Review: Biting Bad by Chloe Neill

Biting Bad (Chicagoland Vampires #8) by Chloe Neill
Publication Date: August 6, 2013
Publisher: NAL Penguin
Number of Pages: 350
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Add to Goodreads

Merit has been a vampire for only a short while, but she’s already seen a lifetime’s worth of trouble. She and her Master, centuries-old Ethan Sullivan, have risked their lives time and again to save the city they love. But not all of Chicago is loving them back.

Anti-vampire riots are erupting all over town, striking vampires where it hurts the most. A splinter group armed with Molotov cocktails and deep-seated hate is intent on clearing the fanged from the Windy City come hell or high water.

Merit and her allies rush to figure out who’s behind the attacks, who will be targeted next, and whether there’s any way to stop the wanton destruction. The battle for Chicago is just beginning, and Merit is running out of time.

Considering it's been about a month since I've read this, this review will be rather short.

It might of took eight books, but Merit and Ethan have finally some drama free relationship time. It was rather nice to see nothing interfering with their relationship for once.  They even go to Merit's parent's house for a family dinner. Which was probably one of my favorite scenes in the books.

But Chicago's vampire scene has never been quiet since Merit has joined its ranked. There's an anti-vampire group striking out and rioting hitting vampire houses and their safe locations. I had a good feeling who was behind it but not why, since some of the attacks didn't really destroy anything.

We do see Merit and Mallory getting somewhat back on track. And even a tiny bit of the shapeshifters, which is never enough. There was a mention back to the vision of that child that we assumed is somehow Ethan and Merit. And even foreshadowing that there could and may be a way for Merit to turned back human. Which honestly I think at this point she wouldn't. And I couldn't see Ethan turning back to a human.

This was probably one of my favorite books in the series. We got a little bit of everything. Including a jaw dropping cliff hanger, that no doubts sets up the next book. You can tell the series is winding down, and although it makes me sad I can't wait to see how it all ends.

Rating: 4/5

Review: Biting Bad by Chloe Neill

Biting Bad (Chicagoland Vampires, #8) by Chloe Neill
Publisher: Gollancz
Publication date: August 8th, 2013
Number of pages: 350 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Merit has been a vampire for only a short while, but she’s already seen a lifetime’s worth of trouble. She and her Master, centuries-old Ethan Sullivan, have risked their lives time and again to save the city they love. But not all of Chicago is loving them back.

Anti-vampire riots are erupting all over town, striking vampires where it hurts the most. A splinter group armed with Molotov cocktails and deep-seated hate is intent on clearing the fanged from the Windy City come hell or high water.

Merit and her allies rush to figure out who’s behind the attacks, who will be targeted next, and whether there’s any way to stop the wanton destruction. The battle for Chicago is just beginning, and Merit is running out of time.

In this newest installment, Merit has an new battle to deal with in terms of the House. Just when she and Mallory are beginning to get back their friendship slowly, they find themselves in the middle of a mess which neither of them are prepared for.
It seems someone is setting fire to vampire friendly areas around Chicago, Merit takes it upon her hands to try to discover who is behind these attacks and put a stop to them.
Not only are they destroying vampires and their safe locations, but it could also wipe out humans as well, especially if they are caught up in the crossfire.

I felt this book was getting back the things I loved about the first half of this series. Merit/Mallory, sexy Ethan/Merit and a good mystery.
You may have noticed that some of the recent books have become a tad slow, or fillers, but I felt this installment was back up to the standards we were first introduced to in this series.

It took me a while to figure out who was responsible for the murders within Chicago. And they all will have to work together, and not just Ethan and Merit to heal chicago's latest anti vampire attacks once and for all.
Ethan and Merit's relationship just gets more romantic and better every book I read. Even though they have been together for a shorter amount of time than you may think --- Merit has been a vampire for less than a year (who would have thought?) but they have been through so much, more than most couples do.
They now finally have some time to really be happy in a relationship, but while not everything goes smoothly, they do find some moments to themselves.

Even though I have never been to Chicago, but reading these books and Chloe's descriptions make me feel like I am there right as everything is happening with these beloved characters.

