Review: Excellent series continues
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 3, 2014
Mark Henwick is a terrific writer, and Wild Card is the much-anticipated 3rd book in his complicated series about Amber Farrell, ex-special-ops soldier and current paranormal investigator, and the Athanate (vampires), Werewolves, and Adept (shamans? magicians?).  You must read the earlier books before this one, as the narrative is continuous - I re-read books 1 (Sleight of Hand (Bite Back 1)) and 2 (Hidden Trump (Bite Back 2)) this week to bring myself back up to speed before I tackled Wild Card, and Henwick's large cast of characters, complex plot, and intricate alternate world snapped nicely back into focus.  Intelligent, amusing, moving, and exhilirating, the series is very satisfying to read.Wild Card is perhaps over-long, with a few too many plot points brought in, and the introduction of a rogue serial killer, which is the primary plot-driver, didn't entirely work for me; the identity of the rogue was apparent from the first time he had a private conversation with Amber, and her failure to recognize him as a problem until late in the book was pretty surprising.  I'm also having trouble with Amber having multiple lovers - I just don't see from the book how she can balance Alex & Jen.  At present she essentially keeps them separate, but given the emotional bonds Henwick has set up, the relationships feel too convoluted to be sustained. Still, the excellent writing and characterizations, and the exciting action of the plot are very engaging, and I highly recommend the book, and the series, to any fan of urban fantasy.