Twice Bitten

The novel starts off in a surpising way--effectively providing Merit yet again with an opportunity to betray Ethan. Will she or won't she? The sexual tension that has been present since the first book is rising and there are times we may wonder if Merit will continue to take the high ground. Aside from these intermingled issues--there are problems in the were community. Will they choose to cut and run or stay and support the vampires as they prepare for a likely war. I really enjoy the characters in this series. They have depth and their motivations seem plausible. I can't wait for the next book. This one resolved some issues but definitely left you wanting more.

I really enjoyed this book and it was worth the wait. A lot of questions that were left dangling from previous books are answered in this one. The action is great, the banter is hilarious, and Merit definitely owns her vampire self in this one. I appreciated the way Chloe Neill dealt with Merit's ups and downs in this book. Merit does suffer in this book, but we know the reasons why. There wasn't the usual "non-communication" drama that is usually the issue between the hero and heroine. The details are laid out and although we suffer with Merit as she is dealing with her hardships, we know the reasons why and at the same time see hope for her relationship in the future. Lastly, I enjoyed Chloe Neill's version of the shifters and their magical essence. Can't wait for the next installment!

There are a plethora of kick-ass urban fantasy series with kick-ass heroines out there today. The genre is rockin' and sockin' like a frat house on a weekend bender after a football championship win. Every author has created a slightly different world, with slightly different mythos, slightly different characters, etc...the emphasis on slightly. That's not a criticism; it's more like a statistical probability. I believe the key is finding those authors and series that present a world or mythos or characters that appeal to your personal tastes. As urban fantasy is one of my favorite genres, and I have a very eclectic palate for it, I read a lot of UF series. Some set themselves apart, some don't. Few make it to my "Oh my god...new release?? Get it! Get it! Get it NOW!!" category. Chloe Neill is, in my opinion, utterly unique in that she's created a series that, arguably, isn't the most original in location (the awesome city of Chicago) or in world building (vampires have come out of the coff...er...closet to humans and are working a wicked PR campaign to keep themselves from being turned into crispy critters and other supernaturals are eying them intently, concerned about the potential power shift and threat), or, honestly, in mythos (not really sure what the vampires' origins are, but they've had their fair share of genocidal cleansings that sound quite a lot like witch trials of old and of the inquisition), yet Neill has managed to catapult herself and her series into that category I mentioned. Yes, I actually have an "Oh my god...new release?? Get it! Get it! Get it NOW!!" category. I never said I was well balanced. Moving on... What Chloe Neill has managed to create that is unique and appealing, is Merit, Sentinel of Cadogan House and kick-ass heroine of a kick-ass series. Bright, independent, stubborn, maturing Merit is one of my favorite UF heroines in any and every series I'm reading or have read. I absolutely love her. She's a novitiate vampire, new to the world and the House, and she's been forced into positions as both political pawn and weapon for her liege and master Ethan Sullivan, yet she remains relatively poised and strong willed as she grows within her House and her position as Sentinel. I am completely appreciative of a heroine that I can relate to and admire and, frankly, not want to strangle...because there are so many other UF heroines that I'd like to take a two-by-four to for so very many reasons, even when I like the series they're in (annnnd we're right back to the unbalanced issue...moving on). The Chicacoland Vampires series is told from Merit's perspective in a smooth, contemporary, first person narrative that is at turns humorous, griping, and caustic with sharp wit. Twice Bitten: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel in particular shines with zippy dialogue and internal monologues, and Merit is almost solely responsible for that fantastic aspect of the book. In Twice Bitten, which picks up mere days from the events of the s

This series is some of the best new UF out there, and definitely deserves 5 stars. The writing style is fabulous, infused with biting and sarcastic humor, and the characters are fleshed out without neglecting the plot. Basically, the shapeshifters have come to town (cue dramatic music), and Ethan, always on the watch for new allies, has sent Merit out to protect the leader in the hopes of currying his favor. The book begins right where Friday Night Bites ends, and over the course of the book, we get a few mysteries wrapped up (including the "blank invitations" thing) and a few new mysteries added to keep things interesting. There's action, romantic scenes, and character growth. Merit is getting stronger, both mentally and physically, and there are some wonderful scenes illustrating how far she's come. Chloe Neill manages to balance Merit's increasingly impressive power with the fact that she's still just a fallible human being. Some of the side characters get a little more scene time here (particularly Jeff, Lindsey, and Mal, along with a bar of Noviates), and we get some more info/backstory on Ethan. My only problem (and this might just be me) is that, while I'm liking Merit more and more each book, I'm liking Ethan less and less. I don't want to spoil anything, but my mouth actually fell open at some of his choices, and not in a good way. I probably shouldn't want to stick pins in a little Ethan voodoo doll, but I really, really do. Anyway, the book is still fabulous, written with surprising elegance, and I'll keep my fingers crossed for some sort of redemption on the romantic front. Preferably redemption involving groveling, epic jealousy, or a mallet to the head. :) Even though many of the problems of each book are self-contained, you get a sense of a building story outside of the "villian of the week" format. Merit is getting stronger, war may be coming, alliances are being made or broken, and it just feels like chess pieces are being set up. All I can say is that it's definitely worth the time and money to check it out.