(This cover is just ok for me)
Some Girls Bite: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel – Chloe Neill
Urban Fantasy
April 7, 2009
Paperback, 352 pages
Penguin
I started this book when I was with a friend of mine and at one point I turned to her and said, “crap this book is good!” – yes, I’m very poetic with words. She asked me what the book was about, and I said, I have no idea, I’m only on page fifteen. With the style of writing and quick wit, I already knew this would be a keeper.
Merit, and she only goes by her last name, is walking across campus late one night when she is attacked by a vampire. The only reason she didn’t die is because two other vampires scared off her attacker and had no choice but to turn her, or otherwise she would have faced death. For three days she is in a blacked-out state. When she comes to, she is dressed in the height of fashion, and riding in a limousine back to her house she shares with her best friend Mallory.
Vampires have only recently come out to the public. After mass panic and rioting, events have somewhat settled. Merit is not happy she has been turned. She realizes her only other option was death, but she was not given a choice. Once at home she learns she was turned by the Master of Cadogen House. Chicago has twelve vampire houses – each with their own master and hierarchy of vampires. Merit is now bound to Cadogen and their laws. Cadogen is also the only house that allows their vampires to drink human blood, something that causes dissent with the other houses.
In her time of need she has three people to turn to – Mallory, who is all about the vampires and is her biggest cheerleader. Her grandfather, who is really the only relative that gives her love. Her parents are very rich and into the political scene, the only advice her father can give her now that she is a vampire is to not embarrass the family name or she will be disinherited. She can also go to Ethan Sullivan, her maker and the man who she must now pay homage to.
Ethan is her master, but he soon learns Merit has power. She is only days old, and yet she does not fall under glamour, and has the strength and reflexes of someone very powerful. She also has a very sarcastic mouth on her, one that he learns very quickly does not follow the rules set forth in the Cadogen House.
Merit learns that a girl has been murdered in a park near where she was attacked. The clues point to it being the same vampire that attacked her. To complicate matters, a pendant from the Cadogan House is found at the scene. When Merit receives a threat at her house, she needs to make a decision – can she find it in herself to face this new life she was given, take on extraordinary responsibilities, and bow to her Master (which is the hardest of them all) or will she cower in the dark and let more victims fall to viscous attacks?
Some Girls Bite is funny, witty, sarcastic, and so well written it will suck you in. Merit has entered a world that she wanted nothing to do with, but now finds herself at the center of a murder investigation, and convoluted vampire politics. Each house is vying for control and Merit has spent her life running from the politics of her family, only to find herself immersed in vampire politics that have been going on for hundreds of years.
This book would not be as great as it is without all of the supporting cast. First, Ethan Sullivan, the vampire God of good looks. Merit wants to hate him so much, and at first she does despise him, yet appreciates his physical appearance. As the book progresses though, she finds herself slipping down the slope into his good graces. He wants her – he may not trust her, or even like her that much, but his possessive nature and attraction to her makes him want to make her his. Each time the get a little closer, they find a way to push each other away.
I couldn’t seem to help it. I couldn’t not kiss him. He tasted so good, smelled so good. He was heaven, a golden beacon in the supernatural darkness that spindled around me. But this wasn’t something to blame on magic. This was much more elemental, much more powerful. It was want, desire in is most basic form.But I couldn’t afford that, not to want someone who didn’t want me. Not really.
They have an amazingly complicated relationship with just the right amount of romantic tension. There is not a traditional HEA in this story, but enough romance to keep you interested in their relationship.
Second, Merit’s best friend Mallory. She has some of the best lines in the book. She is the kind of friend everyone wants – funny, supportive, kicks your butt if you need kicking. Mallory is not only great with Merit, but she meets Catcher Bell, a acquaintance of Ethan’s and Merit’s trainer, and an extremely powerful sorcerer. Their story enhances the romance in the book quite a bit. As Mallory tells Merit:
“He doesn’t give a shit if I’ve got a kick-ass job in the best ad firm in town, or if I’ve got blue hair, or if I’m pretty underneath it. He just likes me.”I stood and gathered her into a hug. “Too bad he’s a pretentious asshole.”Mallory gave a watery laugh. “Yeah, it is. But he’s hung like a horse, so that kinda helps.”
To complicate matters with Ethan and Merit, the second in command at the House of Navarre, Morgan, has a crush on her. A lovely triangle is set up, one that is not resolved in this book and I can’t wait to see where it is headed in the next.
There are also every other type of supernaturals, or sups as they are called in this book. Vampires seem to be top on the food chain in this book though and don’t always play nice with the other folks.
I know everyone has big to be read piles, but this one needs to find its way to the top. You will not be disappointed.