I could feel this series is slowly wrapping up, as I felt there was some things which could be foreshadowing, especially if it connects to Gabriel's vision regarding Merit. Only time will tell whether those things come to pass or not.

The last few chapters, talk about wow and quite the cliffhanger! I can't wait to see what the next installment brings us.

Rating: 5/5

Revew: House Rules by Chloe Neill

House Rules (Chicagoland Vampires #7) by Chloe Neill
Publisher: Gollancz
Publication date: February 14th, 2013
Number of pages: 352
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps.

At the tender age of 27, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal —tested like never before.

It started with two . . . Two rogues vanishing without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their house in peril, Merit and her Master, the centuries old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined.

Chloe Neill sure knows what appeals to readers. This may be the seventh book in this series, when I believe it was originally meant to be 3-4 book series, but I still love this series to death (no pun intended.)
As expected by the end of the previous book, the Cadogan House are pulling away from the GP and standing on their own two feet as a united house. Not everyone is pleased. When the GP arrives early, Ethan starts to become suspicious as to the reasons why and fears there is something more going on than they are let to believe.
Not only does he have to deal with the GP, newly-returned Lacey, but he and Merit find themselves getting involved in the disappearances of some young kids-vampires who have gone missing, possibly dead. It's just a matter of whether they can find out who is kidnapping these vampires before it's too late.

There are other things going on. It's a full house and Ethan and Merit try to find time for each other amongst everything they find they have issues they need to deal with between themselves; such as Merit's secret that she has involved herself within the Red Guard and that was something she had yet to reveal to Ethan. That was always a secret that I knew would come out at some point, and when it finally does it's pretty much the reaction I expected, yet I didn't expect. But nothing is ever hunky-dorey when it comes to our favourite characters, so of course they have to deal with the drama that appears in their lives.

In this book we also see more of the shifters, who have taken Mallory in --- who is someone we see a little of, though I wish it was more  of. I hope to see more of her friendship-as it starts to repair---  with Merit in the following books, along with her relationship with Catcher, which is one of the things I adored about the early books of this series.

There are many hilarious lines that come with this series, and some of my favourite ones come from Gabriel. Here is one when they are playing cards ---  strip poker?

“Can I ask about the shirts?” I asked, taking a seat beside Mallory. “Or the lack of shirts?”

“You may not,” Christopher said.

“Yes,” Gabriel mocked, “she may. Once again, the whelps have lost their shirts, Kitten. Literally and figuratively.”
Derek grumbled something unflattering.
Gabriel gave him a quick and withering glance. “Pipe down, or I’ll challenge you again, and we both know how that will work out.” He began flipping cards across the table, creating a seven-card pile for each of us. “The name of the game is Nantucket.”

Though this book was clearly a filler, but I feel we need them from time to time. We can't have every book action-packed, we need others for character and romantic progression. Also so there can be added plots and things, so I have no doubt the next book will bring things up to notch.

Rating: 4.5/5

Review: House Rules by Chloe Neill

House Rules (Chicagoland Vampires #7) by Chloe Neill
Publication Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: NAL Penguin
Number of Pages: 352
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Add to Goodreads

In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps.

At the tender age of 27, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal —tested like never before.

It started with two . . . Two rogues vanishing without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their house in peril, Merit and her Master, the centuries old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined.

 With Cadogan house breaking away from the GP by choice.So naturally there would be chaos around the house. Making sure everything is set. But ever since Merit has become a vampire, when has anything been easy? When the GP shows up a few days early, Ethan knows they are up to something, and he wants to know exactly what it is. In the middle of everything vampires are being killed, rogue and house vamps. And in fear of the GP the other houses aren't very cooperative, even if their own are being stalked. And of course Lacey is invited to help with the transition.

I haven't been disappointed with one of Neill's books yet. And this one doesn't disappoint. There are characters I wished were in the book more. I need more Merit and Mallory scenes. I want to see these two get back on track, and it seems they are headed in that directions; you can tell it's going to be a long road. We did see a little bit of Catcher though, but not enough. We get the information that him and Mallory are talking and working through everything, but I wished we get to see that first hand.

