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Chicagoland Vampires #9
Wild Things
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.
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.
368 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2014
266 people are currently reading
8264 people want to read
About the author
Chloe Neill
65 books10.1k followersChloe Neill is the New York Times bestselling author of the Heirs of Chicagoland, Chicagoland Vampires Novels, Devil's Isle Novels, and Dark Elite novels. Chloe was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest. When she's not writing, she bakes, works, and scours the Internet for good recipes and great graphic design. Chloe also maintains her sanity by spending time with her boys--her husband and their dogs, Baxter and Scout.
Connect with Chloe at www.chloeneill.com.
Connect with Chloe at www.chloeneill.com.
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August 9, 2020
”Courage has nothing to do with winning,” I quietly said. “Courage is about fighting the good fight. Stepping forward, even when stepping forward is the crappiest of all possible options.”
And here is another one of my “What I liked vs. What I didn’t like” reviews.
As always here’s a short reminder to those of you who didn’t read the former books of this series already: Don’t read my review if you don’t know them, there might be spoilers you don’t want to read. ;-P This said, let’s get to the interesting part!
What I liked:
- The friendship between Mallory and Merit! They are finally getting back to their former relationship and I’m really happy about that. I loved how close they were before everything went to hell. XD
”We were friends because we were connected together, because something in our souls called to each other, understood each other. That connection, that spark between us, would remain even if our lives had changed completely. I hadn’t accepted that before.
I could accept it now.”
- Gabriel Keene! I love that guy! He’s great and a really good leader. His relationship with Ethan might be strained but they both respect each other and know how it feels to be responsible for their people.
”He walked back in with a bottle of beer in hand and looked, I realized for the first time, utterly exhausted. He’d probably been playing Apex all evening, and for the festival he’d planned for. Here, finally, he was with people who weren’t his subjects. For a brief moment – a rare moment – he shook off the mantle of power and sprawled onto the couch.”
- The introduction of two new characters from the pack! Damien Garza was such a cool guy and I loved Emma!!! That woman has guts and the way she handled the pack situation was just hot! *lol* No wonder everyone was a little bit in love with her! XD I hope we’ll see more of those two in the next few books.
”Damien Garza was a good reminder that people were rarely what they seemed, that judging a book by its cover was a remarkably inaccurate way of taking its measure.”
”We looked at Emma, who shook her right hand, the knuckles split and dotted with blood. A hank of brown hair fell over her eyes, and she blew it up and out of her face.
I was in absolute awe, and a little bit in love.”
- The many new supernaturals that were introduced in this book! This is one of the things I really appreciate about this series. It doesn’t only focus on vampires but gives other sups a chance to be a part of this series too. The most intriguing new sups were the elves though. I loved that they are so dangerous and that even the shifters and vampires considered them a force to be reckoned with.
”They are barbarians. They protect their lands without regret, kill without remorse. They do not believe in weakness, and they don’t overlook it. They don’t believe in pity. They kill children they don’t believe will flourish, men and women past their prime. They do not live peacefully. They wait.”
- Malik!!! He’s such a calm and soothing presence and really deserves to be Cadogan’s master vampire! Not that Ethan isn’t a good one as well, but I guess his ego gets in the way sometimes. *lol* I think this constant back and forth between their leadership is getting kind of tiring and I’d rather prefer Malik as master and Ethan in another role. That’s just me though.
An arm wrapped around my shoulder. I looked up, surprised, into Malik’s eyes. “Are you all right?”
He was so quiet, so reserved, I wouldn’t have expected him to offer physical solace, which made the fact that he had offered it even more meaningful.
- Mallory and Catcher! Those two manage to seem super domestic but still sexy somehow?! I absolutely love that they found their rhythm and are so content around each other. Well, and that they still have that spark when they talk about professional stuff doesn’t hurt either. *lol* ;-P
”What do you think? Compass in water? Map on a dart board? Google Maps?”
Catcher’s eyes shined. “Damn, I love it when you talk shop.”
- Last but not least Jeff Christopher! He’s legit the best thing about this series and I’ll never get tired of mentioning him! <333
What I didn’t like:
- The fact that still only about 10 months have passed between book 1 and 9. I mean this is a series that consists of 13 books in total and Chloe Neill is actually telling us that only 10 months have passed? There happened and happens so much in those books it would be way more realistic to at least give each book the time span of a few weeks or months. The relation is totally blown out of proportion otherwise. I mean for instance take Mallory. She was a really bad witch and is supposed to atone for her crimes and now she’s already on the mend and doing fine? There couldn’t have passed more than about 2 months ever since she went to “the dark side” and returned. It’s all pretty unrealistic if you ask me. Especially if she’s addicted to magic. We all know an addiction isn’t something you get under control that easily.
- Ethan Sullivan! I mean I don’t have anything against Ethan but boy, his pep talks are getting repetitive. It happens in each and every single book and I’m tired of it. *sighs*
”We cannot change the world, Merit. We do what we can in our small corner, and we act with honor. We rise to the occasion, and we do our best.”
- The situation with the GP! Talk about strange time spans. About a thousand things happened but the situation with the GP is basically still the same. Like WTH?! Can they finally get it over with and do what is necessary?! All that beating about the bush is getting really tiresome.
- And if I’m already at it I really dislike the back and forth between the mayor and the vampires too. It’s been like that for ages and it starts to get annoying.
- The plot was pretty underwhelming as well. I mean it all sounded nice in theory but once it was played out it kind of lacked finesse.
- The romance between Merit and Ethan. Is it just me or did they lose their bite? Ethan is always getting into sticky situations, Merit is always worrying about him, or everything is just the other way around and their “sexy scenes” are not sexy at all. *shakes head*
So yeah, what it comes down to is that I still enjoy this series but at the moment it feels like I’m reading it because it’s a nice series when I need to read something light in between my other more serious books. I wish I could give this four stars, but the reoccuring themes and patterns of the “Chicagoland Vampires” are not only ticking me off but also kind of started to kill my enthusiasm. If Chloe Neill doesn’t resolve some of those issues soon I won’t be able to enjoy this series until the end.
_____________________________
As always this was another nice bookish snack.
Loved that we were introduced to new supernaturals and that there was a different set of troubles.
The GP storyline is getting old. *lol*
Anyway, Full RTC soon! Guess it will be one of my “what I liked and what I didn’t like” reviews. ;-)
___________________________________
It’s time for bookish fast food and this series has been my go-to meal for years. *lol*
I can’t believe I’m already at book 9 but since this series consists of 13 books in total I still have a few “fast food snacks” ahead of me. XD
Guess that’s one of those series I’ll finish before I’m old and wrinkled. ;-P
And just to get it out there:
Forget Ethan Sullivan! I live and breathe for Jeff Christopher and Gabriel! <3
P.S: I definitely won’t miss the covers though. *LOL*
And here is another one of my “What I liked vs. What I didn’t like” reviews.
As always here’s a short reminder to those of you who didn’t read the former books of this series already: Don’t read my review if you don’t know them, there might be spoilers you don’t want to read. ;-P This said, let’s get to the interesting part!
What I liked:
- The friendship between Mallory and Merit! They are finally getting back to their former relationship and I’m really happy about that. I loved how close they were before everything went to hell. XD
”We were friends because we were connected together, because something in our souls called to each other, understood each other. That connection, that spark between us, would remain even if our lives had changed completely. I hadn’t accepted that before.
I could accept it now.”
- Gabriel Keene! I love that guy! He’s great and a really good leader. His relationship with Ethan might be strained but they both respect each other and know how it feels to be responsible for their people.
”He walked back in with a bottle of beer in hand and looked, I realized for the first time, utterly exhausted. He’d probably been playing Apex all evening, and for the festival he’d planned for. Here, finally, he was with people who weren’t his subjects. For a brief moment – a rare moment – he shook off the mantle of power and sprawled onto the couch.”
- The introduction of two new characters from the pack! Damien Garza was such a cool guy and I loved Emma!!! That woman has guts and the way she handled the pack situation was just hot! *lol* No wonder everyone was a little bit in love with her! XD I hope we’ll see more of those two in the next few books.
”Damien Garza was a good reminder that people were rarely what they seemed, that judging a book by its cover was a remarkably inaccurate way of taking its measure.”
”We looked at Emma, who shook her right hand, the knuckles split and dotted with blood. A hank of brown hair fell over her eyes, and she blew it up and out of her face.
I was in absolute awe, and a little bit in love.”
- The many new supernaturals that were introduced in this book! This is one of the things I really appreciate about this series. It doesn’t only focus on vampires but gives other sups a chance to be a part of this series too. The most intriguing new sups were the elves though. I loved that they are so dangerous and that even the shifters and vampires considered them a force to be reckoned with.
”They are barbarians. They protect their lands without regret, kill without remorse. They do not believe in weakness, and they don’t overlook it. They don’t believe in pity. They kill children they don’t believe will flourish, men and women past their prime. They do not live peacefully. They wait.”
- Malik!!! He’s such a calm and soothing presence and really deserves to be Cadogan’s master vampire! Not that Ethan isn’t a good one as well, but I guess his ego gets in the way sometimes. *lol* I think this constant back and forth between their leadership is getting kind of tiring and I’d rather prefer Malik as master and Ethan in another role. That’s just me though.
An arm wrapped around my shoulder. I looked up, surprised, into Malik’s eyes. “Are you all right?”
He was so quiet, so reserved, I wouldn’t have expected him to offer physical solace, which made the fact that he had offered it even more meaningful.
- Mallory and Catcher! Those two manage to seem super domestic but still sexy somehow?! I absolutely love that they found their rhythm and are so content around each other. Well, and that they still have that spark when they talk about professional stuff doesn’t hurt either. *lol* ;-P
”What do you think? Compass in water? Map on a dart board? Google Maps?”
Catcher’s eyes shined. “Damn, I love it when you talk shop.”
- Last but not least Jeff Christopher! He’s legit the best thing about this series and I’ll never get tired of mentioning him! <333
What I didn’t like:
- The fact that still only about 10 months have passed between book 1 and 9. I mean this is a series that consists of 13 books in total and Chloe Neill is actually telling us that only 10 months have passed? There happened and happens so much in those books it would be way more realistic to at least give each book the time span of a few weeks or months. The relation is totally blown out of proportion otherwise. I mean for instance take Mallory. She was a really bad witch and is supposed to atone for her crimes and now she’s already on the mend and doing fine? There couldn’t have passed more than about 2 months ever since she went to “the dark side” and returned. It’s all pretty unrealistic if you ask me. Especially if she’s addicted to magic. We all know an addiction isn’t something you get under control that easily.
- Ethan Sullivan! I mean I don’t have anything against Ethan but boy, his pep talks are getting repetitive. It happens in each and every single book and I’m tired of it. *sighs*
”We cannot change the world, Merit. We do what we can in our small corner, and we act with honor. We rise to the occasion, and we do our best.”
- The situation with the GP! Talk about strange time spans. About a thousand things happened but the situation with the GP is basically still the same. Like WTH?! Can they finally get it over with and do what is necessary?! All that beating about the bush is getting really tiresome.
- And if I’m already at it I really dislike the back and forth between the mayor and the vampires too. It’s been like that for ages and it starts to get annoying.
- The plot was pretty underwhelming as well. I mean it all sounded nice in theory but once it was played out it kind of lacked finesse.
- The romance between Merit and Ethan. Is it just me or did they lose their bite? Ethan is always getting into sticky situations, Merit is always worrying about him, or everything is just the other way around and their “sexy scenes” are not sexy at all. *shakes head*
So yeah, what it comes down to is that I still enjoy this series but at the moment it feels like I’m reading it because it’s a nice series when I need to read something light in between my other more serious books. I wish I could give this four stars, but the reoccuring themes and patterns of the “Chicagoland Vampires” are not only ticking me off but also kind of started to kill my enthusiasm. If Chloe Neill doesn’t resolve some of those issues soon I won’t be able to enjoy this series until the end.
_____________________________
As always this was another nice bookish snack.
Loved that we were introduced to new supernaturals and that there was a different set of troubles.
