Monday, April 25, 2011

Review: Hard Bitten

HARD BITTEN (Chicagoland Vampires #4)
Chloe Neill
Urban Fantasy
350 Pages
New American Library/Penguin
Available May 3rd
Received from publisher for review

Warning: Review does contain spoilers from previous books and alludes to certain events in this book though no specifics are given.

THE STORY
In the aftermath of the shifters' announcement of their existence, things in Chicago for Merit, Ethan, and their fellow vampires are a bit uneasy. The human population is not reacting well to the news that yet another supernatural species is living among them, and they have taken to picketing and rioting in front of Cadogan House to show their disapproval for the individuals they once so thoroughly accepted.

To make matters even worse, Mayor Seth Tate reveals to Merit and Ethan a witness statement wherein a man claims to have seen a multitude of vampires take the lives of three women in a frenzy of bloodlust. He assigns Merit and Ethan the task of putting an end to such behavior with a less-than-veiled threat of his retaliation if they don't gain control of the vampire population.

When a visit from a member of the ruling council of vampires pays Chicago a visit, Merit finds herself without Ethan's direct help in solving their human political problem while he deals in vampire politics. Paired with Jonah, Merit uncovers a disturbing new drug circulating the vampire raves–one that causes the erratic behavior the witness described–and as she delves deeper, she realizes the threat is even greater than they imagined and the potential fallout much more catastrophic.

MY THOUGHTS
Hard Bitten is a pivotal book in the Chicagoland Vampire series, presenting us with shocking new information and sending our emotions into indescribable turmoil as we deal with change and loss on a scale we haven't experienced before. While this book could have easily fallen into the trap of a middle book in a series where the character interactions become predictable and the action fails to be as impressive as it was previously, instead Ms. Neill takes a decidedly riskier route, testing us as much as she does her characters as we all struggle to come to terms with seemingly irreversible events. This fourth installment is like beginning the series anew–though the characters are comforting and familiar, the startling revelations place us firmly back on square one as we eagerly anticipate the next book to help us relearn how to put one foot in front of the other in this world.

Merit and Ethan are as fun, humorous, and infuriating as ever, their complex relationship returning to the slightly-guarded-but-still-sexually-tense state that existed prior to the progression of physical intimacy in the last book. Though they seem to have taken a step back in some respects, there is an openness and candor to them now that satisfies our clawing need to see them together and happy. Where before they engaged in an intricate dance comprised of sarcastic flirting and laced with a bit of good-natured antagonism used to mask the admission of any true feelings, we now have the honest confession of fear, hurt, and betrayal adding an emotional intimacy to their connection. This new rawness is mesmerizing, causing our hearts to ache a little less with each quiet acknowledgment as we know the strength it takes each of them to reveal a vulnerability to the other, and we long for the moment when a touch between them will be free of all the complications and can be a more simple and treasured thing.

Ms. Neill does a beautiful job with the plot in this series, each book focusing on a new but related problem to the vampire race being openly known to humankind, and this continuation of that world sees the escalation of previous personal, political, and supernatural battles to such a degree that putting the book down to take a breather becomes an impossibility. The heightened tension, the augmented danger, and the increased significance of repercussions for actions taken culminates in an ending that thoroughly swipes our legs from under us, leaving us shaking in uncertainty as to the future and our hearts bruised, broken, and in desperate need of repair. We are robbed of a vital component of these books–confusion, anger, and searing pain coalescing to create a bone-deep chill as our minds work frantically to concoct scenarios in which the events we've just witnessed will be remedied and the glowing happiness we felt at the end of the previous book will be restored.

This is a story where an extreme reaction is impossible to quell–tears will fall, teeth will grit, and fists will clench in anger as we both praise Ms. Neill for so thoroughly engaging us in her world and its characters while simultaneously questioning why she chose to hurt us so deeply. Despite our pain, we can't help but look forward to the next book, hoping that the explanations for, and reasoning behind, the conclusion of Hard Bitten will be partially illuminated. We have little choice but to place our complete faith in Ms. Neill's very capable hands, knowing she must have a plan and forcing ourselves to take comfort in the knowledge that we will be privy to it in time.

