The New York Times bestselling duo of Crusie and Mayer team up again with a hilarious paranormal novel that shows why the wildest ride a... read full description
reviews
Jan 26, 2012
Rachel C.
rated it: 
Sigh... two steps forward, one step back. Crusie and Mayer have sadly regressed from the success of "Agnes and the Hitman."
Although this book had some good laughs and twists, the Mab (Crusie) and Ethan (Mayer) storylines largely ran on parallel tracks and hardly intersected. I also think the story suffered from being overloaded with too many underdeveloped secondary characters.
I put this book down about when I was about halfway through and didn't feel any urgen More...
Although this book had some good laughs and twists, the Mab (Crusie) and Ethan (Mayer) storylines largely ran on parallel tracks and hardly intersected. I also think the story suffered from being overloaded with too many underdeveloped secondary characters.
I put this book down about when I was about halfway through and didn't feel any urgen More...
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Oct 01, 2011
Brownbetty
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This book is going to be really confusing for a lot of readers who found it, as I did, in the romance section. When you find a book in the romance section, you sort of expect that if there are two pov characters they will end up together. Instead <spoiler>one of our pov characters finds the man she is (narratively) meant to end up with, only after being knocked up by a demonic clown. (But don't worry, he's the nice kind of demonic clown, and they have amicable child-rearing arrangement
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Sep 06, 2011
Katharine
rated it: 
Jennifer Crusie finally gets around to the supernatural in WILD RIDE, and Crusie lovers may be amused. The wildest ride at the Dreamland Amusement Park isn’t the roller coaster, but the truth is way too much for Mary Alice Brannigan (AKA Mab) to believe. Mab doesn’t believe in the supernatural, despite her mother telling her she was demon spawn. But the truth of the matter is, Dreamland is actually a prison for the Five Untouchables, the most powerful demons in the history of the world.
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May 22, 2011
Claire
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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May 18, 2011
Christine
rated it:
I liked this story; it was basically good fun. It takes place in an amusement park in Ohio that doubles as a prison for five powerful demons. The Guardia keep them locked away with special powers that pass to another poor soul when they die, creating a new generation of demon fighters/wardens.
But of course, the demons want out. Ånd they begin to escape, one at a time, while mortals make deals with the devil for their own personal gain and the two main characters -- Mab and Ethan -- More...
But of course, the demons want out. Ånd they begin to escape, one at a time, while mortals make deals with the devil for their own personal gain and the two main characters -- Mab and Ethan -- More...
Mar 21, 2011
Sue
rated it:
I've been torn on what to think about Jennifer Crusie's collaborations with Bob Mayer. The first time I read their first book together, "Don't Look Down", I spent so much time trying to figure out who wrote what that I found it hard to get into the story, and it was only after a few readings that the book grew on me. Maybe it was because it came on the heels of Crusie's "Bet Me", which is one of her best books, but "Don't Look Down" has never been one of my favori
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Jan 02, 2011
drey
rated it:
I always love a Jennifer Crusie book for a quick fun read, and when I saw this one in the "new books" section at my local library, I just had to bring it home... And when work for my day job drove me completely nuts, I picked this up for some brain relaxation.
And brain relaxation it provided. Mab--Mary Alice Brannigan--is working on restorations at Dreamland (an amusement park) when she gets run over by a clown. Not the kind that scares kids at parties, but one of the metal s More...
And brain relaxation it provided. Mab--Mary Alice Brannigan--is working on restorations at Dreamland (an amusement park) when she gets run over by a clown. Not the kind that scares kids at parties, but one of the metal s More...
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Oct 17, 2010
Jenny
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Jul 28, 2010
The Library Lady
rated it: 
Jenny, Jenny, I've been watching "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and I get what you've seen in it all these years. But Bob Mayer is no Josh Whedon and if you insist on going in this direction you need a new collaborator. Better still, what about those other books you've been promising on your blog for the last few years? Your own books that are head and shoulders above any other "chick lit" writer out there. The ones I re-read and love every time that I do!
This has its More...
This has its More...
