given new life and excitement.
That all being said, I can't tell you too much about the story that isn't in the description or in other reviews. Trixa is tough and kicks demons where it counts (or shoots them in the head, whichever seems to make sense in the moment). Her best friend Leo is also her bartender. She has two essentially foster-brothers who are demon hunters who work for a group sponsored by angels. There are a few big, potentially bad but very charming demons. And most of all there is a quest for vengeance for the death of Trixa's little brother. For those who've read Cal and Niko's stories, Trixa's obsession with her brother completely eclipses Niko's for Cal, which is saying something. The book is not as dark as the other novels, while still packing in the action. And that's about all I'll say about the plot. The theme is free will and choice, pretty common in stories featuring heaven and hell, but done in quite an original and interesting way here. Choice is everything in this book.
I'm greatly looking forward to the next book, even with the big reveals in the past. Who knows what rabbit Ms. Thurman will pull out of her hat next time? Fun stuff, read the book, then read the rest of her stories as well.
That said, I whined a bunch while reading this book. Wrote notes about being tired of stories where demons are evil fallen angels who are suddenly all bad (they were angels once after all) and angels are cold and distant and don't really care about people. Wrote notes wondering if the character of Trixa was a Mary Sue who was so perfectly living out the author's dreams of perfect physical and mental performance. I was enjoying the book, especially the supporting characters of Zeke and Griffin, but really looking forward to seeing where it was going and if the "big surprise" ending would make it all worth it. Knowing how much I liked Rob Thurman's other books, I was hopeful, but my natural skepticism was honestly in action.
I WAS WRONG!!! It was fantastic in every way. I never should have doubted her for a second. With the warning not to read the end and to expect a big twist, I thought I knew what to expect, at least a bit. I was mostly right and yet totally wrong. And tons of stuff happens that I never expected that explained every loose end and made all aspects of the story richer and more complex. It was original and very much unexpected. Even the nice tie-ins earlier in the story mentioning the character of Robin and the situation in NYC from the Cal Leandros stories was given more depth. It was just cool. And I loved being surprised and seeing old tales given new life and excitement.
That all being said, I can't tell you too much about the story that isn't in the description or in other reviews. Trixa is tough and kicks demons where it counts (or shoots them in the head, whichever seems to make sense in the moment). Her best friend Leo is also her bartender. She has two essentially foster-brothers who are demon hunters who work for a group sponsored by angels. There are a few big, potentially bad but very charming demons. And most of all there is a quest for vengeance for the death of Trixa's little brother. For those who've read Cal and Niko's stories, Trixa's obsession with her brother completely eclipses Niko's for Cal, which is saying something. The book is not as dark as the other novels, while still packing in the action. And that's about all I'll say about the plot. The theme is free will and choice, pretty common in stories featuring heaven and hell, but done in quite an original and interesting way here. Choice is everything in this book.
I'm greatly looking forward to the next book, even with the big reveals in the past. Who knows what rabbit Ms. Thurman will pull out of her hat next time? Fun stuff, read the book, then read the rest of her stories as well.
May 25, 2013
Trick of the Light takes Rob Thurman's urban fantasy storytelling in a different direction. She is known for her male POV characters, but in this book, the lead is Trixa, a female. While I am a huge fan of Cal and Nik Leandros, it was nice to see a different set of characters, although there is a subtle tie-in to the Leandros series through a Robin Goodfellow cameo (sort-of).
This novel is set in Las Vegas, which is great, since I love Las Vegas. We used to go there for vacation when I lived in San Diego, and it is a town with a lot of energy, and I could easily believe they have a demon problem. After all, a city with that much gambling, desperation and rowdy entertainment going on would be a good place if you were looking to buy some souls on offer.
Trixa's character has a lot of layers. Rob Thurman excellently crafts this story and leaves clues that more than you think is going on. When things culminate, I had a sense of everything coming together, and little facts revealed in the narrative and things the characters did clicked with me. I was completely surprised about Griffin and Zeke, and that was kind of fun! Leo as well.
I hate to compare things, but it's inevitable. I think it's because I just adore Cal and Nik so much, this one wasn't quite as endearing to me. But I have to say this was a very good book. It has that tangible feel of Rob Thurman, a deep sort of mix of cynicism mixed with hope and integrity, and a powerful use of folklore and legends to build a story, that I enjoy so much about the Leandros series. And Trixa was a fun, distinctive character. She was easy to like, even when she was tough as nails and almost vicious about it, and I rooted for her. I liked her complexity, and the fact that she was very good at plotting out her course and dealing with bumps in the road. I liked her motherly/older sisterly feelings for Griffin and Deke. She was feminine but not in a stereotyped way. Sort of like what I would expect a kickbutt woman to be: rough and ready, but also with a soft side. More like a real woman and not the typical "urban fantasy" incarnation.
I will say here and now that I loved Griffin and Deke. No, they aren't Cal and Nik clones, but what you like about the Cal and Nik dynamic is here in this book, but going in a very different direction. Deke was an incredibly interesting character. A borderline sociopath with psychopathic tendencies that are hinged on a very black and white sense of morality. He has a childish innocence that makes you want to hug him, but that is mixed with a very alarming tendency towards violence that he exercises on the 'guilty.' Perhaps he is a bit like The Punisher mixed with Judge Dredd. Griffin is like his moral conscience, keeping him on track and tempering his tendency towards violence. They are close in a way that appealed to me. That too ties into the reveal and it takes the story in a distinctive direction. I don't know if I would have chosen that resolution, but it works for the story and I did wonder if things would end up that way.
Leo's character was very inscrutable and I didn't feel I got to know him very well. I guess for the purposes of the novel, it would have given too much away if I did. I hope to see more of him in the next book.
Las Vegas in this book isn't the one that instantly comes to mind. Trixa and her companions don't hang out on the Strip. Her bar is in downtown, which is called The Fremont Experience, and she spends a lot of time going to the areas (often rural) around Vegas. The scenery is so vivid that I did feel like I was along for the ride, which is important for me when I am reading a book. Since I don't get a chance to explore the outskirts of Vegas that much, usually spending my time on the main Strip, that was a nice way to explore Vegas as an armchair traveler.
As far as the storyline, it's quite dark, which is typical for Thurman. She mixes Judeo-Christian angel and demon lore with different folklore traditions to make an interesting combination. I normally don't think it works to stir too many different legends/myths together in a storyline, but it was well-done. I felt that the angels weren't very sympathetic or likable, which is a shame, since I love angels. The demons were what I would expect, but Thurman mixes in a lot of gray here. She makes you question the motives of both and wonder who's the pony to back. In the end, I understood what she was doing with this story, and it all came together satisfactorily.
I can't really give this five stars, because it didn't feel like a fiver for me, but it was close. It has a different feel that I enjoyed, and the characters are very complex and interesting. I think that some aspects weren't as clear as I wanted and I was left with some questions. There is this sense of a lack of resolution here that I suppose comes along with a potential series (and with characters of this sort). This is a dark story, which I do enjoy in a strange way. Although there something melancholy and morose here that stays with me that isn't quite satisfying. A sense that there is not one road to travel to the end destination. It comes with the territory when you mix up traditions this way.
Overall, a very good book. Another Rob Thurman to add to my keeper shelf. Looking forward to catching up with Trixa, Deke, Griffin, and Leo again.
4.25/5.0 stars for this book.
This novel is set in Las Vegas, which is great, since I love Las Vegas. We used to go there for vacation when I lived in San Diego, and it is a town with a lot of energy, and I could easily believe they have a demon problem. After all, a city with that much gambling, desperation and rowdy entertainment going on would be a good place if you were looking to buy some souls on offer.
Trixa's character has a lot of layers. Rob Thurman excellently crafts this story and leaves clues that more than you think is going on. When things culminate, I had a sense of everything coming together, and little facts revealed in the narrative and things the characters did clicked with me. I was completely surprised about Griffin and Zeke, and that was kind of fun! Leo as well.
I hate to compare things, but it's inevitable. I think it's because I just adore Cal and Nik so much, this one wasn't quite as endearing to me. But I have to say this was a very good book. It has that tangible feel of Rob Thurman, a deep sort of mix of cynicism mixed with hope and integrity, and a powerful use of folklore and legends to build a story, that I enjoy so much about the Leandros series. And Trixa was a fun, distinctive character. She was easy to like, even when she was tough as nails and almost vicious about it, and I rooted for her. I liked her complexity, and the fact that she was very good at plotting out her course and dealing with bumps in the road. I liked her motherly/older sisterly feelings for Griffin and Deke. She was feminine but not in a stereotyped way. Sort of like what I would expect a kickbutt woman to be: rough and ready, but also with a soft side. More like a real woman and not the typical "urban fantasy" incarnation.