And then we have the shifters, which I absolutely love them, especially Gabriel. If you remember a few books back, Gabriel had a vision of the future of a little boy with Ethan's eyes. We get a mentioned in this book, but not enough. And I for one need to see Gabriel more often and I need more information about this little boy. I absolutely love Merit joining their poker game.

And of course we have Jonah and the RG. Merit if officially inducted into the RG, but her luck Lacey sees her with Jonah. This is one of the points in the book when I wanted to slap Merit. After Lacey confronts Jonah, Merit assumes she knows that she joined the RG. Which I have no clue how Merit concluded that. All Lacey saw was them two in a parking lot, I knew Lacey had assumed she was having an affair with him. And then there's the matter of the RG stealing the Cadogen's egg to force them to physically leave the house. I had a good feeling it was in the house, especially after her conversation with Gabriel. Just took Merit longer to figure out.

Usually I'm good at figuring things out before they were reveal. But the person who was killing vamps? I didn't see it coming until the last second. But who he was working for? Knew that from the first moment.

The book is pretty much a filler, but it's a very enjoyable one. I know most people don't like filler books, but you can tell that the events books need to happen for the series to continue. We have that humor that we all are accustomed to. And no shortage of the mentioned of food. Which I advise don't read any of the books in this series if you're hungry.

Rating: 4/5

 

House Rules Blog Tour and Giveaway!

We are excited to be hosting one of the stops on Chloe Neill's blog tour for House Rules. 

I know we all have our favorite quotes from the series, but have you ever stopped to wonder what are some of Chloe's favorite quotes?  You're just in luck. I happen to have one picked out just for this blog.

At the tender age of 27, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal—tested like never before.
It started with two . . . Two rogues vanishing without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their house in peril, Merit and her Master, the centuries old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined.

 Buy Now:  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, IndieBound
 *Review to come soon.


The fun doesn’t stop here. Want more chances to win? You can also enter Chloe’s House Rules Grand Prize Giveaways, which will run January 30 through February 7 on Chloe’s web site.
What are the Grand Prize Giveaway prizes?
Prize One: The Paper Prize

• A complete set of autographed Chicagoland Vampires novels
• A $50 gift card from Amazon or Barnes & Noble (winner’s choice)
• A set of personalized bookplates, courtesy of Felix Doolittle
• A Chicagoland Vampires tote bag

Prize Two: The Tech Prize

• A set of Chicagoland Vampires audiobook CDs (Books 1-6), courtesy of Tantor Audio
• A $50 gift card from Amazon or Barnes & Noble (winner’s choice)
• A Chicagoland Vampires tote bag

Both prize packages will include plenty of Chicagoland Vampires and Dark Elite swag, including bookmarks, stickers, pencils, or other goodies (as supplies last)

Are you excited yet? We have our own giveaway of Chicagoland Vampire and Dark Elite swag.

 

2 lucky winners will receive

      a Chicacoland Vampires tote bag designed just for this tour

     "I Survive Hard Bitten" button

      Chicacoland Vampires pen designed just for this tour

      Chicagoland Vampires bookmarks

1 lucky winner will recieve

     an autograph copy of Hexbound, the second book in Chloe's Dark Elite series

     Chicagoland Vampires bookmarks

     an autograph sticker that says From the library of Cadogan House

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spoiler Alert 01: Chloe Neill

Even though the following will not spoil the book, this post will contain teasers for the book. If you like to stay spoiler/teaser free please don't read any farther. 

House Rules, the 7th book in Chloe Neill's Chicagoland Vampires series hits the selves next week. Even that seems a little too far away right? To save the day, here are two teasers that she has released.

This one was released back in November. I figured since I was doing this, I may as well include it.

What the hell is going on?”
“We needed to clear the air,” Ethan said, silver eyes blazing as he stared at Jonah.
Jonah, his expression surprisingly serene, nodded in agreement.
“About what?”
“You,” they simultaneously said.
I was completely flabbergasted that two grown men—more than grown, chronologically—would waste their time throwing punches at each other.
“And this was the best way you could do it?”
“Yes,” they simultaneously answered.

