- Chicagoland Vampires (series)
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Chicagoland Vampires 'Some Girls Bite
Friday Night Bites
Twice Bitten'Author Chloe Neill Country United States Language English Genre Romance, fantasy Publisher New American Library Published 2009- Media type Print Chicagoland Vampires is a series of vampire-based urban fantasy/romance novels by American author Chloe Neill which are set in the city and environs of Chicago.[1] The series follows Merit, a 28 year-old English Literature Ph.D. candidate who has been made a vampire and joined Chicago’s prestigious Cadogan House. This series, which is published by New American Library, includes:
- Some Girls Bite, Chicagoland Vampires Book One, ISBN 0-451-22625-9 (New American Library, April 2009)
- Friday Night Bites, Chicagoland Vampires Book Two, ISBN 0-451-22793-X (New American Library, October 2009)
- Twice Bitten, Chicagoland Vampires, Book Three, ISBN 0-451-23064-7 (New American Library, July 6, 2010)
- Hard Bitten, Chicagoland Vampires, Book Four, ISBN 0-451-23332-8 (New American Library, May 3, 2011)
- Drink Deep, Chicagoland Vampires, Book Five, ISBN 0-451-23486-3 (New American Library, Nov 1, 2011)
Contents
The Chicagoland World
A host of supernatural beings populate the Chicagoland Vampires world: vampires, shapeshifters, sorcerers/witches, nymphs, fairies, angels, demons, and trolls. Vampires are the only supernatural beings who have announced their existence to the human public; however, almost all human governing officials know of the remaining supes. Prior to Some Girls Bite, Chicago’s Mayor, Seth Tate, created the Ombudsman’s office to funnel all supernatural issues into one office.
The Vampire world is organized through a feudal-like system with Masters in charge of each House. Vampires are to swear alliance to their Masters during Commendation ceremonies and from then on are to faithfully serve their Houses and Masters. There are 12 houses in the United States: McDonald, Cabot, Taylor, Lincoln, Washington, Heart, Lassiter, Murphey, Sheridan, Cadogan, Navarre, and Grey—-the latter three are located in Chicago.
Navarre House, the oldest house is Chicago, was founded before the Great Fire by Master Celina Desaulniers.
Cadogan House, founded by Peter Cadogan, is the second oldest and only house in Chicago that still drinks from humans (there are two others worldwide). Cadogan’s current Master is Ethan Sullivan who protects 380 vampire members nationally, 97 of whom live in the house located in Hyde Park.
Grey House, the youngest in Chicago, is run by its sports-obsessed Master Scott Grey. There is also a faction of rogue vampires around the United States who do not have affiliations with any of the Houses; for political purposes, they are represented by Noah Beck.
Vampires in North America and Western Europe are politically organized/controlled by the Greenwich Presidium, a governing body headed by Darius West. As a whole, vampires are evaluated on Phys (physical strength, stamina) Psych (psychic and mental abilities), and Strat (strategic and ally consideration) and fight with a mix of Judo, Iaidō, Kendo, and Kenjutsu, often using a Katana.
Chicagoland vampires' eyes silver when they are angered or "excited," and unlike in other vampire series, these vampires become unconscious when the sun rises and not only eat food but crave it.
Shapeshifters are the supernatural group with the largest numbers, over 3,000 in the United States. They are born with the ability to shift freely from human to animal (usually with one specific animal and human form). They are politically organized into packs; there are four packs in the United States—the Central North American Pack is led by Apex Gabriel Keene. Shifters and vampires have a tenuous relationship since the "Second Clearings," when shifters purportedly retreated to Alaska, blended in with the Wilderness, and forced the vampires to fight for themselves.
While all supernaturals contain elements of magic, Sorcerers and Witches have the ability to harness and manipulate that magic. Their powers are broken down into four classes (based on knowledge of the minor and major Keys). They are politically organized under a large union—-the Order (Union of Amalgamated Sorcerers and Spellcasters)—-which is broken down into local chapters.
