WTF

When I started reading Hard Bitten I already knew what was coming at the end of the instalment. I’d read many reviews for both this book and the next and had guessed the outcome. Shock, disbelief, dismay: I went through it all before I even got my hands on Hard Bitten. Now, being aware of what would happen didn’t make it any less heartbreaking when it did. I just finished reading the book, my stomach is in knots and I feel like I’ve been sucker-punched. Now this was one gutsy move on Chloe Neill’s part. As hard as it is to accept, I actually understand why she might have opted for such a drastic plot twist. (view spoiler)[First, I don’t know how Merit & Ethan’s relationship could have evolved hadn’t Ethan died. A perfectly happy ending wouldn’t have been satisfying (there’s no fun in that, especially not for these two) and neither would have a “love you-love you not” status quo between Sentinel and Master, which would have become boring really fast. Ethan’s death is heartbreaking but it does make sense somehow. Second, the Red Guard thing. Ever since the RG came into the equation I felt that joining them should be Merit’s next move, it would be so… Merit really. Of course she couldn’t do so without betraying Ethan but now that he is gone I can see her becoming an RG. That would be an interesting direction for this series to take. I guess I will have to wait and see what happens in the next few instalments (hide spoiler)] I’ve read quite a few reviews complaining about the way Neill handled the scene in question but I thought it was just perfect: sudden, unexpected, over in a second. Like Merit, the reader doesn’t see it coming. Neill couldn’t have done it better. I also disagree with those who tax Neill with “emotionless writing.” It’s just the opposite for me: this whole series is such an emotional roller-coaster that each instalment pretty much leaves me exhausted! I have to admit that the first part of the book wasn’t as fast-paced as previous instalments but it was still highly enjoyable, with lots of twists and turns. I just love Merit and she keeps growing on me with each new instalment. Ethan makes me melt (that scene when he is alone with Merit in his office had me drooling all along). I love Lindsey (much) more than I do Mallory. I love Luc. Darius is an asshole. Tate is an asshole. Morgan is an asshole. We get to see a bit more of Scott Grey and I think I’m beginning to like him quite a bit. We get to see A LOT more of Jonah. (view spoiler)[Now, it definitely feels like Neill is prepping us for some Merit-Jonah action in instalments to come. I’m not sure when it will happen but I’m pretty sure it will. What bothered me here was that Neill was too obvious about it. Then again, I might be completely wrong about this. (hide spoiler)] All in all, great characterization as always. And… I finally got answers to two questions that had been bugging me since the first instalment in the series: why Ethan happened to be on the campus grounds the night Merit was attacked and why Merit goes by Merit instead of Caroline. Hard Bitten is a fantastic, emotionally draining read. Getting my hands on Drink Deep right NOW! ETA: Just finished reading Drink Deep. Pretty much speechless. Definitely giddy. Chloe Neill, you evil, evil woman. You really got me there!!

Gah the ending. Also I really hate the mayor and head honcho vamp. This one had a little too much miscommunication for 5 stars. But still, really great and will definitely re-read because of the humor and world.

** spoiler alert ** Love this series but the ending of this book sucks!!

My thoughts on books 3 & 4. I don't dislike either, and so I suppose the author has done her job in that I am interested enough to read on and find out what happens in the next book as I'm sure that (view spoiler)[Ethan isn't really dead or is resurrected somehow. (hide spoiler)] I am still finding Merit (and now Lindsay (despite her age of over 100 years) as her in-house BFF) so irritatingly juvenile with their references to boys and girls rather than men and women, and Ethan although not quite as hateful as before is still a most unlikely crush IMO. It turns out that Malik is not the only person not pale of skin in Merit's Chicago, he is now joined by a Lindsay sidekick called Michelle from book 3, and a detective in CPD whose name escapes me from book 4. So far that makes 3 people in Merit's world (of approx 400 people) worthy of (hardly) mentioning. Although, I am looking forward to more Malik in book 5 given the events at the end of book 4. Gabriel and his shifters were the most interesting part of book 3, and I was pleased as punch that Nick and the Brecks were feline as they are my fav in the animal world and I do get a bit bored of wolves. I was hoping they would appear more in book 4 but alas no. Also, it was obvious to me in book 4 that V was for the vamps, not the humans, but kudos for the increasing levels of action. I really hope that things are ramped up in book 5, and that Merit grows up a bit, or I might have to give up on the series. I also need some answers about this sup world, the history and how it works.