Scan barcode
snoopydoo77's review
5.0
4½
This book was a full-on roller coaster ride. There was also a lot of things happening in this book as we get closer and closer to the last book, which will be book 13 and only two more books to go.
That being said there are still some things we are left in the open about, but also some minor things are being revealed.
Someone from Ethan’s past is back and he wants the house and everything with it. Including his vampires. Of course to get to Ethan and draw him out he hurts the house and him where it hurts the most. That of course includes Merit.
As if that is not enough to deal with, the Navarre House is in trouble as well. That means we get a lot of Morgan in this book, and we find out why he kept his house and himself in the background all this time. Of course Cadogan house steps in to help, along with Scott from the Grey House.
I like how over the course of the series the houses have become strong allies and help each other no matter what.
You can find my full review here:
http://snoopydoosbookreviews.com/dark-debt-chicagoland-vampires-11-by-chloe-neill/
kathydavie's review
3.0
Eleventh in the Chicagoland Vampires urban fantasy series for young adults and revolving around Merit, the Cadogan Sentinel.
My Take
Whoa, Merit discovers she's suddenly susceptible to glamour, and she is not liking it one bit. And Ethan, lol, learns the nickname bestowed on him by Merit and Mallory.
Neill pops in reminders of what has occurred in past stories, including Mallory's trying to make Ethan into her familiar, the takedown of the GP, AND the reason why Joshua paid vampires to turn Merit.
Wow, Neill sure does keep the jerks on call, from Merit's blinkered father to the callous Reed.
For such a "brilliant" organization, once Merit and company become aware of it, they uncover quite a bit. Although, the Circle doesn't hold the patent on stupid moves, not when Ethan can't wait to provoke Reed. How dumb is that? Why put him on alert?
I do keep enjoying Neill's take on vampires, I just wish her stories had more depth and less of a juvenile quality. As for the sex scenes…they read more like Neill's publisher suggested she toss some in.
The Story
Merit, Ethan, and the House are on tenterhooks, waiting for the next challenge from Balthasar, Ethan's depraved, returned-from-the-dead maker.
There will not be one challenge, there will be many, and Balthasar is enthusiastically embracing his evil side as he breaks every taboo in public.
Nor is Balthasar Merit's only worry, for Navarre House is deep in trouble while Mallory lays another worry onto Merit's shoulders, and it's so far from what Mallory has always wanted…
The Characters
Merit is the Sentinel of Cadogan House. Moneypenny is Merit's beloved vintage Mercedes convertible she's been banned from driving. The arrogant Joshua Merit is Merit's kingpin father whose Merit Properties current project is the Towerline. Caroline had been Merit's older sister who died in a car crash.
Cadogan House is…
…one of three remaining vampire houses in Chicago. Ethan "Darth" Sullivan is the Master, Merit's lover, and a member of the Assembly of American Masters. Malik is Ethan's second-in-command; he's married to Aaliyah. Luc is head of security. Lindsey is Luc's girlfriend and a House guard along with Juliet, Kelley, and Brody who has some mad driving skills. Keiji is a temp. Margot is the House chef. Helen is the House den mother and now Ethan's official social secretary. The Librarian is the House research and book specialist.
Mallory Carmichael is Merit's best friend and a sorceress who went really bad a few stories back. Part of her remuneration for her actions was organizing Sorcerers Without Borders (SWOB), which is meant to help new sorcerers learn to use their new magicks. Catcher Bell is a sorcerer and Mallory's boyfriend. He's also one of the Ombuddies with…
The Ombudsman's Office, which is…
…the official police liaison between Chicago's cops and supernaturals. Chuck Merit is the ombudsman and Merit's grandfather. Jeff Christopher is a shape-shifting white tiger and computer genius. Detective Arthur Jacobs with the Chicago PD is friendly to supernaturals.
Navarre House is…
…currently led by Morgan Greer who took over from the corrupt and evil Celina Desaulniers. Will is the captain of the Navarre House guards; Zane is one of the guards. Nadia had been the House Second; she's been replaced by Irina, who had been a close friend of Celina's. Katya was Nadia's friend.
Grey House has…
…a preference for sports of all kinds and is led by Scott Grey. Jonah is the captain of the House guard AND a member of the secret RG with Merit as his partner. (The RG is the Red Guard, a secret organization of vampires independent of any House, which keeps watch on vampire Masters.)
The North American Central Pack is…
…the shifter pack in Chicago and led by Gabriel Keene.
Adrien Reed owns Reed Logistics. Sorcha is his rather oblivious wife. Thomas O'Malley has been a friend of Reed's for years; he was best man in his first wedding to Frederica.
