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lynguy1's review against another edition
4.0
Cold Curses by Chloe Neill is the fifth and final book in the Heirs of Chicagoland urban fantasy series. Combining supernatural suspense and a bit of romance with plenty of action made this a great read. Elisa Sullivan is the only vampire ever born. She’s engaged to shifter Connor Keene, the son of the local pack leader. Everyone is working to repair Chicago’s wards, but unwelcome creatures are slipping through and wreaking havoc on the city.
Elisa is an associate ombudsman, one of the city’s human-supernatural liaisons. She’s goal-oriented, dedicated, and puts others first. She also tends to use sarcasm against fear. Connor is dedicated and hard-working. He is facing several challenges to his ascension to Apex when his dad retires.
The author does a great job on characterization as well as world-building. The novel is well written with a unique situation that results in multiple action scenes. There’s plenty of angst as Elisa and her allies try to make sense of the changing circumstances. With exciting scenes, a larger-than-life protagonist, and strong and evil antagonists, the story captivated me from beginning to end. Themes woven into the novel include power, romance, family, friendship, love, bias, violence, evil, anger, jealousy, and much more.
Overall, this was an engrossing and entertaining novel with great characterization, plenty of action, and lots of drama. I recommend reading this series in order. The background and gradual addition of characters will make the experience more enjoyable.
Berkley Publishing Group and Chloe Neill provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for November 14, 2023.
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My 4.2 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Elisa is an associate ombudsman, one of the city’s human-supernatural liaisons. She’s goal-oriented, dedicated, and puts others first. She also tends to use sarcasm against fear. Connor is dedicated and hard-working. He is facing several challenges to his ascension to Apex when his dad retires.
The author does a great job on characterization as well as world-building. The novel is well written with a unique situation that results in multiple action scenes. There’s plenty of angst as Elisa and her allies try to make sense of the changing circumstances. With exciting scenes, a larger-than-life protagonist, and strong and evil antagonists, the story captivated me from beginning to end. Themes woven into the novel include power, romance, family, friendship, love, bias, violence, evil, anger, jealousy, and much more.
Overall, this was an engrossing and entertaining novel with great characterization, plenty of action, and lots of drama. I recommend reading this series in order. The background and gradual addition of characters will make the experience more enjoyable.
Berkley Publishing Group and Chloe Neill provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for November 14, 2023.
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My 4.2 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
theeniemartinko's review against another edition
4.0
I’m sad it’s over!! The end of an era for Chicagoland vampires… 18 books later. Chloe Neill delivered with her usual writing and HEA story of adventure, battle, witt and badassery. Connor and Elisa deserve it all.
zhalia14's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
hookedbythatbook's review against another edition
4.0
I’m a bit sad that it’s the last book. The plot and action with the demons threatening Chicago were intriguing and nail-bitingly tense. I just love Elisa and Connor and all their friends and co-workers. Elisa and Monster finally found a solution for the two of them that worked out spectacularly well. I would’ve liked to see more of Connor’s quest to become Apex with Elisa by his side. But that would have to be its own separate story. If you like vampires, shifters, and witches, then you’ll certainly enjoy this entire series. It’s best to read them in order.
leabookjoy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
4.5
French & English reviews
Le dernier tome de la seconde génération des Vampires de Chicago qui conclue une série que j'ai apprécié lire !
Si ce tome et cette série ne sont pas un coup de coeur absolu, je dois avouer que j'ai beaucoup aimé lire ce dernier tome ! L'intrigue était palpitante et complexe, les personnages attachants (notamment Elisa !) et la romance mignonne et sexy !
Et cette fin était parfaite <3
Bref, un dernier tome que j'ai lu avec plaisir et qui conclue une série qui ravira les fans d'urban fantasy ! Pour les fans de la première série, ce spin-off est un vrai plaisir !
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The last book of the second generation of Chicago Vampires which concludes a series that I enjoyed reading !
If this book and this series are not an absolute favorite, I must admit that I really enjoyed reading this last book ! The plot was thrilling and complex, the characters endearing (especially Elisa !) and the romance cute and sexy !
And this ending was perfect <3
In short, a last book that I read with pleasure and which concludes a series which will delight fans of urban fantasy ! For fans of the first series, this spin-off is a real pleasure !
Le dernier tome de la seconde génération des Vampires de Chicago qui conclue une série que j'ai apprécié lire !
Si ce tome et cette série ne sont pas un coup de coeur absolu, je dois avouer que j'ai beaucoup aimé lire ce dernier tome ! L'intrigue était palpitante et complexe, les personnages attachants (notamment Elisa !) et la romance mignonne et sexy !
Et cette fin était parfaite <3
Bref, un dernier tome que j'ai lu avec plaisir et qui conclue une série qui ravira les fans d'urban fantasy ! Pour les fans de la première série, ce spin-off est un vrai plaisir !
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The last book of the second generation of Chicago Vampires which concludes a series that I enjoyed reading !
If this book and this series are not an absolute favorite, I must admit that I really enjoyed reading this last book ! The plot was thrilling and complex, the characters endearing (especially Elisa !) and the romance cute and sexy !
And this ending was perfect <3
In short, a last book that I read with pleasure and which concludes a series which will delight fans of urban fantasy ! For fans of the first series, this spin-off is a real pleasure !
mallenp22's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I started reading this book because I love the original series. So when this series started I was every excited. I loved still having the old characters around, getting glimpse of our favorites. Now its time to say goodbye to this world and I'm not sure I am ready. I didn't realize this was the last book in the series until I was ~80% into it.
This final book was good, pace and plot was very good. It tied the old series and new series together. The final fight however was a bit of a let down in my opinion. He just surrendered at the end.
I feel like there was still so much more to explore in the series, how the pack transitions to new Alpha. Conner mentions he think its time for change in the pack. What does he do when he takes over. Would love to see him explore that more and him building new alliances and implementing changes.
Does Elisa ever pick a house? Towards the end her mom says she is the strongest vampire, how does that evolve now that monster is out of her. Does she have children?
So many side characters I would love to see what happens, do they get a happy ending as well? How does Chicago change now that demons are allowed in as long as they don't hurt people. Now that the super natural saved Chicago again does the mayor let the supernatural be more involved. The Ombuds need more members. Would love to see trolls, nymph, fae, etc all getting represented. So much more to explore.
This final book was good, pace and plot was very good. It tied the old series and new series together. The final fight however was a bit of a let down in my opinion. He just surrendered at the end.
I feel like there was still so much more to explore in the series, how the pack transitions to new Alpha. Conner mentions he think its time for change in the pack. What does he do when he takes over. Would love to see him explore that more and him building new alliances and implementing changes.
Does Elisa ever pick a house? Towards the end her mom says she is the strongest vampire, how does that evolve now that monster is out of her. Does she have children?
So many side characters I would love to see what happens, do they get a happy ending as well? How does Chicago change now that demons are allowed in as long as they don't hurt people. Now that the super natural saved Chicago again does the mayor let the supernatural be more involved. The Ombuds need more members. Would love to see trolls, nymph, fae, etc all getting represented. So much more to explore.
tschonfeld's review against another edition
4.0
I’ll miss these characters. This was a satisfying ending.
ebright1121's review against another edition
5.0
#Netgalleyarc God I love this series. There are very few series I’ve started that I want to continue for as long as possible, and this is one of them. Another great story, more character development, a great read all around.