Biting Bad (Chicagoland Vampires)

Biting Bad was reminiscent of the earlier Chicagoland Vampires novels and I for one couldn't be happier! The first three installments are what hooked me on this series and this latest one has ensured that I'll continue reading these books for a long time to come, especially with all of the promising new novellas that are already in the pipeline. This novel is Ethan/Merit drama free which was a huge relief because readers can now actually focus on Chloe Neill's phenomenal writing style and storytelling skills instead of their relationship woes.

The first thing that stood out for me about this book were the recaps; Neill does an excellent job of filling in any memory blanks readers may have while still weaving in new plot threads at the same time. After the first chapter I was able to easily get my bearings in Chicagoland which allowed me to seamlessly reenter this world as though no time had elapsed between installments. I was also so thankful that Neill established within the first one hundred pages that Ethan and Merit were not going to be at odds in this story. This made it feel as though a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders because in the last few books I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop; both of these elements allowed me to just sit back and enjoy the ride worry-free.

I loved how much attention Neill paid to the characters' surroundings in this book; she knows both Chicago and its winters well, and it shows. I live in Canada and I'm pretty used to the cold but even I got sympathy chills while reading about the city's frigid temperatures. This novel has a lot of little extras like that and I do like an author with a keen eye for details! Merit's socialite status is becoming ever more important as this series progresses and I enjoyed how in this installment she has designers vying for her attention in an attempt to be THE fashion designer of choice for vamps. Our Sentinel isn't usually overly fond of pretty things but even she liked the custom dress. I also had to Google what a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL looks like because of the fun back-and-forth between Ethan and Gabe. Now I understand why Mr. Sullivan had car envy!

Ethan and Merit are great in this installment; they have finally reached a happy place in their relationship and I couldn't help but breathe a huge sigh of relief. In the midst of the city going to Hell they are still trying to have a "normal" Valentine's Day and I LOVED THAT! Catcher and Mallory are on the mends as well; I'm so happy that the Chicagoland Vampires are becoming one big happy family again. They have enough drama in their lives without having to take it from each other as well. The bad guy was obvious but Neill still makes you work for it in a roundabout way and no installment in this series would be complete without... you guessed it, a cliffhanger! But it's nowhere near as bad as some of Chloe's previous ones have been so you can rest easy.

I don't have one single complaint where Biting Bad is concerned. I absolutely loved this book from start to finish; this is the installment that I have been waiting for. Chloe Neill is back on top and her Chicagoland Vampires are better than ever!

Merit is my Idol!!! She is so awesome. BITING BAD is awesome. So very worth reading. Looking forward to the next book.

*copied from my goodreads review:

Ok so let me start by saying that I love this series and will continue to read them for as long as Ms. Neill writes them. That being said, this one just wasn't my favorite. It moved a little too slow for me, however it got some great action at the end. There was an interesting cliffhanger too, so I'm definitely looking forward to the next one, but I just couldn't get into the plot this time.

And was I the only one thinking/hoping a certain proposal might come at the end of this one? But I certainly enjoyed seeing Ethan and Merit become a tighter unit, and I love how much they've grown. I keep waiting for more clues on this "child with Ethan's eyes" prophecy, its been mentioned in the last few books now but I'm still lost. I thought with the whole 'vamps turning human' thing that it might have to do with that but Merit has made her decision, and I'm so happy she's staying a vampire. However, this doesn't mean there won't be a child for them somewhere down the line... I just have no idea how it will happen if they stay vampires, but Ms. Neill is very creative so we shall see

I love the series but this book was a little disappointing. Ethan needs to fire Merit as House Sentinel. She keeps getting her butt kick by HUMANS. Ethan has to keep coming to her rescue. She is suppose to be protecting him. In this book I don't recognize Merit at all. She seems more human than vampire. Please in the next book bring The Real Merit back. Didn't like this wimpy Merit. The plot was great.

I agree with everything that BOOKGEEK wrote in her review:

- a little too much has happened in this world in only 10 months. And yet many allusions are made to how much time they spend together-"a lot of hours spent watching criminal investigations TV in Lindsey room" - ??? when did they have time with all of the action that has happened in these 8 books???
- why can Merit hold her own when sparring with Ethan and Catcher and yet continue to get her butt kicked in almost every encounter outside of the house?
- the interaction in the Ops Room for every investigation seems a tad sophomoric given the years of experience that vampires should accumulate and the amount of technology they have access to.

On the pro side

- still love the all of the Characters ( Ethan, Jeff, Lindsey ect...)
- loved the interaction with Merits family at dinner

I will continue to read and hope for more development in the future.

