Well, this is it, the last Series Spotlight-Chicagoland Vampires- post. I have saved the best for last this week, my review of Hard Bitten
, book 4 in the Chicagoland Series. Stay tuned after the review for information on this Giveaway!
, book 4 in the Chicagoland Series. Stay tuned after the review for information on this Giveaway!
by Chloe Neill
Publisher: NAL/Penguin group
Publish Date: May 3, 2011
eISBN: 9781101514443
Genre: Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Romance
Source: kindle ebook
My rating: ***** 5 of 5 stars
Blurb from publisher:
Chicago is beset by supernatural tensions, and Merit-vampire protector of a safe haven called Cadogan house-is worried that the humans will be reaching for their pitchforks any minute. It doesn’t help that yet another vampire rave is broken up by the mayor, and a new inhibition- reducing drug is circulating through the community.
It’s up to Merit to put her house in order-literally. And if that takes getting a little blood on her hands, so be it.
My *spoiler-free* Review:
I have taken my time with this review. I pre-ordered Hard Bitten and started reading the minute it hit my kindle. Hard-Bitten was fabulous, shocking, and the most emotional book in the series so far. To me, a great book is one that has quality writing, characters a reader can relate to, and a story that makes the reader feel that they are a part of something, able to go on the journey along with the characters. Hard Bitten meets these criteria, it is a great book, worthy of a 5 star rating.
Hard Bitten picks up with the Cadogen House Vampires putting their house in order after problems with shifters in book 3, Twice Bitten. Times have changed for vampires in Chicago. Instead of paparazzi, there are protesters. Instead of smooth political relations, there is betrayal, blackmail, and threats. Vampire political drama in Cadogen house really heats up in Hard Bitten, with a visit from the GP and more problems with a certain former house master vampire. Due to all the political problems, Merit is forced to act as more of a solitary Sentinel, without as much help from Ethan. When all of the problems hit the climax, the chaotic results are beyond astonishing.
Ethan is truly at his best in Hard Bitten. He spends the whole of the book doing his best to charm Merit into a romantic relationship, and it seems as though he is trying very hard to learn from past mistakes. Upon comparing Ethan from book 1 to Ethan in book 4, the vampire has come a long way. Merit has helped him remember humanity and sensitivity, and it looks good. Merit also continues to grow and adapt. She learns to be more independent and understanding of vampire politics. We also get to learn more about Jonas, I really like him, and can’t wait to see more of him in the future. Merit and Mallory are in a good place, they seem better able to deal with each other’s situations. There is a lot of action in Hard Bitten, and the crew continues to step in and shine.
Now, for the good stuff, the nitty gritty. The book ends in a shocking manner. It is completely unexpected, emotional, and thought provoking. I know a lot of people have said that they dislike a book because it didn’t end the way they wanted it to, or in the way they expected. I disagree with these people. The book ended, I re-read it, and I have absolutely no clue where Ms Chloe Neill is going here, but I love it. I love the anticipation, the expectation. There is a feeling of possibility, so much could happen, so many different possible story lines. Book number 5, Drink Deep, promises to be a different feel. As I have loved all the books in the series so far, I trust that Chloe Neill has a plan and purpose. If anything, after Hard Bitten, I am even more deeply hooked into this series than I was before. I can tell you for a definite fact, I will be devouring Drink Deep the minute I get my greedy, impatient hands on it!
If you have not read this series yet, don’t miss it. The writing is wonderful, the characters full of fun, life, danger, and of course, snark. I very highly recommend this book to fans of urban fantasy or paranormal romance, it is a MUST-READ!
On to the GIVEAWAY! 3 participants (international) will win 1 book of their choice of any of the 4 books of the Chicagoland Vampires series. Here are the choices:
Here’s how to enter:
*For every week you comment on a Series Spotlight post, you earn an entry in the contest
*Each series spotlight post is open for entries for 1 week, once my new post it up, only comments on the new post are counted for entries
*You do not have to follow to enter, but if you follow, you get an extra entry each week
*Leave a comment about this week’s post, or anything about the series. (let me know if you follow the blog)*Extra Entry for tweeting about this giveaway, leave me a comment with a direct link.
*The contest ends Tuesday, May 31. Books will be sent via The Book Depository, so this is INTERNATIONAL
Thanks for stopping by!
May 25, 2011 at 11:58 pm
I've yet to start this series but it is on my series to be read THIS summer list.
http://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/73644074539827200
GFC follower-Lisa Richards
(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/
May 26, 2011 at 12:21 am
I have enjoyed those of Chloe's books that I have read so I would like to try this as well.
Please enter me in the giveaway.
Thanks.
Carol T
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
May 26, 2011 at 3:19 am
Awesome! I really love The Chicagoland Vampires, it's one of my new favorite series!<3 I have yet to read Hard Bitten, so thanks for the opportunity to get it! And I have to agree with you, Chloe's writing is amazing!