The GP storyline is getting old. *lol*
Anyway, Full RTC soon! Guess it will be one of my “what I liked and what I didn’t like” reviews. ;-)
___________________________________
It’s time for bookish fast food and this series has been my go-to meal for years. *lol*
I can’t believe I’m already at book 9 but since this series consists of 13 books in total I still have a few “fast food snacks” ahead of me. XD
Guess that’s one of those series I’ll finish before I’m old and wrinkled. ;-P
And just to get it out there:
Forget Ethan Sullivan! I live and breathe for Jeff Christopher and Gabriel! <3
P.S: I definitely won’t miss the covers though. *LOL*
February 12, 2014
Spoilers
Didn't like it, I thought the series would start to redeem itself but it's only gotten more and more generic, dull, and predictable. The only reason I'm carrying on with it is for completion's sake.
-Summary: Ethan (and Merit) staying with Gabe and his shifters to avoid arrest. The shifters attacked, they suspect Ethan/Merit, and that leads to them investigating the latest mysterious bad guy of the week.
-Merit and rest of the main characters were bland, empty, and predictable. There was nothing unique or endearing about them. Merit's thoughts were utterly boring, she sounded like every UF/PNR heroine that ever was. Ethan was no better, he was cheesy and blah — at least with most other UF/PNR series the hero is usually entertaining and interesting. Ethan on the other hand failed to captivate or entertain me in the slightest. Any time he would speak I'd roll my eyes, he was just so bloody boring.
-Merit and Ethan's romance was bland and tropey, they had no chemistry between them. They used to early on in the series but somewhere along the line they lost it and now read as passionless, forgettable, and forced.
-I rolled my eyes at the many characters who acted like they were wise and all knowing. The way Ethan, Catcher, Gabriel, and even Merit talked sometimes as if they knew it all grated on me.
-I found Merit's overprotectiveness of Ethan cringey and over the top. It made Ethan look weak, and made their relationship come across as imbalanced what with him being the pwecious snowflake Cadogan master and her being his disposable bodyguard.
-Am I really meant to believe Ethan would be a good GP leader? He's not even a good House master, he's a rubbish leader, and he's always getting himself and his House in trouble. He'd be awful at leading the American vampires.
-I didn't understand why everyone kept complimenting Merit and co's investigative skills. They weren't even that good, they did the obvious, blundered along, and got lucky. The only one that was actually impressive was Jeff with his computer skills, the rest were rubbish.
-The prophecy reveal was underwhelming, after half a dozen books of being teased about it I expected so much more. So yea, Merit and Ethan will have a child with green eyes like Ethan's, and I'm guessing that child will marry into Gabriel's family eventually since he kept banging on about Merit being practically family. Ugh, it was so disappointing, why was it dragged out for so long?!
I hated that out of every vampire Merit and Ethan where the ones that would be able to magically have kids when no other vampire in the past had been able to do so. It turned them into even bigger speshul snowflakes.
-It seems like all the books in the series have Merit and the rest of the Cadogan vampires desperately trying to prove themselves to everyone else by saving the day… Yet no other supernatural has had to do the same for them. I find that really unrealistic. Also, I've already read that same basic plot in earlier books, why would I want to read it again? Recycled storylines hardly make for thrilling reading.
I'm also bored of all the vampires being hated and distrusted by humans and various other supernaturals. The last book had the same thing and the one before that and so forth, reading the same vampire issues and problems over and again is boring.
-Why did so many shifters hate vampires? There was no real reason given, they just distrusted them and that was that. Considering how many humans hated vampires and all things supernatural I would have thought the shifters would want to stick together, support, and be open minded with vampires until the humans were no longer a threat… It should have occurred to them to not be so blindly prejudice of a whole other species when they knew exactly what it felt like themselves.
-I wasn't interested in all the GP nonsense, it was predictable and dull. The GP arc might have been good if they were actually written like real antagonists instead of as a dated organisation filled with ridiculous, petty, cartoonish characters who would inevitably fail and be beaten by the noble, courageous, do goody American vampires. Give me a break. Would it have been so hard to write the GP as a real force, a true threat, and ultimately an intelligent organisation? That would have been far more entertaining.
All in all, another disappointing installment. The main characters lacked depth and personality, the plot was rubbish, and the romance was dull.
Didn't like it, I thought the series would start to redeem itself but it's only gotten more and more generic, dull, and predictable. The only reason I'm carrying on with it is for completion's sake.
-Summary: Ethan (and Merit) staying with Gabe and his shifters to avoid arrest. The shifters attacked, they suspect Ethan/Merit, and that leads to them investigating the latest mysterious bad guy of the week.
-Merit and rest of the main characters were bland, empty, and predictable. There was nothing unique or endearing about them. Merit's thoughts were utterly boring, she sounded like every UF/PNR heroine that ever was. Ethan was no better, he was cheesy and blah — at least with most other UF/PNR series the hero is usually entertaining and interesting. Ethan on the other hand failed to captivate or entertain me in the slightest. Any time he would speak I'd roll my eyes, he was just so bloody boring.
-Merit and Ethan's romance was bland and tropey, they had no chemistry between them. They used to early on in the series but somewhere along the line they lost it and now read as passionless, forgettable, and forced.
-I rolled my eyes at the many characters who acted like they were wise and all knowing. The way Ethan, Catcher, Gabriel, and even Merit talked sometimes as if they knew it all grated on me.
-I found Merit's overprotectiveness of Ethan cringey and over the top. It made Ethan look weak, and made their relationship come across as imbalanced what with him being the pwecious snowflake Cadogan master and her being his disposable bodyguard.
-Am I really meant to believe Ethan would be a good GP leader? He's not even a good House master, he's a rubbish leader, and he's always getting himself and his House in trouble. He'd be awful at leading the American vampires.
-I didn't understand why everyone kept complimenting Merit and co's investigative skills. They weren't even that good, they did the obvious, blundered along, and got lucky. The only one that was actually impressive was Jeff with his computer skills, the rest were rubbish.
-The prophecy reveal was underwhelming, after half a dozen books of being teased about it I expected so much more. So yea, Merit and Ethan will have a child with green eyes like Ethan's, and I'm guessing that child will marry into Gabriel's family eventually since he kept banging on about Merit being practically family. Ugh, it was so disappointing, why was it dragged out for so long?!
I hated that out of every vampire Merit and Ethan where the ones that would be able to magically have kids when no other vampire in the past had been able to do so. It turned them into even bigger speshul snowflakes.
-It seems like all the books in the series have Merit and the rest of the Cadogan vampires desperately trying to prove themselves to everyone else by saving the day… Yet no other supernatural has had to do the same for them. I find that really unrealistic. Also, I've already read that same basic plot in earlier books, why would I want to read it again? Recycled storylines hardly make for thrilling reading.
I'm also bored of all the vampires being hated and distrusted by humans and various other supernaturals. The last book had the same thing and the one before that and so forth, reading the same vampire issues and problems over and again is boring.
-Why did so many shifters hate vampires? There was no real reason given, they just distrusted them and that was that. Considering how many humans hated vampires and all things supernatural I would have thought the shifters would want to stick together, support, and be open minded with vampires until the humans were no longer a threat… It should have occurred to them to not be so blindly prejudice of a whole other species when they knew exactly what it felt like themselves.
-I wasn't interested in all the GP nonsense, it was predictable and dull. The GP arc might have been good if they were actually written like real antagonists instead of as a dated organisation filled with ridiculous, petty, cartoonish characters who would inevitably fail and be beaten by the noble, courageous, do goody American vampires. Give me a break. Would it have been so hard to write the GP as a real force, a true threat, and ultimately an intelligent organisation? That would have been far more entertaining.
All in all, another disappointing installment. The main characters lacked depth and personality, the plot was rubbish, and the romance was dull.
April 27, 2014
Loooooooove it!
Cover!
Cover!
February 14, 2014
**Warning** This is a total fangirl review!
Well, for me, this book was really yummy especially since I love all things Ethan. He was just amazing in this book. I LOVE him and Merit together but throw in some uber Alpha being all possessive, jealous and demonstrative? Phew....things were a-meltin'.
So here's a breakdown of the story...
Ethan's hiding out from the mayor...
Ethan being yummy....
Creatures attack the shifters and of course, the vampires get blamed...
Mallory, Catcher Jeff and Damien helping...
Ethan being jealous....
Some other creatures get attacked and are missing, and of course the vampires get blamed...
Ethan coming to the rescue ~sigh~ ...
Vampires investigating...
Gabriel being his usual cryptic self...
Ethan being super sexy - oh my...
Other vampires paying the dues for Ethan...
Malik, Luc, Lindsey and the rest of the house taking care of business...
Ethan being very demonstrative...
Merit having to reach out to old foe...
Jonah being there to help...
Ethan being strong Alpha...
Things get resolved....
Ethan being yummy and destined?
Well, there you have it...in a nutshell. I enjoyed how everything is progressing, and yes there is progress! But more importantly is how well Ethan and Merit do just ~everything~ together. I hope things keep moving forward because it can only get better!
Favorite quotes:
♥ “You don’t own me.”
"No,” he agreed. “We own each other. I am your Master. And you are my Sentinel.”
♥ “Eyes on your own man candy.”
“My man candy’s already dressed,” she said between bites of what looked like chocolate sludge. “Yours is . . . less so.”
♥ “You screamed like a kid in a horror movie,” Jeff said, now doubled over and wiping tears from his eyes. “That was tremendous.”
♥ "Sentinel, he silently said. You are a sight for sore eyes.
I ran like the hounds of hell were behind me, jumping into his arms and wrapping my arms and legs around him. Thank God, I said. Thank God. I said it to the universe, to him, for him."
♥ “I will have both of you,” he said. “My Sentinel and my city. And the GP will learn exactly how stubborn we both can be.”
Well, for me, this book was really yummy especially since I love all things Ethan. He was just amazing in this book. I LOVE him and Merit together but throw in some uber Alpha being all possessive, jealous and demonstrative? Phew....things were a-meltin'.
So here's a breakdown of the story...
Ethan's hiding out from the mayor...
Ethan being yummy....
Creatures attack the shifters and of course, the vampires get blamed...
Mallory, Catcher Jeff and Damien helping...
Ethan being jealous....
Some other creatures get attacked and are missing, and of course the vampires get blamed...
Ethan coming to the rescue ~sigh~ ...
Vampires investigating...
Gabriel being his usual cryptic self...
Ethan being super sexy - oh my...
Other vampires paying the dues for Ethan...
Malik, Luc, Lindsey and the rest of the house taking care of business...
Ethan being very demonstrative...
Merit having to reach out to old foe...
Jonah being there to help...
Ethan being strong Alpha...
Things get resolved....
Ethan being yummy and destined?
Well, there you have it...in a nutshell. I enjoyed how everything is progressing, and yes there is progress! But more importantly is how well Ethan and Merit do just ~everything~ together. I hope things keep moving forward because it can only get better!
Favorite quotes:
♥ “You don’t own me.”
"No,” he agreed. “We own each other. I am your Master. And you are my Sentinel.”
♥ “Eyes on your own man candy.”
“My man candy’s already dressed,” she said between bites of what looked like chocolate sludge. “Yours is . . . less so.”
♥ “You screamed like a kid in a horror movie,” Jeff said, now doubled over and wiping tears from his eyes. “That was tremendous.”
♥ "Sentinel, he silently said. You are a sight for sore eyes.
I ran like the hounds of hell were behind me, jumping into his arms and wrapping my arms and legs around him. Thank God, I said. Thank God. I said it to the universe, to him, for him."
♥ “I will have both of you,” he said. “My Sentinel and my city. And the GP will learn exactly how stubborn we both can be.”
February 7, 2014
One would think that by the ninth installment of the Chicagoland Vampires Series that the stories would be getting stale or ridiculous and our obsession with “Methan” would have run its course.
Wild Things was, in my opinion, the best book yet in this incredible series.
(There will be teeny spoilers from previous installments in the Chicagoland Vampires Series. Sorry, but, by the ninth book, it’s unavoidable – please don’t be mad!)
When we last saw our favorite Cadogan House vampires, Ethan was being encouraged to make himself scarce before the Chicago PD came to arrest him for killing a fellow vampire in self-defense. As much as he hates to do it, Ethan and Merit decide to hide out at the Breckenridge estate. Their self-imposed exile soon becomes a huge inconvenience as supernatural groups all over the city are attacked, and members of each group kidnapped – including Gabriel Keene’s shifters. To try and make things copacetic between vampires and shifters, Gabe asks Ethan and Merit to investigate the attacks and find the kidnapped victims. And, of course, in the middle of all this, a favor Merit promised in exchange for some help is called in, and the ramifications could spell the end of her and Ethan.
