Biting Cold (Chicagoland Vampires Book 6)

I love the main female; Merit. Sassy and has amazing honor, in light of what she had gone through!
Chole, I recommend you to all my friends. Please know you have through this book made me think of doing the right thing foremost in my daily life.

I DEVOURED this book! I finished it within a day because I couldn't put it down!! Biting Cold is much more like the first three books in the series (and even Hard Bitten before the very end), and is much better than Drink Deep. I am so happy that Chloe Neill is back on track, because Drink Deep was seriously missing Ethan. The action is non stop. The relationship between Merit and Ethan is a little frustrating for a good chunk of the book. I didn't mind being a little frustrated because by the end of the book, I like where the relationship between the two of them seems to be going.

Ah! I loved this book!

We get caught up with what is happening with Merit and Ethan as they search for Merits best friend, Mallory. It is a race to see who can get to a very special ancient book that could release evil on the world.

I really liked this new addition to the series. This book has great drama and action in it. You will enjoy the book and I suggest that you pick up the other books in the series.

I won't rehash the plot... for some reason, I find that mildly annoying..:)I will just encourage folks to pick up this series and start reading. Merit is the best friend with whom we share chocolate cake with chocolate ice cream on top...Chloe Neill's take on vampires is refreshing...an eternity of no calorie counting.. sign me up!.. Some readers felt this book started slowly, but I think it was setting us up for the big finish. Without putting spoilers out there I for one am looking forward to more supe adventures in Chicago!.. some series like this can throw a clunker once in awhile.. in my opinion, Ms Neill is batting a thousand.. too bad Merit's beloved Cubs can't say the same!

There is such a good story here! You will be up until the next morning trying to drink as much of these books in as you can! There is so much adventure, sarcasm, wit, and not to mention the sexy yet lovable characters! I'm Iver the hills in love!

Great addition to the series! I must say I was worried about Ethan's second chance at life, but again Chloe Neill hit the mark. The story has its ups and downs and it makes Merit and Ethan's love story even better. I am eager to see just how the whole house handles the big decision announced at the end! I was glad to see the shifters taking on a bigger roll. I can't wait to see how that part of the story unfolds. And WOW Angels-another cool twist!

Ms. Neill has avoided the formula breakdown of so many series. The voice of the heroine remains strong, true and irreverent. The community of supernaturals is expanding and the plots are intricately woven. Add crisp dialog and philosophy and mix well. I love this series!

I think this is just such a fun series, and Ms. Neill does a great job of keeping the reader involved emotionally with a well written and entertaining book about characters that we love! As other reviewers have noted... the start of the book seems a bit slow.... but life is not always 0 to 60... even for a vampire! But the over all action is there and the character's loyalty to one another just makes you love the whole cast all over again! I think if Ethan had just jumped in feet first to a commitment with Merit that would have felt so not Ethan. He is who he is and Merit loves him anyway. Ms Neill did a great job of setting up the next phase for the series. Can't wait for February!

Love these books, they have a great story and characters. However, a little over the repeating in the books. I skip a few pages when the book talks about what happened in a previous book. Books should be read in order, so people should know what happened, overall great books

One of the best in this series yet. A lot of things readers have been waiting for were finally resolved between Ethan and Merit. The ending sets up a whole new set of adventures that will have you waiting in anticipation for the next book.

I couldnt wait for this book to come out. I ordered it in Kindle and paperback, I also re-read the series. I thought this book was for the most part boring. I feel the plot was not fully written out that there was more on the background and the rehashing of the story thus far. I was disapointed in the Merit, Ethan relationship until the end. I was also disapointed in the lack of story. All the other books had a depth that this book did not have. I think the authour fell short, and thus said I will be anxiously awaiting her next book. Its a series I can not get enough of no matter how boring the last book is. I now wish I would have just purchased the paperback not both.

I really liked it! I am a big fan of Merit's humor and snark. Once I started reading I had to keep going until the end. Thank you Chloe Neill for writing a wonderful book and I can't wait for the next.

While the first part of the book was slow going, it ramped up the rest of the book. So much so that I couldn't put it down until I finished with it!! I am so glad that Ethan is back! Can't wait til the next book in the series is released!

Liked the book...Go team Ethan & Merit!

But the real reason I could get into the book:

I read audio book series-makes my commute to work bearable. And when they go changing the female voice for the narration...I'm not ok with this! I've gotten used to hearing what my favorite characters sound like...now in this book WHO ARE THESE STRANGERS TALKING TO ME. SOME OTHER WOMENS VOICE HAS POSSESSED MY "ETHAN & MERIT".
Damn narrator is making the jokes too damn dry...water please.

You know what I mean. Like if you clicked on your favorite TV cartoon/show and OOP what's this?!? New voice...what the?!? Click -show canceled in my eyes-it's that important lol

Never ever use this narrator again!

I had a really hard time getting into this book. As a big fan of Ethan and Merit, I had high hopes for the reunion brought on by the events of Drink Deep. Granted, I wasn't overly excited by the prospect of the Mallory arc, but that turned out to be a moot issue anyway, since very little of the book is about her. Let me back up.

This book begins right where the last one left off, with Ethan and Merit in pursuit of Mallory and the dark book she covets. There are a lot of longing looks and lingering emotions, but they can't act on them because of the pressing nature of their mission. They actually apprehend Mallory pretty fast. She's not the Big Bad after all. The real bad guy (who I won't name so I don't spoil you) quickly takes center stage as Merit, Ethan, and the gang try to figure out how to defeat him.

Here's the thing, I felt like the first quarter of the book was delay-delay-delay on the Ethan-Merit love fest. Then Ethan develops a problem that makes him push Merit away before they can ever really get back together. This is where I went from a little bored to a bit annoyed. We've been there and we've done that with these two, ad nauseum. I felt like we, as readers, earned a big payoff on these two after all we have been through with them. I cried for two darn books over Ethan's death and Merit's mourning. We've moved past sexual tension into the realm of "you've got to be kidding me."

As for the action-arc, it was fairly good, though nothing entirely earth shattering. I felt more anxious about the looming judgement from the GP on the future of Cadogen House than any real danger from the bad guy. I mean, what's the worst he could do? After we survived Chloe Neill killing Ethan, any other worst-case scenario is going to seem tame by comparison.

Things do pick up in the last third of the book. That's when we get the big showdowns in both the emotional and physical aspects of the story. Both were pretty good, but I think I spent so much time being underwhelmed, it may have just been too late. The book wasn't bad. It's just that I have seen what this series is capable of and... it's better than this.

Wow. Book six. Still going strong.

Well, sort of.

Compared to the past five books, I wouldn't say this one quite lived up to my expectations. Still good, just... boring at times. Biting Cold picks up pretty directly after the end of book 5 which is great since a LOT happened that needed to be resolved. This was a bit of a redemption story for Mallory and I think she really grew as a character while the others remained pretty stationary.

For a series that's going on like this, that's a problem for me. That's like watching Supernatural where Sam and Dean basically do the same thing every few episodes and nothing really changes other than the monsters. By the end of Biting Cold I think that changed but it took the whole book to get to that point.

A lot of this came down to Ethan and Merit. I ship these two SO HARD but they never seem to get past one hangup or another and it's been SIX BOOKS COME ON. Now, Merit was pretty freaking awesome and put Ethan in his place about the whole relationship/not-relationship deal and it was great and it took far too long but THERE IS HOPE. I want to see these two tackle the world and all its troubles TOGETHER. Their relationship needs to grow beyond this back-and-forth that seems more like a plot device to create tension than natural to the characters. 

It was odd. This book felt more like a standalone or companion novel instead of a continuation of a larger story arc. Granted, not all story arcs are going to last six books but I guess I expected more to cross-over from the previous ones. But it did open up a whole new can of worms to be challenged in upcoming installments.

I'm also waiting for Merit to join the Red Guard. She's been working with them the last few books and there's some serious hinting that they're going to be a bigger part of the series in the future so wondering when that's going to happen. I like Jonah's character so certainly wouldn't mind seeing more of him.

I don't think this was my favorite book of the series (it might be my least favorite so far) but it was STILL GOOD. I don't think I've read a bad book by Neill yet which sets the bar pretty high for all future books but if this series is any indication, I see many book purchases in my future.

The Best Book Yet!!! The entirety of this book has a secret, almost tempered state. The mindset, the interactions, it all boils down to one thing. One simple fact. The world has come to: Good vs Evil. The ideology there is firm. You have to have balance. Without the balance the scales dip and raise and it throws everything off kilter. When that happens you are left with chaos.

Merit and the rest of the house prepare as a new threat starts to make a mess of the city. Chicago is still reeling from the first go rounds of black magic and now.. now... we have a pissed off avenging angel who has the temper and mind set of a shark in a feeding frenzy. Dude gives crazy whole new floor to play on. I get it. He thinks he is doing right but in fact he is part of the problem, and has been. Seth, the 'good' angel is willing to fight, but at a cost that they may not be willing to allow. this fight is not one man vs man. Not angle vs man. It's brother vs brother, the epic showdown that will either tip the scales to good, or tip them forever more to evil.

Merit, Catcher, Paige and Mallory are all joining the fight and hoping they can tip the scale back to the side of good. No one can afford for evil to prevail.

This is book 6 of the Chicagoland Vampire Series by Chloe Neill, and I wasn't 3 sentences in before I was completely ticked off. Why? Because we have a new narrator, Sophie Eastlake. Not that she didn't do a good job. Kinda. I guess. But I had Cynthia Halloway's voice locked in my head and suddenly nobody sounded like they once did and I am having trouble figuring out who is who. To be honest, I had a huge problem with the male voices for the first quarter of the book; they all sounded alike to each other. It felt just like someone had taken a well loved tv show cast and replaced everyone of the actors, but went on as if nothing had changed. Let's just say that I'm a bit bitter about the change and continue on.