I will say here and now that I loved Griffin and Deke. No, they aren't Cal and Nik clones, but what you like about the Cal and Nik dynamic is here in this book, but going in a very different direction. Deke was an incredibly interesting character. A borderline sociopath with psychopathic tendencies that are hinged on a very black and white sense of morality. He has a childish innocence that makes you want to hug him, but that is mixed with a very alarming tendency towards violence that he exercises on the 'guilty.' Perhaps he is a bit like The Punisher mixed with Judge Dredd. Griffin is like his moral conscience, keeping him on track and tempering his tendency towards violence. They are close in a way that appealed to me. That too ties into the reveal and it takes the story in a distinctive direction. I don't know if I would have chosen that resolution, but it works for the story and I did wonder if things would end up that way.
Leo's character was very inscrutable and I didn't feel I got to know him very well. I guess for the purposes of the novel, it would have given too much away if I did. I hope to see more of him in the next book.
Las Vegas in this book isn't the one that instantly comes to mind. Trixa and her companions don't hang out on the Strip. Her bar is in downtown, which is called The Fremont Experience, and she spends a lot of time going to the areas (often rural) around Vegas. The scenery is so vivid that I did feel like I was along for the ride, which is important for me when I am reading a book. Since I don't get a chance to explore the outskirts of Vegas that much, usually spending my time on the main Strip, that was a nice way to explore Vegas as an armchair traveler.
As far as the storyline, it's quite dark, which is typical for Thurman. She mixes Judeo-Christian angel and demon lore with different folklore traditions to make an interesting combination. I normally don't think it works to stir too many different legends/myths together in a storyline, but it was well-done. I felt that the angels weren't very sympathetic or likable, which is a shame, since I love angels. The demons were what I would expect, but Thurman mixes in a lot of gray here. She makes you question the motives of both and wonder who's the pony to back. In the end, I understood what she was doing with this story, and it all came together satisfactorily.
I can't really give this five stars, because it didn't feel like a fiver for me, but it was close. It has a different feel that I enjoyed, and the characters are very complex and interesting. I think that some aspects weren't as clear as I wanted and I was left with some questions. There is this sense of a lack of resolution here that I suppose comes along with a potential series (and with characters of this sort). This is a dark story, which I do enjoy in a strange way. Although there something melancholy and morose here that stays with me that isn't quite satisfying. A sense that there is not one road to travel to the end destination. It comes with the territory when you mix up traditions this way.
Overall, a very good book. Another Rob Thurman to add to my keeper shelf. Looking forward to catching up with Trixa, Deke, Griffin, and Leo again.
4.25/5.0 stars for this book.
November 1, 2016
Trixa was hellbent on finding the demon who killed her brother. The backstory was seriously lacking. Not enough was known about Trixa, her brother or their relationship for me to care. Finding this demon meant finding something that could cause a war between heaven and hell, but none of that concerned her. Vengeance for her brother meant more than preventing a war that could have unknown but grave consequences.
Trixa was bossy and snarky. She was 31 but acted more like she was 21. I didn’t like her. Griffin and Zeke were like brothers/children to her who helped her kill demons. They were weird and had a bizarre codependent relationship. For most of the book I was wondering if they were brothers, friends or lovers. Their actions and conversations didn’t give much away about them. Trixa just explained what they were like over and over. The same thing happened with her friend Leo. I didn’t feel like I knew any of the side characters enough to like or dislike them. The demon Solomon was the most entertaining character, but unfortunately things with him ended just like I thought they would.
The writing style didn’t flow well. Scenes would change abruptly, and I often felt like I missed something. The narration was very repetitive. I didn’t need to be told over and over what Griffin and Zeke were like and that they were family. I got it after the first time. It’s rare that I like unreliable narrators, and I didn’t like it here. The ending completely changed the story, not for the worse or for the better. It left me feeling like where the hell did this come from, and frankly I’m not interested in knowing more.
Trixa was bossy and snarky. She was 31 but acted more like she was 21. I didn’t like her. Griffin and Zeke were like brothers/children to her who helped her kill demons. They were weird and had a bizarre codependent relationship. For most of the book I was wondering if they were brothers, friends or lovers. Their actions and conversations didn’t give much away about them. Trixa just explained what they were like over and over. The same thing happened with her friend Leo. I didn’t feel like I knew any of the side characters enough to like or dislike them. The demon Solomon was the most entertaining character, but unfortunately things with him ended just like I thought they would.
The writing style didn’t flow well. Scenes would change abruptly, and I often felt like I missed something. The narration was very repetitive. I didn’t need to be told over and over what Griffin and Zeke were like and that they were family. I got it after the first time. It’s rare that I like unreliable narrators, and I didn’t like it here. The ending completely changed the story, not for the worse or for the better. It left me feeling like where the hell did this come from, and frankly I’m not interested in knowing more.
November 19, 2009
I had this big long review and then I accidentally deleted it. I swear sometimes I'm just retarded. The gist of it though, was that it surprised me that this is one of those books that throw you in the middle of the story without much background information, especially on the characters. Some people don't mind that but it drives me crazy. The 'Kate Daniels' series by Ilona Andrews has been the only books so far to get away with it for me. I just couldn't get connected to the story, which is a shame because I adore the author's 'Cal Leandros' series. It's more of a personal issue though, so I'm sure others will like it. It just was too fast-paced with too little information for me.
March 9, 2019
I am not as happy about this book as I hoped to be. There are so many similarities between this and her other two series (Cal Leandros and The Chimera) that I have to wonder how much is based on real life experiences. All her books involve siblings (in this case foster siblings), one of whom either has to or feels he has to protect the other. Always men, one is blond, the other dark, one has olive skin, the other light. They are always amazingly strong and adept at self-defense but also emotionally fragile deep down. One shows this occasionally and is self-deprecating, the other never shows emotion unless the brother is at risk and even then it’s very controlled. Parents are rarely in the picture and in the past were usually evil. (Of course the foster parents were all evil, aren’t they always? I mean, none of us take care of kids because we love them and treat them as our own. But that’s a different discussion…)
I had high hopes because this book features a female narrator. Although she waxes on about high heeled boots on occasion, in reality she dresses and acts appropriately for the high-stress environments she finds herself in. I was relieved we weren’t looking at another Rachel Caine or Kim Harrison who only talk about heels and leather and skimpy outfits. (Since when are leather pants sophisticated? I mean talk about tacky…)
But I don’t really like her nearly as much as the guys and I didn’t like them as much as Cal and his brother. She’s mouthy of course, and obsessed with her long lost brother (couldn’t have a protagonist without that) and always worried about her “boys” as she calls them. But she’s so single-mindedly bent on revenge that I wouldn’t have been able to stomach it if it weren’t a demon she was after. At least in The Chimera, the main character is obsessed with finding his brother, not getting revenge.
One of my biggest frustrations with this book that I haven’t seen in any of her others was that she spent most of the first few chapters telling rather than showing. That drives me crazy and is boring to boot. At one point I even began to question whether Thurman had even written it but then I remembered the almost identical themes and realized I was wrong. I had a lot more concerns with the book until the end when they were wrapped up with a huge twist. I felt a little betrayed though because I felt it came out of left field. When I thought about it, there were definitely clues, and I was probably an idiot for not noticing them (the most obvious is even on the cover) but I still think they were pretty much a little too subtle. That helps my ego a bit. Until the last couple of pages, I also didn’t think there was room for a good sequel but that was taken care of neatly of course.
But all is not lost. I did enjoy it and the first book in a series is often rough. I’m willing to give the next one a go. I mean, when there are no more stories to be read about Cal, where else am I going to go?
I had high hopes because this book features a female narrator. Although she waxes on about high heeled boots on occasion, in reality she dresses and acts appropriately for the high-stress environments she finds herself in. I was relieved we weren’t looking at another Rachel Caine or Kim Harrison who only talk about heels and leather and skimpy outfits. (Since when are leather pants sophisticated? I mean talk about tacky…)
But I don’t really like her nearly as much as the guys and I didn’t like them as much as Cal and his brother. She’s mouthy of course, and obsessed with her long lost brother (couldn’t have a protagonist without that) and always worried about her “boys” as she calls them. But she’s so single-mindedly bent on revenge that I wouldn’t have been able to stomach it if it weren’t a demon she was after. At least in The Chimera, the main character is obsessed with finding his brother, not getting revenge.
One of my biggest frustrations with this book that I haven’t seen in any of her others was that she spent most of the first few chapters telling rather than showing. That drives me crazy and is boring to boot. At one point I even began to question whether Thurman had even written it but then I remembered the almost identical themes and realized I was wrong. I had a lot more concerns with the book until the end when they were wrapped up with a huge twist. I felt a little betrayed though because I felt it came out of left field. When I thought about it, there were definitely clues, and I was probably an idiot for not noticing them (the most obvious is even on the cover) but I still think they were pretty much a little too subtle. That helps my ego a bit. Until the last couple of pages, I also didn’t think there was room for a good sequel but that was taken care of neatly of course.
