Cover Image: Wild Hunger

Wild Hunger

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Member Reviews

Are you a fan a vampires and the urban paranormal worlds filled with supernatural creatures? Do you hate starting a series in the middle and feeling like you’re behind? If you answered yes to one or both of those questions, then you’ll want to pick up Chloe Neill’s latest. She has returned to the world of the Chicagoland Vampires with the first in a brand-new series, Wild Hunger.

Last year, fans were sad when Blade Bound brought the end of Merit’s and Ethan’s adventures. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t one of them. I never read all the Chicagoland Vampire series. I read the first four or five. But I wasn’t a fan of the decision to bring a certain character back to life. And even the Chicago setting didn’t keep me reading. Given the trajectory of the series, I can’t fault the decision. Ultimately, Ethan and Merit are just not a OTP (One True pair) for me. And that’s okay. Not every series is for everyone. And it’s important to remember that every series is different. Wild Hunger is the first in a new series, so I gave it a read.

I enjoyed Wild Hunger. I didn’t find it groundbreaking or particularly earth-shattering, but it’s a great entry into the urban paranormal fantasy genre. There are vampires and shifters and intrigue between species. And hints of budding romance. Always the romance. That telegraphed romance may be why I enjoyed Wild Hunger more than the series it grew out of – the romance seems more natural and not built on a power differential and forced allegiance. I think I also identified more with Elisa than I ever did with her mother, Merit. Elisa is making her own way, despite her lineage. She’s also dealing with her own demons.

There are references to events in the Chicagoland Vampire series (after all that’s how Elisa Sullivan came to be), but you don’t have to have read those books to enjoy Wild Hunger. There’s enough background for you to know what you need to know, even if some of the main characters are tied directly to the Chicagoland Vampires. This book is entirely about the next generation. In addition to Elisa and Connor, there is Lulu. Lulu is the daughter of a close friend of Merit’s. Lulu is an amazing addition to the cast of characters. She is an artist avoiding her own heritage out of fear. But she too is making her own way in the world. And on of my favorite quotes in the book is attributed to her.

“I’m…determined,” [Lulu] said. “I think sometimes that’s more important. Just putting a little bit our there, every day. You do the work or you don’t. The externalities don’t really matter.”

It’s a great reminder to all of us. And I think it will apply to all the characters in the Heirs of Chicagoland, one way or another. Wild Hunger is an entertaining, quick read that serves as an easy entry point into a well-defined world.

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Review will be posted on Amazon as soon as the publication date rolls around. For now, review posted on Goodreads and BookBub.

The only vampire ever born, Elisa Sullivan is the daughter of an established and respected vampire house and of its leaders. But growing up is never easy, no matter whose child you are. Elisa goes away to Paris for college, and returns to Chicago on a job, where she encounters the friends she left behind. Elisa’s goal is to help extend the peace that exists in Chicago between humans and supernaturals to her adopted home in France. But her work makes her witnesses to an event that demonstrates not everyone wants the peace to spread across the ocean. Elisa tries to uncover who- or what- is determined to prevent an accord form being reached, all while navigating the political currents in Chicago.

I was eagerly awaiting Wild Hunger, as I am a fan of the Chicagoland series. I was nervous about meeting Elisa, daughter of two great characters, but was pleasantly surprised to find that I liked her. Elisa stands up as her own person, but at the same time, the influence of her parents is clear. Fans will enjoy seeing favorite characters from past books and sometimes, their children, interact in a slightly futuristic Chicago. I hope we will learn more about Elisa’s time in France, and her relationship with the French houses in future books. That part of the plot wasn’t fully explored or given closure in this book. Overall, Wild Hunger was an enjoyable read, and I loved the tension between Elisa and a certain figure from her childhood. It reminded me of the chemistry between two other beloved characters (cough *Duchess and Darth Sullivan* cough) and I am excited to read the next installment of this story.