Rating: 5/5

40 comments:

  1. let me just say I never in a million years saw that comming. when the ending came I was like, "huh?" Congrads to Neill for catching me completely off guard XD

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  2. You know, I enjoy the Dark Elite by Ms. Neil, so I really got to pick up this series. I have heard great things about it. I love to feel the book come alive and see their world through their eyes. Nice review Jenny!

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  3. I literally died. Your review is heartbreaking. For my sake, tell me that someone does not die.
    Gosh, i can't wait to read it.

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  4. oOoOoOO I so can't wait for Hard Bitten!!!!! I'm super excited to read it now that you also gave it such a wonderful review. Tears are involved? Yes, I love books that make me tear up!

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  5. I have not read this series but it sounds like one I should read. I am venturing into a few books that are not YA and enjoying the foray. Might just check this series out next!

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  6. Aah! Excellent review. I can't wait to read this book, so jealous of the people who have review copies! I'm a little nervous about starting it - you make it sound like there will be some quite dark, painful to read bits which I'm not looking forward to, but I know the story will be great, and I have to find out what happens to Merit and the gang next!

    ~Ailsa

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  7. I'm planning to read this series during summer .. thank you so much for having introduced the series to me because it seems awesome!! I'll let you know when I have the first book !!
    Thanks Jenny !

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  8. I bought the first book in this series! I have heard so many good things about it and hope to make it my August Series to read :)

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  9. Great review and so love these characters , and awaiting my book to see what happens with them.

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  10. So glad it was good! Don't you get nervous with new books from a fav series? I'm afraid of being let down. I love that she finds a way to keep Ethan and Merit's relationship fresh. I still need to finish the 3rd book.

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  11. Wonderful review Jen. The end...OMG the end. My jaw dropped and I just sat there for awhile trying to comprehend what I had read. I think I'm still in shock. lol

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  12. Mariya - Me either. I just stared blankly at the last page not knowing what to think:)

    Savy - I enjoy the Dark Elite series, but I absolutely adore these books, Merit is hilarious and Ethan is deliciously infuriating!

    Charlie - Heartbreaking is a good word, that's all I'll say.

    Danny - When I finished I couldn't decide how to rate it, but then I figured anything that could make me as happy and as upset as this book made me is a winner:)

    Jan - I hope you do, they're really fun reads with fantastic characters. I highly recommend!

    Alisa - There are dark and painful bits most definitely, and I'm already dying for the next book!

    Elodie - You're welcome! This is one of my favorite series, I hope you enjoy it!

    Felicia - YAY! Can't wait to see what you think:)

    Julie - I'll be looking forward to your thoughts, so much happens in this book!

    Alison - I do get nervous, but as this book made abundantly clear, Chloe Neill isn't afraid to take risks and I like that about her - it makes the books unpredictable.

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  13. Tori - ME TOO! I couldn't write the review for a long time because I wasn't sure how I felt. Then I decided there was clearly a plan for the rest of the series and I was just going to have to wait to see what it was:)

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  14. BOO on me. I haven't read any of the Chicagoland Vampire books, but let me tell you, this review really whets my curiosity. It's so exciting to hear that at book four, the series avoided pitfalls.

    Thanks for the review.

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  15. I agree wholeheartedly. This was a great book and I put my trust in Ms. Neil that Merit will be okay.

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  16. You're reviews blow me away every time I read them! You manage to capture exactly how you feel and present it so that whoever is reading it can just glimpse into your mind. This book...*takes a deep breath* You know how I feel. Great review Jenny!

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  17. I can't wait to read this series, Jenny! I've got the first one on reserve at the library. I hate when I get nervous about my favorite characters because to me, they are real. I hope the next book isn't too far away so you can be less anxious about it.

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  18. Missie - Boo on you for sure! This series rocks, I'm in love with it:)

    Patti - I just keep telling myself "there's a reason she did this" and that helps me sleep better at night;)

    Bells - I heart you:) I'm getting all flustered again thinking about things, it's Dreamfever all over again.