Biting Cold jumps right into the story with Merit and Ethan having to head out after Mallory to stop her from gaining the Maleficent once again. Mallory managed to escape the Order, and was headed for Nebraska and the empty nuclear warhead silo that is was being housed in. Just before they leave out, they get the news that former Mayor Seth Tate was released as well. And so it becomes a race to see who would get to it first.

At first I thought Ethan had finally got his s*** together after being killed and brought back, but he once again pulled his "I can't be with you right now" crap. I seriously don't understand how come Merit didn't give up on him once and for all. Fortunately this time, Merit got some better advice than, "Be the bigger person, be professional, let him see what he's missing." The new advice was more along the lines of "smack him upside his head till he pulls it out of his ass." Merit did a very nice job performing the cranial rectal inversion and what follows is a very nice smexy scene that was long overdue between Merit and Ethan.

This was a book very much about forgiveness and redemption leading to new beginnings. It was the closing of a couple different story arcs and the beginnings of others. The next book, House Rules should prove very interesting. I gave this book 3 stars, mainly because I am still cranky about the narrator change.

With all members of Cadogan now accounted for, some of the tension has been lifted from the House. All is not smooth-sailing for Cadogan House, which always seems to be the case, but the fate of the House is now in the hands of the GP. The Greenwich Presidium has always been a little hot and bothered concering Cadogan and their doings, sometimes rightly so, many times not. Since the forcible removal of Frank in the previous installment, recent events and a state of unrest has forced Darius back into the House. While fans of this series know that Cadogan can never be fully disbanded or broken, they may be forced to function as a standalone House, no longer under the guidance of the GP.

Times are also not well in Chicago. Because of prior events, the Maleficium is still an object of intense desire and not one, but two forces are intent on possessing it. It's bad enough to have an errant sorceress, high on the euphoria that black magic can dole out, after the book but there's another familiar (yet wholly unfamiliar) face who wants the book for their own. Both are living by the code that the magic contained in the book must be set free in order for the world to be at rest.

As I finished the last book, I was left with a feeling of foreboding. Not only because of the events surrounding Mallory, but also with certain technicalities regarding Ethan's...reinstatement. Surely something was bound to go wrong, and surely some things did, but even though magic was involved in said "reinstatement", things are very slowly going back to normal. All can not be said for Mallory; at times I was quite a bit angry towards Merit for not being angrier, but I certainly can see why she would act with a bit of reticence. Mallory and Merit are, without blood, sisters in every sense of the word. Mal also happens to be an addict, her drug of choice is black magic. I have a sister, I can sort of sympathize with Merit and her struggle, but the betrayal ran deep. On the other hand, her "creation" brought something very important back to Merit, something that in and of itself shouldn't have worked the way it did and despite the selfish and nefarious purpose for the creation, all hope would have been lost had Mallory not gone down the dark path. I would love to hate her but because she created an unheard of reunion, I just can't. But someone needs to clean her clock a little. Or a lot.

Despite the fact that some major forward progress has been made concerning some lingering plot threads from previous books, Cadogan and its members still have a long, tough journey ahead. But with the strength and loyalty of the most of the members within its walls, Cadogan will soldier on. If not Ethan, Merit will make sure of it. There are many things Merit is strongly loyal to and I'm glad to see that slowly but surely, Cadogan has made it to her list of "Very Important Things". Of course it falls after Chicago and Mallocakes but when Merit gives something her loyalty, she does so fiercely.

Enjoyed this addition to the series that I am currently binge reading. It was nice to finally get some answers and have some movement on the Ethan/Merit relationship drama, even if she did wait till practically the end of the book to bring them together. If she went one more book with this pattern of bringing them together and then pulling them apart I was about ready to be done with the whole lot. There is enough drama going on in this world we don’t need the tension between the two lead characters anymore to move the plot forward. Enough. Put them together and let them work as a team they are meant to be. And no more love triangles please. Sure everybody seems to be drawn to Merit, but enough.

Was pleased with the direction taken in regards to Mallory the BFF who majorly effed up in the last book. I’m also please to see everyone seems ready to make her pay for her sins a little bit before welcoming her back into the fold. That is one thing that I do like about this author, she writes realistic reactions for her characters. Their actions feel authentic, even the bad guys. I may not like Tate or the GP but I can see where they are coming from. I get why they do the things they do, doesn’t mean I don’t want to see Merit put them in their place, but I love their complexity.

Lot of developments in this book, and a lot of threads tied up, or partially tied up. Kind of a nice change of pace. Hope to see some development with the batshit crazy mayor and her ultra right-wing agenda in the next book. I also am going to enjoy seeing how the GP handles the events that took place at the very end of this book. The series keeps getting better, may have to look into more urban fantasy series to pick up. Perhaps that is where my tastes are leaning these days now that I’m getting a little burned out on YA and Romance. Feel free to share recommendations.

*Do not read if you haven't read the previous books*

3.5 stars

So Malory has gone bonkers or rather evil magic has taken a hold on her. Since her first attempt failed, she's going after the Maleficius again and Merit takes it upon her to stop her friend. Malory isn't the only one interested in the book though. This time we finally find out what exactly former mayor Seth Tate is and I did not see it coming.

That is what I like so much about these books. There are always plenty of twists and new things to discover. A new threat is always around the corner and it's interesting to see how Merit deals with it.

So the book is one problem, the GP another. Things only get more dire for the Cadogan House. The GP is an old British institution, based on certain rules and traditions. Lately Cadogan hasn't been conform with those and that has caused a lot of drama. Darius is needing to make a drastic decision, though Ethan and Malik will not let the fate of the house be determined by the GP.

Besides that drama, things are not quite what they should be between Merit and Ethan. Instead of a happy reunion, they are in the middle of saving the city once again. Ethan is more his old self than I would like. Responsibility and duty comes first and therefor Merit needs to have patience. Well girl ran out of patience and will not let Ethan play the same game again. I was so disappointed by Ethan and his behavior. We went through this multiple times and I just couldn't believe he would do this to Merit again. Luckily Merit has grown a lot and she takes matters into her own hands.

Another great book in the series. All these characters have grown on me and I enjoy reading about their daily adventures. You really get to root for Cadogan house, all the supernaturals and Merit. I really want things for them to be just good. Now another chapter has closed, but things for the house aren't looking great. It will be interesting to see how this further develops.

Overall, I liked the book, it was a good addition to the series. It had it's flaws for sure, one being that it was very slow moving, and another that Ethan is so wishy washy and why are only the oblivious and inept in charge of everything in this book? The GP, the mayor, the fae, the order... all make me want to beat my head against a brick wall. Even Ethan has his 'duh' moments. They are all making it harder than necessary. I am starting to think that Gabriel should just be the leader and fix everything. And now that my rant is over, I am going to start the next book.

4.5 Stars

Last year I read the first 5 books in the Chicagoland Vampires series, over consecutive weeks, and I quickly realised this was a series that I would love and was excited to share my thoughts with you. Now, just weeks before the release of the 9th book in the series, Wild Things, I have decided to continue on in the series, and I was quickly immersed back into the supernatural world, with a new twist in the fight against evil.

Merit is on the hunt for the Maleficium – an ancient book which is believed to hold evil – before her sorceress friend, Mallory can get it. But it soon becomes clear that they are not the only ones after it, and a bigger battle soon begins. It is a great twist to the series as we learn of another supernatural race that may be more deadly than what we have encountered so far.

I liked seeing Merit again, she has certainly grown since that first book and has become very comfortable as a vampire and is confident in her role of Sentinal. She knows what she wants and is not afraid to step up to the plate, whether that be protecting her house, the general public or telling the Master of her House what she truly thinks. She is prepared to take on anyone and I like how forward she can be. She has many people at her disposal, the people in her house, Jonah and the RG, shifters and her grandfather and his team. In less than a year she has become one of the strongest Vampires out there.

A lot of characters that we have grown to love that make appearances in this book. We also meet some new characters, most of which I liked as well. But the unexpected reappearance of one person in particular, was able to get Merit's blood (and I suppose mine too) pumping. It was good to see his return, which actually happened at the end of the previous book. However little things set him off and I just wanted to slap him myself. Lucky that Merit is willing to take him on… You go girl!!

Chloe Neill has an easy writing style that you can get swept away with. It amazes me all the tales she has already written in this series, with more to come. She weaves in a good amount of witty remarks, action and plenty of (sexual) tension to keep you hooked! I am loving this series and I hope that I have convinced you to give it a try for yourself!!

Before reading this review please bare in mind that it is practically impossible to review this book without giving a major spoiler for the previous ones (Hard Bitten and Drink Deep in particular) so while this review won't contain spoilers for Biting Cold you may not want to carry on reading if you're not at this point in the series. Having said that I would like to encourage you to give the series a try if you haven't already, it's one of my favourites and I loved jumping back into Merit's world! Look away now if you want to avoid spoilers though.

When I think about how much I love this series I'm amazed it has taken me so long to get around to reading Biting Cold. I don't even have a good excuse considering how thrilled I was by Ethan's return at the end of Drink Deep! I guess the good thing about putting it off is that I already have the next 2 books and a novella ready to start reading though, I hate the delay between series books so they should keep me going for a little while. Bearing in mind it had 2 years since I read Drink Deep I was surprised at how easily Chloe Neill was able to suck me back into her world, I was worried that I'd have forgotten what was going on but she was able to recap enough to remind me of the important things without bogging down the story with too much extra information. It was like catching up with old friends, you know the kind where you can go months without seeing each other but the moment you meet up it's like you were never apart?

Anyway, let's get back to my review! I wasn't too sure what to expect from this book since my friends all seem to either love or hate it but I'm happy to say I really enjoyed it. I knew there were going to be big problems to deal with thanks to Mallory's previous actions and I was worried that she would never go back to being the girl I loved at the beginning of the series. The things she has done are pretty unforgivable and she still has worse up her sleeve in this instalment. Thankfully she does eventually realise what she was in the wrong and although she has a long way to go she has made a start at atoning for her actions. It's going to take her a long time to put things right and I'm not sure if her friendship with Merit will ever get back to the way it used to be but I have hope for her now which is good.

