Title: Drink Deep
Series: Chicagoland Vampires #5
Author: Chloe Neill
Publisher: NAL Trade
Published: November 1, 2011
My Copy: ARC from Penguin Group Canada
Clouds are brewing over Cadogan House, and recently turned vampire Merit can’t tell if this is the darkness before the dawn or the calm before the storm. With the city itself in turmoil over paranormals and the state threatening to pass a paranormal registration act, times haven’t been this precarious for vampires since they came out of the closet. If only they could lay low for a bit, and let the mortals calm down.
That’s when the waters of Lake Michigan suddenly turn pitch black-and things really start getting ugly.
Chicago’s mayor insists it’s nothing to worry about, but Merit knows only the darkest magic could have woven a spell powerful enough to change the very fabric of nature. She’ll have to turn to friends old and new to find out who’s behind this, and stop them before it’s too late for vampires and humans alike.
Drink Deep definitely ranks up there on my list of most difficult books to review. Not in a “words can’t describe how amazing it is” way (although I did give it 5 stars) nor thankfully, in a “too horrible for words” way. It’s challenging because it’s damn near impossible not to give away spoilers! I will try my best but be forewarned; if you’re new to the series or not entirely caught up, you might want to skim a bit. Just be sure to come back and re-read my review once you’re in the know (wishful thinking on my part). I will say this though, Chloe Neill does make amends for the heart attack worthy cliffhanger that she subjected us to in Hard Bitten. As to what the outcome is and whether you’ll like it or not… well, pick up a copy and judge for yourself!
Something’s gone horribly wrong in the natural world in this installment. Each supe is quick to point the finger at their enemies but it’s up to Merit to get to the bottom of it all. I like playing devil’s advocate so I guessed early on who the perpetrator was but unless you’re like me, the plot will probably keep you guessing up until the very end. At which point you’ll most likely be feeling a little dumbstruck and maybe even betrayed. After Hard Bitten I refuse to put anything past Chloe. This girl knows no limits! While righting one wrong she commits another. I guess that’s part of the appeal of the Chicagoland Vampires series and why I keep coming back for more. At least the ending is a little more manageable. I’m happy to report that my copy of Drink Deep is still in pristine condition. I wish I could say the same for Hard Bitten. I might have taken some of my frustration out on the book… I vaguely remember it being airborne…
I definitely did miss Ethan’s presence in the story but not as much as I was expecting. Neill does a nice job of sending countless vivid dreams Merit’s way that make it feel as though he was part of the tale. Besides, Chloe was also kind enough to substitute one slice of man pie for another so there was an uninterrupted stream of hunks. Jonah’s sexy in his own right and I felt an attraction but try as he might, he’s no Ethan. He’s probably better for Merit than the infamous master of Cadogan House is but the heart wants what the heart wants!
The story progressed at a slower pace than what I’ve come to expect from this series. The ending was by far the best part but at times it felt like I had to wade through 300 pages before getting to the “good stuff”. I had to resist the urge to peek at the final chapter several times. The suspense of not knowing was killing me! The finale was a little too neat in my opinion. The plot line allowed Neill to tie up all of the loose ends left over from Hard Bitten with a nice big bow. Although I did enjoy this book and the ending puts Chloe back in my good graces; I can’t ignore the fact that this story felt like filler in some ways. A whole book dedicated to working in the perfect conclusion to the previous novel. I’m not finding fault with it but it needed to be said.
Drink Deep puts the Chigacoland Vampires series back on track in a big way. The pace is slower than what we’re accustomed to but the strong finish will catapult Chloe Neill back into being one your favorite authors. Stay tuned for Biting Cold expected out in August 2012.
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Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
Great review and I had some of those thoughts..felt more filler and I missed smexy times..
I found this so difficult to review to. Mainly because anyone that knows me would be able to tell by my tone or stars what happened.
I see how everyone is saying this is more of a filler book, I think the ending just won me over so much that I forgot everything else.
Great Review!
@Julie@My5monkeys – Yes! More smexy times please! LOL
@Amber I @ Awesomesauce – I hear ya about the ending. It completely won me over too.
Great review Carmel! Reading this one now and glad to be back in Chicago! Missed the characters! Just getting into the beginning of the mystery about the lake and whatnot so I have no suspects yet, but that might change the next time I pick up the book!
Great review! now I don’t feel a little less anxious about find it out how she was going to handle Ethan death, I feel a little better after reading your review, but I don’t know…. She still killed my favorite character in the book…. I don’t Jonah! lol
So not team Ethan, but the dreams were very intriguing. Don’t you find that she changes completely when she is with Ethan?
*slightly spoiler-ish comment*
I was actually a little annoyed at how easily I figured out who was causing the trouble. I mean, the two separate mentions of “funneling magic” and the other two about “creating familiars” made it way too easy..:) Of course now I am dying to see why this person did all of this!
I also thought the ending wrapped up a little to neatly. If you had asked me after finishing Hard Bitten I would have said this was exactly what I wanted, but it still felt a little too convenient. Either way I love this series though, and I can’t wait to see how Merit will handle her new duties!:)
@Jessica@a GREAT read – You’ll be done reading it in no time!
@Lupdilup – Give it a try, trust me. You won’t be disappointed. 🙂
@Rie Conley – I suppose but I don’t support your anti-Enthan POV so…
@Nina – Hmm, interesting to hear that you found it easy… That doesn’t seem to be the consensus. Maybe we’re just exceptions?