Interview and Review: Dark Debt by Chloe Neill

Posted February 27, 2015 by Carmel in Carmel, Reviews, Urban Fantasy / 88 Comments

DarkDebt_Tour



Happy Friday, and welcome to my stop on Chloe Neill’s DARK DEBT blog tour! I have a quick Q&A with the author to share with you, as well as my review, and a giveaway. I hope your one-click finger is warmed up because the next installment in the CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES series hits shelves next Tuesday, and you won’t want to miss it.


1. Chicago and the mafia are practically synonymous which is why I’m surprised that the CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES managed to avoid any encounters with the seedier side of the Windy City for 10 installments. What made you decide to finally explore this type of plot arc?

[box]I think because Merit and Ethan aren’t usually involved in the types of crimes that a criminal syndicate would deal with–like those that deal with money. The CPD doesn’t necessarily need vampire experts for that, generally. At least, not until DARK DEBT…[/box]

2. Merit’s taste in food is pretty eclectic, and ranges from blood (obviously) to Mallocakes to deep dish pizza, but what’s her f-a-v-o-u-r-i-t-e thing to chow down on, and why? Do you have a ultimate midwest dish?

[box]I think pizza is probably her favorite chow down food, although she wouldn’t argue with a burger and fries, either. I’m pretty much the same. 🙂 I’m southern, so many of my personal favorite dishes are southern, too. Chicken and dumplings, collard greens, cornbread, southern-style mac and cheese. Although when it comes to a weekend splurge, I’m a nacho girl all the way.[/box]

3. As one of the topmost authorities on all things werewolf I’m honour-bound to ask; have your shifters been permanently sidelined after WILD THINGS or do still have plans for them? Vague hints are welcome. Please!

[box]The shifters are never sidelined. LUCKY BREAK features much shiftery goodness, and there’s still the matter of the prophecy to deal with…[/box]

4.Novellas are a fairly new addition to your CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES series; do you enjoy writing them more or less than full length installments? Why?

[box]I enjoy them differently. I usually have two or three plots in any story, and weaving them together into a shorter story can be complicated. But it also give me a chance, like in LUCKY BREAK, to explore a completely different setting, which was a lot of fun.[/box]
[box]Thanks so much for having me![/box]

[author] [author_image timthumb=’off’]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Njql7JILhbs/Ue_ub1sJ3VI/AAAAAAAAIqo/jdcvI9Wiaqk/s1600/Chloe-Neill.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]
Author Bio





Chloe Neill is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Devil’s Isle, Chicagoland Vampires, and Dark Elite series. She was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest. When not writing, she bakes, works, and scours the Internet for good recipes and great graphic design. Chloe also maintains her sanity by spending time with her boys–her favorite landscape photographer/husband and their dogs, Baxter and Scout. (Both she and the photographer understand the dogs are in charge.) Photo © Dana Damewood.




ChloeNeill.com | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest


GoodReads | Amazon

[/author_info] [/author]


My Review

Interview and Review: Dark Debt by Chloe Neill
Dark Debt by Chloe Neill
Series: Chicagoland Vampires #11
Published by NAL
Published on: March 3, 2015
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 400
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

A vampire never gets old. But neither do his enemies. When a figure from Ethan's dark past makes a splashy debut in Chicago, Merit and her Master don't know whether he's friend or foe. But they'll have to figure out soon, because trouble is brewing in the Windy City.

At an exclusive society soiree attended by the upper echelons of the human and supernatural worlds, Merit and Ethan barely stop the assassination of a guest. When the target turns out to be a shady businessman with a criminal edge, Merit suspects a human vendetta. But the assassins have fangs....

The connections to Chicago's Houses go deeper than Merit knows, and even one wrong move could be her last....

Addictive Rereadable

Chicago has a reputation for good food, crappy weather, and organized crime; Chloe Neill makes a point of including the first two in practically every installment, but the third had yet to surface. DARK DEBT rocketed into the previous book’s cliff hanger with little delay while also paving the way for a new mafia plot thread that will in all likelihood become this series’ latest story arc. The secondary characters were the headliners of this novel for me with Mallory & Catcher at the head of the pack.