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Chicagoland Vampires: The Next Generation

Elisa, Ethan and Merit’s miracle baby, has grown up. At twenty-three, she has spent the past four years studying in France and now works for one of the French vampire Houses. Decades after the fall of the ruling European council, the various Houses there still are in turmoil, fighting for power. Ethan and Cadogan House negotiated a lasting peace in Chicago, so they offer to hold talks for the European Houses to settle their differences.

Time for the prodigal daughter to return.

Elisa is happy to see her friends and family again, and readers are treated to older (but not all aged) versions of Ethan, Merit, and many of the other characters from CLV. Catcher and Mallory’s daughter Lulu is Elisa’s best friend and Pack alpha Gabriel’s son Connor, Elisa’s nemesis growing up, has matured in a rather intriguing way.

But the reunion—and the peace talks—do not go well. Chicago’s fairies are acting aggressively and when a delegate is murdered and one of Elisa’s friends is accused, she feels compelled to solve the case. Elisa’s efforts are made more difficult by politics and by a secret she’s harbored even from her parents: her magical conception and birth came with an unwanted magical complication.

The story is an enjoyable read, a revisit with some old “friends” and the introduction of the younger generation. The mystery, though not especially compelling, was entertaining enough, and the relationships of the new cast promise some interesting future storylines. All in all, a good way to spend a couple of evenings.

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The first installment of the spin of series of the Chicagoland Vampire series starts off with a bang!
Elisa is such a fantastic mix of her father and mother. She has the need for rules and order just like Ethan and her passion for justice and to protect others like her mother, Merit.
I loved revisiting with characters from the other series.....yet at the same time being introduced to this new cast of characters was exciting.
I can't wait to see where this series takes me next!

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Wild Hunger is the first book I've ever read from Chloe Neill and she sure knows how to wow her readers. There's a lot less romance than what I typically read, but it's actually perfect for the storyline. There's no forced relationship and I like that the book isn't centered on romance but more of the main character, Elisa. She's the first and only born vampire with additional magic that no one knows about. She doesn't flaunt, she's not overly confident in herself or cocky, she's fierce without the intention of it and she's protective of those she loves. I love that Chloe Neill has given each character their own flaws for them to overcome, like Elisa's lack of trust in herself. I really enjoyed that the ending wasn't left on a cliffhanger but still gives an idea of more to come for Elisa and the gang. I'm really excited for the next book!

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Chicagoland Vampires SPIN OFF!!!

This one is the Heirs of Chicagoland, and you can totally jump into this without reading the series that this is attached to , why is that you ask, because said series is one I have been reading on and off over the many years. Though I do recommend reading the series its pretty good, this series is about the only born Vampire, Elisa.

This series is about the Sons and daughters of the first lot characters in the series, they are still here but more like secondary characters as they have there own series you can read all about them there.

The new generation is pretty cool, I still struggle with this authors writing style. I think its just the authors way lol I dunno its always been this way. The new adult book is recommended to all PNR lovers.

3.5 stars

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I am a Methan addict...I love all things Merit and Ethan!  For that reason I was extremely saddened when Chloe announced the end of the Chicagoland Vampires novels but knowing that the story would continue with their daughter Elisa helped.  While Methan and their associates would no longer be the focus of the novels, they will still appear so it's *almost* as good as being a CV novel!

When the story starts out, Elisa has spent the last 4 years in Paris at the École Dumas, a university for sups in Europe.  She made the choice to leave Chicago partially to escape the notoriety of being the daughter of Merit and Ethan as well as the first 'born' vampire.  The vampires in Europe had been warring since the Greenwich Presidium was dissolved, and Elisa will be escorting French diplomats to peace talks in Chicago as part of a required year of armed service to Maison Dumas.  There not only will she get to see her parents, but Connor who has been a thorn in her side since they were children.  (And you know that means there is more to their relationship to come!)

