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Immortal Vegas #2
Getting Wilde
Using her well-worn Tarot deck, magical-artifacts hunter Sara Wilde can find anything—for a price. And the price had better be right, since she needs to finance her own personal mission to rescue several young psychics recently sold on the paranormal black market.
Enter Sara’s most mysterious client and occasional lover, the wickedly sexy Magician, with a job that could yield the ultimate payday. All she’ll have to do is get behind Vatican walls… and steal the Devil himself.
But play with the Devil and you’re bound to get burned.
Pressure mounts for Sara to join the Magician’s ancient and mysterious Arcana Council, as militant forces unleashed by even darker powers seek to destroy all magic—including the young psychics Sara is desperate to keep safe. The Council may be their only hope. . . but it could also expose Sara’s own dark past.
From the twisting catacombs of Rome to the neon streets of Vegas, Sara confronts ancient enemies, powerful demigods, a roiling magical underworld about to explode… and immortal passions that might require the ultimate sacrifice. But oh, what a way to go.
No matter how the cards play out, things are about to get Wilde.
Enter Sara’s most mysterious client and occasional lover, the wickedly sexy Magician, with a job that could yield the ultimate payday. All she’ll have to do is get behind Vatican walls… and steal the Devil himself.
But play with the Devil and you’re bound to get burned.
Pressure mounts for Sara to join the Magician’s ancient and mysterious Arcana Council, as militant forces unleashed by even darker powers seek to destroy all magic—including the young psychics Sara is desperate to keep safe. The Council may be their only hope. . . but it could also expose Sara’s own dark past.
From the twisting catacombs of Rome to the neon streets of Vegas, Sara confronts ancient enemies, powerful demigods, a roiling magical underworld about to explode… and immortal passions that might require the ultimate sacrifice. But oh, what a way to go.
No matter how the cards play out, things are about to get Wilde.
Audible Audio
First published August 18, 2015
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About the author
Jenn Stark
34 books439 followersMost recent release:
Working on: The Lost Queen, Dec. 2018
Jenn Stark is a Golden Heart award-winning author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. She lives and writes in Ohio. . . and she definitely loves to write. :) In addition to her urban fantasy Immortal Vegas and Wilde Justice series and her paranormal romance Demon Enforcers series, she is also author Jennifer McGowan, whose Maids of Honor series of Young Adult Elizabethan spy romances are published by Simon & Schuster, and author Jennifer Chance, whose Rule Breakers series of New Adult contemporary romances are published by Random House/LoveSwept and whose modern royals series, Gowns & Crowns, is now available.
This author also goes by Jennifer McGowan. See that Goodreads author page
here .
Working on: The Lost Queen, Dec. 2018
Jenn Stark is a Golden Heart award-winning author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. She lives and writes in Ohio. . . and she definitely loves to write. :) In addition to her urban fantasy Immortal Vegas and Wilde Justice series and her paranormal romance Demon Enforcers series, she is also author Jennifer McGowan, whose Maids of Honor series of Young Adult Elizabethan spy romances are published by Simon & Schuster, and author Jennifer Chance, whose Rule Breakers series of New Adult contemporary romances are published by Random House/LoveSwept and whose modern royals series, Gowns & Crowns, is now available.
This author also goes by Jennifer McGowan. See that Goodreads author page
here .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews
August 19, 2017
I don't even know how I finished this book, let alone WHY. This was by far one of the worst books I've read in a long time. I guess there were slivers of plot I found intriguing, but they all dangled on threads, so it was more like watching a twenty car pile up never ending and waiting for it to blow up.
This is the first book in the series and it read more like the second or third. The reader is immediately thrown into this story with no explanation of anything and it's like you're expected to understand everything. The things that need to be explained never are and the things that make sense are rammed into your head to no end. The pacing is extremely choppy. I had to reread way too much to have a clue as to what was going on. I never felt on edge; I had to keep myself from yawning and skimming.
The synopsis of this book is a million times better than the actual plot. I feel like the plot changed five times throughout this story. Not in a "it developed and evolved" type of change, but that it came off as one thing, then derailed, then derailed again, and then again. The magic and supernatural stuff were never fully explained, thus I didn't care for it. There was no excitement or danger with the council or SANCTUS. All the characters are very one note and when try to come off as badass, just fall flat. Sara is a boring protagonist and I did not care about any of the "sexy" men coming into her life.
Speaking of that... what the hell was up with that? Who the hell read this book and thought "sexy" was an accurate description? Rapey is way closer than any semblance of sexy. Sara visibly - and sometimes verbally - expresses she wants nothing to do with these guys pursuing her and yet they continue to slam her into walls and kiss her and try to convince her that yes, she wants this. Fucking gag me with a spoon. I did NOT care. And I'd be fine if there were a bunch sexy bits in there that a) made sense and b) were even halfway consensual on both parties, then I'd be so game. But this story can't even decide if it's paranormal romance/erotica or urban fantasy. It's like it constantly gets confused every other chapter and just tries shit out, because why not.
I'm glad this was a free book, because I would have been pissed if I spent money on this. I have no intention of reading the rest of this series. And I love "dark" stories, especially fantasies, but there is zero depth or intrigue in this. There are better dark tales out there. Don't waste your time or money on this.
This is the first book in the series and it read more like the second or third. The reader is immediately thrown into this story with no explanation of anything and it's like you're expected to understand everything. The things that need to be explained never are and the things that make sense are rammed into your head to no end. The pacing is extremely choppy. I had to reread way too much to have a clue as to what was going on. I never felt on edge; I had to keep myself from yawning and skimming.
The synopsis of this book is a million times better than the actual plot. I feel like the plot changed five times throughout this story. Not in a "it developed and evolved" type of change, but that it came off as one thing, then derailed, then derailed again, and then again. The magic and supernatural stuff were never fully explained, thus I didn't care for it. There was no excitement or danger with the council or SANCTUS. All the characters are very one note and when try to come off as badass, just fall flat. Sara is a boring protagonist and I did not care about any of the "sexy" men coming into her life.
Speaking of that... what the hell was up with that? Who the hell read this book and thought "sexy" was an accurate description? Rapey is way closer than any semblance of sexy. Sara visibly - and sometimes verbally - expresses she wants nothing to do with these guys pursuing her and yet they continue to slam her into walls and kiss her and try to convince her that yes, she wants this. Fucking gag me with a spoon. I did NOT care. And I'd be fine if there were a bunch sexy bits in there that a) made sense and b) were even halfway consensual on both parties, then I'd be so game. But this story can't even decide if it's paranormal romance/erotica or urban fantasy. It's like it constantly gets confused every other chapter and just tries shit out, because why not.
I'm glad this was a free book, because I would have been pissed if I spent money on this. I have no intention of reading the rest of this series. And I love "dark" stories, especially fantasies, but there is zero depth or intrigue in this. There are better dark tales out there. Don't waste your time or money on this.
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June 3, 2017DNF at 30%. I just wasn't getting into the story...I don't think the authors style of writing is for me, so I decided to cut my losses and move on.
December 20, 2016
**I received this book for free from (Publisher) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*My Thoughts*
Getting Wilde is the first full length novel in a promising new series called Immortal Vegas. After reading One Wilde Night the day before this book, I got jist of what Jenn Stark's main character Sara Wilde is all about. I like Sara. I really do. I think that she uses Tarot Cards in order to find artifacts for the council. I do wish, however, that Jenn had created a bit of background between Sara and the other members of the Arcana Council who she met before this story picks up. Between the novella, and this book, Sara has had a half dozen adventures working for Magician aka Armaeus. She's met The Foul, The High Priestess, and knows about the Emperor and Empresses. In this installment, Sara meets the Devil himself Alexsander Kreios.
