Hard Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires, Book 4) [Paperback]

Chloe Neill (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 3, 2011

Meet Merit, a "wonderfully compelling vampire heroine" (USA Today bestselling author Julie Kenner).

Chicago is beset by supernatural tensions, and Merit-vampire protector of a safe haven called Cadogan house-is worried that the humans will be reaching for their pitchforks any minute. It doesn't help that yet another vampire rave is broken up by the mayor, and a new inhibition- reducing drug is circulating through the community.

It's up to Merit to put her house in order-literally. And if that takes getting a little blood on her hands, so be it.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for the Chicagoland Vampires Novels:

"A wonderfully compelling vampire heroine."
-USA Today Bestselling Author Julie Kenner

"If you loved Nancy Drew but always wished she was an undead sword- wielding badass, Merit is your kind of girl."
-Geek Monthly (geekmonthly.com)

"Smart, sexy, and delightful. A must-read."
-Candace Havens, author of Dragons Prefer Blondes

"A fun cast of quirky characters and smoking' hot sexual tension...A stunning combination."
-Tate Hallaway, author of Honeymoon of the Dead

"There's a new talent in town, and if this debut is any indication, she's here to stay. Not only does Neill introduce an indomitable and funny heroine, her secondary characters are enormously intriguing and make terrific foils. While the tone of this first-person Chicagoland Vampire series starter is generally light, there is an undercurrent of danger. Truly excellent."
-Romantic Times --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Chloe Neill was born and raised in the South. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: New American Library; 1 edition (May 3, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451233328
• ISBN-13: 978-0451233325
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (239 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,391 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Chloe Neill was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest--just close enough to Cadogan House and St. Sophia's to keep an eye on things. When not transcribing Merit's and Lily's adventures, she bakes, works, and scours the Internet for good recipes and great graphic design. Chloe also maintains her sanity by spending time with her boys--her favorite landscape photographer/husband and their dogs, Baxter and Scout. (Both she and the photographer understand the dogs are in charge.) You can learn more about Chloe by visiting http://chloeneill.com

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#6 in Books > Romance > Fantasy & Futuristic

#13 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#15 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#21 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#64 in Books > Romance

#6 in Books > Romance > Fantasy & Futuristic

#13 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#15 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#21 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#64 in Books > Romance

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Raising my eyebrows.... May 5, 2011

By Ella's mom

Format:Paperback

What I love about the Chicagoland series is that it's essentially chic lit w/in a paranormal romance. It's a hard combo to find. But this is where Hard Bitten runs into problems. What was once a great series about Merit and how she became a kick a$$ soldier and her relationship w/Ethan is now turning into something completely different. I get the profound sense that the author is being rushed to produce more in less time so the characters are suffering for it. Case in point- where is Mallory? Catcher? Jeff? The author even alluded to something sparking at one point with Morgan. And believe me, I would be fine w/that if she kept to it at book 2, but that's not the way the cookie crumbles. Heck at this point, I'm fine w/Jonah, but nothing is even really developed there either. Lots of openings for future books, but not good enough to hold it's own. Hard Bitten left me well, raising my eyebrows. Which is another problem. Everybody's doing it. Raising their eyebrows, that is. That's all you're getting for sarcasm or wit in this one, folks.

As a previous reviewer noted, as did I, the real, real problem here is that the author's true talent lies in character development and romance. NOT in plot twists. I see this unraveling in Twice Bitten and it's full force in Hard Bitten. Case in point- Luc and Lindsey. Did you know they're together now? Well yeah, it's stated for one whole paragraph, but where's the beef?

You've got to be talented, I mean REALLY talented, to kill off a main character and redeem yourself as a writer. I'm not sure she's got it guys. I'm hopeful, but not sure. I'm giving this 4 stars bc it still kept me paying attention, but it was leaning towards 3.5 stars. If you really, really think about it- if this was the first Chicagoland Vamp book you read, would you give it 5 stars? No. And I'm really squeezing that 4 star out of my caboose people. It's only getting some positive reviews bc of how books 1-3 have held up the series so far. I will buy the next book bc I'm a fan and I need to know, but if it doesn't have some hard core, redeeming qualities? This could be the true loss of a fan base. And I'm seriously sure Ethan's not gone for good (this was alluded to multiple times in this book and even in book 3 where I started getting a sense she'd kill him off but couldn't imagine such a green writer doing something so reckless). But it's all in the redemption people. Hopefully, she's got it, but to quote Merit and another reviewer "I'm scared".

