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chelsfoust's review against another edition
5.0
As all Chicagoland Vampire books have been this one was wonderful! I had the perfect mix of intrigue anguish, hope, happiness, and victory! I am still team Jonah, just because he isn't so prone to annoying egotism as Ethan, but I am oh so very very happy to have more of them both in this book. Also knowing there will most likely be more Jonah in the future is awesome!!!
breezy610's review against another edition
5.0
This book was awesome. Everyone is back and better. Lacey is bitch. If she really love Ethan, then why did she say something before she left the house? or better yet, let him be happy with the woman he loves. I hope we never see her again.
snoopydoo77's review against another edition
4.0
After the last few books being hit and miss some more than other I was nervous starting this book. But also a little annoyed.
I have to say this book was better than the last few and we finally getting some answers but not all of course.
Merit and Ethan are back together, more or less, but of course not everything is rainbows and sunshine for them. That was partly because of Ethan AGAIN. Ugh I’m getting really frustrated with his character. I like him and I don’t like him at the same time. I really want to love him but he makes that difficult with acting like a freaking pouting teenage girl at times.
Anyways, back to this book. We have a lot going on.
The house is spreading for the GP, but there are still so many things that can go wrong and of course go wrong, because the GP is a bag of dicks and wouldn’t just let them go. No they do everything they can to bring the house down once and for all. They go as far as trying to start a war between the house and other sups. Luckily and thanks to Merit they have other allies that are willing to help as much as they can without being caught in the middle.
Vampires are being killed and the hunt is on for the killer, but as usual and gas lots of twists.
You can find my full review here:
http://snoopydoosbookreviews.com/house-rules-chicagoland-vampires-7-by-chloe-neill/
I have to say this book was better than the last few and we finally getting some answers but not all of course.
Merit and Ethan are back together, more or less, but of course not everything is rainbows and sunshine for them. That was partly because of Ethan AGAIN. Ugh I’m getting really frustrated with his character. I like him and I don’t like him at the same time. I really want to love him but he makes that difficult with acting like a freaking pouting teenage girl at times.
Anyways, back to this book. We have a lot going on.
The house is spreading for the GP, but there are still so many things that can go wrong and of course go wrong, because the GP is a bag of dicks and wouldn’t just let them go. No they do everything they can to bring the house down once and for all. They go as far as trying to start a war between the house and other sups. Luckily and thanks to Merit they have other allies that are willing to help as much as they can without being caught in the middle.
Vampires are being killed and the hunt is on for the killer, but as usual and gas lots of twists.
You can find my full review here:
http://snoopydoosbookreviews.com/house-rules-chicagoland-vampires-7-by-chloe-neill/
kathydavie's review against another edition
2.0
Seventh in the Chicagoland Vampires urban fantasy series. In my opinion, this is written to an early teen audience.
My Take
This series started out so well. And book by book, it's falling into an abyss---no disrespect intended to teens. My first inclination was to agree with earlier reviewers that Neill is allowing her most vocal audience to dictate the writing. My next thought was to not allow others to dictate what I was thinking. I struggled. Neill simply kept providing the ammunition that made me want to put this into a Young Adult category. That isn't fair to young adults because they're so much more intelligent than this.
Neill is riding the positive waves of the much earlier stories in this series, and her readers are purchasing her books because of that earlier promise. I can understand wanting to know what happens with the GP. How Cadogan House survives. Or not. But don't bother buying this installment to find out. Get on a waiting list at the library. Your money is more valuable than wasting it on this.
The negatives? Oh, let me count the ways. Merit and Ethan's interactions before and after the betrayal, the way in which they act apart are at a maturity level somewhere between middle school and high school. Puh-lease, Ethan's reaction when he learns Merit's deep dark secret is so lame. He's so supposed to be so white-hot as a strategist, and he can't grasp the usefulness of what Merit chose? Neill has portrayed him---in the past---as more intelligent than this. Merit is terrified that Lacey is gonna spill the beans. What beans?? Hullo, she's investigating a murder and Jonah is a source. Spin it, ya idjit. What? Neill couldn't be bothered to work at this?? All her teeny-bopper advisers couldn't see past their middle school angst?
Oh, please, what is the big deal about a dance in front of Cadogan House vamps and Rogues? Merit's impatience with the doorman. I understand her frustration, but her approach is awkward and heavy-handed.