Nymphs are small, slim, busty, doe-eyed, moody females prone to tears and territorial behavior. They are known for their ability to control and manipulate men, and in Chicago, for their considerable control of the Chicago River’s currents.
Fairies comprise the external security company that protects the Cadogan Vampire House.
Characters
Caroline Evelyn Merit
Known by her last name, Merit is a dark haired, blue eyed, 28 year old English graduate student at the University of Chicago working on her dissertation (Romantic Medieval literature) when she is bitten. She is an avid fan of the Bears and the Cubs, musicals, and was a former ballet dancer. Her well-known fashion sense consists of T-shirts, jeans and Pumas rather than the fashion couture associated with Cadogan house. From the very beginning of Book 1, she fosters a mutual hatred and attraction/passion toward Ethan Sullivan, her Master. At the end of Some Girls Bite, Ethan names her Sentinel of the Cadogan house, a traditional role not utilized in the houses for quite a long time. Merit has been deemed a "strong-minded, sharp-witted heroine."[4]
Mallory Delancey Carmichael
Mallory is Merit’s blue-eyed, blue-haired roommate and long time friend. She lost her parents in car accident years ago and inherited the house she and Merit live in from her great-aunt Rose. In Some Girls Bite, Mallory worked as an ad executive for McGettrick-Combs. After Merit is turned, she begins to show signs of being a witch. She then becomes both romantically involved with and trained by Catcher Bell.
Ethan Sullivan
Ethan, sometimes referred to as "Darth Sullivan" by Merit and Mallory, is the 394 year-old Master of Cadogan House. He was turned during the Thirty Years' War at the age of 30 and is described in Some Girls Bite as being 6'3, lean, with broad shoulders, long legs, straight, shoulder-length, golden blond hair, knife-edge cheekbones, a firm jaw, and a strong brow. He is known for his impeccable black Armani suits. As demonstrated by the tension between the characters in Some Girls Bite, Ethan and Merit have an on again off again romance.
Morgan Greer
In Some Girls Bite, Morgan is revealed to serve in the position of Second in Navarre House. He has dark brown, cropped, vaguely wavy hair, a cleft chin, and a strong jaw. He is a Packer fan (born in Madison and operates the night club Red, which he inherited from father. Morgan reveals his feelings for Merit in Some Girls Bite. He becomes head of Navarre at the end of Some Girls Bite. Morgan asks Ethan for the official right to court Merit, but to no avail; the relationship never blossomed. His sustained affiliation with the evil previous head of his house causes concern for Merit, especially considering that Celine is determined to kill Merit.
Catcher Bell
In Some Girls Bite, Catcher is introduced as a former sorcerer who works in the office of the Chicago supernatural Ombudsman. He is a "gruff" 29 year-old with a shaved head, tattoos, and pale green eyes. In Friday Night Bites, he was kicked out of the Order for unknown reasons connected to his desire to stay in Chicago. He is an expert in the Second of the Four magical Keys and becomes involved with Mallory Carmichael.
Jeff Christopher
Jeff, introduced in Some Girls Bite is a tall, lanky, mop-topped, 21 year-old computer prodigy and shapeshifter of unknown shape. He is an employee of Chicago's supernatural Ombudsman. Becomes involved with Fallon Keene in Twice Bitten, thought lightheartedly flirts with Merit relentlessly.
Chuck Merit
Chuck, Merit’s Grandfather, is introduced in Some Girls Bite as a former cop and, much to Merits surprise, is currently Chicago's Ombudsman—-a liaison who links the human and supernatural worlds—for the city of Chicago.
Joshua Merit
Joshua is Merit’s father, and is introduced in Some Girls Bite. He is tall and lean with chestnut hair and blue eyes. He is the CEO of Merit Properties, a real estate development company that manages high rises and apartment complexes throughout Chicago. He is a powerful (and manipulative) member of the Chicago Growth Council. His relationship with Merit is strained. Merit's father seems to have his own interests in the supernatural world, and is not above utilizing his own daughter to satisfy his desires.