I have always had a thing for Ethan, even though there have been times when he acted like an arrogant ass and made me want to slap him there has just been something about him that I love. The chemistry between him and Merit is fantastic and I love the way she always stands up to him and puts him in his place. After his miraculous return I had high hopes that they would finally get their relationship back on track in this book but frustratingly Ethan has other ideas. Although I understood his reasons for backing off I still wanted to throttle him, he knows Merit is more than capable of standing up to him when she needs to so he should have trusted in her more. What I did really like is that Merit doesn't let him get away with pushing her to one side, she knows what she wants from him and she will fight to get it. Hopefully things will go a little smoother for them in the next book.

There is plenty of action in Biting Cold and some very interesting developments with the world that guarantee to make things interesting as the series continues. I would have liked to have seen more of Merit's grandfather, Jeff and Catcher but it was great to see more of the shifters and we spend a lot of time with the vampires that Merit has become friends with. I'm very curious to see what direction things will take after the latest revelations and there is no way I'll be waiting another 2 years before I read the next book!

Biting Cold is the sixth installment in Chloe Neill's Chicagoland Vampires series. The mystery in this installment is a continuation of sorts from the fifth book, Drink Deep. New supernaturals are introduced and the supernatural identity of one recurring character is revealed and I was so surprised! As a reader, I felt my patience start to diminish as Merit and Ethan's reunion was continuously postponed, and then I wanted to smack Ethan in the head as he became the exclusive reason why they weren't creating any yummy magic that again shook the house...but leave it to Merit to take matters in her own hands and get what she wants. “I stood Sentinel of Cadogan House, by God. He was mine, and he knew it, and I would claim what was mine.” Thank God!!! A number of characters redeem themselves in this story and relationships are mended. I continue to enjoy this series very much.

My favorite quote:
“We all have days when we feel small. Really small. Completely inadequate but saddled with all this responsibility...I have to fight battles against people who shouldn't be my enemies - especially when there are already plenty of enemies to go around. There are days when I would love to pull the cover over my head and say to hell with it. But I don't do that. And most people don't do that. Most people get up and do their jobs and work their asses off for no reward at all - but just so they can get up the next day and do the whole thing over again. World isn't perfect, and some days it wears you down. You can either accept that, and face it, and be a help to others instead of a hindrance. Or you can decide the rules are too tough and they shouldn't apply to you, and you can ignore them and make things harder for everybody else. Sometimes life is about being sad and doing things anyway. Sometimes it's about being hurt and doing things anyway. The point isn't perfection. The point is doing it anyway.”

Biting Cold is the sixth book in Chloe Neill's Chicagoland Vampires series. It's impossible to even give the premise of this book, let alone a useful review, without mentioning major spoilers for books four and five, Hard Bitten and Drink Deep respectively, so if you haven't read those books, stop reading this review now!

SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT
Is the coast clear? OK, here goes. Ethan has just come back from the dead, but he and Merit hardly have a chance to catch up; they must immediately embark on a road trip to stop Mallory before she can reach the Maleficium spellbook and unleash the evil bound therein. But not everything goes according to plan during this trip, and soon they're back in Chicago with a dangerous new supernatural enemy to face.

The character arc of Mallory is the most compelling aspect of Biting Cold. The showdown between her and Merit is actually resolved pretty quickly, and then she has to face the consequences of her recent actions. In terms of literal "punishment," she gets off pretty lightly, but the damage she's done to herself and to her relationships is going to be lasting. Neill does a great job with Mallory's realization that there's no easy fix for what she's done, and the only way to get through it is just to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

The redemption arc of another character is less convincing. We're given a supernatural explanation for why this character previously went bad, but the explanation doesn't quite fit with the particular crimes the character committed. This character just seems completely different here than ever before, even when you factor out the other thing that was going on. The explanation feels tacked on after the fact rather than previously planned. "It made sense at the time" doesn't make it make sense to the reader. That said, this thread of the plot is action-packed and does make a decent "monster of the week" episode.

The romantic subplot is also irksome. Neill throws another wrench into the Merit/Ethan relationship, and this time it doesn't work as well as it did in the past. When Ethan broke up with Merit in Twice Bitten, it felt real, and it hurt like Everywoman's real-life breakups, only with fangs. Here, it just seems like a plot device to stretch out the sexual tension longer. It lacks impact, especially now that he has died and come back to life. By the end, when Merit is musing about being officially in a relationship, the two of them have started reminding me of those annoying couples on Facebook who change their status back and forth between "Single" and "In a Relationship" every time they have a fight.

The final pages do give us a step forward in the vampire-politics plotline that has been building for a few books, and as I mentioned above, Mallory's arc is compelling and there's enough action in Biting Cold to keep you entertained. However, there are some character-consistency issues and too much unnecessary relationship drama, and the end result is that this book feels like a filler episode.

Merit has to contend with her best friend Mallory in this story. Contrary to most others, I've never been a Mallory fan and predicted the path she's chosen. Their showdown was interesting but I was disappointed in the outcome.

One of the most compelling aspects of this story involved the former mayor, Seth Tate. A mythological element was introduced, which made things much more interesting.

Unfortunately, one of the more tiring devices of this series involves Ethan finding, yet again, one more reason to distance himself from Merit. I'm hoping this is the last time we see this used. It's old, unrealistic and unworthy of the characters.

Major kudos for the change in narrators to Sophie Eastlake. I thought her performance wonderful. I now can distinguish the characters, dialogue and story shifts.

Much was resolved in this story and I'm hoping this signals a sharp pivot in the plot direction, especially after the explosive ending. I enjoyed this story more than most to date.

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.

Despite the strength, beauty, and immortality of vampires, I rarely find myself envious of their supernatural lifestyle. Merit's afterlife smorgasbord of the best food the Midwest has to offer, however, has a way of making vampirism seriously tempting. Add to that push-button athleticism and a close-knit community of local vamps, and you have an afterlife recipe that cannot be beat.

Of course, all is not hunky dory in Chicagoland. Merit's best friend has gone around the bend, and the path of true love has been anything but smooth, but even those setbacks have been a pleasure to read. Somewhere around book two of this series, Merit's voice really began to work for me. Underneath the ponytails and the Mallowcakes is a relatable young woman who has embarked on one hell of an adventure. For every innate power Merit is given, there's another, equally valuable skill that she has to work for, and it is these practiced changes that make her so interesting as a character.

BITING COLD picks up after the twists and drama of DRINK DEEP, and the magical mayhem is amped up from page one. Anyone brand new to the series should really start at the beginning, but for returning readers, I though Neill did a great job reminding me of key details along the way. I haven't seen a witch gone this bad since Evil Willow, but Mallory's descent into darkness has a lot more pain and torment built into the character. Mallory reads more like a junkie who keeps hurting herself, and everyone around her, in pursuit of that last, definitive fix. I liked how Merit is neither unquestioningly loyal to Mallory nor dismissive of their history. Rather, she has understandable spates of anger, sadness, and then more anger. Of course, I myself started to experience some of that anger when Mallory's mess started to bleed into Merit and Ethan's love life. Though the plot was didn't skip a beat heating things up from page one onward, the romantic side of things was downright chilly for much of the book. I didn't mind the prior reincarnation plot line, but I was also more than ready for these two characters to get some quality time. Their time apart gave Merit an opportunity to grow and develop on her own, but now that Ethan's back further roadblocks were just plain frustrating. Even worse, Ethan really doesn't stack up well compared to all of the men in Merit's life that manage to both be smoking hot and respect her capabilities (a combination that often eludes Ethan).

Though I'm slower to forgive Ethan than Merit, my romantic frustrations were resolved over the course of the story. Neill also plays out an interesting and unexpected resolution to a few past magical mysteries while weaving in some continued vampire politicking from prior books. I look forward to exploring that subplot in book #7. Dare I hope that an upheaval of local politics means both Jonah and Morgan will get some time in the limelight? Ethan could still stand a little competition in my book.

Sexual Content: Sex scenes.

Neill's latest installment of her Chicagoland Vampires series wastes no time picking up where Drink Deep left off. Fans of Merit and her supporting sups will have a little vindication for sticking through the series regardless of it's ups and downs.

I wouldn't say Biting Cold has that instant gratification factor. Readers looking for an early romantic reunion will be left wanting. Ethan and Merit seem right back to square one. I felt like Ethan was being a Richard for most of the book and had me longing for more Jonah. After the huge disappointment of losing Ethan, and crazy plots from the past few books, I think Jonah was the most redeeming factor. His minor role in Biting Cold was what was most lacking for me. He's downgraded to Merit's backup, and seems on his way to the discarded character pile Neill has been steadily compiling. I suppose Jonah's character did too good a job filling in for Ethan in his absence because I was really hoping Neill would've explored a Jonah+Merit pairing. Part of the problem is that there are so many interesting background players they pull focus from the heroine.

Aside from some slow parts I found Biting Cold to be much better than the last couple of books. There's lots of action, some political intrigue, and a few new characters. I think all the background and plot lines Neill has laid out over the series is finally paying off. I particularly love how all the supernatural factions are starting to converge and come together. I do find that I get bored with Merit and think at times that other characters are outshining her. I wouldn't mind multiple POVs or a spinoff based on Mallory and what she's going through, or even Fallon. Merit's character isn't growing or being challenge in interesting ways like some of her supporting cohorts. She's circling the problems and challenges, I really wish Neil would start moving Merit's character in new directions like she's doing with Mallory. She's just not as interesting anymore.

I started listening to the audio version of this series a few books back because I just couldn't get into the books. Normally when an audiobook series has it's narrator switched after five books, it's a disaster. Fortunately Sophie Eastlake is an excellent reader. Her voice and performance is a lot like Cynthia Holloway which also makes the transition painless.

Biting Cold doesn't stray too far from the series' footprint. A frustrating romance: check, snarky banter: check, action and sword fighting: double check. Add in the long drawn out descriptions of a diehard Chi-town foodie that could pack on the pounds through the pages and you have a classic Chicagoland Vampires novel. And finally biting has made a breakthrough from the past installments of late, giving readers something to turn those pages for again.

