Wild Things: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel

Merit and Ethan are forever caught up in political and magical evil. Merit had to find the person responsible for kidnapping supernaturals and deal with the fall out with the mayor. The mayor is out to persecute Ethan to make an example of him for all others. I love how the characters are continued through the series and the author keeps the storyline fresh with each new book. You can't help getting drawn in to the love between Merit and Ethan. This was a fantastic read and great addition to the series. Great jib by Chloe Neill. Highly recommend this book and the entire series.

One of her best! Loved the relationship between Merit and Ethan...finally! I loved the way the relationship became such a rock to lean on. No matter what was happening, it was quietly humming in the background.

A really good story from this lovely author... This is book nr 9 and things are still exciting and fresh, it nerver gets boring.... A lot of private time between Ethan and Merit and that is always a hot experience....

I really enjoyed this book. If you're a Chloe Neill fan you will, too. Solving mysterious disappearances & setting the stage for Ethan to become the leader of all vampires. I love that she has kept the other sups in her story as well.

She did it again. I own every book in this series. The plot twists coupled with the vast array of characters that steal your heart keeps me coming back for more. I wasn't one bit disappointed with this one in that aspect either. Merit and Ethan are one of the greatest fictional couples ever.

This book reveals more about Gabriel and his pack, an interesting twist with (previous mayor) Seth Tate, and the GP connection is likely not to be part of Cadogan house past, but also its future? Oh, and the prophecy of Merit having a child with green eyes is shared with Ethan.

I work in the financial industry and have to read an incredible amount of technical material, this is not a classic nor life altering BUT it is fun and I love Merit. If I could be anything I want I would be a vampire : )

I work in the financial industry and have to read an incredible amount of technical material, this is not a classic nor life altering BUT it is fun and I love Merit. If I could be anything I want I would be a vampire : )

Over all I thought it was a solid book. I love the relationships Merit has and her constant struggle to be the vampire that she has become but still keeps some of her human side close to her heart. Over all a fantastic read!! Thank you Chloe!!!!

It started off slow but ended up finally getting my attention. I didn't like the fact that there was too much going on and then cut so short in the end. But other than that I enjoyed it, can't wait for the next book!

Chloe Neill gives us another outstanding story of Ethan and Merit. My only complaint is that I am left wanting more.... And that is why this book and the others of the series are so good - they leave you looking forward to the next challenge that Ethan and Merit will face!

I love the way Chloe starts each book where the last finished. She is certainly taking all of her readers and characters on a wide ride. Love to see Merit growing up and supporting Ethan. Still badass as well.

Great paranormal series. If you like to read paranormal romance/adventure books, don't miss this series. It's got clever dialogue & interesting plot. Of course some of the plot can be predictable, but overall it's a good read

In Wild Things, a weird supernatural attack happens during a major event for the shifters while Merit, Ethan, Catcher and Mallory were on the premises. While their presence was allowed by Gabriel, apex of the North American shifters pack, disagreements and the fact that they are outsiders make them suspects of the attack.

From here there is no surprise that Merit needs to solve the matter, find the culprit and protect Cadogan's vampire Master Ethan Sullivan....and lover.
The flow of the book was good with nice moments between Merit and Mallory whom are starting to patch up their 'best friends' relationship; and frankly, that too long enough...because I really like Mallory and her blue hair! The warm and fuzzy scenes with Ethan were rather lovely but felt sometimes too much like they had to be there... though I'm still happy about the nice development.

My disappointments lie on few topics:
- Why does everyone expect Merit to solve things? She always ends up discovering the perps but is actually not a great investigator, I always had the feeling that her clues were kind of strokes of luck and her skills are not justified
- The vampire community and especially Cadogan House are always victims of the city of Chicago's hatred and violence, coupled with the danger from the GP... wow that's a lot to take and perhaps too much, it doesn't seem credible anymore
- The actual perpetrator, well I won't put any spoiler here but that was a huge disappointment. Did Chloe Neill have some difficulty in the creativity area?

When re-reading myself I sound pretty harsh even though I still enjoyed reading this book, but that's because I expected more. This series is a good one, could be amazing if few points were not stereotyped or not lacking in depth and further exploring. I lack the words to express what I feel but when I read Wild Things, it felt flat... and that's a real shame.

Still looking forward to the next installment and hoping!

This book was okay. I have felt like the last couple of books have been fillers. Nothing really exciting in this same old characters running around fixing everyone else's problems while getting blamed as being responsible. I think there are a few more books to go. I will read them but I find my self skimming more than reading. I think the series has dragged on too long. Sorry

Not heartfelt like the first books in the series. There were a few highlights and plot points that were good but they were patched together with filler and subpar writing, including clunky dialogue, that was all a waste of time. I have better ways to waste my time.

I love Chicagoland, Merit and Ethan, and Chloe. I couldn't put the book down once I found time to sit down. The ending of this book was a little different. It felt like it ended abruptly or a chapter was missing. Over all the plot, climax, etc were great. It set up a perfect lead into the next book. I can't wait to see what is in store for us! Thanks Chloe for all your hard work!!!

This is my 1st book of Chloe's. I am confused by Vampires who eat food and no Super strength. There is a normal human side to all the Vampires, which is strange. I like the old fashion BAD Bottom ones!