Meredith Merit
Meredith is Merit’s mother, and is introduced in Some Girls Bite. A woman of propriety, she has blonde, well-coiffed hair and is always dressed perfectly.
Charlotte Merit
Merit’s sister, Charlotte, is introduced in Friday Night Bites. She is married to Major Corkburger. They have a baby, Olivia, and an older daughter Mary Katherine. While connected to the family’s business and money, Charlotte is not terribly close to Merit; however, the sisters do foster a mutual annoyance with their older brother, Robert.
Robert Merit
Robert, Merit’s older brother, is referenced in Some Girls Bite and Friday Night Bites and is being groomed to take over the family business. Merit's father reveals that he wants Merit to assist Robert in making connections to Chicago's supernatural communities.
Lindsey
Lindsey is introduced in Some Girls Bite as a Cadogan house. Lindsey has been in the House for 115 years and is the resident psychic. She is a blonde known for her stilettos and designer jeans. Originally from Iowa, she is an avid Yankees fan who maintains a rather confused relationship with Luc in Books 1 and 2. She becomes close friends with Merit from the beginning, and they grew close working together in the guard.
Luc
Luc is Captain of the Cadogan Guards and is introduced in Friday Night Bites, and quite the cowboy. He is a rule-bound dutiful Guard who is respected and trusted by Ethan. Luc is secretly interested in Lindsey, a fellow guard.
Peter (Spencer)
Peter is introduced in Some Girls Bite as a Cadogan Guard. He is approximately six feet tall, with a thin build and brown hair just past his shoulders. He has been in Cadogan for 38 years and is known for his "contacts." He betrays Cadogan House at the end of Friday Night Bites.
Juliet
Another Cadogan Guard introduced in Some Girls Bite, Juliet is an 85 year-old, fey-like redhead who has been in Cadogan for 54 years.
Kelley
Kelley is a 214 year-old, dark-haired Cadogan Guard known for her mechanical and software genius. She is introduced in Some Girls Bite.
Malik
Malik serves as Cadogan House Second. He as been a member of the House since 1883. He is introduced in Some Girls Bite, and in Friday Night Bites was revealed to have been changed with his wife, with whom he lives with in Cadogan House. Said to have "a shaved head and clear green eyes
The Breckenridge Family
The Breckenridges are family friends of the Merit family, and are introduced in Friday Night Bites. They include Michael Breckenridge Senior (Father), Julia (Mother), Nick (Son), Finley (Son), Michael Junior (Son) and Jamie (Son). The family owns a manufacturing company and, like the Merits, belong to Chicago’s high society. They turn out to be shapeshifters.
Mayor Seth Tate
Named "America’s Sexiest Politician," Tate is a 36 year-old, darkly handsome man who, in Friday Night Bites is revealed to have mistresses throughout Chicago. While currently serving his second term, he founded the Ombudsman's office and has a particular interest in the political power of the vampire community.
Gabriel Keene
Garbriel Keene, introduced in Friday Night Bites is Apex of the Central North American Pack of shapeshifters. He is married to Tonya, who is pregnant with Connor in Friday Night Bites.
Lacey Sheridan
A former Cadogan House guard, Lindsey reveals in Friday Night Bites that Lacey Sheridan was the only Master vampire Ethan has nominated for Testing. She is currently the Master of her own house in San Diego. During her time at Cadogan, she was believed to have been involved with Ethan.
Jonah
Jonah is part of Grey house, And the RED Guard. When Merit was offered a place with the RED guard Jonah was going to be her partner. Jonah works with Merit in Hard Bitten dispite her turning down the RED's.
