Dark Debt (Chicagoland Vampires, # 11) by Chloe Neill
Urban Fantasy
March 3, 2015
NAL
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: The stars are always shining even if we can’t see them.
Merit and Ethan are back and their drama is as intense as ever. The past comes back to haunt Ethan when his maker, Balthazar, shows up in Chicago. As Merit and Ethan race to discover exactly what Balthazar wants, the Navarre house is experiencing its own troubles.
Morgan, the master of Navarre, is shocked to learn the previous Master left the house in massive debt to The Circle, a shadow mafia group who want a favor in return for an extension on the loans. This favor inadvertently drags Merit and Ethan into the fray when they are forced to stop an assassination attempt at ball hosted by a mysterious businessman whose end game may spell disaster for them all.
Dark Debt, the eleventh installment in Neill’s Chicagoland Vampire series, starts out with a saucy dramatic unveiling as Neill reintroduces a painful reminder from Ethan’s past. Fear, surprise, and a sense of vulnerability sets the stage. Steady pacing, and Neill’s ever present energy and humor keeps the story flowing nicely as we learn of the new challenges Merit, Ethan, and the rest of Chicago are now facing.
Ethan has survived his battle with the GP (General Presidium) and a new consortium has emerged from the ashes-the AMM (Assembly of American Masters). While this was a substantial plotline in Blood Games, it runs silently in the background here as Merit, Ethan, and their supernatural posse has bigger issues to focus on.
Balthazar, Ethan’s maker, seems to have reappeared from the dead…a cause for grave concern. Ethan ran from Balthazar when he assaulted and killed a young lady Ethan cared for. Ethan insured Balthazar would pay for his evil deeds and had since assumed he was dead. Now it seem he is alive and well and his main target is Merit.
This particular installment is heavily character driven with as Neill begins a new long reaching story arc. Per usual, an amount of the book revolves around Ethan and Merit; using the inclusion of new adversaries to showcase the strides they have made in their relationship. While there are sure to be more bumpy rides in their road to happily ever after (both are entirely too Alpha for there to not be) they have settled into a comfortable routine that shows us they are both committed and in it for the long haul. Their sexy chemistry still burns hot and bright between them. I enjoyed seeing them handle problems without one of them pushing the other away as seen repeatedly in the past.
“Are you wooing me?”
“I’ve been wooing you since the moment our eyes locked on the first floor of this house.”
The action is rather low-key, sparking at appropriate moments, as the seemingly separate issues facing the respective houses are investigated. More time is spent in this installment on theories, research, and strategies then the usual slice and dice.The mystery(s) and investigation avenues taken are interesting and strong in suspense. Various subplots push towards resolution easily though Neill leaves enough open to ensure readers will definitely want the next book. We receive some eyebrow raising clues towards the future and I for one am interested in seeing where Neill goes with them. As always, I wished for more inclusion of Gabriel Keene and his pack. The friend based chemistry between Keene and Merit is phenom and always fun to see.
Engaging secondary characters and their sustainable relationships remains a strong aspect in the overall enjoyment of this series. Neill continues to update readers on the aspects of their lives with flare and drama. Catcher and Mallory have reached a pivotal place in their relationship and I was happily shocked by the road Neill takes concerning them. Jonah and Merit are experiencing some rocky times; decisions will have to made soon. Morgan is beginning to grow up and finally seeing the big picture rather than continuing focusing on slights of the past. As always, the dialogue remains sharp and witty, keeping you laughing at some inappropriate times.
“Ah. you must not know about executive order two hundred eleven.”
“What’s that?”
“Basically we are required to keep sack lunches ready for you. Ethan thinks you get hangry. “
Dark Debt reminded me why I enjoyed this series so much. Neill has allowed her characters to grow at their own pace while keeping the storylines fresh and unique. This series remains a dark humorous Urban Fantasy/PNR with plenty of action, suspense, romance, and snark. This is not a standalone though and I do not recommend starting the series here. Convoluted; the series that builds upon itself with each new book.
Rating: B
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Nice review! I finished this book the other day and enjoyed it. I particularly like how Ethan’s evolving relationship with Merit seems to be making him more likable/approachable as the series progresses. They both seem to make each other better in ways that great couples (real and literary) often do.
I agree. It seems like we have waited forever for them to find their groove. I’m glad they fianlly have.
Love this series. What of Gabriel’s vision?
It’s mentioned in an off hand manner but nothing to show us we may be headed in that direction soon. BOO! lol
I hate when we get peeks at storylines and they go unanswered or abandoned for books and books later. I too am interested in Gabriel’s vision.
It has been a long road for Neill and I…but I am glad to see that Ethan and Merit seem to be on steady(steadier) ground relationship wise. I hated when they spent book after book fighting to be apart and together and apart. Over it. So to say that I enjoy this space between them is an understatement.
I love Neil’s wit and dialogue. One of the best. Great review Tori!
Me too. I don’t mind some rockery times but the constant push and pull was beginning to wear on me.
Hopefully Gabriel and his vision will begin to make more appearances soon.
I’m starting to think I need to pick this series back up. I left it after an event that upset me and never picked up another book. Drink Deep was the last book I listened to. I’ve been told several times I should give the series another try. Maybe I should.