But all is not lost. I did enjoy it and the first book in a series is often rough. I’m willing to give the next one a go. I mean, when there are no more stories to be read about Cal, where else am I going to go?
February 27, 2016
Can't say too much without spoiling it, and the twists are pretty much the point of the story. The narrator is clearly unreliable, and it kept me guessing.
I liked the setting (Nevada) and the variations on legend/myth/religion. I liked Griffin, Zeke, and Leo. Eli cracked me up (oh-so-evil-and-loving-it). Solomon was intriguing. There's a lot of interesting stuff going on with Trixa, but at times her high opinion of herself got on my nerves.
The story is set in the same alternate-reality version of the U.S. as the Cal and Niko Leandros books and includes a few references to characters and events from that other series. This one, however, focuses on different aspects of the supernatural. In some ways, Trixa seems sort of like a female combination of Cal and Niko; she has the same strong ties to her brothers, biological and adopted, and she has Cal's eating habits.
The violence and vulgarity were less prevalent in this story than they are in the Cal and Niko Leandros books, but there was one throwdown that got quite gruesome.
I liked how there was sexual tension without anything getting graphic.
I'm curious what kinds of situations Thurman will take Trixa and friends into next, so I plan to check out the next book in the series (while I wonder if she has any plans to do a crossover featuring Trixa, Cal and Niko).
I liked the setting (Nevada) and the variations on legend/myth/religion. I liked Griffin, Zeke, and Leo. Eli cracked me up (oh-so-evil-and-loving-it). Solomon was intriguing. There's a lot of interesting stuff going on with Trixa, but at times her high opinion of herself got on my nerves.
The story is set in the same alternate-reality version of the U.S. as the Cal and Niko Leandros books and includes a few references to characters and events from that other series. This one, however, focuses on different aspects of the supernatural. In some ways, Trixa seems sort of like a female combination of Cal and Niko; she has the same strong ties to her brothers, biological and adopted, and she has Cal's eating habits.
The violence and vulgarity were less prevalent in this story than they are in the Cal and Niko Leandros books, but there was one throwdown that got quite gruesome.
I liked how there was sexual tension without anything getting graphic.
I'm curious what kinds of situations Thurman will take Trixa and friends into next, so I plan to check out the next book in the series (while I wonder if she has any plans to do a crossover featuring Trixa, Cal and Niko).
February 26, 2016
There isn't much good I can say about this book. I don't like the main character. Her sarcasm and rude commentary on anything and everything got old after the second chapter. The book could have been much, much shorter if her constant whining and repetition were removed. There are only so many times I need to read that Zeke is black and white, that Griffin needs to be needed, that it is OK to be a B cup, that she likes silk... Trixa herself cannot decide what she is: smart-mouthed? strong? sexy? bad-ass? feminine? sarcastic? She acts like a 15 year old who hates the world because things are not done to her specifications, making snide remarks about everything to hide her low self-esteem.
I bought this book because I thought I was getting an urban fantasy story about the fight between Heaven and Hell, and kept reading with the hopes it would continue with Trixa having to find the Light. I finished the book and instead of liking it, I am left angry. This fight between Heaven and Hell? I've been watching it on Supernatural for the past few years. Trixa and Leo's twist? A lie to the reader since the narration is in the first person and we are reading Trixa's thoughts throughout. The Light? Not interesting, in the end.
I bought this book because I thought I was getting an urban fantasy story about the fight between Heaven and Hell, and kept reading with the hopes it would continue with Trixa having to find the Light. I finished the book and instead of liking it, I am left angry. This fight between Heaven and Hell? I've been watching it on Supernatural for the past few years. Trixa and Leo's twist? A lie to the reader since the narration is in the first person and we are reading Trixa's thoughts throughout. The Light? Not interesting, in the end.
January 9, 2010
Trick of Light is the first book in the Trickster series by Rob Thurman. On the cover it says something about a crazy twist at the end and I personally liked that twist. I really liked that book, but I found it lacking something, nothing too important.. just that extra something. Once it got to the important twist at the end, I found that missing something. I found the middle to the end was very fun to read and kept me on my toes.
The characters are very nicely written and had good humour. I partically liked Zeke, the not so easy going misfit character. He was a great addition to the story and his character along with Griffin's character fit with the story perfect. As for Trixta I found her a good read. She was interesting and cool. Kick ass but also caring. She may not be my favorite heroine ever, but she was fun to read and easy to laugh with.
This is the first book I've read by Rob Thurman and I thought it was pretty cool. I love how it reminds me of my favorite show Supernatural( I can't say why without leaving big spoliers) but it was a good read and I will be reading the next book when it's released!
The characters are very nicely written and had good humour. I partically liked Zeke, the not so easy going misfit character. He was a great addition to the story and his character along with Griffin's character fit with the story perfect. As for Trixta I found her a good read. She was interesting and cool. Kick ass but also caring. She may not be my favorite heroine ever, but she was fun to read and easy to laugh with.
This is the first book I've read by Rob Thurman and I thought it was pretty cool. I love how it reminds me of my favorite show Supernatural( I can't say why without leaving big spoliers) but it was a good read and I will be reading the next book when it's released!
Read
December 2, 2020DNF - couldn't connect
December 11, 2010
I listened to this on audio which is why it took awhile to get through. I admit, I loved the narrator's voice. I think she caught the tough chick tone just right. She has one of those voices that in a romance novel would be described as "honey over gravel." She can do rough, tough but also a dark, silky smooth. She worked exceptionally well for that snarky tone that seems to be Thurman's signature style. But truthfully, i can hear her being the "voice" of any of the UF touch chicks.
I only made it through three books of Thurman's Cal Leandros series. Not because I disliked the series, on the contrary, I love the series. But it isn't a series you can glom one book to the next. They are dark and funny but also a little relentless. I think I took a break from them to just cleanse my palate a little. But this book reminded me of what I really liked about those books and makes me want to get back into them.
Trixa is the main character and is the story's first person POV narrator. One thing that I think Thurman does that I think is a little atypical of first person POVs is that she allows her narrator to lie to the reader. Well, that may be a little harsh... she allows her narrator to conceal a LOT from the reader. I've always understood that there is a little pact between the reader and the first person POV character. They give you their impressions of other characters and their thoughts about them and you trust them because these are their thoughts. But Thurman bends that a little bit to great effect. Trixa plays her cards very very close to her chest, even in her inner dialogue. At the end you find out quite a bit that Trixa has been concealing, even in her own thoughts. And it makes for a very exciting climax.
The basic plot is that Trixa lives in Vegas and is a bar owner. She is searching for something call the Light of Life to leverage it to use it to find the Demon that killed her brother. In this world Demons and Angels exist. They are also looking for the Light because apparently the owner of it will turn the tide of the battle between good and evil. Trixa has a heart of gold and surrounds herself with a close knit group of people. There is Leo her bartender and old friend of the family. There is also the dynamic duo of Zeke and Griffin. Two young men who are dedicated demon killers who Trixia met and took in when they were younger teenaged runaways.
Zeke and Griffin's relationship is one of bone deep I-would-die-for-you-brotherhood. Very reminiscent of the Cal and Nik relationship in her other series, which I admit, made me love this book even more.
Trixa finds the light first and suddenly she has a host of Angels and Demons, including one sexy Demon named Solomon, hot on her trail and ready to make deals for the light.
That is just bare bones plot. The story has twists and turns and the aforementioned jaw dropping climax that makes you go 'ah-a!'
Good book. Great audio.
I only made it through three books of Thurman's Cal Leandros series. Not because I disliked the series, on the contrary, I love the series. But it isn't a series you can glom one book to the next. They are dark and funny but also a little relentless. I think I took a break from them to just cleanse my palate a little. But this book reminded me of what I really liked about those books and makes me want to get back into them.
Trixa is the main character and is the story's first person POV narrator. One thing that I think Thurman does that I think is a little atypical of first person POVs is that she allows her narrator to lie to the reader. Well, that may be a little harsh... she allows her narrator to conceal a LOT from the reader. I've always understood that there is a little pact between the reader and the first person POV character. They give you their impressions of other characters and their thoughts about them and you trust them because these are their thoughts. But Thurman bends that a little bit to great effect. Trixa plays her cards very very close to her chest, even in her inner dialogue. At the end you find out quite a bit that Trixa has been concealing, even in her own thoughts. And it makes for a very exciting climax.
