Some things are best left in the dark.So now my "master" -- centuries-old yet gorgeously well-preserved Ethan Sullivan -- wants me to reconnect with my own upper-class family and act as liaison between humans and vampires...and to keep the more unsavory aspects of our existence out of the media. But someone doesn't want people and vamps to play nicey-nice -- someone with an ancient grudge.
Friday Night Bites, by Chloe Neill, is the second novel in the Chicagoland Vampires series. Several months later, Merit is learning her new role role as Sentinel (guardian) of Cadogan House. She is strong and beautiful with a major appetite for all foods based in Chicago! Vampires are the latest celebrities in the Windy City -- paparazzi and news reporters want the latest buzz about their undead residents. Although the public isn't thrilled about their supernatural residents, anxious and disgruntled feelings have appeared to subside.
However, that will change when news spread about the Raves, mass feeding parties where vampires drink blood excessively from humans. A news reporter from an elite Chicago family has a serious grudge against vampires and wants to publish this information to the public. Meanwhile, Ethan Sullivan, Master of Cadogan House, wants to use Merit to re-connect with the Chicago upper-class to gather intelligence and alliances. To make matters worse, the shifters are convening in Chicago to settle their futures among humans.
Magic is rising, and war may loom on the horizon. Her relationship with Morgan, recently promoted Master of Navvare House, is not working and her friendship with Mallory is on the brink of disaster. Can Merit discover the assailant behind the threats against the supernatural? Can Merit come to terms with her own vampire identity? How will she handle betrayal and loss? Only you can find out in Friday Night Bites.
Finally, another book about Merit! Neill introduces readers with more supernatural characters. The plot was enjoyable with some sneak peaks on Merit's family, childhood friends and new identity as Sullivan's partner a.k.a. vampire investigator and guardian. I believe there is some chemistry between the two, but their relationship will slowly progressed until Ethan recognizes what he desires most. The ending includes a major surprise by an enemy character in the previous novel that Neill may not address until later in the series. Let's just say that Merit finally understands why she must become stronger in mind and body. The next novel will focus on the shape-shifters in Chicago.
A major pet peeve about this novel is that the author criticizes Michigan with references like "No one wants to visit Detroit!". As a Michigan native, that hurt because it came across as if the state is some backwater region (when it has a better quality of life than some states below the Mason-Dixon line). I will let it slide, but sometimes I do wonder where does Neill's loyalties lie (the Midwest or New York).
Stay tuned for the next novel in the Chicagoland Vampires series, Twice Bitten.
No comments:
Post a Comment