Overall this was a good book.The story really advanced the big picture plot. Merit and co actually do some good investigating in this one. Better than in most of these books. The reason I gave it three stars is the story got a little stale. There was character growth that I liked but I found myself flipping pages. Also the fact that it's only been like 10 months since book 1 feels rather weak. The city government as bad guys yet again is an idea the author needs to stop recycling. It's repetitive and boring.

Okay, first let me say, Chicagoland Vampires is one of my top 3 all time favorite series. I love Chloe and love the story she has shared with us. Merit is witty, strong, caring and easy to fall in love with. Ethan is OMG sexy and I can never get enough of him. I love Jeff, Catcher, Mallory, Luc, Lindsey and all the supporting characters. I can't get enough of the humor, and excitement I get while reading all of the books in this series....so why only 2 stars???

The book was boooooooring, it was the same exact thing over and over. The city of Chicago hates the sups, and there is some great detective work to be done by Merit and her friends. I feel there was nothing new added to the series and the 2 big discoveries (green eyes) and (the GP solution ) were overly predictable. Come on if you invested the time to read the series you knew already knew these two big surprises.

Truth be told I missed the moments that I laughed out loud, the giddy giggling when it comes to Ethan, the emotional roller coaster and connection I used to feel, with the story and Characters.

Finally I am sad to say this is my least favorite book of the series. I will continue to finish out the series, only bc I have already invested the years into the story.

As series go, most subsequent books are either fillers or pale comparisons to the first. Chicagoland Vampires is different. Each book is unique while maintaining the alluring characteristics of the original book.
That being said, I would advise reading them in order.

First let me say that I LOVE this series. I LOVE Merit. I LOVE Ethan. Just so we are clear.... I love this series. But this book fell flat for me. I found myself skipping pages. What happened? It felt like Merit and Ethan had become secondary characters, and the real star of the book was a lackluster mystery. I hope that the next book will take us back to the world of vampires, with natural interaction between key characters, and PLEASE more of Merit and Ethan. I have re-read every book in this series, but I will not be revisiting this one. On a positive note... I have confidence in this series and in Ms. Neill. I will buy the next book and look forward to what is in store for CLV.

My Review:
Overall: 4.25
Performance: 4.5
Story: 4.25

Hmm, I really enjoyed the suspense line in this one. The carnival was an interesting twist that I completely loved, but then the things that happened at the end...OMG. Who saw that coming? Loved that twist so much.

I also really loved catching up with the shifter world in this book. I know they've had more of a focus in some of the novellas. Someday I need to find time to catch up on all the little side stories that go with this series...because all the characters are so rich and full of possibilities.

But that's not to detract from Merit and Ethan...wow, they are seriously becoming one of my favorite all-time power couples. Every book they get better and better. I love them so much. Thank you to Chloe Neill for continuing to write their stories better and better and not letting them get stuck in a rut of stupidness. LOVE THEM. And it goes without saying that Sophie Eastlake's narration is amazing. She IS the Chicagoland Vampires. I can't imagine this series without her narrating it. Every once in a while I pick up my print copies of these books and I still hear her voice in my head reading it with the various voices. LOVE!

I adore Merit and Ethan together, and in WILD THINGS they were stronger than ever. I love how they are finding their way with one another and able to talk things through and come out stronger. Poor Merit carried a pretty heavy burden for a lot of this book, and when she finally got the courage to reveal things to Ethan, my heart about melted at his response. It's pretty obvious how dedicated he is, and considering the very rocky start the two had, I'm so happy to see that change. That being said, I have to admit that I just don't get Merit panicking whenever she thinks Ethan is about to propose. It's happened a couple of times now, and each time she freaks out and thinks it's too soon, we hardly know each other, etc etc. Which quite frankly baffles me to no end. I mean the woman knows that Ethan is it for her. She's even gone through the pain of losing him when he was dead for a time. So why in the world does the idea of marriage frighten her? I'll just have to chalk that one up to something I'll never understand.

It was really great to spend so much time with the shifters in WILD THINGS. I love Jeff and Gabriel. Of course things don't exactly go smoothly with their time with the shifters, but that's par for course with Chicagoland and makes things all the more interesting. Also, speaking of Gabriel? Oh my goodness! The prophecy? Yep, it's everything I was hoping for, and just that reveal more than made the entire book, especially Ethan's reaction. That being said, despite the reveal of what the green eyes meant, things are still pretty vague as to how things will actually happen. I seriously cannot wait until the next book to see where things lead with this!

It never ceases to amaze me how these books can have so much jammed into them, but never once feel overwhelming. This time around there were several plots going on at once, not to mention a few overall arcing series plots, plus a whole lot of emotion and character to development to boot. All I can say is bravo to you Chloe! Fans of the series will not want to miss this great installment in the Chicagoland Vampires series. An absolute treat not to be missed.

3.5*s

Okay, I love this series. Love the characters and their interactions, with that said, there was about 30% of this book that could have been taken away and I wouldn't have missed it.