Chloe Neill has done a brilliant job planting seeds and letting them slowly grow over time until, before you even realize it, they’ve turned into something amazing. Remember that intriguing prophecy that Gabriel mentioned to Merit in Twice Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #3) about a baby with Ethan’s eyes that wasn’t Ethan? CLV superfans have been waiting with bated breath for some movement on this. It’s been mentioned once or twice since then, but in Wild Things, we finally, FINALLY hear more about it, including the revealing of it to Ethan. The best part is Ethan’s reaction. I think I read that part three times. And, what’s even better, is there’s still more to come on this subject.
The corruption of the GP was introduced early in the series, with a much finer point put upon it in Drink Deep (Chicagoland Vampires #5). Even though Cadogan House is no longer a member, the GP is still trying to flex on them. Based on actions taken in Wild Things, there’s hope that the GP’s mafia mentality may soon come to an end, although most assuredly, not without a fight.
After all this time, we still get a few delightful surprises in Wild Things. A never-before-seen brand of sup is revealed (and they’re pretty creepy, too), and believe it or not, we finally get the Librarian’s name.
Very nearly all our favorites from CLV books past are featured at least a little. The original Scoobies – Merit, Catcher, Mallory and Jeff – team up again, many times with assistance from Ethan. Luc and Lindsey are there with their usual snark (Luc always has the best one-liners), Malik offers stability and support, and Jonah once again backs Merit up in an RG capacity. We even catch up with Seth Tate, who we’ve not seen since Biting Cold (Chicagoland Vampires #6).
And, there’s no way I can talk about favorites without mentioning the shifters. As you might be able to tell from the name of the book, The North American Pack plays a very prominent role. Gabe, his wife Tanya and his baby boy are front and center nearly the entire way through the book. We are also blessed with appearances from Nick Breckenridge, his brothers, his father, den mother Berna (pun very much intended), Fallon and new hottie shifter Damien, who serves as Gabe’s muscle.
Without a doubt, though, the best part of Wild Things is Merit and Ethan. With all the stopping and starting of their relationship through the first six books in this series, it sometimes felt like we’d never get to this place of stability and comfort. Ethan is finally not afraid to show ANYONE that he’s desperately in love with Merit, even though his PDAs embarrass her to no end. The sureness of their relationship is a wonderful addition. And, thankfully, that doesn’t in any way mean a tempering of the passion. Holy hotness – When Ethan and Merit set their mind to doing something, they do it well and good. It’s fan-freaking-tastic.
If you’re someone who may have started the series early on, but hasn’t finished yet, let this be your call to action. Because, for as much as I LOVED Wild Things, I get the impression that we haven’t seen anything yet.
Wild Things was, in my opinion, the best book yet in this incredible series.
(There will be teeny spoilers from previous installments in the Chicagoland Vampires Series. Sorry, but, by the ninth book, it’s unavoidable – please don’t be mad!)
When we last saw our favorite Cadogan House vampires, Ethan was being encouraged to make himself scarce before the Chicago PD came to arrest him for killing a fellow vampire in self-defense. As much as he hates to do it, Ethan and Merit decide to hide out at the Breckenridge estate. Their self-imposed exile soon becomes a huge inconvenience as supernatural groups all over the city are attacked, and members of each group kidnapped – including Gabriel Keene’s shifters. To try and make things copacetic between vampires and shifters, Gabe asks Ethan and Merit to investigate the attacks and find the kidnapped victims. And, of course, in the middle of all this, a favor Merit promised in exchange for some help is called in, and the ramifications could spell the end of her and Ethan.
Chloe Neill has done a brilliant job planting seeds and letting them slowly grow over time until, before you even realize it, they’ve turned into something amazing. Remember that intriguing prophecy that Gabriel mentioned to Merit in Twice Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #3) about a baby with Ethan’s eyes that wasn’t Ethan? CLV superfans have been waiting with bated breath for some movement on this. It’s been mentioned once or twice since then, but in Wild Things, we finally, FINALLY hear more about it, including the revealing of it to Ethan. The best part is Ethan’s reaction. I think I read that part three times. And, what’s even better, is there’s still more to come on this subject.
The corruption of the GP was introduced early in the series, with a much finer point put upon it in Drink Deep (Chicagoland Vampires #5). Even though Cadogan House is no longer a member, the GP is still trying to flex on them. Based on actions taken in Wild Things, there’s hope that the GP’s mafia mentality may soon come to an end, although most assuredly, not without a fight.
After all this time, we still get a few delightful surprises in Wild Things. A never-before-seen brand of sup is revealed (and they’re pretty creepy, too), and believe it or not, we finally get the Librarian’s name.
Very nearly all our favorites from CLV books past are featured at least a little. The original Scoobies – Merit, Catcher, Mallory and Jeff – team up again, many times with assistance from Ethan. Luc and Lindsey are there with their usual snark (Luc always has the best one-liners), Malik offers stability and support, and Jonah once again backs Merit up in an RG capacity. We even catch up with Seth Tate, who we’ve not seen since Biting Cold (Chicagoland Vampires #6).
And, there’s no way I can talk about favorites without mentioning the shifters. As you might be able to tell from the name of the book, The North American Pack plays a very prominent role. Gabe, his wife Tanya and his baby boy are front and center nearly the entire way through the book. We are also blessed with appearances from Nick Breckenridge, his brothers, his father, den mother Berna (pun very much intended), Fallon and new hottie shifter Damien, who serves as Gabe’s muscle.
Without a doubt, though, the best part of Wild Things is Merit and Ethan. With all the stopping and starting of their relationship through the first six books in this series, it sometimes felt like we’d never get to this place of stability and comfort. Ethan is finally not afraid to show ANYONE that he’s desperately in love with Merit, even though his PDAs embarrass her to no end. The sureness of their relationship is a wonderful addition. And, thankfully, that doesn’t in any way mean a tempering of the passion. Holy hotness – When Ethan and Merit set their mind to doing something, they do it well and good. It’s fan-freaking-tastic.
If you’re someone who may have started the series early on, but hasn’t finished yet, let this be your call to action. Because, for as much as I LOVED Wild Things, I get the impression that we haven’t seen anything yet.
February 3, 2014
Originally posted on Confessions of an Opinionated Book Geek
There is nothing really wrong with this book, it’s just boring. Boring, because it’s more of the same. The City of Chicago are still bullies, Merit and gang stumble upon yet another magical mystery that only they can solve and nothing much else happens. Lots of series have formulas and monster of the week type formats, but in my opinion Chicagoland suffers for it. There just isn’t much holding me to the series beyond the fact that I love Ethan Sullivan, but even he fell flat for me in WILD THINGS.
We finally learn the meaning behind Gabriel’s infamous prophecy and I kind of guessed it years ago. But! But after years of reading this series, the prophecy seems illogical and against the lore Chloe Neill has spent years setting up. More, Merit has been taken from normal girl to Ms. chosen one, special, first of her kind, McAwesome. Completely against the premise that a grad student becomes a vampire. All of a sudden she’s something more, which isn’t what I signed up for. I’m kind of tired of the “chosen one” angle, no matter how simple or intimate the anomaly is.
Then there is the mystery. I have often felt that Merit and team were weak detectives, and they are, but for some reason the characters in this particular installment seem to think that they are getting better or accomplishing feats, when really they are just bumbling around in the dark. They stumble across leads without any real deductions or investigative prowess. Everything is solved with a single phrase or action. Too easily wrapped up with not enough tension or resolution. In fact, I could care less about the villain.
The ending was intriguing and I’ll no doubt read the next book without such high hopes, but interest non the less.
I am really disappointed and underwhelmed by this book,
Recommended for fans of the Chicagoland Vampires series.
*ARC Provided byRelease Date: February. 4,2014
There is nothing really wrong with this book, it’s just boring. Boring, because it’s more of the same. The City of Chicago are still bullies, Merit and gang stumble upon yet another magical mystery that only they can solve and nothing much else happens. Lots of series have formulas and monster of the week type formats, but in my opinion Chicagoland suffers for it. There just isn’t much holding me to the series beyond the fact that I love Ethan Sullivan, but even he fell flat for me in WILD THINGS.
We finally learn the meaning behind Gabriel’s infamous prophecy and I kind of guessed it years ago. But! But after years of reading this series, the prophecy seems illogical and against the lore Chloe Neill has spent years setting up. More, Merit has been taken from normal girl to Ms. chosen one, special, first of her kind, McAwesome. Completely against the premise that a grad student becomes a vampire. All of a sudden she’s something more, which isn’t what I signed up for. I’m kind of tired of the “chosen one” angle, no matter how simple or intimate the anomaly is.
Then there is the mystery. I have often felt that Merit and team were weak detectives, and they are, but for some reason the characters in this particular installment seem to think that they are getting better or accomplishing feats, when really they are just bumbling around in the dark. They stumble across leads without any real deductions or investigative prowess. Everything is solved with a single phrase or action. Too easily wrapped up with not enough tension or resolution. In fact, I could care less about the villain.
The ending was intriguing and I’ll no doubt read the next book without such high hopes, but interest non the less.
I am really disappointed and underwhelmed by this book,
Recommended for fans of the Chicagoland Vampires series.
*ARC Provided byRelease Date: February. 4,2014
February 4, 2018
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Ugh*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
Re-read: 04.02.2018
Ugh, I hate myself right now. I hate that I no longer love this series. That I'm no longer so in love Ethan that I was. No longer Merit's biggest fan. They just are. Sure, I still like them. But I'm finding so many damned flaws. I don't like how... weak Ethan seems at some points. I don't like how manipulating Gabriel is. And I don't like how I sorta, kinda want Gabriel and Merit to have more. I love a more... animalistic alpha males. I do believe I remember this series too well though; probably because I used to love it so much. Oh well, on to the next disappointing re-read.
The characters:
— Caroline ‘Merit’ ‘Mer’ Evelyn Merit (becomes vampire at 27, but is 28 in years), Sentinel of the Cadogan House.
— Ethan ‘Liege’ ‘Darth Sullivan’ Sullivan (394, though became a vampire at 30), master of the Cadogan House —> dead, but is back from the dead.
— Mallory ‘Mal’ Delancey Carmichael (28), Merit's bestfriend and a fourth-class sorcerer, a master of the First Key; power.
— Charles ‘Chuck’ Merit (in his sixties), Merit's grandfather is the Ombudsman; a ‘liaison’ between the regulars and the sups.
— Chuck's team:
↳ ∘ his secretary, Marjorie (50),
↳ ∘ the computer prodigy and a shape-shifter, Jeffrey ‘Jeff’ Christopher (21),
↳ ∘ a fourth-class sorcerer and a master of the Second Key; weapons, Catcher Bell (29),
↳ ∘ and there's also a Housed vampire who works for him that not even his colleagues knows about.
— Joshua Merit, Merit's dad sucky dad.
— guard of the Cadogan House, Lindsey (115) and who is also a psychic, and a good friend to Merit. Also dating Lucas.
— Lucas ‘Luc’,
— Malik Washington,
— Morgan Greer, Master of Navarre House, (72, though looks 28) Merit's sorta ex and a weak man.
— Gabriel ‘Gabe’ Keene, Apex of the Central North American, Jeff's pack leader (love him).
— Darius West, head of the Greenwich Presidium and a total dick.
— Seth Tate (36), former mayor of Chicago and a fucker. A part of him, that is; His twin brother Dominic was evil and lived inside of him. Seth is technically good. He's .
— Scott Grey, Master of Grey House.
— Noah Beck, the leader of Chicago’s independent vampires and a Red Guard ‘RG’ (a vampire Secret Service, of sorts).
— Jonah, the Guard Captain, Grey House and a Red Guard, has a crush on Merit.
— Franklin Theodore Cabot, was the appointed receiver of Cadogan House (Darius West, head of the GP, had decided he didn’t like the way the House was run, “Frank” had been sent to Chicago to inspect and evaluate the House). He sucked big time.
— Berna, shifter, and ended bar and worked the kitchens at Little Red (the Ukrainian Village watering hole where the Pack hung out in Chicago).