The Circle is…
…a powerful criminal organization that holds notes to Navarre House. It hides behind a number of LLCs. Jude Maguire is an enforcer.
The theatrical Balthasar had been Ethan's maker some four hundred years ago. Persephone was the human whom Ethan had loved. Nicole Heart, the current president of the Assembly of American Masters, had been part of their group at the time. She's now based in Atlanta. Rémy is the vampire who took over when Balthasar "died".
The Memento Mori had been…
…a cult who wanted to be immortal without being a vampire. Carlisle Foster and Julien Burrows (the faux one) were fellow prisoners with Balthasar.
The Assembly of American Masters is the new organization in America which replaced the Greenwich Presidium. Diane Kowalcyzk is the mayor of Chicago. Sanford King is a crook who was acquitted. The Order is the American union of sorcerers. Darryl Lee Moody was a thief who became a lesson for Chuck.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a wide range of oranges from the pale, almost brown of the roof tiles on which Merit is crouched in her high-heeled boots and black leather pants and tank top with her katana resting on her shoulder. Her long brown hair is swirling in the wind, the rain pelting down from a deep and bright orange sky and a well-lit Chicago skyline in the background.
The title is Navarre House's problem; its Dark Debt for which Navarre must pay in kind.
My Take
Whoa, Merit discovers she's suddenly susceptible to glamour, and she is not liking it one bit. And Ethan, lol, learns the nickname bestowed on him by Merit and Mallory.
Neill pops in reminders of what has occurred in past stories, including Mallory's trying to make Ethan into her familiar, the takedown of the GP, AND the reason why Joshua paid vampires to turn Merit.
Wow, Neill sure does keep the jerks on call, from Merit's blinkered father to the callous Reed.
Yeah, that's always the way…waxing nostalgic about the good old days, but realizing that every day, every age has its good and bad.There's a focus on Navarre House and its major problem along with an ongoing assessment of Morgan's suitability to be its Master. But nobody could be as bad as Celina had been. Jesus. How blind were those idiot vampires in Navarre?
For such a "brilliant" organization, once Merit and company become aware of it, they uncover quite a bit. Although, the Circle doesn't hold the patent on stupid moves, not when Ethan can't wait to provoke Reed. How dumb is that? Why put him on alert?
I do keep enjoying Neill's take on vampires, I just wish her stories had more depth and less of a juvenile quality. As for the sex scenes…they read more like Neill's publisher suggested she toss some in.
The Story
Merit, Ethan, and the House are on tenterhooks, waiting for the next challenge from Balthasar, Ethan's depraved, returned-from-the-dead maker.
There will not be one challenge, there will be many, and Balthasar is enthusiastically embracing his evil side as he breaks every taboo in public.
Nor is Balthasar Merit's only worry, for Navarre House is deep in trouble while Mallory lays another worry onto Merit's shoulders, and it's so far from what Mallory has always wanted…
The Characters
Merit is the Sentinel of Cadogan House. Moneypenny is Merit's beloved vintage Mercedes convertible she's been banned from driving. The arrogant Joshua Merit is Merit's kingpin father whose Merit Properties current project is the Towerline. Caroline had been Merit's older sister who died in a car crash.
Cadogan House is…
…one of three remaining vampire houses in Chicago. Ethan "Darth" Sullivan is the Master, Merit's lover, and a member of the Assembly of American Masters. Malik is Ethan's second-in-command; he's married to Aaliyah. Luc is head of security. Lindsey is Luc's girlfriend and a House guard along with Juliet, Kelley, and Brody who has some mad driving skills. Keiji is a temp. Margot is the House chef. Helen is the House den mother and now Ethan's official social secretary. The Librarian is the House research and book specialist.
Mallory Carmichael is Merit's best friend and a sorceress who went really bad a few stories back. Part of her remuneration for her actions was organizing Sorcerers Without Borders (SWOB), which is meant to help new sorcerers learn to use their new magicks. Catcher Bell is a sorcerer and Mallory's boyfriend. He's also one of the Ombuddies with…
The Ombudsman's Office, which is…
…the official police liaison between Chicago's cops and supernaturals. Chuck Merit is the ombudsman and Merit's grandfather. Jeff Christopher is a shape-shifting white tiger and computer genius. Detective Arthur Jacobs with the Chicago PD is friendly to supernaturals.
Navarre House is…
…currently led by Morgan Greer who took over from the corrupt and evil Celina Desaulniers. Will is the captain of the Navarre House guards; Zane is one of the guards. Nadia had been the House Second; she's been replaced by Irina, who had been a close friend of Celina's. Katya was Nadia's friend.