The basic plot is that Trixa lives in Vegas and is a bar owner. She is searching for something call the Light of Life to leverage it to use it to find the Demon that killed her brother. In this world Demons and Angels exist. They are also looking for the Light because apparently the owner of it will turn the tide of the battle between good and evil. Trixa has a heart of gold and surrounds herself with a close knit group of people. There is Leo her bartender and old friend of the family. There is also the dynamic duo of Zeke and Griffin. Two young men who are dedicated demon killers who Trixia met and took in when they were younger teenaged runaways.
Zeke and Griffin's relationship is one of bone deep I-would-die-for-you-brotherhood. Very reminiscent of the Cal and Nik relationship in her other series, which I admit, made me love this book even more.
Trixa finds the light first and suddenly she has a host of Angels and Demons, including one sexy Demon named Solomon, hot on her trail and ready to make deals for the light.
That is just bare bones plot. The story has twists and turns and the aforementioned jaw dropping climax that makes you go 'ah-a!'
Good book. Great audio.
January 10, 2010
Ok, where to start? I have read the entire Cal Leandros series by Rob Thurman, and I enjoyed it. And if I'm not mistaken they were her first novels. So when I heard she was starting a new series I thought I'd give it a try. What I got was interesting. It's difficult to rate a book, when you liked where it ended up but hated the journey there.
I was pretty clear early on that this book was about Trixa, the narrator, getting vengeance for her younger brother. Along the way there are clues that imply that all things are not what they seem. I picked up on most of them, but couldn't quite figure out what to do with them until later. There are foster brothers that reminded me a lot of the way she wrote Cal & Nik Leandros, which is a really inappropriate thing as it turns out. All the action comes to a head around page 300. The next 40 pages are spent trying to explain all the half truths and long philosophical speeches that had taken place in the previous 300 pages.
I think the reason this book didn't rate higher for me, was the fact that it needed those 40 pages to unwind all the tangled webs and dropped hints from the book. I believe that knowing who and what I was reading about, whose eyes I was seeing through, would have helped me and the story a great deal. I'm not saying give away everything on the first page but the kind of reveal she was going for only really works in movies like Fight Club, Unbreakable or the Usual Suspects. When you are reading a first person narrative you expect to know what the narrator knows, and that was not the case here, hence the 40 pages of explanation.
I still mostly liked the characters, except for Trixa, but that's not uncommon for me to not really care much for the narrator and I didn't hate her, I just didn't really love her. I liked where the characters ended up and the potential awesomeness that will be their journey. I love the questioning of what makes someone good or evil, this is something Rob Thurman had done well in this book and the Cal Leandros series. And I LOVED the little cameo of Robin, because really you can never have enough Robin!
Will I read the next book when it's released? Yes. Will I obsess about it until it comes out. Not even a little bit. I do however look forward to reading the next story now that me and the narrator have truly met and I know what shades her perspective. I also look forward to seeing the growth in some of the characters and how they deal with things the way they are now.
I was pretty clear early on that this book was about Trixa, the narrator, getting vengeance for her younger brother. Along the way there are clues that imply that all things are not what they seem. I picked up on most of them, but couldn't quite figure out what to do with them until later. There are foster brothers that reminded me a lot of the way she wrote Cal & Nik Leandros, which is a really inappropriate thing as it turns out. All the action comes to a head around page 300. The next 40 pages are spent trying to explain all the half truths and long philosophical speeches that had taken place in the previous 300 pages.
I think the reason this book didn't rate higher for me, was the fact that it needed those 40 pages to unwind all the tangled webs and dropped hints from the book. I believe that knowing who and what I was reading about, whose eyes I was seeing through, would have helped me and the story a great deal. I'm not saying give away everything on the first page but the kind of reveal she was going for only really works in movies like Fight Club, Unbreakable or the Usual Suspects. When you are reading a first person narrative you expect to know what the narrator knows, and that was not the case here, hence the 40 pages of explanation.
I still mostly liked the characters, except for Trixa, but that's not uncommon for me to not really care much for the narrator and I didn't hate her, I just didn't really love her. I liked where the characters ended up and the potential awesomeness that will be their journey. I love the questioning of what makes someone good or evil, this is something Rob Thurman had done well in this book and the Cal Leandros series. And I LOVED the little cameo of Robin, because really you can never have enough Robin!
Will I read the next book when it's released? Yes. Will I obsess about it until it comes out. Not even a little bit. I do however look forward to reading the next story now that me and the narrator have truly met and I know what shades her perspective. I also look forward to seeing the growth in some of the characters and how they deal with things the way they are now.
June 7, 2015
This felt like it took me forever to finish. It had a bit of the old UF 1st book syndrome but once I reached the 1/2 point I got very invested in it. The twist at the end was awesome and I never expected it. What I loved most was the gritty and yes even crude at times humor. The demons were bad guys you love to hate but still think are smoking hot lol. I'll pick up book 2 soon and hopefully it should be smooth sailing because this series has promise!
September 26, 2009
Just a little arson between demon hunting friends kicks Thurman's new Trickster series off to a flashy yet humorous start - and I was hooked.
Leading lady Trixa is on a mission of vengeance, seeking the unknown demon who killed her beloved brother. The key to Trixa's success is `the Light of Life' a powerful artifact also sought by the forces of both Heaven and Hell. But that's okay, Trixa's more than happy to play all sides against the middle to acquire the Light and make the killer pay.
Trick of the Light slows down a bit after an awesome and 'explosive' first chapter for introductions to Trixa and the other three members of her little `family': Trixa's longtime platonic friend, he snarky attractive Leo; and Trixa's fellow arsonists, telepath Deke and empath Griffin. I liked Trixa and Leo, who share a mutual attraction they have no plan on acting on and I also liked the dark sense of humor which they share as well - the bit with Leo's chasing away off-the-strip Vegas tourists dumb enough to ask his 'Native American' name was rude and oh so politically incorrect but too funny. But it was Deke and Griffin and the relationship between the former teenage strays Trixa took under her wing - who are now demon hunters working for Heaven - that I found to be really fascinating. Deke's worldview is so `black and white' that isn't able to anticipate the fallout from his fight against evil and he occasionally takes out the innocent without even noticing. And Griffin acts as both Deke's moral compass and as Deke's guide to what is socially acceptable behavior. Deke and Griffin have a symbiotic partnership but the irony of their roles is even more fascinating after we finally discover their `real' stories.
I thought Trick of Light did drag a just a little bit while for Trixa is 'following the breadcrumbs' in order to put all the pieces of her plan into play, but then story comes to a pretty amazing climax with a `big reveal' and it was so worth the wait. Oh my gosh, I picked up one of the surprises and suspected another but the most major ones floored me - I never saw them coming and I loved being so blindsided. I was a bit surprised that the book didn't end then and there because it felt really finished at that point. Finished enough that I was able to actually put the book down and go to bed at a decent time but I happily read the last couple 'epilog' chapters which did end up being interesting and set up nicely for the rest of the series.
So action, humor, plots, schemes and characters I'd like to read more about - don't know where Thurman is taking this next, but I can't wait to see.
Leading lady Trixa is on a mission of vengeance, seeking the unknown demon who killed her beloved brother. The key to Trixa's success is `the Light of Life' a powerful artifact also sought by the forces of both Heaven and Hell. But that's okay, Trixa's more than happy to play all sides against the middle to acquire the Light and make the killer pay.
Trick of the Light slows down a bit after an awesome and 'explosive' first chapter for introductions to Trixa and the other three members of her little `family': Trixa's longtime platonic friend, he snarky attractive Leo; and Trixa's fellow arsonists, telepath Deke and empath Griffin. I liked Trixa and Leo, who share a mutual attraction they have no plan on acting on and I also liked the dark sense of humor which they share as well - the bit with Leo's chasing away off-the-strip Vegas tourists dumb enough to ask his 'Native American' name was rude and oh so politically incorrect but too funny. But it was Deke and Griffin and the relationship between the former teenage strays Trixa took under her wing - who are now demon hunters working for Heaven - that I found to be really fascinating. Deke's worldview is so `black and white' that isn't able to anticipate the fallout from his fight against evil and he occasionally takes out the innocent without even noticing. And Griffin acts as both Deke's moral compass and as Deke's guide to what is socially acceptable behavior. Deke and Griffin have a symbiotic partnership but the irony of their roles is even more fascinating after we finally discover their `real' stories.
I thought Trick of Light did drag a just a little bit while for Trixa is 'following the breadcrumbs' in order to put all the pieces of her plan into play, but then story comes to a pretty amazing climax with a `big reveal' and it was so worth the wait. Oh my gosh, I picked up one of the surprises and suspected another but the most major ones floored me - I never saw them coming and I loved being so blindsided. I was a bit surprised that the book didn't end then and there because it felt really finished at that point. Finished enough that I was able to actually put the book down and go to bed at a decent time but I happily read the last couple 'epilog' chapters which did end up being interesting and set up nicely for the rest of the series.