Source

Now this one, I literally just got in my e mail a few hours ago, with the subject "If Ethan asked you to dance would you say yes?" Within it was a small teaser, and a link to the complete teaser. So unfair right? My will power stripped, I couldn't help but read. This teaser was released a few days ago on her site. 

He stopped behind my chair and held out a hand. The entire table went silent.
“Dance with me,” he said.
My cheeks warmed. “There’s no music.”
Before he had time to respond, the quartet in the corner—a group of Cadogan and Rogue vampires with musical talents—began to play a jazzy tune.
I gave him a sardonic look. “Did you just telepathically direct them to start playing that?”
“What’s the point of being telepathic if you can’t use the connection for a wee bit of wickedness, Sentinel?”
I heard the yearning sigh of a female vampire to my right, and caught the dreamy-eyed gaze of a male vampire to my left. Ethan was an equal-opportunity crush.
He wiggled his fingers. “Merit?”
With the audience’s eyes on me, it would have been difficult to say no to Ethan even if I hadn’t had feelings for him. That I did made it virtually impossible.
“Of course,” I said, putting my hand in his and letting him lead me to the makeshift dance floor.
Oh, my God, could he move.
Ethan whipped a hand around my waist like he’d trained with the cast of a televised dance competition. With moves that were a mix of swing and tango, he led me around the floor like a dance master, all the while keeping those ridiculously green eyes focused on me. Fortunately, I’d been a ballerina in my former (human) life, so I managed to keep up with him. I even tried to put on a good show—or at least as good a show as pants and a fitted leather jacket would allow—to the surprise of Rogue and Cadogan vampires.
The song ended, and Ethan dropped me into a dip, his smile mischievous and his eyes twinkling. The rest of the world came rushing back in a roar of sound as the vampires on the margins of the dance floor burst into applause.
Ethan brought me back to my feet, my ponytail bobbing over a shoulder. “And that, Sentinel, is how you impress a crowd.”

Source

Enough to tie you over? If not, she has also released the first chapter. You can read it here.

What did you think? House Rules will be released on February 5th. And look for more Chicagoland Vampire goodies on February 6th, where Chloe will be making a stop for her blog tour.

Biting Cold by Chloe Neill

Biting Cold (Chicagoland Vampires #6) by Chloe Neill
Publication date: August 9th 2012
Publisher: Gollancz
Number of pages: 337
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon & The Book Despository
Add to Goodreads
Description: Turned into a vampire against her will, twenty-eight-year-old Merit found her way into the dark circle of Chicago’s vampire underground, where she learned there was more to supernaturals than met the eye—and more supernaturals than the public ever imagined.
And not all the secrets she learned were for sharing—among humans or inhumans.

Now Merit is on the hunt, charging across the stark American Midwest, tailing a rogue supernatural intent on stealing an ancient artifact that could unleash catastrophic evil on the world. But Merit is also the prey. An enemy of Chicagoland is hunting her, and he’ll stop at nothing to get the book for himself. No mercy allowed.

No rules apply. No lives spared. The race is on.

Hands on deck. Prepare for a wild ride. ..... 

Throughout the series thus far, Merit has gone through her transformation into a vampire, to meeting and starting her on again-off again relationship with house Master, Ethan, dealing with trouble as it comes her way but never lets it get her down. 

After Merit goes through the worst experience of her life and finally gets back Ethan, life couldn't be even more perfect ---- except on the part where they have to go track down her best(ex?) friend, Mallory after discovering that she is after something so dark and powerful, it could destroy the world. That is the last thing they want or need.

I really enjoyed this book. It was getting back its flair from the first few books of the series. The previous one wasn't as great as they had been, for obvious reasons, but Biting Cold, I felt was getting back to basics and everything was almost right in the world.
Ethan was surely getting back to his own self, which included being protective and also self conscious regarding their relationship. One step forward, two steps back. Yes, we have heard and played this game before. But hey, at least he is trying, right?
But I understood where he was coming from, even if it frustrated me at times, and Merit too. But I feel this was a journey for him and eventually he would understand that he doesn't need to protect her, she is badass enough to take care of herself.

I do love what progress they had in this book and how much page time was dedicated to their relationship. It was always on then backburner in previous books as she deals with other things.
But in this book, they only have each other for company as they deal with the Mallory situation, so it in turn gives them a reason to focus on each other, their issues and what needs to be solved between them.

