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Heirs of Chicagoland #1
Wild Hunger
When a grizzly murder threatens to change the paranormal balance of power-and bring an end to years of peace between humans and supernaturals-a new generation must fight for Chicago.
As the only vampire child ever born, some believed Elisa Sullivan had all the luck. But the magic that helped bring her into the world left her with a dark secret. Shifter Connor Keene, the only son of North American Central Pack Apex Gabriel Keene, is the only one she trusts with it. But she's a vampire and the daughter of a Master and a Sentinel, and he's prince of the Pack and its future king.
When the assassination of an ambassador brings old feuds to the fore again, Elisa and Connor must choose between love and family, between honor and obligation, before Chicago disappears forever.
Return to Chicagoland. Meet the family . . .
To find out more, visit:
www.chloeneill.com
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336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 14, 2018
666 people are currently reading
5433 people want to read
About the author
Chloe Neill
43 books10.1k followersChloe Neill is the New York Times bestselling author of the Heirs of Chicagoland, Chicagoland Vampires Novels, Devil's Isle Novels, and Dark Elite novels. Chloe was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest. When she's not writing, she bakes, works, and scours the Internet for good recipes and great graphic design. Chloe also maintains her sanity by spending time with her boys--her husband and their dogs, Baxter and Scout.
Connect with Chloe at www.chloeneill.com.
Connect with Chloe at www.chloeneill.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 596 reviews
August 11, 2018
If you ever intend on reading the author's Chicagoland Vampire series, you'd better do it first, because even the blurb on the back of this book is going to totally spoil an entire series for you. That being said --
Wild Hunger is an exciting ride that captures the energy and enthusiasm of the early Chicagoland Vampire books, despite a rushed beginning.
At the end of the Chicagoland Vampire series, readers are left with quite a bombshell: Merit, a vampire, is pregnant, and vampires don't get pregnant. I would've loved a more deeper explanation of the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy and Elisa's birth, but aside from that, the rest of the story was an exciting beginning to a new series.
Elisa is likable, and despite needing to be rescued by the romantic interest a few times, also does some rescuing of her own. When one of her friends is framed for a horrific murder during an international vampire peace summit, she and her friends set out to find the true killer, opening up a Pandora's box of diplomatic power struggles and making unexpected enemies in the process.
Recommended for readers of the Chicagoland Vampire series, even those whose interest waned early in the series, and even those who disliked the way the series ended.
Unrelated: if I were to compare this book to food, it is a warm bag of cheesy caramelcorn. Proceed accordingly.
Unrelated 2: I'm still holding out for at least one White Sox fan in this series... White Sox just can't get any love, even in fiction.
arc provided by Netgalley
Wild Hunger is an exciting ride that captures the energy and enthusiasm of the early Chicagoland Vampire books, despite a rushed beginning.
At the end of the Chicagoland Vampire series, readers are left with quite a bombshell: Merit, a vampire, is pregnant, and vampires don't get pregnant. I would've loved a more deeper explanation of the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy and Elisa's birth, but aside from that, the rest of the story was an exciting beginning to a new series.
Elisa is likable, and despite needing to be rescued by the romantic interest a few times, also does some rescuing of her own. When one of her friends is framed for a horrific murder during an international vampire peace summit, she and her friends set out to find the true killer, opening up a Pandora's box of diplomatic power struggles and making unexpected enemies in the process.
Recommended for readers of the Chicagoland Vampire series, even those whose interest waned early in the series, and even those who disliked the way the series ended.
Unrelated: if I were to compare this book to food, it is a warm bag of cheesy caramelcorn. Proceed accordingly.
Unrelated 2: I'm still holding out for at least one White Sox fan in this series... White Sox just can't get any love, even in fiction.
arc provided by Netgalley
July 6, 2023
Since this isn't out yet. I will just say this....I want it now and i mean now! Who agrees with me?
Okay, finally gotten around to read this book. I love it lots. Elisa is funny but very stern and serous about her life as a vampire. She won't let the monster be in control of her. Elisa at the beginning is in Paris and was going to university and had graduated and lived in a vampire french household. I really like her friends that she meet going abroad and even her friends at home, Lulu and even Connor.
Conner .....images of him naked are in my mind now. Hot hot hot!!!!! He was great, kind and caring loving his pack mates and trying to become the next Apex to his pack. He has the strength that most people want in life.