This starts off with the shifters and a celebration that turns into a massive attack. The shifters of all kinds, Merit, Ethan, Mallory and Catcher. Odds are in their favor for a bit then things get touchy. But it sets off a chain of events that has Merit and her band of merry men (Jeff and Damian; both o whom are shifters)

Then it gets cray cray. We meet elves. Dude, like seriously. That was kinda cool. So it seems there are supernatural a around no one knows are there. The cats out of the bag now. But this starts a man hunt for missing sups. There is a pattern and it's up to them to figure it out

The search and all of that could have been less than it was. Sometimes less is more. It got a bit boring for me. Adding Damien to the band of misfits was cool though.

Then we have GP issues (again) and the Mayor has lost her damn mind and it's open season on master vampires. Someone needs to stake her, just saying.

And of course the hunt for the supernatural a (once they figured out where they were going was good.) but again, the middle could have been trashed and it would have moved a bit faster (in my opinion). All in all it was an okay book. Hoping the next moves faster.

After getting to the end of this instalment in the Chicagoland Vampires series, I super excited to read the next book!! Things are definitely going to be interesting for Vampires as a whole and also for my favourite Vampire couple, Ethan and Merit!

In Wild Things, we were taken into the world of shifters as Ethan needs to put space between himself and Chicago due to the mayors political pressures. I quite enjoyed venturing out there and seeing a little more into the shifters world, although things are not calm for long. Soon we are on a hunt to track down why supernatural beings are being kidnapped. This was an enjoyable plot as we uncover the perp on this one and how close it came back to someone Merit knows. It was exciting and often dangerous.

The arrival of one of the GP representatives plays a big part in the future twist that is coming. I am really excited to see the direction of this particular plot. Gabe and Merit also have some cryptic conversations and they will be life changing circumstances for all involved. There are certainly many twists to come in this series that has me all jittery!!

There is always plenty of action, suspense and witty remarks throughout this series and the chemistry between Ethan and Merit always has my toes curling. They really are a sizzling couple and I really love reading about them. The usual crew all stepped up in this book and I just love the gang as a whole.

Chloe swept me away again as you can tell. She creates new characters that give great depth to the series as a whole. Book 10, Blood Games is due in August later this year, but I am super excited about the announcement of three more books in this series, to bring the total to 13!! With the assortment of stories she has already told, I just know there are plenty more for Merit and her gang!!

I received a copy of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review.

You just can't help but be excited when a new Chicagoland Vampire book hits the shelf (or in my case, my review box). Although WILD THINGS started out a little on the slow side it quickly picked us speed. Ethan and Merit are hiding out and attending a celebration with the North American Central Pack when all heck breaks loose. To clear their name of any involvement they agree to help investigate who and what is behind the attack.

In the beginning you think, hey Merit and Ethan are going to get a bit of a break hiding out but YEAH no. Doesn't happen, drama follows them wherever they go. I did enjoy getting some pack action. Gabe really opens up and relaxes in Merits company so it was nice seeing him that way. The romance between Merit and Ethan is still strong as ever. Merit finally lets some info out and I loved, loved, loved Ethan's reaction to Gabe's long ago prediction. I can't wait to find out more. I look for clues in every book that comes out. Merit and Mallory continue to work on their friendship. It seems that although they will never be as close as they once were, they will still be able to have a nice friendship. The GP story line is still very much in play and some life changing decisions are made. You get a really look at how much the characters have grown through the process.

I wouldn't say that WILD THINGS was a filler but the feel of the book was a little more reserved and slower paced than previous books have been. I love that we don't have to wait a full year to see what happens next.

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I’m thinking this is a good time to take a break from the series. It seems to be headed in a new direction starting in the next book and this is a good stopping point for now. I’m looking forward to seeing where the world goes next, but I need to read some other genres or authors for a few books. This book was good, but the beginning didn’t grab me. It wasn’t until halfway through that I was able to sit down and not become distracted enough to finish it.

This book introduced some new elements to the world and some potential problems or bumps in the road ahead for Merit and Ethan’s relationship. Merit’s family takes a back burner role in this book and we have to deal with the drama the current Mayor is stirring up for the supernatural of Chicago. The GP rears its ugly mean vindictive head again and I see hope that there will be changes coming for them in the near future. Mallory and Catcher are back to their old selves and it appears Merit and Mallory’s relationship is going to come out stronger than ever.

Seth Tate comes back in this book and I like the direction that the author is taking with his character. I look forward to seeing how he redeems himself. One thing I love about Neill’s story telling style is that she is able to take a character we think we are done with and bring him back and make them even more interesting. Her characters have great depth, you never really can tell what is going to come from them. Keeps you guessing and makes the stories so enjoyable and plausible.

Like I said I’m looking forward to the next books, but after a little break. It feels like I’ve been stuck in Chicago for a while now, time to explore some other worlds again.

~ 4 Wild Stars ~ 

I was not sure if I’d stick with this series, but once I got passed the first two books I became hooked and now I’m a Chicagoland Vampire fan. I enjoy how easy it is to just pick the book up and go. The writing flows nicely as well as we get some great characters and plot developments. You do need to read the books in order to understand what is going on.

Wild Thing is book nine in the Chicagoland Vampires by Chloe Neill. It picks up where Biting Cold left off. I like the direction the novel is going. We get one twist after another, some great action and adventure and their is never a dull moment with our favorite Cadogan Vampires. We get black magic, harpies, revenge on the pack and so much more in Wild Things.

