Some Girls Bite

Chicagoland Vampires, Book 1

By: Chloe Neill

Narrated by: Cynthia Holloway

Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

They killed me. They healed me. They changed me. Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn't exactly glamorous, but it was mine. I was doing fine until Chicago's vampires announced their existence to the world---and then a rogue vampire attacked me. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker...and this one decided that the best way to save my life was to make me the walking undead. Turns out my savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now I've traded sweating over my thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan "Lord o' the Manor" Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four-hundred-year-old vampire, he has centuries' worth of charm, but unfortunately he expects my gratitude---and servitude. Right. But my burgeoning powers (all of a sudden, I'm surprisingly handy with some serious weaponry), an inconvenient sunlight allergy, and Ethan's attitude are the least of my concerns. Someone's still out to get me. Is it the rogue vampire who bit me? A vamp from a rival House? An angry mob bearing torches? My initiation into Chicago's nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war---and there will be blood.

Bite into another Chicagoland Vampires novel.

©2009 Chloe Neill (P)2010 Tantor

A Fun Series

I recommend this series. I've been enjoying its mix of urban/real-world setting, fantasy (vampires & other supernaturals), mysteries, politics, and action.

Over the course of this series, the characters have to grapple with many challenges. Whether they're working together to solve a mystery (sometimes murders, sometimes a stolen important object, etc) or to do battle against foes, there is plenty to entertain a reader. Adding to the mix of mysteries and action, the author also developed a political/government system for the supernatural world, so the characters deal with politics on top of everything else. Most of the books will have several story lines going at once, so if you're not that interested in whatever case they're working to solve, you'll have at least 2 other storylines to keep you entertained.

One thing that does frustrate me about this series is the "will they won't they" romance, but I'm guessing the author chose that sort of romance so that the love story wouldn't dominate the plot lines, which I appreciate.

Not a perfect series, but generally well done and it kept me entertained without going into territory that would make it feel unrelatable.

I love Vampires!

Any additional comments?

Chicagoland Vampires delivers an entertaining book series that I enjoy listening to from book one to book twelve. This book is an excellent read and escape, for a busy mom of five.

Interesting Plot

It was a slow start and the main character was a bit of whiner, but the plot is very interesting..Hopefully things pick up in the next book.

Fantastic story. Awful narration.

I love all of the Chicagoland Vampire novels and looked forward to re-experiencing them all in audiobook, but the narrator of the first few books is simply terrible. I wish somehow they could all be redone with Sophia Eastlake who does the latter books in the series. Currently it's nails on a chalkboard bad, especially when the narrator tries to do other voices. Awful. -_-

A Different Take on Vampires

I didn't know this series existed before Audible put it in my Recommendations tab. I took a chance and fell in love. It's great! And each book in the thankfully long series just gets better and better. It's Crime, Romance, Drama, Mystery, Fantasy all in one.

Interesting enough

Overall, a good story. The problem is it was not what was expected. Not enough action, or romance.

A Fun Ride

What other book might you compare Some Girls Bite to and why?

Hmm, I think maybe the Rachel Morgan books by Kim Harrison. It just seems to have that same feel, where you know the romance is there but its really about the fantasy world and the mystery du jour.

What does Cynthia Holloway bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The voice acting. I love how she distinguishes between each character. Especially Catcher. His voice just cracks me up.

Any additional comments?

This was a fun ride. It wasn't predictable as vampire series tend to be nowadays. It was new, cool, and just plain fun to listen to. I love how Ethan and her aren't magically in love with each other and how he acts like how a person in his position would act. His world doesn't instantly just become about her and hers about his. She still has other family and friends and other things going on. The author takes good care to break fantasy stereotypes (eg, how two love interests have to end up in bed by the end of the book).

Really awful narrator

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Different reader

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

It was hard to get past the narrator. Mispronounced words? Really? You're getting paid for this and you can't look up a word? Shame on you!

Would you be willing to try another one of Cynthia Holloway’s performances?

Absolutely not.

Do you think Some Girls Bite needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes, with a different reader

Any additional comments?

Part of the blame should go to Chloe Neill...How can you allow an audio book to be released if you haven't listened to it...and I CAN'T believe she did.

Great Discovery

What did you love best about Some Girls Bite?

I stumbled across this series and gave it a shot. I am so glad I did. The story is action, mystery and relationship based, instead of just romance. It reminds me more of a Patricia Briggs than a Lynsay Sands. I like that each story wraps up but there is definitely a continuing story line.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the slow build of the possible romance between Ethan and Merit but that in the mean time she is working thru the evolution of her other relationships with friends, family, her new self, and others.

Which character – as performed by Cynthia Holloway – was your favorite?

The narrator is great. I read the reviews before purchasing and they gave me pause but I think Cynthia does a fantastic job bringing a voice to each of the characters. I was never confused and I felt like the emotions were right on.

Good light entertainment.

I have enjoyed all 11 books in this series so far; some more than others.
If you prefer serious vampire books, don't read this series.

This is a 'lighter' kind of vampire urban fantasy. The author has tweaked some of the typical vampire abilities and created a quasi sorority feel to it. There are all the typical hallmarks of vampire urban fantasy plus some romance with some very different aspects. Such as a large portion of the vampire community has banned drinking from live sources and only do bagged blood. The usual vampire power to take over the mind in this case is more of a strong suggestion and lowering of inhibitions.

Throughout the series we are introduced to a larger and larger world of the supernatural and presented with politics and prejudice as problems to overcome.

If you like lighter urban fantasy and some rocky romance this series is worth a read. Like many first books this one could have been better, but does a decent job of setting up the rest of the series.

I can understand why some people don't care for the narrator, but she does not do a bad job. For the most part I enjoy her reading of the books; she gets switched around book 6.