There is a lot, both physically and emotionally on Merit's plate.

First there's the fact that her best friend, Mallory, is addicted to the power in dark magic and believes that the only way she's going to feel better is to release the evil stored in a book called the Maleficium in order to balance out magical good and evil. She's caused a lot of havoc in Chicago, and of course, the mayor's office is blaming the "evil vampires" for it. Will they have to kill her? Can she be redeemed?

Then there's the fact that Ethan, nothing but a pile of ashes for two months, had been raised as Mallory's familiar at the end of the last book. That didn't quite work out the way Mallory hoped, but it is causing problems for Ethan, and hence, his relationship with Merit.

The two travel to Nebraska in hopes of stopping Mallory-- who escaped after being taken into custody by The Order-- from getting her hands on the book. Ah, but now Seth also wants the book and the trapped magic in its pages, causing a whole new set of problems.

If that weren't enough the F.U. delivered to Franklin Cabot when being kicked out of Cadogan House in the last book wasn't accepted very well by the Greenwich Presidium (GP). Darius, the head of the organization is now coming for a visit and Cadogan faces the very real possibility of being kicked out of the GP because it refuses to stop being involved in human affairs.

We finally find out what Seth is and it's surprisingly huge. He becomes both a major protagonist as well as part of the solution.

Once again Merit is involved up to her eyeballs in challenges and as with the rest of the books in this series, we're given a very tight, fast-paced story filled with a lot of action and emotion. Merit is not the same person she was prior to Ethan's death. She's come into her own. Merit still has her fears and doubts, but will muscle through and do what needs to be done. And any relationship issues with Ethan? Well again, she's not the same person she was.

For those unfamiliar with the series, vampires--for the most part--belong to and own fealty to a vampire house. There are a dozen in the US and three in Chicago. They've recently been outed which has upset folks who had no idea "monsters" lived among them. This world also contains shifters, magic users and many other mythological creatures and humans are now just learning that these others also exist.

Merit is attacked by a vampire in the first book, Some Girls Bite, and her life is saved when she's made a vampire by Ethan, the Master of Cadogan House. She's not especially grateful at first; rather stubborn and outspoken. But her abilities and some training have put her in the position of Sentinel for the House, someone whose role is to protect the House and the people in it. As part of her position she's gotten involved with many other supernaturals and early-on discovers that her grandfather is the police liaison with the supes, putting her in a unique position, and hence the initial reason why Cadogan House is involved in human affairs.

My Review:
A-
*big happy sigh* For once, I am happy where almost everything sits in the Chicagoland Vampires world. No, everything isn't perfect and no, it's not all resolved and there are definitely thunderclouds on the horizon. But for this moment in time (at least until House Rules comes out in Feb 2013) all is right in Merit and Ethan's imaginary world and it makes me happy. They deserve a happy few months here (at least in the little corner of my mind....because the next book will probably start the day after this one ended.)

So on to my review of this book. See paragraph above....I needed this breather and a happy place for Merit and Ethan. No, it absolutely wasn't easy for them to get there and Ethan had some more of his usual waffling issues where I just wanted to kick him. BUT Merit was amazing. She was so mature and handled everything so perfectly. I LOVE her character in this book.

So, why the lower rating on this book? There were a couple things in the suspense story line that bugged me...hello, 20 foot garden gnome? That just seemed a little over the top even for the paranormal world and stepped a bit into the ridiculous. But the story with Seth Tate worked for me. The story with Ethan worked for me. Even the story with Mallory worked for me.

There's obviously trouble on the horizon with the House and the GP and now Merit is a member of the Red Guard. How Ethan will take that bit of news later down the road is a complete unknown. We know the way that he SHOULD take the news, but there's nothing interesting about the books if there isn't drama. But the one thing I've learned is that you never know where Chloe Neill is going with this series. Jonah is still out there and YES, I still totally love him. I can't imagine Merit throwing over Ethan for him, but I am guessing that there is something along those lines coming. There are at least 4 more books coming in this series. That's a lot of drama needed and I know it probably means a lot of tears for her readers.

I don't write these reviews like normal reviews because I don't want to give spoilers and if you haven't read book #1, then anything I say about book #6 is a spoiler. ;o) Just know this....this is an AMAZING series!! I highly recommend you add it to your reading list. You won't regret it...well, you might regret it for a little bit after book #4, but keep reading. It gets better. Book #6 is your emotional oasis. I plan to enjoy it until book #7 comes out and shreds me all over again.

If you read the book before this one you will understand why I couldn’t get this book fast enough.The author killed off the hunk Ethan. What in the world was she thinking.
The plots are well thought out and not a bunch of Sex-fillers and “F” words to fill the pages. I stopped reading some of my favorite authors because they only wanted to sell books not be a dedicated author and care about their readers.
Chloe Neil gives her best to her readers and to her writing

I listened to this book on audiobook and have a lot to say about the new narrator (not positive). Anyway this is the sixth book in the Chicagoland Vampires series and it was a solid continuation of the series.

I need to comment on the narrator change in this audiobook first. The narrator change was horrible; all the characters fail to sound like themselves and all the voices for male characters sound the same. Merit sounds much drier and less emotional than in previous books; like a pale ghost of her fiery self. Why did they have to switch narrators? If they keep this narrator for future books I will no longer be listening to these on audiobooks. Such a disappointment; these were such great audiobooks....

This book follows up on a lot of issues that started in the last book. Ethan is dealing with Mal being stuck in his head and Ethan and Merit are trying to cobble together a new relationship. Things get even worse when Tate consumes all the evil in the world and goes rogue. Ethan's house is also under investigation by the vampire GP and they are threatening to kick the house out of the GP. So a lot is going on and it is up to Merit to deal with it all.

Merit and Ethan continue to have an on again, off again type of relationship and this drove me crazy. I wish they would just decide what they want and get on with the story. That being said there are some very good scenes between the two.

Mal is trying to kick her addiction to black magic. I am not sure how I feel about the whole Mal storyline; it is so sad to see her degraded from the sparkly and happy person she was earlier in the series. She makes some progress in this book to kicking her black magic addiction, but not a ton. It will be interesting to see how this storyline goes.

It was incredibly interesting to finally have the Tate storyline expanded on. We learn a ton about what Tate is and his history and that was fascinating.

We also finally get some incredibly interesting resolution around Cadogan's status as a House. I am hoping that we can finally move past this whole political issue and get on to a different storyline.

These books are a bit hard to review because they are so connected to each other. You definitely need to read previous books in the series or you will be totally lost. There are a lot of little storylines going on here and because of that the story progresses, but slowly.

I still enjoyed the story and hope that the Ethan/Merit drama can be set aside for a while in the next book. The ending was exciting and I am eager to see how some of Cadogan Houses's decisions play out in the next book. The book ends on a very positive note; which was nice to finally have happen in this series.

Overall I enjoyed this addition to the series. We get some resolution around the Mallory issue and around Ethan/Merit. This book ties up a lot of things and sets up some interesting new storylines. The ending is spectacular and I am eager to see where the series goes next. This was a bit of a transition novel and it tidies up a lot of the loose ends from the last couple books. I definitely recommend this series to fans of vampire urban fantasy.

So much has changed for Merit, she has known great loss and great love. Now she is chasing down a rogue sorceress who wants to steal great evil power and release it on the world. She is also being chased by someone who wants to exterminate her. She is pulled in different directions but she will also fight for what is important to her and nothing will stop her to protect what's hers. Merit is really coming into her own. She is a strong willed woman that wants some happiness when everything around her seems to be falling apart. Love this series!!!

I'll admit it took me a short while to get into the flow of Biting Cold, but I'm more than willing to own up and take responsibility for that. Because I had quite a gap between reading Drink Deep and this one, which means my head was trying to play catch up at the same time as going with the flow.

I'll also admit that I spent a small amount of the book wondering if I was going to enjoy it, if I was going to slide back into a writing style I'd allow myself to become comfortable with--especially as I read the first five titles back to back, leaving this one like the flock skirter that needs to be cajoled into the crowd. However, once I'd straightened out where I was at in my mind, I was off and running for the finish line.

Did I enjoy it as much as the others? Well, yes, of course I did (though I'll always have my favourite moments in the series).

Did Ms Neill make me mad, as she seems to have become so apt at doing? Well, of course she did. Mostly at Ethan--though that's nothing new.

Did I go on a ride of excitement and twists and turns and woven goodness? Yeah, I did. Can't dispute that.

So why only the 4*, you ask?

Well, after the ups and downs of the preceding books--primarily having to deal with the dying of and `reincarnation' of Ethan--I seem to recall saying Ms Neill would have to bring something spectacular to the table for the reader to reserve judgement on her `Bobby Ewing' trick. And whilst she certainly did have me reserving judgement, and she certainly did bring something very special to the table, I kind of missed Ethan's arrogance, which almost seemed to have been doused in this book. I missed his demands. Missed his predominant nature. Missed his attitude and fire that makes an entire house of vampires look up to and (almost) worship him. Yes, yes, I get that the complications that accompanied his return had him worrying over more than showing majestic tendencies--but I still missed that. A little.

Though that in no way means I shan't be reading on in this series. Because I loved the freshness Biting Cold brought to the series (for me). So I'll certainly be looking out for House Rules.

With Ethan's return you would think that Merit would have some time to reconnect with her Liege, but alas there are bigger problems afoot. Merit yearns to take Ethan to some quite corner but that soon does not come to pass when their old nemesis Tate breaks from his prison and runs amuck across Chicago and further. Mallory has been on the run but soon she tries new spells to unleash the Maleficium that has dire consequences.

With fast paced action and much sword wielding, Merit is pushed past her limits almost till breaking in Biting Cold, leaving readers gasping and pinning for more. Struggling to right the wrongs and defend humans and vampires alike, Merit makes an exchange no one saw coming that could have a dire outcome. Will Merit be able to resolve her relationship with Ethan, while also trying to save the day? Ethan soon finds that his connection to Mallory runs deeper and more catastrophic than before and could he become a liability. As if there was not already enough on everyone's plate new supernatural break to the humans that bring a while new host of challenges to Cadogan House just as Merit is rescued from.