Merit brings her usual snark and junk food obsessions to this action packed story. I liked the supernatural detective-type storyline that is going on, though it is not an original storyline it is still very appealing, emphasizing the great chemistry between Merit and Ethan. The relationship between Ethan and Merit is growing and I’m curious as to see how it will work after the big reveal at the end. I also love Merits car and the name she calls it. I'm a big James Bond fan and I get a kick and a smile every time she looks and talks about her baby Moneypenny. The characters are fun and entertaining as well as Ms. Neill introduces us to new ones along the way that may or may not play a role in further stories, but are still fun and entreating to read. 

The things introduced in the novel, bode well for the series. Chicagoland Vampires are here to stay. I’m curious to see where things go and can’t wait for the next installment.

I can't believe it. Book 9 of the Chicagoland Vampires by Chloe Neil, and I am officially caught up until August when Blood Games comes out. So far, it looks like there will be a total of 13 books in the series, and quite frankly with where this book ended and the current goals they have, I don't know if that is going to be enough.

The book starts up right on the heels of the end of Biting Bad. Ethan is making plans to leave the city since it looks like Mayor Kowalcyzk isn't going to back down anytime soon. The only recourse is to not be available, and hope that a diplomatic solution can be reached. It's been decided that they will go to the Breckenridge's estate while cooler heads try to prevail. The Breckenridge's live outside Chicago and have both the material and political capital to keep the Mayor from trying anything drastic at their estate. The plan is to hang out with Catcher, Mallory and the Pack during their yearly get together called Lupercalia.

But things are never simple when it comes to Chicago Supernatural gatherings. Especially when during the opening nights festivities, there is a Harpy attack that causes the deaths of 4 shifters and 1 is missing. In addition to all this fun, the GP sends a representative to censure the House due to the death that occurred in the last book. After the Mayor accuses all 3 Chicago House Leaders of being Domestic Terrorists, and the surprise appearance of a long believed extinct supernatural race, Merit is up to her neck in trouble.

Several books ago, it was hinted at that Merit and Ethan were going to have a child together, even though Vamps can't conceive and carry a child to term. I have wondered about this and nearly lost hope when Ethan was staked, but one he returned, I waited, impatiently for it to be brought back up. It is, in a big way, in this book. I'm not saying she gets pregnant, but we find out much more about the prophecy and what will be needed to be done to get there. This was a very action packed book and I loved every minute of it. I can't wait for the next book. This was a 5 star listen.

This book was such a breath of fresh air to the Chicagoland Vampires series! Most series tend to fizzle out and become stale by their 9th book, but not this one. A creative new storyline teamed up with my favorite cast of sexy paranormals, makes this book my favorites of the series.

Vamps and weres and fae...oh my! Chloe Neill has brought all kinds of fantastic supes to the table in this book. While past books touch on other mythological races, this one really dives into their rich history. A new creepy crawly has come to town and a wolf has disappeared. Unfortunately, this all goes down during the pack's massive celebration that Ethan and Merit attend. The pack takes full advantage of their house guest, and put Merit on the case.

It was nice to finally see Merit and Ethan is a stable romantically. We finally get to see them be happy, and completely all in their relationship. Theses two are more powerful when together! Also, I love that we get to spend so much time with the pack. They are so intriguing and different from other authors weres. I actually with she would give them their own series. Their connection to magic is probably my favorite part of their subculture. They have done so much to help Mallory get back to as normal as she can be. She's getting her life back on track, and I couldn't be more happy to see her with Catcher. As much as I love Merit and Ethan, it's their group of friends that bring this series to another level!

I'm slowly becoming a Sophie Eastlake convert, and I almost hate to admit that. As I have said in the past, that I can't stand when a series changes narrators. The listeners put a certain voice to each character, and when that is disrupted it can be distracting. But after several Chicagoland Vampires audiobooks with Sophie as the narrator, I'm starting to really enjoy her narration style. When I actually read this series, my brain is finally starting to hear the characters in her voices. She has formed distinct voices for each character, and is able to convey this series strong emotions.

WILD THINGS is a great edition to the Chicagoland Vampires series. It was a great combination of action, passion, and adventure! I cannot wait for the release BLOOD GAMES later in the year. We'll see what Merit and her crew have in store for us next!

My Ratings

Plot: 4/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Originality of Plot: 5/5
Characters Development: 5/5
Ending: 5/5
Narration: 4/5
Cover Art: 4/5
Likelihood to Recommend: 5/5

Overall: 42/45 = 93%

My Initial Reaction…
Well that was exciting! I can literally feel Chloe bringing this series towards an exciting conclusion, with all the twists she threw in Wild Things. A great read and I look forward to the next several books! Oh and we’re on book 9, so there’s gonna be series spoilers, sorry folks!

The Narration…
Sophie Eastlake has really grown on me – not that she wasn’t good from the start. She was. In fact, as soon as she took over the series, she was a relief. But now, she’s more than that. For me, she’s Merit. She has a kind of sophistication to her voice and pacing that fits the world she’s narrating – Merit is a product of the highest levels of society. The vampires are no slouches either. And really no one in these books is living anything short of a comfortable life, although most are well above that. And there’s something about Sophie’s voice that just exudes that and makes me feel like I’ve been transported to that world. I can’t imagine not listening to this series at this point.