So action, humor, plots, schemes and characters I'd like to read more about - don't know where Thurman is taking this next, but I can't wait to see.
October 3, 2016
The first thing that intrigued me about this book was the character's name. Trixa Iktomi. I do a lot of research about gods for my books, so I was very familiar with the name Iktomi (the Native American Spider God). The premise is that angels and demons exist, but angels are too aloof to help us. They have minions who battle demons for them. Demons, aka angels who were punished by god for their rebellion, now have grotesque lizard bodies which they hide under a mask of gorgeous male hotness, and a need to consume human souls. But souls must be given freely. So the demons barter for them, offering humans anything they wish in exchange for claiming their soul upon death... which the demon then eats so he can live. Trixa knows all about the demons and, along with her little team of demon-hunting friends (all hotties in their own way) fights the good fight. She is consumed with her desire to avenge her brother's death and spends the entire book trying to track down his killer (a demon of course). This was what I thought the book was about; demons, angels, and revenge. I was entertained thoroughly by Trixa's quick wit and casual kick-assery, and had a serious crush on her fellow demon hunters. There's no sex in this book, just the tease of possible intimacies, but still, I enjoyed it. Up until the ending, it was a nice, entertaining read. Then blammo! Suddenly the entire world shifts with not one, not two, not even three, but four twists. One right after the other. As I reeled through the confusion, going back to reread passages so they could actually sink in, I gaped as I was surprised (quite pleasantly) for the first time in a very long while. As a writer, I know twists. I know stories. I eat, sleep, and breathe fantasy. So I'm rarely surprised by endings. I'm that annoying person in the theater who mutters to herself, "It's the damn boyfriend" or "He's going to reveal himself as a vampire." I can see the twists coming a mile away, simply because I think in the backward manner of an author. But, Ms Thurman, I tip my hat to you. You surprised me. Not only that, you surprised me with twists that I LOVED! Brava! I laughed and shouted with delight, pumping my fist to the ceiling with elation. Honestly, one of the best books I've read in years.
November 29, 2017
I have actually tried to read this book TWICE before, but never got past the first few chapters. However, I've read literally all of Rob's other books, and since she doesn't write anymore I figured I should go ahead and power through it. The first eh ...80% of the book is very standard for her. I really love her Cal Leandros series but unfortunately she can really only write one POV so the main characters in all of her other series generally just end up being slightly distorted versions of Cal. Still, she has a pretty entertaining and sarcastic style and it's been a year or so since I've read anything by her so I found I didn't mind it so much this time.
At the 80% mark all the shit hits the fan and we get several big reveals dropped all in a row. I feel like a lot of them were things I should have seen coming but I've been fairly out of it this past week so I was actually pleasantly surprised by the ending. Also it makes a certain cameo in the last Leandros book make a lot more sense. However I feel like she really left the reveal for too late in the story because it really kind of drags on in the beginning and I think it could have been much more interesting if the readers had been let in on some of the little details. I think the second book should be a lot more entertaining though.
At the 80% mark all the shit hits the fan and we get several big reveals dropped all in a row. I feel like a lot of them were things I should have seen coming but I've been fairly out of it this past week so I was actually pleasantly surprised by the ending. Also it makes a certain cameo in the last Leandros book make a lot more sense. However I feel like she really left the reveal for too late in the story because it really kind of drags on in the beginning and I think it could have been much more interesting if the readers had been let in on some of the little details. I think the second book should be a lot more entertaining though.
May 30, 2011
I listened to the audiobook version narrated by Hillary Huber so this review is really going to be a short commentary on a couple elements that worked really well for me in audio format.
I have a sneaking suspicion that this book may have been a 3-star for me if I had read it but the narration really moved it into solid 4-star territory. A good urban fantasy plot with engaging characters was enlivened by what I see as a bit of sleight of hand where a not-so-well-hidden plot twist actually hides the real deal. While not a reveal of the *gasp* "I see dead people" variety, it made for a fun book.
Hillary Huber's narration really enhanced this story. There was great character differentiation - not just in being able to tell voices apart but in differing the speech patterns/cadence between characters. There was a lot of dry wit that was not overdone and Ms. Huber's vocal characterization of Zeke was... well, if you can use the word adorable for someone who is pretty much a sociopath then I'm going to apply it.
I found this to be a fun listen and while it was my first Rob Thurman book, it will not be my last.
I have a sneaking suspicion that this book may have been a 3-star for me if I had read it but the narration really moved it into solid 4-star territory. A good urban fantasy plot with engaging characters was enlivened by what I see as a bit of sleight of hand where a not-so-well-hidden plot twist actually hides the real deal. While not a reveal of the *gasp* "I see dead people" variety, it made for a fun book.
Hillary Huber's narration really enhanced this story. There was great character differentiation - not just in being able to tell voices apart but in differing the speech patterns/cadence between characters. There was a lot of dry wit that was not overdone and Ms. Huber's vocal characterization of Zeke was... well, if you can use the word adorable for someone who is pretty much a sociopath then I'm going to apply it.
I found this to be a fun listen and while it was my first Rob Thurman book, it will not be my last.
October 6, 2009
I had a hard time with this one. There was something about the writing style that made it very difficult to read and follow. The story itself didn't seem to make much sense until towards the end. I kept seeing reviews that mentioned the surprising twists at the end, but I was not surprised by what happened so I wonder if because I knew about the twists, I looked for, and found, hints throughout the book.
There were some parts that I really liked, like the characters of Zeke and Griffin. They both have definite promise, and I liked what the author did with their characters at the end (one of the "twists") but they weren't nearly as fully developed as I would have liked.
All in all, despite Cal's sometimes overbearing sarcasm, I found myself longing for further adventures of Cal and Niko while reading this.
There were some parts that I really liked, like the characters of Zeke and Griffin. They both have definite promise, and I liked what the author did with their characters at the end (one of the "twists") but they weren't nearly as fully developed as I would have liked.
All in all, despite Cal's sometimes overbearing sarcasm, I found myself longing for further adventures of Cal and Niko while reading this.
June 4, 2013
I really liked this book. Not only is it a great start to a new series, but the book itself is done really well. The name trickster describes it so well.
Trixa is looking for revenge - vengeance for the murder of her brother. For that she will do anything. From there everything started.
I loved the characters, the setting, the phone call with Robin, all of it. I liked Griffin and Zeke, and I liked Leo. I loved it that I did not see that end coming.
It was fun and it was great. So now I am heading to start the next one.
Trixa is looking for revenge - vengeance for the murder of her brother. For that she will do anything. From there everything started.
I loved the characters, the setting, the phone call with Robin, all of it. I liked Griffin and Zeke, and I liked Leo. I loved it that I did not see that end coming.
It was fun and it was great. So now I am heading to start the next one.
June 22, 2015
I can't say too much without giving away the plot, which makes Trick of the Light really hard to review. Suffice it to say that Trixa is one of my new favourite characters, since she can both kick demon ass and not sleep with any of the attractive males she encounters (a rare combo!). I'm also a little bit in love with Zeke and Griffin, in an "I need to bring them home and feed them" kind of way. Ms. Thurman had me laughing out loud throughout and sitting on the edge of my seat right up til the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2012
I've been wanting to use this!
This book rocked! I loved the characters and the break from the norm. Thank God for breaking the cycle in the whiny swooning female routine! The author likes to throw surprises into the mix & you will laugh the whole way.
July 2, 2022
I have to admit I wasn't sure I would be able to finish it. It was all a bit confusing in the beginning about what the story was all about and who these characters were. I sure as hell never thought I'd give it a 5-star rating cause for the longest time I thought it was "just OK".
Then the pieces started to fall into place, and bit by bit I was pulled more and more into the story. I wanted to know more about Trixa, Leo and especially Zeke & Griffin. About the angels and the demons and where this elusive "light" fit in.
Boy... I was NOT disappointed... OH NO... =D ...on the contrary... very satisfied about how this story flowed into that fantastic climax.
Didn't see that ending coming though!
Zeke and Griffin though... Love those guys! <3
Then the pieces started to fall into place, and bit by bit I was pulled more and more into the story. I wanted to know more about Trixa, Leo and especially Zeke & Griffin. About the angels and the demons and where this elusive "light" fit in.
Boy... I was NOT disappointed... OH NO... =D ...on the contrary... very satisfied about how this story flowed into that fantastic climax.
Didn't see that ending coming though!