Grey House has…
…a preference for sports of all kinds and is led by Scott Grey. Jonah is the captain of the House guard AND a member of the secret RG with Merit as his partner. (The RG is the Red Guard, a secret organization of vampires independent of any House, which keeps watch on vampire Masters.)
The North American Central Pack is…
…the shifter pack in Chicago and led by Gabriel Keene.
Adrien Reed owns Reed Logistics. Sorcha is his rather oblivious wife. Thomas O'Malley has been a friend of Reed's for years; he was best man in his first wedding to Frederica.
The Circle is…
…a powerful criminal organization that holds notes to Navarre House. It hides behind a number of LLCs. Jude Maguire is an enforcer.
The theatrical Balthasar had been Ethan's maker some four hundred years ago. Persephone was the human whom Ethan had loved. Nicole Heart, the current president of the Assembly of American Masters, had been part of their group at the time. She's now based in Atlanta. Rémy is the vampire who took over when Balthasar "died".
The Memento Mori had been…
…a cult who wanted to be immortal without being a vampire. Carlisle Foster and Julien Burrows (the faux one) were fellow prisoners with Balthasar.
The Assembly of American Masters is the new organization in America which replaced the Greenwich Presidium. Diane Kowalcyzk is the mayor of Chicago. Sanford King is a crook who was acquitted. The Order is the American union of sorcerers. Darryl Lee Moody was a thief who became a lesson for Chuck.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a wide range of oranges from the pale, almost brown of the roof tiles on which Merit is crouched in her high-heeled boots and black leather pants and tank top with her katana resting on her shoulder. Her long brown hair is swirling in the wind, the rain pelting down from a deep and bright orange sky and a well-lit Chicago skyline in the background.
The title is Navarre House's problem; its Dark Debt for which Navarre must pay in kind.
witchylevy's review
5.0
A good bit happens here. We have a returning sire, maker, whatever you want to call him, drama of course, gossip, some awesome dresses haha. I was a bit confused that Merit seems weaker in this book. Less supernatural strength and speed, more normal. That said, she could just be getting used to her new normal and seeing it as such. It felt odd though. It didn't detract from the story though and I thoroughly enjoyed this installment.
pnwtinap's review
4.0
I really enjoyed the twists, turns and beautiful dress destruction in this book. It seems like the timeline isn't moving very much ahead though, I wish we could have more time in a way so that the characters could grow even more.
wannabekingpin's review
4.0
All reviews in one place: Night Mode Reading; LT
About: The more hints there were, that Sullivan’s master Balthazar was alive, the more he denied such a possibility. And then the man just waltzed into their house like he owned it. Merit’s resistances got shattered, and a whole new horror of magic suddenly showed itself.
In the meantime, house Navarre is in a lot of trouble. Their previous master, apparently, loved luxury and perfection, and thus ended up indebted to the mob. Mob with enough balls to make quite a few supernatural houses and clans dance. And now they want their payback.
So, of course, Merit’s in the middle of it all.
Mine: Author has a great sense of humor. If nothing else, I can really give her props for that, she made me laugh in every single book so far, no matter whether I loved the story or hated it. There’s also a lot of references to other things, movies, books, video games, and I do appreciate that too. And then the mobsters. Listen, I can’t help myself. I love vampires, and I love crime books. And I love when these two very different genres on very different Children of the Night try to work together. Usually it fails so hard it’s funny. And usually, like right now, I don’t even mind anyway.
I kinda really hope that these anne-rice-ish pale-faced gangsters will appear in the next book too, they seemed to have the gall and backing for it. But, hope is just that, hope. 4 out of 5 for this one, and on to the next.
About: The more hints there were, that Sullivan’s master Balthazar was alive, the more he denied such a possibility. And then the man just waltzed into their house like he owned it. Merit’s resistances got shattered, and a whole new horror of magic suddenly showed itself.
In the meantime, house Navarre is in a lot of trouble. Their previous master, apparently, loved luxury and perfection, and thus ended up indebted to the mob. Mob with enough balls to make quite a few supernatural houses and clans dance. And now they want their payback.
So, of course, Merit’s in the middle of it all.
Mine: Author has a great sense of humor. If nothing else, I can really give her props for that, she made me laugh in every single book so far, no matter whether I loved the story or hated it. There’s also a lot of references to other things, movies, books, video games, and I do appreciate that too. And then the mobsters. Listen, I can’t help myself. I love vampires, and I love crime books. And I love when these two very different genres on very different Children of the Night try to work together. Usually it fails so hard it’s funny. And usually, like right now, I don’t even mind anyway.