*Full Review Posted to Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Expected publication: August 18th 2015 by Elewyn Publishing
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*My Thoughts*
Getting Wilde is the first full length novel in a promising new series called Immortal Vegas. After reading One Wilde Night the day before this book, I got jist of what Jenn Stark's main character Sara Wilde is all about. I like Sara. I really do. I think that she uses Tarot Cards in order to find artifacts for the council. I do wish, however, that Jenn had created a bit of background between Sara and the other members of the Arcana Council who she met before this story picks up. Between the novella, and this book, Sara has had a half dozen adventures working for Magician aka Armaeus. She's met The Foul, The High Priestess, and knows about the Emperor and Empresses. In this installment, Sara meets the Devil himself Alexsander Kreios.
*Full Review Posted to Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Expected publication: August 18th 2015 by Elewyn Publishing
August 21, 2015
3 1/2
Nice UF with a somewhat fresh (to me) idea of a world, and some old clichés that appear to solidify along the story.
I could have done without the strange sexual compulsion (even if it hints at something different). I loved she's keen to resist it, even if for the "wrong" reasons :D
My only nit is that she's a pawn, and doesn't do much against it. Nor she looks actively for information, which is strange both for her "job" and her "mission". She starts strong, but she's defanged along the way. It's a pity. She doesn't have to be stronger than the other characters (she can't), but at least smarter would help... :D
We'll see if the next installment we'll up the game or Sara'll be a bit of a disappointment. At the moment it could go both way, if the author doesn't twist those big cliches left hanging. :)
A nice read, unless you are completely burned out on UF.
Nice UF with a somewhat fresh (to me) idea of a world, and some old clichés that appear to solidify along the story.
I could have done without the strange sexual compulsion (even if it hints at something different). I loved she's keen to resist it, even if for the "wrong" reasons :D
My only nit is that she's a pawn, and doesn't do much against it. Nor she looks actively for information, which is strange both for her "job" and her "mission". She starts strong, but she's defanged along the way. It's a pity. She doesn't have to be stronger than the other characters (she can't), but at least smarter would help... :D
We'll see if the next installment we'll up the game or Sara'll be a bit of a disappointment. At the moment it could go both way, if the author doesn't twist those big cliches left hanging. :)
A nice read, unless you are completely burned out on UF.
March 31, 2016
I received this copy from Elewyn Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
5 Greed, Speed & Need Stars.
Present day – Paris.
Sarah Wilde is a finder of arcane/magical artifacts. While wrapping up her last find that also being harder than the client told her so the money was doubled and then tripled. On her way to pass money on to Father Jerome to give him money to look for missing children. Throughout the community of the connected a lot of children have gone missing or turned up dead. Sarah is on the search for two specific girls, sisters, the Kavala Sisters who can foresee the future.
Unfortunately the job is going tits up and she is saved by one of the members of the Arcane Council the Magician. Armaeus is the Magician has contracted Sarah in the past to find artifacts this time it is no different. The council is gathering and they gather many artifacts and rarely give them back.
Sarah is one kick ass heroine, with humor, a nice gun and tarot cards to help her out. But there is something that Sarah is hiding more subconsciously than anything else.
I struggled at the beginning with the whole world building getting into the book and I was very close to putting it on hold but I’m glad I didn’t.
Once you overcome the first couple of chapters you’re so emerged that you don’t want to put it down. The main characters are all unique in their own right and the secondary characters are on par with the main characters as well.
Not sure what to think of Armaeus he keeps his cards close to his chest and unsure of what his end game is. Sarah tries to keep her distance from Armaeus but it doesn’t work. They have chemistry.
On top of that the SWAT version of the Swiss Guards are hot on her heels.
Present day – Rome
Sarah has been given an artifact to break into the Necropolis under the Vatican City. She isn’t entirely sure what she is stealing. Problem with the artifact to get in you can’t out with it. She is to bring what she has retrieved to Las Vegas. Where the Arcane council resides.
After being semi successful she figures out what she has taken.
You’ve got to be freaking kidding me.” I snapped. “Armaeus sent me after the actual Devil? As in the Prince of Darkness, Father of Lies, Enemy of Righteousness – you’re what I stole from the Vatican?”
“Speak of the Devil.” He said, his voice as heart wrenchingly beautiful as his features. “And he shall appear.”
Sarah and Alexander Kreios go on a road trip together. Well, Alexander ditches Sarah and saves him.
Yeah well, he was wearing a Templar robe, Kreios, and it looked like the real deal. I thought that order dies out, oh about 800 years ago.” “The Templar still have a robust following.”
“Yeah, well, so do skinheads.”
For me it a toss-up for liking the Devil or the Magician more. But I think I would have to say that it would be the Devil. He is funny, charming, honest, and reckless and they have chemistry. Not a love triangle per se. But it might develop throughout the series?
Present day – Las Vegas
The shit hits the fan and it is one hell of a ride. What with being gassed then working for the council specifically the High Priestess with the help of Nikki, her carnie friend it gets cut a bit fine. Throw in a detective from Memphis who knows Sarah as someone else and you have a kick ass story.
Ending of the book
”Miss Wilde,” the Magician purred. I felt myself sliding back down a rabbit hole of unconsciousness, unable to escape. “It’s time for our work to begin.”
5 Greed, Speed & Need Stars.
Present day – Paris.
Sarah Wilde is a finder of arcane/magical artifacts. While wrapping up her last find that also being harder than the client told her so the money was doubled and then tripled. On her way to pass money on to Father Jerome to give him money to look for missing children. Throughout the community of the connected a lot of children have gone missing or turned up dead. Sarah is on the search for two specific girls, sisters, the Kavala Sisters who can foresee the future.
Unfortunately the job is going tits up and she is saved by one of the members of the Arcane Council the Magician. Armaeus is the Magician has contracted Sarah in the past to find artifacts this time it is no different. The council is gathering and they gather many artifacts and rarely give them back.
Sarah is one kick ass heroine, with humor, a nice gun and tarot cards to help her out. But there is something that Sarah is hiding more subconsciously than anything else.
I struggled at the beginning with the whole world building getting into the book and I was very close to putting it on hold but I’m glad I didn’t.
Once you overcome the first couple of chapters you’re so emerged that you don’t want to put it down. The main characters are all unique in their own right and the secondary characters are on par with the main characters as well.
Not sure what to think of Armaeus he keeps his cards close to his chest and unsure of what his end game is. Sarah tries to keep her distance from Armaeus but it doesn’t work. They have chemistry.
On top of that the SWAT version of the Swiss Guards are hot on her heels.
Present day – Rome
Sarah has been given an artifact to break into the Necropolis under the Vatican City. She isn’t entirely sure what she is stealing. Problem with the artifact to get in you can’t out with it. She is to bring what she has retrieved to Las Vegas. Where the Arcane council resides.
After being semi successful she figures out what she has taken.
You’ve got to be freaking kidding me.” I snapped. “Armaeus sent me after the actual Devil? As in the Prince of Darkness, Father of Lies, Enemy of Righteousness – you’re what I stole from the Vatican?”
“Speak of the Devil.” He said, his voice as heart wrenchingly beautiful as his features. “And he shall appear.”