Rating: 4 Stars
**Come back tomorrow for an interview with Chloe Neill and a giveaway!**
The Chicagoland Vampires Series includes:
Some Girls Bite – April 7, 2009
Friday Night Bites – October 6, 2009
Twice Bitten – July 2010
Hard Bitten – TBA
Chloe also has a new series, The Dark Elite, which comes out this January. The first book will be called Firespell.
Chloe Neill’s Website.
Oh no, you're truly wicked Mandi for making me put another book on my wishlist ;)
Sarcastic, witty, fun, sounds like a book for me. just my kind of humour.
A friend let me borrow this but I haven't gotten around to reading it yet. I need to!
I love this book and have had Friday Night Bites on my waiting list since before I finished SGB!! Love the love triangle and the supporting actors are awesome! Looking forward to your interview tomorrow.
See, I knew I needed to bump this one up. It sounds like so much fun! Thanks for the great review. I love what you said to your friend 15 pages in. :)
This sounds really good! I love books that are funny without being too "cute." I will add it to my books to buy.
Blodeuedd – *evil laughter* No srsly, this one you have to read!
Lori – Yes you do!
Patti – I have mine preordered too!
Angie – yes, you do need to bump it up. And I do say silly things – quite often ;)
Stephanie – I really think this one is a good fit for you
I should have read this before making my amazon order. But this sounds really great! Great review!
"funny, witty, sarcastic", I could be related to this book. LOL I'll be back tomorrow, I want this!
"crap this book is good!" So that's what, like 4.5 out of 5 stars? This is going on my "to-read" shelf asap. Great review.
Okay, I had to snort outloud at that "hung like a horse" line. TOTALLY forgot that I wrote that! ;)
Cheers,
Chloe
Super review, you nailed it! I loved this book, I can't wait for Friday Night Bites. 'Cuz I gotta know what the dealio is with stuffy but hot Ethan.
I so want to read this book! Hopefully will be getting it soon. Thanks for the fab review, you make me want it more!!! I'm very impatient!
Greattt review Mandi! I loved loved loved (yes you heard right)loved this book! I'm so excited about Friday Night Bites *bouncing all over the place*
Tomorrow first thing when i come back from school i come HERE and see that interview AND giveaway Yay! Don't want to miss that! *grins*
I'm still drooling thinking about that sparring scene *sigh*
Team Eel.
;)
Oh this sounds very intriguing,from your review I can almost feel the great chemistry between Merit and Ethan. Loved the quotes!! I'll be back tomorrow :)
Sounds like a great book! I have an award for you at my blog :)
http://romanticharbor.blogspot.com/
Susi – lol..thanks:)
Fiction Vixen – yes definitely 4.5 stars!
Chloe – HA – that is one of my fav lines…I am in love with Mallory;)
My mom read this book (yes, ever since I convinced her to read Twilight she's now obsessed with YA vampire novels *sigh*), and she said it was really, really good. I have it in my TBR pile. :)
Donna – I know..what is up with Ethan!! And Morgan!!
Book Chick City – lol..there are many books I am impatient for!
Pattepoilue – omg – the sparring scene. I am so happy we don't have long to wait to FNB!!
Leontine – til tomorrow!
Danni – oooh..thanks!
Heidenkind – my mom reads all this stuff!! She loves Barrons and Bones..and Vishous!
This great review made me want this boo SO so BAD.Oh no.. I have so many unread books in my bookshelf and now you've made me crave for yet another book. You naughty girl you, Mandi!
Sounds like a great book. A witty or sarcastic heroine always makes me happy.
Thanks, everyone. I appreciate your kind thoughts, hope you have a chance to pick up SOME GIRLS BITE (if you haven't already read it), and enjoy it if you do!
Hugs,
Chloe
Lol, ok, it's on the ever growing list. but it's really near the top, it might just make it this year
Left you an award over at my place
Award
I noticed this book on your TBR shelf a couple of weeks ago and bought it from Amazon.
I haven't read the review, but I did see the 9/10, and now I am very eager for my copy to arrive so I can get stuck into it.
This is definitely going on my must read list and of course it's got nothing to do with Mallory's "hung like a horse" comment LOL. Love it, awesome review!
Very good review, Mandi :) I'm just a tiny bit put off by the love triangle though ^_^; I can't wait to see what you thought of the second book!
Mandi –
Nice review! It inspired me to buy Some Girls Bite.
I started reading it before bed last night (big mistake) and then finished it this morning. In fact, I ran out to Borders today and picked up the next two in the series to see what happens to Merit next!
Thanks for recommending it!
This is definitely an addictive series!!