The Characters…
If you’ve followed my reviews of the CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES series, you know that at one point I loved Ethan. And then he screwed up. Again. And Again. And then I said forget it Ethan, Jonah is way better anyway. And when things started to look like they were going to finally work out for Ethan and Merit, I accepted it, but begrudgingly. And I didn’t love them as a couple anymore. So when I say that I’m back on Team Ethan with Wild Things, you know that saying something.

So what changed? Ethan! Oh don’t get me wrong, he’s still this incredibly gorgeous, irresistible, somewhat infuriating master vampire. But he finally GETS Merit and knows she’s where it’s at. He loves her and knows that that means making her his priority. And trusting her! Finally, Ethan is letting Merit be the kick ass sentinel that he appointed. Sure he’s still protective, but to a normal, “I love you and don’t want you hurt” extent. Not to a “I love you and that means I control you and don’t trust you extent.” So Ethan has changed for the better. What can I say? I guess some guys have to live hundreds of years and die twice before they finally figure out that they’ve got a good thing and how to treat her.

Merit, on the other hand, hasn’t really changed. And I LOVE that, too. She’s still tough and smart and not afraid to make tough decisions she knows Ethan might not like. See, how that worked? She stayed true to who she was and he came around. :)

Another favorite relationship of mine that had gone sour was the one between Merit and her best friend Mallory. I loved Mallory and then she went all evil. Well, she’s been working on coming back the last few books and in Wild Things I feel like she’s finally there. The interaction between her and Merit is almost back to the same wittiness I loved and she’s getting to be pretty kick ass herself, in a non-evil way. So that’s a plus. And she’s healing things with Catcher, which continues to be great.

In these reviews I always seem to spend too much time on the characters, but the thing is, I LOVE the supporting characters in this series. So I’m not going to gush ad nauseum about Jeff and Gabriel, but they were great in Wild Things too. And I’m not going to get overly excited about the brief moments with Malik and her grandfather, that despite being brief rocked. Point is, the whole cast was there and they shined as usual.

The Story…
We pick up Wild Things right where Biting Bad left off. Meaning Ethan’s in trouble with Mayor Kowalcyzk for murder (in self-defense), which spells trouble for the House and for Merit. Thankfully Merit and Ethan flee to the protection of the Shifters – specifically the Breckinridges – in hopes that the Mayor will recognize their political and financial power and lay off Ethan. I got excited about this when I realized that this was going to mean lots of Shifter action (it’s no secret I love the Shifters) and when Gabriel showed up to explain that they would be joining the shifters for Lubricallia (sp? problem with an audio book, you don’t learn how to spell these things) I pretty much yelped. Lubricallia is a magical event and the way Chloe wrote it was pretty awesome. As was the subsequent attack. By…. well you don’t want me to spoil it do you? Point is they get attacked and the gang gets to work – as usual – solving the mystery.

The mystery was pretty good. I’ve gotten used to the way the mysteries work though, so there weren’t many twists or surprises there. Somehow Chloe has managed to bring even more supernaturals into her story. You thought she’d pretty much covered them all, huh? Nope, but now I think she has. That was a lot of fun. And there’s some MAJOR foreshadowing for events to come in future books, courtesy of Gabriel.

Concluding Sentiments…
Wild Things was another fun installment from the CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES world and I look forward to the next one, due in August.

i always enjoy this series, so i was a little shocked to find the newest had been released, and i hadnt even realised!
Shame on me!!

This one really does focus more on the werewolfs of the books - mainly Gabes pack.
At the end of the previous book, the police were at Ethans door at Cadogan to bring him in - but let slip that if he wasnt there he couldnt issue that, could he?
So we begin with this book with Ethan and Merit being hidden at the Breckenridge estate - well not in the actual mansion, as the were's were NOT impressed to find vamps there - especially as it was they yearly gathering for them.

At this gathering, they were attacked by harpies - which dont exist - and while Merit and Ethan were just as shocked as the were's and fought along side them - they were the prime suspects.

Cue AGAIN that Merit, Ethan, Mallory et al have the mystery to solve - kinda sucks to be them when theres a mystery in town as it seems to always fall to them - it would be nice to see a little more action from the other vamps in the area.

Merit owes a GP a favour....who pulls it in as a request to ask Ethan to become the Head of the GP. This leaves Merit with a lot of internal battles - personal and business.

The book has continuing storylines from previous books which is great. Im interested to see where they head, particular the baby that Gabe sees with Merit.

A little side note, this HAS to be read in order of the series, as a lot of it wont make sense, and if im honest the book is only for die hard chicagoland Vamps fans - which i happen to be!

Personally, i enjoyed it - as yeah its paranormal, but youre seeing past that and the people they are - no matter what species.

