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amym84's review
5.0
House Rules is number 7 in the Chicagoland Vampires series. A lot has happened since the first book [b:Some Girls Bite|4447622|Some Girls Bite (Chicagoland Vampires, #1)|Chloe Neill|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1311280686s/4447622.jpg|4495840] and Merit hasn't even been a vampire for a full year yet. She came to the house at a turning point for vampires. Vampires had just announced their existence to the human population and now at this point in the series, humans have started to become cautious and weary of the supernatural world. The problems with the humans takes a back seat, however, to problems within the vampire community itself.
At the end of [b:Biting Cold|11746102|Biting Cold (Chicagoland Vampires, #6)|Chloe Neill|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1316664429s/11746102.jpg|16695709], the Cadogan House vampires had declared that they were separating themselves from the Greenwich Presidium. After events building up in previous books, the separation was inevitable. House Rules opens with the vampires cleaning out that which belongs to the GP and what belongs to the house. Since technically the Cadogan vampires will be Rogues they decide to have a party to introduce themselves to the Rogues. While at the party Noah (the technical Rogue leader) learns that two Rogues have gone missing. Merit, Ethan, and Co. volunteer to investigate the disappearances.
So House Rules deals with two different storylines going on at the same time, the missing / murdered vampires, and the arrival of the GP and what it means for Cadogan's house termination. The storylines basically alternated between being the main focus. I found myself caring more about whichever storyline was the main focus at the time and disliking it when it would change. I felt like this made the story feel a little disjointed. I felt a lot of times like scenes were told in little snippets. Like the reader wasn't in a scene long enough to make an impact, or the scenes would be short and would leave me wanting more.
Merit and Ethan's relationship is also something that gets a lot of page time and I'm not complaining there. Although at times it wasn't the page time I would have preferred, but Neill doesn't disappoint. In Biting Cold they finally became the couple that we've been waiting books for them to become. Basically since the beginning of the series. It's been a long and bumpy ride for Merit and Ethan to get here, and we shouldn't expect their actual relationship to be anything different now that they are here. The difference is that now that they are fully committed to each other. They've tried the partially and the almost commitment before and then everything changed with Hard Bitten. Now something that may have driven them apart in the past causes them to take a breath and some time apart without hasty decisions. If you've been following the series you probably know there have been developments in Merit's life for a few books now that she's kept from Ethan. Suffice it to say I was satisfied with their relationship and I look forward to seeing how Neill continues it.
This book deals a lot with vampires. In this case it feels a lot like the first book in the series. There are appearances from the shifters and the nymphs, but whereas the other books in the series slowly progressively introduced other supernaturals, House Rules deals with vampires. It is almost like a second chapter / story arc of the series, going back to the beginning in a sense. I liked this since I am very fond of the series especially how it all started out.
There are still quite a few story threads that have yet to be finished the main one is McKetrick. The vampire hunter is newly appointed to the Ombudsman's office in lieu of Merit's grandfather. This storyline is set up, but we have to wait for at least the next book for more to be played out with this, but it's definitely coming.
I like the way that Neill sets up these storylines. With a little introduction in one book and slowly building up until the topic is front and center in its own book.
This series remains one of my favorites and I've now got the problem where i read the book too fast and have to wait until August for [b:Biting Bad|12958037|Biting Bad (Chicagoland Vampires, #8)|Chloe Neill|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352331754s/12958037.jpg|18115361]. Until Then!
At the end of [b:Biting Cold|11746102|Biting Cold (Chicagoland Vampires, #6)|Chloe Neill|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1316664429s/11746102.jpg|16695709], the Cadogan House vampires had declared that they were separating themselves from the Greenwich Presidium. After events building up in previous books, the separation was inevitable. House Rules opens with the vampires cleaning out that which belongs to the GP and what belongs to the house. Since technically the Cadogan vampires will be Rogues they decide to have a party to introduce themselves to the Rogues. While at the party Noah (the technical Rogue leader) learns that two Rogues have gone missing. Merit, Ethan, and Co. volunteer to investigate the disappearances.
So House Rules deals with two different storylines going on at the same time, the missing / murdered vampires, and the arrival of the GP and what it means for Cadogan's house termination. The storylines basically alternated between being the main focus. I found myself caring more about whichever storyline was the main focus at the time and disliking it when it would change. I felt like this made the story feel a little disjointed. I felt a lot of times like scenes were told in little snippets. Like the reader wasn't in a scene long enough to make an impact, or the scenes would be short and would leave me wanting more.
Merit and Ethan's relationship is also something that gets a lot of page time and I'm not complaining there. Although at times it wasn't the page time I would have preferred, but Neill doesn't disappoint. In Biting Cold they finally became the couple that we've been waiting books for them to become. Basically since the beginning of the series. It's been a long and bumpy ride for Merit and Ethan to get here, and we shouldn't expect their actual relationship to be anything different now that they are here. The difference is that now that they are fully committed to each other. They've tried the partially and the almost commitment before and then everything changed with Hard Bitten. Now something that may have driven them apart in the past causes them to take a breath and some time apart without hasty decisions. If you've been following the series you probably know there have been developments in Merit's life for a few books now that she's kept from Ethan. Suffice it to say I was satisfied with their relationship and I look forward to seeing how Neill continues it.
This book deals a lot with vampires. In this case it feels a lot like the first book in the series. There are appearances from the shifters and the nymphs, but whereas the other books in the series slowly progressively introduced other supernaturals, House Rules deals with vampires. It is almost like a second chapter / story arc of the series, going back to the beginning in a sense. I liked this since I am very fond of the series especially how it all started out.