Sarah and Alexander Kreios go on a road trip together. Well, Alexander ditches Sarah and saves him.
Yeah well, he was wearing a Templar robe, Kreios, and it looked like the real deal. I thought that order dies out, oh about 800 years ago.” “The Templar still have a robust following.”
“Yeah, well, so do skinheads.”
For me it a toss-up for liking the Devil or the Magician more. But I think I would have to say that it would be the Devil. He is funny, charming, honest, and reckless and they have chemistry. Not a love triangle per se. But it might develop throughout the series?
Present day – Las Vegas
The shit hits the fan and it is one hell of a ride. What with being gassed then working for the council specifically the High Priestess with the help of Nikki, her carnie friend it gets cut a bit fine. Throw in a detective from Memphis who knows Sarah as someone else and you have a kick ass story.
Ending of the book
”Miss Wilde,” the Magician purred. I felt myself sliding back down a rabbit hole of unconsciousness, unable to escape. “It’s time for our work to begin.”
February 11, 2018
3.5
While I like this book, I was incredibly confused for parts of the story. Sara will reference scenes that happened off page and didn't happen in the prequel that were difficult to follow and understand. I found myself having issues knowing how to navigate this world.
I gather that we have connected and they are part of the arcana and I'm not sure exactly where they are originally from.
There is also a lot of stuff that we don't know about Sara. What she's running from or what memories haunt her.
Since I'm unfamiliar with the Arcana I wish the author would have done an Arcana for dummies intro. Like when she introduced a card what exactly it meant. She'd see many Arcana symbols in places other than her cards, shed note it but not mention it to the reader which got me frustrated. I couldn't predict a single thing which I usually like but I again was having trouble following the information.
It could be the way things are written, there were a few lines within lines that tripped me up and I'd have to re read it a few time to figure it out.
Still I am interested in the story and what's to come. Are The Magician and Sara supposed to be a thing? She does seem to kiss a lot of people.
This one finally takes place in Vegas, which is good, but I also got bored during some of their meetings and information gather because Sara didn't explain a lot of the information that she was given to us. While I got the gist of the idea I didn't full well understand completely all that was happening.
And then it kinda ends. It was an awkward place to end the book. Sure she accomplished tasks but it really felt unfinished. Like the whole story was still left. I want more answers and information.
While I like this book, I was incredibly confused for parts of the story. Sara will reference scenes that happened off page and didn't happen in the prequel that were difficult to follow and understand. I found myself having issues knowing how to navigate this world.
I gather that we have connected and they are part of the arcana and I'm not sure exactly where they are originally from.
There is also a lot of stuff that we don't know about Sara. What she's running from or what memories haunt her.
Since I'm unfamiliar with the Arcana I wish the author would have done an Arcana for dummies intro. Like when she introduced a card what exactly it meant. She'd see many Arcana symbols in places other than her cards, shed note it but not mention it to the reader which got me frustrated. I couldn't predict a single thing which I usually like but I again was having trouble following the information.
It could be the way things are written, there were a few lines within lines that tripped me up and I'd have to re read it a few time to figure it out.
Still I am interested in the story and what's to come. Are The Magician and Sara supposed to be a thing? She does seem to kiss a lot of people.
This one finally takes place in Vegas, which is good, but I also got bored during some of their meetings and information gather because Sara didn't explain a lot of the information that she was given to us. While I got the gist of the idea I didn't full well understand completely all that was happening.
And then it kinda ends. It was an awkward place to end the book. Sure she accomplished tasks but it really felt unfinished. Like the whole story was still left. I want more answers and information.
December 31, 2015
3 stars= pretty good. I was pretty excited to read Getting Wilde after reading the prequel One Wilde Night- which totally lived up to it's name. And I was pretty pleased to see that I had book one as a part of the anthology Twelve Shades of Midnight - that short story unfortunately was sort of a mess. But when I saw that Stark had expanded that story, I had to give it one last try.
The extended version of the Getting Wilde is better, in that the series background is better fleshed out. There's still some of the weird parts that put me off in the original short - a very odd and confusing sex scene near the start of the story that feels like compulsion and that hints at something but I am not sure what. I also had nits with another character that engaged in seductive manipulation- though he feels like less of another potential love interest in this version. But my biggest nit was with the 'Recovery' later in the book, for someone whose job is acquiring treasures - by liberating them from their owners - her plan wasn't all that well thought out.
I guess I wish the author had taken one more pass through this story. There was such potential for the Indiana Jones type of treasure hunter that Sarah is in the prequel and I like the idea that she can use the Tarot cards to help her out in her job. I will probably still try the next book and hope that Stark pulls things together and recaptures the madcap pacing of her prequel.
The extended version of the Getting Wilde is better, in that the series background is better fleshed out. There's still some of the weird parts that put me off in the original short - a very odd and confusing sex scene near the start of the story that feels like compulsion and that hints at something but I am not sure what. I also had nits with another character that engaged in seductive manipulation- though he feels like less of another potential love interest in this version. But my biggest nit was with the 'Recovery' later in the book, for someone whose job is acquiring treasures - by liberating them from their owners - her plan wasn't all that well thought out.
I guess I wish the author had taken one more pass through this story. There was such potential for the Indiana Jones type of treasure hunter that Sarah is in the prequel and I like the idea that she can use the Tarot cards to help her out in her job. I will probably still try the next book and hope that Stark pulls things together and recaptures the madcap pacing of her prequel.
August 25, 2015
Getting Wilde by Jenn Stark
Published 2015, Elewyn
Stars: ★★★☆☆
Review also posted at: Slapdash & Sundry
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really like the characters of Sara Wilde and the Magician. I feel like this book filled in a little of the backstory that I needed it to, and it introduced some new characters that will provide some good interactions in futures stories -- Brody, Nikki, the Devil, the High Priestess, etc.
I had FUN with this book, but I had a serious problem with it -- it felt UNFINISHED. It didn't feel like there was a complete story, but instead was comprised of mostly character development and getting everything into place for future books. I appreciate the world-building, but I needed it to have that story -- which in this case seemed to be the missing girls, who turned out to be a plot device and the last 25% of the book was more setup, rather than a big explosive finish leading into the next book's story.
Overall, I'd read another, to see what happens with Sara Wilde and if all this setup was worth it. I'd give it that shot because of the snarky awesome-sauce that is Sara.
Published 2015, Elewyn
Stars: ★★★☆☆
Review also posted at: Slapdash & Sundry
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really like the characters of Sara Wilde and the Magician. I feel like this book filled in a little of the backstory that I needed it to, and it introduced some new characters that will provide some good interactions in futures stories -- Brody, Nikki, the Devil, the High Priestess, etc.
I had FUN with this book, but I had a serious problem with it -- it felt UNFINISHED. It didn't feel like there was a complete story, but instead was comprised of mostly character development and getting everything into place for future books. I appreciate the world-building, but I needed it to have that story -- which in this case seemed to be the missing girls, who turned out to be a plot device and the last 25% of the book was more setup, rather than a big explosive finish leading into the next book's story.
Overall, I'd read another, to see what happens with Sara Wilde and if all this setup was worth it. I'd give it that shot because of the snarky awesome-sauce that is Sara.
June 11, 2017
Rating: 3 out of 5.
This book was confusing.
I didn't know what was happening. The author didn't describe the world very well. And any questions the heroine had, wasn't answered. The Magician wouldn't answer anything straight.