This was good but could have been better the whole series is based in Chicago but not a Chicago that someone born and raised there would recognize. A lot of the slang used is just not from Chicago. This last book in describing the weather I never saw the phrase lake effect snow, or the Hawk is out (slang from WWII not modern), Neighborhood names are used but the author has not spent more than a day in real time there. I remember riding on the bus through New town and watching a man in a clear vinyl 3 piece suit with fishnet underwear walk down the street, of course this was in the 70's. Andersonville, Rodger's Park, Back of the Yards,Uptown, Goldcoast, Lincoln Park, and Hyde Park, and Brickyard and other old neighborhoods are not mentioned as well as things like upper Wacker drive and lower Wacker drive the EL and the CTA is also ignored. How about a river dyed green for St Paddy's day or some old fashion Polish thrown in. The Author needs a proof reader from Chi Town.

Thoroughly entertained by a nice balance of action and romance! I was happy to discover all those early reviews of this book that gushed about swoon-inducing moments were 100% on the mark. I am so freaking happy Methan get the chance to be a normal couple (as normal as an immortal power couple being threatened 24/7 can get). After seven books of trouble, they deserve it! I LOVE THESE TWO IDIOTS.

I also liked how the plot with the latest Big Bad played out. But McKettrick didn't really scare me as super-villainy goes (compared to say, Celina or the GP). I'm hoping see the GP play a larger role as our antagonists again (which by the mild-cliffhanger goes, it seems more likely!)

Nothing major to complain about. Personally, I thought the first 40 pages or so were a bit slow-building. I expected more tension and suspense when it came to being caught in the middle of the riots. But that was the only small part I thought the action was lacking (many more scenes of thrilling action happens after). All in all, I still give this book 5 stars. I've already been through my first reread to really let all the details sink in!

Chloe Neill delivers yet again! The story has it all: murder, mystery, love & humor. Plus it's more of what we want. More Jeff, Jonah, Catcher & Mallory & of course, Merit & Ethan. Sigh...I absolutely loved Ethan in this one! I won't tell you what happens b/c that is the best part...the thrill of reading it! But all I can say is...WOW! Can't wait for the next one! :)

Spoilers

Biting Bad starts off with a spar session between Merit and her oh-so-yummy Master/lover, Ethan Sullivan. Of course the members of Cadogan House had to watch the sparring session to see who beats who. In the crowd are Catcher Bell, Merit's friend and mentor, and Jonah of House Grey, who also happens to be Merit's Red Guard partner. Since being rescued by Cadogan House, the head of the GP has remained quiet and everyone is on red alert to see what they might possibly dish out as punishment for breaking away from the GP.

Merit goes off and meets up with Mallory, who has been working with Gabriel Keene, pack master of the North American Central Pack to control her magic. I am happy that Mallory and Merit have started taking steps to rebuild the relationship that they had before Mallory went all psycho-power crazy with dark magic. Things are going well when the trouble starts. Rioters are throwing Molotov cocktails at a BLOOD4YOU factory, set it ablaze, while chanting 'Clean Chicago'. The rioters began expanding and picking on people who they perceived as vampire lovers; with the suspicious intent to beat the crap out of you despite your answer. That's the scary thing with rioters. During a riot, rioters feel that they could get away with anything. To add even GREATER insult to injury, the rioters beat on Merit's car, smashing windows and making dents on the frame. Oh! Poor baby!

Gathering her wits and getting the hell out the range of danger, Merit and Mallory head back to Little Red, where Gabriel gave Merit a loaner car to drive home, since her Volvo was so beat up. There's a particular reason why he let her borrow the specific Mercedes-Benz car and it has to do with Ethan and a dead gangster, but I won't elaborate any further. ;) One shoe has dropped, but not to worry! There are other plotlines that are explored. Namely the GP and their political fight for dominance against Cadogan House. I honestly thought there would be some leniency toward Cadogan House since they did form a rescue mission to get Darius West and Lakshmi Rao back from the assassin, hired by none other than McKetrick, the hatemonger with a serious vendetta against vampires.

Later on in the book, we finally learn where McKetrick's deep-seated hatred for vamps comes from and as tragic as it was, I have no pity for this man. Moving on, we also get the meet the Merit family, with their assorted spouses. Merit and Ethan go to dinner at the Merit house and by house I mean fancy digs. The dinner scene brings a different perspective of the Merit family. From previous books, the Merits came off as elitist and were not accepting of anything that disrupted their way of life and reputation in society. They still came off as elitist, but not so much. Mr. Merit Sr. still has the need to distance himself from his poor upbringing by putting on a show of a fancy dinner; even though it's just a family dinner.

Merit, along with her friends investigate the perpetrator of the firebombings at the factory as well as the other vampire friendly places that were attacked. There's more to the story than meets the eye and Merit is just the girl to piece it together. Friendships are rebuilt, lives are lost and the fight for their livelihood is at hand! There's action, romance, humor, and plenty of emotions to go around. Biting Bad is a wonderful addition to the series and Chloe Neill does it again! I absolutely can't wait to read the next book!

Excellent story