Wild Things

Chicagoland Vampires, Book 9

By: Chloe Neill

Narrated by: Sophie Eastlake

Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

©2014 Chloe Neill (P)2014 Tantor

Can't get enough of Merit and Ethan!

Any additional comments?

Despite the fact that this is the 9th installment in the series, I’m not even a little bored or sick of Merit, Ethan, the story or the rest of these characters. I admit that I was a little bit nervous when I first heard how many books were planned for the series (13 so far) but now that I’m more than halfway through the series, I don’t think I can ever get enough. Who doesn’t like a kick-ass vampire with a love of all things bacon? (I was going to say meat but that sounded dirty ;) ) With a great cast of characters that includes my favorite vampire, Ethan, Jeff, Gabriel, Catcher, Mallory and Jonah (among others), there’s still so much more of their story to tell!

After Cadogan House and more specifically Ethan, are being targeted by both the GP and the mayor, Ethan and Merit are forced to go into hiding and to once again rely on the help of the reluctant shifters. Lucky for the, they have a very powerful ally in Gabriel Keene, the pack leader and several other shifters including hacker extraordinaire Jeff Christopher. Unfortunately, not all the shifters feel that way and they love to blame their recent problems on the vampires. The fact that Gabriel is helping out vampires is making some of the other shifters question his loyalty and leadership. When a new supernatural creature starts attacking shifters, it’s up to Merit and Ethan and the rest of the gang to stop them before they lose their only alliance.

It always seems like it’s the Cadogan vampires up against the rest of the world. Luckily, they have a lot of help and I love the way the vampires from different houses work together with shifters, sorcerers and other supernatural creatures to solve whatever they’re up against this time. Despite the fact that they’ve done this other times throughout the series, it still doesn’t seem boring to me because it works with the overall story arc and it’s all leading up to events in future books. I’ve always thought of this series like a tv show. Buffy and the gang battled new creatures and saved the people Sunnydale every week, but with all the stuff that was going on with Buffy’s love life and the rest of the characters, it worked…I do wish that everyone would stop blaming Cadogan House for everything that goes wrong. I think Merit and the gang have more than proved their trust.

Merit and Ethan are definitely what makes this series so amazing! They’ve been through so much (that is a huge understatement) and it was nice to see them in a place where they are both on the same page regarding their relationship. They’re relationship has been one of those sloooooow build-up romances that has frustrated me at some parts, made me swoon at so many others, and broke my damn heart. I am so fucking happy to see them so happy and in love! One of my favorite things about their relationship is that they have enough trust in each other to let them fight their own battles. Merit may be a brand new vampire, but she is Sentinel of Cadogan House and she has kick-ass katana skills and can take care of herself. I love that Ethan knows when to fight for her, when to fight along with her, and when to let her fight her own battles. And vice versa. And whoa to stepping up the sex scenes in this book! Ethan and Merit have always had insanely hot chemistry, but I always wanted more than fade to black scenes. Especially considering this is an adult paranormal series. The last few books have upped the hotness level but this one was just wow! Totally increased my love for Ethan Sullivan even more. And hallelujah for no cliffhanger endings! *bows down to Chloe* Seriously, after the brutal cliffy in Hard Bitten (my heart still hurts just thinking about it), I can’t handle another ending like that! The ending leaves us with just the right amount of resolution for the current book, while leaving us excited for the next book. I love that these books have only a 6 month wait time between books instead of a year. Definitely keeping up with this series!

Audiobook Comments: This is the first time I listen to the audio version for this series. I was debating on ebook vs. audiobook but when I saw that Sophie Eastlake narrates these, I decided to go with the audio. I’ve already heard a book narrated by her (Rule by Jay Crownover) and knew I liked her. Considering there are so many important characters, I really loved how she gave everyone their own unique voice. Mallory sounded completetly different from Merit, and they sounded completely different for Lindsay’s character. Same thing with the guys. I knew who was talking right away which is sometimes a hard thing to follow in audiobooks. I’m going to continue the series on audio and have already started buying the first books so I can experience this series all over (and over) again!

WILDILY IN LOVE WITH WILD THINGS!

