Review: Some Girls Bite (Chicagoland Vampires #1)

They killed me. They healed me. They changed me.

Some Girls Bite, by Chloe Neill, is the first novel in the Chicagoland Vampires series. Set in modern-day Chicago, Merit is a humanities graduate student at the University of Chicago. She lives in Wicker Park with her best friend, Mallory, who works for a big advertising firm. Merit has another secret that she cannot avoid association: she is the daughter of Joshua Merit, one of the most prominent and wealthiest men in Chicago. Nevertheless, she is happy with her life in academia until one fateful evening changes her life for eternity.

Chicago’s vampires announced their existence to the world. Humans became exposed to the supernatural for the first time. When Merit is walking alone one late evening, a rogue vampire attacked her. Dying on the sidewalk, another vampire saves her life by turning her into the walking undead. It turns out her savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House, Ethan Sullivan. Located in Hyde Park, the mansion is full of vampires loyal to their lord. Allergic to sunlight, Merit must abandon her former human and learn everything quickly about vampire society.

Despite her independent and inquisitive personality, Merit impresses Ethan with her burgeoning powers -- superhuman strength, agility, sight and ability to withstand glamour -- that she becomes Sentinel of Cadogan House, a honorable title that has not been used in ages. She carries a powerful sword to defend the house against enemies -- and looks sexy in tight black leather too! However, the vampire who killed her is still on the loose. Tensions are already high among the houses. Will Merit survive her initiation or will blood be shed?

This is my first book series by Chloe Neill. I stumbled upon this book when I was searching for a book title by another paranormal writer. As a former Chicago resident during my undergraduate days, the urban fantasy plot was very interesting and appealing. I thought the book was enjoyable and easy to read. The pacing was excellent, and I could relate to the protagonist (since I am also a graduate student but in another city). The only con is the author tries to introduce too many other beings (i.e., sorcerers, nymphs, shapeshifters) that may confuse readers who are not well-versed in the supernatural lingo. Overall, I look forward to reading future Chicagoland Vampire novels.

Stay tuned for the next novel in the Chicagoland Vampires series, Friday Night Bites.