Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Wicked Hour by Chloe Neill Series: Heirs of Chicagoland #2
Published by Berkley on December 3, 2019
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Vampires were made, not born--until Elisa Sullivan came along. As the only vampire child in existence, she grew up with a heavy legacy, and tried to flee her past. Then circumstances drew her back to Chicago, and she stayed to keep it safe. With shifter Connor Keene, the only son of Pack Apex Gabriel Keene, at her side, she faced down a supernatural evil that threatened to destroy Chicago forever.
After the dust from the attack has settled, Elisa is surprised when Connor invites her to a usually private Pack event in the north woods of Minnesota, and by the warm welcome she receives from some of Connor's family, even though she's a vampire. But the peace doesn't last. The shifters tell tales of a monster in the woods, and when the celebration is marred by death, Elisa and Connor find themselves in the middle of a struggle for control that forces Elisa to face her true self--fangs and all.
The Heirs of Chicagoland series continues with a new adventure where we get Connor and Elisa spending a lot more time together on a trip out of town. Connor is going to a Pack event and takes her along as his date. They haven’t spent much time, even as friends as adults so an out-of-town trip seems odd.
The previous book, Wild Hunger, was Elisa just back in Chicago and she jumps in to investigate a bad situation when not really connected to any group. It brings us up-to-date on old friends from the original series and introduces us to the new generation. Since then, Elisa has taken a position at the Ombudsman office.
In Wicked Hour, we have the conflicts of the elders with the younger generation, and the vampire vs shifter unease, along with the brief beginnings of a relationship between Connor and Elisa. I enjoyed this adventure much more than the last book; it is more like a murder mystery with battles and just a touch of romantic elements. The conflicts and unease in this small community are somewhat a reflection of the national issues.
The entire story is set outside of Chicago so we get limited connection to their home base. An Ombudsman and Elisa’s bff Lulu show up to provide backup and intel support when people start dying. I’m not really connected to them yet and I find Lulu boring and other than a few pithy comments on personal level, she isn’t very involved in anything.
Connor’s role in life is clear and he’s developing skills and experience by going out to small communities to improve things overall. Elisa hasn’t really decided what she’s doing and seems sort of in limbo. I look forward to watching their professional and personal roles progress as the series continues.
About Chloe Neill
Chloe Neill is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Chicagoland Vampires and Dark Elite series.
She 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.)
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:
- 2019 Releases
This reminds me that I’ve got to finish Chicagoland Vampires! Glad to see you’re still enjoying this one.
I’m a fan of the original series. I am not sure about this one yet.
i think i’ve read a book or two of chloe’s but want to read more. she’s on my list for the library challenge next year
Sounds like a great idea. I started the original Chicagoland Vampires on CDs from the library as some of the first audio books I ever listened to. I ended up buying them all. I enjoy her other series also, based in NOLA.
I must say that I am thrilled to see that you liked this one more than the previous one. I have an arc that I plan to read very soon. Great review!
I hope you enjoy! It might have been first book syndrome with the last or just a more clearly defined mystery, but I did like it more.
This sounds like a series I need to check out. You sure are enjoying them.
There are 2 in the spin-off but the original series was 13 with some novellas. It was one of my very first audio series. I listened on CDs from the library. Oh how times change. I own them all now.
I really enjoyed the Chicagoland Vampires novels but wasn’t sure if I would continue after the story moved from Sullivan and Merit. This gives me incentive to check them out.
I liked this one better than the first one.