I'm an old follower, I love the series spotlight posts!:)
xoxo
andreea.c88(at)gmail.com
May 26, 2011 at 6:03 am
Can't wait to read this book!
I'm in!
GFC follower kara-karina
May 26, 2011 at 6:04 am
Great review! Thanks for stopping into Immortality and Beyond for our Splash Into Summer Giveaway. I'm following back
.
Have a great weekend,
BK
May 26, 2011 at 9:15 am
Great review! It sounds like the ending is a real cliff hangar.
GFC follower
Tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/mbreakfield/status/73783505955463168
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
May 26, 2011 at 11:41 am
I haven't read this series but I have it on TBR.
New follower here
Dee
shamelessromancereviews at gmail dot com
May 26, 2011 at 11:43 am
This series sounds really good. I'll need to add these to my wishlist
juliecookies(at)gmail.com
follower.
May 26, 2011 at 11:48 am
I am a GFC follower (Alyssa @ hesperialovesbooks). Due to Google problems I can't log in with my account
I absolutely LOVE this series, however, I'm waiting to read Hard Bitten closer to the time of the next book release. I don't like cliffhangers & I've heard there is a major one in this book.
hesperialovesbooks(at)gmail(dot)com
May 26, 2011 at 12:13 pm
Love this series and would love to win a copy of Hard Bitten! New follower and thanks for opportunity!
Jenny845@hotmail.com
May 26, 2011 at 12:22 pm
I have to admit, I was one of those people that hated the ending the first time I read it…now that I've had time to decompress and have reread it, I liked it much better the second time around. I am very much looking forward to Drink Deep
old GFC follower-Valerie
varuca25(at)gmail(dot)com
May 26, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Great review! After reading it I'm really looking forward to reading Hard Bitten once I get my hands on a copy. I love this series, and it has quickly grown to be one of my favorites.
I am a new GFC follower.
crystal_reaper(at)hotmail(dot)com
May 26, 2011 at 2:13 pm
You know what? I've got this whole series on my Nook, I just need to find time! Now you're making me want to ignore all the blog reads and read this series! lol good job!
May 26, 2011 at 5:19 pm
I have never heard of this series before. You have piqued my interest.
May 26, 2011 at 5:27 pm
I need to check out this series.
http://www.twitter.com/demonloversblog
Of course I follow you!
May 26, 2011 at 7:11 pm
I love this series. You can check out my reviews of these books at
http://www.goodreads.com/wildaboutbones
and click on Reviews under the place for a pic. I would love to win the giveaways so I could own the book instead of having to get them from the library each time I want to re-read them.
May 27, 2011 at 12:07 pm
Haven't tried the series yet, but it is on my Summer Read list!
Couldn't get the Follow button up, so I am am email follower, lol, icedancerlilith(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Tweeted as well
http://twitter.com/#!/LoveLaughandRea/status/74188576023252992
May 27, 2011 at 6:03 pm
I'm an old follower
Would love to try this series!
I am a twitter and blog subscriber.
Retweeted this giveaway @austbookshelf
Jayne
May 27, 2011 at 11:49 pm
I'm a new follower & I think your bog is gorgeous. Thanks for great giveaway!! I've only heard good things bout the books.
May 28, 2011 at 7:53 pm
I'm a GFC follower: Identity Seeker
I've heard loads about this series but have not had the chance to read it so I'd love to win. I love the design of your blog.
I've tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/SweetNSensible/status/74669495674880000
sarah.setar@gmail.com
May 29, 2011 at 6:52 am
I haven't read anything by this author yet, but I sure have heard of her.
Would love to read any of those books.
thanks for the giveaway
kah_cherub at hotmail dot com
May 29, 2011 at 6:53 am
I'm an old follower : Karla Vollkopf
kah_cherub at hotmail dot com
May 29, 2011 at 6:54 am
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/vollkopf/status/74835823035559936
kah_cherub at hotmail dot com
May 29, 2011 at 2:22 pm
I have this series on my TBR list. Can't wait to start it and would love to win this book. The review was great. I'm a follower on twitter. @okmom43. Hope I win. Thanks. Dpbussie@yahoo.com.
June 1, 2011 at 8:56 am
Comments are closed, thank you to everyone who participated! Winners will be announced shortly!
September 13, 2011 at 5:59 pm
[...] loved Hard Bitten, even though it was shocking, you can read my review HERE. That’s my Waiting On Wednesday pick, what book or books are you waiting for? [...]
October 20, 2011 at 1:06 am
[...] and fans of this series have been anxiously awaiting the release of Drink Deep. (Read My Review of Hard Bitten) To let you know a little bit more about this upcoming [...]