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May 18, 2010
Mel
rated it:
If you are a fan of Jennifer Cruise, you may or may not like this book. This is evident by the wide swing in reviews. Since she has begun writing with Bob Mayer things have changed a bit. Some like it, some don’t.
First let me say up front that this was a very well written book. It had an absorbing plot that kept me guessing to the end. It had an originality of ideas that is just not found these days in much of what is being published. The characters were well written. The dialogue wa More...
First let me say up front that this was a very well written book. It had an absorbing plot that kept me guessing to the end. It had an originality of ideas that is just not found these days in much of what is being published. The characters were well written. The dialogue wa More...
May 04, 2010
Amy
rated it: 
This was a fascinating book and I loved every page!
Imagine an amusement park as a prison for demons. Now imagine what might happen when that park gets a facelift from someone who doesn't KNOW it's a demonic prison. The roller coaster starts here.
Odd coincidences are proven not to be, strangers aren't, and those who run the park are really jailers. Sound weird? It is - wonderfully so! I haven't read anything with such a unique premise in a long time, and I enjoyed every More...
Imagine an amusement park as a prison for demons. Now imagine what might happen when that park gets a facelift from someone who doesn't KNOW it's a demonic prison. The roller coaster starts here.
Odd coincidences are proven not to be, strangers aren't, and those who run the park are really jailers. Sound weird? It is - wonderfully so! I haven't read anything with such a unique premise in a long time, and I enjoyed every More...
Apr 06, 2010
Rose
rated it:
I knew in advance that I would love this book because it was by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (I really need to finally read Don't Look Down since I loved Agnes and the Hitman and this one so much) and because it was about an amusement park that is also a demon prison.
My one quibble is that there were so many characters that no two of them interacted as much as I wanted them to. I especially would have liked to see Ethan and Mab spend more time together, although that's definitely More...
My one quibble is that there were so many characters that no two of them interacted as much as I wanted them to. I especially would have liked to see Ethan and Mab spend more time together, although that's definitely More...
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Mar 23, 2010
Ashley
rated it:
I am so disappointed. I loved Agnes and the Hitman and was really anticipating this book. Granted, their first book, Don't Look Down, was not as funny, but maybe they were still working the kinks out of the team writing style or something. Anyway, Wild Ride started out very promising (don't worry, no spoilers) - a social misfit female protagonist who restores carnival art is restoring this run-down amusement park filled with the standard kooky characters you'd expect. Then the burned-out, wounde
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Dec 09, 2010
Rose
rated it:
Ah, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer. Probably the only two authors I can think of who can create a somewhat likable cast of characters and somehow weave demonic teddy bears into the spectrum of things.
Wait...what?
"Wild Ride" is much like it's title, sporting a large cast of crazy, quirky characters in an amusement park called Dreamworld. Yet the perspective characters revolve around two individuals who aren't romantically involved but share a bond in a supernatural More...
Wait...what?
"Wild Ride" is much like it's title, sporting a large cast of crazy, quirky characters in an amusement park called Dreamworld. Yet the perspective characters revolve around two individuals who aren't romantically involved but share a bond in a supernatural More...
Apr 05, 2010
Siria
rated it:
I'm a little conflicted—I think I would have enjoyed Wild Ride more if I had been in the right mood for it. I was cranky and down and wanted some of Crusie's blend of comedy and romance and snappy dialogue to cheer me up and give my brain a rest. There is some comedy in here, and some romance and even one or two enjoyable bits of verbal humour, but despite the wacky premise (five Etruscan demon gods who have been imprisoned for all eternity in an ageing amusement park in Ohio are trying to escap
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May 01, 2010
Kit
rated it:
Every time I think Crusie and Mayer can't pull off one of their manly-man/romance combos, they surprise me by how well it works. With Wild Ride, they (like *everyone* else) tackle the paranormal genre with a manly-man romance set in a demon-possessed theme park.
On one hand, the paranormal is not their forte. I was a long way into the book before I felt like I had a good grasp on the setting, I think because neither of the authors are used to the kind of worldbuilding sci-fi-fantasy r More...