This book was confusing.
I didn't know what was happening. The author didn't describe the world very well. And any questions the heroine had, wasn't answered. The Magician wouldn't answer anything straight.
July 13, 2018
Still on the hunt for urban fantasy, I decided to try the Immortal Vegas series when it released on audio. I like the premise of a Tarot card reader amd magical artifact hunter. Sara is snarky, and a bit complicated. She has a dark tragic past and takes on jobs with the biggest payoff in an effort to help Connected children. These children have psychic gifts. However, Sara also seems to attract trouble and often jumps in without thinking.
The Arcane Council has Sara on their radar and want her to work with them, which leads to her current case. I enjoyed all of the paranormal elements and world-building Stark provides. There is a group known as The Sanctum who seek to destroy all Connected. The Connected are individuals with abilities, including Sara and her card reading. The action scenes and suspenseful storyline quickly pulled me in.
This is where things get a little complicated for me. We have the Magician and the Devil both intriguing characters in the storyline. There is some history here but we sadly we are left in the dark. I think it would have strengthened my connection to the characters, but this is only the first novel. The sexual tension between the Magician and Sara could at times be sizzling but was doused more often than not by Sara's indecisiveness. While I like snark and can handle some impulsiveness, I struggled with Sara whenever she was around these men. Which is ashame really, because the story is action-packed and the world is interesting. I totally felt like I missed a book or chapters. I grabbed the prequel to see if that helps. Stark has given herself plenty of room for character growth..lol
Stephanie Bentley narrates and was a new to me narrator. She does a really nice job both with pacing and voices. I thought she captured the emotions each scene brought forth and would gladly listen to her again.
The first thing to note is that the Immortal Vegas series currently has ten books published. Despite my problems with out feisty heroine, a series and loyal fan base are present. I recommend you read several reviews before deciding if this is for you. The prequel, One Wilde Night is currently free for Kindle. As for me, I usually try to give a series like this three books before deciding and will be grabbing the next audiobook. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
The Arcane Council has Sara on their radar and want her to work with them, which leads to her current case. I enjoyed all of the paranormal elements and world-building Stark provides. There is a group known as The Sanctum who seek to destroy all Connected. The Connected are individuals with abilities, including Sara and her card reading. The action scenes and suspenseful storyline quickly pulled me in.
This is where things get a little complicated for me. We have the Magician and the Devil both intriguing characters in the storyline. There is some history here but we sadly we are left in the dark. I think it would have strengthened my connection to the characters, but this is only the first novel. The sexual tension between the Magician and Sara could at times be sizzling but was doused more often than not by Sara's indecisiveness. While I like snark and can handle some impulsiveness, I struggled with Sara whenever she was around these men. Which is ashame really, because the story is action-packed and the world is interesting. I totally felt like I missed a book or chapters. I grabbed the prequel to see if that helps. Stark has given herself plenty of room for character growth..lol
Stephanie Bentley narrates and was a new to me narrator. She does a really nice job both with pacing and voices. I thought she captured the emotions each scene brought forth and would gladly listen to her again.
The first thing to note is that the Immortal Vegas series currently has ten books published. Despite my problems with out feisty heroine, a series and loyal fan base are present. I recommend you read several reviews before deciding if this is for you. The prequel, One Wilde Night is currently free for Kindle. As for me, I usually try to give a series like this three books before deciding and will be grabbing the next audiobook. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
August 12, 2015
The Immortal Vegas series is my catnip--a hot magician, ancient relics, a sexy devil and a compelling cast of characters who make me hungry for more. At the center of it all is a strong heroine who is willing to risk everything to protect the defenseless in a world gone Wilde. A must read series!
February 26, 2017
I really felt like this book had much more promise than that which it delivered. I kept reading, hoping that something would develop.
The characters were interesting. I loved the inner dialog Sara had. But, the dialog with others was failing. The world that was being developed had promise, but I never really understood what exactly the magic situation were and who the connected were. I felt it was all terribly confusing. The Magician and The Devil were interesting - but still never really understood *why* they had those titles. Sara also had a past with many of these characters . . . but this was also not explored to its full extent.
The importance of they mystery and the "hunt" was also unclear to me. There was paragraph after paragraph with description and action - but it was all very flat. I found my eyes glazing over constantly. I really don't know who the enemy is and why they are they enemy. I don't understand what they are doing and why they are doing it. I understand that Sara hates them - she hides from them - and they are kidnapping . . . but beyond that is not well explained.
Every once in a while, I'd catch a small glimmer of brilliance that kept me reading. The book ends rather than finishes, leaving me with more questions that I began with.
I'm giving this 3 stars - I finished it. It was a struggle. It could have been so much more. Ultimately, it was a real disappointment, and very little could induce me to continue this series. I felt like I accomplished all I could just by finishing this one.
The characters were interesting. I loved the inner dialog Sara had. But, the dialog with others was failing. The world that was being developed had promise, but I never really understood what exactly the magic situation were and who the connected were. I felt it was all terribly confusing. The Magician and The Devil were interesting - but still never really understood *why* they had those titles. Sara also had a past with many of these characters . . . but this was also not explored to its full extent.
The importance of they mystery and the "hunt" was also unclear to me. There was paragraph after paragraph with description and action - but it was all very flat. I found my eyes glazing over constantly. I really don't know who the enemy is and why they are they enemy. I don't understand what they are doing and why they are doing it. I understand that Sara hates them - she hides from them - and they are kidnapping . . . but beyond that is not well explained.
Every once in a while, I'd catch a small glimmer of brilliance that kept me reading. The book ends rather than finishes, leaving me with more questions that I began with.
I'm giving this 3 stars - I finished it. It was a struggle. It could have been so much more. Ultimately, it was a real disappointment, and very little could induce me to continue this series. I felt like I accomplished all I could just by finishing this one.
July 2, 2018
Sara is a woman of secrets. She hunts for magical artifacts and does her best to protect those in need. A good person with way too much on her plate.
In comes the Magician (oh do not make me spell his name, Armeneus?). He has a new job for her and off we go to Rome and Las Vegas. Someone is after The Connected, those with powers.
But you know what, I had issues. At times it was good, but mostly it was ok, and I just do not know why.
The Magician felt rapey, and then not. I think it was mostly her. Cos she was all her body totally wants it, but her brain says no. But I really do not know why she says no. Sheesh, have a fling with the hunky guy and leave it at that. And then he felt rapey again. And then she was annoying again. And then I just did not know why he bothered.
She was perfect. I do not love those. Every guy falls for her. Why The Magician is all over her I do not know.
Oh and she has this secret and when it came out I did not understand why she had been on the run for 10 years...why?
Like I said, I can not put my finger on it. It was an adventure. The guy should have been hot, but was not (I liked the devil more). There were interesting side characters. There are evil baddies. But...maybe it was Sara, she was so perfect and just make up your mind woman!
Narrator; Stephanie Bentley
She did a good job and I really did not have any problems there. So it has to be the story itself I have issues with. She does her best trying to save the book
In comes the Magician (oh do not make me spell his name, Armeneus?). He has a new job for her and off we go to Rome and Las Vegas. Someone is after The Connected, those with powers.
But you know what, I had issues. At times it was good, but mostly it was ok, and I just do not know why.
The Magician felt rapey, and then not. I think it was mostly her. Cos she was all her body totally wants it, but her brain says no. But I really do not know why she says no. Sheesh, have a fling with the hunky guy and leave it at that. And then he felt rapey again. And then she was annoying again. And then I just did not know why he bothered.