Once the various factions arrive in Chicago and the talks begin, one of the delegates is murdered and Riley, a member of Connor's pack and an old friend of Elisa's is accused of the crime.  Elisa knows that he is innocent and sets out to prove it, though she is forced to investigate without House support due to an agreement between Chicago's vampires and the city.  (Housed vampires are not allowed to interfere in investigations and must rely on the Ombudsman's office started by her great-grandfather.)  She is joined however by her best friend Lulu (Mallory and Catcher's daughter and Riley's ex) and Connor as the danger mounts.

Wild Hunger contains many of the same elements that made CV a favorite of PNR readers, while still being a fresh take due to the new generation taking the lead.  One particular theme I've always enjoyed is the food talk (Merit's one true vice) and that holds true with this new one!  Don't read them if hungry, because the food talk will make you salivate!  Another similarity is the slow boil romance between the leads; it took 3 books for Methan to really develop and while there are hints of the probable Elisa/Connor relationship to come, it's not a huge factor in this book.  There's just enough to keep your appetite whetted for more!

I know some reviewers have said that reading CV is not necessary prior, but I would tend to disagree.  There is so much of the CV lore that a reader unfamiliar with the storylines will miss that is a huge element to the story.   While Chloe does lay out some of the background, there were 13 novels plus novellas and I just think to fully enjoy this one a reader needs to have at least some knowledge of the prior series.  (Maybe skip Hard Bitten though lol!  Just to save the heartache!!)

Needless to say, I enjoyed this new outing in the CV universe immensely, and cannot wait for the next outing!  Thank you SO much to Berkley and Netgalley for the chance to read this early!!!

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This was such a well plotted and paced story. I quickly slipped into the world and found Elisa to be an engaging and complex character. I loved the snarky banter between Conner and Elisa. Lulu is a pure joy and secondary characters added interest, strengthened the world and aided Elisa.

Fresh and exciting with all the elements I love in a good urban fantasy series. Wild Hunger has me excited for more Heirs of Chicagoland.  Full review to post at Caffeinated Reviewer on August 9th.

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First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! And what a great way to celebrate than with the new release of a spin off series from one of my favorites of all-time series. Wild Hunger brings us crashing back into the Cadogan house vampire world that I have missed so much with the end of the Chicagoland series last year. Elisa, daughter of Ethan and Merit, is now front and center of the action. I have to say that her character is a perfect blend of Merit’s grit and determination no matter the cost and Ethan’s fiery temper and cool exterior. Elisa is sheer perfection, and exactly what I could have hoped for as a long-time fan with two characters I belove so much as parents.

Because I received this book early, I cannot comment too much on the storyline. I wouldn’t want to ruin it for those who like surprises. I will say that if Wild Hunger as the debut novel that the rest of the series will be more than just a wild hunger. It will be a unhinged devouring of action, sass, and romance.

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When you are one of a kind, the world wants a piece of you, as a friend or a foe, but as the only vampire ever born, Elisa just wants to be herself and keep her secrets just that, secret. Only one person knows what she hides, and Connor, shifter prince and future King of his pack isn’t about to force her hand, even when a diplomat’s mysterious assassination could destroy the supernatural world of Chicago.

Chloe Neill hasn’t just brought back the intrigue of her Chicagoland Vampires with a spinoff of the new generation, she has built a strong foundation to what could prove to be even more exciting, more intense and more importantly, FRESH! It's time for change and Ms. Neill is bringing it on!

No worries fans, WILD HUNGER the first in the Heirs of Chicagoland series doesn’t’ miss a beat! The same “Neill” attitude is ringing through with a fresh spin, humor and heat! These characters will come alive, and their relationships will be “complicated” to say the least, because this generation is getting ready to take center stage in a world still filled with the conflict that only a melting pot of supernaturals and supernatural egos could create!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Berkley Publishing Group!