The Books
Some Girls Bite
At the beginning of Some Girls Bite, Merit lives with her roommate and best friend Mallory in their Wicker Park Brownstone. She is attacked on campus late at night on her way back from the library and turned vampire by Ethan Sullivan in order to save her life. She is given an invitation to join Cadogan House and about one week to decide her allegiances before the House’s Commendation ceremony. As Merit attempts to adjust and understand the attack on her life, she learns that her grandfather works as a liaison in the Mayor’s Ombudsman’s office for the supernaturals of the city. As the Chicago police continue to investigate the vampire community’s connection to the murders, Merit faces a slew of new and difficult situations involving her roommate, her new (hunky) Master, his "girlfriend/consort," the (also hunky) Second of the Navarre House, her grandfather and his co-workers, and the mysterious and sultry Celina. While coping with her new "vampire-ness," its thirst, and its required training, Merit must also decide where her new allegiances lie, who she will trust, and (perhaps most importantly) who she will make out with. English Graduate student no more, Merit must make a quick adjustment to her new existence—both her life and the lives of those around her depend on it.
Friday Night Bites
Friday Night Bites takes place about two weeks after the conclusion of Some Girls Bite; Merit is making plans to move into the Cadogan house, and the vampire community itself has gained a certain level of celebrity. There is word the shifter pack leader Gabriel Keene intends to hold a shapeshifters conference in Chicago, and there are also rumors that the Chicago World Weekly, and Jamie Breckenridge in particular, is taking a particular interest in the underground vampire raves (flash mobs of sorts that meet and mass feed). In order to quell any unsavory press and understand Jamie’s motive, Ethan asks Merit to return to her family and their high society connections. As Merit and Ethan hobnob with Chicago’s high society, a boyfriend from Merit’s past brings new trouble for the vampire community. Merit’s allegiances, strength, and willpower continue to be tested as human-supernatural relationship become increasingly tense and tenuous.
Twice Bitten
Twice Bitten starts where Friday Night Bites leaves off. Merit is adjusting to finally completing the change. Her attraction to Ethan Sullivan is being put towards the back of her mind. She is concentrating on much more important things such as protecting Gabriel Keene, the shifter's pack leader. Merit has a big secret in which she is keeping from everyone. A secret society of vampires is attempting to recruit Merit. They think she could potentially be a big help.
One night Merit and Ethan go on a mission to help bring the shape shifters to Chicago. It is at a bar. The leaders from all four shape shifter divisions are in attendance. At some point the bar is under the attack of gunfire. Merit, as Sentinel, is supposed to be protecting the House ruler Sullivan. In reality, Sullivan is the one to jump onto Merit and protect her from the gunfire. During the attack, Merit notices the cook is about to walk into the gunfire. She jumps out and saves the woman from any serious damage, sustaining a few injuries that heal quickly, but gaining appreciation and even respect from some of the shifters.
The romance between Sullivan and Merit really picks up at this point. They stop by and pick up a world famous Chicago pizza. They take it back to Sullivan's room and open a bottle of wine. Merit has no thoughts in her mind about what is about to happen. They are enjoying the pizza when talk turns to how Sullivan put his life in danger for Merit. Talk leads to them finally sleeping together. That night everything is perfect between Merit and Sullivan. It's the next day that ruins everything.
The next day, Merit and Sullivan go to yet another shifter meeting. It is there that Merit encounters a rough shifter. The shifter starts to pick a fight with Merit. He starts to physically attack her when Sullivan steps in with a little to much power. This does not help the matters between shifters and vampires. The two leave shortly after the encounter. On the way home, Sullivan tells Merit that he can no longer have a personal relationship with her. Things are too complicated between the two of them. Sullivan is the leader of the House and needs to protect all of the vampires there. But Merit makes him only want to protect her. Everything must be strictly professional between them.
