Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Phantom Kiss by Chloe Neill Narrator: Sophie Eastlake
Series: Chicagoland Vampires #12.5
Published by Tantor Audio on July 18, 2018
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: 2 hours, 32 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble
Vampires generally aren’t afraid of things that go bump in the night, but Merit and Ethan are extra jumpy after a recent attack by a dark sorcerer. So when they learn that someone is messing with graves in Chicago’s cemeteries, stealing skulls and snatching souls, they fear that their powerful foe might be back for even more magical vengeance.
But after a specter begins haunting Cadogan House—and targeting vampires—they realize that their being taunted by an altogether different sort of monster. A ghoulish villain straight out of the Windy City’s urban legends is on the prowl—and he won’t stop until he’s killed again...
I purchased all the main books of the Chicagoland Vampire series on audiobook. So when I saw this novella was coming out on audio, I wanted to review it. I read it as an ebook previously. It also makes a great lead in to the novella, Slaying It, followed by the spinoff series first book, Wild Hunger.
I enjoyed being back in this world. The team work and respect of Ethan and Merit, along with the rest of Cadogan house is a nice evolution as we come closer to the end of this series. There are two main stories. The first is the wedding shower and the pre-wedding planning for the wedding of Merit and Ethan. This is a treat for long-time fans.
The second overall plot in Phantom Kiss revolves around grave robbers, dark magic and serial killers. This “case” is a reminder of the oddities both the Cadogan House and the Ombudsmen deal with on a regular basis. The whole gang works to solve the mystery and protect the city.
Narration:
Sophie Eastlake was the second narrator of this series. I was very settled with the first one, but now I’m completely used to Sophie Eastlake. I’ve also enjoyed her on some of the Thea Harrison books. I did notice a few times where “he said” or “she said” was vocalized. I feel like it could have been dropped and wondered if other authors don’t write those words as often or if they are omitted in the audio version? I listen at 1.25x, my usual speed. She handles the series characters well, both male and female. I especially like her voice for Ethan, kind of husky, sexy.
Listen to a clip:
About Sophie Eastlake
An avid reader her whole life, Sophie Eastlake happily extends her love of books to her passion for narrating. She lives in New York, where she survives the subway grind with a book in her hand and drops in on every literary reading she can find, while on a never-ending quest for the perfect cup of coffee.
About Chloe Neill
Chloe Neill is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Captain Kit Brightling, Heirs of Chicagoland, Chicagoland Vampires, Devil’s Isle, and Dark Elite novels.
She was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest, where she lives with her gamer husband and their bosses/dogs, Baxter and Scout. Chloe is a voracious reader and obsessive Maker of Things; the crafting rotation currently involves baking and quilting. She believes she is exceedingly witty; her husband has been known to disagree.
Photo by Dana Damewood.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2018 Audiobook Challenge
- 2018 New Release Challenge
- COYER BSBB
I have only read the first book in the Chicagoland Vampire series. I do have an arc for the first book in the spin off series and I hope that I won’t be too lost. I do hope to get to all of these books and novellas at some point.
I have also felt that he saids and she saids in audiobooks can feel a bit odd. It seems that it should be dropped in a lot of cases.
I have this whole series on audio. It did change narrators after the first 5-6 which took me a bit to adjust. I also have the eARC for the spinoff which is on my agenda for tomorrow so I can’t say if I think it will matter. I’m too OCD to read out of order if I can help it.