On one hand, the paranormal is not their forte. I was a long way into the book before I felt like I had a good grasp on the setting, I think because neither of the authors are used to the kind of worldbuilding sci-fi-fantasy r More...
Mar 25, 2010
Sara
rated it:
It's at times like these when reading the back cover of a book come in handy. It would have really nice to know that the book was a paranormal romance rather than a contemporary one. But once you know that you're not as thrown by Mab getting attacked by a clown statue.
I would personally like to applaud Bob Mayer and Jennifer Crusie on taking a spin on what you would normally expect to happen at the beginning of any romance novel. Usually, the two main characters that are followed through More...
I would personally like to applaud Bob Mayer and Jennifer Crusie on taking a spin on what you would normally expect to happen at the beginning of any romance novel. Usually, the two main characters that are followed through More...
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Jul 11, 2010
Barbara
rated it:
I really enjoyed this roller coaster ride of demons and love. Mary Alice Brannigan (Mab) is restoring the old amusement park for a Halloween scream weekend. The parks main focus is maintaining the five untouchable demons (including the devil) that are encased in iron statues around the park. It is the job of The Guardia - Ethan, Glenda, Gus, Delpha and Young Fred - to keep the demons locked up and keep them from causing chaos. Of course, the devil has convinced one of them to help the demo
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Jun 25, 2010
Jessica
rated it:
I happen to enjoy this book.
I just spent a very long time during the novel going: "Hurry it up all ready!"
I was ready to dive into some action, and although this book does have action in it and I enjoyed the premise of it- it...dragged.
I've read every collaboration the two have done, and as much as I enjoy their various takes on several different ideas- this one nailed it on the head for me.
What I didn't enjoy, though, was the fact that More...
I just spent a very long time during the novel going: "Hurry it up all ready!"
I was ready to dive into some action, and although this book does have action in it and I enjoyed the premise of it- it...dragged.
I've read every collaboration the two have done, and as much as I enjoy their various takes on several different ideas- this one nailed it on the head for me.
What I didn't enjoy, though, was the fact that More...
Apr 24, 2010
Lady Allison St. Vincent
rated it:
I listened to this book in audio format with Angela Dawe as the narrator so it was a different experience then just reading it would have been. I was a little annoyed with the voice Dawe did for Ethan, but I eventually got used to it & really enjoyed this story!
Basically: Mab (Mary Alice Brannigan) works at an amusement park called Dreamland restoring the park before it's famous Halloween weekend. A few weeks before Halloween, Ethan, the son of one of the park's owners, Glenda, come More...
Basically: Mab (Mary Alice Brannigan) works at an amusement park called Dreamland restoring the park before it's famous Halloween weekend. A few weeks before Halloween, Ethan, the son of one of the park's owners, Glenda, come More...
Jul 17, 2010
Patty
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Nov 28, 2010
Chris
rated it:
I was pulled in by the cover being displayed at the front of the library. I'd heard of Ms. Cruise, possibly from being on one of my book lists, and thought this might be a good introduction to her writing. What I got was a fun, light mix of simple romance, special ops, and supernatural thriller.
I found out this is one of those seasonal "throw-away" stories to keep an author's fans happy, but I really enjoyed the tale. Mab is an "all work and no play" theme park res More...
I found out this is one of those seasonal "throw-away" stories to keep an author's fans happy, but I really enjoyed the tale. Mab is an "all work and no play" theme park res More...
Aug 13, 2010
Taryn
rated it:
I love the books that Jen and Bob come up with. This one wasn't quite as all consuming as Agnes and the Hitman. LOL Man, I loved that one...but the characters were fun and the story was all Crusie with those Mayer touches of doom, gloom and action.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It's not your typical romance though. So be aware of that when you start this one. I'm a little more open minded lately because I've been reading a lot of Urban Fantasy and Suspense, so I can handle More...
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It's not your typical romance though. So be aware of that when you start this one. I'm a little more open minded lately because I've been reading a lot of Urban Fantasy and Suspense, so I can handle More...