I kinda really hope that these anne-rice-ish pale-faced gangsters will appear in the next book too, they seemed to have the gall and backing for it. But, hope is just that, hope. 4 out of 5 for this one, and on to the next.
angels_gp17's review
4.0
~ 4 Dark Debt Stars ~
Dark Debt is book eleven in the Chicagoland Vampires series by Chloe Neill.
There are so many things I have come to enjoy about this series. The mystery, adventure, action, good food, snarky comments, and the every enjoyable cacophony of characters. Each installment gives us an eventful plot with a mystery to solve and new threats to Ethan and Merit’s relationship. There was so much action, banter, and strategizing that I never got board or felt rushed in Dark Debt.
Blood Games left us with one gripping cliffhanger and Dark Debt starts us off dealing with this new threat. Their were two enemies causing trouble in Chicago; the return of an old figure who is very dark, loves to cause chaos, and havoc plus a fabulous mob twist.
Merit is snarky, funny, has the best comebacks, and is a great kick-ass heroine who can take care of herself. In this story something happens that makes her feel violated. She must over come this new challenge and feelings. Ethan is and has always been very much an Alpha of his world and what happens to Merit shakes him as much as her. He is now more possessive, protective and moody. These two work well as a team, bring out the best in each other, and balance one and other out. This old threat does not change this, but does affect their relationship in some way. As for the mob, well Merit and Ethan will deal with them as a new game is a foot.
Mallory and Catcher, have some big surprises in story for us and some heartfelt moments. Their aww moment was just to good. We learn more about Morgan, his house, and issues. I was surprised to see Morgan man-up along with Merit’s dad. The author also gives us a rift between, Jonah and Merit, that is not yet resolved and I look forward to seeing where this goes.
I can't wait to see where things go in the stories and do hope that one day we get the prophecy to come about for Ethan and Merit. If you enjoy non-stop action-packed adventure with great food and comebacks, then I recommend picking up the series. CNeil has created an exceptional world with her Chicagoland Vampires.
* Disclaimer: ARC provided by Penguin Group Berkley via NetGalley with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
Dark Debt is book eleven in the Chicagoland Vampires series by Chloe Neill.
There are so many things I have come to enjoy about this series. The mystery, adventure, action, good food, snarky comments, and the every enjoyable cacophony of characters. Each installment gives us an eventful plot with a mystery to solve and new threats to Ethan and Merit’s relationship. There was so much action, banter, and strategizing that I never got board or felt rushed in Dark Debt.
Blood Games left us with one gripping cliffhanger and Dark Debt starts us off dealing with this new threat. Their were two enemies causing trouble in Chicago; the return of an old figure who is very dark, loves to cause chaos, and havoc plus a fabulous mob twist.
Merit is snarky, funny, has the best comebacks, and is a great kick-ass heroine who can take care of herself. In this story something happens that makes her feel violated. She must over come this new challenge and feelings. Ethan is and has always been very much an Alpha of his world and what happens to Merit shakes him as much as her. He is now more possessive, protective and moody. These two work well as a team, bring out the best in each other, and balance one and other out. This old threat does not change this, but does affect their relationship in some way. As for the mob, well Merit and Ethan will deal with them as a new game is a foot.
Mallory and Catcher, have some big surprises in story for us and some heartfelt moments. Their aww moment was just to good. We learn more about Morgan, his house, and issues. I was surprised to see Morgan man-up along with Merit’s dad. The author also gives us a rift between, Jonah and Merit, that is not yet resolved and I look forward to seeing where this goes.
I can't wait to see where things go in the stories and do hope that one day we get the prophecy to come about for Ethan and Merit. If you enjoy non-stop action-packed adventure with great food and comebacks, then I recommend picking up the series. CNeil has created an exceptional world with her Chicagoland Vampires.
* Disclaimer: ARC provided by Penguin Group Berkley via NetGalley with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
jlaynereads's review
5.0
This was a witty and fun take on an Old story line; all that said ... I LOVED THIS BOOK! These books keep getting better!
When a Blast from the Past; that is supposed to be dead; come to Chicago & Cadogan House ... What will Merit & Ethan Do? Is he friend or foe?
It was a good read from start to finish!
I look forward to more bad assery by Merritt & Crew!
When a Blast from the Past; that is supposed to be dead; come to Chicago & Cadogan House ... What will Merit & Ethan Do? Is he friend or foe?
It was a good read from start to finish!
I look forward to more bad assery by Merritt & Crew!