Maria (SassenachD) -
Helpful Score: 8
This was recommended to me by a fellow vampire fan.. For a new author to me, this book rocked! The entire story is believable! Merit is one tough cookie and accepts her new found life. I don't want to give the entire story away, but if you like Sparks, Sands or Cole you will enjoy this book. The interaction between characters is great...funny and ooooooo! You just sit back and enjoy...I do hope the next book in the series is as good or better...I couldn't put it down...Not heavy reading. I am definitely recommending this one.
Brittany H. (poohbritt) -
Helpful Score: 5
Similar with Harris' vampire world, the book takes place not too long after vampires have officially announced their existence to us mere mortals. The big reveal was done by the elite Chicago vampire houses. Because much like the feudal lord system and a lot like pack/pride structures in shifter/were novels, all vampires are divided into houses and those that refuse or are kicked out of a house are called Rogues. Our heroine, Merit, is attacked by a rogue and her life is "saved" by McDreamy vampire Master of the Cadogan, Ethan Sullivan. By saved I mean she joined the ranks of the long-of-tooth, and not too willingly.
Now, just as Merit has been told that her life as a English grad-student (yet another main character who is a book nerd. Gotta say, loving the trend) is over, she has precious little time to come to terms that she has to swear allegiance to Ethan as her Lord and Master. Which I think puts any woman raised after...say...1900 go: "Yeah...right. When monkeys fly outta my butt!" To top it all off, the Rogue who nearly ripped her throat out seems to have a taste for the slim brunettes as other girls turn up dead via vamp. Then direct threats are made against her life. Oh...and by the way, all these vampire houses are on the verge of war.
The great thing is that I can tell this is yet another great set up for what could be a multi-directional series. Because Merit's room mate is discovered out to be a budding sorceress, her grandfather works in a special police branch that deals with all things that go bump in the night (and employs a sorcerer and shifter), and we are introduced to many different characters that could eventually end up having their own story. I can definitely see that Chloe Neill, intentionally or not, gave herself plenty of room to grow. From her website, it looks like there will be at least 4 books in this series. So when you devour this book, you have "Friday Night Bites," to look forward too.
Now, just as Merit has been told that her life as a English grad-student (yet another main character who is a book nerd. Gotta say, loving the trend) is over, she has precious little time to come to terms that she has to swear allegiance to Ethan as her Lord and Master. Which I think puts any woman raised after...say...1900 go: "Yeah...right. When monkeys fly outta my butt!" To top it all off, the Rogue who nearly ripped her throat out seems to have a taste for the slim brunettes as other girls turn up dead via vamp. Then direct threats are made against her life. Oh...and by the way, all these vampire houses are on the verge of war.
The great thing is that I can tell this is yet another great set up for what could be a multi-directional series. Because Merit's room mate is discovered out to be a budding sorceress, her grandfather works in a special police branch that deals with all things that go bump in the night (and employs a sorcerer and shifter), and we are introduced to many different characters that could eventually end up having their own story. I can definitely see that Chloe Neill, intentionally or not, gave herself plenty of room to grow. From her website, it looks like there will be at least 4 books in this series. So when you devour this book, you have "Friday Night Bites," to look forward too.
Procrastinated reading this book for awhile...shouldn't have! Well written, I was immediately pulled into the story. Good world building, well rounded characters and plot;light and entertaining without being silly. The author even pulls off a spunky heroine without falling into bitchy territory. A fun read, easy to recommend to others...excuse me while I go stalk the sequil!
Stacy W. (whatstacy) -
Helpful Score: 3
Don't let the cover and title fool you. This book was great! It's charming and funny, with great character development. Each character has their own history and part to play in the whole plot of the series. Merit is so funny, I laughed out loud a few times. And the sexual tension between Merit and Ethan.....HOT! Give this book a try, I don't think anyone would be disappointed. It kind of reminds me of the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. I think Mercy and Merit would get along wonderfully.
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http://www.goodreads.com/whatstacy
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http://www.goodreads.com/whatstacy
Barbara S. (barbsis) -
Helpful Score: 3
Though I did obviously enjoy this book, it did have a few drawbacks. Ethan! Yeah I know everyone loves Ethan but I thought he was an asshat. And a medieval asshat at that! What was with all that "servicing the lord" crap? It's no wonder Merit rebelled. Heck I would have told him to shove it where the sun don't shine. And I just can't see why Merit is so interested in him, heck he has a girl whom he flaunts; and even though he obviously doesn't like her, he asks Merit to be his consort (read whore); his attitude is beyond annoying; and he really lacks the personality gene. I just don't get it...what exactly is the appeal? Oh I'm sure he'll come around and become human eventually, but until that point, why in the world would Merit waste her time and energy on him when there is another hot, sexy vamp waiting in the wings....Morgan! Now he is worth drooling over and he is obviously interested in Merit as a person and not an object for his personal gain and pleasure. Oh hell I guess Ethan really did piss me off so I'll get off my high-horse now.
With that said, I really did like this book. I loved Merit and her snark (heck all the characters had snark going on and it was fantastic). I love me some snark! It took Merit a while to come to terms with her new vampiric tendencies. After all she was turned without her consent but if the alternative was death, I would imagine being a vampire was preferable. Even though Merit is the heroine here, the secondary characters are also great. Her BFF would-be sorcerer Mallory Carmichael, her weapons/self-defense instructor sorcerer Catcher Bell, computer geek and shifter Jeff Christopher and Luc and Lindsey (Cadogan House guards).
This book concentrated on vampires but there are also shifters, fae and nymphs in Chicago and I'm thinking each species will get to be center stage at some point. The world building is interesting and these vampires actually eat (and a lot of food at that) in addition to drinking blood. I will definitely be reading Friday Night Bites.
With that said, I really did like this book. I loved Merit and her snark (heck all the characters had snark going on and it was fantastic). I love me some snark! It took Merit a while to come to terms with her new vampiric tendencies. After all she was turned without her consent but if the alternative was death, I would imagine being a vampire was preferable. Even though Merit is the heroine here, the secondary characters are also great. Her BFF would-be sorcerer Mallory Carmichael, her weapons/self-defense instructor sorcerer Catcher Bell, computer geek and shifter Jeff Christopher and Luc and Lindsey (Cadogan House guards).
This book concentrated on vampires but there are also shifters, fae and nymphs in Chicago and I'm thinking each species will get to be center stage at some point. The world building is interesting and these vampires actually eat (and a lot of food at that) in addition to drinking blood. I will definitely be reading Friday Night Bites.
