Some Girls Bite (Chicagoland Vampires, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Feb 21, 2012 Marla rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance, series, adult, made-me-laugh, fantasy, favorites, challenged, young-adult, zz-2016, back-to-back

This started so typically, and it's my 3rd new vampire series in as many weeks, so 25% into the book, I put it down. And I'm glad that I've picked it back up! Yes, she's a new vampire, clueless, but with remarkable abilities, and yes, she's fighting her attraction to a gorgeous, powerful vampire. But there are also some interesting and not typical aspects. I like her snarkiness.

Likes:
* Mallory Carmichael, cool roommate and friend who's an advertising star
* Mallory's useful supernatural informat ...more

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Jun 24, 2010 Samantha rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook-own, 2011

I think I'm going to be joining the bandwagon of fans with this series. I've read a lot of positive reviews, but kept waiting to start…my bad. ;)
Merit is a genuinely relatable person, who is turned into a vampire after being attacked by other vampires. She has to learn to deal with the ramifications, which include a 180-degree reversal for her life. She also has to adjust not only to becoming a vampire, but dealing with Ethan Sullivan, the Master of the vampire House Cadogan. Her relationship wi ...more

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Jan 28, 2011 Qylie rated it it was amazing

Hot bodies litter the pages as you learn what it is like for a newly turned vampire to be inducted into vampire life. This first book focused more on Merit's transition and life rather than building a plot that can span multiple books. Don't get me wrong, the author did a great job of giving us insight into characters and series dynamics, this book just felt more like it was more a precursor to the series rather then an import element in the series. Merit, the main character, is smart, sexy, mou ...more

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Dec 22, 2009 The Flooze rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy-paranormal, vanquished_2010, owned

**3.75, to be nitpicky about it**

Some Girls Bite is an admirable debut. Neill establishes herself as a more than competent writer with great skill at world-building and story-telling. The plot moves along at a brisk pace as both the main character and the reader acclimate to Merit’s change and her status in the world of Chicago’s vampires. There’s also a great deal of humor and snappy dialogue, which had me chuckling or widening my eyes several times throughout.

As with most first novels, there **3.75, to be nitpicky about it**

Some Girls Bite is an admirable debut. Neill establishes herself as a more than competent writer with great skill at world-building and story-telling. The plot moves along at a brisk pace as both the main character and the reader acclimate to Merit’s change and her status in the world of Chicago’s vampires. There’s also a great deal of humor and snappy dialogue, which had me chuckling or widening my eyes several times throughout.

As with most first novels, there is a reasonable amount of info dump, but only as Neill sets the stage. She then lets the story take hold, bringing Merit to life through her interactions with her family, friends, and her newfound Master.

The characters are well-imagined, but Ethan could use some more fleshing out. Granted, this goes hand-in-hand with his aloof and enigmatic personality, but I would have liked a little more to go on. His relationship with Merit is antagonistic, filled with disapproval and denial, and offers little in terms of desirability (other than his devastating good looks).

Merit and Ethan share a strange bond. I understand the sexual attraction between them. I do not, however, understand the attachment Merit feels to Ethan. Sure, they share some sarcastic quips, but apart from the power he wields and the respect his people feel for him, I fail to see what he’s done for Merit to make her feel so enamored of him. Her emotional attachment confuses me, and it strikes me as somewhat contrary to character.

Merit is a fun lead. I found her burgeoning powers and oh-so-special status a little convenient, but she’s intelligent, a quick-learner, and possesses the right balance of rebelliousness and acquiescence so that I fully believe she can survive the dangers ahead.

The rest of the cast are enjoyable, and I look forward to getting to know them better. There are several hot men floating around, as well as a power-hungry father, a quirky roommate, and an entire supernatural community to explore. The Chicagoland Vampires series has a lot to offer, and I’m anxious to discover what Neill has in store for Merit and her friends.
...more

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Jan 09, 2012 Christal rated it really liked it

Shelves: female-lead, urban-fantasy, vampires, weres-and-shifters, magic, lesser-known-creatures, fae, witches-warlocks-and-mages, mind-bullets

I almost passed on this because, based on the title and cover, I thought it would be more of a light-hearted, PNR-type read. I couldn't have been more wrong and I am glad I gave this series a chance!

This book follows Merit, graduate student turned unwilling vampire. She was a great character and she presented a great introduction to the vampire world created by Ms. Neill. As Merit learned something new and began to understand her world, so did the reader. She was smart, strong, and confident (ma ...more

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Oct 28, 2009 twinfish2 rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal-romance

I loved this book. Merit is a tough cookie just the type of heroine I like to read about. The supporting characters are great also. Merit was turned into a vampire against her will when she was attacked at her college. She is mad and resentfull of this happening to her and the master vampire of her clan just can't understand why she is not thrilled to be joining his family of vamps. Of course he is hot looking and Merit wants him. Really is the head vamp ever ugly? or even just average looking? ...more

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Dec 14, 2009 Kati rated it liked it

Shelves: look-for-more, 2011, in-english, urban-fantasy, work-reviews

Prior to the last couple of chapters, I planned to give it 4 stars. The heroine was likable, smart and funny, no doormat but also no bitch, I loved her friends and the world the book was set in. But the last two or three chapters...

Merit suddenly went from "I don't want him!" to "Why doesn't he want me?" - quite a ridiculous change of heart from one chapter to another - and the plan of the murderer didn't make sense at all, or better said, at first it did, until the epilogue where it was said th ...more

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Jan 24, 2011 Kimberly rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2012

If Lindsay hadn't said living in the Cadogan was like watching an episode of the OC, I would swear this book was a cross between 90210 and Melrose Place.
Just when I want to curse the book for being silly, I find something that makes me want to read the next chapter along with the rest of the books in the series.
I originally thought Morgan was a toad, but I don't know what to think about him now.

Does anyone else think Merit and Kate Daniels would be best buddies in an alternate universe? ...more

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