Lulu, she short and cute and has magic but doesn't practice with it. She was treated badly by humans that knew about her mother problems with her own magic. So she doesn't practice at all but knows her way around weapons, thanks to her father.
Merit and Ethan take a side trip to the sidelines in this book. I really miss Merit kicking some ass and same with Ethan.
We see Scott and Morgan ...well more like a glance at them but no talks between them. We read on to find out that instead of three Chicago Vampire Houses an fourth has risen in the city.
Overall, I loved this book and will be continuing with book 2 when it comes out and when books 3 and 4 come out too.
Now, who needs be two out now!????? I do.
I do hope Mrs. Neill will make a new Canon book and placed it on her website. I would love to see and read all the new houses that have been made /built in the last twenty-three years.
Okay, finally gotten around to read this book. I love it lots. Elisa is funny but very stern and serous about her life as a vampire. She won't let the monster be in control of her. Elisa at the beginning is in Paris and was going to university and had graduated and lived in a vampire french household. I really like her friends that she meet going abroad and even her friends at home, Lulu and even Connor.
Conner .....images of him naked are in my mind now. Hot hot hot!!!!! He was great, kind and caring loving his pack mates and trying to become the next Apex to his pack. He has the strength that most people want in life.
Lulu, she short and cute and has magic but doesn't practice with it. She was treated badly by humans that knew about her mother problems with her own magic. So she doesn't practice at all but knows her way around weapons, thanks to her father.
Merit and Ethan take a side trip to the sidelines in this book. I really miss Merit kicking some ass and same with Ethan.
We see Scott and Morgan ...well more like a glance at them but no talks between them. We read on to find out that instead of three Chicago Vampire Houses an fourth has risen in the city.
Overall, I loved this book and will be continuing with book 2 when it comes out and when books 3 and 4 come out too.
Now, who needs be two out now!????? I do.
I do hope Mrs. Neill will make a new Canon book and placed it on her website. I would love to see and read all the new houses that have been made /built in the last twenty-three years.
August 29, 2018
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*It just doesn't do it for me*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
I struggled before I even started the book. I knew going in that Chloe Neill 's book just doesn't do it for me anymore. It's sad, really sad, because she used to be one of my favorite authors, but I've changed too much. Chloe Neill 's writing it more based on action, and for me it has too much action and too little romance to be honest (shocking, I know; too much romance and I'll kill myself, but yeah, there's too little of it in these books). It's probably more that Urban Fantasy isn't for me anymore.
Vampires were made, not born.
All except one.
All except me.
I was the daughter of vampires, born because magic and fate twisted together. I’d spent nineteen years in Chicago. Tonight, I stood nearly four hundred feet above Paris, several thousand miles away from the Windy City and the Houses in which most of its vampires lived.
Now to the book. I didn't like the main character Ethan Sullivan and Caroline ‘Merit’ ‘Mer’ Merit's only daughter, Elisa Sullivan (23) mainly because she's so estranged from her family by keeping a life changing secret. She doesn't even live in the same country as her parents because of this and I find that I didn't like this at all. It kinda shaped the whole book for me from the beginning.
“I didn’t mind rescuing you the first time,” he said. And there was something different in his eyes. Emotion I hadn’t seen before and wasn’t entirely sure what to do with. “But you don’t really need rescuing, Lis. You just need a good partner.”
I wasn’t prepared for the intensity of his gaze, and my instinct was to turn away, to put space between us that would give me time to think.
“You don’t need rules for this,” Connor said, and grabbed my hand before I could turn.
I looked back at him, watched his eyes darken like storm clouds over a cold, deep sea, his gaze so intense he might have seen through to my soul—and felt the sudden, wild hunger that rose up in response to it.
Connor watched my face, thumb stroking the sensitive skin on the inside of my wrist.
Magic pulsed in the air, and it had nothing to do with my monster or the fairies. It was shifter magic, wild and rough and barely tamed. And it was vampire magic, dark and careful and dangerous.
I liked North American Central Pack Apex Gabriel Keene's only son, wolf Shifter Connor Keene (25). He seems like an interesting character, though not as interesting as Gabriel. I love Gabriel. But the disappointment I had with the book makes me struggle to even consider going further with this series. Only time will tell. Overall, I think I'm gonna stop reading UF. At least for now.