Series: Heirs of Chicagoland - Book 1
Publisher: Berkley (August 14, 2018)
Publication Date: August 14, 2018
Genre: Urban Fantasy | Romance
Print Length: 352 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

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Elisa Sullivan, the only vampire child ever born, is back in Chicago escorting the French House to talks which are supposed to bring peace to the European vampires. She has mixed feeling about being back in Chicago. She's glad to see her parents and her old friends. But being back in Chicago also makes control of the monster inside her more difficult. Somehow in the chain of events that led to her birth, a piece of magic - an angry, uncontrollable piece - became a part of her. This is a secret that she hasn't shared with anyone.

One of her old acquaintances is Connor Keene who is the son of the Alpha of the Shifter pack and who was the bane of her existence when they were children together. Her years away have changed Connor or, at least, changed her perception of him which is causing her to feel a lot of confusion.

When a vampire from Spain is murdered and one of Connor's packmates and a good friend of Elisa's is found standing over the body holding a knife, Elisa knows she needs to get involved to prove that her friend is being framed for the crime. The main problem with Elisa investigating is the agreement between Cadogan House and the city of Chicago which states that they won't interfere with the work of the Ombudsmen. Elisa uses a loophole - she has never pledged to Cadogan House - to conduct her own investigation. Soon she is deep in an investigation of faeries who have a deep and twisted plot to gather more power for themselves. Connor gets involved too by way of a few timely rescues.

I enjoyed this spinoff of the Chicagoland Vampires series and look forward to more adventures for Elisa and her friends.

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WILD HUNGER Spins Off a New Generation of Chicagoland Supes

http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...

Merit’s and Ethan’s daughter starts out in a new spin-off series from Chloe Neill

I voluntarily reviewed an advance readers copy of this book. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinions presented herein are my own except as noted.

There are some book series I hope the author ends before it becomes awful, but I don’t think any fans of the Chicagoland Vampire series wanted to see it end — at least not me. So last years “end” to Merit’s and Ethan’s story, BLADE BOUND, did not make me happy. So, I was very pleased to see a spin-off coming, featuring the long-foretold tale of the couple’s unlikely offspring.

A new Chicagoland Vampires novella, SLAYING IT , just came out and it is placed between the last chapter and the epilogue of BLADE BOUND. I think that makes it part of the series as it stands and not a new story – but I haven’t read it yet.

Back to my thoughts on WILD HUNGER. Wow, I guess I hoped to read a Merit and Ethan story disguised as a new series. I was disappointed there — Merit shows up hardly at all and has matured. As a 400 year old vampire and a leader, Ethan was already rather mature. Other characters in the book had moved on, Malik and Merit’s Grandad for example.

Elisa is front and center in this story: a skilled 24 year-old who has lived in the public eye her entire life. She is the only vampire child ever born and her parents were, pretty much, the most visible vampire couple in the world.

Neill pulls off establishing Elisa as her own person, with her own problems, and is not just different because of her birth as a vampire. I’m not sure I care as much about Elisa as I did Merit who I liked from page one. She has a love interest, sort of and is smack dab in the middle of the European vampires trying to become as peaceful as the Americans have after the worldwide council split.

In the course of the original series there were other groups of supernatural beings: the most prevalent being sorcerers, like Merit’s best friend, Mallory and Mallory’s husband, Catcher, as well as Gabriel Keene and his Wolf-Shifter pack. Mallory and Catcher had a daughter, LuLu, and Gabriel Keene had Connor, The three grew up friends, or sort of friends. I would like to have seen more development of both Connor and Lulu as characters. Faeries also figure prominently throughout the series but none have been family friends.

But this book is mostly about establishing Elisa as a character in her own right. I think she is more like her father than her mom as she is an excellent strategist. And she is honest, confused, and believes she has a secret no one knows and that will make her a monster.

Neill pulls off establishing Elisa’s story line without making her a clone; she isn’t making a copy of the Chicagoland series. She is creating a new story in that same world and related to the previous series. It is in that world though, with a lot of back story, and I don’t think it would have worked as well if I were not familiar with the first series. But it is not just Merit’s and Ethan’s story any more, even if I had wanted it to be. It’s a tough trick to pull off.

