Review: Wicked Hour (Heirs of Chicagoland #2)

Vampires were made, not born—until Elisa Sullivan came along.

Wicked Hour (2019) by Chloe Neill is the second novel in the Heirs of Chicagoland novel series. As the only child born a vampire, Elisa Sullivan is an oddity among the supernatural community. Given her unique upbringing, she tried to flee her past. Her parents, Master Ethan Sullivan and Sentinel Caroline Merit of Cadogan House, rule one of the most renowned vampire houses in the Midwest. After college, she moved to Europe to train and become her own person -- to break away from her parents' shadow. Then circumstances draw her back to Chicago where she meets Connor Keene, the son of Pack Apex. While they tormented each other in their childhood, they have since grown attracted to each other beyond friendship. Together, they faced down a supernatural evil that threatened to destroy Chicago. More importantly, Connor knows Elisa's darkest secret that she rather conceal even from her own parents.

As their romance blossoms to uncharted territory, Elisa is surprised when Connor invites her to a private Pack event, an initiation, in the north woods of Minnesota. These shifters have chosen to live as humans in isolation at an old resort while others have come out to the public. She receives a warn welcome from some of his family members even though she is a vampire. Meanwhile, the shifters in the community tell tales of a monster who lurks in the woods. When the celebration is marred by deaths of Pack members, Elisa and Connor find themselves in the middle of a struggle for control. The older members are set in their ways, it has caused issues with the newer generation. Meanwhile, the "inner" beast within Elisa wants to be set loose. Connor and Elisa must figure out this turmoil--the deaths, the monster in the woods, and Pack politics--before they can return home.

When I first started this series, I was reluctant on how it would transpire because I was such a fan of Ethan and Merit. They were THE epitome of partners in action in paranormal series. This series takes place in the future (at least two decades have passed since the events in Blade Bound. I would have never anticipated that their daughter would grown feelings for someone who not only bullied her as a child but is also a member of another species (shifters). Yet, Connor and Elisa, both in their mid-20s, are starting to grow on me. They have great chemistry together and are strong fighters like their parents. I would recommend this novel. The plot was full of mystery, strange twists, and exciting characters. I hope that readers get to learn more about Elisa's "inner" beast and its origins.

Stay tuned for the next novel in the Heirs of Chicagoland series, Shadowed Steel.