Debut Review: Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill

Some Girls Bite (Chicagoland Vampires, 1) by Chloe Neill

Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

NAL Trade (April 7, 2009)

ISBN: 978-0451226259

352 pages

I'm going to start off my blog with the first in the new series, Chicagoland Vampires.

From Amazon.com:

First in a brand new series about a Chicago graduate student’s introduction into a society of vampires.

Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn’t exactly glamorous, but it was Merit’s. She was doing fine until a rogue vampire attacked her. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker—and this one decided the best way to save her life was to make her the walking undead.

Turns out her savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now she’s traded sweating over her thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan “Lord o’ the Manor” Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four-hundred- year-old vampire, he has centuries’ worth of charm, but unfortunately he expects her gratitude— and servitude. But an inconvenient sunlight allergy and Ethan’s attitude are the least of her concerns. Someone’s still out to get her. Her initiation into Chicago’s nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war—and there will be blood.

Hands down, this is one of the best urban fantasy/paranormal romance novels that I've ever read. What makes this even more remarkable is that this is not only the first in a series, and therefore has to spend more time on laying the groundwork, but it's also a debut novel for author Neill. As far as heroines go, Merit is very well-flushed out. She's intelligent, down-to-earth, emotionally and physically strong, as well as driven. Unlike too many females who befall similar circumstances in other novels, she realistically struggles with her new vampiric lifestyle without wasting too much time moaning about it. Instead she faces the decision that she must make between braving it alone or joining with her new vamp brothers and sisters by learning as much as she can and making the most of her new abilities.

Merit isn't the only draw, however. The plot is very nicely paced and well thought out. Neill has obviously put a lot of effort into world-building and the pacing of the story over the next few novels. She's created a unique vampire tale in a genre that's flush with look-a-likes. The house system and inclusion of other supernatural races promises future intrigue.

The secondary characters are, without a doubt, what pushes this novel to the top of the heap. Merit's best friend Mallory is everything that a best friend should be without being a caricature. Best of all, Mallory finds herself also thrust into this new supernatural world right alongside Merit. Other peripheral characters include Catcher, Mallory's love interest and Merit's personal Yoda, Merit's ever-disapproving father and her supportive Grandpa, who holds the key to a few revelations for Merit. Combine these with two complex and sexy love interests, one of whom is Ethan, Merit's new Master and primary antagonist. There's also a great villain, who shall remain nameless here.

Altogether, I found this novel to be consuming - I tried putting off sleep to finish it. The next installment, Friday Night Bites, is due for release October 6th. Check out Chloe's wonderful website for more info on the books and Merit. You can also read the first chapter there.

Grade: A+