WILD THINGS
Chicagoland Vampires Series #9
by Chloe Neill
Publisher: NAL Trade (Feb 4, 2014)
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Adult
Format: eARC (368 pages)
Source: Free book from author for honest review
Find It: Goodreads | Amazon Print | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Books-A-Million| iBooks | IndieBound | Penguin
Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5 stars)
Since Merit was turned into a vampire, and the protector of Chicago’s Cadogan House, it’s been a wild ride. She and Master vampire Ethan Sullivan have helped make Cadogan’s vampires the strongest in North America, and forged ties with paranormal folk of all breeds and creeds, living or dead…or both.
But now those alliances are about to be tested. A strange and twisted magic has ripped through the North American Central Pack, and Merit’s closest friends are caught in the crosshairs. Gabriel Keene, the Pack Apex, looks to Merit and Ethan for help. But who—or what—could possibly be powerful enough to out-magic a shifter
Merit is about to go toe to toe, and cold steel to cold heart, to find out.
At A Glance
Wild Things was a fun and intense read. But I did find myself bored in many areas.
The Good
I loved getting to know more about the Pack and it’s dynamics in Wild Things. It was my favorite part. These shifters are so violent and angry, but there are those few who are so amazing and caring. Gabriel is one of my fav characters in this book. He is an amazing Pack leader and friend. He is so strong but gentle at the same time. Pretty much a perfect man.
Merit is really getting good at investigating. I actually felt proud of her for her deductions and original ideas when going about investigating the strange magic affecting the lives of supernaturals in Chicago. And her little ragtag team are so fun to watch as they dig up dirt and solve the mystery together.
A lot of trouble in Chicago in this book. The mayor is getting even crazier and anti-supernatural. The lengths she goes is unbelievable. Can anyone say psycho biotch? The new bad guy is a new player I would be interested in seeing again. Lots of back story with that one.
I liked how it all ended. With the new revelations in Wild Things, I think the next book is going to be amazing. Things are happening and things are changing, hopefully for the better.
The Bad
I feel like each book is getting a little repetitive. Same problems, mostly same bad guys. I want more variety, something new and exciting. And because of this repetitiveness, I found myself bored in many areas of the book.
The Snuggly
Holy Mind Blowing Sex, Batman! To tell you the truth, I always wanted a little more steam in this series, and boy did we get it. That effing sex scene! Wow. I have to admit, I read it twice. hehehe. I am loving the non-drama relationship Merit and Ethan have now. They are solid.
Final Thoughts
I enjoyed Wild Things, I just want to see fresher material. Something new and super exciting. But this was still a great mysterious and intense story overall. Recommended.
“This was the magic of feasting & f*cking, of savoring the blood of a kill & calling the Pack to dine.”
“Merit,” he said, his voice ragged. “I need you. I love you.”
“I love you.”
Forever, he silently said. Regardless.
Forever, I said to him.
“You were propositioned by magic mist?”
“Don’t get kidnapped this time. Ethan gets very irritated when you’re kidnapped.”
Jennifer: Who or what has influenced you the most in writing the Chicagoland Vampires Series (or Wild Things)?
Jennifer: If you could be any kind of supernatural being, what would you like to be and why?
Chloe: Something that could fly. I would be a kickass flyer. Lots of dips and swirls. 😉
Jennifer: What has been your funniest (or weirdest) moment as an author so far?
Chloe: I met Patricia Briggs at Comic Con two years ago, and she said she loved my books. That was the first time I had a total fangirl experience, and it was a completely bizarre, completely awesome moment!
-Chicagoland Vampires Tote Bag
-An autographed print copy of House Rules
-Plenty o’ swag, including “I Survived Hard Bitten” buttons and Chicagoland Vampires bookmarks
Open Internationally.
The email used for rafflecopter is the email used to contact you if you win.
Winner: Sandy F.
(Sorry, Rafflecopter is not cooperating with me today.)
A Kindle Paperwhite
A $50 Amazon gift card!
A complete set of Chicagoland Vampires Audiobook CDs (graciously provided by Tantor Audio)
An autographed Chicagoland Vampires or Dark Elite novel
Two Cadogan House Novitiate Luggage Tags
A Cadogan House lanyard and BITING BAD All Access Pass
Chicagoland Vampires bookmarks, pens, buttons, and swag!
Chene Sterckx
I really need to start this series sometime soon 🙂 Great post and interview Jennifer!
Chanzie @ Mean Who You Are.
Jennifer Bielman
I hope you do try out the series.
saaratis
I finished this book today. I agree it was good but not great. I found myself bored too sometimes.Love the interview. 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Happy I was not the only one because I felt bad for even being bored.
Mary Preston
It’s a great cover. Is the weapon real?
Kristia
Love the series! Like you said in your review it does become somewhat repetitive but that happens with all the long series. Can’t wait to read this one 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
I think it got repetitive about book 4 for me.
sherry fundin
I love kickass female protagonists. When Chloe talks about flying I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Thanks for sharing your thoughts guys. Have a great weekend.
Jennifer Bielman
I would so chose a flying creature too. I ma obsessed with the idea of flying.
Margaret Cook
I agree this was not my fave CV novel, but had some high points.
Jennifer Bielman
Happy to hear we agree. 🙂
Nereyda @Mostly YA Book Obsessed
I LOVE this series! Although I am getting worried about the repetitiveness. But, still I love Ethan and Merit. I’m glad that these last few books aren’t ending in cliffies anymore. I don’t think I could take it after Hard Bitten. Yes! Finally more action between them! I just bought the audiobook last night 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
LOL, we are on the same page. I still love each book no matter what bit the repetitiveness is getting tiresome. I yeah, no more cliffhangers, thank god. My heart couldn’t take it.