With a new demon in the midst and also unrest as far as the continuation of Cadogan House is concerned, Biting Cold delivers readers a punch and a fabulous new novel set in the Chicagoland Vampires Series. Merit is constantly put to the test to prove herself and will Biting Cold push Merit past her comfort point? Ethan was a godsend, but will he surrender to his feelings for Merit as she needs him to instead of keeping her at arm's distance. Biting Cold leaves readers with a satisfying book finish, but also dangles enough new fodder for the next book to leave readers gasping for more.

Merit, why does you keep putting up with his staling ? I think this is abusive to you, please don't take it anymore.
Frustrating, that is the theme of this book. Merit finally has her Ethan back, kicking biting and grumpy-ness all intact. So why aren't they bumping the headboard ? Because Ethan has issues again...zzz.......repeat, repeat, repeat. So, she picks up her sword and goes to battle risking her life to save him, and their relationship, if it is one?!?!?
The evil this time is a woozy, big winged and bad, bad, bad. He was released into the world thanks to our precious little power hungry Mallory. Best friend and distorter deluxe, what a winner she is. Well, the gang gets together and risks it all to try to save her, really why not ?!?!?! Everyone deserves a chance at redemption. Yeah sure.
Meanwhile the house is under the evil eye of the 'something council of vampire house' sorry I don't remember their name. They are old school, full or arcane rules and threats. 'you must be who we want or you are kicked out of our special club" is who they are bullies. Just what they vampy gang needs while trying to save humanity from the big bad evil flying around town.
Phew then finally some frustrations are relieved ! FINALLY ! The end of the books was nice with a light cliffhanger. It could have easily been the last book in the series. The next book will start a whole new 'life' for our characters.
Overall I enjoyed this edition to the series. I felt it was stretching out the old plot a bit too much, and did not like the whole relationship staling agin thing. I hope their future is adventurous.

So much has happened since Lake Michigan turned dark both politically and supernaturally, now with a quest pending and a promise in the air our favorite Cadogan vampires are out on a hunt in hopes of getting an extremely dangerous artifact back before supernaturals with much more destructive plans in mind get it.

Where to start... Chicagoland Vampires is a series that in my opinion has found a great balance between action, attraction, romance, urban fantasy and a wonderful and quirky sense of humor. This is the Chloe Neill style I fell in love with.
Biting Cold puts all the before mentioned elements in action and makes the characters shine. This book will have you smirking before you read that, that is exactly the reaction the character gave, laughing, shacking with anticipation of what is to come, getting frustrated with the characters about the mystery's and obstacles they face, blushing and don't be surprised if you find yourself unable to leave this book until you finish it.
This book takes more twist and turns and is much more active than the previous to books have been. I wouldn't call this book a fast read, it is more of an action packed read, and even if there is enough movement in the story to go around the supernatural world keeps expanding with the meeting of new characters and new sides to ones with think we knew.
If you haven't jumped the Chicagoland Vampires I strongly suggest you hop on this vampires and other sups are great characters to read (they feel without a doubt real) adventures that put our beloved character to the test (both in strength and their relationships) and urban fantasy in continuous expansion just when you thought you knew everything about Chicago and the supernaturals that live in this world you find that there is more to learn.
Rating:

This is the 6th installment of The Chicagoland Vampires series. If you like vampire series and you haven't had a chance to read this series yet, I highly recommend it. It's a completely original take on the vampire world. If you plan to read them you may want to skip over this review or it will spoil some things that happen in the previous books. Because of that, I am gong to keep this review pretty brief.

Biting Cold starts off pretty much right where the last book ended.

* Ethan is back, thanks to Mallory, but they share a connection that is most definitely unwanted.
* Mallory has been consumed by her dark magic and will be held accountable by an unlikely source.
* Merit is pulled into another situation that will test her abilities as Sentinel of Cadogan House.
* They are finally going to find out exactly what Seth Tate really is!

This book seems to focus more on just a handful of the characters, Merit, Ethan and Seth. Mallory, Catcher and a few others are in the background, but once the story gets started that's kind of where they stay. This story focuses mostly on Seth and dealing with the situation that he and Mallory unleash when they get their hands on The Maleficium. Beyond this, big changes are coming for Cadogan House thanks to a visit from the GP. The House is taking their future into their own hands once and for all.

This story is one that sees Ethan and Merit taking a huge step in their relationship. It's one that's been building for quite some time and I, for one, am glad that they have made it to this point. I am pretty stoked to see what the next book has in store for them.

I never thought I'd rate a Chloe Neill book this low, but the pacing at the beginning was extremely slow. I put the book down and entertained the idea of just not finishing it a few times within the first 3-4 chapters. After chapter 5 or so, things picked up and got interesting. Then I couldn't put it down. Overall, this was a decent transition book, and it adds to the series. However, I don't feel that this is representative of Neill's immense talent as a writer. I'm confident that the next book in the series will be better.

Merit didn't grow a lot during this installment, but Ethan did. I really like who he is becoming and where his relationship with Merit is going. I also enjoyed learning more about Tate and finally figuring out what he is. The scenes with him were top notch. Mallory changed quite a bit over the course of the novel, but I'd like to know more regarding how these changes came about. The flimsy excuse given just didn't suffice, in my opinion. Paige was a new character, and I really liked her. I hope to see more of her in the next novel.

The plot was intriguing, but as I mentioned, it was very slow at first. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I have the others. While things picked up around the 5th chapter, I didn't feel that this book really reached its stride until about the 70% mark. That was when it grew into a novel that was up to par with what I'd expect from Neill. I really loved the ending of the book, though, and I can't wait to see how that will affect the future of Cadogan house.

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Neill's Chicagoland Vampire series. Also, I'd recommend this series to anyone who loves a good urban fantasy with a kick ass heroine. Merit does not disappoint. She's strong and smart, but she also has a heart. This series can't be missed.

Twenty-eight-year-old Caroline Merit had been turned into a vampire about a year ago. Since then Merit has found her way into Chicago's vampire underground. There are more supernaturals than the human public could possibly imagine. Over the past year Merit has trained hard and earned a position as Sentinel of Cadogan House. Protecting the House and her liege, Ethan Sullivan, means everything to Merit. She takes her duties very seriously.

Mallory Carmichael was the best friend and like a sister to Merit. But the little sorceress now has a black-magic problem. Mallory intends to cause great harm on the world by releasing an ancient evil from its prison. The vessel containing the evil is a powerful book called the Maleficium. Merit and Ethan charge across the American Midwest to stop her from unleashing the book's horror. They both succeed and fail, depending on how one looks at it.

Merit and Ethan return to their House in Chicago to be confronted with political spite and numerous enemies. The GP (Greenwich Presidium) exists to protect the interests of all vampires in the United States and Western Europe. The GP refuses to assist in cleaning up the mess they so tidily made and has, basically, failed the House in a multitude of ways. Yet the GP seems to blame Cadogan House for everything and is actually considering kicking the House out. Should the GP remove their accreditation, Cadogan House would have to watch its back against attacks from their previous allies. While Ethan tries to deal with all the political messes, Merit must deal with her duties as Sentinel. That duty includes dealing with a fallen angel who is big on justice and retribution.

**** FOUR STARS! There are many good reasons for the Chicagoland Vampires series to be six books in length and still growing. My reason for reading them is because Sentinel Merit is honorable, reliable, trustworthy, and fully capable of kicking some serious bad - uh, butts when needed. This is not a series a new reader can simply jump into. These books must be read in order; however, each one is fascinating. All the characters are compelling and have well developed backgrounds. Just like the normal human governments, the paranormals have a chain of leadership. This makes Chloe Neill's dark world very believable. Also, since the characters make mistakes and must suffer consequences, the entire series comes across as very realistic. In a word: Wow! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Reviewed by Francesca & posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

After the ups and downs we've had with this series, I have to say this was the book with the least amount of surprises! Biting Cold picks up exactly where Drink Deep left off, with Ethan and Merit in a car heading to the midwest looking for Mallory. Their mission was just to stop her from getting the Maleficium, the book that would unleash all evil.

But quickly the story turned more complicated and the Maleficium issue was solved a bit too fast, but in an indirect way it caused an even bigger problem. This time Senator Tate is back and we finally get to find out more about him and what he is. After he touches the Maleficium as Mallory is casting a spell, Tate basically clones himself. So now there are two Tates on the loose and justice killings start happening in Chicago.

I feel that Merit did quite a bit of maturing in this book. Having to deal with her best friend turning evil and betraying her hit her pretty hard but she still cares about her and wants to do everything possible to protect her, even if that doesn't mean forgiving her. Ethan has come back a completely different guy, obviously now he feels Mallory's presence in his head and causes him to lose control. Their relationship, and Ethan's attitude in particular about their relationship, got on my nerves for most of this book. I was actually rooting for her hooking up with someone else, even if temporary.

In the end, the fact that he's changed now also brought forward an Ethan that showed a lot more emotion in and out of the bedroom. I thought I was going to cry when he mouthed "I love you" to her.

There was also such a great cast of characters in this book: Lindsey is adorable as always, Luc was too (even if we got to see him wearing his cowboy boots...and only his cowboy boots), Catcher was also around but as expected so different as well. And lets not forget Jeff and Gabriel. I do like my shifters! But other than the normal vamps, shifters and witches that we are used to reading about in this series, we also got fairies, gnomes, angels and demons. And then of course there's Mallory. I was so upset with her but I couldn't stay angry. I actually started feeling bad for her and what's she had to endure.

Lets not forget the big bad guy of this book, Senator Tate. Or the two of him that are out running around. He's bad, he's good. We get to find out so much more about him and it was also good to close that chapter of the series.

In a way this book felt as if it was tying up loose ends to end the series. And then the ending came. Not that I consider this ending a cliffhanger but some might. Lets just say Cadogan House will now be running differently and seeing as such. I think it'll make for a very interesting book to come next and maybe a little bit less politics.