It seems everyone but Merit and his own house want Ethan dead or locked up. After ditching the vamp GP in the previous book and saving the City of Chicago multiple times, Ethan's now wanted for "questioning" by the new mayor -- something Merit and his supporters want him to avoid at all costs. So Merit and Ethan take off to the supposed protection offered by their tenuous allies, the werewolves. But, of course, that doesn't go well and Ethan and Merit wind up in serious hot water, yet again racing to figure out who's doing what and why before they lose their allies...or their lives. *cue dramatic music*

I think this might be my favorite Chicagoland Vampire book to date. Merit and Ethan make a strong, powerful team, united against the GP and for peace between races (including those pesky humans). Gabriel and his visions (ooh--these made me squee just a little bit and with I had the next book in my hands right now so I can find out if those visions mean what I think they mean...and how that's going to happen!) plays a prominent role in this story, as do Catcher and Mallory.

You know, I haven't quite forgiven Mallory for what she did. I know she's got regrets and she's doing her penance with the pack and all but she really pissed me off when she betrayed Merit and did her scamper of terror across the countryside. (Am I taking her betrayal too personally? Maybe. But it's how I feel, man!) I know Merit really wants her friend back and all but I think she still needs to be wary.

I'm definitely invested in this series. I want Cadogan House and the others to be safe and accepted by humans. I want the mayor to be eaten by something scary in the middle of the night. I want the GP to back off and leave Ethan and the others alone. And I want Ethan and Merit to have their HEA. Except none of that is going to happen anytime soon. Too bad! More books for me!

Merit is my hero! I may be a full grown adult but I would love to be Merit. She's sassy, snarky, loyal, and deeply cares for those around her. We see all these characteristics in Wild Things in full force. As Ethan and Merit's relationship continues to grow they are faced with yet another challenge. While trying to avoid Ethan getting arrested, he and Merit are thrown into yet another attack on supernaturals. To avoid an all out war between shifters, vampires and Elves (Yes I said ELVES!!) it is up to them and their friends to solve the mystery.
There was so much to love in this book. I was guessing from the beginning and was shocked when it was solved. The best part about Ms. Neill's writing is the development of all relationships. Not only is their growth and passion with Merit and Ethan's relationship but we see the evolvement and growth of her friendship with Mallory. I laughed so hard in places and I just love Merit's snark. The plot line never bores but grows in anticipation only to be blown away by the revelations made. If you are like me and have loved Merit and Ethan from the beginning you will not be disappointed.

I won a contest and was able to select any book by Chloe Neill. As I had read all of the previous books in this series, I had to continue. This book was different than the others, but each book really is. The circus was a different approach and you really cheer for the supernaturals as they work together. Really loved this book and can hardly wait for the next one.

I am still on the fence with this author. I do not trust her. After she faux killed Ethan, I have been giving the side eye and been suspicious of each release since then.

This story was exciting and fast paced. Classic Chloe Neill. Probably my fav series in this particular vein of paranormal fiction.

Ethan is still hawt as hell with his silvering eyes
Ethan is still alive
Ethan is still in love with merit
Merit is not fighting him so much anymore
Merit is just as in love with Ethan
The action and adventure is first class.

If you are ready to forgive Chloe for faux killing Ethan (it took me a while) then give this a try. :-)

I wasn't sure I was going to keep going with the series when this book came out. But I caved and picked it up. And am I ever glad that I did! This installment was a breath of fresh air, breathing new life into this series. This book showcased Ethan and Merits ever-tumultuous relationship in a brand new light. They're solid and committed to each other and it's just been so long in coming. I absolutely loved their story. Of course things are heating up and moving in all new directions on all fronts, so that certainly didn't hurt either.

I see good things coming and am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series!!

While this book was an alright read, it's not the best of the series. I thought the story was flat.

Things I liked:

- Ethan and Merit - I love that they are a couple and that their relationship has gotten stronger in each book. Hopefully, the author will keep it that way. We don't need any more (or added) angst when it comes to these two.
- Mallory's continued healing/atonement and getting back on track with Merit and Catcher
- More interaction with Gabriel (what can I say, I like this character)
- New intro. of sup species
- New direction this series is going

Things I didn't like:

- Chuck losing his house (I know this happened in the prior book but I'm lumping it into this review).
- The continued conflict with the Mayor/Humans/Chicago. End this storyline already and move on to something else, please.
- Seemed to be more gratuitous sex in this book. We know Merit and Ethan are in a relationship and they have sex. There were more detailed sex scenes in this book. Alluding to the sex is really all that is needed, if the author feels it should be included.
- The F-word was freely used in this book. Why is the bad language suddenly being ramped up? It doesn't add to the story in any way.
- This book was a dragging, slow read and kind of boring, I'm sorry to say. Could not really get into this one as much as the others.

Going forward:

The fulfillment of the prophecy and path to get there will, I hope, be interesting in the book(s) to come, as will the future of the GP. Would enjoy learning more about the different sups species that have been introduced in this series, so far. Another thing I'd like to see happen in this series is a return of Morgan as an upstanding, capable, good guy like he was in the first two books. I'm not real fond of what the author has done with his character, even though he's secondary (third?) to the series. He's inexperienced as a Master of a House (Celina was no great role-model or teacher) so I hope that Ethan (or Malik), Scott, or Noah would take him under their wing to mentor him. Although "Masters" are already supposed to have their 'stuff' together, as it were, and be ready to lead their houses, I feel this didn't happen for him). He's definitely been made out to be stubborn, selfish/self-serving and incompetent, imo.

