Uninvited

Etudes in C# #3

by Jamie Wyman

On her 30th birthday, Catherine Sharp has a lot to celebrate: a great IT job in Las Vegas, a growing mastery of technomancy, and a deity or two on speed dial. She’s barely had a chance to blow out her candles when she finds a half-dead body on her doorstep.

Marius.

For centuries, the satyr has lied, cheated and swindled the upper crust of several pantheons in service to Eris, the Greek goddess of Discord. However, he has angered his mistress and found himself vulnerable. With bloodthirsty gods and monsters after him, Marius runs to the only person he hopes he can trust: Cat.

Despite his previous betrayal, Cat still harbors a soft spot for Marius. Helping her means taking on demons and deities, but telling him to fend for himself leaves Cat wrestling with feelings she’d rather not think about. The birthday girl has a choice to make, and it isn’t a simple one. She must weigh the sins of his checkered past against their strange chemistry. Matters of the heart clash with the politics of divinity and family business. Everything hinges on the answer to one question: can she trust him?

Genres: Urban Fantasy

310 pages, Paperback

Published October 18, 2016

About the author

After a misspent adulthood pursuing a Music Education degree, JAMIE WYMAN fostered several interests before discovering that being an author means never having to get out of pajamas. (However, she can eat/spin fire, tell you a lot about auditioning to be a Blue Man, and read/write in Circular Gallifreyan.) Jamie also works as an editor. In addition to freelance work, she works with sci-fi/fantasy publisher Dragon Moon Press. As an author, Jamie’s favorite playgrounds are urban fantasy, horror and creepy carnival settings. When she’s not traipsing about with her imaginary friends, she lives in Phoenix with two hobbits and two cats. She is proud to say she has a deeply disturbed following at her blog.

Jamie's debut novel WILD CARD (Entangled Edge, 2013) is available wherever ebooks are sold. You can also find her short story "The Clever One" in the anthology WHEN THE HERO COMES HOME 2 (Dragon Moon Press, August '13). 2014 will see her work in the Sherlock Holmes-inspired anthology TWO-HUNDRED AND TWENTY-ONE BAKER STREETS (Abbadon Books), and the release of a follow up to WILD CARD, UNVEILED.

Reviews

[Beth Cato · Rating 5 out of 5]

I blurbed this! "Uninvited abounds in snarky banter and ancient gods running amok, and through it all, the sparkling chemistry between technomage Cat Sharp and satyr Marius embodies this urban fantasy with genuine soul."

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so

Indepth, on fire, creeps up on you, makes you keep reading.. I started it a long while ago, realized I had book two and had ignored it, picked it up, and read through. While you started to see some of it coming, other parts just kept sneaking up. Give it a go.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I anxiously awaited this book and was not disappointed. The action kept it going and the romantic elements kept me on my toes all the way through the end.

I can't wait to see what trouble Cat and Marius get into next.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

UNINVITED by Jamie Wyman is the third novel in the 'Etudes in C#' series. In the first book, Wild Card, we are introduced to Cat Sharp, a snarky tech support guru whose life took a sideways turn when she became mixed up with trickster gods from various pantheons, all living in Las Vegas. Cat discovers she's got more in her favor than her sarcastic wit and IT skills... she's a technomage, able to magically manipulate technology at her will. The book's clever mythology, intriguing characters, and fast paced plot are instantly addictive.
The second book, Unveiled, is even better. Though Cat managed to free herself from the Greek goddess of Discord's clutches, Loki now holds the deed to her soul. He's a much better boss to work for, but he's still a trickster god. Loki throws Cat into a maelstrom of trouble as he sets her to the task of solving a supernatural murder. Cat learns more about herself and her technomage abilities as she struggles to beat the powerful forces of other gods that are set against her.
The third book, Uninvited, is the best yet. Cat's sometimes ally Marius, a cursed satyr, shows up on her doorstep in desperate straights. Though he has betrayed her in the past, Cat's feelings for Marius won't let her leave him to his fate. She must go on the run and risk everything to save him. Even with her power as a technomage well developed, dealing with pernicious gods and supernatural beings is risky business. Cat's allies and enemies are all fascinating interpretations of mythical characters, and the story has you racing through every page, and yearning for every chapter.
I cannot recommend this series strongly enough. Jamie Wyman's style is reminiscent of Neil Gaiman and Jim Butcher.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uninvited by Jamie Wyman, book three in the Etudes in C#, is a fantastic read. From beginning to end, the reader is riding a roller coaster of action and emotion. Puny mortals, Satyrs, trickster Gods, kind-hearted immortals, and stomach churning nightmares made real, all fill these pages.
Cat, slighted by Marius in Unveiled, is left with a choice to help him or leave him to his own devices when he appears on her doorstep, bleeding and desperate. It's her birthday and she and Flynn have plans for the evening. Flynn is even less pleased to find him there. Cat's choice sets them all on a whirlwind search, flight, and a few fights. Along the way she learns more about Marius and about herself.
This is a story of love in adversity. Fighting for what is right, and working to right the wrongs done. Acceptance and understanding that come with some fantastic ass kicking and magic slinging.
It's fascinating, watching these characters grow, change, learn and develop. The story development unfolds smoothly and organically. It is very well written, and well worth the wait.
I'm very pleased to have had a small part in bringing this book into being.
Where do I sign up to help make the fourth book possible?