Favorite Quotes:

"Imagine a roaring fire in the dark depths of a Chicago winter. Imagine the warmth of the fire against your skin -"
"I'll probably be wearing flannel pajamas," I teased, but Ethan wasn't fazed. He leaned in, his lips at my ear.
"You'll be wearing nothing but your Cadogan medal and a smile, Sentinel."
"Is that a prediction?"
"It's a promise."

"You know what I need?" I asked.
"A chocolate fountain?" Ethan suggested. "A complete paper set of the Encyclopedia Britannica? A lifetime supply of grilled meat?"
"I like all those ideas, but I was thinking a magical spray I can use on Mallory to wash the crazy off her."
"Like Lysol for evil?" Paige asked.
"Something like that, yeah."

*ARC provided by publisher

So, I have been waiting since November last year for Biting Cold and now that I'm finished I sit here wondering which shelves to put it on. It's part of my bestest ever series, but I didn't feel that this book that has earnt that shelf. Now to decide on the rating.

Let me start by saying that I am Merit's number 1 fan. If she was for real I would stalk her with fan mail & wanna be just like her. As for Ethan, he's up there on my lists as well. But where this book did have a lot of Merit/Ethan time, it just didn't have the fun factor in the first 4 books. You know, the snark, jokes and attitude that made those books the bomb?

It's heavy. There is certainly nothing to celebrate or laugh about being a vampire in the Cadogen house. Life has not returned to the norm just because Ethan has returned from his ashes. The GP is trying to take down the house, Mallory is trying to destroy the city, Mayor Tate has multiplied & deaths ensue, Ethan has a disturbing connection to Mallory and Merit just wants some of Ethan. - Who can blame a girl?!

The story line is packed full of drama, and as usual, Merit was in the thick of everything. She is showing time and time again that she's got the goods. Whether it be trying to solve the Tate and Maleficium mystery, learning what is in the future with the GP as well as working through issues with Mallory and finding out what was happening with hers & Ethan's `halted' prelationship - as Lindsay called it.

Overall, the things I love about these books are the characters and I loved being with them again. I enjoyed seeing all of our old friends, even if only briefly. Gabriel & Jeff, Grandpa Merit, Catcher & Mallory and of course Team Cadogen (Merit, Ethan, Luc, Lindsay & Malik). I was pleased that things appear to be looking up for Ethan & Merit (and it's about time too!). The only thing I am hoping as we wait for House Rules due out in February is that we see some of that fun and joking that seems to be absent in this book. I can't wait to hear what the future holds for the Cadogen House next. I have a feeling it's going to be a biggy after the most recent revelations...

Chloe Neill has managed to surprise me yet again. With every new installment, I fall more in love with this series. As always, I will not give away any spoilers.

In the first few books the focus was mainly just on Merit getting a handle on her new lifestyle (as a vampire). Book four was focused pretty intently on the Merit-Ethan relationship. In book five, not only did we see Merit really come into her own, but we also learned a lot about Mallory and her powers. Now, with book six, the focus is put on "relationships:" Merit and Ethan, Merit and Mallory, Mallory and Catcher, etc.

In these last two books of the Chicagoland Vampires series (Drink Deep and Biting Cold), Chloe Neill has managed to grow even closer with her characters. Now that [us] readers have gotten to know the characters, she has started to weave the plot even more intricately. For this reason alone, I would not recommend this book for someone who has not read the previous installments. But, I would recommend Biting Cold for anyone who is a fan of the urban fantasy or paranormal genres. It is also perfect for those looking for a good PNR or urban fantasy with a little more bite (pun intended) than a similar book in the YA genre.

The Chicagoland Vampire series is one of my favorite stories. The writing is so smart that fans of all genres will enjoy it. From the complex characters to the fun dialogue, the Chicagoland Vampires series is wonderful. One of the best parts about this series is that Chloe Neill is fearless when it comes to developing risky storylines. She looks at controversial plots and firmly commits to them in an effort to craft unique and enjoyable stories.

In Biting Cold, we meet up with Merit and friends at the moment when Drink Deep concludes. I don't like to post spoilers, so I will only say that so much happens that readers will be stunned with each passing chapter.

This book is like the grand finale of a fireworks show. There are several storylines that Chloe seamlessly weaves together to create the best book in the series. We are reunited with a favorite character, and it really feels like we are coming home for dinner. The interactions with this character are simultaneously familiar and new. While reading Biting Cold, I realized how much each of the characters has matured and developed. Merit is no longer the new vampire on the block and her assertiveness is admirable. Several of the other characters also exhibit traits that were not seen prior to this addition and the character development is incredible. Everyone has experienced a situation or trauma that forces change, and the ways in which Chloe describes how everyone copes are realistic.

If you are new to the Chicagoland Vampire series, I highly recommend that you start reading. If you are already a fan, I can assure you that Biting Cold will not disappoint. It will satiate your desire to see some characters and give you so much more than you ever imagined. The ending is perfect, and I eagerly await House Rules, which I am certain will be just as wonderful as Biting Cold.

This story line just keeps getting better and better. New plots and bad guys at every turn keeps the Chicago vamps on their toes. I am still loving Merit and Ethan’s journey through the crazy. They definitely need a vacation. Awesome writing keeps this story fresh and me up to the wee hours just to see what’s next. This is one series not to miss, happy reading.

Picking up where Deep Drink left off, Ethan is alive and he and Merit are on their way to stop Mallory from finding a magical book and destroying the world. Turns out more than one person wants this book. Seth Tate, with his old magic that no one can identify, also wants the book. During a battle for the book Seth Tate is split into two people while Mallory is trying to complete a conjuring spell.

While Merit and Ethan try to save to world, Cadogan House is under investigation by the Greenwich Presidium and Ethan has pulled away from Merit...again. Ethan is uncomfortable having a metal\emotional connection with Mallory. He feels out of control and if you have read any other books in this series you know what a control freak he is.

I really like Chloe Neill's writing style. The books in this series just flow so well and before you know it you've read the entire thing. She has a way of setting up scene and chapters that have you playing the "just one more chapter" game. She is extremely talented writer.

That being said, this is not my favorite book in the series. It didn't feel as intense as the books before it. However, there was a lot of closure in this book and characters have grown and changed. It seems that there may be new direction for the Chicagoland Vamps. Keeping my fingers crossed that things heat back up. Can't wait to see what Chloe Neill has up her sleeve.

The first 3 books of this series were great, but then came Hard Bitten & Drink Deep, & the entire series was screwed up. Chloe Neill seems like she's finally getting the series back on track with Biting Cold, but she hasn't completely succeeded. I'm giving it 3 stars, but I think it's a little less than that.

***Spoilers***

I was worried that the entire book would be about Mallory controlling Ethan, but thankfully, Mallory shows up at the beginning, executes a spell, & is captured. Mallory then spends most of the rest of the book doing penance by washing dishes at a shifter bar. No, really. I thought we would find out that Mallory going bad was part of some kind of plot by the Order, but it turns out that they're just stupid & missed the signs.

During the spell, former mayor Seth Tate gets split into 2. In Hard Bitten, one of my major complaints was the Mayor Tate suddenly went from regular human mayor, to a super strong, supernatural being. It made no sense. Now we find out that he's an angel. A good angel who decided that becoming mayor of Chicago would help him to do good. Not only is he a good angel, but his evil twin angel had been unknowingly attached to him (& made him do bad things), & is now loose. Seriously. She used the evil twin plot. I'm hoping that since the evil twin was killed, that will be the last we hear of it.

In Hard Bitten we were told that Merit's father tried to pay to have her made into a vampire & it was also when we found out that her first name is Caroline, the same as her dead sister. Two books later & this still hasn't been addressed. Is Neill just trying to ignore it & hope we'll forget? I really want to know why Merit's father named her after a dead sibling & tried to have her turned, it seems like a big deal to me. We only hear a bit from grandfather in this book, what happened to her sister Charlotte & her mother? What is her father doing? We've heard that her family is a big deal in Chicago, but they seem to have disappeared.

As for Ethan & Merit's relationship, we once again get Ethan pulling back for most of the book. They do finally get back together, but he's done this in pretty much every book (except for when he was dead). I'm hoping that now that they are together, they stay together.

The book ends with the Cadogan vampires voting to leave the GP. I don't know if there will be any more books in this series, but if there are, I hope Ms. Neill will finally get the story back where it belongs without any bizarre character changes & answer some still unanswered questions.

Ethan and Merit are back together. YAY. BITING COLD picks up immediately after the events of DRINK DEEP

I had a harder time getting into BITING COLD in the beginning but once the action started I was back glued to the pages waiting to see what would happen next. I know Mallory is Merit's best friend and all but I thought she got through everything a little easier then I would have preferred. Sure she is suffering but she caused SO much trouble and hurt, she was selfish and she could have destroyed the world. I was very happy with how Merit treated the whole situation. I was shocked by the multiple twists regarding Seth Tate, who would have thought? Ethan drives me nuts sometimes. He still attempts to "protect" Merit in BITING COLD in his usual way and I really wish I could have smacked him upside the head at one point. He did however fix his thinking. I missed not having Jonah a big part of the story but hopefully he will be back in a greater role now that Ethan is back for a whole book.

Loved the ending. Cant elaborate on that but I cant wait to see what happens after the results were revealed. There are so many things about this series that I love and so many things that still need to be revealed. There is no way I could miss a Chicagoland Vampire book so i will be reading book 7 as soon as humanly possible

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.

The universe should have given Merit at least a small break for a happy reunion after certain someone's miraculous return. But that just isn't in the cards as her somewhat former best friend's turn to the dark side stands in the way. Mallory is determined to steal a something that would unleash all evil unto the world, and Merit has the best chance at stopping her. It becomes a wild goose chase across the country in a fight that she must win at all costs. But Mallory isn't the only problem as someone else wants the book too, and he makes Mallory's powers look like parlor tricks. Merit is in for the fight of her life.