Possible Spoiler:

Lastly, I thought the meeting between Regan and Seth Tate was interesting and his turning himself in a little too tidy and convenient, especially after his wanting to spend the rest of his life doing good works in the world. Wonder where the author will take this.....

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!

This one had you hanging to the end. What could possibly be sooo bad this time? The suspense keeps ratcheting upwards. I love how Merit respects others' opinions but has a mind of her own. If you love a strong heroine , then this series is the one for you. This isn't the typical human turned vampire story. It walks you through the mind shift and how difficult it would be to have something so traumatic happen. It includes family and friend interactions, which really makes you feel and appreciate the characters. It is a well rounded series. You find yourself rooting for Merit and the suspense is killer.

Love the series.

Compared to other UF/PNR Chloe Neill's novel is light, but I like it when I want a break from darker tales or a long week. Ethan and Merit stay with Gabe and the pack to avoid being arrested by the Mayor. During a big pack gathering monsters attack them. Ethan, Merit and their friends are on the hunt to discover who is at the bottom of the attack. If you've been following the series, this is an important novel because many problems are finally solved concerning the Cadogan vampires, Ethan, and Merit.

I am going to be a little vague in my review because I don't like spoilers :) and since my copy was an advance copy I don't know what may be taken out.

I STRONGLY recommend reading High Stakes (Kicking It anthology) and Howling for You BEFORE reading this book.

I loved that Merit and Ethan were involved with the shifters. It was also great to see more into the shifter world. The prophecy was expanded on which was exciting for future books in the series. And the plot twists... oh the plot twists!!!! This book added WHOLE new elements with old characters. I cannot wait until Blood Games comes out.

If you love Urban Fantasy this series is without a doubt one of the best in the genre. It does not get boring. I personally feel each book gets better and better. I often "need a break" after several books in a series. But I'm now starting book 10 and I'm just as interested as I was on book 1! I've read them all straight through with nothing in between. I love the humor, the mystery and the adventure. Ethan is now protective of Merit instead of pushing her away. Much better like that. Can't wait for more!

As always another home run for Chloe Neill. This continuation of Merit's story was brilliant. There is always plenty of action, humor and a bit of romance thrown in. Loved the supporting character's as always. It was nice to see an old one return and a new one thrown in the mix. Merit and Ethan make a perfect couple who balance each other allowing them to thrive. Their friends and allies always make things interesting as well. I look forward to many more Chicagoland Vampire books. Absolutely a 5 star read.

I wasn't sure I was going to keep going with the series when this book came out. But I caved and picked it up. And am I ever glad that I did! This installment was a breath of fresh air, breathing new life into this series. This book showcased Ethan and Merits ever-tumultuous relationship in a brand new light. They're solid and committed to each other and it's just been so long in coming. I absolutely loved their story. Of course things are heating up and moving in all new directions on all fronts, so that certainly didn't hurt either.

I see good things coming and am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series!!

While this book was an alright read, it's not the best of the series. I thought the story was flat.

Things I liked:

- Ethan and Merit - I love that they are a couple and that their relationship has gotten stronger in each book. Hopefully, the author will keep it that way. We don't need any more (or added) angst when it comes to these two.
- Mallory's continued healing/atonement and getting back on track with Merit and Catcher
- More interaction with Gabriel (what can I say, I like this character)
- New intro. of sup species
- New direction this series is going

Things I didn't like:

- Chuck losing his house (I know this happened in the prior book but I'm lumping it into this review).
- The continued conflict with the Mayor/Humans/Chicago. End this storyline already and move on to something else, please.
- Seemed to be more gratuitous sex in this book. We know Merit and Ethan are in a relationship and they have sex. There were more detailed sex scenes in this book. Alluding to the sex is really all that is needed, if the author feels it should be included.
- The F-word was freely used in this book. Why is the bad language suddenly being ramped up? It doesn't add to the story in any way.
- This book was a dragging, slow read and kind of boring, I'm sorry to say. Could not really get into this one as much as the others.

Going forward:

The fulfillment of the prophecy and path to get there will, I hope, be interesting in the book(s) to come, as will the future of the GP. Would enjoy learning more about the different sups species that have been introduced in this series, so far. Another thing I'd like to see happen in this series is a return of Morgan as an upstanding, capable, good guy like he was in the first two books. I'm not real fond of what the author has done with his character, even though he's secondary (third?) to the series. He's inexperienced as a Master of a House (Celina was no great role-model or teacher) so I hope that Ethan (or Malik), Scott, or Noah would take him under their wing to mentor him. Although "Masters" are already supposed to have their 'stuff' together, as it were, and be ready to lead their houses, I feel this didn't happen for him). He's definitely been made out to be stubborn, selfish/self-serving and incompetent, imo.

Possible Spoiler:

Lastly, I thought the meeting between Regan and Seth Tate was interesting and his turning himself in a little too tidy and convenient, especially after his wanting to spend the rest of his life doing good works in the world. Wonder where the author will take this.....

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!

This one had you hanging to the end. What could possibly be sooo bad this time? The suspense keeps ratcheting upwards. I love how Merit respects others' opinions but has a mind of her own. If you love a strong heroine , then this series is the one for you. This isn't the typical human turned vampire story. It walks you through the mind shift and how difficult it would be to have something so traumatic happen. It includes family and friend interactions, which really makes you feel and appreciate the characters. It is a well rounded series. You find yourself rooting for Merit and the suspense is killer.