Oh, no!! I just realized what Neill forgot!! Oh, tragedy...gag...she missed out on putting in a hair-pulling scene between Lacey and Merit. I mean, that is the level to which Neill has sunk. I don't understand why Merit falls for Lacey's words. How old is Merit again? Fifteen? Oh, wait, she's in her late twenties. I just keep forgetting…
People are murdered, an item of value is stolen and what's their reaction? They mope. Not until the last minute does anyone think hmmm, maybe we should check the video surveillance. Navarre House uses biometrics. Does anyone think to check the House database to see who is registered? Or how the biometrics register? No. They mope. Until the last minute. God knows ya gotta dredge up the drama from somewhere. I have to admit, I skimmed chunks of the text as I was too nauseated and in too much of a hurry to get it over with. Thank you god that I borrowed this claptrap from the library.
When investigating the first pair of murders and Merit finds the evidence that could point to McKetrick, whatcha gonna do? Yup, dive right into assuming it must be McKetrick and then beard the idiot in his den. What purpose does that serve? It was a lame, immature move. On the other hand, I gotta hand it to Neill for consistency.
Part of my irritation is the lack of action. All these events are happening and mostly everyone sits around moping and whining. Neill spends more time on silly nicknames and whiny arguments than actual detecting.
There is a nice bit of backstory about Peter Cadogan and the fairy princess he fell in love with. It explains the value of the egg.
What was with the scene at Navarre House when Ethan throws down the owe-me card? I keep reading that one over and over, and without going back and re-reading the previous six books, I'm clueless. I can see Ethan's point in the now, when the other two Houses aren't stepping up to help, but the reference to the past is beyond me.
Someone explain to me why one would send one's butler a birthday card? Merit's father is a major jerk. Ethan refused, so he paid Celina to turn his own daughter into a vampire. Because the first daughter named Caroline Evelyn Merit died. This Merit is the replacement and he didn't want her to die. Oh, yeah, that's what I'd do… Who is this guy? Does his wife, Merit's mother, have any idea what he did? And he has the nerve to tell Merit that she's selfish for having wanted to have a say in her new life??
Well that meeting with the GP mole went well. All that set-up to hear the same thing Merit's already heard.
The Story
This is it. The end. Unless Cadogan House buckles under to the Greenwich Presidium's authority. The GP is an underhanded bunch, supreme in their belief that they are in the right. But then the Cadogan vampires can, eventually, outthink those who are caught up in the old way of thinking.
The Characters
Merit is Sentinel for Cadogan House. She holds a master's degree and was going for her doctorate when she was forcibly turned into a vampire. So, she's obviously at least book smart, if nothing else. Since Ethan Sullivan came back from the dead, he is operating as a co-Master of the House until they do a formal handover.
Malik is the current Master and can't wait to hand it back to Ethan; Aaliyah is his wife. Delia is a doctor friend of Aaliyah's. Luc is the former captain of Cadogan's guards, the current Second, and Lindsey's lover. Kelley is filling in as captain while Luc is playing Second. Margot is still the House cook. Paige Martin is a sorceress Merit and Ethan met in Biting Cold who adores a good library...and it seems the Cadogan librarian. Michael Donovan is a vampire security analyst hired to vamp up the House's security. Helen is still the concierge for the House.
Lacey Sheridan was sired by Ethan and is still in love with him. She's coming to Chicago to suck up to Darius, hopefully, to deter him from being too nasty to the Cadogans. She is master of Sheridan House in San Diego.
Noah Beck, sort of, leads the Rogues in Chicago; he's also part of the Red Guard (RG). Rose is both Eve's and Noah's Rogue friend. Alan and Beth and Eve and Oliver are Rogue couples. Morgan Greer is the current Master of Navarre and Nadia is his Second; Scott Grey leads Grey House. Jonah is captain of the Grey House guards and is secretly Merit's partner in the RG. Horace is another member, a Civil War veteran who still dresses in the era in which he began.
Merit's grandfather, Chuck Merit, may be fired officially as the Ombudsman, but he's set up an unofficial office in his home. His staff simply followed him there: Jeff Christopher is a tiger shifter and does the computer magic. Catcher Bell is a disavowed sorcerer and Mallory's maybe boyfriend. Mallory has a lot of kissing up to do. Marjorie is his admin. Detective Jacobs is a friend of Chuck's.
