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des_reads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
jasmyn9's review against another edition
4.0
How would you like to have your soul used as a poker chip - a very expensive one - but still a poker chip. Catherine has managed to have her soul traded not once, but it looks like twice now, in a high stakes poker game of the gods. Now, it's not just Greek gods we're talking about here, although Eris does play a very large roll, but gods from across the pantheons. It was really cool watching the different dieties interact with Cat, Marius, and each other. Of course no one, except the gods, is really sure that Cat's soul was up to begin with, but Cat and Marius have promised to help each other out - and maybe save them both from Eris in the end.
Cat was a fun character, but there was so much she never knew about herself - and boy was she pissed when she found out some of it. She was a computer wiz with no social life outside her little techie sphere. There were several times when Marius, the satyr, was ablt to completely steal the show from her. He was suave, sophisticated, and a complete ass - in a humorous way (Cat may disagree with me there). The story was exciting with the various gods all trying to test Cat and see what made her tick - almost like a little lab experiment. I know, a little twisted, but what else to gods have to do.
The only part of this book that rubbed me a little wrong was that it screamed sequel at me. So I hunted and looked to see what I could find. I was enjoying the story so I figured why not read the first one first? But there was none - at least not that I could find. So I kept reading thinking maybe I had totally missed something. They did eventually explain the past that was repeatedly referenced, but it was almost at the end of the book. If I was the author, I would write a quicky novella about Cat's past with Daphne as a prequel - I really want to know more now!
And on a totally random side note: I loved this cover!!!
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2013/11/review-wild-card-by-jamie-wyman.html#sthash.tNHd1GSx.dpuf
Cat was a fun character, but there was so much she never knew about herself - and boy was she pissed when she found out some of it. She was a computer wiz with no social life outside her little techie sphere. There were several times when Marius, the satyr, was ablt to completely steal the show from her. He was suave, sophisticated, and a complete ass - in a humorous way (Cat may disagree with me there). The story was exciting with the various gods all trying to test Cat and see what made her tick - almost like a little lab experiment. I know, a little twisted, but what else to gods have to do.
The only part of this book that rubbed me a little wrong was that it screamed sequel at me. So I hunted and looked to see what I could find. I was enjoying the story so I figured why not read the first one first? But there was none - at least not that I could find. So I kept reading thinking maybe I had totally missed something. They did eventually explain the past that was repeatedly referenced, but it was almost at the end of the book. If I was the author, I would write a quicky novella about Cat's past with Daphne as a prequel - I really want to know more now!
And on a totally random side note: I loved this cover!!!
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2013/11/review-wild-card-by-jamie-wyman.html#sthash.tNHd1GSx.dpuf
renpuspita's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars
Catherine Sharp is a technomancer (she can fix things, anything that connect to technology). She lose her soul to Eris, because a stupid act that she'd commit 8 years ago. When she think she will be free from the bitch goddess, turn that Eris wager her soul in a poker game. Not just an ordinary game, but a game between the gods of trick, mischief and mayhems. Cat, with the help of Marius, a satyr that cursed by Zeus so he can't feel any pleasure, try to collect a chip from gods that wager with Eris - they are Coyote, Maui, Puck and Loki- to continue the game. Each God promise Cat some things, except for Loki who his whereabout is not known. Can Cat finally get her freedom, or she must falling from one of the God that is worse than Eris herself?
Wild Card is a debut novel by Jamie Wyman, and I request this when Engtangled offer some e-ARC to be reviewed based on its blurb. The premise look interesting and different, took a new take into one of lesser goddess from Greek Myth, Eris, the Goddess of Discord. Also use some another pantheon myth like Norse, Celtic, Pacific Island and Native American. While the idea of the technomancer was fresh, Wild Card feel like some old Urban Fantasy novel I knew. It was hard to symphatize with Cat. Sometime I feel liike Ms Wyman try too hard to make Cat look strong for readers. While it success for some part, italso failed, when Cat somehow too much wallowing in self pity and look hopeless.
For a debut, Ms Wyman have so much potential. I also think that Wild Card can be split into two books, for some event and twist feel too rushed for me. The ending for this book kinda hint that there are will be many thing that Cat (and Ms Wyman) deliver to us. Anyhow, I do not agree with the blurb, especially about "falling in love" thing. If you think that Cat and Marius will fall to each other, (or have some sex scene) you will be disappointed. Wild Card is pretty much a traditional urban fantasy, and the romance part is not too much, even there are some reference to sex scenes and kissing. I will not said that Marius himself as hero material. His relationship with Cat is based on lie and deceits, because both are slave for their master. But again, if Ms Wyman decide to continue Cat's story, I wonder if she will make Cat finally romantically involved with Marius. Not just a tease here and there.
If you love urban fantasy and a different take into myth, you don't want to miss Wild Card. It's worth to try and read.
Thanks for Entangled for providing the e-ARC
Catherine Sharp is a technomancer (she can fix things, anything that connect to technology). She lose her soul to Eris, because a stupid act that she'd commit 8 years ago. When she think she will be free from the bitch goddess, turn that Eris wager her soul in a poker game. Not just an ordinary game, but a game between the gods of trick, mischief and mayhems. Cat, with the help of Marius, a satyr that cursed by Zeus so he can't feel any pleasure, try to collect a chip from gods that wager with Eris - they are Coyote, Maui, Puck and Loki- to continue the game. Each God promise Cat some things, except for Loki who his whereabout is not known. Can Cat finally get her freedom, or she must falling from one of the God that is worse than Eris herself?
Wild Card is a debut novel by Jamie Wyman, and I request this when Engtangled offer some e-ARC to be reviewed based on its blurb. The premise look interesting and different, took a new take into one of lesser goddess from Greek Myth, Eris, the Goddess of Discord. Also use some another pantheon myth like Norse, Celtic, Pacific Island and Native American. While the idea of the technomancer was fresh, Wild Card feel like some old Urban Fantasy novel I knew. It was hard to symphatize with Cat. Sometime I feel liike Ms Wyman try too hard to make Cat look strong for readers. While it success for some part, italso failed, when Cat somehow too much wallowing in self pity and look hopeless.
For a debut, Ms Wyman have so much potential. I also think that Wild Card can be split into two books, for some event and twist feel too rushed for me. The ending for this book kinda hint that there are will be many thing that Cat (and Ms Wyman) deliver to us. Anyhow, I do not agree with the blurb, especially about "falling in love" thing. If you think that Cat and Marius will fall to each other, (or have some sex scene) you will be disappointed. Wild Card is pretty much a traditional urban fantasy, and the romance part is not too much, even there are some reference to sex scenes and kissing. I will not said that Marius himself as hero material. His relationship with Cat is based on lie and deceits, because both are slave for their master. But again, if Ms Wyman decide to continue Cat's story, I wonder if she will make Cat finally romantically involved with Marius. Not just a tease here and there.
If you love urban fantasy and a different take into myth, you don't want to miss Wild Card. It's worth to try and read.
Thanks for Entangled for providing the e-ARC
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