I just finished book one of the brand spankin new (April 2009)
Chicagoland Vampires series, and if the rest are like this one, i
am gonna be one happy reader in the coming years.
Author Chloe Neill introduces us to her vision of the supernatural
world, where the focus is mainly on the Vampires of Chicago. In
this world Vampires have revealed themselves to the human world.
They are divided into Houses - although there are rogues who are
exiled vamps - and follow strict rules (Canon reference guide),
where the Master of each house rules and is also the only vampire
allowed to create vampires. They even have a specific amount they
are allowed to create. These initiates are then commended as a
member of the House provided they swear to specific oaths of
loyalty and allegiance to the House and Master.
First off we meet our newly turned vampire Merit - an english lit
grad student in her late twenties. She is forced to become a vamp
as she is attacked while crossing campus, and left for dead. Here
enters Ethan Sullivan, Master Vamp of the Cadogen house, who saves
her by turning her and making her a Cadoen initiate! Frome here on
out, the adventure that is Merit's new life as a Cadogan vampire,
begins!
Her attack seems to not be the only one happening, however, she is
the only survivor. She is thrust into this world unwillingly where
she struggles for a significant portion of the book with her new
fate. Her new fate includes not only being allergic to the sun, but
also a diet that has to include blood as well as normal food, an
inability to continue her schooling as she now has no human rights
anymore, and finally she has to deal with Ethan - a super sexy
vamp, that causes her intense frustration. There is intense sexual
tension throughout the book between Ethan and Merit, and although
they both verbally assault on another, some of the funniest moments
are these two bickering at each other. Ethan clearly has never had
someone talk back to him before - but you can tell there are parts
of him that likes her because of the challenge she brings. After
long internal debates, she is commended into the Cadogan House as
the House Sentinal. This means she has sworn allegiance to Ethan
and more specifically to the safety and protection of the House,
but that she can still retain a little bit of her rebellious nature
that clearly irritates Ethan. As Sentinal she is thrust into the
world of politics, rights, and potential impending war between the
houses/vamps, with the humans, and the other supernaturals. This
book tries to figure out who is responsible for the attacks and
threatening their already fragile peace.
Other than Ethan and Merit, the supporting cast in the book
includes Mallory, Merit's roommate and best friend who finds out
that she can yield powerful magic a la wizard, Catcher who is an
ex-communicated from the union wizard who is not only teaching
Merit how to fight, but also canoodling with Mallory - all while
teaching her how to use her magic of course, Jeff - a shifter,
Lindsay - a new vamp friend introduced during commendation, Merit's
sweet grandfather who loves her to pieces all while also being the
Ombusman for the supernatural world/human world relations, and I
cannot forget Morgan - the second in command for the Navarre House
that has his eye on Merit. There are other characters (Celina,
Merit Family, Luc, and so on) but the ones described above are the
ones that are the most memorable and the ones i hope to see a lot
of in future books.
This book contains some hilarious scenes. The comedic relief is not
lacking and is one of the best parts of reading this book. Merit is
clearly bitter about the being a vampire, and does not hesitate to
let everyone, especially Ethan hear about it. She is a strong
fierce woman and does not take to taking orders and to a life of
servitude as she calls it, very well. Her frustration with her
unwanted attraction to Ethan is funny too - although its mutual!!!
Mallory is also a great character, and is quite funny herself -
especially when Catcher enters the picture. Catcher is a hard ass
that is super blunt about everything - except his secrets, but
terribly funny with some of his comments, and you have to love all
the moments where he plays a part.
Overall, this is not an action packed thrill ride, not an epic, not
a groundbreaking story, but rather a hilarious with dramatic
moments story of a girl forced into a new world she was not
prepared for. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was
entertaining, and i honestly wish the next chapter in Merit's life
would come out before the fall. I will be a loyal reader of this
series if Neill can keep writing like this. Incredibly easy and
enjoyable to read. My favourite kind of Fluff!!!!!!!!!
Enjoy!