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

Some Girls Bite (Chicagoland Vampires, Book 1) by Chloe Neil
NAL Trade (April 7, 2009), Paranormal Romance - Vampires
352 pages
$10.08 (Amazon.com, 10/28/09) & Kindle Edition ($9.99)

Procurement

Chloe found my blog and contacted me about reviewing this title. I looked it up on Amazon.com and wondered why the hell I hadn't read it already! The premise, title, and cover all looked wonderful. I was excited to receive her book for review.

My Grade

Plot: 5
Setting: 5
Writing: 5
Originality: 5
Characters: 5
Passion: 4
Overall: 29/30 96% A
Cover/Title Bonus: 4
I've awarded this book a Ballsy Award! I've been meaning to make up this award but I've finally done it! Congrats Some Girls Bite!

Summary (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.

Read an excerpt of Chapter One!

Plot

Merit is a graduate student, walking through the campus very late at night. She's attacked by a vampire who was intent on draining her dry only to be interrupted by two other vampires. The saviors knew she would die if she wasn't changed, so one of them changed her, saving her "life".
Merit is returned home to her best friend Mallory, who is a vampire geek. Vampires are public in this story and they are gorgeous and have a following, so to say. Therefore Mallory is thrilled that her BFF is not only alive and well but a true vampire.
Merit is the daughter of a high political figure and she hates it. Merit is her last name, she does not go by her first name. She gets a crash course on the rules of being turned vampire. She is now part of a "house" of vampires and her house vampire master is who turned her, only master vamps are allowed to change people, and his name is Ethan Sullivan.
She must report to Ethan for her induction into the house. Things get super interesting after she meets Ethan.

Setting

Chicago, duh. :) It's very well set out. I felt apart of this town. I wasn't confused by any street names or structures. Chloe depicted Chicago in a very familiar way by not making us feel like we were thrown in. Does that make sense? It's not like Blue Bloods, where there's an abundance of NYC street names. It flows very nicely.
The Cadogan House is a super huge estate that I want to live in. The cover image has a big house shown and it's a good example of how I envisioned it.
There are a few outside scenes as well.
This book was written so well that it was envisioned perfectly, just like a movie film rolling through my head.

Writing

Chloe did an awesome job with this book. It flowed super well. There weren't any gaps or misunderstanding. It's written from Merit's POV, which was perfect.
There was a certain amount of mystery to the story that gave it a purpose other than just introducing Merit to the Cadogan House vampires. I can't wait to see what else happens in the next book!

Originality

I've read a ton of vampire books. I specifically enjoy strong female lead characters and Merit is anything if not strong. Therefore, it's not the most original book on vampires that I've read' however, it was so good with incorporating vampires, society, romance, setting, and dialogue that I'm not in the least experiencing a lack of originality.
The beginning of this book shows how strong I know this series is going to be. When Merit meets Ethan it's pure shocking. You can feel the electricity and I want (need) to see how it all unfolds.

Characters

Merit is awesome. She has one wicked self esteem and her ultimate purpose is to be what and who she wants to be, damned if any one should get in her way. (Vampire master? No problem.) She didn't take it well that her life was turned up side down in one, well two bites. She handles herself very well. She has balls. And I mean balls. This book is ballsy.
Mallory is a perfect best friend. She's super nice and is there to help Merit no matter what. She and Catcher develop a very eager relationship. ;)
Ethan Sullivan is one hot master vampire. He's pretty funny and I would love  to get inside his head! He has an ego and he's a little appalled that Merit is who she is. She's quite shocking at first. Again with the balls. ;)
We also meet Merit's grandfather who was supposedly retired from the police department only to find out he's the leader of the paranormal special forces.
Jeff works for Merit's Grandfather. He's a shifter of unknown animal origin, a computer geek, and a cutie. He's super funny too.
Catcher also works for Merit's Gpa and  is a disowned wizard of super awesome skill level. He and Mallory, once they meet, quickly fall for each other....hard. :)
There are plenty more minor/major characters as well.

Passion

I took one point off for this. I'm just a little upset that Merit is chasing tale and not chasing tale. I dunno. I wanted her to, you know, get some but she doesn't seem to know what she wants and that sucks.
Catcher and Mallory's relationship is red hot.

Overall

An awesome read. If you love vampires and strong female lead characters and egotistical men you'll love this! I can not wait to read Friday Night Bites. I'm supposed to be getting a review copy and it will be devoured upon receipt.

Cover/Title Bonus

I don't love the title but it's catchy and cool. The cover is very good. The model is a good representation of Merit. The house in the back is a good pick for Cadogan House.

Series

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

Friday Night Bites (Chicagoland Vampires, Book 2) by Chloe Neill

Twice Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires, Book 3) by Chloe Neill

Connect with Chloe Neill

    
 So if you haven't read this one yet, get a copy!  I have great faith that this series is going to rock!

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