Welcome to a new weekly post, Throwback Thursday. This weekly book review post is a way to share some old favourites, books that were published over a year ago and most importantly those books that have been languishing on the to be read pile for far too long!
Today’s Throwback Thursday book review is from guest reviewer Mrs R. The title Mrs R has chosen to showcase today is Wild Things, a Chicagoland Vampire Series book. Mrs R suggests Wild Things is great read for those who need a supernatural fix that isn’t too complex, with minimal world building.
Synopsis:
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?
Mrs R’s review:
I have been a long-time fan of supernatural/paranormal author Chloe Neill. The first in the Chicagoland Vampire series came out in 2009 and I have eagerly read each new book. For some unknown reason there has been a big hiatus for me since book 8, Biting Bad, and 9, Wild Things. I think it would be close to 4 years! The good news is that despite the time in between books, I was able to pick up as if it were yesterday and immerse myself with Merit and the gang.I was originally drawn to the Chicagoland Vampire series for a few reasons. One it’s supernatural. I’m not a fan of complex world building and Chloe has kept it simple yet interesting. Secondly, it gives me my Buffy fix and lastly, the protagonist, Merit, is 28 years old. Sometimes it feels like authors have forgotten that adults, not just 16-year olds, can save the world too. Who would have thought? So as the protagonist, it’s Merit who tells her story in the first person. First person meant I was really able to immerse myself in the world of vampires, faeries and werewolves once again. Unfortunately, my time with some supernatural was cut short when they start to be killed off. Suspicion turns towards Merit and her supernatural friends; Ethan, Catcher, Mallory and Jeff, when the werewolves they are staying with are slaughtered. But things get worse when it appears other supernaturals are also being abducted. It’s up to the Scooby gang to solve the mystery and they do so with plenty of humour and action.
The Scooby gang are an eclectic bunch. Merit herself is an outgoing vampire who is coming into her own. Merit’s learning to trust herself and her judgement as she deals with what life throws at her. There’s Merit’s boyfriend, Ethan, who I adore. He’s the quiet, brooding, commanding type that I love in a book boyfriend. Ethan and Merit’s relationship is pretty hot, making things a little steamy occasionally! Her best friend Mallory is awesome as the witch who has gone to the bad side but now seeks redemption. I appreciated how Mallory and Merit were slowly but surely mending a broken friendship. These things take time and Chloe stayed true to life. As Mallory’s mentor and boyfriend, Catcher is the perfect guy. He believes in her and sticks by her despite everything that has happened in the past. When these four work together, nothing stands in their way.
The perfect series if you’re after an easy, paranormal read. Start with the first book, Some Girls Bite.
Wild Things by Chloe Neill was published in 2014. Details on how to purchase the book can be found here.
To learn more about the author of Wild Things, Chloe Neill, visit here.