Jul 22, 2011
Knitme23
rated it:
I read a lot of the comments on this book and they all comment on the same thing: Jennifer Crusie's wonderful writing style seems a weird match for the demon/militaristic content of this book! I was thinking of that weirdness while listening to Norah Jones on "Featuring. . . ", an album of duets where she sings all kinds of music with all kinds of people--it's still her gorgeous voice, but my! there are some strange combos out there! This book is the same: her clear, fast diction is th
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Feb 09, 2012
Olga
rated it:
The novel takes place in an amusement park with a paranormal twist: it is a demon prison. Predictably, the demons want to escape and wreak havoc on the world, and the park owners aka prison wardens want to prevent their escape. Also predictably, the two protagonists, thrust into the middle of this demonic trouble, want nothing to do with the supernatural.
Middle-aged Mab, a restoration professional, has been hired to refurbish the decaying park to its former glory. She enjoys making beauti More...
Middle-aged Mab, a restoration professional, has been hired to refurbish the decaying park to its former glory. She enjoys making beauti More...
Oct 21, 2010
Meredith
rated it:
So this is the latest Jennifer Crusie/Bob Mayer collab, and it's the best one to date. This doesn't mean this book was awesome, it just means that it's better than their previous work together. In Agnes and the Hitman, it was like when you're in upper elementary/intermediate school and you have a notebook and you write something and between class you give it to your friend and they pick up where you left off--the language is that clunky and the voice transitions that obvious. Wild Ride was a lot
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Mar 29, 2010
Cheryl
rated it:
Mary Alice “Mab” Brannigan is helping out her uncle at Dreamland, an amusement park. Mab is in charge of fixing and repairing all of the amusement park rides and statues. Mab enjoys her work, especially since she is a bit of a loner. What Mab doesn’t know is that Dreamland is the home to five of the most dangerous demons. They were banished by a group known as the Guardia. The Guardia contained the demons’ souls in containers. The demons can never leave Dreamland.
Ethan, Glenda’s son More...
Ethan, Glenda’s son More...
Apr 16, 2010
Eva
rated it:
There is nothing better than a Jennifer Crusie book to entertain you when you don't feel good and Wild Ride doesn't disappoint.
Mary Alice Branigan never got to go to Dreamland Theme Park when she was a kid, even though it's the only large employer in the small town she grew up in. Her mother wouldn't allow it. Now she's back as a restoration artist, repairing and repainting the lovely antique rides. Halloween has nearly arrived and she's working flat out, day and night, to finish More...
Mary Alice Branigan never got to go to Dreamland Theme Park when she was a kid, even though it's the only large employer in the small town she grew up in. Her mother wouldn't allow it. Now she's back as a restoration artist, repairing and repainting the lovely antique rides. Halloween has nearly arrived and she's working flat out, day and night, to finish More...
Mar 29, 2010
Melody
rated it:
What happens to demons who cannot be vanquished? Well, they are imprisoned in amusement parks in Ohio. So goes this fun and quirky story about Dreamland, where five Untouchables have been trapped in chalices for centuries and the Guardia makes sure they stay there. Fallen on hard times, an influx of cash through the sale of a half interest in the park makes it possible to hire Mab to restore the parks rides, figures, and colorful signage. Ethan grew up in the park with his mother, one of the Gua
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Jul 10, 2010
Ryan Zimmerman
rated it:
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was expecting a typical poor/average book but what I got was extremely entertaining and interesting.
First good twist - the characters are a little older than the typical young hero types. This may actually be a cultural trend as I just read a critique of the Russell Crow movie “Robin Hood” which showed a trend toward older characters (in this version Robin Hood is in his 40’s and just starting out as the folk hero. Compare this to the Sean C More...
First good twist - the characters are a little older than the typical young hero types. This may actually be a cultural trend as I just read a critique of the Russell Crow movie “Robin Hood” which showed a trend toward older characters (in this version Robin Hood is in his 40’s and just starting out as the folk hero. Compare this to the Sean C More...