— Diane Kowalcyzk, Chicago’s new mayor.
— ‘John Q.’ McKetrick, a former military type with a raging hatred of vampires. He now the head of the Office of Human Liaisons, or OHL.
— Michael Donovan, was the House Cadogan's security auditor (in book #7). A Rough, who turned out to be evil.
— Damien Garza, a member of the Pack.
“Chicago is troubled,” he said.
“It’s not perfect. But it moves forward, and it fights. Its people and its vampires fight.”
He made a sarcastic sound. “For what? There will always be another monster around the corner, Merit. And I know. I was one of them. People will always be afraid of the monster. And that fear will win every time.”
“Courage has nothing to do with winning,” I quietly said. “Courage is about fighting the good fight. Stepping forward, even when stepping forward is the crappiest of all possible options.”
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy.
Series: - Series, Book Nine.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Ethan ‘Liege’ ‘Darth Sullivan’ Sullivan.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Yes.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Yes.
Will I read this again in the future? - Yes?
New Rating - 3 stars.
First read review:
I'm not sure I like the ending....
Rate: 4.5 stars.
February 18, 2015
First of all, I am BEYOND ecstatic to be back in Ethan and Merit's world. The mystery, the romance, the I-would-do-anything-for-you moments....they are divine. There is nothing like picking up one of these books-It's like you're coming home. They make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside no matter the content within-whether there's devastation or break-ups or war, these books are just fabulous. I've yet to rate below a four. And, speaking of which, the only reason this isn't a 4.5 is because I am about 20% into the 10th book and it is CLEARLY a full 5...so I didn't think it would do the next book justice if I bumped this one up when it wasn't as good as the next one. So, you know.....there's that.
Me, after 8 books-
My excitement only grows *side smirk emoji*
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Some series are just too long. Some may say that's the case with this particular series...but, in my opinion, after the huge altercation in book 4/5, they only got better and better as the series progressed. Book after book, issue after issue, we are FINALLY where we were meant to be. Some of you will understand that, some won't. For those of you who know? Oh, yeah. It's gettin' spicy. ;)
So, to show my devotion and love to this series, I'll give you some quotes, because everyone deserves a little Ethan in their life:
He glanced at my muddy pants and jacket. "And I presume my Sentinel would appreciate a change of clothes."
"Cadogan's Sentinel, if that's what you meant to say, would appreciate a change of clothes. And a shower."
Gabriel grinned. "She has your number, Sullivan."
"And my heart, for better or worse." He looked at me and smiled, ignoring the mixed company, and sent blood rushing to my cheeks.
***
No matter how foreign the world, the landmarks, the customs, I'd never be a stranger beside Ethan. Love bred the best kind of familiarity.
***
His lips so soft, yet so stern, he pressed his mouth to mine.
"I will have both of you," he said. "My sentinel and my city. And the GP will learn exactly how stubborn we both can be."
For more of my reviews, please visit:
Me, after 8 books-
My excitement only grows *side smirk emoji*
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Some series are just too long. Some may say that's the case with this particular series...but, in my opinion, after the huge altercation in book 4/5, they only got better and better as the series progressed. Book after book, issue after issue, we are FINALLY where we were meant to be. Some of you will understand that, some won't. For those of you who know? Oh, yeah. It's gettin' spicy. ;)
So, to show my devotion and love to this series, I'll give you some quotes, because everyone deserves a little Ethan in their life:
He glanced at my muddy pants and jacket. "And I presume my Sentinel would appreciate a change of clothes."
"Cadogan's Sentinel, if that's what you meant to say, would appreciate a change of clothes. And a shower."
Gabriel grinned. "She has your number, Sullivan."
"And my heart, for better or worse." He looked at me and smiled, ignoring the mixed company, and sent blood rushing to my cheeks.
***
No matter how foreign the world, the landmarks, the customs, I'd never be a stranger beside Ethan. Love bred the best kind of familiarity.
***
His lips so soft, yet so stern, he pressed his mouth to mine.
"I will have both of you," he said. "My sentinel and my city. And the GP will learn exactly how stubborn we both can be."
For more of my reviews, please visit:
August 3, 2015
This series is getting stale. It's like re-packaging the same story over and over again! And, there are situations that have been going on for book after book that still isn't resolved.
what's more boring than regular politics rehashed over and over again? Vampire politics!
The best parts of the book?
Berna, the barmaid who wants to feed everyone who comes in. English is not her strongest, but she is hilarious every time.
"Twilight, Berna confirmed, pointing at me and Ethan. "Grumpy," she said, pointing at Catcher. She looked at Mallory for a few seconds before offering judgment. "Magic," she finally said with the smallest of smiles...
Twilight, Berna? You used to be cool!
And, the badass hot shifter guy with a kitten that he named "Boo".
hold everything. I am looking for a good kitten gif and I see this? The only time I have ever been tempted to get a cat in my life!... must have awesome kitty.....
And, the last good thing in the book? When they met Tanya's sister, Emma, who was a tiny little thing but kicked a guy's ass.
We looked at Emma, who shook her right hand, the knuckles split and dotted with blood. A hand of brown hair fell over her eyes, and she blew it up and out of her face.
I was in absolute awe, and a little bit in love....
"I really like her," Ethan murmured.
"I seriously want to be her best friend," Mallory said, glancing at me. "No offense."
I love the non-jealousy and girl-power.
Aside from those things? Well, the storyline was the same crap/different book. It got boring as hell. Merit is still too much of a special snowflake these days. And, the vampire politics are going to continue in the next book. I have a sickness of wanting to finish series that I start, but I am going to read something else before I move on to the next one. I need a break!
what's more boring than regular politics rehashed over and over again? Vampire politics!
The best parts of the book?
Berna, the barmaid who wants to feed everyone who comes in. English is not her strongest, but she is hilarious every time.
"Twilight, Berna confirmed, pointing at me and Ethan. "Grumpy," she said, pointing at Catcher. She looked at Mallory for a few seconds before offering judgment. "Magic," she finally said with the smallest of smiles...
Twilight, Berna? You used to be cool!
And, the badass hot shifter guy with a kitten that he named "Boo".
hold everything. I am looking for a good kitten gif and I see this? The only time I have ever been tempted to get a cat in my life!... must have awesome kitty.....
And, the last good thing in the book? When they met Tanya's sister, Emma, who was a tiny little thing but kicked a guy's ass.
We looked at Emma, who shook her right hand, the knuckles split and dotted with blood. A hand of brown hair fell over her eyes, and she blew it up and out of her face.
I was in absolute awe, and a little bit in love....
"I really like her," Ethan murmured.
"I seriously want to be her best friend," Mallory said, glancing at me. "No offense."
I love the non-jealousy and girl-power.
Aside from those things? Well, the storyline was the same crap/different book. It got boring as hell. Merit is still too much of a special snowflake these days. And, the vampire politics are going to continue in the next book. I have a sickness of wanting to finish series that I start, but I am going to read something else before I move on to the next one. I need a break!
September 16, 2015
Wild Things is the ninth installment in Chloe Neill's urban fantasy series titled Chicagoland Vampires. Following this series has given me so much joy as a reader. I don't read a lot within the mystery genre but I am so connected to these characters and their struggles that I get caught up in the paranormal mysteries featured in each book. The female lead: Merit is so smart and strong, and manages to maintain a beautiful sense of humanity within a world that is constantly on edge. She's one of my favorite heroines within this genre.
I found Wild Things to be engaging, thrilling, mysterious, action-packed, and sexy. It also offers some new developments that make me eager to pick up the next book. If you enjoy mysteries set in an urban fantasy world, then check out the Chicagoland Vampires series. Be sure to start from the beginning though! Even though each installment features a different mystery, the characters and their world have an ongoing story that should be followed in order.
My favorite quote:
“There are those amongst us who have erred, deeply and significantly. Who have wounded the world and broken themselves. The worst of them lose themselves in their errors. The best of them crawl back, one foot at a time, and seek to amend their breaches. That is the way of the brave.
Chicagoland Vampires series includes the following installments as of September 2015. The ratings listed are my opinion only.
1-Some Girls Bite ★★★★★
2-Friday Night Bites ★★★★★
3-Twice Bitten ★★★★★
4-Hard Bitten ★★★★☆
5-Drink Deep ★★★★☆
6-Biting Cold ★★★★☆
7-House Rules ★★★★★
8-Biting Bad ★★★★★
8.25-Kicking It ★★★★☆
8.5-Howling For You ★★★★★
9-Wild Things ★★★★☆
10-Blood Games
10.5-Lucky Break
11-Dark Debt
12-Midnight Marked
13-Untitled
I found Wild Things to be engaging, thrilling, mysterious, action-packed, and sexy. It also offers some new developments that make me eager to pick up the next book. If you enjoy mysteries set in an urban fantasy world, then check out the Chicagoland Vampires series. Be sure to start from the beginning though! Even though each installment features a different mystery, the characters and their world have an ongoing story that should be followed in order.
My favorite quote:
“There are those amongst us who have erred, deeply and significantly. Who have wounded the world and broken themselves. The worst of them lose themselves in their errors. The best of them crawl back, one foot at a time, and seek to amend their breaches. That is the way of the brave.
Chicagoland Vampires series includes the following installments as of September 2015. The ratings listed are my opinion only.
1-Some Girls Bite ★★★★★
2-Friday Night Bites ★★★★★
3-Twice Bitten ★★★★★
4-Hard Bitten ★★★★☆
5-Drink Deep ★★★★☆
6-Biting Cold ★★★★☆
7-House Rules ★★★★★
8-Biting Bad ★★★★★
8.25-Kicking It ★★★★☆
8.5-Howling For You ★★★★★
9-Wild Things ★★★★☆
10-Blood Games
10.5-Lucky Break
11-Dark Debt
12-Midnight Marked
13-Untitled
April 2, 2015
This is the 9th book in this series ….and wow….are things happening here. Political intrigue, new characters, more mysteries and of course more of Ethan & Merit!!!,
Chicago’s new mayor is on the warpath…and what better way to use Ethan Sullivan as an example of how bad vampires are. In the previous book, Ethan had killed Harold Monmonth, one of the GP leaders and even though it was in self-defense, he’s still being held accountable for the deed.
Ethan and Merit take refuge at the Breckenridge shifter estate, where they are immediately thrown into the middle of a supernatural fight.
Together with Catcher and Mallory they embark on a journey to solve the mystery of supernaturals being abducted or have disappeared.
This is a fast-paced story filled with action and thrills.
What I enjoyed the most was seeing how far Merit and Ethan’s relationship is going to such a great place. They are now committed to each other and their connection is just so lovely.
So enjoyed seeing the characters I have grown to know and love….Catcher & Mallory are such a “hoot”
And a mysterious shifter is introduced that I am dying to know more about.
And the never a dull moment life of Chicago’s supernaturals continues……I can’t get enough!! Do I like this world??
Chicago’s new mayor is on the warpath…and what better way to use Ethan Sullivan as an example of how bad vampires are. In the previous book, Ethan had killed Harold Monmonth, one of the GP leaders and even though it was in self-defense, he’s still being held accountable for the deed.
Ethan and Merit take refuge at the Breckenridge shifter estate, where they are immediately thrown into the middle of a supernatural fight.
Together with Catcher and Mallory they embark on a journey to solve the mystery of supernaturals being abducted or have disappeared.
This is a fast-paced story filled with action and thrills.
What I enjoyed the most was seeing how far Merit and Ethan’s relationship is going to such a great place. They are now committed to each other and their connection is just so lovely.
I sat beside Ethan, comforted by the closeness of his body and the smell of his cologne, the familiar things that brought comfort in unusual times.
That, I thought, was one of the best parts of being in a relationship. No matter how foreign the world, the landmarks, the customs, I’d never be a stranger beside Ethan. Love bred the best kind of familiarity.
So enjoyed seeing the characters I have grown to know and love….Catcher & Mallory are such a “hoot”
“So we’ll sleep on the couch,” Catcher said, “like we’re twelve-year-olds at a slumber party.”Jeff, the geeky and cute shifter has now fallen in love!!!!!
“In fairness,” Ethan said, “we don’t all have to sleep on the couch.”
“In fairness,” Catcher said, “you can kiss my ass.”