Mallory Carmichael is a sorceress who went bad; she was Merit's best friend until she betrayed her and all of Chicago. She's currently under a sort of house arrest working for the Chicago shifters at Berna's bar, Little Red. Gabriel Keene is "the head of the Apex of the North American Central Pack of shifters" and only willing to go so far in backing up Ethan. Fallon is Gabriel's sister, and she's in a relationship, sometimes, with Jeff. Other siblings include Ben, Christopher, and Derek---Adam was ousted for his efforts.
Diane Kowalcyzk is Chicago's new clueless mayor, who hates vampires. Enough to appoint the murderous McKetrick to an official post as head liaison in the Office of Human Liaisons---to protect humans hurt by supernaturals. Because obviously, all supernaturals are evil. Joshua is Merit's father---we'll assume Merit's mom has a name, she just doesn't seem to merit being mentioned by it; Robert and Charlotte are her siblings. Carlos Anthony Martinez was a naughty vampire who stepped outside his bounds; one whom Celine, the bad Master of Navarre, sired. Stephen Caniglia is one of the vampires Carlos sired.
Darius West leads the Greenwich Presidium (GP), which is the central authority for all vampire Houses. GP members who arrive in Chicago with him include Harold Monmouth, Danica, Diego Castillo (represents Mexico), and Lakshmi Rao. Rogue vampires are those not affiliated with a House. The Red Guard is a secret organization of vampires who vow to protect against the GP and bad Masters. There are twelve Houses: Navarre*, McDonald, Cabot, Cadogan*, Taylor, Lincoln, Washington, Heart, Lassiter, Grey*, Murphy, and Sheridan.
* Houses located in Chicago.
The Cover
The cover is dark in shades of black and gray with Merit clad in black leather pants and a red tank top, standing with her back to us as she holds open the door to Cadogan House, glancing back over her shoulder in question, her katana held down by her side.
The title can be interpreted in several ways, and my first impression when I heard it was of the rules by which the GP and Cadogan House abided. After reading it, I'd say that it's a triumph and, dude! Cadogan House RULES.
My Take
This series started out so well. And book by book, it's falling into an abyss---no disrespect intended to teens. My first inclination was to agree with earlier reviewers that Neill is allowing her most vocal audience to dictate the writing. My next thought was to not allow others to dictate what I was thinking. I struggled. Neill simply kept providing the ammunition that made me want to put this into a Young Adult category. That isn't fair to young adults because they're so much more intelligent than this.
Neill is riding the positive waves of the much earlier stories in this series, and her readers are purchasing her books because of that earlier promise. I can understand wanting to know what happens with the GP. How Cadogan House survives. Or not. But don't bother buying this installment to find out. Get on a waiting list at the library. Your money is more valuable than wasting it on this.
The negatives? Oh, let me count the ways. Merit and Ethan's interactions before and after the betrayal, the way in which they act apart are at a maturity level somewhere between middle school and high school. Puh-lease, Ethan's reaction when he learns Merit's deep dark secret is so lame. He's so supposed to be so white-hot as a strategist, and he can't grasp the usefulness of what Merit chose? Neill has portrayed him---in the past---as more intelligent than this. Merit is terrified that Lacey is gonna spill the beans. What beans?? Hullo, she's investigating a murder and Jonah is a source. Spin it, ya idjit. What? Neill couldn't be bothered to work at this?? All her teeny-bopper advisers couldn't see past their middle school angst?
Oh, please, what is the big deal about a dance in front of Cadogan House vamps and Rogues? Merit's impatience with the doorman. I understand her frustration, but her approach is awkward and heavy-handed.
Oh, no!! I just realized what Neill forgot!! Oh, tragedy...gag...she missed out on putting in a hair-pulling scene between Lacey and Merit. I mean, that is the level to which Neill has sunk. I don't understand why Merit falls for Lacey's words. How old is Merit again? Fifteen? Oh, wait, she's in her late twenties. I just keep forgetting…
Spoiler
People are murdered, an item of value is stolen and what's their reaction? They mope. Not until the last minute does anyone think hmmm, maybe we should check the video surveillance. Navarre House uses biometrics. Does anyone think to check the House database to see who is registered? Or how the biometrics register? No. They mope. Until the last minute. God knows ya gotta dredge up the drama from somewhere. I have to admit, I skimmed chunks of the text as I was too nauseated and in too much of a hurry to get it over with. Thank you god that I borrowed this claptrap from the library.
