Review: Night Owls by Lauren M. Roy

Night Owls
Author: Lauren M. Roy 
Reviewer: Gikany and Una
Rating: A-

What We’re Talking About:

Night Owls is the debut novel of Ms. Lauren M. Roy.  Gikany and Una never know what to expect when we pick up a debut author.  We were sublimely surprised by this first novel in the Night Owls series and look forward to more.

The first element we must comment on is the mythology and world-building – an integral aspect in a first in a series novel.  It is the varied and fresh mythology of Night Owls that hooked us.  We are pleasantly surprised that the “creeps” described in the book blurb are not the usual suspects (vampires, werewolves, etc).  The creeps seem to be their own category of bad – a melding of werewolf and vampire it seems.  They remind Gikany of the “bad guys” from the movie version (except for not being mindless) of I Am Legend (Una has refused to see this movie due to the fate of a beloved canine companion – her heart is too weak).  We enjoyed this unique creature and the richness it brought to the overall story.  Especially considering the camaraderie seen between a vampire, creep hunters, two hilarious yet loyal succubi, one Renfield and a clueless college student.  The way this mythology is introduced, slowly, as the world-building progresses along with the overall story arc, was paced beautifully.  Not once did the story drag due to “downloading” the world-building.

Another great aspect of Night Owls is the characters.  Character driven, the story slowly brings together two very different people, our vampire Valerie (Val) and the creep hunter, Elly, to fight the evil creeps.  The path the two main characters took to reach each other was convoluted.  It did not progress as we thought it would, based on the back description.  It took time to build their meeting together, getting the right people in the right place – and desperate enough.  Especially since, although Val is not a creep, Elly was still not keen on meeting a vampire let alone teaming up.  With the dark elements evident in this story – the novel is lightened by the presence of the two succubi.  Their antics which are as natural to them as breathing and their loyalty were a much needed anchor in the overall story.

Although our heroes were able to thwart the creeps, the tension and conflict between the creeps and our band of night owls still exists and may have even increased.  We also are interested in seeing how the favor granted by the vampire coven will come into play, especially where Elly is concerned.  There are some major ragged ends we are left with at the conclusion, and we are left wondering what Ghost Town will have in store for us when it is released (hopefully) later this year.  Not to mention, what happened with the Wraith in the trunk? (You’ll have to read the story to understand!)

Overall, Night Owls is an adventurous new paranormal urban fantasy.  We look forward to seeing what new adventures await, new tricks from the succubi, and how much more trouble this unlikely band of heroes will face.  Take a chance and pick up Night Owls if you are looking for a fresh, urban fantasy series.

Rating:  A- Enjoyed A Lot

About the Book:

Night Owls book store is the one spot on campus open late enough to help out even the most practiced slacker. The employees’ penchant for fighting the evil creatures of the night is just a perk.

Valerie McTeague’s business model is simple: provide the students of Edgewood College with a late-night study haven and stay as far away from the underworld conflicts of her vampire brethren as possible. She’s lived that life, and the price she paid was far too high to ever want to return.

Elly Garrett hasn’t known any life except that of fighting the supernatural werewolf-like beings known as Creeps or Jackals. But she always had her mentor and foster father by her side—until he gave his life protecting a book that the Creeps desperately want to get their hands on.

When the book gets stashed at Night Owls for safe keeping, those Val holds nearest and dearest are put in mortal peril. Now Val and Elly will have to team up, along with a mismatched crew of humans, vampires, and lesbian succubi, to stop the Jackals from getting their claws on the book and unleashing unnamed horrors.

Release Date: February 25, 2014
Publisher: Ace
Series: Night Owls #1
ISBN: #978-0425272480
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (304 pages), e-book
Book Source: Publisher/Netgalley

Purchase Info:
Night Owls (Night Owls #1)

Giveaway:

Want to win a copy of Night Owls (US mailing addresses, only)?? Check out author Lauren M. Roy’s guest post HERE.