Wild Ride

When I first began to listen, I didn't think I'd like the narrator's voices, but by the time I'd listened to a couple of chapters, I was beginning to like them, and by the end, I was very impressed. I also enjoyed the storyline, crazy as it was, and thought the characters were interesting and well-developed. In fact, I listened to it twice, because I thought I hadn't quite appreciated it enough the first time. Well worth listening to, if you like Jennifer Crusie and fantasy (I loved Dogs and Goddesses and Agnes and the Hitman, so that may give you a clue as to my tastes!)

Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer are great together -the characters are quirky and interesting, the action is exciting and the storyline is always the unexpected, but Crusie just can't pull off the paranormal storylines. This is just like Dogs and Goddesses and The Unfortuate Miss Fortunes. Stick to real people with extraordinary circumstances (Like Agnes and the Hitman and Bet me -they were fantastic!)

This book is 3.5 stars, not 4 but not really 3. I really liked the premise. It reminded me a lot of Carousel Tides by Sharon Lee which I liked better. I think the problem was that I was expecting more of "Bet Me" type silly and funny conversation and situation. This book takes more serious guise as an urban fantasy but unfortunately not quite in the level of Carousel Tides.

As far as the book goes it was an entertaining book with great ideas. It had everything from romance, fantasy and adventure like a food courte but not enough for a speciality restaurant. So 3.5 stars.

I was hesitant to read this book because of all the negative reviews, but I am hear to tell you, don't pass this one up! This story has many layers of interesting characters. The science fiction elements are written nicely and the romance elements are satisfying. This is definitely outside the box of the regular Jennifer Crusie books but don't let that keep you away. A great read. Angela Dawe as always, did a really good job narrating.

The inclusion of the fantasy elements help fill out the story and give Crusies characters something interesting to do other than go to dinner, fix the sink and struggle with their mundane jobs while the get to know each other. I've read many of her books and they are all good, but nothing much happens. In this one they have danger and mystery to contend with from beginning to end. Other reviewers have complained because this book is a little bit different. But for me it was by far the most entertaining boys meet girls romp that she has ever written. I loved every moment of it.

I normally love Crusie and Mayer writing together. This time just didn't sit right with me. It's as if they put so much into the plot and not enough into the characters. I just couldn't like them. The male lead was a drunk having a huge pity party. Even after he sobered up he didn't become likable. I never did figure out the female lead's problem and why she slept around but came off as anti-social with everyone. The other characters were so one-dimensional that I just didn't care about them. Not even when some of them died.
The idea of the "untouchable" demons trapped in an amusement park and a group of employees also trapped working at the amusement park to make sure the demons stayed trapped was engrossing. That's the only thing that kept me listening when I disliked the characters so much.

I am usually a fan of Crusie and I loved, until Wild Ride, the combined writing of Mayer and Crusie. This book is similar in style to Gods and Goddesses, and I came away from the story with the same unsatisfied reaction. I believe that Crusie should NOT try to write the paranormal. It is a popular genre that authors like Harrison and Harris do spectacularly well with quirky characters and humor. Crusie makes demons and magical beings in general seem like funky wannabees, rather than the ruthless, cunning, but lovable characters we have all grown to enjoy in the paranormal genre. This is not a bad book, but it is not a great one either. Read Welcome to Temptation, if you haven't already, for a more gratifying read.

I liked this story but I think it's best to go in not thinking of it as a Jennifer Cruise book. It's got lots of action. Very little romance. It's witty and fun but it has less laugh out loud moments I've come to expect from this author.

I always enjoy Jennifer Crusie, and loved the story line about the demons. Good characters and unusual location.

Overall, the book was pretty good. It wasn't what I was expecting from this author, nor would I count it as a favorite. I enjoyed listening to it, although the story got pretty wild and ... odd at times.