Zeke and Griffin though... Love those guys! <3
d-n-f
February 8, 201816% and there's mention of more interesting things, but mostly it's just Trixa explaining that Zeke has undiagnosed Asperger's Syndrome and a twitchy trigger finger. I'm fucking bored.
October 12, 2010
When I found out Rob Thurman had a new series coming out, I grabbed it the minute I saw it. I love her Cal Leandros series and I was curious to see what else she would come up with. The book was published last year, but with any series, I always hold off until the second book is in hand before starting to read. Thus the reason for a delayed review. I also have to admit that, after seeing some of the reviews that were coming out, I was a bit hesitant to give Trick of the Light a chance.
Trick of the Light is set in the same universe as the Cal Leandros series, and a couple of the characters from the Leandros series, while not actually appearing, are mentioned. I had heard through the grapevine that this was the case, and that added another reason to hold off reading until I was totally caught up with the adventures of the Leandros brothers. I didn't want there to be any spoilers. There weren't, so if you are in the process of playing catch up with the Leandros books, you can sneak this in. It won't spoil anything.
The central character of Trick of the Light is Trixa Iktomi, a bar owner, a seller of information, and an occasional demon hunter. Sharing the responsibilities in the running of the bar is Leo, and joining her in her demon hunting are Zeke Hawkins and Griffin Reese, "brothers" in arms. As members of Eden House, a nationwide network of telepaths and empaths working for Heaven and supervised by Angels, Griffin and Zeke make it their mission to exterminate demons, so it's more like Trixa joins them in the demon hunts. For the boys, it's a job; for Trixa, it's personal. She has made it her life's mission to hunt down and destroy the demon who killed her brother.
It is during one of these hunts that Trixa learns of The Light, an ancient artifact that is being sough by both Heaven and Hell, as whoever possesses it will be invulnerable to attacks. While the minions of Above and Below are both looking for it, Trixa plans on being the one to find it, and once it is in her possession, she plans on using it as a bargaining chip to have her brother's murderer turned over to her. Whoever can deliver the demon can have The Light. With the race for The Light now on, both sides put it all on the line in order to be the one to whom Trixa turns over the artifact. The demons attempt to seduce her (there's no such thing as an ugly demon -- not in human form anyway), and the angels show their true colors, proving that they are just as vicious as the demons and are not above killing to get their holier-than-thou mitts on The Light. Playing both sides, will Trixa be able to achieve her goal before being found out?
While I enjoyed Trick of the Light, I was disappointed to find it was not of the same caliber as the Cal Leandros series. Trixa, the central character, for me was the weakest; Griffin and Zeke came across as the stronger characters, and they were the ones who carried the story along, which was interesting as the story is told in the first person from Trixa's point of view.
I also found the first half of the book was not as developed as the second half. There was quite a bit of repetition littered throughout the first half of the story. How many times do we have to be told that Trixa's favorite color is red, or that it was five years ago that Griffin and Zeke first showed up in her bar, running from social services because of something Zeke did. It felt like Thurman hadn't fleshed out Trixa completely in her mind before sitting down to write. The other possibility is that Thurman's weakness in her writing is female characters. Her male characters come across as stronger and more interesting, even the minor ones.
The story itself is interesting and contains a number of twists, some surprising, some not so. I had figured out some of them a quarter of the way through, and the finale kicks some major ass.
Despite what I consider to be obvious flaws, I enjoyed Trick of the Light and I will be reading the next installment, the just-released The Grimrose Path. I'm curious to see where the series is headed, and if there is going to be a Cal Leandros/Trickster crossover. I think it would be amazing to have Cal and Nik teamed up with Zeke and Griff. The mayhem that would ensue would be awesome!
Would I recommend Trick of the Light? Yes, but not if you are reading Rob Thurman for the first time. Consider picking up Nightlife, Book 1 of the Cal Leandros series, first to get a feel for what Thurman is capable of.
Trick of the Light is set in the same universe as the Cal Leandros series, and a couple of the characters from the Leandros series, while not actually appearing, are mentioned. I had heard through the grapevine that this was the case, and that added another reason to hold off reading until I was totally caught up with the adventures of the Leandros brothers. I didn't want there to be any spoilers. There weren't, so if you are in the process of playing catch up with the Leandros books, you can sneak this in. It won't spoil anything.
The central character of Trick of the Light is Trixa Iktomi, a bar owner, a seller of information, and an occasional demon hunter. Sharing the responsibilities in the running of the bar is Leo, and joining her in her demon hunting are Zeke Hawkins and Griffin Reese, "brothers" in arms. As members of Eden House, a nationwide network of telepaths and empaths working for Heaven and supervised by Angels, Griffin and Zeke make it their mission to exterminate demons, so it's more like Trixa joins them in the demon hunts. For the boys, it's a job; for Trixa, it's personal. She has made it her life's mission to hunt down and destroy the demon who killed her brother.
It is during one of these hunts that Trixa learns of The Light, an ancient artifact that is being sough by both Heaven and Hell, as whoever possesses it will be invulnerable to attacks. While the minions of Above and Below are both looking for it, Trixa plans on being the one to find it, and once it is in her possession, she plans on using it as a bargaining chip to have her brother's murderer turned over to her. Whoever can deliver the demon can have The Light. With the race for The Light now on, both sides put it all on the line in order to be the one to whom Trixa turns over the artifact. The demons attempt to seduce her (there's no such thing as an ugly demon -- not in human form anyway), and the angels show their true colors, proving that they are just as vicious as the demons and are not above killing to get their holier-than-thou mitts on The Light. Playing both sides, will Trixa be able to achieve her goal before being found out?
While I enjoyed Trick of the Light, I was disappointed to find it was not of the same caliber as the Cal Leandros series. Trixa, the central character, for me was the weakest; Griffin and Zeke came across as the stronger characters, and they were the ones who carried the story along, which was interesting as the story is told in the first person from Trixa's point of view.
I also found the first half of the book was not as developed as the second half. There was quite a bit of repetition littered throughout the first half of the story. How many times do we have to be told that Trixa's favorite color is red, or that it was five years ago that Griffin and Zeke first showed up in her bar, running from social services because of something Zeke did. It felt like Thurman hadn't fleshed out Trixa completely in her mind before sitting down to write. The other possibility is that Thurman's weakness in her writing is female characters. Her male characters come across as stronger and more interesting, even the minor ones.
The story itself is interesting and contains a number of twists, some surprising, some not so. I had figured out some of them a quarter of the way through, and the finale kicks some major ass.
Despite what I consider to be obvious flaws, I enjoyed Trick of the Light and I will be reading the next installment, the just-released The Grimrose Path. I'm curious to see where the series is headed, and if there is going to be a Cal Leandros/Trickster crossover. I think it would be amazing to have Cal and Nik teamed up with Zeke and Griff. The mayhem that would ensue would be awesome!
Would I recommend Trick of the Light? Yes, but not if you are reading Rob Thurman for the first time. Consider picking up Nightlife, Book 1 of the Cal Leandros series, first to get a feel for what Thurman is capable of.
January 19, 2010
Everyone knows I love Rob Thurman's Leandros series. It's not a secret. I talk about it, recommend it, even given the books as gifts. I'd follow Rob's writing just about anywhere. But this one? This one kind of hurts.
Trixa's your usual anti-hero character. She fights demons, owns a bar in Vegas, and has a well-hidden-but-still-there soft side. Yup. She's snarky and sarcastic. All the time. Never lets up. It's been awhile since there was a character that I actually wanted to reach through the pages and shake silly. And even longer since that character was the narrator and main protag. (Just once Trixa, just once, be sincere!)
It felt like the author's way of writing herself into a story, in a way. I don't hold that against any author at all - certainly not. But it felt obvious, especially in the way she included gratuitous cameos from the Leandros series that didn't feel at all necessary to the story.
There are a couple of characters, though, that at times made reading this book an enjoyable experience, and boost my rating from one to two stars. I really liked Zeke and Griffin, two demon-hunters Trixa's taken under her wing. At the end there was some unnecessary and, quite frankly, gratuitous messing around with them, but the bulk of the book had me looking forward to their every appearance.
I did learn something, though. What NOT to do in my own writing. This is semi-spoilery, but more of a hint than an outright spoiler.
...
...
Ready?
OK. Don't lie to your audience. Seriously. Narrative voice should NOT LIE. Omit, twist, distract, sure. Characters can even lie to themselves and thereby to us - that's plausible deniability. But DO NOT LIE OUTRIGHT. We do not take kindly to being told a series of things IN THE NARRATIVE only to be told at the climax that it was all a lie. Surprise.
No thank you. That's not a plot twist, that's cheating. Don't do it. Tell the story from a different point of view if you must, but narrative should not lie.
And that right there is what lost this book another star.