When investigating the first pair of murders and Merit finds the evidence that could point to McKetrick, whatcha gonna do? Yup, dive right into assuming it must be McKetrick and then beard the idiot in his den. What purpose does that serve? It was a lame, immature move. On the other hand, I gotta hand it to Neill for consistency.
Part of my irritation is the lack of action. All these events are happening and mostly everyone sits around moping and whining. Neill spends more time on silly nicknames and whiny arguments than actual detecting.
There is a nice bit of backstory about Peter Cadogan and the fairy princess he fell in love with. It explains the value of the egg.
What was with the scene at Navarre House when Ethan throws down the owe-me card? I keep reading that one over and over, and without going back and re-reading the previous six books, I'm clueless. I can see Ethan's point in the now, when the other two Houses aren't stepping up to help, but the reference to the past is beyond me.
Someone explain to me why one would send one's butler a birthday card? Merit's father is a major jerk. Ethan refused, so he paid Celina to turn his own daughter into a vampire. Because the first daughter named Caroline Evelyn Merit died. This Merit is the replacement and he didn't want her to die. Oh, yeah, that's what I'd do… Who is this guy? Does his wife, Merit's mother, have any idea what he did? And he has the nerve to tell Merit that she's selfish for having wanted to have a say in her new life??
Well that meeting with the GP mole went well. All that set-up to hear the same thing Merit's already heard.
The Story
This is it. The end. Unless Cadogan House buckles under to the Greenwich Presidium's authority. The GP is an underhanded bunch, supreme in their belief that they are in the right. But then the Cadogan vampires can, eventually, outthink those who are caught up in the old way of thinking.
The Characters
Merit is Sentinel for Cadogan House. She holds a master's degree and was going for her doctorate when she was forcibly turned into a vampire. So, she's obviously at least book smart, if nothing else. Since Ethan Sullivan came back from the dead, he is operating as a co-Master of the House until they do a formal handover.
Malik is the current Master and can't wait to hand it back to Ethan; Aaliyah is his wife. Delia is a doctor friend of Aaliyah's. Luc is the former captain of Cadogan's guards, the current Second, and Lindsey's lover. Kelley is filling in as captain while Luc is playing Second. Margot is still the House cook. Paige Martin is a sorceress Merit and Ethan met in Biting Cold who adores a good library...and it seems the Cadogan librarian. Michael Donovan is a vampire security analyst hired to vamp up the House's security. Helen is still the concierge for the House.
Lacey Sheridan was sired by Ethan and is still in love with him. She's coming to Chicago to suck up to Darius, hopefully, to deter him from being too nasty to the Cadogans. She is master of Sheridan House in San Diego.
Noah Beck, sort of, leads the Rogues in Chicago; he's also part of the Red Guard (RG). Rose is both Eve's and Noah's Rogue friend. Alan and Beth and Eve and Oliver are Rogue couples. Morgan Greer is the current Master of Navarre and Nadia is his Second; Scott Grey leads Grey House. Jonah is captain of the Grey House guards and is secretly Merit's partner in the RG. Horace is another member, a Civil War veteran who still dresses in the era in which he began.
Merit's grandfather, Chuck Merit, may be fired officially as the Ombudsman, but he's set up an unofficial office in his home. His staff simply followed him there: Jeff Christopher is a tiger shifter and does the computer magic. Catcher Bell is a disavowed sorcerer and Mallory's maybe boyfriend. Mallory has a lot of kissing up to do. Marjorie is his admin. Detective Jacobs is a friend of Chuck's.
Mallory Carmichael is a sorceress who went bad; she was Merit's best friend until she betrayed her and all of Chicago. She's currently under a sort of house arrest working for the Chicago shifters at Berna's bar, Little Red. Gabriel Keene is "the head of the Apex of the North American Central Pack of shifters" and only willing to go so far in backing up Ethan. Fallon is Gabriel's sister, and she's in a relationship, sometimes, with Jeff. Other siblings include Ben, Christopher, and Derek---Adam was ousted for his efforts.
Diane Kowalcyzk is Chicago's new clueless mayor, who hates vampires. Enough to appoint the murderous McKetrick to an official post as head liaison in the Office of Human Liaisons---to protect humans hurt by supernaturals. Because obviously, all supernaturals are evil. Joshua is Merit's father---we'll assume Merit's mom has a name, she just doesn't seem to merit being mentioned by it; Robert and Charlotte are her siblings. Carlos Anthony Martinez was a naughty vampire who stepped outside his bounds; one whom Celine, the bad Master of Navarre, sired. Stephen Caniglia is one of the vampires Carlos sired.