Merit is ever so gradually becoming a ‘real’ vampire after her unorthodox transformation in SOME GIRLS BITE, and the most recent undead trait that she has to contend with is glamour. She’s skated by on immunity for ten books, but the time has come to pay the piper. Her pound of flesh came at a pretty high price, and I was afraid that it would be yet another obstacle between her and Ethan. Speaking of Cadogan House’s master, his solution was uber uninspired, so I was happy that 1. Merit vetoed it, and 2. She conquered her snag.

The author nimbly pulled the wool over our eyes as far as antagonists go. There were two enemies stirring the waters of Lake Michigan in this installment; one was obvious until he wasn’t while as the other stayed on the DL until he could deliver a direct hit. I really enjoyed how this story’s plot developed, Neill never does anything without a reason, and even though her ploys don’t always make sense at the time, they eventually complete their circuit in a rewarding way, so I look forward to seeing where she takes her gangster thread.

Mallory & Catcher were the masters of all things feels in this novel. I wish I could blurt out the why of it, but their aaww moment was too good to spoil. Morgan’s been the gum at the bottom of the CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES shoe since day 1, therefore I was kinda stunned when he manned-up, and I found myself genuinely liking him. The same can be said of Merit’s dad, he’s definitely not a candidate for father of the year however after his actions in this book there may be hope for him yet. Jonah on the other hand… what a hypocrite!

Chloe Neill strikes again with DARK DEBT!

Was this review helpful? If so, please like it on GoodReads or vote for it on Amazon!

Chicagoland Vampires Series

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Giveaway


The fun doesn’t stop here. Want more chances to win? You can also enter the Dark Debt Grand Prize Giveaway, which runs February 23 through March 6 on Chloe’s web site.

Grand Prize Giveaway:

  • An engraved Cadogan House medal necklace
  • A Kindle Paperwhite
  • Cadogan House cotton tote bag
  • Cadogan House keychian
  • Chicagoland Vampires bookmarks, pens, and lanyard

Tour Stop Giveaway: (enter via below Rafflecopter)

  • Cadogan House cotton tote bag
  • Cadogan House keychain
  • ARC of Dark Debt
  • An autographed international Chicagoland Vampires or Dark Elite novel
  • Swag, including Chicagoland Vampires bookmarks and pens, and Cadogan House lanyards



a Rafflecopter giveaway


Follow The Tour!

February 23:
Finding Sanity in Our Crazy Life
Lore Lush Books

February 24:
Star Crossed Book Blog
Little Miss Book Addict’s House of Books

February 25:
Once Upon a Twilight
Krista’s Dust Jacket

February 26:
Goldilox and the Three Weres
Angel’s Guilty Pleasures

February 27:
Feeling Fictional
Rabid Reads		 March 2:
Booklovers for Life
Bad Bird Reads

March 3:
Saucy Wenches Book Club
Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
Fangs, Wands & Fairy Dust
Vampire Book Club

March 4:
Ceres Book World
Book Infatuation Reviews

March 5:
Consummate Reader

March 6:
Little Read Riding Hood
Three Chicks After Dark




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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!

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88 responses to “Interview and Review: Dark Debt by Chloe Neill”

  2. Stormi  

    I am so behind!! Looking at all those books looks so intimidating..lol. I just started this series last year with listening to book one. I have book two to listen too and will continue this series on audio as I really enjoyed it..I shall catch up one day..lol. 🙂
    Stormi recently posted…Audioreview of Carrots

  3. Berls  

    This release snuck up on me! Oops! Better go get my audible pre-order set 🙂 I’m excited for this one, kind of a new world with the mafia! And I’m glad the Ethan-Merit relationship drama is at a low 🙂

    • Carmel  

      The mafia angle was definitely an interesting change of pace, and yes, no drama between the main couple is a GOOD thing. They’ve already been through so much!

