Review: Biting Cold by Chloe Neill
Author: Chloe Neill
Tittle: Biting Cold
Release: August 7th 2012
Series: Chicagoland Vampires 6
Reviewer: Teresa
Source: Personal Library
Purchase: | Book DepositoryTurned 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.
Where could Chloe Neill go after Drink Deep that’s what we find out in Biting Cold the sixth book in Chloe’s Chicagoland Vampires series. As we know there’s not a lot Ms. Neill won’t put Merit and Ethan though, or us for that matter, and Biting Cold isn’t any different. Will someone die… of course we haven’t had a book yet that someone hasn’t died. This time I promise it’s not Ethan or Merit, but that leaves everyone else up in the air.
Biting Cold picks up hours after the end of Drink Deep with Merit and Ethan on the road to Omaha to catch Mallory. And if you’ve read the first chapter or have heard about it since its been posted on CN’s website, so this isn’t a spoiler, along the way (on the road) they meet an “old” friend. Nope it’s not Mallory, it’s mister evil himself, former Mayer Seth Tate. Oh yes, the Mayer is out and about, and he’s all about revenge among other things. Biting Cold is action packed from the get go and every time you think your going to catch your breath think again. I think I can count on one hand how mant times Merit sleeps.
Since we all know hell is about to break lose as Ethan and Merit race off to save a black magic addicted Mallory what else could go wrong? That my friends is the billion dollar question. After Drink Deep’s ending we were left with so many questions. What’s going to happen with the House? Who or what is Tate? Can Mallory be saved? Will the Ombud’s office be able to help the sups as it did but from the shaddows? What will happen to Merit and Johan’s partnership? Will Morgan grow a pair or remain a child? Whom is the Master of Cadogan? Does Mallory control Ethan?
I know so many questions and I’m sure I forgot a few. Here’s the thing I can’t answer them. What I can say is you’ll find out when you read the book. I couldn’t put this one down and there were times I had too. I read Biting Cold in less than 24 hours (don’t tell Flyboy) because it was that good.
Chloe Neill’s latest story is going to have you all over the map both literly and emotionally, because lets face it does anything ever go according to plan? There maybe love in the air but it may not be from Merit and Ethan. You’ll have to read the book to find out. I’ll tell you this we do see some of our favorite sups come out to play and even hear from not so favorite ones. So much happens within these pages and we get many answers. This book pretty much closes all the issues that have been left standing open to date. I’m not saying there aren’t threads where we can’t still learn more as time goes by. This book just seemed to shed light on questions I’d had and issues I know others have had since Hard Bitten.
I will say I like where CN is going, as a writer I always have, and I don’t see an end in sight. This path she leading us down is the next step in the progression of the storyline. And lets be honest without a path in the next direction the series would fall to the wasteside. Now I’ll tell you, some may not like the ending because it’s left open-ended, but that doesn’t mean it’s a cliffhanger. Trust me there is a difference and its a big one. Yes the ending is suspenseful but it’s not very which is way open-ended works. The story doesn’t have a predetermind limit. Which is why this is a series and not six stand alone books. So while we have one issue arise that is settled yet brings up new issues for the end of the book I’m sure House Rules will pick up the thread and run with it. We just have to wait until Feburary 2013, and to be honest that’s not a long wait. So sit back relax and enjoy the action, it’s going to be a wicked hell of a time.
i really enjoy reading this book. i can’t wait for the next installment
Fabulous review, Teresa!
I was lucky! I was fortunate enough to be slow on the draw when Hard Bitten came out, so I waited.
Then Drink Deep came out and I was hesitant. The reviews weren’t all that positive, especially from my book group, so again, I waited.
Finally Biting Cold released and I was able to read all three books back to back. I must say that I too liked Biting Cold. It’s a return to what drew me {and probably most readers} to the Chicagoland Vampires in the first place. Even with a heavy premise, it still managed to stay light and snarky, which I absolutely loved. My only complaint, like I’ve talked to you about before, would have to be that the characters feel all wrong to me now. You know, like when someone breaks your favorite {insert here} and they buy you the exact same one, but it’s not the same.
Overall, I’d say Biting Cold was ok. Not 100% back to Some Girls Bite or Friday Night Bites, but definitely a step in the right direction.
sienny, I’m glad you enjoyed it and like you I can’t wait for the next installment.
Thanks Kitt.
I can see how waiting and reading all three together would be a benefit, it’s one of the reasons why I not only read the books but listen as well. I always re-listen to a series as the new book comes out so everything is fresh.
I’m glad to hear that you feel the series is getting back to what you enjoyed at the beginning though I’m not sure the characters that seem off will ever go back to normal for you. They’ve had traumatic life changing things happen to them and that changes people. It would be like you losing a limb, you’re still you but different and no matter how are you try you’ll never be the same. Whether the changes in these characters is for the best or not time will tell. But I think for some we are seeing a connection that may have been rocking and impossible if the trauma hadn’t happened.
I think House Rules will have a lot more changes too and we only have five months until its release.