    Rummanah - The characters are always real to me too. I get very upset when they're upset and my husband always looks at me like I'm crazy and says "it's just a book". What does he know?;)

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  19. I haven't read this series... (*shock ensues*) I'm guessing you recommend it then? ;)

    I guess I'll need to start WAY back at number 1... *sigh*

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  20. I've heard a lot about this series, thanks for review. :) I'll get there one day.
    Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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  21. My friend and I have been SO excited about this book, but now you have me very worried. Very. Worried.

    While you've made the books sound like a tightly plotted roller coaster, you've also said, "tears will fall, teeth will grit, and fists will clench in anger". Is this going to be the reader? Am I not going to be happy? ARE WE ANY CLOSER TO AN ACTUAL RELATIONSHIP?

    Well, at least my friend and I will have lots to discuss/dissect/ bitch about during our jogs. :) I'm nervous but still very excited about this book. Excellent review as usual Jenny!

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  22. I haven't read this series, but obviously I need to! I didn't read the review, but since you gave it 5/5...I need to get on it!

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  23. Great review! I really should read this series since I love her YA one.

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  24. Ashley - HIGHLY recommend, I love this series so much:)

    Brandi - You're welcome:)

    Jennifer - I can say with pretty much 99% certainty that you are not going to be happy. SO much happens and I was beside myself when I finished:) You will have a ton to talk about once you read!

    Jacinda - This is a great series! This book left me sobbing like a little girl, but the previous books are all really funny and super entertaining!

    Jenny - I like this series more than her YA one (even though I really like that one as well), so I hope you give it a try!

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  25. Awesome review. Sounds like it's full of great tension. I love tension.

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  26. STOP IT! I want to read this series, but haven't yet. ARGH! You make me want to go out and get all the books... damn the expense. *shakes fist* Damn the expense!!

    Seriously tho... I really need to get these books and especially this one, even though it looks like I may have to make room in the freezer for it.

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  27. I am just dying to read this series, I sure hope the library hurries up and get book 1 soon

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  28. Juju - Thank you! I love tension too, and Chloe Neill writes crazy good tension:)

    Melissa - DO IT! I'm an enabler, I can't help it. Damn the expense is right, you need to meet Merit and Ethan! DO IT MELISSA!

    Blodeuedd - I hope so too! This is one of my very favorites, I want everyone to read it:)

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  29. Urgh it always sucks when I come across such a great review like this and realise I have't even heard of the book! *goes to look it up*

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  30. Great review Jenny! I really need to catch up on this series. I love the chemistry between Merit and Ethan :)

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  31. What a lovely review! Thank you! :)

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  32. PS - READ THEM MELISSA! WORTH IT! ;)

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  33. Aly - Hope you give it a try!!!

    Nic - Me too, they singe the pages with all their sexual tension.

    Chloe - You're very welcome, thank you so much for taking the time to comment! And yes, Melissa definitely needs to read these books;)

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  34. I'm a complete fan-girl when it comes to the Chicagoland Vampires series and I've been dying to read Hard Bitten! Reading your so well articulated review as left me anxious and nervous to find out what happens... I'll be getting my hands on a copy of this novel next week ASAP for sure! Thanks for the review Jenny! :)

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  35. Jenny, I could only read the first paragraph and a half of the review because I've been dying for this book for about a year now and I want to be completely surprised. I can't believe you've already gotten a copy, you lucky girl you! Consider me thoroughly jealous! I so cannot wait for this book to be released! If I was going to be a vampire, I would so be a vampire from this series. I mean, food and blood and a killer bod to boot. I'm so in *raises hand and jumps up and down*. I'm so glad you loved it, I'm more excited than ever. *squee*!

    Jen
    In the Closet With a Bibliophile

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  36. I have the fist book in this series on my wishlist since ages! Your review makes me want to get hold of the series ASAP!

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  37. Awesome review!!! I wish I had more time to read lately! Im so late in my reading =/

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  38. I just finished this this morning. I'm upset and it's nice to know others feel the same.

    Jen
    In the Closet With a Bibliophile

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  39. Great review, Jenny! I so didn't see what happened coming. I think I'm still in shock.

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  40. Why did she had to do it???I'm so very shocked and sad...i've read the whole series in 3 days and now I'm like WTF! Althoug i agree with you, there's a reason for that, it doesn't make it less difficult. Cant' wait for the next book!!!

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