She was perfect. I do not love those. Every guy falls for her. Why The Magician is all over her I do not know.
Oh and she has this secret and when it came out I did not understand why she had been on the run for 10 years...why?
Like I said, I can not put my finger on it. It was an adventure. The guy should have been hot, but was not (I liked the devil more). There were interesting side characters. There are evil baddies. But...maybe it was Sara, she was so perfect and just make up your mind woman!
Narrator; Stephanie Bentley
She did a good job and I really did not have any problems there. So it has to be the story itself I have issues with. She does her best trying to save the book
August 27, 2015
It's a darned good thing the next book comes out soon, because that ending left me ACHING for more. Jenn Stark's approach to worldbuilding is clearly to drop readers in the deep end... of a tsunami. But that's okay, because I'm totally hooked. This is an epic UF in the style of Dante Valentine, and I am seriously digging the Tarot motif. Honestly, those cards are effing creepy--what a perfect set-up for shadowy machinations, a love triangle with smoldering heat I haven't experienced since JZB-Vlane-Mac, and a kickass heroine that would make Mercy Thompson proud. Kate Daniels fans should pick this up right now. Here's hoping book two won't let me down!
Advanced reader copy received in exchange for an honest review.
Advanced reader copy received in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2015
My first book by this author but definitely not my last! I thought Ms Stark did a great job in this new urban fantasy series and her fresh approach really paid off. If you are tired of vampires and shifters and maybe demons too are beginning to pale than this series that features the Arcane world associated with tarot cards might just appeal .
Our heroine is Sara and she has the ability to find and retrieve anything using her tarot deck to help her. It's a dark world she lives in with psychics being kidnapped and their organs harvested for black magic rituals . Sara is determined to help save as many as she can but this job working for Armaeus aka the Magician seems set to pit Sara against the Vatican and that's not a war anyone wants ! Ok so go into the Vatican , find a stolen box and bring it back now that shouldn't be too difficult. Oh maybe there's the slight problem of the devil to contend with but hey all in a days work right?
Oh boy where do I start? This was fast paced and a very strong beginning to a series that's going on my wish list. I liked the feisty heroine and she seemed fearless at times. I imagined her as a cross between Indiana Jones and Lara Croft as it didn't matter what was thrown at her she ruggedly stumbled on. The scenes in the catacombs really stood out and I could picture it easily in my mind . There is definitely chemistry between Sara and the Magician but can he be trusted? Those of the Arcane like the Magician are described as demigods and they do seem to have remarkable abilities. To say more here would ruin the book for others but in this world not everything is quite what it seems. Sara is tough but she is also compassionate and she certainly goes on a Wilde ride ( pun intended!) . Please write quickly Ms Stark as I can't wait to read more .
I have discovered a prequel One Wilde Night so I'm off to click my finger and urge my fellow paranormal fans to do the same!
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review
Our heroine is Sara and she has the ability to find and retrieve anything using her tarot deck to help her. It's a dark world she lives in with psychics being kidnapped and their organs harvested for black magic rituals . Sara is determined to help save as many as she can but this job working for Armaeus aka the Magician seems set to pit Sara against the Vatican and that's not a war anyone wants ! Ok so go into the Vatican , find a stolen box and bring it back now that shouldn't be too difficult. Oh maybe there's the slight problem of the devil to contend with but hey all in a days work right?
Oh boy where do I start? This was fast paced and a very strong beginning to a series that's going on my wish list. I liked the feisty heroine and she seemed fearless at times. I imagined her as a cross between Indiana Jones and Lara Croft as it didn't matter what was thrown at her she ruggedly stumbled on. The scenes in the catacombs really stood out and I could picture it easily in my mind . There is definitely chemistry between Sara and the Magician but can he be trusted? Those of the Arcane like the Magician are described as demigods and they do seem to have remarkable abilities. To say more here would ruin the book for others but in this world not everything is quite what it seems. Sara is tough but she is also compassionate and she certainly goes on a Wilde ride ( pun intended!) . Please write quickly Ms Stark as I can't wait to read more .
I have discovered a prequel One Wilde Night so I'm off to click my finger and urge my fellow paranormal fans to do the same!
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review
January 3, 2016
I enjoyed this! Sara is a kick-ass character who reads tarot cards! She's a mix of Cassie Palmer and Jane Yellowrock! Good read!
August 2, 2018
I have been looking for a new urban fantasy series to read, and this one caught my interest right away. The genre has been dwindling over the last few years, and there just aren't as many of these stories being written.
The heroine of this series is a magic user and psychic, Sara Wilde. Sara is somewhat of a psychic private investigator. She has a talent for finding (and retrieving) things, and she is paid well to do it. But she also has an altruistic side, and is spending her earnings and talents to try to help find psychic children who have been abducted for their powers. This is complicated enough, but when you add in a Magician, a Devil, and a slighted law enforcement officer, Sara's life gets very very complicated.
I thought the action and mystery were good in this story. There was a lot happening and the pacing of the story kept things rolling without too much lag. That being said, I often felt like I was lost or missing something with this story. The world wasn't necessarily built, but was just in existence and referenced like I should know all about it. The backstory between some of the characters, particularly Sara and the Magician, was almost nonexistent. It left their interactions feeling forced to me, and I didn't buy any of the magnetism between their characters.
Of course, now that I'm writing this review, I've learned that there was a prequel to the story that I missed. I hate when that happens. Start the prequel at book 1 so I will recognize when I'm not starting at the beginning, particularly when the prequel contains necessary information and is released before "Book 1" in the series.
The focus is not on the romance in this story, and there is no absolutely clear romantic interest at this time. There are several possibilities, but I couldn't tell where our heroine was leaning. I do like that Sara is a strong female lead, and hope that she continues to grow in skill and power as the series continues. I will continue reading the series, and just hope that more things are explained in the next installment.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this audiobook that I received from the publisher, Tantor Audio.
March 7, 2019
I'd had this on my kindle for a long time and I'd read the prequel novella several years ago so I figured I'd give it a shot. It was okay. It has mid-twenty-something Sara Wilde working as a relic hunter to finance her personal mission to save and protect children with psychic/supernatural abilities. A frequent procurer of her skills is the mysterious and powerful Magician, aka Armaeus Bertrand. He's a member of the Arcana Council which is a group of powerful real-life manifestations of the characters on tarot cards. There were quite a few references to past events and jobs that Sara has done for the Magician, so much so that I went back and checked twice to make sure that this was really the first book in the series and that I hadn't accidentally picked up a later installment. It is, and I didn't, but it makes for a jarring experience.
This was a quick read so the eyeroll worthy stuff probably didn't bug me as much as it normally would if this had required a bigger time commitment from me. Like the fact that practically every man Sara meets is hot, gorgeous, and more than ready to back her up against a wall to grope and kiss her. This story has not one, not two, but three potential love interests. If this series were still "in progress" this potential love square would relegate it to the no-read-zone BUT since the series is complete I admit to peeking at some reviews to ascertain the romance end game. Since it matches what I figured would happen, any interim romance angst won't bother me...much.
All the characters need to be fleshed out more as they're all little more than stock UF stereotypes at this point. And, not gonna lie, the metaphysical woo-woo stuff didn't always make much sense to me. The world building and magic system could definitely use some firming up. Right now it feels like the author was making it up on the fly so I'm not sure how well it will hold up. That said, I did find the use of tarot cards and the presence of the Arcana Council to be interesting and definitely a new slant in the UF world, at least to me, so I'll probably read the second book to see how or if the author expands on this aspect of her story world. It has possibilities.