Love the series.

Compared to other UF/PNR Chloe Neill's novel is light, but I like it when I want a break from darker tales or a long week. Ethan and Merit stay with Gabe and the pack to avoid being arrested by the Mayor. During a big pack gathering monsters attack them. Ethan, Merit and their friends are on the hunt to discover who is at the bottom of the attack. If you've been following the series, this is an important novel because many problems are finally solved concerning the Cadogan vampires, Ethan, and Merit.

I am going to be a little vague in my review because I don't like spoilers :) and since my copy was an advance copy I don't know what may be taken out.

I STRONGLY recommend reading High Stakes (Kicking It anthology) and Howling for You BEFORE reading this book.

I loved that Merit and Ethan were involved with the shifters. It was also great to see more into the shifter world. The prophecy was expanded on which was exciting for future books in the series. And the plot twists... oh the plot twists!!!! This book added WHOLE new elements with old characters. I cannot wait until Blood Games comes out.

If you love Urban Fantasy this series is without a doubt one of the best in the genre. It does not get boring. I personally feel each book gets better and better. I often "need a break" after several books in a series. But I'm now starting book 10 and I'm just as interested as I was on book 1! I've read them all straight through with nothing in between. I love the humor, the mystery and the adventure. Ethan is now protective of Merit instead of pushing her away. Much better like that. Can't wait for more!

As always another home run for Chloe Neill. This continuation of Merit's story was brilliant. There is always plenty of action, humor and a bit of romance thrown in. Loved the supporting character's as always. It was nice to see an old one return and a new one thrown in the mix. Merit and Ethan make a perfect couple who balance each other allowing them to thrive. Their friends and allies always make things interesting as well. I look forward to many more Chicagoland Vampire books. Absolutely a 5 star read.

I will not go into the story line as to prevent any unwanted spoilers, but I loved this book. I think it is, by far, the best yet in the series. I love how the characters are growing and moving forward. And I love Catcher and Mallory (Matcher? Callory?) and how they're taking their relationship a day at a time.

If you're already a fan of the series, you know Chloe Neill never disappoints. If you aren't a fan or haven't read the series, start reading! :)

I am losing interest in this series. And I don’t know why. This book isn’t any worse than past entries. The characters are still fresh and exciting and they have new challenges ahead that sound promising. But there was just something about the plot devices and the sex scenes that set my teeth on edge this time. Hopefully this is a passing phase I’m going through; I’d be sad to have to say goodbye.

I have read many vampire book and became familiar with vampire worlds and I have just fallen in love with the Chicagoland Vampire. It is just different enough to catch my interest and there are shifters, fairies, nymphs and many other species hidden among the humans.

I can't be more specific, without giving away pieces of the story. Sexy without sex, interesting sides characters and I definitely want more.

*Huge smiley face here*

Since I am a Chloe Neill fanatic of the highest order, I anxiously awaited this book, and was not disappointed. Chloe weaves a great plot all the time keeping true to the main characters and advancing their stories and relationships. I was nervous about the decision Ethan and Merit were faced with, but in the end my fears were unfounded. This book is a must for anyone who reads this series, and I can't wait for the next book and the continuing stories of Cadogen House and the Chicagoland Vampires!!

Ethan is still in charge, Merit is still a bad ass, and the gang's all here. I find that sometimes the heart of the problems in these books are a little contrived, but it's vampires and shifters and paranormals galore, after all, so I suspend disbelief and just enjoy the ride. Neill's writing gets a little better, and a little steamier, every outing. Can't wait for the next installment.

Chloe Neill NEVER disappoints in what she writes. I absolutely loved this book. Without going into too much detail as to give away what happens, it totally blew my mind as to who returned. Loved the story line. Ethan & Merit are so good together. Am so jealous, but I do have a wonderful husband. Look forward to reading so much more from Chicagoland. :)

I wish I would have quit reading this series at the end of book 4. This book is pretty much a snoozer, but all our favorite characters are back and behaving like they should. So if you like that kind of thing, then you will like this addition to the series. I prefer when at least some of them are misbehaving.

If you can believe it, this is Merit's ninth book, and what a series this has been. The strong alliances that Ethan and Merit have forged for Cadogan House are about to be pushed to the limit. What I love is that for fans of the Chicagoland Vampires, a lot of the small plot threads that have been growing in the past books get to bloom in this installment. I love this whole series, but I did feel the majority of this book was for introducing new plot threads, explaining current ones and wrapping up old ones. We do get to meet a new sup and see Merit and Ethan in their push-and-pull relationship … though many more on Merit's part, as Ethan is totally and completely in love with her. The action is still there, and this will always be one of my favorite series. The audio books are also amazing, and I can't wait for the tenth one, Blood Games.

To find out Chloe's favorite Vampire series as well as some butt kicking heroines Merit would befriend head over to the HEA blog!

I love this series! My husband read this book on a cruise after he finished his book and loved it. I loaded the whole series for him. He is now reading book 1 and loves the series as well. So it is interesting to all. Never a dull minute from cover to cover.