Maybe if I hadn't had such high expectations, this would have been a gentler let down. But it was a let down, just the same.
There were times when I did enjoy this book, don't get me wrong. Laughed, gasped - all that jazz. I even stayed up late to finish it. But the overall aftertaste was bitter. Would I buy the next book in the series? Probably not. But I might check it out from the library. I still love Rob Thurman's other writings, so I hold out hope for better. I know she can do it.
Trixa's your usual anti-hero character. She fights demons, owns a bar in Vegas, and has a well-hidden-but-still-there soft side. Yup. She's snarky and sarcastic. All the time. Never lets up. It's been awhile since there was a character that I actually wanted to reach through the pages and shake silly. And even longer since that character was the narrator and main protag. (Just once Trixa, just once, be sincere!)
It felt like the author's way of writing herself into a story, in a way. I don't hold that against any author at all - certainly not. But it felt obvious, especially in the way she included gratuitous cameos from the Leandros series that didn't feel at all necessary to the story.
There are a couple of characters, though, that at times made reading this book an enjoyable experience, and boost my rating from one to two stars. I really liked Zeke and Griffin, two demon-hunters Trixa's taken under her wing. At the end there was some unnecessary and, quite frankly, gratuitous messing around with them, but the bulk of the book had me looking forward to their every appearance.
I did learn something, though. What NOT to do in my own writing. This is semi-spoilery, but more of a hint than an outright spoiler.
...
...
Ready?
OK. Don't lie to your audience. Seriously. Narrative voice should NOT LIE. Omit, twist, distract, sure. Characters can even lie to themselves and thereby to us - that's plausible deniability. But DO NOT LIE OUTRIGHT. We do not take kindly to being told a series of things IN THE NARRATIVE only to be told at the climax that it was all a lie. Surprise.
No thank you. That's not a plot twist, that's cheating. Don't do it. Tell the story from a different point of view if you must, but narrative should not lie.
And that right there is what lost this book another star.
Maybe if I hadn't had such high expectations, this would have been a gentler let down. But it was a let down, just the same.
There were times when I did enjoy this book, don't get me wrong. Laughed, gasped - all that jazz. I even stayed up late to finish it. But the overall aftertaste was bitter. Would I buy the next book in the series? Probably not. But I might check it out from the library. I still love Rob Thurman's other writings, so I hold out hope for better. I know she can do it.
July 28, 2011
4.5 stars
As a heroine, Trixa Iktomi is firmly in the chaotic-neutral category and proud of it. She's mature, multi-layered and on a mission to avenge her brother's death. Among her band of shady heroes is the enigmatic Leo, who she's been deliberately-platonic friends with since they were kids; the emotionally troubled, psychotically cute demon hunters Zeke and Griffin, who Trixa took under her wing when they were homeless teens; and the smart-ass raven Lenore (Lenny).
In keeping with a chaotic heroine, the story (which is narrated by Trixa) and the dialog slip and slide in irregular bursts, a little forward, a little back, left, right, back to the center-point. While I enjoyed it, even the times I had to re-read to figure out what just happened, I could see that not being to everyone's taste stylistically.
The secondary characters and the plotting were smart and interesting. I'm not a huge fan of the Abrahamic angels vs demons thing, but the way it was handled was broad enough to include other traditions -- which made it more enjoyable for me, but I know this isn't going to be a selling point for all readers.
I figured out some of the twists in the story before the final reveal but not all of them -- I enjoyed that aspect of the story, all the hints that were dropped throughout. I also enjoyed the humor, which ranged from wry to goofy, like in this scene:
All in all, I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to reading more by Ms. Thurman.
As a heroine, Trixa Iktomi is firmly in the chaotic-neutral category and proud of it. She's mature, multi-layered and on a mission to avenge her brother's death. Among her band of shady heroes is the enigmatic Leo, who she's been deliberately-platonic friends with since they were kids; the emotionally troubled, psychotically cute demon hunters Zeke and Griffin, who Trixa took under her wing when they were homeless teens; and the smart-ass raven Lenore (Lenny).
In keeping with a chaotic heroine, the story (which is narrated by Trixa) and the dialog slip and slide in irregular bursts, a little forward, a little back, left, right, back to the center-point. While I enjoyed it, even the times I had to re-read to figure out what just happened, I could see that not being to everyone's taste stylistically.
The secondary characters and the plotting were smart and interesting. I'm not a huge fan of the Abrahamic angels vs demons thing, but the way it was handled was broad enough to include other traditions -- which made it more enjoyable for me, but I know this isn't going to be a selling point for all readers.
I figured out some of the twists in the story before the final reveal but not all of them -- I enjoyed that aspect of the story, all the hints that were dropped throughout. I also enjoyed the humor, which ranged from wry to goofy, like in this scene:
"The demon was right. You are bossy." Zeke transferred the disgruntled look from his weapon to me.
"I've babysat your scrawny asses for ten years. I've a right to be bossy," I retorted, shooing them toward the back office and the couch. "Now, go cuddle."
"Four years," Griffin muttered as he moved into the back and out of sight, but I heard the last words. "You're only four years older, Trixa. It hardly merits a salute."
"Cuddle?" Zeke looked after him, then back at me, a mildly panicked expression replacing the aggravation. "We have to cuddle? I'm pretty sure I don't want to cuddle."
I patted his cheek as I passed him on the stairs. "You never know until you try." I made sure I locked my bedroom door behind me in case a pissed-off and forcibly cuddled Griffin stormed up.
All in all, I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to reading more by Ms. Thurman.
September 7, 2009
I've been waiting for this book for months. When I heard that the unbelievably awesome, sarcastic, and quirky Rob Thurman (Robyn, not Robert) was taking a break from the Cal Landros series, I died. Then she announced she had a book coming out in the meantime, and I lived again.
I love everything about Rob Thurman's books - characters, style, original plot, eye-popping "whaaaat?" moments. It's a hard call to make, but I have to say I liked the Cal Leandros series more than this one just a tiny bit more. Trick of the Light is set in a similar setting: dark part of the world away from the eyes of your precious normal people. What's really cool is that it takes place at the exact same time as the Cal Leandros series, just in Las Vegas instead of New York. We even get several mentions of the infamous Robin Goodfellow from the Leandros series.
The main character, Trixa Iktomi (yes, I blinked too at her name) thrives on killing demons. Except for the sexy and powerful ones that can be useful in a tight spot. You've also got angels, but the line dividing good and evil isn't so clear cut in this book. Shattering conventions - mmm, I like that. Trixa is helped along the way by Leo of the long hair, Zeke of the psychological defect, Griffin of the literal empathy, and occasionally Solomon of the dubious motives. Eli proved to be useful too. On the front cover of the book, a comment mentions a "surprise twist that will make you blink". I was watching very closely for that twist, determined to see it before it came. I was especially perceptive in this book, smugly catching three tiny twists long before they came: first the raven named Lenore, never seen in the same room as Leo, then Solomon's real motives, and an unlikely couple. And not unlikely for the obvious reason (I'm being vague because I don't want to put a spoiler alert). And I say they were tiny twists because they were nothing compared to the HUGE, UNFORSEEABLE twist near the end. I actually had to read that part three times, then make sure I didn't forget how to read English for a second. Just - gah.
And of course, this was all packed in with Rob Thurman's trademark snark. Love her snark. Now it's back to waiting for the next Cal Leandros novel. And perhaps the next Trister novel too? (hope)
I love everything about Rob Thurman's books - characters, style, original plot, eye-popping "whaaaat?" moments. It's a hard call to make, but I have to say I liked the Cal Leandros series more than this one just a tiny bit more. Trick of the Light is set in a similar setting: dark part of the world away from the eyes of your precious normal people. What's really cool is that it takes place at the exact same time as the Cal Leandros series, just in Las Vegas instead of New York. We even get several mentions of the infamous Robin Goodfellow from the Leandros series.
The main character, Trixa Iktomi (yes, I blinked too at her name) thrives on killing demons. Except for the sexy and powerful ones that can be useful in a tight spot. You've also got angels, but the line dividing good and evil isn't so clear cut in this book. Shattering conventions - mmm, I like that. Trixa is helped along the way by Leo of the long hair, Zeke of the psychological defect, Griffin of the literal empathy, and occasionally Solomon of the dubious motives. Eli proved to be useful too. On the front cover of the book, a comment mentions a "surprise twist that will make you blink". I was watching very closely for that twist, determined to see it before it came. I was especially perceptive in this book, smugly catching three tiny twists long before they came: first the raven named Lenore, never seen in the same room as Leo, then Solomon's real motives, and an unlikely couple. And not unlikely for the obvious reason (I'm being vague because I don't want to put a spoiler alert). And I say they were tiny twists because they were nothing compared to the HUGE, UNFORSEEABLE twist near the end. I actually had to read that part three times, then make sure I didn't forget how to read English for a second. Just - gah.
