Review: Twice Bitten by Chloe Neill (Chicagoland Vampires #3)

Twice Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #3)
Chloe Neill
Published: July 2010 (NAL)
Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon

Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars

Note: This review is spoiler-free, however it does reference events of the previous novel Friday Night Bites. If you haven’t read the second Chicagoland Vampires novel, continue at your own risk.

Chloe Neill knows how to get me all riled up. The woman writes ridiculously tense scenes. She crafts realistic drama. And sometimes you just want to injure her characters for the stupid things they say and do.

And I love it.

With Twice Bitten I was emotionally invested to the point I keep muttering about how I want to slap Ethan, kiss Ethan, then slap his egotistical Master vampire cheek again. And, don’t worry, there were plenty of times I wanted to shake Merit, too. Vampires or not, Neill’s characters continue to feel like real people and the chemistry between them reels you in so swiftly there’s no chance of you finding a stopping point while reading.

At the end of Friday Night Bites, Ethan had managed to snag one searing kiss with Merit. She ended things with Morgan. Got her ass handed to her by Celina. And post-battle with Ethan went through the vampire transition again. So, to say she had a lot on her plate at the beginning of Twice Bitten is putting it mildly.

But much of it has to take a backseat to politics. The shifters are all coming to Chicago to meet, and Ethan wants to play nice. He agrees that he and Merit will act as security for the big leader of the packs. Ethan’s goal is to have some sort of alliance. Celina is planning something, eventually war will come to their doorstep, and they need the shifters around as backup. Few are pleased about vampires being a part of Pack dealings, and before long assassination attempts are underway. Merit works to figure out the source, keep Cadogan House safe and tries to deal with her changing relationship with Ethan.

While we won’t spoil the big story (that’d be mean), we will tell you the one thing we know you’re dying to know: Merit and Ethan will have it out. Things will change. Also, their chemistry may ignite a few pages of the novel.

Twice Bitten is volatile, tense, a bit heartbreaking and brings two Chloe Neill musts: humor and some kick ass action scenes. When it’s over, the power dynamic may have shifted and you’ll be ready for more. The fourth Chicagoland Vampires novel, Hard Bitten,
was released May 3.

Sexual content: Kissing and an adult sex scene.