There are still quite a few story threads that have yet to be finished the main one is McKetrick. The vampire hunter is newly appointed to the Ombudsman's office in lieu of Merit's grandfather. This storyline is set up, but we have to wait for at least the next book for more to be played out with this, but it's definitely coming.
I like the way that Neill sets up these storylines. With a little introduction in one book and slowly building up until the topic is front and center in its own book.
This series remains one of my favorites and I've now got the problem where i read the book too fast and have to wait until August for [b:Biting Bad|12958037|Biting Bad (Chicagoland Vampires, #8)|Chloe Neill|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352331754s/12958037.jpg|18115361]. Until Then!
lauren_miller's review against another edition
my favorite installment thus far...
pnwtinap's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book. it had a problem to be solved as well as more house story to keep the series moving forward
indecisivesailorscout's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, that was good. I think this one is my favorite so far. Love, love, love this series!
isa77's review against another edition
4.0
I took my time with this book because i was not very pleased with the one before. I was pleased with this one thou:)
The one thing i would like was more interacting between merit and ethan. In every book is kore about everything else and less about them.
The one thing i would like was more interacting between merit and ethan. In every book is kore about everything else and less about them.
kate_and_books's review against another edition
4.0
Another great addition although I am of the opinion that we know Merit is Sentinel and also why she became Sentinel so there is no need to keep on repeating it. But this is just me.
belleflamey's review against another edition
3.0
This book totally reminded me why I liked the CV Series so much. I was worried about the book being bland with Merit & Ethan together already but the author definitely knew how to keep the drama in there! Will absolutely continue reading this series!! =) cant wait for the next.
wannabekingpin's review against another edition
4.0
All reviews in one place: Night Mode Reading; LT
Yeah, vampire books are definitely a comfort read for me, even the or maybe especially the short and simple series with many books I can get through easily. Thus, on to the “House Rules” by Chloe Neill, 7th book in the Chicagoland Vampires.
About: House Cadogan chose freedom under strain over safety under GP’s unjust rule. They cut bonds with disloyal fae, and are now trying to do what they do best: mingle, make connections, play politics. The only real difference is that these folk here are now all rogues. Free vampires or outright enemies of the GP. But things are never so easy, are they? Vampires are getting murdered, often in pairs, their heads sliced off with something sharp. They disappear in moments, and reappear in different circumstances. And if vampire serial killer is not bad enough, it seems that this murderer has access to clan houses too. No one is safe anymore.
Mine: The plot was pretty weakly built up, lacking tension even with something as severe as murders of vampires happening under the very noses of Clan Heads. And if I hear more of that damn prophecy of “green eyed baby”, I will start chewing at the pages. I will, don’t test me. But there’s good things here too. Like, character dynamics, they worked very well, jokes were on point and on time. So, mediocre story, okay-ish characters, interesting vampires.
I actually enjoyed this book up until the very end, where all the good things, the badass Sullivan, the kick-ass Merit, the plot twist of killer walking through walls got murdered off. Killer made no sense, kills made no sense, and the damn prophecy trope is always a thumbs down for me. Especially when it comes to impossible births. But for the sake of it, I’ll give this book a 4 out of 5 for once.
Yeah, vampire books are definitely a comfort read for me, even the or maybe especially the short and simple series with many books I can get through easily. Thus, on to the “House Rules” by Chloe Neill, 7th book in the Chicagoland Vampires.
About: House Cadogan chose freedom under strain over safety under GP’s unjust rule. They cut bonds with disloyal fae, and are now trying to do what they do best: mingle, make connections, play politics. The only real difference is that these folk here are now all rogues. Free vampires or outright enemies of the GP. But things are never so easy, are they? Vampires are getting murdered, often in pairs, their heads sliced off with something sharp. They disappear in moments, and reappear in different circumstances. And if vampire serial killer is not bad enough, it seems that this murderer has access to clan houses too. No one is safe anymore.
Mine: The plot was pretty weakly built up, lacking tension even with something as severe as murders of vampires happening under the very noses of Clan Heads. And if I hear more of that damn prophecy of “green eyed baby”, I will start chewing at the pages. I will, don’t test me. But there’s good things here too. Like, character dynamics, they worked very well, jokes were on point and on time. So, mediocre story, okay-ish characters, interesting vampires.
I actually enjoyed this book up until the very end, where all the good things, the badass Sullivan, the kick-ass Merit, the plot twist of killer walking through walls got murdered off. Killer made no sense, kills made no sense, and the damn prophecy trope is always a thumbs down for me. Especially when it comes to impossible births. But for the sake of it, I’ll give this book a 4 out of 5 for once.
caylinchronicles's review against another edition
2.0
Did I like this one? No. Will I continue to read this series. Yes.
I feel like when you’re 7 books deep you might as well finish it out. Right? This happened to me with a previous series a few years ago but really I’ve come so far I can’t be a quitter.
I have the same issues as I’ve mentioned before.
The plots and dialogue are cheesy.
The love interest bores me.
We take two steps forward then five steps back.
Maybe this review is harsh. After all I chose to read this series as a buffer between my nonfictions and high fantasy. Which has worked out nicely so far.
I feel like when you’re 7 books deep you might as well finish it out. Right? This happened to me with a previous series a few years ago but really I’ve come so far I can’t be a quitter.
I have the same issues as I’ve mentioned before.
The plots and dialogue are cheesy.
The love interest bores me.
We take two steps forward then five steps back.
Maybe this review is harsh. After all I chose to read this series as a buffer between my nonfictions and high fantasy. Which has worked out nicely so far.