Book Description
First in a brand new series about a Chicago graduate student’s introduction into a society of vampires.
Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn’t exactly glamorous, but it was Merit’s. She was doing fine until a rogue vampire attacked her. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker—and this one decided the best way to save her life was to make her the walking undead.
Turns out her savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now she’s traded sweating over her thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan “Lord o’ the Manor” Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four-hundred- year-old vampire, he has centuries’ worth of charm, but unfortunately he expects her gratitude— and servitude. But an inconvenient sunlight allergy and Ethan’s attitude are the least of her concerns. Someone’s still out to get her. Her initiation into Chicago’s nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war—and there will be blood
Book 1 in The Chicagoland Vampires Series.
Review:
SOME GIRLS BITE makes me think of the TV show Alias in a way. Sydney was a Grad student when she was recruited by the fake CIA, just as Merit was a Grad student when she was bitten and recruited by the Cadogan House of vampires. Now granted Merit didn’t get a choice, but still. Both showed amazing skill and aptitude in their new role and underwent extensive training in order to excel in their new life.
But where Sydney displayed great strength and self respect, Merit not so much. But I’ll come back to that. I will say that I thought the dialogue was fantastic in SOME GIRLS BITE. It’s smart, snarky, and sarcastic (especially from Merit’s witch roommate Mallory). And Chloe Neill nicely covers all her paranormal bases by creating a world that is full of not just vampires, but also shapeshifters, nymphs, fae, and sorcerers.
The big problem I had with SOME GIRLS BITE was Ethan, or more specifically, Merit’s attraction to Ethan. The author tries to paint him as an Austen-esque Mr. Darcy who is attracted to Merit but doesn’t like her. It didn’t work. **SLIGHT SPOILER** He starts out as your standard arrogant vamp, and sparks fly, but then he propositions Merit in front of his current mistress, Amber, and gets indignant when she refuses. Then Merit actually walks in on him screwing Amber, Ethan sees her and mentally talks with her while pounding away into Amber. And Merit has to fight her arousal!! **END OF SLIGHT SPOILER** Merit has a quote that perfectly illustrates why I wanted to slap her:
I hated myself for my inability to hate him despite the
things he said, the things he did, and the things he expected. –SOME GIRLS BITE
Um, no Merit. That’s exactly why you’re able to not like someone. If he says, does, and expects things you hate! What else is there? I guess if he looks like Beckem, you overlook everything else?
Another problem I had with this book was the pacing. It was kind of slow for the first half or so. Not enough was happening while Merit was mostly complaining about her newly undead status (yes, she was attacked, and yes, she didn’t choose to become a vampire, but raging at people who were trying help her only made her look childish). Usually UF books have the opposite problem. The second half was better, and the introduction of another romantic suitor for Merit helped immensely.
So why am I giving this book 3 bats? Because despite Merit’s deplorable taste in men, and initial griping, I found myself rooting for her. Wanting Ethan to man up and ditch his skank and become something worthy of Merit’s affections. In a word, I see potential. Chloe Neill’s Chicago is a fun world to play in, and her knack for smart dialogue was consistently entertaining. If Merit can get overcome her growing pains, which she seemed to be doing by the end of SOME GIRLS BITE, she could become a worthy resident. I already have Friday Night Bites on my TBR pile, so I’ll let you know.
Sexual Content: References to sex, a brief sex scene
My Rating (out of 5):
Good - A fun read with minor flaws. Maybe wait for paperback.
Click HERE to read an excerpt of SOME GIRLS BITE
Product Details
Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: NAL Trade (April 7, 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0451226259
Disagree with my review? Email me your review for this or any other book I’ve reviewed and I might use it for 2nd Opinion Review
No comments:
Post a Comment