Things get to be a little crazy between Merit and Sullivan. There is constant tension between the two. The day after the break-up, Sullivan's old mistress Lacey Sheridan shows up. This causes Merit to be pushed more towards the secret vampire society that Sullivan despises. Finally the day comes where the shifters decide to stay in Chicago. A number of different instances of violence come up. Merit helps put them to an end, but Sullivan speaks about his feelings towards Merit. Merit will have nothing to do with it. She tells him to stop. They are after all working strictly professional. The night ends, and Keene remains alive.
The next day, Sullivan is hosting a party for their guest Sheridan. Sullivan have another talk inside his office. He once again tries to share how he feels with Merit. He tries to tell her how much he loves her and that the visit from Sheridan has been planned for months. The talk ends a little rough between the two. Merit leaves to go for a walk. On the walk, Keene's brother tells her to get into the limo with him because Gabriel is in danger. Once there, Merit realizes that this is a setup. She talks Gabriel from killing her childhood friend and that his brother is setting them up. Merit witness's a shifter shifting into his animal. Gabriel and his brother get into a fight. Gabriel is the winner, but at the end of the fight Merit receives a 911 page from the House. There was a breach into the house. Gabriel's brother informs them that he has sent all the mad shifter's to attack Sullivan's house.
Merit makes a quick call to the secret society of vampires and then heads over to the House. Once there, she moves her way slowly towards Sullivan. At first she cannot get through their special vampire connection of minds. Once through, Sullivan thanks God that she is safe. Merit fights her way into Sullivan's office. The two fight back-to-back. They take out all the shifters and humans who pose a threat to them. Merit turns to Sullivan when he pulls her into an intense kiss. Later outside, Gabriel is making a public statement about shape shifters being real. There cover was blown by a fellow shifter healing himself. Now the world knows about shifters and vampires.
At the end of the novel, Sullivan visits Merit in her room. He goes into how he was wrong about them never being able to be a couple. Last night proved that they have great chemistry fighting together. Merit turned down the offer to join the society. Her heart belongs to Sullivan's house and no other.
Hard Bitten
SHORT *spolier alert*-- Tate is in cahoots with Celine. And there is a new drug called 'V' that wipes away the inhibitions of vampires making them VERY moody and volatile. You find out Merit's father offered to pay Ethan to change her. Ethan says he declined and Celine heard of the offer and got jealous that Joshua Merit didn't offfer her the same. Tate, Celine and a V drug dealer sit in the mayor office when Merit bursts in. Tate tells her about the offer. She cries. Ethan shows up. He tells her the story. Celine goes crazy from the V Tate forces her to take (and from her own craziness). She tries to stake Merit but Ethan jumps in the way and is, in turn, staked and killed. Merit then kills Celine. Police barge in and find Tate, the drug dealer, Merit and two piles of ash. Merit is also screaming and crying. The drug dealer says he has tapes of the conversations between him and Tate, when Tate tries to pin it on him. Merit confronts her father. He tells her he did offer Ethan money to turn her but Ethan declined. She dreams about Ethan but is suddenly waken up by Ethans voice, she dismisses it thinking that she is hearing things though she admits that it sounded excruciatingly real. The book ends with her in Ethan's office, now belonging to Malik. Luc is now the 2nd of the house.
Drink Deep
Out November 1st, 2011
Biting Cold
Out August, 2012
Books Seven-Ten - Not yet titled
TBA
References
- ^ "Chicago Vampire," <a href="http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/books/friday-night-bites-102509.article">Chicago Sun-Times</a>
- ^ Some Girls Bite and Friday Night Bites
- ^ Some Girls Bite and Friday Night Bites
- ^ <a href="http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6650973.html">Some Girls Bite, Library Journal</a>
- ^ Some Girls Bite and Friday Night Bites
External links
- Chloe Neill’s website: [1]
- Chloe Neill’s Blog: [2]
- The “official” site of the Cadogan House: [3]
Categories:- Contemporary fantasy novels
- Fantasy novel series
- Horror novel series
- Romance novels
- Vampires in written fiction
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