  5. kindlemom1  

    I have been wondering how this series has been going. For some reason I put this series on hold after only the third book, which was crazy because I loved it. I really should pick it back up. I do like that there are novellas now. I know not everyone does but I think they are a good way to get your character fix without having to read a full length book. 😉
    kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs

      • erinf1

        I know!!! LOL… I have the first several books in my TBR pile and it’s my goal this year to start reading or pass along. I’ve read such great reviews for this series, I’m not too worried 🙂

  17. Kim { Book Swoon }  

    Yay, I just finished my first audiobook and it was Some Girls Bite! I really enjoyed it and need to load up book two. I’m so tempted to read them, although I did enjoy my first audio and it was kind of addicting. If you see Jessica’s post about audio you’ll know why I’ve taken up this new challenge. Lol. I’m way behind, but so looking forward to seeing where this series goes. Thanks for the chance to win and great post!!

    Happy Friday, Carmel 🙂
    Kim { Book Swoon } recently posted…Young Adult Book Review: The Sin Eater’s Daughter by Melinda Salisbury

  19. Amber Elise  

    Chloe Neil, I will meet you one day!

    I agree with you Carmel, even though I’m not caught up with the series, I felt that the shifters were sidelined as well.

    AND OMG A HOUSE MEDALLION????

  20. Pili from In Love With  

    I totally plan to read the ARC for this one this weekend because to my utter happiness and absolute surprised I was approved for it!! *flails*

    I am glad to hear that Ethan and Merit don’t get dragged down too much into drama and I love how Merit is always the one keeping things real and not letting Ethan’s drama queen tendencies as Master let put a bad damper on their relationship!

    And very happy to hear that Morgan redeems himself finally, I liked him a bit at first but then I felt like punching him every time! Sad to hear Jonah is not up to par on this one though, I do like him loads!

    AND YAY FOR MALLORY AND CATCHER FLAILS!! I so love those two!!

    Amazing review Carmel!!
    Pili recently posted…Friday Reads: Mrs Frisby and The Rats of NIMH!!

    • Carmel  

      I’m dumbfounded every time I get an ARC for this series. You think it’d get old, but noooo. Yeah, I was happy about the Morgan thing, not so much the Jonah, but I’m sure he’ll come around.

    • Carmel  

      They have their moments, although they aren’t the focal point of this series, much to my dismay. Then again, the series IS called Chicagoland Vampires. LOL

  28. Jessica from a GREAT read  

    Great review! Love this series!! And ohhh…I’d say Cadogan, just because I love Caodogan!! Plus I feel like I am like Merit in some ways. Though I am not sure I could wield the katana as well! LOL!
    Jessica recently posted…Follow Friday

  32. Lola from Hit or Miss  

    Woah, that is an amazing giveaway! The author’s pretty generous. ^^ Admittedly, I have not started this series, so I have no idea what house I am, but just the fact that there are houses has me curious. It has been SO long since I have read a book with vampires – they’re pretty rare nowadays – so I hope my mind will cooperate and we will both my eyes and it read this series. Hmm, that sounded a little strange.
    Lola recently posted…Review: One Man Guy by Michael Barakiva

    • Carmel  

      I don’t think that vampires are rare so much as that readers have been turned of from them, but Neill’s are definitely worth your time. The giveaway is awesome. I hope you win!

  34. Danya  

    Is there anything better than a UF series that still manages to surprise you 10 books in? I’m far from caught up on this series, but I’m still shocked to hear that Merit’s dad is actually an okay guy in this instalment! I remember him being a complete and utter prick in the first couple books.
    Danya recently posted…Review: Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop

    • Carmel  

      There aren’t many series that manage to hold strong after so many novels, however if any characters can do it, it’s Merit & Ethan. I was a little shocked by her dad’s 180 too, although it wasn’t so much an about-face as it was a concession. But, still!

  35. Manuela

    Never heard of this series before. A friend of goodreads posted the link. Would love to get a sneak peak.

  45. Charlotte

    You’re right–I’ve avoided books with vampires for a while. I now declare it’s been long enough. This series sounds like it’s an excellent way of breaking my fast (so to speak). Thanks for introducing me to the series.

  46. Amber

    I still need to start this series! I am soo behind! I have the first few at least. I plan on reading them really soon!