“Ladies,” Mallory said. “Let’s put on our big-girl panties. Merit and Ethan are already sleeping in the bedroom, and there’s no point in making them move. Catcher and I can take the couch. The shifters will feel better if we make this work, and it’s no great loss to any of us.
And a mysterious shifter is introduced that I am dying to know more about.
And the never a dull moment life of Chicago’s supernaturals continues……I can’t get enough!! Do I like this world??
January 6, 2016
Here I am again, I can't help it. I have one million reasons why I should have dropped this series already but I keep on reading, maybe I'm a glutton for punishment or something.
This book was basically another version of the previous two. It's the same thing. Chicago is in danger, supernaturals are being attacked, humans still hate vampires, Ethan still needs Merit's protection and so on. It's so much of the same it's boring, the only creative point of it all was how the violence presented itself in this installment.
Let me break it down: Merit and Ethan are having issues with the mayor, again. They seek refuge at the Breck's estate at the same time the shifters have a traditional get together. Of course something bad happens, again. It seems impossible for Merit to be present somewhere and all hell not break loose. As usual it's not her fault nor Ethan's and as usual everyone places the blame and the weight of solving the problem onto them. Personally if I were there I might even believe it's not her fault directly but the bad juju that follows her around should be enough to blame her. On that note, I really hope that at some point Chloe Neill gives an explanation as to why Chicago was such a calm and peaceful city and as soon as Merit turned vampire all kinds of bizarre supernatural events started to assail the city, it cannot be a coincidence specially if you consider that Merit is always involved.
Again, Merit spends a lot of time "investigating", she even gets lots of compliments on her skills, but honestly she does the obvious: asks people to make calls, uses Jeff's computer knowledge and jumps to conclusions. Mostly she sits down with a lot of people around a table and they keep repeating everything they know until someone thinks up a theory. At the same time that she's the most unlucky person ever (trouble magnet), she's also the luckiest, because without serious luck she'd never figure out a single thing. Everything that's actually useful in her investigation only happens because she stumbles upon people and places throughout the story. Everything is a coincidence, nothing comes from actual investigation.
The idea of the crisis itself wasn't all that bad this time. The form of the attacks and the objective behind them was somewhat creative but poorly explored. The mayor issue and humans hating vampires is annoying. Enough already. It's becoming somewhat offensive, in the Chicagoland universe the only nice human is Merit's grandfather and maybe Sal, from the pizza place. All the rest are idiots filled with hatred or sheep in utter apathy.
And there's the GP problem. I don't even know where to begin, but mainly it's tension all the time and nothing really substantial happens. I mean, we did get the whole leaving the GP thing and I thought finally that would be the end of this annoying subject, but no, it's back and it starts on the first pages, drags itself the entire book and at the last page it's still at the same state that it was in the beginning with ONE difference.
Finally the romance, oh geez, it's sufferable. I try to ignore it most of the time. Merit blushes at any public display of affection, she often gets stunned he chose her, she freaks out every time marriage comes to mind. I mean, really? She'd die for the guy and he literally did it for her (though we'd all love to forget that ridiculous episode). What else does she want? She's not twelve. And Ethan, the epitome of a cliche. Brooding alpha, gets hot and passionate at random times but the fire dies soon after. It's weird. They claim they love each other, people claim to see it but it's like there are unwritten rules about how, when and why they should touch or talk. It's not convincing at all.
Truth be told, I think Chloe Neill has great ideas about where she wants to lead her characters but how they get there lacks a lot in logic and details.
This book was basically another version of the previous two. It's the same thing. Chicago is in danger, supernaturals are being attacked, humans still hate vampires, Ethan still needs Merit's protection and so on. It's so much of the same it's boring, the only creative point of it all was how the violence presented itself in this installment.
Let me break it down: Merit and Ethan are having issues with the mayor, again. They seek refuge at the Breck's estate at the same time the shifters have a traditional get together. Of course something bad happens, again. It seems impossible for Merit to be present somewhere and all hell not break loose. As usual it's not her fault nor Ethan's and as usual everyone places the blame and the weight of solving the problem onto them. Personally if I were there I might even believe it's not her fault directly but the bad juju that follows her around should be enough to blame her. On that note, I really hope that at some point Chloe Neill gives an explanation as to why Chicago was such a calm and peaceful city and as soon as Merit turned vampire all kinds of bizarre supernatural events started to assail the city, it cannot be a coincidence specially if you consider that Merit is always involved.
Again, Merit spends a lot of time "investigating", she even gets lots of compliments on her skills, but honestly she does the obvious: asks people to make calls, uses Jeff's computer knowledge and jumps to conclusions. Mostly she sits down with a lot of people around a table and they keep repeating everything they know until someone thinks up a theory. At the same time that she's the most unlucky person ever (trouble magnet), she's also the luckiest, because without serious luck she'd never figure out a single thing. Everything that's actually useful in her investigation only happens because she stumbles upon people and places throughout the story. Everything is a coincidence, nothing comes from actual investigation.
The idea of the crisis itself wasn't all that bad this time. The form of the attacks and the objective behind them was somewhat creative but poorly explored. The mayor issue and humans hating vampires is annoying. Enough already. It's becoming somewhat offensive, in the Chicagoland universe the only nice human is Merit's grandfather and maybe Sal, from the pizza place. All the rest are idiots filled with hatred or sheep in utter apathy.
And there's the GP problem. I don't even know where to begin, but mainly it's tension all the time and nothing really substantial happens. I mean, we did get the whole leaving the GP thing and I thought finally that would be the end of this annoying subject, but no, it's back and it starts on the first pages, drags itself the entire book and at the last page it's still at the same state that it was in the beginning with ONE difference.
Finally the romance, oh geez, it's sufferable. I try to ignore it most of the time. Merit blushes at any public display of affection, she often gets stunned he chose her, she freaks out every time marriage comes to mind. I mean, really? She'd die for the guy and he literally did it for her (though we'd all love to forget that ridiculous episode). What else does she want? She's not twelve. And Ethan, the epitome of a cliche. Brooding alpha, gets hot and passionate at random times but the fire dies soon after. It's weird. They claim they love each other, people claim to see it but it's like there are unwritten rules about how, when and why they should touch or talk. It's not convincing at all.
Truth be told, I think Chloe Neill has great ideas about where she wants to lead her characters but how they get there lacks a lot in logic and details.
January 1, 2020
What is it about these books? The main characters don't really seem to be growing or developing. There's more and more rehash of previous books in each successive book, the plot line remains essentially the same from book to book, yet I keep reading. I love the action. There are only 4 more books to go in this series before I can put it behind me.
January 30, 2014
You may not be successful. You have powerful enemies. And even if you were--I've already lost you once. I don't wan't to loose you again." His expression softened.
I have to admit the beginning of WILD THINGS didn't go too well for me, I was bored quickly and was waiting for it to pick up like these Chicagoland Vampire books always do. It did pick up, but I went back and forth between boredom and excitement. A very weird pattern. And by the end of this book, it seemed more like one of those filler books that needed to happen to explain what is in store for the future for Cadogan, Ethan, and Merit.
At the end of the previous book, Detective Jacobs comes to warn Ethan that the mayor wants his arrest for the death of that GP member he killed in self-defense and hints that he should stay with the Breckenridges, because he doubts the mayor will be able to touch him. And while they are there the shifters are attacked by harpies and begins another mystery the Merit gang have to solve.
Like I stated in my previous review for Biting Bad, I thought the arrest was ridiculous and in WILD THINGS I feel the same way, I felt like this storyline with the arrest and the harpies attack was just a filler for the book and it was a boring filler. The arrest claim was ridiculous because vampire laws do not pertain to humans. They have no reason to arrest him for killing a vampire in self-defense. Sorry, but I just didn't get that or buy into that, made no sense.
"You're certain?" "That you'll be the only man on my mind?" Especially with the image of him standing there seared into my memory. "Yes. I'm quite certain. Positive, you could say." He smiled a little.
I felt like the real plot was getting to the mysterious prophecy that Gabriel had. Gabe said that he saw someone who had eyes that were Ethan's, but were not Ethan's eyes. We finally get some answers to that prophecy in this book. And Oh.my.god. I don't know how I feel about it, it's pretty cool, but I'd like to hear all the deets from Gabe personally. And there is a big set up for what is in store Ethan and the future of Cadogan. And double Oh. my. freaking. god. I will only tell you it has something to do with Ethan and the GP. You'll just have to read it to find out the what.
But I really felt like this book was basically needed to be written to get to the above secrets I cannot tell you about right now. Gabe's prophecy and Ethan and the GP. And I am more than excited to find out more about both of them. I need the next book, Blood Games now, because I feel like shit is really about to go down in Chicagoland Vampires!
I have to admit the beginning of WILD THINGS didn't go too well for me, I was bored quickly and was waiting for it to pick up like these Chicagoland Vampire books always do. It did pick up, but I went back and forth between boredom and excitement. A very weird pattern. And by the end of this book, it seemed more like one of those filler books that needed to happen to explain what is in store for the future for Cadogan, Ethan, and Merit.
At the end of the previous book, Detective Jacobs comes to warn Ethan that the mayor wants his arrest for the death of that GP member he killed in self-defense and hints that he should stay with the Breckenridges, because he doubts the mayor will be able to touch him. And while they are there the shifters are attacked by harpies and begins another mystery the Merit gang have to solve.
Like I stated in my previous review for Biting Bad, I thought the arrest was ridiculous and in WILD THINGS I feel the same way, I felt like this storyline with the arrest and the harpies attack was just a filler for the book and it was a boring filler. The arrest claim was ridiculous because vampire laws do not pertain to humans. They have no reason to arrest him for killing a vampire in self-defense. Sorry, but I just didn't get that or buy into that, made no sense.
"You're certain?" "That you'll be the only man on my mind?" Especially with the image of him standing there seared into my memory. "Yes. I'm quite certain. Positive, you could say." He smiled a little.
I felt like the real plot was getting to the mysterious prophecy that Gabriel had. Gabe said that he saw someone who had eyes that were Ethan's, but were not Ethan's eyes. We finally get some answers to that prophecy in this book. And Oh.my.god. I don't know how I feel about it, it's pretty cool, but I'd like to hear all the deets from Gabe personally. And there is a big set up for what is in store Ethan and the future of Cadogan. And double Oh. my. freaking. god. I will only tell you it has something to do with Ethan and the GP. You'll just have to read it to find out the what.
But I really felt like this book was basically needed to be written to get to the above secrets I cannot tell you about right now. Gabe's prophecy and Ethan and the GP. And I am more than excited to find out more about both of them. I need the next book, Blood Games now, because I feel like shit is really about to go down in Chicagoland Vampires!
August 20, 2015
For once I do not know how to review a book in the Chicagoland Vampires series. I’ve been sitting here for half an hour and I don’t know where to start or what to say.
This was very enjoyable, it was. Merit is still my second favourite kick-butt heroine of all times (after Kate Daniels of course!) and the plot was entertaining but the book feels like a filler of sorts. It seems Chloe Neill is setting things up and prepping us for the next instalment. The last time she did that (in Drink Deep) I didn’t mind much because despite the lack of action, the book was an amazingly emotional ride . Wild things isn’t such an emotional roller-coaster and although there are some cool fight scenes, we never get into full battle mode. It’s more of a supernatural crime-solving mystery. It’s enjoyable but it does lack some edge compared to other instalments in the series.
That being said, I gave the book four stars, which does mean I loved it! So what did I love about it? Mostly the fact that the CV world keeps expanding, with new sups coming into the story with each new instalments, which keeps things interesting . I also loved that we finally learned a bit more about Gabe’s prophecy and can’t wait to find out how Neill plans to take us there! One very bumpy ride ahead I’m sure!
Neill’s writing has improved a lot since the beginning of the series. As a whole, this book is much better structured than the previous ones which makes for flawless reading. In past instalments you pretty much had to read half of the book before the plot started to fully unfold but it’s definitely not the case here. Wild Things picks up minutes after the final scene in Biting Bad and it’s pretty much non-stop action from the very first page to the very last one. No slow development here which is very refreshing.
