The Dark Elite [Paperback]

Chloe Neill (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 2, 2011 | Series: Dark Elite

The first two novels of the Dark Elite series--Firespell and Hexbound.

As the new girl at St. Sophia's boarding school, Lily Parker thinks her classmates are the most monstrous things she'll have to face. In Firespell and Hexbound, she'll find out just how wrong she is, as she falls in with a group of rebel teens defending Chicago from vampires, demons, and the corrupted magic users known as reapers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: NAL Trade (August 2, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451235886
• ISBN-13: 978-0451235886
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #875,326 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 

(What's this?)

#36 in Books > Romance > Fantasy & Futuristic

#52 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#65 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#67 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#36 in Books > Romance > Fantasy & Futuristic

#52 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#65 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#67 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Two excellent books in one! Why I love this series... August 9, 2011

By J. Collier

Format:Paperback

This book contains the first two books in the Dark Elite series (Firespell and Hexbound). I never recap book plots in my reviews because I feel the book description usually does a good job teasing the story or I probably wouldn't have picked up (or downloaded) the book in the first place. However, I will tell you why I really enjoyed both books in the Dark Elite series.

I am a huge fan of paranormal romance and urban fantasy - vampires, werewolves, witches, etc... if it falls in one of these categories, then I'm interested in reading it. This includes anything from young adult to more r-rated novels - anything goes. However, as I've expanded my love of reading this genre, I've discovered there are just as many horrible writers as there are great ones in this genre.

I have been a fan of Chloe Neill's Chicagoland vampire series for quite some time - in fact, it is definitely one of my favorite series in the genre! (Although those books definitely fall in the more adult category). Since I'm a fan of her writing, I decided to give this young adult series a try, and once again, I was not disappointed. While many paranormal books have similar or overlapping themes, I enjoyed Neill's twist on the world of magic in this series. I also appreciate that these novels are truly age appropriate for young adults. I have read a few series before that contained very detailed intimate scenes between high school students in books being billed as appropriate for middle and high school aged readers. While I personally enjoy my fair share of juicy scenes, I wouldn't want my daughter reading them one day when she hits middle school age. Therefore, I appreciate Neill's ability to mix innocent age-appropriate romance and flirtations in with the action of these novels' plots. Yet, while these books are certainly age appropriate for young adults, they are not written in a flighty high school tone which would turn off adults. On the contrary, I find a lot of adults (like myself) still really enjoy young adult fiction, and if that's the case, you will not be disappointed in this series.

So if you're looking for a paranormal book with some interesting characters, surprising twists and young romance, check out the Dark Elite series!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Enjoyable and appropriate for all ages June 17, 2012

By Rebecca L. Walker

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a sci fi/fantasy type of story. Appropriate for all ages and are fun to read too. This book actually has 2 books together. I enjoy Chloe Neill's writing, and decided to try this series of hers as well. Different than her other series, but still fun to read and an enjoyable story.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic YA Fantasy October 27, 2011

By SciFiChick TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Firespell:
When Lily Parker's parents go to Germany for work, she is sent to St. Sophia's boarding school in Chicago for her junior year. Lily quickly becomes friends with her suitemate named Scout, but soon learns Scout has a secret and disappears at night. When she sees Scout being chased by a ruthless teens with strange powers, Lily becomes involved in a struggle between good and evil.

Hexbound:
While out patrolling the Chicago underground for Reapers, Lily and Scout stumble across mutant rat-like creatures with a killer instinct. Meanwhile, Lily is trying to master her powers unsuccessfully. A boy with similar abilities claims he wants to help her. The only problem is that he's one of the bad guys. Though, he claims the sides aren't as black and white as they seem.

Firespell and Hexbound are the first two installments in the Dark Elite series. Lily and Scout are good friends with a great sense of humor. Their witty banter is what is most appealing about them. Add supernatural powers, a bit of romance, and plenty of mystery for a winning combination. Neill's world of paranormal abilities, vampires, and werewolves does have something that sets it apart from others. It seems that magical abilities are given to a select number of teens, but when they reach adulthood, the magic fades. Reapers are super-powered humans who take innocent lives in order to keep magical abilities past adulthood. Factions of Adepts are their only opposition, fighting to protect humans, and willing to give up their powers when they become adults.

As Lily slowly learns more about the Dark Elite, she also discovers that her parents have been keeping secrets. Over the course of the first two novels, readers learn along with Lily more about her parents' secret and more about the Dark Elite. But there are still many questions left unanswered that will keep readers wanting more. The suspense and danger is intense, and the intrigue and twists are fun and sometimes surprising. With plenty of humor to balance the drama, teen and adult urban fantasy fans alike will enjoy this promising series.