This series has captivated me from the get-go. It’s been such a journey to follow the Chicagoland houses, their masters, the characters, the stories, the magicks, the relationships that are forged between houses, the Grenwich Presidium, the Shifters (Gabe and his family)and the various villains and sorcerers (namely Mallory and Catcher Bell). We have been introduced to so many ‘supes’ (supernaturals) that it boggles the mind yet all of them have a place at the table and something both to offer and to decline. We have watched how supes struggle for recognition as meaningful and valuable members of the Chicagoland realm, embraced by strong men such as Merit’s Grandfather. Each book has grown in depth, maturity and creative development as Ms Neill’s voice as an author does the same. Of course, the key figures of Merit and Ethan—two of the strongest characters I’ve read in a long time remain the focus of the books along with plots and story lines that are intricate, complex and very very well-conceived. This book not only offers us another terrifically crafted tale of intrigue via supernatural kidnapping and side-show exploitation but also the continued maturation of the relationship between Merit and Ethan (Methan as Ms Neill likes to call them). I swear, some of the dialogue in this book has brought me to my emotional knees by the sheer beauty and intensity of how these two love, care for and are committed to each other AND to Cadogan House. The analogy of working with peoples who are ‘not like us’ is not lost here but skillfully incorporated and woven throughout the book.

Sopie Eastlake continues to bring her incredibly gifted voice(s) and understanding of the story to the tales. She is all characters well but especially Merit and even Ethan. She captures Merit’s spark and her vulnerability as well as Ethan’s aloof superiority and profound love of Merit. I’ll listen to damn near anything she narrates/reads/performs.

If you enjoy the paranormal genre and have not been introduced to this series, by all means start at the beginning and work your way to this one….the BEST ONE YET.

Don't change narrators!!

Ms. Eastlake gives Merit a pretty good voice but all of the men have the same slow pompous congested bored sounding voices!! It's so annoying and makes it hard to keep track of who is who.

A sassy tale of vampires, shifters, and more oh my

Would you listen to Wild Things again? Why?

Wild things is definitely a book that I will listen to over and over again. Chloe Neil's writing style is very easy going and funnto listen to. The first time through I was so intreaged with what was happenung next that I feel like I missed the small things. So listening more then once is not only a possibility it is a fact.

What other book might you compare Wild Things to and why?

The sass that is wound through the story is similar to the Sookie Stackhouse books or even the Jane Jameson Books.

What aspect of Sophie Eastlake’s performance would you have changed?

Now this narrator is not my favorite, the series started out with a different narrator. I am not sure of the reason for the change, but it was a hard transition. The characters did not sound the same anymore. However if you can focus on the story and the events, eventually you foret that Merit sounds a little funny.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Spoilers: This book was particularly moving because of how much Ethan was sure of his relationship with Merit. He had a "I dont give a damn who sees" attitude and it was nice for a change.

Any additional comments?

If you have not listened to these book, it should be on your to do list asap.

Love Chloe Neill!!

Did Sophie Eastlake do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Sometimes the narrator seems to get the characters voices mixed up, for instance using Gabriel's voice for something Ethan said or even Merit's voice for someone else. That can be a little confusing and annoying.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was particularly moved when Merit finally admitted to Ethan that Gaberiel had had a vision, or whatever it is that he does to decifer bits of the future, about Merit having Ethan's baby. The scene went on to show how well they compliment each other and how very much they love each other. In fact throughout the book the reaffirmed their love with everything from words to a touch to full on wild vampiric sex! And they weren't the only ones showing a little PDA, I think almost all the couples at least shared a hand squeeze and look at some point, if not some kisses, except maybe Paige and the Librarian.

Any additional comments?

As with all Chicagoland Vampire books, this was filled with mystery and intrigue. Of course it wasn't lacking in action or tension either. How could it be when the pack was gathered and Ethan was still facing the stupid mayor's trumped up charges?? Even with the issues with the voices occasionally being out of whack, it is definitely worth a listen. In fact, I don't think I've taken my headphones off except to talk on the phone once and to talk to someone that came to my house once! My poor ears feel a little abused lol!

It was ok.

This book wouldn't be very good as a stand alone but since I am already in deep with the characters it was ok. I think it might have been better to actually read it instead of listening because I can easily skim over parts that wouldn't interesting. I will finish this series with my kindle, not worth my audible credit.

Great story - Narrator so-so

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Been a good series despite the narrator's lack of ability to have decent male voices.

Any additional comments?

Does good female voices. however her attempt at male voices is laughable.

Another great addition to the series!

My ongoing complaint is the change in narrator! Other than that, this is great chick lit/paranormalmromance/mystery/adventure series. Makes me want to vacation in Chicago for all the great food Merit talks about while solving all the problems of Cadogan House. Sexy without being vulgar, good plot, dramatic, humorous and just an all over good read.

Good story and a great series

I really enjoyed this book. Even though the subject matter is "out there", it takes my mind off of the daily things in life that get boring. I think it's written well.

Love the series

I love the series and love it even more in audio can’t wait to start the next one