There is also a few interesting discoveries along the way through Biting Cold. We discover who and what Tate really is, and his role in this world. And then we also find out  what happens to their House after the events from Drink Deep.
Lets just say... the way this book ends, it makes you wonder how the story will be after something crucial happened toward the end. It sure is going to put things into perspective, and change certain things.

I loo forward toward the 7th book in this 10-book series, House Rules. The title, after having read Biting Cold, makes so much sense and feels very fitting to be the next arc in this series.

Rating -- 4.5 / 5

April's review of 'Biting Cold' by Chloe Neill

Biting Cold (Chicagoland Vampires #6) by Chloe Neill
Publication Date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: New American Library 
Number of Pages: 337
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Description:  Turned into a vampire against her will, twenty-eight-year-old Merit found her way into the dark circle of Chicago’s vampire underground, where she learned there was more to supernaturals than met the eye—and more supernaturals than the public ever imagined.And not all the secrets she learned were for sharing—among humans or inhumans. Now Merit is on the hunt, charging across the stark American Midwest, tailing a rogue supernatural intent on stealing an ancient artifact that could unleash catastrophic evil on the world. But Merit is also the prey. An enemy of Chicagoland is hunting her, and he’ll stop at nothing to get the book for himself. No mercy allowed.

                                                        No rules apply. No lives spared. The race is on.

I've been dying to get my hands on this book since the end of Drink Deep with Ethan coming back from the dead. After all Merit has gone through, she deserved some much need alone time with him. But as you can imagine the universe isn't in her favor. Instead Merit and Ethan are off chasing after Mallory whose as a deathly infatuation with dark magic. 

The Mallory storyline unfolded very quickly, and honestly I was kind of disappointed. I was sure that it would be the main plot of the story. It was gearing up to be a big showdown, and then pretty much nothing. I was also a little disappointed in the lack of Catcher in this book. I simply adore him.  And not much on Jonah or the Red Guard in this book, but I'm sure this would be an issue for future books.

We do finally learn what Seth Tate is. Very interesting plot twist. And the best part of the book? Lots of Ethan. Once again he tried to halt his relationship with Merit. We see Merit as a new woman. She has grown into her powers and has finally embraced her vampire side. And she this Merit won't sit back and let Ethan decide when they are off or on.

With all the supernatural crisis going on in the city, the Cadogen House has a even much bigger problem. The GP has decided to cast a vote to decide if Cadogen House should remain within the GP. But the vampires decide to take ahold of their fate before it's decided for them. 

This book has reminded me why I fell in love with Merit and Ethan. Not to mention makes me want to visit Chicago, and taste all the food that Merit is in love with. I can't wait to read what else is store for our favorite vamps. 

Rating: 4/5

 

Cover Reveal:: HOUSE RULES

The cover for the 7th Chicagoland Vampires book has been revealed, and isn't it just gorgeous?

This is the blurb::

In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps.


At the tender age of 27, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal —tested like never before.


It started with two . . . Two rogues vanishing without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their house in peril, Merit and her Master, the centuries old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined.

Publication date:: February 2013

Waiting on Wednesday #5: Biting Cold by Chloe Neill

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Biting Cold (Chicagoland Vampires #6) by Chloe Neill
Publication date: August 7th, 2012

Turned into a vampire against her will, twenty-eight-year-old Merit found her way into the dark circle of Chicago’s vampire underground, where she learned there was more to supernaturals than met the eye—and more supernaturals than the public ever imagined. And not all the secrets she learned were for sharing—among humans or inhumans.

Now Merit is on the hunt, charging across the stark American Midwest, tailing a rogue supernatural intent on stealing an ancient artifact that could unleash catastrophic evil on the world. But Merit is also the prey. An enemy of Chicagoland is hunting her, and he’ll stop at nothing to get the book for himself. No mercy allowed. No rules apply. No lives spared. The race is on.

I am waiting for this one, because after the last one... I just NEED to know what's going on.. and now Ethan is back, so is my sanity! :D What are YOU waiting on?