Neill also does a fantastic job with the cast of character. Did I mention I LOVE Merit? Okay, I guess I did ;) What else? I absolutely LOVE Merit & Ethan in Wild Things. I loved where they were in Biting Bad but here their relationship really is in full bloom. Arrghhh, I really can’t wait to hear more about Gabe’s prophecy!!! My favourite secondary characters are definitely Gabe (I love the relationship he has with his “kitten”!), Luc, Lindsey and Jeff. I was actually surprised we didn’t get to hear more about him and Fallon. I also love Berna, Paige and Arthur (yes, he actually has a name!) the librarian and I wish we’d see more of them. Catcher and Mallory are more or less back in my good graces but I’m not in full forgiveness mode yet. We also get two great new characters here (yay!): Damien and Emma (the girl kicks butt!). I love them already and can’t wait to read more about them. Oh, and I almost forgot about Boo the kitten! Lovely addition to the cast;)
All in all a pretty good instalment which makes it hard not to dive into the next book right away. Blood Games here I come!
This was very enjoyable, it was. Merit is still my second favourite kick-butt heroine of all times (after Kate Daniels of course!) and the plot was entertaining but the book feels like a filler of sorts. It seems Chloe Neill is setting things up and prepping us for the next instalment. The last time she did that (in Drink Deep) I didn’t mind much because despite the lack of action, the book was an amazingly emotional ride . Wild things isn’t such an emotional roller-coaster and although there are some cool fight scenes, we never get into full battle mode. It’s more of a supernatural crime-solving mystery. It’s enjoyable but it does lack some edge compared to other instalments in the series.
That being said, I gave the book four stars, which does mean I loved it! So what did I love about it? Mostly the fact that the CV world keeps expanding, with new sups coming into the story with each new instalments, which keeps things interesting . I also loved that we finally learned a bit more about Gabe’s prophecy and can’t wait to find out how Neill plans to take us there! One very bumpy ride ahead I’m sure!
Neill’s writing has improved a lot since the beginning of the series. As a whole, this book is much better structured than the previous ones which makes for flawless reading. In past instalments you pretty much had to read half of the book before the plot started to fully unfold but it’s definitely not the case here. Wild Things picks up minutes after the final scene in Biting Bad and it’s pretty much non-stop action from the very first page to the very last one. No slow development here which is very refreshing.
Neill also does a fantastic job with the cast of character. Did I mention I LOVE Merit? Okay, I guess I did ;) What else? I absolutely LOVE Merit & Ethan in Wild Things. I loved where they were in Biting Bad but here their relationship really is in full bloom. Arrghhh, I really can’t wait to hear more about Gabe’s prophecy!!! My favourite secondary characters are definitely Gabe (I love the relationship he has with his “kitten”!), Luc, Lindsey and Jeff. I was actually surprised we didn’t get to hear more about him and Fallon. I also love Berna, Paige and Arthur (yes, he actually has a name!) the librarian and I wish we’d see more of them. Catcher and Mallory are more or less back in my good graces but I’m not in full forgiveness mode yet. We also get two great new characters here (yay!): Damien and Emma (the girl kicks butt!). I love them already and can’t wait to read more about them. Oh, and I almost forgot about Boo the kitten! Lovely addition to the cast;)
All in all a pretty good instalment which makes it hard not to dive into the next book right away. Blood Games here I come!
February 14, 2014
I LOVE this series, every book has me smiling, biting, holding my breath and always *sighing*... This new installment is no exception to the rule!
Wild Things has a couple of stories going on at the same time, but as usual, your also catching up on past lines and characters, i.e. we now know what is going on with Jeff and Fallon because of the novella and it's great to see them briefly in the sidelines but knowing what has just happened...
The return of Seth Tate comes hot on the heals of the new threat that is going on in Chicago and the introduction of the elves - which are not very friendly to say the least!
Of course Ethan and Merit hold the forefront of this book and the ending, although not such a cliffhanger, see's the potential shenanigans of the future plots!
I have to say I thought I'd be a little bored with all of these books, but no matter what, I am always left hungry for more! I'm excited to read the next book and I will be for the book after too!!!
Wild Things has a couple of stories going on at the same time, but as usual, your also catching up on past lines and characters, i.e. we now know what is going on with Jeff and Fallon because of the novella and it's great to see them briefly in the sidelines but knowing what has just happened...
The return of Seth Tate comes hot on the heals of the new threat that is going on in Chicago and the introduction of the elves - which are not very friendly to say the least!
Of course Ethan and Merit hold the forefront of this book and the ending, although not such a cliffhanger, see's the potential shenanigans of the future plots!
I have to say I thought I'd be a little bored with all of these books, but no matter what, I am always left hungry for more! I'm excited to read the next book and I will be for the book after too!!!
August 8, 2014
Another terrific installment in the CLV saga. From the Green Eyes prophecy (SO excited!) to shouting, out loud, "Holy $h1t, I did NOT see that coming" this one has everything I love in a CLV book.
Complete review, here: http://thesaucywenchesbookclub.blogsp...
Update 8-7-14 Loved this book like mad, on this reread. I really love how CN leaves story threads hanging that get picked up, sometimes books later. Absolutely brilliant that she weaves them back in so deftly.
Complete review, here: http://thesaucywenchesbookclub.blogsp...
Update 8-7-14 Loved this book like mad, on this reread. I really love how CN leaves story threads hanging that get picked up, sometimes books later. Absolutely brilliant that she weaves them back in so deftly.
November 23, 2017
NOVA Reviews
Wild Things has the Wow factor!!! So many new deadly supernatural species are going to make an appearance! Merit's and Ethan's relationship is going to have to prove itself once more! The Cadogan house is going to be twice as badass and Chicago is once more in trouble. Perfect!
“You are Cadogan vampires. You are honorable, brave . . . and more stylish than most.” He got the chuckle he’d undoubtedly wanted. “To that end, and to remind you who you are, we have something to share.”
Prepare yourself to go mental on this book! It's one of the best ones in the series so far but it was so small... I want more than 368 pages. Maybe it wasn't that small after all. But the story is so damn good that you read the book in two seconds and feel like shit once you do because then you have to wait another 5 months for the next one.
Wild Things has a case of missing supernaturals and really strong magic mixed together. It's a freaking story that will leave you on the edge of the seat. Chloe doesn't even give us a moment to rest because four pages into the book and Boom the attacks begin. I say watch out for this because you can always sense the danger but are never really expecting it. Which is one of the things i love about Chloe's type of writing, always expect the bad even if everyone is happy and cheery.
But first things first. New supernaturals like Harpies are going to come out in the open and fight out vampires and werewolves... It gives the book so much action and added suspense because we don't know who's bringing this things forward. Watch out as well because Harpies are freaking bitches!
Okay moving on to the HOT stuff. Merit and Ethan do have a lot more SEXY scenes in this book which is like super important mainly because i felt that in Biting Bad they were more focused on the work instead of themselves as a couple!!! And you know about that "vision" Gabriel had? About the kid with the green eyes? Merit is finally going to come clean to Ethan about that, so expect some sweet scenes... But no, she's not going to get pregnant or engaged!!! (EVEN THOUGH I KEEP BEGGING FOR IT and I'M SURE CHLOE IS JUST TRYING TO SLOWLY KILL US WITH DESPERATION... )...
Tall, lean, and imperious, he’d been my enemy, and he was the opposite of the man I’d thought I’d grow to love. I’d expected to fall for a dreamer, a thinker, an artist. Someone I’d meet in the coffeehouse on a weekend with a satchel full of books, a pair of hipster glasses, and a tendency to quote Fitzgerald.
Ethan preferred Italian suits, vintage wine, and expensive cars. He also knew how to wield a sword, or two of them. He Mastered the House, and he’d killed vampires by his own hand. He was infinitely more complex and difficult than anyone I might have imagined.
And I was more in love with him than I’d imagined was possible. Not just infatuation. Not just lust. But love—complex and awe inspiring and utterly frustrating
Ethan is on the run now! Not because he wants it but because he has to for the sake of his house. OMG can Ethan become even more yummier? HELL NO! He's so much more thoughtful and caring to Merit in here... But at the same time the deliberated and Stubborn side of him is always on alert. LOVE IT. And the freaking Abs!!!! I would seriously kiss Chloe Neill for creating such a perfect character! Merit is still out for food though it's definitely not a big part of the book like it was in the previous ones but its still there and i love it. She still stubborn as hell and she's better at solving cases than she's ever been.. These two definitely blew us away in Wild Things.
“You are mine,” he said, with a wicked spark in his eyes that sent a thrill down my spine.
“You don’t own me,” I reminded him, arcing my body just enough to prove the point.
“No,” he agreed, his lips so soft, playing at the edges of my breast. “We own each other. I am your Master. And you are my Sentinel.”
Gabriel and the whole puppy community is so much more present and willing to kick ass for the Vampires. I even sense some really strong bonding after this. We see the paternal and caring side of Gabriel even more and Jeff is so happy with Falcon!!! But Brenda let me down because her food wasn't nearly as good in here...
We can definitely feel Mallory and Catcher working on their relationship and finally getting much closer. And you will not believe the Magic these two will work on! It's Awesome. One thing i didn't liked? Jonah was far too absent!!!! I WANT JONAH!!!
Well, Wild Things is one of those books where you definitely will be yelling HOLY SHIT AND I SEEING THINGS?! The Writing is so realistic that it will put you inside the story! The action is cutting edge and The Suspense is going to Kill You! I LOVE CHLOE NEILL AND THE CADOGAN HOUSE!
Wild Things has the Wow factor!!! So many new deadly supernatural species are going to make an appearance! Merit's and Ethan's relationship is going to have to prove itself once more! The Cadogan house is going to be twice as badass and Chicago is once more in trouble. Perfect!
“You are Cadogan vampires. You are honorable, brave . . . and more stylish than most.” He got the chuckle he’d undoubtedly wanted. “To that end, and to remind you who you are, we have something to share.”
Prepare yourself to go mental on this book! It's one of the best ones in the series so far but it was so small... I want more than 368 pages. Maybe it wasn't that small after all. But the story is so damn good that you read the book in two seconds and feel like shit once you do because then you have to wait another 5 months for the next one.
Wild Things has a case of missing supernaturals and really strong magic mixed together. It's a freaking story that will leave you on the edge of the seat. Chloe doesn't even give us a moment to rest because four pages into the book and Boom the attacks begin. I say watch out for this because you can always sense the danger but are never really expecting it. Which is one of the things i love about Chloe's type of writing, always expect the bad even if everyone is happy and cheery.
But first things first. New supernaturals like Harpies are going to come out in the open and fight out vampires and werewolves... It gives the book so much action and added suspense because we don't know who's bringing this things forward. Watch out as well because Harpies are freaking bitches!
Okay moving on to the HOT stuff. Merit and Ethan do have a lot more SEXY scenes in this book which is like super important mainly because i felt that in Biting Bad they were more focused on the work instead of themselves as a couple!!! And you know about that "vision" Gabriel had? About the kid with the green eyes? Merit is finally going to come clean to Ethan about that, so expect some sweet scenes... But no, she's not going to get pregnant or engaged!!! (EVEN THOUGH I KEEP BEGGING FOR IT and I'M SURE CHLOE IS JUST TRYING TO SLOWLY KILL US WITH DESPERATION... )...
Tall, lean, and imperious, he’d been my enemy, and he was the opposite of the man I’d thought I’d grow to love. I’d expected to fall for a dreamer, a thinker, an artist. Someone I’d meet in the coffeehouse on a weekend with a satchel full of books, a pair of hipster glasses, and a tendency to quote Fitzgerald.
Ethan preferred Italian suits, vintage wine, and expensive cars. He also knew how to wield a sword, or two of them. He Mastered the House, and he’d killed vampires by his own hand. He was infinitely more complex and difficult than anyone I might have imagined.
And I was more in love with him than I’d imagined was possible. Not just infatuation. Not just lust. But love—complex and awe inspiring and utterly frustrating
Ethan is on the run now! Not because he wants it but because he has to for the sake of his house. OMG can Ethan become even more yummier? HELL NO! He's so much more thoughtful and caring to Merit in here... But at the same time the deliberated and Stubborn side of him is always on alert. LOVE IT. And the freaking Abs!!!! I would seriously kiss Chloe Neill for creating such a perfect character! Merit is still out for food though it's definitely not a big part of the book like it was in the previous ones but its still there and i love it. She still stubborn as hell and she's better at solving cases than she's ever been.. These two definitely blew us away in Wild Things.