I was utterly crushed by the events of Hard Bitten. Losing Ethan was simply horrible. I was every bit a shambled mess as Merit was, right up until the very end of Drink Deep when the awaited miracle happens. Now in Biting Cold, I had expected Ethan and Merit to be head over heels for each other and all the issues and insecurities between them to be a thing of the past. So, when they weren't I couldn't help being a little disappointed. Of course once I took a step back I realized that even death wouldn't have been some miracle cure for the issues between them. Granted, it definitely was a major wake up call for Merit, but that doesn't mean she would be able to be happy with the constant indecision Ethan finds himself in when it comes to her. There is a whole lot of healing that needs to happen first, along with a good deal of change, but it seems like they are finally taking a step in the right direction. Only time will tell, as there have been so many false starts, I am almost afraid to believe this one will stick, but I have more hope this time around than I ever did before.

It really is amazing how much Merit has grown from the start of the series. She has truly come into her own, both as a Woman and a powerful Vampire. As much as I do not want to admit it, I think the issues between her and Ethan as well as his death forced the most growth upon her. As much as he strengthened Merit and helped her become who she is, a part of her was still held back by her reliance on him. Once that tie was severed, she was able to become the Vampire she was meant to be, with the confidence to back it up. In fact it puts her on more of an equal footing with Ethan, now that he is her support rather than a crutch. Here's a swoon worthy quote:
Ethan leaned in, his lips at my ear. "Irresistible force," he said. "Immovable object. Choose the one you want to be, and do it. You are a vampire of great power, Merit. Prove it to us, to the city of Chicago, to the Houses. Prove it now."
And prove it she does. I personally don't think Cadogan House could possibly have a better Sentinel, and I'm just glad to see that Merit is finally realizing her true worth.

I'm really impressed with the way Chloe Neill handled everything that went on in Biting Cold. There were a whole lot of events happening that should have been overwhelming, but were all seamlessly blended together to form a incredibly exciting book. After the massive shakeup of Hard Bitten, I was worried that this series was on its way out, but after reading Drink Deep and especially Biting Cold, Chloe Neill has proven that the Chicagoland Vampires are here to stay. Biting Cold is one exhilarating ride from start to finish that you won't want to miss!

This was an excellent installment of the series. Some questions were answered, some characters were more developed, and the usual Merit charm flowed through the pages. I'm not that keen on introducing even more supernatural beings, unfortunately. For me, that's where True Blood jumped the shark. I how the next book doesn't go crazy with new beings.

I have seen this series since the beginning , and Like Merit I am at a crossroad with continuing on . I have enjoyed the Merit and the gang .

Merit and Ethan are rushing off to stop Mallory from taking the magical book Maleficium . She and Ethan catch up and discuss stuff while he was dead .

We are introduced to gnomes, and we see fairies, and shifters. We are also introduced to the leader of the Order. Merit is off protecting the city from big bad guy again. We also see some real questions being asked of Merit. We only see mentioned Jonah , and Morgan for a little bit.

This was one of the better books of the series, and I do believe that the author is asking us to atone for her last two books. That was made mention by two characters through out the book. They realized their error and want to help save their friends.

So many relationships were at crossroads through out the book. Mallory & Merit , Ethan & Merit , Catcher & Mallory . I also found mention the food mentioned through out the book, seemed that I was in Foodie channel. I understand that the Midwest has great food, but those of us as fans, would love to have more substance with the characters than what they are eating. I missed seeing Jeff & Gabriel , they were in the book , but I missed them. I even missed seeing Catcher T-shirts. The Shifters totally rocked this book.

It took forever for Ethan and Merit to finally have a reunion , and I understand why the couldn't at times. Either dealing with the bad guy or being stubborn.

I do want to see what happens with the series ,but as a fan of Merit & Ethan I wanted more , and I didn't get it. There wasn't as much snark as in other books. There are changes ahead for Merit and Ethan, and they are good one. I feel like much like Merit that I have run my course with this series. I do feel at at a crossroad like Merit , and I am not sure if I am going to see what happens with this series. I have heard that there are 3 more books in the series, and I have gotten tired scooby gang. There weren't enough smexy times for me. I was wondering if I was reading a YA book . This was one of the shorter books too.

Best Line: Maybe he isn't quite Darth Sullivan anymore

****************************************************Spoilers*****************************************************
I was so in love with this series in the beginning. The relationship between Ethan and Merit was so steamy and intense...WAS, this all seems to be dulled down to nothing now. I was never sure if Ethan was Mr. Bad guy or her future bed partner. It's almost like the two have no choice but to be together now, they been through the push and pull so many times and now their just a normal couple. Which seems odd for me. I still can't imagine them just being a couple,the term seems very loose fitting for the two, like there's really nothing left for them to do. What else can we see from them that will surprise us? Is my big question.

I also could not get over the fact that the Mallory and Maleficium shenanigans ended so quickly. The first part of the book was literally a waste of time. Mallory was no threat at all and pretty much pointless for the entire book. The Seth/Dominic being Angels was like a slap in the face for me. It was all just to much. Ethan pushing Merit away because he and Mallory have a connection and he could hurt her - though he never really hurt her again, there was never a chance of 'oh, maybe he's right. Maybe he can hurt her' it was just a weak excuse to keep them away from each other for awhile.

Yet another thing I could not get over was the fact that everything is centered around Merit. Yes, the book is about her but I just couldn't understand how she was sent to go on so many life changing missions, got to fight evil angels and join the RG or any of that stuff for the simple fact that she's been a vampire for like, less than a year. There are other vampires in that house who have got centuries under their belts and could probably do a better job fighting and protecting the house they've been loyal to and lived in for years than some girl who just started. How are they supposed to trust this newbie vampire with the task of protecting their house and fending off a centuries old angel because she 'thinks' she can do it.... and of course she can because it wouldn't be Merit if she failed at something besides her relationship.

I honestly skipped the Angel fight and the last part of the book. I really did. I'm not proud of it but I just could not take anymore of her built in mastery skills and her cockiness. I will probably finish this series due to my built in need to finish what I started but I just hope that maybe things will get better. Though with so many books that I've read, the more there are in the series the less interesting they have proven to become.

Ouch! - A solid 4star read

This episode begins immediately after Drink Deep where Ethan was resurrected and they are off to Iowa to stop Mallory. I thought I would remember but I was quickly caught back into the action. I liked the new characters that were introduced as some of our regulars did the cameo thing. Another high point for me was the big action piece as the climax. This read quickly and covered all the bases.

Something that puzzled me a bit was the feeling as if it was the swansong of the series. Hopefully it's not and is in fact the start of a brand new day for Sups of Chicago!

Merit is one of my all time favorite heroines. She made carrying a katana sword cool. I love how she's not afraid to speak her mind to Ethan or anyone else. She has her own moral code, and follows it even if it means going up against those she loves. This time the enemy hits a little too close to home, and she has to make some tough decisions. I liked how she didn't back down, and kept going despite all odds. I enjoyed seeing how her relationship with those around her have grown and matured.

One of the biggest problems I have with this series is that each time a character is introduced, I fall in love with them, and am always disappointed when I don't seem more of them. Two characters that I enjoyed the most in previous books, Morgan and J0nah have become nothing more then a footnote. It makes a little hesitant to like any new possible new love interest for Merit because once their storyline is wrapped up, I know I won't see them again. It's frustrating as a reader, but it's rare that I find a writer that continually writes such lovable characters that I can't part with.

There was something missing though from this book, and I just can't quite pin down what it was. There were new characters introduced, even if there were a bit out there (gnomes, really?) so that's not what was missing. Sexual tension with Ethan was there, so that wasn't it....I think maybe what was missing was the friendship Merit has with Mallory, Catcher & Jeff. That just wasn't there because of the storyline with Mallory. I think what was also missing the shock value. The ending was a little predictable, there was enough foreshadowing that even I could guess what was going to happen.

While this series has lost some of the shine of earlier books, this book was better then the last two. Chloe Neill continues to impress me with her ability to make the world of the Chicagoland Vampires seem like my own world. At the same time though, I am a bit disappointed with the series, but you know what? I feel like I'm too invested in the characters to stop reading it now and know I'll have to see this series to the end.

Love this world that Chloe has created. I was so happy that we finally start to see the relationship progress with Ethan and merit. This was a book of healing. For all. I hope Catcher and Mallory can find there way back as well. Good wins over evil in the battle Seth vs Dominic, the fallen Angel. It should be interesting how they handle the split from the GP. Our Cadogen vampires always rise to the occasion.

Pretty good book. Like how the relationships with Jonah, Ethan, and Mallory were adressed. Sometimes it's easy to spend too much or too little time on these important side stories, but Chloe Neill did a great job and in developing a full plot and story line. This book to me was more like an in between book in that I really liked the last story and am excited to see where it goes after this one -- in other words this one was more like a transition piece of the overall story line

I don't like the general premise of this series. Merit becoming a bad ass protector for centuries old vampires is still too much of a stretch for me. The overall storyline is corny but it's hard to stop reading a series when you start. I liked finally discovering Tate's secret though. It was an interesting twist.

Chloe Neill puts a different spin on the world of vampires; something a touch more civilized without wallowing in the steroetypical sexual and violent side of things. At moments there was a bit too much angst and it felt more like a YA novel than an adult series, but there were enough entriguing scenes to keep me reading.

I'm looking forward to continuing the series and using it as a nice reprieve from the more intense stories I often read.

This book I found more entertaining and fast paced than the other ones. I'm still not a fan of Ethan's. I really don't see what Merit sees in him. I like Jonah much better. I just don't see the chemistry between Ethan and Merit. We're told they have some, but I don't feel it.

Read from March 14 to 15, 2013

From Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Blog

At a Glance
I have to admit, the beginning dragged for me, but by one-third the way through I was hooked till the end. I love the progression of this series. The review below has references to events in past books in the series.

