Friday Night Bites (Chicagoland Vampires, #2) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Aug 12, 2020 Midu Hadi rated it it was ok

Shelves: female-protag, vampires-and-other-bloodsuckers, wheel-nbrc, female-author, read-in-2020, read-in-august, serial-killers-and-other-murderers, magick, series, second-in-the-series

I want to read more about the world that Ms. Neill has created, sure. However, there’s something missing from it that would make me connect with the characters populating it. Like after a few months, I will begin to miss the characters in the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. But I don’t feel that way about the Chicagoland Vampire series. Perhaps it’s unfair to expect this so early in the series. Which is why I shall plod on to the next book in it.

Also, things that should take seconds to ...more

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Jul 11, 2010 Katyana rated it really liked it

Shelves: uf, ass-kicking-women, fantasy, vampires

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I really am enjoying the series a lot. Between the witty writing, and the fun evolution / softening of Ethan, and the twisty plots (I was thinking the big Breck family reveal was going to be more of Celina's glamouring, so I was caught nicely by surprise), it makes for a fun ride.

But the very serious swing in the last quarter or so of this book really makes me nervous. I don't like that her relationship with Mallory is falling apart. It *shouldn't* collapse over that silly phone call - they have ...more

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Apr 12, 2010 Nairabell rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, 5-star, read-in-2011, read-in-2012

Merit is beginning to adjust to life as a vampire and is moving into Cadogan House with it's ever present paparazzi. Merit has barely unpacked when her Master Ethan reveals that an old family friend of hers is sniffing around vampire society and threatening to publish a story about the Raves - mass feeding parties where vampires drink themselves silly. Ethan is convinced that Merit's family is their best starting point so Merit is forced back into the society she once ran from, and finds that ba Merit is beginning to adjust to life as a vampire and is moving into Cadogan House with it's ever present paparazzi. Merit has barely unpacked when her Master Ethan reveals that an old family friend of hers is sniffing around vampire society and threatening to publish a story about the Raves - mass feeding parties where vampires drink themselves silly. Ethan is convinced that Merit's family is their best starting point so Merit is forced back into the society she once ran from, and finds that balancing human/vampire relations is almost as hard as balancing her love life.

I really enjoyed Some Girls Bite so I was looking forward to reading this and I wasn't disappointed. This book is less about Merit's personal journey and takes place more in the world at large. What begins as a simple nosey reporter soon develops into a threat against Cadogan House and Merit really steps up into her role as Sentinel. More is revealed about vampire society, and we also get to learn more about shifters and sorcerors. Again the author avoids info-dumping, and Merit's world is widened and deepened in this book.

As Merit has moved into Cadogan House in this book, there is more of a focus on her vampire friends and so Mallory features far less. Mallory spends a chunk of the book away perfecting her sorcery skills, and I did miss the Merit/Mallory interaction. However Merit and Mallory did have some page time together and I think the way their changing friendship was handled was brilliant.

The lingering threat against Cadogan House is well developed and cleverly handled. There are a few twists that I didn't see coming, and the author managed to create more questions as Merit solved the mystery. Merit also discovered she has several unique qualities not seen in other vampires, and I can't wait to see where the author takes this.

All in all this was a great read, and I'm looking forward to reading Twice Bitten (out now) and Hard Bitten (out May 2011).

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 7/10

Overall: 47/50 ...more

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Feb 25, 2013 R. rated it it was ok

The mystery was unimpressive.

The romance was lake-warm, the love triangle was ill constructed( no sexual tension, no convincing jealousy, when she and lover boy#1 break it off, I don't believe he ever loved her anymore.)

The characters and relationships still don't feel real to me, which is extra disappointing seeing that the world and character building was done on the expense of the action and adventurous part.

I paused this book twice to read AND finish two other books. I'm still on the look ...more

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May 05, 2010 Literary Ames rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, vampires, read-in-2010, dtb, bye-bye

This sequel is huge improvement on the first book and only gets better from beginning to end. Most of my grievances with the first book were addressed, and my original suspicion of Morgan has been identified by Merit in this one so I'm a happy bunny. The cliff-hanger has me eager for the next instalment. I'm so glad I don't have long to wait for it. ...more

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