“You are mine,” he said, with a wicked spark in his eyes that sent a thrill down my spine.
“You don’t own me,” I reminded him, arcing my body just enough to prove the point.
“No,” he agreed, his lips so soft, playing at the edges of my breast. “We own each other. I am your Master. And you are my Sentinel.”
Gabriel and the whole puppy community is so much more present and willing to kick ass for the Vampires. I even sense some really strong bonding after this. We see the paternal and caring side of Gabriel even more and Jeff is so happy with Falcon!!! But Brenda let me down because her food wasn't nearly as good in here...
We can definitely feel Mallory and Catcher working on their relationship and finally getting much closer. And you will not believe the Magic these two will work on! It's Awesome. One thing i didn't liked? Jonah was far too absent!!!! I WANT JONAH!!!
Well, Wild Things is one of those books where you definitely will be yelling HOLY SHIT AND I SEEING THINGS?! The Writing is so realistic that it will put you inside the story! The action is cutting edge and The Suspense is going to Kill You! I LOVE CHLOE NEILL AND THE CADOGAN HOUSE!
February 23, 2014
Reviewed for http://redhiddenalcove.blogspot.fr
After "Howling for you", I was afraid the series would lose some of its strength but fortunately, this installment didn't disappoint AT ALL !
I have to say one thing about Ethan, too. At the beginning of the series, I didn't really love him. Liked him, more or less, but he was distant and uptight. Merit has relaxed him a lot ! He's not crazy-funny or easy going, but he made a lot of progress.
And though this is not an erotic series, there is one scene in there with Ethan and Merit that was really hawt, I didn't expect that (and this is the only time I ever read of a woman telling her man to come and he does - it's usually the other way around). Their relationship is strengthened, you do feel the love and near the end of the book, when Ethan returns, I might have shed a tear of happiness.
Oh, and in the book, Ethan even has fan sites on the net ! (if you're just as curious as me, you might want to check)
And I will point once again, it is soooo good to have strong female characters, no damsell in distress here, no whiny character as in Bitten. The women are strong, willing, take their life in hands, even the crazy ones (thinking about the Mayor).
"I flew back six feet, skidding across the ground.
I believe now I might join you, Ethan said.
Too late, I told him, wiping blood from my eye. She's mine.
I put my hands behind me, flipped to my feet and snatched my katana from the ground, spinning as I turned to face her again."
It's fast paced, funny, intriguing, with plenty good secondary characters, new supernatural species, go, run, grab it, read it !!!
Thank you Chloe Neill, you're a wonderful storyteller :D
A few quotes :
""Ethan was still shirtless, and he stood at the edge of the bed, washboard abs and a trail of blond fuzz peeking above his jeans' top button. Heat rushed me as he moved in for a kiss and my eyes drifted shut.
But he sidestepped me, grabbed the bag and pulled out a donut.
"Distracting ?" I asked him, offering a dubious look.
"All's fair in love and pastry"."
"I was beginning to think crisis was the new normal."
"I have trained you well, Padawan."
"You're mixing your Wars and Treks," Jeff pointed out.
"They're interchangeable," Luc said, earning a horrified look from Jeff."
“Eyes on your own man candy.”
“My man candy’s already dressed,” she said between bites of what looked like chocolate sludge. “Yours is . . . less so.”
Anyone who follows this series knows that one of the main character is the very town of Chicago, so... enjoy !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK43kV...
After "Howling for you", I was afraid the series would lose some of its strength but fortunately, this installment didn't disappoint AT ALL !
I have to say one thing about Ethan, too. At the beginning of the series, I didn't really love him. Liked him, more or less, but he was distant and uptight. Merit has relaxed him a lot ! He's not crazy-funny or easy going, but he made a lot of progress.
And though this is not an erotic series, there is one scene in there with Ethan and Merit that was really hawt, I didn't expect that (and this is the only time I ever read of a woman telling her man to come and he does - it's usually the other way around). Their relationship is strengthened, you do feel the love and near the end of the book, when Ethan returns, I might have shed a tear of happiness.
Oh, and in the book, Ethan even has fan sites on the net ! (if you're just as curious as me, you might want to check)
And I will point once again, it is soooo good to have strong female characters, no damsell in distress here, no whiny character as in Bitten. The women are strong, willing, take their life in hands, even the crazy ones (thinking about the Mayor).
"I flew back six feet, skidding across the ground.
I believe now I might join you, Ethan said.
Too late, I told him, wiping blood from my eye. She's mine.
I put my hands behind me, flipped to my feet and snatched my katana from the ground, spinning as I turned to face her again."
It's fast paced, funny, intriguing, with plenty good secondary characters, new supernatural species, go, run, grab it, read it !!!
Thank you Chloe Neill, you're a wonderful storyteller :D
A few quotes :
""Ethan was still shirtless, and he stood at the edge of the bed, washboard abs and a trail of blond fuzz peeking above his jeans' top button. Heat rushed me as he moved in for a kiss and my eyes drifted shut.
But he sidestepped me, grabbed the bag and pulled out a donut.
"Distracting ?" I asked him, offering a dubious look.
"All's fair in love and pastry"."
"I was beginning to think crisis was the new normal."
"I have trained you well, Padawan."
"You're mixing your Wars and Treks," Jeff pointed out.
"They're interchangeable," Luc said, earning a horrified look from Jeff."
“Eyes on your own man candy.”
“My man candy’s already dressed,” she said between bites of what looked like chocolate sludge. “Yours is . . . less so.”
Anyone who follows this series knows that one of the main character is the very town of Chicago, so... enjoy !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK43kV...
August 5, 2016
As much as it sucks to say this, I'm beginning to think Chloe Neill is losing her touch. Ever since Drink Deep, Neill has been stuck in a cycle of backtracking. She moves the story forward only to hit rewind and take it back. For this reason, these books no longer hold a progressive arc that can be tracked for the characters. There is no growth for Merit because she has no need to change when all the situations around her stay the same. She remains the same girl we meet in Book 1. And I'm not saying that has to be a bad thing but her personality is more childish, overgrown teenager than it is that of an adult. After 9 books, it's starting to grate. In terms of the story lines, Neill seems to be recycling old troupes again and again. It's the same political drama and kowtowing for Merit and Gang.
The CLV series is slowly transforming into dull murder mystery of the week type books. And that makes me very sad. Unfortunately, if Neill continues on this trajectory with very little forward movement for the overall story line, the same ploys, and typical Merit with her now annoying one liners, I don't know if readers will keep coming back to the series. Once you hit 10 books in a series, you have to keep it fresh. Just look at the Anita Blake, Sookie Stackhouse, and Stephanie Plum! I don't want to same fate to befall this series but Neill seems to be leading the story that way.
The CLV series is slowly transforming into dull murder mystery of the week type books. And that makes me very sad. Unfortunately, if Neill continues on this trajectory with very little forward movement for the overall story line, the same ploys, and typical Merit with her now annoying one liners, I don't know if readers will keep coming back to the series. Once you hit 10 books in a series, you have to keep it fresh. Just look at the Anita Blake, Sookie Stackhouse, and Stephanie Plum! I don't want to same fate to befall this series but Neill seems to be leading the story that way.
May 9, 2019
Two things that will never change are that I love this world and I love Ethan and Merit. After all they've been through to get to this point, seeing them together and so open with it *especially Ethan* makes my heart flutter and skip. *sigh*
However, they are badass vampires and there is always someone coming after them. Unfortunately, often it's other vampires. This time though the enemy is someone Cadogan House can't use their supernatural abilities to fight. Then, just to make things more complicated, Ethan and Merit are tasked with figuring out magical attacks being taken out on other supes. And if they can't find out who's behind it, vampires will get the blame.
I love watching Merit untangle the problems they face, and lucky for her, she has all the usual crew to help her, as well as a couple of new and interesting faces. I'm so, so glad to see Mallory *and Catcher* recovered from the black magic that had taken her over. Merit can use having a best friend again.
As if they didn't have enough going on, Merit has a favor come due. This favor has the potential to put Ethan in grave danger, and worse, to take him on the other side of the world. Without Merit.
I have to know what happens with that, right now. On to the next!
However, they are badass vampires and there is always someone coming after them. Unfortunately, often it's other vampires. This time though the enemy is someone Cadogan House can't use their supernatural abilities to fight. Then, just to make things more complicated, Ethan and Merit are tasked with figuring out magical attacks being taken out on other supes. And if they can't find out who's behind it, vampires will get the blame.
I love watching Merit untangle the problems they face, and lucky for her, she has all the usual crew to help her, as well as a couple of new and interesting faces. I'm so, so glad to see Mallory *and Catcher* recovered from the black magic that had taken her over. Merit can use having a best friend again.
As if they didn't have enough going on, Merit has a favor come due. This favor has the potential to put Ethan in grave danger, and worse, to take him on the other side of the world. Without Merit.
I have to know what happens with that, right now. On to the next!
January 31, 2014
SQUEEE!!!! Wild Things, book 9 in the Chicagoland Vampires series, absolutely ROCKS just as much as it's predecessors did. It is the most awesome thing to be able to find a series in which every book captures your intrigue and keeps you captivated. From start to finish, you are held by the suspense and mystery, greatly anticipating the HUGE wrap up of the crazy events that Merit, Ethan, and the other Cadogan Vampires find themselves in.
Since I first discovered this series, I eagerly await each release and dive in the minute it reaches my hands.
I bet you are wondering, "why do I like the Chicagoland Vampires series so much?"
Well, Chloe Neill is a brilliant writer that has built a fantastical world around vampires. But, it is not just the paranormal factor that makes it amazing. Each of her characters are intricately designed, connecting you to their story, making you FEEL that this world, this FANTASTICAL world could actually be real.
Falling in to books like this is pure ecstasy for me as a reader.
So, here I am letting you know that as we have reached book 9, I am still excited to dig right in to some of my favorite characters and laugh, love, fight, and uncover mysteries right along side of them.
So, we pick up in Wild Things where it continues right where Biting Bad finishes. Everything seems to have settled some and a new direction is arise for the Cadogan Vampires.
But, with unfortunate events and prejudices from the city that they live in, Merit and Ethan have to seek refuge from some otherworldly allies.
I am not going to reveal any spoilers, I just don't like doing that. I am even trying to keep it as clean for people who have yet to have discovered this awesome series...
Wild Things gives you everything you could want in a book. You are filled with a plethora of emotions. I was laughing, angry, worried, shocked, and of course turned on from the HOT romance of my two beloved main characters. Merit is an outstanding heroine that speaks her mind, is independent yet knows when it is important to rely on others, strong and vulnerable, smart, funny, and truly has a heart of gold when it comes to the ones she loves. I love reading about her, in fact...I WANT TO BE HER...LOL!!! I mean, come on...her boyfriend is the one and only ETHAN...*fanning myself* Yes ladies...you need to find out all about him if you haven't....
*sighs* Ok...back on track...
Wild Things encompasses many elements that make this a fantastic novel. I already mentioned the emotions you get from reading it, but tie in a well developed cast and an ingenious storyline that keeps you on your toes; this book is an incredible addition to the superb collection of this series.
A definite MUST READ!!!
Since I first discovered this series, I eagerly await each release and dive in the minute it reaches my hands.
I bet you are wondering, "why do I like the Chicagoland Vampires series so much?"
Well, Chloe Neill is a brilliant writer that has built a fantastical world around vampires. But, it is not just the paranormal factor that makes it amazing. Each of her characters are intricately designed, connecting you to their story, making you FEEL that this world, this FANTASTICAL world could actually be real.
Falling in to books like this is pure ecstasy for me as a reader.
So, here I am letting you know that as we have reached book 9, I am still excited to dig right in to some of my favorite characters and laugh, love, fight, and uncover mysteries right along side of them.
So, we pick up in Wild Things where it continues right where Biting Bad finishes. Everything seems to have settled some and a new direction is arise for the Cadogan Vampires.
But, with unfortunate events and prejudices from the city that they live in, Merit and Ethan have to seek refuge from some otherworldly allies.
I am not going to reveal any spoilers, I just don't like doing that. I am even trying to keep it as clean for people who have yet to have discovered this awesome series...