Darius West leads the Greenwich Presidium (GP), which is the central authority for all vampire Houses. GP members who arrive in Chicago with him include Harold Monmouth, Danica, Diego Castillo (represents Mexico), and Lakshmi Rao. Rogue vampires are those not affiliated with a House. The Red Guard is a secret organization of vampires who vow to protect against the GP and bad Masters. There are twelve Houses: Navarre*, McDonald, Cabot, Cadogan*, Taylor, Lincoln, Washington, Heart, Lassiter, Grey*, Murphy, and Sheridan.
* Houses located in Chicago.
The Cover
The cover is dark in shades of black and gray with Merit clad in black leather pants and a red tank top, standing with her back to us as she holds open the door to Cadogan House, glancing back over her shoulder in question, her katana held down by her side.
The title can be interpreted in several ways, and my first impression when I heard it was of the rules by which the GP and Cadogan House abided. After reading it, I'd say that it's a triumph and, dude! Cadogan House RULES.
yodamom's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars-** Spoiler** Oh I am so close to quitting this series. I get very little excitement or joy out of it anymore. It just falls flat for me. No, not just flat it pissed me off.
The first 40 % of the book was dull, political babble. Ethan and Merit had a few moments of love but it was just, meh. There was a weirdly placed murder that got me away from the house drama. Why was it weird ? Well, major developments are happening, the house is going under and another house comes to them for help before they really try to help themselves ? I didn't get that.
I was so grateful when I made it to 60 %, Merit was sneaking off, playing Sherlock, and being a green eyed girlfriend. At least things were happening. Then it all went to the toilet, with a major flush. Ethan,(aka) Mr. Wishy-Washy, turned on a dime and betrayed her/their "love" by being a complete jerk. He ignored, he talked down to her, he stayed out all night, he turned on her in public, he doubted her without a conversation. (This is not the kind of man I call sexy) What did she do about it, she took it. When he was over his hissy fit she opened her arms and said it was ok.?!?!?! No, this is not the first time he has turned on her. Really ? What is this ? She used to have one hell of a backbone, when did it wither.
Best part Jeff- he was awesome. ^-^
The first 40 % of the book was dull, political babble. Ethan and Merit had a few moments of love but it was just, meh. There was a weirdly placed murder that got me away from the house drama. Why was it weird ? Well, major developments are happening, the house is going under and another house comes to them for help before they really try to help themselves ? I didn't get that.
I was so grateful when I made it to 60 %, Merit was sneaking off, playing Sherlock, and being a green eyed girlfriend. At least things were happening. Then it all went to the toilet, with a major flush. Ethan,(aka) Mr. Wishy-Washy, turned on a dime and betrayed her/their "love" by being a complete jerk. He ignored, he talked down to her, he stayed out all night, he turned on her in public, he doubted her without a conversation. (This is not the kind of man I call sexy) What did she do about it, she took it. When he was over his hissy fit she opened her arms and said it was ok.?!?!?! No, this is not the first time he has turned on her. Really ? What is this ? She used to have one hell of a backbone, when did it wither.
Best part Jeff- he was awesome. ^-^
misslover's review against another edition
5.0
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat. I must say, I am very impressed. Normally after so many books in a series, things tend to get boring and repetitive but oh my lord. I am LOVING this series!!!
halynah's review against another edition
4.0
Well, not bad, but the storyline often dragged and many dialogues were not necessary. I was sick and tired of that vile Lacey and Ethan should have been a man and shown Lacey her place, and stopped her disrespecting of Merit. I didn't like him in this installment, but Jonah was really great! I hope the next installment will be better and without the appearance of snotty Lacey Sheridan!
kassiebetweenpages's review against another edition
3.0
it took me a little bit to get into this book in the beginning but it really went out with a bang (
luciearan's review against another edition
4.0
Ani další díl ze série Upíři z Chicaga, mě nijak nezklamal. V tomto směru si knihy Chloe Neill, překvapivě drží úroveň. Každá z nich pak, přináší dějově neotřelý příběh, který zaujme, a tak jako v případě dílů předchozích, je i příjemně čtivý.
amym84's review against another edition
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!