This was a quick read so the eyeroll worthy stuff probably didn't bug me as much as it normally would if this had required a bigger time commitment from me. Like the fact that practically every man Sara meets is hot, gorgeous, and more than ready to back her up against a wall to grope and kiss her. This story has not one, not two, but three potential love interests. If this series were still "in progress" this potential love square would relegate it to the no-read-zone BUT since the series is complete I admit to peeking at some reviews to ascertain the romance end game. Since it matches what I figured would happen, any interim romance angst won't bother me...much.
All the characters need to be fleshed out more as they're all little more than stock UF stereotypes at this point. And, not gonna lie, the metaphysical woo-woo stuff didn't always make much sense to me. The world building and magic system could definitely use some firming up. Right now it feels like the author was making it up on the fly so I'm not sure how well it will hold up. That said, I did find the use of tarot cards and the presence of the Arcana Council to be interesting and definitely a new slant in the UF world, at least to me, so I'll probably read the second book to see how or if the author expands on this aspect of her story world. It has possibilities.
August 23, 2015
An interesting, but really confusing read.
I don't know if it's because I read this when tired or it's just a failing in how I perceive things, but I had a lot of trouble telling what was real, illusionary, altered reality, dream state, or compulsion any time Sara hung around with members of the Arcana Council. Which was a bit of a problem since that was not an insignificant amount of the story. I also had problems getting a proper grasp on the difference between the Connected community as a whole and the Carnies specifically, as well as their dealings with the Arcana Council. It seemed that the Council were a secretive, shadowy cabal of seemingly immortal super-psychics and self-proclaimed keepers of the magical balance that no-one knew about, except that everyone Sara spoke to seemed to know about them as if only an idiot wouldn't.
I also don't know if it was just me, but I didn't really understand why exactly Sara did most of the stuff she did through-out this book. I got that she was trying to help out abducted or at risk child psychics, but I didn't get why that meant she had to deal with the crap the Arcana Council dished her out since the book started with her attempting to complete a job for an independent employer. Couldn't she just go find another job elsewhere? Nothing felt particularly well explained to me and rather than making me think "oh, how mysterious!" it just gave me a headache.
And what the hell was up with all that sexual compulsion? She kept saying no and both men were all "but your body says yes so you must be up for it! Maybe if I grope your tits some more?" Sexual assault, especially with magically/ psychically messing with inhibitions, is bad and wrong and I wish this entire idea that when women say no they really mean try harder would die in a fire. I know that it was kind of hinting that there was more of a connection than overwhelming unnatural lust between Sara and The Magician, but it was still incredibly skeevy and uncomfortable to read. Especially because The Magician (and the Council at large) refused to actually be straight with Sara at all and kept manipulating her in to situations she couldn't walk away from with a clean conscience
So far this all seems rather negative, but I don't mean it to be. It's true that some parts weren't to my liking and a lot of it was confusing, but it raised a lot of intriguing and not immediately answered questions. Such as why do SANCTUS hate psychics so damn much? I'd like to think it's more than because they're religious zealots, because the bible is chockful of miracles, is based around a guy who could walk on water and turn it in to wine, and church canon has a load of Saints doing crazy miraculous things, all of which seem pretty "magical" to me. Also who and what are the Arcana Council? Because they aren't "normal" psychics, though it's hinted that they used to be. If so why can't everyone be elevated to super levels? Where do the psychics even come from? Because it sounds like they're totally random and it doesn't seem like two psychic parents necessarily have psychic offspring, though it must increase chances since there are mention of old families and Houses (I think the families are/ were like vassals to the Houses or something?)
I also like how apart from Sara there don't really seem to be any "good guys". SANCTUS want everyone dead and the Arcana Council straight up said they don't really care if kids are being cut up for magic ritual ingredients as long as the balance is kept. I'm wondering if Sara is going to eventually end up leading some third faction with the help from the wider Connected community since she seems to be the only one that wants to actively stop mass genocide. I'm also wondering if she's perhaps one of the missing Arcana, though I hope not as that seems like the far easier and more predictable road taken.
Overall I think this hovers at not quite a 3 star read for me. I found it more interesting than likable, and though I wouldn't be opposed to reading the next in the series I'm not filled with extreme anticipation and a burning need to find out more. Perhaps I'll give this another read in a month or two and see if I can find a better connection to the writing then.
I don't know if it's because I read this when tired or it's just a failing in how I perceive things, but I had a lot of trouble telling what was real, illusionary, altered reality, dream state, or compulsion any time Sara hung around with members of the Arcana Council. Which was a bit of a problem since that was not an insignificant amount of the story. I also had problems getting a proper grasp on the difference between the Connected community as a whole and the Carnies specifically, as well as their dealings with the Arcana Council. It seemed that the Council were a secretive, shadowy cabal of seemingly immortal super-psychics and self-proclaimed keepers of the magical balance that no-one knew about, except that everyone Sara spoke to seemed to know about them as if only an idiot wouldn't.
I also don't know if it was just me, but I didn't really understand why exactly Sara did most of the stuff she did through-out this book. I got that she was trying to help out abducted or at risk child psychics, but I didn't get why that meant she had to deal with the crap the Arcana Council dished her out since the book started with her attempting to complete a job for an independent employer. Couldn't she just go find another job elsewhere? Nothing felt particularly well explained to me and rather than making me think "oh, how mysterious!" it just gave me a headache.
And what the hell was up with all that sexual compulsion? She kept saying no and both men were all "but your body says yes so you must be up for it! Maybe if I grope your tits some more?" Sexual assault, especially with magically/ psychically messing with inhibitions, is bad and wrong and I wish this entire idea that when women say no they really mean try harder would die in a fire. I know that it was kind of hinting that there was more of a connection than overwhelming unnatural lust between Sara and The Magician, but it was still incredibly skeevy and uncomfortable to read. Especially because The Magician (and the Council at large) refused to actually be straight with Sara at all and kept manipulating her in to situations she couldn't walk away from with a clean conscience
So far this all seems rather negative, but I don't mean it to be. It's true that some parts weren't to my liking and a lot of it was confusing, but it raised a lot of intriguing and not immediately answered questions. Such as why do SANCTUS hate psychics so damn much? I'd like to think it's more than because they're religious zealots, because the bible is chockful of miracles, is based around a guy who could walk on water and turn it in to wine, and church canon has a load of Saints doing crazy miraculous things, all of which seem pretty "magical" to me. Also who and what are the Arcana Council? Because they aren't "normal" psychics, though it's hinted that they used to be. If so why can't everyone be elevated to super levels? Where do the psychics even come from? Because it sounds like they're totally random and it doesn't seem like two psychic parents necessarily have psychic offspring, though it must increase chances since there are mention of old families and Houses (I think the families are/ were like vassals to the Houses or something?)
I also like how apart from Sara there don't really seem to be any "good guys". SANCTUS want everyone dead and the Arcana Council straight up said they don't really care if kids are being cut up for magic ritual ingredients as long as the balance is kept. I'm wondering if Sara is going to eventually end up leading some third faction with the help from the wider Connected community since she seems to be the only one that wants to actively stop mass genocide. I'm also wondering if she's perhaps one of the missing Arcana, though I hope not as that seems like the far easier and more predictable road taken.