BookLady
Love this series! Great interview. I enjoy learning about the author. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Jennifer Bielman
me too. I love getting to know an author better.
Jess L
Loved the review. I am worried about it getting repetitive too, but I will continue reading without fail. Merit is too good of a lead character for me to give up!
Jennifer Bielman
Yup, I will finish this series no matter what.
Bobbi Kinion
What did you think of the interview or review? Any questions/comments for the author? Loved the interview and review. Thank you for the giveaway.
Shannon Q.
I love this series! And I enjoy hearing from Chloe at any time, so great interview!
Jennifer Bielman
Chloe always has great answers.
Krista
Honestly, I didn’t read your post as I am only at book 4 and I am desperately avoiding spoilers. Thanks for the giveaway!
Jennifer Bielman
Oh yeah, happy you didn’t read it then. You have a lot to read, girl!
Giselle
In a lot of series when it gets to book 7-8-9 I find I start losing interest. It happened with the Sookie series which is one of my favs but I haven’t read past book 9 I felt like it was just being dragged out. But anyways this series sounds like it’s a lot of fun, though, and now I really want to read it for this sex scene you have me so curious! haha
Jennifer Bielman
OMG, same here with Sookie Stackhouse, though I read that until book 11 and it was torture. Have you heard that the series ended very badly for a lot of fans? So sad.
Teresa Bergan
I love Chloe and she can keep on writing whatever story she wants and hopes she will expand beyond the Chicagoland Vampires. great interview and cannot wait to read the book!
Jennifer Bielman
I hope so too. She is a great writer.
Linda
Love this =) awesome series and can´t wait for my chance to start reading!!
Happy Friday!
//Linda
Jennifer Bielman
Happy reading!
bn100
Nice honest review
Anonymous
Loved the interview! Disagree with review but I appreciate your honesty and thoughtfulness.
Jennifer Bielman
Don’t mind that at all. I hope you loved the book more. I would rather people love books than not enjoy them. 🙂
Barbara E.
I enjoyed your review and now I have a good idea of what to expect when I read Wild Things.
Jennifer Bielman
I hope you end up loving it.
Laura Thomas
I understand how you feel about repetitiveness. At book #9 it must be hard to come up with something new. Still sounds like a great read though:)
Jennifer Bielman
I agree, the longer a series goes on, the harder to keep things fresh.
jmcgaugh
Interesting review. I haven’t read any of this series, yet, so I won’t get bored with this one!
Jennifer Bielman
Perfect! 🙂
Miss. Lucinda Fountain
Thank you so much for this truly amazing giveaway!!
I loved your review and how you pointed out the really good parts of the book as well as the bad. x
Jennifer Bielman
Thanks so much. 🙂
miki
Thank you lot for this international giveaway!!
i’m still a little behind in the series but so far i enjoy it though i can understand how repetitive can get boring however your interview was far from boring i loved the interesting question and i could imagine the fangirl moment with paricia briggs^^
Jennifer Bielman
I would totally fangril over Patricia Briggs too!
kimbacaffeinate
While you wanted more I am glad you found it intense..I hope to start this series soon.
Jennifer Bielman
I hope you do to.
Jaclyn Canada
I hear that this series is one that gets a little repetitive and boring as it goes and really that’s the only thing stopping me from diving into it since I’ve also heard such wonderful things about Merit. I love that you said you read the sex scene twice. Ha! Obviously that part wasn’t boring LMAO. Great review! Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven.
Jennifer Bielman
No, the sex was AWESOME. I understand holding back on this one. I think if it picks up though you should definitely read this series. It would be worth it.
Missdevora
Fantastic review Jennifer, LOL on the snuggly (did you relly read that scene twice?).
Thanks so much for this oportunity…I’m a bit behind in the series, but love Merit and the interview you did was funny 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Oh yeah, totally read it twice. I was so socked I could not hold myself back.
Brittany B
Great review! Thanks
OdinAchillesMom
Currently reading Wild Things. I love this series!!
pwolf11
Not my favorite book in the series but it’s leading somewhere good!
Jennifer Bielman
I think and hope so
Samantha Stambaugh
Another great giveaway, Jennifer! And I’m putting my effort forth because I need to start this series. Gotta love a good sex scene, but since she’s a new author to me, I am hoping I can love it! Here’s to great writers, awesome stories, and amazing giveaways!
Jennifer Bielman
I really really hope you love this series! It is really so interesting.
Steph F.
I’ve been excited for this book because it features the Pack and I love Gabriel. I really want to learn more about the visions. I always wanted the books to be steamier to so excited this one is but I agree that they have been getting a little repetitive.
Jennifer Bielman
I am such a huge fan of Gabrial. And the visions to make an appearance. 🙂
Bonnie
Thank you for the great giveaway. I loved the interview.
Jennifer Bielman
Thanks.
Bube
Thanks for the great interview and giveaway 🙂
Very good review! 🙂
I plan to read this series!
Jennifer Bielman
Happy to hear it.
VampedChik
I own most of this series but haven’t read them yet. I really need to remedy that!
Jennifer Bielman
OMG yes!!! Read them now!
drkngl
Thanks for the Interview and the Giveaway. They’re great! Really good series…I love Merit!
Steph Lewis
Thank you for the awesome giveaway!
I ♥ the Chicagoland Vampires series!
soireadthisbooktoday.com
I have the Chicagoland series on my TBR pile… that keeps growing, and growing. . . But it is climbing to the top!