Wild Ride

By: Jennifer Crusie, Bob Mayer

Narrated by: Angela Dawe

Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Mary Alice Brannigan doesn’t believe in the supernatural. Nor does she expect to find that Dreamland, the decaying amusement park she’s been hired to restore, is a prison for the five Untouchables, the most powerful demons in the history of the world. Plus, there’s a guy she’s falling hard for, and there’s something about him that’s not quite right.

But rocky romances and demented demons aren’t the only problems in Dreamland: Mab’s also coping with a crooked politician, a supernatural raven, a secret government agency, an inexperienced sorceress, an unsettling inheritance, and some mind-boggling revelations from her past.

As her personal demons wreck her newfound relationship, and real demons wreck the park, Mab faces down immortal evil and discovers what everybody who’s ever been to an amusement park knows: The end of the ride is always the wildest.

©2010 Jennifer Crusie (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

One of the best books I've ever listened to!

It's got humor, mystery, fantasy, romance, familial love, cute baby angle, and adoring pets - what doesn't it have! All narrated by a fantastic performer, Angela Dawe. I have listened to this audiobook numerous times over 10 years and feel a pang every time I end it and leave this beautiful world behind. There is characteristic Jennifer Crusie wit and humor. The story is sharp, diverse, FUN, and super interesting. The emotions are beautiful and projected via realistic dialogue. The plot is fulfillingly complex but well executed with all questions answered. There's a lot of charm in the story and characters. And there a a lot of different and interesting characters. I sorely miss Jennifer Cruise's books and writing; I dearly wish she woukd start writing again, particularly every time I listen to this book.

It is imperative to mention the beautiful job that Angela Dawe has done in narrating the story beautifully and bringing each character to glorious life in just the right tone.

Not a single dull moment in this book. Fantastic!

A seasonal favorite!

I just love Jennifer Cruise in general but Wild Ride is always a Halloweentime read for me every single year!

Good plot, not so good characters

I normally love Crusie and Mayer writing together. This time just didn't sit right with me. It's as if they put so much into the plot and not enough into the characters. I just couldn't like them. The male lead was a drunk having a huge pity party. Even after he sobered up he didn't become likable. I never did figure out the female lead's problem and why she slept around but came off as anti-social with everyone. The other characters were so one-dimensional that I just didn't care about them. Not even when some of them died.
The idea of the "untouchable" demons trapped in an amusement park and a group of employees also trapped working at the amusement park to make sure the demons stayed trapped was engrossing. That's the only thing that kept me listening when I disliked the characters so much.

More Urban Fantasy less romance

I liked this story but I think it's best to go in not thinking of it as a Jennifer Cruise book. It's got lots of action. Very little romance. It's witty and fun but it has less laugh out loud moments I've come to expect from this author.

another fun book

This is a fair amount different than other Cruisie stories, dealing with supernatural along side with humans. I admit it was a little hard to get into at first, but once you've got the characters straight in your head, you'll enjoy the story. Honestly, a fun, fun read.

Wild Ride is Wicked Fun

If you could sum up Wild Ride in three words, what would they be?

A saucy puzzle

Who was your favorite character and why?

It is hard to choose, but if I had to pick one, it would probably be Delpha. Or the dragon.

Have you listened to any of Angela Dawe’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't heard her before, but I enjoyed her performance.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definitely.

Any additional comments?

If you like fantasy/romance, you are in for a treat. I like or love all of Jennifer Crusie's books but this one is special because it has a very interesting fantasy storyline that she doesn't usually have. I like that the characters don't just accept it and roll with it, but experience conflict, agitation, and doubt, the way I imagine any normal person would when confronted with the supernatural.

The story has some twists and turns that I found myself figuring out just as they happened, and a few I didn't see coming. There is an odd mix of characters ranging from the bored thirty-something trying not to be desperate, the career-minded Rambo-type, the happy-go-lucky trickster, the overbearing mother, and even a fortune-telling crow. There is pretty much something for everyone.

Neysayers of the story might not like the fantasy element mixed in with the author's usual romantic style, but I found it refreshing and fun. Relax and enjoy the ride!

Great Story

I really loved this book I think that the story line is great could do without the dirty word though.

decent fantasy read

Any additional comments?

Overall, the book was pretty good. It wasn't what I was expecting from this author, nor would I count it as a favorite. I enjoyed listening to it, although the story got pretty wild and ... odd at times.

Fabulous! One of my favs by Crusie, narration perf

Angela Dawe is not always a good fit, but for the Crusie/Meyer books she is a perfect fit for me.

This needs to become a movie

Angela Dawe is one of the best female narrators I've heard to date. This combined with Mayer and Crusie's story is pure pleasure that would give Strphen King a run for his money. Dialogue with the demons at the end became a little cheesy but overall this was an amazing book