Format: AudiobookFriday Night Bites by Chloe Neill
Narrator: Cynthia Holloway
Date Read: October 6th 2009
Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
More Information:The story of a young heiress's initiation into the dark society of the Chicagoland Vampires continues:
Ten months after vampires revealed their existence to the mortals of Chicago, they're enjoying a celebrity status usually reserved for the Hollywood elite. But should people learn about the Raves--mass feeding parties where vampires round up humans like cattle--the citizens will start sharpening their stakes.
So now it's up to the new vampire Merit to reconnect with her upper class family and act as liaison between humans and bloodsuckers, and keep the more unsavory aspects of the vampire lifestyle out of the media. But someone doesn't want peace between them--someone with an ancient grudge.
Series: Chicagoland Vampires #2
Also by this author: The Veil
Overall Rating: 3.25
Story Rating: 3.00
Character Rating: 3.25
Audio Rating: 3.50 (not part of the overall rating)
Speed Date Review
First Thought When Finished: I wish I liked the main characters more than I do but they just aren’t making me root for them(except Ethan-he is an ass and I keep rooting for someone to give him a good ass kicking)
First Date: I am giving the Chicagoland Vampires another whirl. Merit didn’t really “wow” me in the first book but her friends did. I am seriously reading this series for the secondary characters so far.
Second Date: Oh Ethan, you really are an ass aren’t you? This isn’t just a hard to get thing. I know it probably comes from when you were actually turned but DUDE you need to get with the times. Merit, I wish they would flush you out more because right now you seem stuck on being mad at Ethan for turning you/wanting to jump Ethan’s bones because…… (actually I really don’t have any idea why you do since he is an ass but that is another thing all together).
Third Date: I love bad ass bad guys especially when they are women. I wish Friday Night Bites would have spent more time on the case (making it more interesting)since there wasn’t really much character development going on.
Audiobook Thoughts:
Narrated by Cynthia Holloway /Running Time 11 hrs and 44 mins
I thought the audio for Friday Night Bites was pretty good. Cynthia did a great job with the pacing (even when the story didn’t) and her voice for Merit was spot on. I do have trouble with the voices for the men in this series so I will be reading the books from this point forward. I am going to try other books narrated by Cynthia though since I am not sure if it is my dislike in the men (so far) in the series or the narration.
Final Thought: I know this review sounded like I didn’t like the book but that isn’t exactly true. I actually LOVED all the side characters but their scenes were too few and far between. I did get the whole series for Christmas so I will be continuing on with the series and hoping to finally catch the Chicagoland Vampires buzz.
Speed Dating is hosted by …
During her non-reading time you can find her hanging with her rescue furr children named after book characters: Lizzie a beautiful cattle dog mix (Pound Pup), Cinder a beautiful Shep/Pitt mix (Pound Pup), and Minerva a beautiful Shep/Pitt mix (Foster Fail). Gathering with friends and family, attending conventions, watching movies/tv shows, rooting for the 49rs, and crocheting.
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I’ve seen mostly luke warm reviews for this series. I don’t feel so bad for not picking it up yet.
I’ve heard such good things about this series!!
I think most people love it! I do love, love, love the side characters and the world 🙂
I’ve been thinking about doing some speed dating reviews of my own. I can’t seem to find the “rules” on it.
I don’t think she has any rules 🙂 Here is the format I use:
First Date (what I thought of the first third)
Second Date (what I thought of the “meat” of the book—that sounds weird huh?) 🙂
Third Date (the last part)
Normally I include Dating Status but for some reason I left it off of this one 🙂 That is just whether I will continue on.
I like these because they are short and easy to knock out LOL
That’s why I’m loving them. Fast and dirty. I’m getting a little burned out on writing reviews and this format would be great to help with that.
Thanks!
P.S. must have “meat” for a great date. {wiggles brow}
hehe that is a very true statement 🙂
Hmm, I know not all books are for everyone. THis series does sound like it’s got potential. Sorry it not to the top yet. 🙂 Thank you.
On a whole, everyone else LOVES it! I tell everyone to try it because (as you can tell) I have a problem with Ethan. Not everyone will have a problem with him 🙂 Or at least I hope not everyone will spend the whole book calling him an ass.
I don’t know if I could read a book (or continue with the series) where I didn’t like the main character. And her relationship with her maker doesn’t sound too healthy. It’s too bad b/c I had wanted to get to this series eventually. Maybe I’ll still give book 1 a try. I really loved your discussion of this…I really got the gist of it.
The side characters and the world is FANTASTIC! Normally I would have given up by now. Urban Fantasy is always a hit/miss with me. I am going to give it more one book and then make a decision 🙂
Still a series I want to try. I’ve heard some of the later ones weren’t as good as the first, but then you weren’t wowed by the first book. Hm… may library book this series.
You should try it! Everyone else I know adores it. I seem to be the odd duck out 🙂 Which is true with UF since I seem to have a certain kind that work for me 🙂
After book 3 I just gave up
I am giving it till Book 3 then we will see. 🙂
Oh, Ethan. He really is SUCH an ass in the beginning books but then Merit cracks his cranky exterior and finds…well, he’s still an ass. But he’s a bit more lovable. Seriously love this series!
He really is an ass! I was surprised at his “assness” that being said I squee over the side characters. I want a Cowboy head of security to call my very own. I may or may not be continuing for his part of the story.
Ethan IS an ass. Hope this series improves a bit for you as you go, Felicia!
I am going to give it one more book. I want to love it as much as everyone else but I am willing to let it go after one more LOL
Definitely keep going. I found that Merit gets less whiny as she accepts what she is. Ethan’s irritating attitude does get better too. He does have asshole moments, just not as often. The side characters are awesome too. Love them!
I am going to give it one more book because I trust your judgement. Plus I kind of had fun at counting his ass moments LOL 🙂
Great review. I’ve always dug this cover.
It does have a great cover!
Hmm, I’m sensing that Ethan is an ass! I’m listening to an audio book now with the opposite problem – the narrator is male, and his female voices aren’t so great. I should probably stop and read the rest of the book.
I can almost accept women doing men voices more than the other way around. Though it might just be because it is more common. I ended up stopping on the Maya Banks book because I had it in paper. I am probably going to finish these in paper form.