And of course, this was all packed in with Rob Thurman's trademark snark. Love her snark. Now it's back to waiting for the next Cal Leandros novel. And perhaps the next Trister novel too? (hope)
May 10, 2011
Trick of Light introduces us to Trixa Iktomi, a "bar owner, informant, occasional demon killer, and various other things best not spread around". She's hunting for the demon that killed her little brother. The one thing that can help her is 'the Light of Life' ... "an impenetrable shield that could protect Heaven and Hell from any attack, any second war." But, the Agents of Above and Below want it just as badly.
We also meet her sexy, Native American, longtime, platonic friend and bartender, Leo. They are attracted to one another, but have chosen not to act on their feelings. They do, however, have a powerful friendship. One that's build on years of trust. They are both snarky and have a dark sense of humor that I loved.
Trixa came to Vegas ten years ago when she was twenty-one. It was then that she took in strays Griff and Zeke, foster brothers, who now work for Heaven hunting demons.
They are extremely interesting characters. Zeke sees everything (and I mean everything) as black or white. There is no gray area in his thought process. He sees a demon that needs killing, he'll do whatever it takes to kill it even if that harms innocents in the process. Griff is his conscience. He helps him, trains him to visualize the whole picture. They both work for the Eden House, Agents of Heaven. Zeke is telepathic and Griff is empathic, both are abilities prized by both Above and Below.
In the beginning, they appear to be demon-hunting misfits who all work well together, support and love each other. But, in the end we learn there is much more to all of them than we could've expected. Some of the characters themselves are quite shocked by the revelations.
This book totally caught me off guard ~ in a good way. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, this being the first book I've read by Rob(yn) Thurman. I will definitely be reading the rest of this series and hope to try out her other series, Cal Leandros, as well.
We also meet her sexy, Native American, longtime, platonic friend and bartender, Leo. They are attracted to one another, but have chosen not to act on their feelings. They do, however, have a powerful friendship. One that's build on years of trust. They are both snarky and have a dark sense of humor that I loved.
Trixa came to Vegas ten years ago when she was twenty-one. It was then that she took in strays Griff and Zeke, foster brothers, who now work for Heaven hunting demons.
They are extremely interesting characters. Zeke sees everything (and I mean everything) as black or white. There is no gray area in his thought process. He sees a demon that needs killing, he'll do whatever it takes to kill it even if that harms innocents in the process. Griff is his conscience. He helps him, trains him to visualize the whole picture. They both work for the Eden House, Agents of Heaven. Zeke is telepathic and Griff is empathic, both are abilities prized by both Above and Below.
In the beginning, they appear to be demon-hunting misfits who all work well together, support and love each other. But, in the end we learn there is much more to all of them than we could've expected. Some of the characters themselves are quite shocked by the revelations.
This book totally caught me off guard ~ in a good way. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, this being the first book I've read by Rob(yn) Thurman. I will definitely be reading the rest of this series and hope to try out her other series, Cal Leandros, as well.
February 6, 2021
Re-read, #4 of 2021's #readyourshelf challenge
I liked this so much more the second time around, although the rating remained the same! It's a brilliant idea: the heroine, Trixa Iktomi, is a trickster - but she only gradually reveals her true nature and purpose.
She's a (necessarily) unreliable narrator, which is one of my least favourite tropes, but there are a lot of "Sixth Sense" (movie) style clues that only make sense in hindsight, where all the tricks are finally revealed.
Because of this unusual structure, Thurman keeps the story snappy and shutter-stop flashy: there's a subtle continual unease as the reader registers that something is wrong but doesn't know what's off.
The story is very slow to start, and this slippery unease at first seems like sloppy writing but - like Trixa's favourite fires - once the sparks finally catch, they burn brightly to the final conflagration, and amazing twist ending!
Trixa's snarky, sarcastic banter threw me off at first - I thought she was your typical UF Kickass Badass Babe, and her actions (especially her care for her former wards turned friends and allies Zeke and Griffin) seemed contradictory and at odds.
I remember feeling very confused after the first reading but knowing the big twist was coming this time (although I couldn't remember the details, it's been years) made me pay more attention to the many oddities and it was amazing to see them all come together.
The ending after the twist is a little anticlimactic. After finally getting her revenge, over 50 years in the making! - Trixa is at loose ends and has no idea what to do next.
But just as Zeke and Griffin face their fated destinies only to choose to carve new paths, so can Trixa and her companion Leo. Thurman's characteristic theme of found family resonates throughout.
Glad to have finally found the second book - can't wait to see what this group gets up to next!
I liked this so much more the second time around, although the rating remained the same! It's a brilliant idea: the heroine, Trixa Iktomi, is a trickster - but she only gradually reveals her true nature and purpose.
She's a (necessarily) unreliable narrator, which is one of my least favourite tropes, but there are a lot of "Sixth Sense" (movie) style clues that only make sense in hindsight, where all the tricks are finally revealed.
Because of this unusual structure, Thurman keeps the story snappy and shutter-stop flashy: there's a subtle continual unease as the reader registers that something is wrong but doesn't know what's off.
The story is very slow to start, and this slippery unease at first seems like sloppy writing but - like Trixa's favourite fires - once the sparks finally catch, they burn brightly to the final conflagration, and amazing twist ending!
Trixa's snarky, sarcastic banter threw me off at first - I thought she was your typical UF Kickass Badass Babe, and her actions (especially her care for her former wards turned friends and allies Zeke and Griffin) seemed contradictory and at odds.
I remember feeling very confused after the first reading but knowing the big twist was coming this time (although I couldn't remember the details, it's been years) made me pay more attention to the many oddities and it was amazing to see them all come together.
The ending after the twist is a little anticlimactic. After finally getting her revenge, over 50 years in the making! - Trixa is at loose ends and has no idea what to do next.
But just as Zeke and Griffin face their fated destinies only to choose to carve new paths, so can Trixa and her companion Leo. Thurman's characteristic theme of found family resonates throughout.
Glad to have finally found the second book - can't wait to see what this group gets up to next!
November 17, 2009
A new book from Rob Turman [author of the Leandros Series:]. Although I am a fan of Cal, I am finding that I might not be too much into Trick of Light. I was strangely disoriented with the setting of this one, although yes, it does have Robin Goodfellow mentioned once or twice, it is a completely different place from Cal's.
There are a group of characters whom I like. Trixia whom I can't decide if she's plain psychic or just a collector of lost souls, Leo the ever present friend, Zeke and Griffin who are both the most gay couple I've ever seen (yes, Ms. Thurman seems to write things that make male bonding look gay to me), and even Whisper. I like the cast of characters but they seem a little too much to handle for the first book, like they came all of a sudden not a gradual introduction. And yes, I even like Solomon, even if he does remind me of Jaf. I think reading Jaf (although I honestly can't read that book ever again) has spoiled me for any other demon creature ever written. Especially when he talked about the fall.
And for some reason almost every book in existence that has angels on them make angels out as self righteous pricks. The only Exception to that is Rachelle Mead's Georgina Kincaid series.
I am not sure what to make of the objective of the entire series. But yes, there is backstory to it, about Trixia's brother and what happened that fateful day when he no longer walks the earth, which is what motivates Trixia.
And yes, the twist in the end. I didn't guess it. It wasn't obvious, at least to me. (I always love trying to guess twists). Okay there were one or two things that were glaringly obvious, but I'm sure people will find that out for themselves.
All in all I liked this book, but I'd rather read about Cal.
There are a group of characters whom I like. Trixia whom I can't decide if she's plain psychic or just a collector of lost souls, Leo the ever present friend, Zeke and Griffin who are both the most gay couple I've ever seen (yes, Ms. Thurman seems to write things that make male bonding look gay to me), and even Whisper. I like the cast of characters but they seem a little too much to handle for the first book, like they came all of a sudden not a gradual introduction. And yes, I even like Solomon, even if he does remind me of Jaf. I think reading Jaf (although I honestly can't read that book ever again) has spoiled me for any other demon creature ever written. Especially when he talked about the fall.
And for some reason almost every book in existence that has angels on them make angels out as self righteous pricks. The only Exception to that is Rachelle Mead's Georgina Kincaid series.
I am not sure what to make of the objective of the entire series. But yes, there is backstory to it, about Trixia's brother and what happened that fateful day when he no longer walks the earth, which is what motivates Trixia.
And yes, the twist in the end. I didn't guess it. It wasn't obvious, at least to me. (I always love trying to guess twists). Okay there were one or two things that were glaringly obvious, but I'm sure people will find that out for themselves.
All in all I liked this book, but I'd rather read about Cal.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews