LIFE IS SHORT, TREATS ARE GOOD

SO GOOD, YOU WOULD SLAP YOUR SISTER TO GET SOME.
With the exception of the first hour or two, I loved this. At first I thought Pookie was just plain annoying. Once I got into it, I loved him. He made the novel. He is a wise cracking smartie, who will make you laugh and laugh. His timing is perfect, especially in a tension filled book. Phil the narrator does a great job with all the characters, but especially with Pookie.

COPS ARE LIKE BUGS, THERE ARE ALWAYS MORE ON THE WAY.
This is a long novel, (22 and a half hours), but it will not seem that way, until the end when you think back to all that happens in it. This has werewolves, monsters, more monsters and even more monsters. We have a mysterious killer or killers and the mayor, police commissioner, and the Chief Medical Examiner seem to be covering for him or them. Two inspectors are trying to solve some very grisly murders, but find they also have to fight their own bosses. There is mystery after mystery. The main character Brian, is hard headed and no matter what, he is going to do the right thing. His partner Pookie is the best friend a person can have and sometimes you will wonder why, when Brian is such a dick at times. This is not only a good horror novel, but it can pull at your heart strings.

THAT BEANER WAS FAST
To some of you more sophisticated readers, this might seem sophomoric. For me, it was a great escape. There is some science, mostly involving genetics. You get the good guys view and you get the bad guys view. It is actually a complicated story, well told. It is over 22 hours because of the vastness of the story. It is all entertaining. Well, except maybe for the first hour or two. At first I did not think I would stay with, I was afraid it was going to be silly. To some it may still seem that way at the end, but I really got into it. Give it a good four hours before you decide. GUY LOOKS LIKE HE FARTS TAX CODE.

YOU KNOW YOU CAN SWEAR AROUND ME, I'M NOT GOING TO TELL THE TEACHER
If you are offended by bad language or adult situations, or gory situations, then do not buy the book. All of that is in the book. This is my second Sigler book and in both, he has managed to have a scene that I will never forget. In Infected, it was a guy who cut off his own legs. It was a fast scene in which my response was, what just happened? In this book it was a scene where bullies break a boy's arm. I saw it coming and I cringed, hoping it would not happen. It was suspenseful. DON'T BE A SENSITIVE SALLY.


At first I thought Phil's voice had a silly aspect to it. It sounded like he was making too light of the story, but I grew to really like his performance. He does really good characters and I think he also makes the book better. I also had no problem with the sound effects. In some books it is a problem, when you can not hear the narrator because of them, but that does not happen in this book. I will admit the two way phone clicking was a bit ear shattering, but it does not happen that often or enough to ruin the book. Personally I think sound effects and music (just like in movies) can enhance the readers experience.

59 people found this helpful

Another AMAZING story

Love all things Scott Signler and this was no exception. I do not know how Scott comes up with this stuff (author of Infected, Contagious, and Ancestor- all EXCELLENT books too) but he has a unique story telling ability that makes you think of his books long after you are done reading them! My husband loves him too! Look what other amazing authors have to say about him-"A terrifying science thriller that reads like Silence of the Lambs as written by Michael Crichton. Inventive and deeply disturbing." -- Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of Assassin's Code (love Assassins Code Series)
"Sigler is in full control of his talent for sharp characterization and amazing visualization." -- Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse series
(love the Sookie Stackhouse series). You will not be disappointed, give Scott a try. Excerpt: "Doubting his own sanity and stripped of his badge, Bryan begins to suspect that he’s stumbled into the crosshairs of a shadow war that has gripped his city for more than a century—a war waged by a race of killers living in San Francisco’s unknown, underground ruins, emerging at night to feed on those who will not be missed". HECK YEAH!

30 people found this helpful

book is so-so, bad directing ruined a good reader

Overall, I give the book itself a "Meh" & the reading a raspberry for somebody ruining a good reader's performance.
I haven't read anything by Sigler before. I decided to give him a try while reading through a listing of books narrated by one of my fave readers, Phil Gigante. I first heard him reading Joe R Lansdale's Hap & Leonard books, with which he does an absolutely fantastic job. I figured no matter what the book was like, at least the reading would be excellent. HA! I did not count on it being directed by someone who apparently dreams of being a major Foley artist in Hollywood; this reading is utterly ruined (for me at least) by tons of "special effects" which are totally unnecessary; leave Gigante alone & you'll have a great reading. But no. When the 2 main characters use the "2-way" function of their cell phones, you get these ear-splitting beeps & electric tones. When someone is thinking/talking to himself, Gigante sounds like he's being recorded while reading inside one of those old concrete-and-steel, Interstate highway rest stop bathrooms...most of these inner thoughts were so echo-ey & muddled I couldn't understand them at all. Instead of letting the very talented Gigante do different voices for the monsters, they used electronic idiocy which rendered those voices somewhere from annoying to incomprehensible.

And speaking of annoying, there were many aspects of the book itself which I found worse than fingernails on a chalkboard. Worst of all was the protagonist's sidekick/partner, "Pookie," who has to be one of the most irritating characters in modern fiction (& I don't mean just his idiotic nickname). He always talks like some kind of gangsta-wannabe, just overflowing with moronic jokes, sexist & racist remarks, and tons of juvenile humor.

It was not at all clear to me why the beautiful young pathologist (o course) so fervently loves the main character, Brian (even though they've split up, she's still gaga over him). The guy has all the emotional range of a mollusk...no, actually octopi have more. I guess it's supposed to be sort of a Spock/Data thing, where supposedly the woman has a burning desire to "wake up" the emotional stone. Although, both the Vulcan & the android are (to me) more believable love interests.

The main character does gain some emotional activity as the book progresses, but very little of it is positive. I found him fairly unlikeable as a protagonist. I suppose I should put in a *Spoiler ALERT*, as I'm about to say something which occurs late in the book, his feelings upon learning something about his background. Stop here if you don't want to learn something early. *Spoiler ALERT**Spoiler ALERT* I don't understand Brain's reaction to finding out he was adopted, & liked him even less after). He didn't even wait to get the details; even before he talked to his "father" or knew anything at all about the circumstances, he was completely enraged. Why? I realize that learning you're adopted could be a shock, but he's furious to his Dad for "lying" to him even before he learns that he's genetically one of the bad guys. He went from mourning his beloved mother & living & respecting his dear father to despising them before learning anything. Then his putative father explains things & Brian hates them more & disowns them. He never gives either parent the benefit of a doubt even for an instant, which to me is not a sign of a likable or sympathetic character.

29 people found this helpful

Heads Up, This is the new world order!!!!

Where does Nocturnal: A Novel rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

it is in my top three

What other book might you compare Nocturnal: A Novel to and why?

there are no comparisons, unlike any other story I've ever read. But Mr. Sigler's style puts him in good company with some of the greats I've listened to.

Have you listened to any of Phil Gigante’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

i have not.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A greatest hits of all your secret nightmares!!!!

Any additional comments?

Mr. Sigler has created a completely new vision in sci fi and horror. The book's pace is fast and furious, and just the right touch of irony and humor. I believe that I will name any and all of the dogs I get in the future, Pookie! Loved it!!

25 people found this helpful

Crazy sound effects

I do not write many review, but these sound effects were driving me bananas. I love this author, and the narrator is good too, but they gotta stop these sound effects.

I haven't finished the book yet, just started it actually, I am probably going to just read it instead and download another for listening.

23 people found this helpful

Loved it

Though the book is over 20 hours long, it will keep engaged the entire time. No dull points, no fluff, just pure entertainment.

21 people found this helpful

Cliché After Cliché

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

It's pretty bad. I listened to the first two hours, and I'm not sure how I got that far. It's sophomoric humor mixed with life the way a 14 year old boy might imagine it. It's just horrible.

What was most disappointing about Scott Sigler’s story?

The characters, are just a little worse than the plot.

Would you be willing to try another one of Phil Gigante’s performances?

I don't know who to blame for this bad production. I think the director more than the voice talent.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I need to pay attention to who's reviews I give any weight to. Clearly I don't identify with the people who recommend this book.

Any additional comments?

I thought there was a button to return a bad book and get my credit back. I'm looking for it.

21 people found this helpful

Fun and entertaining.

Scott makes the characters loved and hated. There were times that I actually laughed out loud and cringed in horror. If your not afraid of a little gore and mayhem you will find this listen very entertaining.

19 people found this helpful

creative author dips into the unknown

Would you consider the audio edition of Nocturnal: A Novel to be better than the print version?

This audio book was represented by an excellent actor, if you want to define Phil Gigante. The audio version made it an excellent drama as well as an interesting story.

Any additional comments?

During the Christmas season there isn't much time to write reviews, so I am not taking time to do this book justice. This novel has unexpected events, humor, horror, mystery, and romance in it . The vocabulary and the lay out of the story was well done. I also felt the audio part of this story was excellent. I loved some of the characters. Well done and worth the read.

19 people found this helpful

I want more

I loved this book. It was scary and a little funny at the same time. The characters were great!! Sigler makes it easy to imagine them. If this was a movie I would definitely go see it. Brian would most definitely need to be Tom Hardy.
I look forward to a sequel if Scott Sigler has it in him to write it.

15 people found this helpful