[Spunky N Sassy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spunky N Sassy Rating: 3.0

~~~~~~~~~~Tracy's ★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~

Cat is back and just in time to celebrate turning 30. She no longer has Eris or Marius to deal with after the betrayal of the last book. Then when Flynn brings her home who does she find sitting on her front door and crashing her birthday? Marius! Flynn wants to kill him and I feel as much as he has done wrong to Cat she should too. But, alas, Cat has a soft side for the satyr. She takes him to Loki, her boss, to get help but he cannot and will not help but he gives Cat two weeks off to help Marius. As if that isn't enough Marius has a brother hot to get in Cat's pants. Can she help Marius and will he turn on her again at the first chance he gets?

I have to say that I have liked this series but I just feel like this series isn't my cup of tea. I have read through 3 books now, expecting it to get better for me. For the story to engage and pull me or for me to feel a connection to the characters. However, I have felt neither. This may just be me because others love this series. So give it a try and make up your own mind. As with all my reviews they are my opinion and I leave it open for others to make up their own mind.

[S.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, with a few exceptions. There are too many instances where the main character turns into an utter doormat with the men in her life. She teases someone and it hurts these big, buff guys' feelings and she's instantly contrite and feels horrible. She needs to stop apologizing for her barbs and they need to grow a thicker skin. That, specifically, happens almost half a dozen times in the first half of Uninvited; I remember it really bothered me in the previous books as well. She's painted as such a badass, but lets the men in her life emotionally manipulate her in very small, painful ways. (It bothers me so much because I'm concerned the author isn't even aware it's happening.)

That said, I liked the story enough that I stayed up reading under the covers until almost 2am last night (during nanowrimo, when I'm 7k words behind, when I have to be up at 6am, etc.), so make of my complaints what you will. The book isn't perfect, but whatever. It was an enjoyable romp--probably the best Cat Sharp book yet--and I will definitely be backing whatever needs backing to get the fourth book published.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third in the series, this book looks at Maurius past and his relationship to Kat. It has more of a personal feel than the last book but still has a fast pace with plenty of thrills and heart in mouth moments. At the end of the book I felt bereft and sincerely hope the authour brings out the fourth book asap as I can't wait to see what happens next. If you are new to the series start from the beginning with Wild Card and prepare to binge read. (This was a pre release for backers)

[Michelle Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

The next entry in this engaging urban fantasy series gives us some much-anticipated progress in the relationship between Cat and Marius. Not that everything goes smoothly - not with these two. This projected five-book arc is building slowly and pointing toward a (we hope) satisfying end, and this volume satisfies with its own exciting conclusion.

I received a pre-pub copy as a Kickstarter reward.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg best book ever!

the way she reminds the reader of what happened previously is so subtle I don't feel like it's rehashing.

the characters are so rich, I want to be friends with them... ok, not all! Very delightful book!

[ireallyhatecornnuts ireallyhatecornnuts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear God what comes next?

I love this series with the heat of a supernova, but this is probably my favorite of the Cat Sharp books so far. Gods that befriend mortals, cults that create gods, blood that bequeaths powers. I just.

Read it. Read the entire series, but read this especially.

[CJ Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

What you've come to expect in a C# novel, witty banter, scrappy heroes against vastly overpowered antagonists, and inconvenient emotional vulnerability. There's a bit more 'romance novel' to this one, but it's also cashing in on the past two novels' emotional investment.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick review: Got it. Devoured it. Loved it. Need the next one.