The Good
Here's the Story...
Biting Cold starts where Drink Deep ends. Merit and Ethan are on their way to protect the Maleficium (a book full of evil) from getting into the hands of Merit's former best friend, Mallory. Mallory, a witch turned bad, plans on unleashing evil upon the world. Merit won't let that happen. But after the big confrontation, things only go down hill. Now there is another evil being to deal with. One that allows no mercy or forgiveness. One that is gunning after Merit. Now Merit and her fellow Cadogan vampires must figure out who and what this new threat is and how to stop him before he destroys everything Merit holds dear.

Merit has Merit...
Once this book got going, I was 100% in for the ride. I am a huge fan of the Chicagoland Vampires series, and I literally jump up and down in joy when each new book comes out. It's not an action packed paranormal kind of series. Well, it has action, but the focus is Merit's struggle with her new life. Being made into a vampire against her will and now having to follow the rules every vampire must. Becoming a protector of her new family while trying to figure out her crazy relationship the Master vampire of the house. In Biting Cold, Merit has just gotten Ethan back and now her best friend is pretty much evil. But Merit is a strong little vampire. She always takes things in stride and does her best to keep everyone around her safe. She has grown into her role as Sentinel and pretty much calls the shots most of the time. She is completely in charge of her life, even when her world is uncertain. Merit is my hero.

EEEE! Ethan...
I was so happy to have Ethan back in the fray. I missed him. I even missed him and Merit constantly fighting each other over everything. I was sad to see his same insecurities and reservations about his relationship with Merit come to the forefront once again. But I guess Ethan wouldn't be Ethan without his quirks.

Our Poor Mallory...
I was simply blown away with how far Neill took Mallory as a character. I wasn't expecting it at all, and that makes me respect Neill even more. I like authors who have no limits with the lengths they will go to keep a great story fresh. I think Neill handled Mallory's story very well. I like the direction she is taking her.

Ch...Ch...Changes!
I am also impressed by how much the world is changing in this series. So many things happen in Biting Cold that will change the course of the series forever. People are growing, the supernaturals are both coming together and falling farther apart at the same time. And the decision made at the end of the novel has guaranteed that nothing will ever be the same. Hopefully for the better.

I Just Love this Series...
The action was really intense in this book because the opponents are people we know and somewhat care about. The mystery was well thought out and it took me a little while to really figure out the secrets. I also loved the bouts of humor during the dark times. Neill really has her dialogue skill down. I eagerly awaited the next conversation the whole way through this book. There are so many little side plots that I can't wait until Neill fleshes them out.

The Bad
The biggest problem was the beginning. I just could not get into the story. I kept putting the book down. But then we reached about one-third way into the book and it turned into pure freakin' awesomeness. That's what earned it four stars.

Ethan bugged me in this book. He was such a cry baby. He did get better, but for the most part he just irritated me.

The Snuggly
Neill really made us wait for the big moment. I assume you have read the rest of the series, so you know that Ethan is back from the dead. I pretty much expected him to jump Merit's bones without a second thought. Oh, but I was wrong. His brain got in the way once again by overthinking the situation. But don't fret fellow fans, the big moment does come. And it is HOT!

I was a little saddened to watch Ethan screw up his and Merit's relationship for the 100th time. I was hoping he had learned his lesson. But I do see the possibility of a normal, healthy relationship in the future.

Overall
Even though it took some time, Biting Cold blew my socks off. It had all the elements of a great book. It was fun to read, it was exciting, and I loved every character, even the evil ones. I can't even wait for the next book. Highly recommended.

I was so torn between wanting to read this book at hyperspeed Vs reading it slow to savor each chapter. Yes it was that good. It does not disappoint!
You get a bit of everything here. Some mysteries solved, questions answered. A hella big hot reunion, a battle between good and evil with a righteous end.
I love these characters and cannot wait to see what happens next. House Rules.....when, when, when? I know I am not the only one chomping at the bit. "--" 2 fangs up Chloe. Now get us House Rules. I miss Merit and Ethan already.

Better than I was expecting, but rather simplistic. Mallory's final outcome seemed much too easily accomplished to be completely believable (yes, I know it's fiction, but I still expect it to be at least halfway possible), but I can't go into detail without spoiling anything for those who haven't read it. The ending of the previous book really left me torn as to whether I wanted to go on with the series, and while I'm glad did, I don't have the same enthusiasm for the author as I used to.

Did you read the same book I did?

That is what comes to me when I read the reviews. The first three books of this series were nice with lots of promise. This book and its predecessor are just not up to snuff. The author just breezes over major plot points like the maleficium and the messengers and I could just keep going on.
I give this 1 star because it is poorly written and the plot has more holes than Swiss cheese. I feel like most of the characters are without any common sense and can't empathize with them at all. I advise you to try this book out at a library if you are interested in it because for me. This book was a waste of time.

Towards the end of Drink Deep, I was slightly disappointed in the sudden reappearence of Ethan, though like many others I grieved for him along with Merit. It seemed just a little too convenient. After getting Biting Cold and finishing it up just a few minutes ago, I found myself equally, if not more, disappointed in this book. Everything seemed to lack the skill Neill showed in her previous books and the way Jonah's and Mallory's roles were played out seemed almost lazy. Spoiler alert here. Jonah doesnt seem like the type of guy that gives up easily and his scarce prescense in the book and how easily he brushed off his feelings for Merit made me think that Neill just wanted him out of the picture as easily and quickly as possible. I will admit though the storyline was interesting and I am happy that Ethan and Merit have each other again but their interactions, heated as they were supposed to be at times, definitely left me unsatisfied as the scenes seemed very flat. Here's to hoping that the next book will renew my love for the series but I have a feeling that my interest in this storyline will diminish as Neill drags it out more.

Strong story line. The lead female is not weak nor is she whiny when she doesn't get her way. The characters are well built with enough background to keep you interested in them even if they aren't continually in the plot. Great plot twists!!

spoilers

Huge fan of the series and couldn't wait to read it but....please enough with the drama, we deserve a to have our couple finally get it right and be together without the all the stuggles and fight as one instead of with each other. Other then that I loved the story and the twist in how Tate ended up, explains why sometimes he was the way he was but other times he seemed pure. Now when is the next one out? lol

I have read this series since the beginning. First let me say that I really dislike that a character is killed off and just when life begins to make sense in the series again the character is resurected. Some other interesting characters were introduced and then just faded such as Jonah. I am tired of the Merit and Ethan relationship and was looking forward to something new. It did not happen in fact it looks most unlikely.

Did you read the same book I did?

That is what comes to me when I read the reviews. The first three books of this series were nice with lots of promise. This book and its predecessor are just not up to snuff. The author just breezes over major plot points like the maleficium and the messengers and I could just keep going on.
I give this 1 star because it is poorly written and the plot has more holes than Swiss cheese. I feel like most of the characters are without any common sense and can't empathize with them at all. I advise you to try this book out at a library if you are interested in it because for me. This book was a waste of time.

Towards the end of Drink Deep, I was slightly disappointed in the sudden reappearence of Ethan, though like many others I grieved for him along with Merit. It seemed just a little too convenient. After getting Biting Cold and finishing it up just a few minutes ago, I found myself equally, if not more, disappointed in this book. Everything seemed to lack the skill Neill showed in her previous books and the way Jonah's and Mallory's roles were played out seemed almost lazy. Spoiler alert here. Jonah doesnt seem like the type of guy that gives up easily and his scarce prescense in the book and how easily he brushed off his feelings for Merit made me think that Neill just wanted him out of the picture as easily and quickly as possible. I will admit though the storyline was interesting and I am happy that Ethan and Merit have each other again but their interactions, heated as they were supposed to be at times, definitely left me unsatisfied as the scenes seemed very flat. Here's to hoping that the next book will renew my love for the series but I have a feeling that my interest in this storyline will diminish as Neill drags it out more.

Strong story line. The lead female is not weak nor is she whiny when she doesn't get her way. The characters are well built with enough background to keep you interested in them even if they aren't continually in the plot. Great plot twists!!

spoilers

Huge fan of the series and couldn't wait to read it but....please enough with the drama, we deserve a to have our couple finally get it right and be together without the all the stuggles and fight as one instead of with each other. Other then that I loved the story and the twist in how Tate ended up, explains why sometimes he was the way he was but other times he seemed pure. Now when is the next one out? lol

I have read this series since the beginning. First let me say that I really dislike that a character is killed off and just when life begins to make sense in the series again the character is resurected. Some other interesting characters were introduced and then just faded such as Jonah. I am tired of the Merit and Ethan relationship and was looking forward to something new. It did not happen in fact it looks most unlikely.

I liked this addition to the series. Like all of Chloe's book the sexual angst is a little over the top for me. Hence only four stars. But it is a masterpiece of the young finding their way into maturity, love, and redemption. Allowing the growth process to play out with mature adults and century old vampires allows the story to be both personal and inspirational simultaneously to both teens and adults. Well done.

I enjoyed this one. Ethan was frustrating but finally managed to pull his head out of his ***. I would have liked to see more johah though. Maybe he'll get a spin off?? It'll be interesting to see where the next book goes

In Chicago, Cadogan House vampire master Ethan Sullivan's return has Cadogan sentinel Merit rejoicing though wary of her feelings (see Drink Deep). However, the Merit has bigger concerns than the turmoil inside her heart as she learns her former best friend Mallory seeks the Maleficium; if misused it would free evil upon an unsuspecting world.

Ethan and Merit head to Nebraska where the ancient tome is safely stored. However, though aware of Mallory's misguided magic, neither vampire realizes that anti-vampire Tate wants to possess the Maleficium so he stalks Merit. At the same time the powerful Greenwich Presidium plans a coup to take over Cadogan House.

The latest superb Chicagoland Vampire urban fantasy (see Twice Bitten and Friday Night Bites) relocates the storyline from Chicago to the Great Plains as betrayal and duplicity leave the master and the sentinel in peril. The storyline is fast-paced from the moment the heroine learns what Mallory intends and vows to prevent this pandemic horror from occurring and never slows down as she and her "sire' struggle to keep the nightmare from happening while others prefer the alternative.

Harriet Klausner