63 of 75 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Hard Bitten May 3, 2011

By A. Schreiner TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

****spoilers****

I have become quite invested in the Chicagoland Vampire series. From the early pages of book one, I fell in love with Merit's snark, her strength and her on and off again relationship with the Master of Cadogan House, Ethan Sullivan. Combined with wonderful supporting characters (Mallory, Catcher and Jeff are three of my favorites!) I greatly anticipate these books.

Hard Bitten focuses on the fallout of the attack on Cadogan house in the previous book. Although vampires have been known to the public for some time, their novelty is wearing off and many have taken to protesting in front of the houses, no longer thrilled with the idea of vampires living side by side with them. The houses are on lock down, and the mayor is putting pressure on the Masters to keep their vampires under control. To make matters worse, violent vampire raves are breaking out. As Merit investigates further, she discovers these raves are not just a blood party -but something or someone is causing vampires to turn aggressive. With both the mayor and the head of the council breathing down Ethan's neck, everything around Cadogan and Chicago become very tense.

This review is really, really hard for me to write. I have said that in the past but I really mean it this time! I say that because something happens at the end - the very, very end that is big. Huge. Enormous. I read it, and then I rubbed my eyes, and read it again. And then I called a friend and said, what in the world just happened. Until this point I would give this book a solid B. I like the conflict with the rave parties and the political pressure Ethan has to put up with brings nice tension to the story. Being a romance fan, I have been frustrated with Ethan and Merit's relationship through all the books. They had a very "up" moment in book three, only to be down in love in this book. There is something fishy going on with Mallory. We get little hints throughout the book about her progress to becoming a sorceress and I think there is definitely more than meets the eye. I'm intrigued. But none the less, this is an enjoyable book.

Until the end. Honestly, I'm upset. I'm not happy. I am angry.

I feel like what happened does not fit this series at all. It feels out of place. I get that it will be resolved in a future book somehow, but even then I don't know if I like it. Chloe Neill has stated to "trust her"." I'm trying! But I am having a hard time coming up with a resolution that will make me happy. Hopefully something happens in Drink Deep that blows my mind and I will come back to this review and say - why was I so upset? I've read some reviews that love the ending - so I'm interested to read reviews as more read this book.

I actually don't think I can rate this book. I gave it a three just to give it something. I almost can't rate this book, until I read Drink Deep out this fall. Once I get my question answered, I can come back and rate this one. Because my rating depends on one very, very big thing. And I'm scared of what the answer will be.

26 of 32 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Read the end first, then go back and really ENJOY the rest of the book May 8, 2011

By Tierney

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

**SPOILERS AND PURE CONJECTURE AHEAD!!!**
I pre-ordered this, but reviews were in before it arrived. After all the anger and angst expressed again and again over the ending, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to stand reading the story, just to get sucker punched in the end. So I did what you're never supposed to do-- I read the ending first.
And I am Sooo glad I did!
But oddly enough, knowing what was to come, I was able to really enjoy the book all the while noticing clues and hints which Ms. Neill gives plenty of throughout. She not only hints at what is to come in this book, but also how it will be resolved in the next book. And I take heart, that the "green eyes just like Ethan's only not Ethan's" that have been mentioned about 3 times now, will belong to Ethan part Deux, when Mallory, who ends the book on a ghost/Spirit hunting expedition with her magic tutor who's been teaching her the keys to magic including, to her distress, guilt and grief, black magic [ including reanimation- I have NO doubt.]
For those who fear REAL death of our beloved Ethan, I say fear not. Ms. Neill is no fool, and she has given abundant clues as to how this will be resolved.
As a fan, we just have to decide if we are willing to buy how she works things out in the next installment. Drink Deep will certainly make or break the series for many if not all of the readers who have faith or curiosity to read it. Going this direction was a mighty big risk. Hope the fans will be rewarded for our trust.