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I haven't finished the Chicagoland Vampire series but really enjoy it and didn't want to let the first book in this new series pass me by. Even though I haven't finished the other series I was still able to catch on to what was happening in this book although it probably helped that I had some clue who some of the other players were.

This book focuses on Elisa Sullivan the only vampire child born of two vampires. Most vampires are made not born. However the magic that helped create her also resides inside her as a monster that is Elisa has been trying to control since she was a child. Connor is the son of the Apex or pack leader of the shifters. Connor and Elisa have known each other since they were children but now they are both grown and their passion for each other has turned from a childish rivalry to grown up passion.

The Vampires of Europe have converged on Chicago for peace talks which go sideways when one of the oldest vampires is murdered and a shifter is charged with the crime. Connor and Elisa try to find evidence to prove him innocent and stumble onto a much larger conspiracy.

Politics, passion, and predjudice run rampant through these books just as they do in the real world. This book kept my interest and was a quick read, I look forward to what is happening between Connor and Elisa and also with Elisa and the monster living inside her, which I find to be an interesting story line particularly because it mimics something that happened to her mother back when she was first turned. Great start to a new series.

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I enjoyed the other Chicago land series with Ethan and Merit but this one failed to appeal to me. It felt off and failed to pull me in, however I can easily see how others would enjoy it. Thank you for giving me a chance with this book.

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This was my first outing with Chloe Neill, but I think it will not be the last. I really enjoyed the start of this new urban fantasy series. It is a spin off from another series, but I can attest that you do not need to have read that series to follow what is going on in this one just fine. There was some structural and pacing weirdness in the beginning, but it picked up and I am excited to see where the series goes.

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"In the first thrilling installment of Chloe Neill's spinoff to the New York Times bestselling Chicagoland Vampires series, a new vampire will find out just how deep blood ties run.

As the only vampire child ever born, some believed Elisa Sullivan had all the luck. But the magic that helped bring her into the world left her with a dark secret. Shifter Connor Keene, the only son of North American Central Pack Apex Gabriel Keene, is the only one she trusts with it. But she's a vampire and the daughter of a Master and a Sentinel, and he's prince of the Pack and its future king.

When the assassination of a diplomat brings old feuds to the fore again, Elisa and Connor must choose between love and family, between honor and obligation, before Chicago disappears forever.

I love Urban Fantasy set in places I love, like Chicago! Here's to Chloe Neill writing more Chicago set books! Chicago FOREVER!

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Another great book by Chloe Neill. I loved Ethan and Merit, but Elisa and Connor., I just don't know. Elisa is the only born vampire in the word and that has lead to some very interesting powers and conflicts. They way Connor and Elisa snipe at each other was amusing. The only problems I had was that Elisa seems very much like Merit and they are very young.

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*Thanks to NetGalley for this title that I read voluntarily in exchange for an honest review*

Merit and Ethan's story is over but that's totally fine because we get Elisa and Connor! I have to say that I may just like Connor more than Ethan... yeah I was surprised by this but I can't help but love me a sexy shifter. Eliza is trying to find who she is through most of this novel, having always been the daughter of two very famous vampires and the only born vampire to boot, it's not been easy on her to just be herself. So she goes off to Paris but when she gets back things sure have changed and the easy peace in Chicagoland maybe gone...

If you have read and enjoyed any of the books from the first series then you're going to love this. It's more of the same awesomeness that we've come to expect from this author. The writing keeps getting better with every single book that comes out. I will say that I thought we would see more of the characters from the other books but I'm sure we will in time. I just honestly want more of Connor.

Overall, this is going to be just as awesome as the first series and I can't wait to be here for the ride!

Will go live on my blog: 8/7/2018

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Wild Hunger by Chloe Neill is the first book in her new Heirs of Chicagoland, which is a spinoff from her Chicagoland Vampire series. I have not read the Chicagoland series, but this new series was very easy to start as a standalone. Though sometime in the future, I think I would enjoy starting that series, as I have been enjoyed another series by her, and I really loved Wild Hunger.