Wild Things gives you everything you could want in a book. You are filled with a plethora of emotions. I was laughing, angry, worried, shocked, and of course turned on from the HOT romance of my two beloved main characters. Merit is an outstanding heroine that speaks her mind, is independent yet knows when it is important to rely on others, strong and vulnerable, smart, funny, and truly has a heart of gold when it comes to the ones she loves. I love reading about her, in fact...I WANT TO BE HER...LOL!!! I mean, come on...her boyfriend is the one and only ETHAN...*fanning myself* Yes ladies...you need to find out all about him if you haven't....
*sighs* Ok...back on track...
Wild Things encompasses many elements that make this a fantastic novel. I already mentioned the emotions you get from reading it, but tie in a well developed cast and an ingenious storyline that keeps you on your toes; this book is an incredible addition to the superb collection of this series.
A definite MUST READ!!!
March 1, 2021
I am a total fan of this series we are up to book 9 and Chloe Neill has not let me down yet. Her stories are always fresh, never formula and totally engrossing. I love that she doesn't get caught up in too many parallel story lines that so many long running series get caught up in.
In this outing we have Merit once again getting involved in supernatural shenanigans. This time we meet different fae..and our heroes get caught up in more drama. The drama is new but our characters are still recovering from the happenings from the last book.
We were also left..not with a cliffhanger as this story was wrapped up but with questions once again as to what will happen with the GP...what will happen with Ethan (swoon) and Merit...and will Mallory and Merit's relationship be completely whole again.
Chloe Neill has a way to make each of her books fresh using the same characters but the story arc is amazing as each book closes a phase but the long term story continues spewing up new challenges for the vampires and supernatural community. She tosses in just enough foreshadowing to drive us crazy with want for the next book.
A definite 5 star read and once again I HIGHLY recommend this UF series with a romance overtone...once you start it ..you will need to keep consuming each and every book.
t'irla
t'irla's talk book blog tirlastalk.blogspot.ca
In this outing we have Merit once again getting involved in supernatural shenanigans. This time we meet different fae..and our heroes get caught up in more drama. The drama is new but our characters are still recovering from the happenings from the last book.
We were also left..not with a cliffhanger as this story was wrapped up but with questions once again as to what will happen with the GP...what will happen with Ethan (swoon) and Merit...and will Mallory and Merit's relationship be completely whole again.
Chloe Neill has a way to make each of her books fresh using the same characters but the story arc is amazing as each book closes a phase but the long term story continues spewing up new challenges for the vampires and supernatural community. She tosses in just enough foreshadowing to drive us crazy with want for the next book.
A definite 5 star read and once again I HIGHLY recommend this UF series with a romance overtone...once you start it ..you will need to keep consuming each and every book.
t'irla
t'irla's talk book blog tirlastalk.blogspot.ca
February 8, 2016
4 ½ ★
This book starts out with a bang. With Ethan is pretty much on the run from the mayor, him and Merit are hiding out with the pack at the Breckenridge estate, but as soon as they arrived all hell breaks loose.
As they attend a pack function a major attack on the pack from a thought to be extinct supernatural group occurs. The pack loses a few people and of course the vampires are blamed.
They pretty much force them to investigate what and why or take the blame for it. But with Ethan stuck at the estate, it just Merit and the gang. Ethan just delicate most of it, so really that is nothing new.
But as they investigate more and more it turns out that multiple different supernatural groups been attacked and kidnapped all over the US. Including some elves that nobody knew of, other than Gabe Keene. The elves are not happy and also blame the pack and vampires and ready to declare war on them and mankind.
You can find my full review here:
http://snoopydoosbookreviews.com/wild...
August 6, 2014
Love the cover! I can't wait for this so that I can have an a Chicagoland marathon!
EXCITED! I. CANNOT. EVEN. PUT. INTO. WORDS. HOW. I. FEEL.
Over & Out, T xx
Over & Out, T xx
December 6, 2019
Jilly, you are right this is getting stale. It's all the same old, same old. At least Ethan wasn't a douchecanoe in this one. Although I have read ahead and his attitude doesn't change much. He actually gets more a-hole-y. Every time I think Merit will get her badarsery on the author makes her a clumsy nimwit and what about her being strong when he goes into custody. Absolute nada.
The time has come to reevaluate this series. I am dying to know about the green-eyed prophecy but I may skip books 10-12.
The time has come to reevaluate this series. I am dying to know about the green-eyed prophecy but I may skip books 10-12.
February 15, 2015
They may have a temporary reprieve from the GP but Merit and her friends are facing a terrifying new enemy, one with a huge amount of power who is capable of wielding an old kind of magic that they don't know how to counter. This new enemy seems to be targeting different supernatural groups starting with the North American Central Pack shapeshifters but who knows where they'll strike next. Merit, Ethan, Mallory and Catcher are visiting the Pack when the attack comes and quickly come under suspicion from some of the pack members so they agree to investigate to prove their innocence. It's not long before they realise they might be in over their heads though and they've stumbled upon a much deeper plot than they could have imagined.
I'm such a huge fan of this series and I devour each of the books within a day because I never want to put them down. It is always so easy to dive back into the Chicagoland Vampires world that even if I've taken a fairly long break between books I never seem to have trouble picking up where I left off without feeling even slightly confused. It's great to see how far Merit has come in such a short period of time, she has really grown in confidence and has become an incredibly skilled fighter who thinks nothing of putting her life on the line to protect the people she cares about. She's finally in a good place when it comes to her relationship with Ethan too, they've had a rocky road but they've come through the other side stronger than ever (although I have to say I think they're going to have a few new challenges ahead considering some of the things that happen towards the end of this story). I am desperate to know more about Gabe's prophecy too as I think that will add a really interesting element to the story.
One of the things I love so much about this series is the fantastic side characters, there are so many that I enjoy spending time with and we get to see a lot more of Jeff, Mallory, Catcher and even Merit's Grandfather in this instalment. We're also introduced to a couple of great new shapeshifters Damien and Emma who I am really hoping we'll see a lot more of in future books (can we please, please have a novella that's all about them Chloe?) because they were both brilliant. Oh and as if Chicago wasn't full of enough supernatural creatures already we discover a whole new species here which was a great surprise. I love the depth of this world and the fact that even though we're now 9 books into the series we're still learning new things.
Picking up any of these books is like meeting up with old friends and I always have a smile on my face the whole time I'm reading them. There are so many things I love about these books and I was actually so caught up in this story that I've already read the next book, Blood Games (my review will be posted very soon). All I can say is that I'm glad I don't have long to wait for Dark Debt because the series really is going from strength to strength and there are a lot of interesting things happening right now!
I'm such a huge fan of this series and I devour each of the books within a day because I never want to put them down. It is always so easy to dive back into the Chicagoland Vampires world that even if I've taken a fairly long break between books I never seem to have trouble picking up where I left off without feeling even slightly confused. It's great to see how far Merit has come in such a short period of time, she has really grown in confidence and has become an incredibly skilled fighter who thinks nothing of putting her life on the line to protect the people she cares about. She's finally in a good place when it comes to her relationship with Ethan too, they've had a rocky road but they've come through the other side stronger than ever (although I have to say I think they're going to have a few new challenges ahead considering some of the things that happen towards the end of this story). I am desperate to know more about Gabe's prophecy too as I think that will add a really interesting element to the story.
One of the things I love so much about this series is the fantastic side characters, there are so many that I enjoy spending time with and we get to see a lot more of Jeff, Mallory, Catcher and even Merit's Grandfather in this instalment. We're also introduced to a couple of great new shapeshifters Damien and Emma who I am really hoping we'll see a lot more of in future books (can we please, please have a novella that's all about them Chloe?) because they were both brilliant. Oh and as if Chicago wasn't full of enough supernatural creatures already we discover a whole new species here which was a great surprise. I love the depth of this world and the fact that even though we're now 9 books into the series we're still learning new things.
Picking up any of these books is like meeting up with old friends and I always have a smile on my face the whole time I'm reading them. There are so many things I love about these books and I was actually so caught up in this story that I've already read the next book, Blood Games (my review will be posted very soon). All I can say is that I'm glad I don't have long to wait for Dark Debt because the series really is going from strength to strength and there are a lot of interesting things happening right now!
February 7, 2014
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
The plot of WILD THINGS isn’t groundbreakingly original but that’s to be expected of the ninth installment in any series. This book does however highlight the exhilarating supernatural detective-type story line that I’ve come to expect from Chloe Neill’s CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES, emphasizes great chemistry between Merit and Ethan, and also introduces some pretty significant changes to this series’ main arc. I didn’t love this novel, but I did like it a heck of a lot, and the ending definitely gave me plenty of great reasons to pick-up BLOOD GAMES in August.
There seems to be new breed of supe in town that’s making the rounds of paranormal fiction because this wasn’t the first book that I’ve read this year that’s featured this previously scarce race. They don’t play an extremely large role in this story but just the revelation that they exist was still pretty significant. Neill’s werewolves have become a semi-permanent fixture in this series which makes me wonder whether these supes will as well. Either way, I really enjoyed this installment’s set-up because the first half revolves around the werewolves which are always a recipe for success in my opinion. I loved learning about Lupercalia, and the author’s description of Pack magic was beautifully written.
I adored Merit and Ethan in WILD THINGS; they acted like a couple who’s in their honeymoon stage—constantly stealing kisses from each other, even when facing life-or-death situations. They are finally putting each other first! It was such a relief to see them united after having been at odds for so long; their love has stabilized into something healthy and strong. There’s even a pretty racy scene between these two sweethearts that’ll have you hoping that Chloe Neill decides to branch out one day and add Paranormal Romance to her writing repertoire because she’s definitely proved that she has the talent for it.
Even though I wasn’t horribly surprised by any of the twists that are introduced in this novel; they bode well for the future of this series. This installment reinforces the fact that the CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES are here to stay, and I for one am excited about the new direction Neill has decided to take them in. There are some major things in the works for both Merit and Ethan. And, although one of the eventual outcomes has already been prophesied, the road to get there will undoubtedly be bumpy and difficult, i.e. immensely entertaining to read!
WILDS THINGS is a great addition to the Urban Fantasy genre, and another thrilling installment in Chloe Neill’s best-selling series. I can’t get enough of these books!
The plot of WILD THINGS isn’t groundbreakingly original but that’s to be expected of the ninth installment in any series. This book does however highlight the exhilarating supernatural detective-type story line that I’ve come to expect from Chloe Neill’s CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES, emphasizes great chemistry between Merit and Ethan, and also introduces some pretty significant changes to this series’ main arc. I didn’t love this novel, but I did like it a heck of a lot, and the ending definitely gave me plenty of great reasons to pick-up BLOOD GAMES in August.
There seems to be new breed of supe in town that’s making the rounds of paranormal fiction because this wasn’t the first book that I’ve read this year that’s featured this previously scarce race. They don’t play an extremely large role in this story but just the revelation that they exist was still pretty significant. Neill’s werewolves have become a semi-permanent fixture in this series which makes me wonder whether these supes will as well. Either way, I really enjoyed this installment’s set-up because the first half revolves around the werewolves which are always a recipe for success in my opinion. I loved learning about Lupercalia, and the author’s description of Pack magic was beautifully written.
I adored Merit and Ethan in WILD THINGS; they acted like a couple who’s in their honeymoon stage—constantly stealing kisses from each other, even when facing life-or-death situations. They are finally putting each other first! It was such a relief to see them united after having been at odds for so long; their love has stabilized into something healthy and strong. There’s even a pretty racy scene between these two sweethearts that’ll have you hoping that Chloe Neill decides to branch out one day and add Paranormal Romance to her writing repertoire because she’s definitely proved that she has the talent for it.
Even though I wasn’t horribly surprised by any of the twists that are introduced in this novel; they bode well for the future of this series. This installment reinforces the fact that the CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES are here to stay, and I for one am excited about the new direction Neill has decided to take them in. There are some major things in the works for both Merit and Ethan. And, although one of the eventual outcomes has already been prophesied, the road to get there will undoubtedly be bumpy and difficult, i.e. immensely entertaining to read!
WILDS THINGS is a great addition to the Urban Fantasy genre, and another thrilling installment in Chloe Neill’s best-selling series. I can’t get enough of these books!
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June 14, 2015
I don't believe the series will again reach the 5* it easily earned for the first instalments. It certainly lost the wow factor. But, it is still quite enjoyable.
May 7, 2021
9 books in and still a legit series.
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