Overall I think this hovers at not quite a 3 star read for me. I found it more interesting than likable, and though I wouldn't be opposed to reading the next in the series I'm not filled with extreme anticipation and a burning need to find out more. Perhaps I'll give this another read in a month or two and see if I can find a better connection to the writing then.
April 12, 2018
The book lost a star for having every male fall for Sara and Armaeus doesn't seem to know what the word "no" means, which would have made me give up on the book if I didn't desperately need it for 3 challenges. Of course it doesn't help that Sara seems to like it when they ignore her (although the fact that Armeaus may be using magic is icky).
Otherwise the idea of a magic council where the members are named after the major arcana is pretty interesting. Obviously Sara is going to turn out to be much more powerful than she thought and there is a major battle coming. But I don't think I can deal with the characters to read the next one.
Otherwise the idea of a magic council where the members are named after the major arcana is pretty interesting. Obviously Sara is going to turn out to be much more powerful than she thought and there is a major battle coming. But I don't think I can deal with the characters to read the next one.
September 4, 2015
This is my first book by Jenn Stark so I did not know what to expect ... but it was definitely worth it.
this was a very fast paced and action driven book, which took me by surprise. especially the beginning was great and I was hooked.
Sara is a very complex character which left the impression sometimes that she is not very likeable. she is strong and honorable in her own way but also very stubborn and sometimes I thought it would have been better to listen than to do.
all the others are similiar complex, which makes it quite difficult to find your favorites. as there is never only one side to a person. which makes it also very interesting.
in the beginning the storyline was really great but the plot overall was a bit flawed and here lies the problem for me: there was so much going on, a lot of action and developments, that the book left me a bit confused. It felt like I should know much more about the world-building, the characters and whats going than it is possible to know.
although there are some faults in this book, I am eager to read the next one and really hope, it won't be long
Disclaimer: An ARC was provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
this was a very fast paced and action driven book, which took me by surprise. especially the beginning was great and I was hooked.
Sara is a very complex character which left the impression sometimes that she is not very likeable. she is strong and honorable in her own way but also very stubborn and sometimes I thought it would have been better to listen than to do.
all the others are similiar complex, which makes it quite difficult to find your favorites. as there is never only one side to a person. which makes it also very interesting.
in the beginning the storyline was really great but the plot overall was a bit flawed and here lies the problem for me: there was so much going on, a lot of action and developments, that the book left me a bit confused. It felt like I should know much more about the world-building, the characters and whats going than it is possible to know.
although there are some faults in this book, I am eager to read the next one and really hope, it won't be long
Disclaimer: An ARC was provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
December 24, 2016
This was gym reading for me, aka free or cheap on the Kindle. It took me a while to get though because December is busy and I wasn't at the gym as much as I'd like. I ended up finishing this on Xmas Eve after I finished another book earlier.
I feel like I should have liked this book, but I just didn't. The premise is fine, but there were a lot of problems. This doesn't feel like a first book in a series. It feels like I'm missing a lot of backstory. And the overall story here felt disjointed and weird. There wasn't really a conclusion to a story, but more like bits and pieces of other stories that I should already be informed on, but I'm not. It read more like the episode of a tv show that's there to advance the overall story arc of the season, rather than the "monster of the week" variety. Except we're plopped right down in the middle of that story arc, without the beginning for it to make much sense. I don't know. I wouldn't read any more.
I feel like I should have liked this book, but I just didn't. The premise is fine, but there were a lot of problems. This doesn't feel like a first book in a series. It feels like I'm missing a lot of backstory. And the overall story here felt disjointed and weird. There wasn't really a conclusion to a story, but more like bits and pieces of other stories that I should already be informed on, but I'm not. It read more like the episode of a tv show that's there to advance the overall story arc of the season, rather than the "monster of the week" variety. Except we're plopped right down in the middle of that story arc, without the beginning for it to make much sense. I don't know. I wouldn't read any more.
May 4, 2019
Full review: https://girlswithguns.org/getting-wil...
If it sounds rather complex and confusing, that’s about right. You’d expect the first book in a series to set out the universe and its rules fairly clearly. But here, you’re largely dropped in to the middle of things, then have to try and figure out what’s going on, from nuggets dropped by Sara almost in passing. Maybe previous knowledge of Tarot might help? It also suffers from incompleteness, a sadly common trait in e-books; Stark sets up the characters and plot, then more or less ends in “Buy volume 2!” rather than offering any resolution. The book’s attitude to sex is kinda weird as well. Wilde doesn’t actually have any, but comes perilously close on multiple occasions, to the extent this seems like some kind of edging fetish.
If it sounds rather complex and confusing, that’s about right. You’d expect the first book in a series to set out the universe and its rules fairly clearly. But here, you’re largely dropped in to the middle of things, then have to try and figure out what’s going on, from nuggets dropped by Sara almost in passing. Maybe previous knowledge of Tarot might help? It also suffers from incompleteness, a sadly common trait in e-books; Stark sets up the characters and plot, then more or less ends in “Buy volume 2!” rather than offering any resolution. The book’s attitude to sex is kinda weird as well. Wilde doesn’t actually have any, but comes perilously close on multiple occasions, to the extent this seems like some kind of edging fetish.
September 1, 2015
Lusting to be called "Miss Wilde"! Dark mysterious magician will have you salivating!
Getting Wilde by Jenn Stark is on fleek!!! The world Stark has created has a distinctive unique magical flare. The new and audacious jumps out at you at every turn. Sara is my new favorite kickass heroine with her humble and steadfast ways. She seems to outshine everyone around her. In walks, the mysterious magician in all his wicked glory. Trust me when I say, his magic will speak to you. This story will leave you begging for more. I found myself bouncing up and down any time the magician and Sara were in the same room together, the sexual tension in the room was palpable. Wonderful!
RA pick for Best NEW urban fantasy series of 2015!
Getting Wilde by Jenn Stark is on fleek!!! The world Stark has created has a distinctive unique magical flare. The new and audacious jumps out at you at every turn. Sara is my new favorite kickass heroine with her humble and steadfast ways. She seems to outshine everyone around her. In walks, the mysterious magician in all his wicked glory. Trust me when I say, his magic will speak to you. This story will leave you begging for more. I found myself bouncing up and down any time the magician and Sara were in the same room together, the sexual tension in the room was palpable. Wonderful!
RA pick for Best NEW urban fantasy series of 2015!
September 17, 2015
– Just did not see the point of this one. It was all backstory and world building and then it was just like the author got tired of writing and just quit.
June 23, 2018
After the excitement of the prequel, One Wilde Night, I was prepared for full-throttle thrills in this full-length adventure in the Immortal Vegas Urban Fantasy series. Sara Wilde lives up to her name though usually its more because wild times find her rather than she goes looking. Stephanie Bentley is already a favorite narrator and did a smashing job with the story.
Getting Wilde dove right in and didn't slow down as Sara's magical artifact hunting pits her with and against some pretty big secret Arcane magical organizations with equally big agendas. Sara's what I think of as a tough gal with a bleeding heart. She isn't out to make money for herself. She goes after these dangerous jobs that pay out good so she can save the most vulnerable of The Connected (what this world calls those with psychic gifts like Sara), the children. She has a dark painful past that seems to be driving her to do this mission even if it might kill her first. One of the big powers of the Arcane Council has a close interest in her and her work, but this just agitates Sara. She's attracted to the enigmatic man known as The Magician, but they have something of a sizzling hot/cold thing going because Sara refuses to fall for his charm and be dependent on someone else trying to take charge.
