In this episode, the guys and a few friends go up against The Plague of the World, the anti-healer. The story was not as good as the previous books because it was essentially a long car chase. I also found that with the extra characters that their individual POV's tended to overlap and get repetitious. There were quite a few high points but not as many as I was used to from the previous books. I still enjoyed this supernatural adventure. ( )

I love this series and I loved this book. I was a little concerned going into this book that maybe the series was slipping because I didn't enjoy hearing from Nik's POV in the last book. I love Nik being his mysterious ninja self as seen through Cal's eyes. So happy we were back to that original format in this book. The sardonic wit that blows through these books is refreshingly different from the too serious take of some books in the genre or the puny tongue in cheek of others. The story moved at a hyper manic pace that kept me reading and when I misplaced the book for a couple of hours today I about had a fit until I found it behind the couch. It ended happy and it ended sad. No simple pat answers. Rob Thurman makes you think while entertaining you. One of the things I love best about these books is that beyond the humor and the swordplay and saving the world this is the story of two brothers who love each other. No matter what the monsters throw at them, you know that Nik will be there for Cal and Cal will be there for Nik. I hope my sons grow up to love each other as much. Only without the demons and evil gypsies. Like I tell everyone at the bookstore where I work, read these books. You won't regret it. ( )

This is one of my favourites of the series so far. I loved that we got to see inside of Catcher's head and it made him more human, so to speak, instead of when we saw him in the second novel, where he was mostly just a wolf. The ending seemed kind of anti-climatic, though, especially after the big Auphe showdown of the last novel, but was still fun to read. ( )

Road trip!

All gypsy clans have a burden, and the Sarzo Clan has lost theirs: a centuries-old ex-healer known as the Plague of the World, locked in a sealed iron coffin. They want Cal and Niko to get him back for them. Only problem? Getting close to the dying thief - who's headed for the west coast trailing dead bodies - means a slow and painful death by disease. Packed into Niko's ancient beater with a Puck, a dead but deadly cat, and two werewolves, trailed by a camper full of gypsies, the brothers head west... it's gonna be a long trip.

Yay! We get to catch up with Catcher and Rafferty! Not to mention getting Cal and Niko out of their element. And who doesn't love a mummified, killer cat with an attitude and an earring? Entertaining as always. ( )

This one was a little too introspective and talky compared to previous books in the series and less action, sometimes taking up only a couple of paragraphs. The plot was fine if a little predictable. The final battle wasn't one of her best, not enough characters almost dying, but it was good. :)

But those Brothers moments just get me and there were several although I wanted more. Instead we got moments between cousins who were raised as brothers, and a delightful Wolf who was more dog-like than wolf with his happy-go-lucky personality. We also get a sweet m/m romance as well that had me "oh" sound you make when an adorable puppy face-plants: kind of "that's so adorable it makes me want to cry."

Delilah is back, who I can't stand, but we aren't supposed to like her as much this time around. I do like that she's lethal and can hold her own against many werewolves as a woman because there are so few women in this series but the only other woman in this story is evil.

My favorite parts, though, this time around involved Goodfellow. I've always loved his character anyway but he's vulnerable and confused here. He is wrestling with a big decision and trying to be celibate during the trip as a test to himself. His struggles are both hilarious and sympathetic as he is tempted by everything and everyone and is crabby as a result. But we see more of his goodness even if Cal doesn't always give him credit for it.

But the best part? The mummy cat. Now everyone knows I am not a cat person--they torture me with love on purpose as I am horribly allergic and they ALWAYS come to weave around my legs and climb on me; not anyone else, me. Most are strategically evil or stupid or both. But this cat is amazing. It's death on dead paws and everyone is scared of it. It's also really smart. The book explains why Robin is so enamored of it but I'm sold. I want a mummy cat too. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be allergic either. ( )