Title: Biting Cold
Series: Chicagoland Vampires #6
Author: Chloe Neill
Publisher: NAL
Format: Trade paperback, 352 pages
Published: August 17, 2012
ISBN #: 9780451237019 / 0451237013
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Copy: bought
Turned into a vampire against her will, twenty-eight-year-old Merit found her way into the dark circle of Chicago’s vampire underground, where she learned there was more to supernaturals than met the eye–and more supernaturals than the public ever imagined. And not all the secrets she learned were for sharing–among humans or inhumans.
Now Merit is on the hunt, charging across the stark American Midwest, tailing a rogue supernatural intent on stealing an ancient artifact that could unleash catastrophic evil on the world. But Merit is also the prey. An enemy of Chicagoland is hunting her, and he’ll stop at nothing to get the book for himself. No mercy allowed.
No rules apply. No lives spared. The race is on.
I approached the 6th installment in Chloe Neill’s Chicagoland Vampires series with much trepidation because she’s done some pretty crazy things to her characters in the last couple of books and I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I’m sad to say that my worries weren’t entirely put to rest as she does fall back into some of her old, less desirable writing habits. Granted, the story does bounce back towards the end and, House Rules does look promising but I’m still not convinced that this will be the last time readers will have to deal with the tired Ethan drama. That point aside, the plot’s enjoyable, the action is abundant and the ending gave me hope about the future of this series.
This book takes off running right out of the gates; Ethan and Merit are driving to Nebraska to stop Mallory from opening a mega can of evil. I was happy that Neill didn’t waste any time in continuing the events from the previous novel but I was also a little confused thanks to the lack of a recap. I found myself struggling to remember the who, what, and why of their current predicament. I was also kinda peeved that Merit and Ethan didn’t get the reunion that they so desperately deserved and became doubly so later on when Sullivan backpedals. Again. I was hoping that Chloe would give readers a break after all of the insanity or, at the very least, I would have settled for a quickie in the backseat. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t meant to be and we’re forced to wait.
My main complaint with this book is that Ethan’s can’t-be-with-Merit-for-her-own-protection stupidity was back in full force. Haven’t we been down this road enough already? For a 400 hundred year old vampire Sullivan sure is dumb. He’s an exceptional leader and a masterful tactician but when it comes to love he’s a real nincompoop. I’m SO SICK AND TIRED of his indecisiveness and fear of commitment that when it resurfaced yet again I threw the book across the room. Literally. How many times is Chloe Neill going to do this to us? For the past two books I’ve been on the fence as to whether or not I want to continue reading this series and then she goes and does more of the same. The ending was a step in the right direction but the moment that Ethan reverts back to his nincompoop ways, and I’m talking one tiny slip, I’m done. I do not appreciate being strung along for 3 books; I’ve given the Chicagoland Vampires way more chances than they deserve only because the first half of this series is incredible but even I have a breaking point.
The plot of Biting Cold is amazing. I loved the story from beginning to end (other than the whole Ethan thing of course) and was happy with how Neill handled Mallory’s betrayal as well as explaining Tate’s true nature. All of this series’ supes come out to play in this installment and it was nice to see them finally working together towards a common goal. I loved the way that this story ended; there were some really interesting developments and I can’t wait to see what House Rules has in store for us. It’s do or die time Chloe Neill so don’t blow it.
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| Recommendation: | A good installment to read for fans that have lost faith in this series. |
| Like this, like that: | The Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost, the Sabina Kane series by Jaye Wells and the Elemental Assasin series by Jennifer Estep. |
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!
wow this series seems to get better and better *bumps it higher up the wishhlist*
totally understand how you feel and I too am on the fence about continuing on with it to. I have been through the series up and down and so tired of being strung along too. Yes totally agree about a quickie or something đ UGH
Ethan totally drove me crazy. I so wanted to punch him. That was my biggest complaint in the book. Like you just rose from the dead you have a second chance mofo! Both of them should have been ripping each others clothes off asap!
Oh wow! That’s some review! I can understand your issues with the book. The back and forth games authors and characters like to play can be really really annoying! So far I have this marked as my next book to read, but that may or may not change if my copy of Iced arrives this week. Haven’t really decided which route to take yet!
Still, nice review! I hope the series picks up for you! Seems you’ve been having tough reads as of late. This one and Christina Henry’s latest. Hope your next read is better as well!
@kimbacaffeinate The first three books are the best so far IMO.
@Julie@My5monkeys Hehe glad you agree with me on the quickie. :p
@Amber I @ Awesomesauce Freaking Ethan!! LOL That man drives me CRAZY!
@Jessica@a GREAT read Thanks Jessica; I’ve read a few really good books since this one so it evens out. đ
AAAAH I know I know I need to start this series! I’m so late behind you.
@Melliane I’m sure I’m behind on a lot of series’ that you’re up to date on; ya can’t win ’em all!