Book Review: Biting Bad

Biting Bad (Chicagoland Vampires #8)

By: Chloe Neill

Published By: NAL Penguin

Publication Date: August 6, 2013

Page Count: 350

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: Purchased by Reviewer

Audience: Adult - Urban Fantasy

Review of Book #1: Some Girls Bite

Review of Book #2: Friday Night Bites

Review of Book #3: Twice Bitten

Review of Book #4: Hard Bitten

Review of Book #5: Drink Deep

Review of Book #6: Biting Cold

Review of Book #7: House Rules

One of the things I love most about this series is that Chloe Neill doesn't waste time. Each novel picks up where the previous one left off. You never feel like you have missed significant chunks of time in Merit's life. Typically, I don't like series that span past 3-4 books, but Chicagoland Vampires is well worth me making an exception. I love this world. I love these characters. I love Ms. Neill's writing style. I love living inside of these novels and wish that I could make them last longer. As always, I can't discuss this book without mentioning items from previous stories, so it's best to not read past the page break if you haven't read the series. Please do note this is one of my favorite adult urban fantasy series and I highly recommend it.

In the previous novel, House Rules, there is a lot of vampire politics, but this one gets back to Merit taking names and kicking lots of butt. Cadogan House is now officially on its own - the GP has no more control over Ethan and his vampires. In true GP fashion, this is not the end of the story. In fact, the GP has placed Cadogan on a blacklist which makes it impossible for members of the other Chicago houses to interact with them without facing punishment. 

However, when a group of rioters takes to the streets, Jonah and the other members of Gray house, must rely on Cadogan House after their home is damaged. Tempers and anxiety ignite to make this a fast paced, thrilling read that kept me up late into the night.

As always, I adored Merit and Ethan. Not only do I love these two as individuals, but I also adore their romance. The commitment and passion between these two is enough to steam up your Kindle, but Neill leaves much to the imagination (which I appreciate). In addition to the romance, the banter between these two cracks me up. I love spending time with them both.

I was also happy to see that Mallory and Catcher are working through their issues. Mallory is much more like herself in this novel. She's working past her magic addiction and she's ready to truly make amends for those she has wronged. Catcher is his normal snarky self, but it was nice to see him let his guard down from time to time. His affection for Mallory makes him vulnerable.

I won't go into the plot too much, but it does have some tense, heart pounding moments. I wasn't sure if all of my favorites would make it out unharmed this time. There is a lot of momentum driving forward to the next book.

One Last Gripe: I found the twist to be a little too easy to predict, but it didn't derail my enjoyment.

My Favorite Thing About This Book: The devotion between Ethan and Merit

First Sentence: I stared at the sleek steel blade, its honed edge only inches from my cheek, and tried not to flinch.

Favorite Character: Merit

Least Favorite Character: McKetrick

Summary:

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.