Review: Wild Things by Chloe Neill

7:00 am 7 February 2014

Wild Things
Series: Chicagoland Vampires #9
Author: Chloe Neill
Publisher: Penguin
Published on: February 4, 2014
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: 368 pages, ARC
Provided by: Publisher
four-stars
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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.

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!