I'm on the fence about this book/series. I like heroines like Sara, but I also find her annoying particularly when she gets anywhere near men like The Magician or The Devil. She goes charging in without all the facts, shooting off her mouth, but then takes a 'deal with it- this is how I roll' attitude to show she can run with the big dogs. It works for this sort of story, but that attitude survives in a 'more lucky than good' and irritates me, particularly when she does get some big help from Armaeus the Magician, even while I'm enjoying the overall story. On the flip side, I like the acrimonious banter and the slow build and tension that crackles between Sara and Armaeus who has his own secrets to match hers.
And, like with the prequel, Getting Wilde just dumps the reader into the middle of something. I felt off kilter for the longest time. It references back a history of Sara and The Magician from the point the prequel ended and I felt much of that would have been better off either put directly into the book as a scene or just not mentioned at all. The part that definitely needed to be in the story was the encounters including the sexual one with the Magician. It was like when you jump into the middle of the series- or maybe you get an excerpt from the middle of a book- and you known right away that you missed all that came before and need to go back for the other books.
Now, that said, I love the Immortal Vegas world. The paranormal element of various psychic gifts in humans called The Connected including Sara's own Tarot Card reading foretelling that helps her with her finder's work. There are secret organizations that are fleshed out a bit later in this book including a big baddy (The SANCTUM) that has genocide of all Connected and nefarious purposes for magical artifacts which places them in opposition to Sara and another group called the Arcane Council. The world of this story is fast-paced treasure hunting style which I love and enough danger to have me trying to squeeze in just one more chapter before I clicked off my device.
Stephanie Bentley was great as Sara and the cast of characters. I was thinking she'd go gruff with a heroine like Sara, but she didn't and I liked how it portrayed the vulnerability as well as strength in her. Her men's voices were right on the money even with the accents. What I was most impressed with was her ability to do the action since the last book she did that I heard wasn't an action plot. She dazzled me once again.
So, I think I'll press forward and see if some of what bothered me smooths out now that the series is underway and that Sara will grow on me more. There's a bit of a love triangle, but I'm not sure if it will turn into anything serious. I definitely want more of Sara out there in her work gritting it out and escaping by the skin of her teeth and antagonizing Armaeus the Magician. The overall plot was a great launching point for the rest of the series. I think Urban Fantasy lovers should definitely give this series a go.
My thanks to Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Getting Wilde dove right in and didn't slow down as Sara's magical artifact hunting pits her with and against some pretty big secret Arcane magical organizations with equally big agendas. Sara's what I think of as a tough gal with a bleeding heart. She isn't out to make money for herself. She goes after these dangerous jobs that pay out good so she can save the most vulnerable of The Connected (what this world calls those with psychic gifts like Sara), the children. She has a dark painful past that seems to be driving her to do this mission even if it might kill her first. One of the big powers of the Arcane Council has a close interest in her and her work, but this just agitates Sara. She's attracted to the enigmatic man known as The Magician, but they have something of a sizzling hot/cold thing going because Sara refuses to fall for his charm and be dependent on someone else trying to take charge.
I'm on the fence about this book/series. I like heroines like Sara, but I also find her annoying particularly when she gets anywhere near men like The Magician or The Devil. She goes charging in without all the facts, shooting off her mouth, but then takes a 'deal with it- this is how I roll' attitude to show she can run with the big dogs. It works for this sort of story, but that attitude survives in a 'more lucky than good' and irritates me, particularly when she does get some big help from Armaeus the Magician, even while I'm enjoying the overall story. On the flip side, I like the acrimonious banter and the slow build and tension that crackles between Sara and Armaeus who has his own secrets to match hers.
And, like with the prequel, Getting Wilde just dumps the reader into the middle of something. I felt off kilter for the longest time. It references back a history of Sara and The Magician from the point the prequel ended and I felt much of that would have been better off either put directly into the book as a scene or just not mentioned at all. The part that definitely needed to be in the story was the encounters including the sexual one with the Magician. It was like when you jump into the middle of the series- or maybe you get an excerpt from the middle of a book- and you known right away that you missed all that came before and need to go back for the other books.
Now, that said, I love the Immortal Vegas world. The paranormal element of various psychic gifts in humans called The Connected including Sara's own Tarot Card reading foretelling that helps her with her finder's work. There are secret organizations that are fleshed out a bit later in this book including a big baddy (The SANCTUM) that has genocide of all Connected and nefarious purposes for magical artifacts which places them in opposition to Sara and another group called the Arcane Council. The world of this story is fast-paced treasure hunting style which I love and enough danger to have me trying to squeeze in just one more chapter before I clicked off my device.
Stephanie Bentley was great as Sara and the cast of characters. I was thinking she'd go gruff with a heroine like Sara, but she didn't and I liked how it portrayed the vulnerability as well as strength in her. Her men's voices were right on the money even with the accents. What I was most impressed with was her ability to do the action since the last book she did that I heard wasn't an action plot. She dazzled me once again.
So, I think I'll press forward and see if some of what bothered me smooths out now that the series is underway and that Sara will grow on me more. There's a bit of a love triangle, but I'm not sure if it will turn into anything serious. I definitely want more of Sara out there in her work gritting it out and escaping by the skin of her teeth and antagonizing Armaeus the Magician. The overall plot was a great launching point for the rest of the series. I think Urban Fantasy lovers should definitely give this series a go.
My thanks to Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
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March 3, 2020The world building was fun and interesting. Using tarot cards to shape an urban fantasy world is something I've always wanted to play with as a writer, and I liked the way the author did it. I wanted more of that and more of the tarot "characters."
Sara was an interesting character, though I never fully connected with her--or any of the others except maybe for Nikki, who I loved.
As for the plot ... I am so confused. I'm not really sure what happened or why, and the story ended abruptly for me. I don't mind cliffhangers, but so much was left dangling, it didn't feel like a complete story. I'm still not sure what the main conflict was. It almost felt like this book was more of a setup for the rest of the series than a full-length story.
I bought book 2, but I'm not sure if I'll continue with this series. Maybe I'll come back to it later.
Sara was an interesting character, though I never fully connected with her--or any of the others except maybe for Nikki, who I loved.
As for the plot ... I am so confused. I'm not really sure what happened or why, and the story ended abruptly for me. I don't mind cliffhangers, but so much was left dangling, it didn't feel like a complete story. I'm still not sure what the main conflict was. It almost felt like this book was more of a setup for the rest of the series than a full-length story.
I bought book 2, but I'm not sure if I'll continue with this series. Maybe I'll come back to it later.
July 6, 2020
4.5 Stars... This is a new to me author and I am only sorry I did not pick up her books sooner... I really enjoyed this read and discovering the world of the Connected... Sara Wilde is an intriguing and dynamic Urban Fantasy heroine that I am eager to learn more about... Her backstory appears quite complex and mysterious adding an interesting element to the current storyline (Not to mention the sexy detective that comes from her past)… Add in a secretive and sensual Armaeus and the romantic aspect of this read is kicked up a notch (Not to mention the Devil himself, Kreios!)... The overall storyline is compelling based in religious history as well as a heavy dose of mythology; add in the intense action sequences and element of mystery regarding the disappearances of the young Connected and I am hooked... I look forward to continuing this series and discovering all the secrets that lie in wait:)
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