This series picks up years later, Elisa Sullivan, our heroine, is the only vampire child ever born, and her mother and father (Ethan & Merit from the Chicagoland series) are the leaders of the American Vampires. The American Vampires have been in peace for many years, and now try to bring the European countries to attend a peace treaty, to stop the wars in France and other European countries. Elisa returns after a couple of years in France, working with their leader on an internship.

Connor Keene, a shifter & the only son of North American Central Pack leader, Gabriel Keene (also from Chicagoland series), is the heir apparent of the pack. Connor and Elisa knew each other well as children, surrounded by their families, and they never got along, with the older Connor calling Elisa “brat”. After many years, both are shocked at how different they are today. In a short time, their disdain for each other will change to a full blown attraction, which stays in the background and I am sure will be explored in future books.
The focus of the story revolves around the Fae, who have returned and want their lost powers back. A murder occurs at the party, and all hell will begin to break loose, which will lead to many of the European countries to break up and return home. Elisa will work with others to help clear a shifter from murder charges, and well and try to stop the Fae from taking over America.

I thought Elisa (Lis) was a wonderful heroine; strong, smart, sensible and truly likeable. She does have a secret that goes back to her childhood when her mother took control of evil being, a power she struggles to control. She feels she has a monster inside of her, but when she is in danger, her monster is what will help her fight like a berserker and help save the good guys. The only one who knew about it was Connor, who remembers when she had an episode as a child. He will try to convince her to accept her power, and learn to control it. It was very sweet to watch how he was always there for her whenever she was in danger. I loved watching them falling for each other; he was surprised how beautiful and smart, with her unable to not fall for the hot hunky new Connor.

What follows is an exciting adventure, especially in the last third of the book as the war escalates with the vampires and shifters trying to protect their country and the humans against the dangerous hostile fairies. Chloe Neill introduces a wonderful new series, with some fantastic characters, which include, Elisa, Connor and LuLu, as well as a romance that has so much potential. Wild Hunger is a great start to a terrific Urban Fantasy/Paranormal series. I for one cannot wait for the next book.

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5 Hearts, Recommended Read
SJ, Romance Junkies

In WILD HUNGER, the first of Chloe Neill's new series, HEIRS OF CHICAGOLAND, Elisa Sullivan is thrust into a mystery that will take all her courage and intelligence to survive.

This story is a spin-off from Neill's popular CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES series, which I haven't read. I wasn't lost at all, so I can say this series truly stands on its own. It was so good, however, that I plan to go back and read CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES.

Elisa is the only vampire child ever born, and she's grown up the daughter of both the Sentinel (protector) and Master (leader) of Cadogan House. Away to earn her way in the world and grow up on her own, she returns home to Chicago to provide support for the Parisian vampire house to which she's attached. A vampire summit is being held to ensure a world-wide peace, and Elisa can't wait to serve her house, as well as see her family.

But someone doesn't want that to happen, and murder is just the start of a deepening conspiracy to shake up the supernatural world.

As Elisa tries to help absolve a friend who's been framed for the crime, she's paired with her old best friend, a witch who refuses to do magic, and Connor Keene, a boy she grew up with. Connor is a werewolf and the only son of the North American Central Pack leader. He's the heir to the shapeshifter throne, and an arrogant werewolf with attitude who rubs Elisa the wrong way.

Shifters and vampires don't mix, but there's something about Connor that pulls at Elisa. That and he's the only one who knows her dark secret, one she's never, ever told.

The story packed a punch of excitement and adventure with a touch of romance. Its mystery was enthralling, the characters vibrant and multilayered, the world-building detailed and well-crafted.

If you like urban fantasy and are in search of a satisfying, entertaining read, look no further. WILD HUNGER is a perfect mix of adventure and intrigue.

Recommended Read

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