I opened my eyes, smiled at the vampire who appeared at my side with two plastic cones of champagne. Seraphine had golden skin and dark hair, and her hazel eyes shone with amusement.
“To Paris,” I said, and tapped my cone against hers.
It had been four years since I’d last stepped foot in Chicago. Tomorrow, I’d go home again and visit the city and spend time with family and friends.
For twenty years, there’d been peace in Chicago among humans and sups, largely because of efforts by my parents—Ethan Sullivan and Merit, the Master and Sentinel, respectively, of Cadogan House. They’d worked to find a lasting peace, and had been so successful that Chicago had become a model for other communities around the world.
That’s why Seri and I were going back. The city’s four vampire Houses were hosting peace talks for vampires from Western Europe, where Houses had been warring since the governing council—the Greenwich Presidium—dissolved before I was born. And vampires’ relations with the other supernaturals in Europe weren’t any better. Chicago would serve as neutral territory where the Houses’ issues could be discussed and a new system of government could be hammered out.
Also, I must point out that it felt like Elisa was Merit just with a changed name, and Lulu Bell, Elisa's best friend was Merit's best friend, Mallory Carmichael Bell, Lulu's mother. They had the exact same friendship and banter. They also acted just like their mothers. It was like a repeat of the Chicagoland Vampires series to be honest. And what was up with the last...20% or so with the sudden ‘I'm falling for him’. Sure, you've known him for 20 years, but you haven't seen each other since 4 years and it takes 2 days for you to start falling? Ummmmmmmm.... no.
“Are we dating now?”
Lulu snorted a laugh. “Girl, you are not my type. And you’ve only got eyes for Connor Keene.”
“I do not have eyes for Connor Keene.” But I didn’t even sound convincing to me.
“Liar,” she said, taking another bite. “You are a dirty, stinking liar.”
I put down my fork, appetite gone. “He touched my wrist yesterday.”
She paused midchew. “Is that a euphemism for . . . anything?”
I shook my head. “We were talking, and he took my wrist and looked at me, and he’s so damn sexy, and he cares about the Pack and his family and . . . I’m falling for him.”
“No shit, Watson.”
I ignored her. “He’s leaving. And I’m maybe going back to Paris—or who knows—but he’s definitely leaving for Alaska. Twenty years I’ve known him, Lulu. Twenty damn years, and I hated him for most of those. Arrogant little punk who drove me crazy just because he could.”
“You can’t drive someone crazy unless there’s emotion there to begin with. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have cared.”
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (New Adult?) Urban Fantasy.
Series: - Series, Book One.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Connor Keene.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Already have.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Unsure.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 2/2.5 stars.
August 16, 2018
If you liked Chloe Neill's Chicagoland Vampires series, then you will love this spin-off! Never heard of Chloe Neill or Chicagoland Vampires? That's okay...you'll like it too.
Wild Hunger is the first installment in the Heirs of Chicagoland series, and the series title tells you exactly what you need to know. It's Chloe Neill's fun and familiar action-packed storytelling, still set in well-loved Chicago, but it's filled with the next generation. The main characters are Elisa Sullivan and Connor Keene (recognize any last names??) but there are tons of additional characters that compliment the leads in a format similar to its predecessor. Bonus: We even get major screen time with all our favorites from the original, but their roles are downplayed as to allow their offspring to shine.
Urban fantasy meets mystery/suspense in a spinoff that promises some passionate romance in future installments. How long til the next book? You can fill the time catching up on the generation before or you can start fresh with this one. Your choice. Enjoy!
My favorite quote:
"It's not an advantage to be numb to terrible things. It means we can't feel. When we can feel, and we do it anyway, we show our bravery. And terrible times are when we need to act most of all. That's when we do the most good."
Wild Hunger is the first installment in the Heirs of Chicagoland series, and the series title tells you exactly what you need to know. It's Chloe Neill's fun and familiar action-packed storytelling, still set in well-loved Chicago, but it's filled with the next generation. The main characters are Elisa Sullivan and Connor Keene (recognize any last names??) but there are tons of additional characters that compliment the leads in a format similar to its predecessor. Bonus: We even get major screen time with all our favorites from the original, but their roles are downplayed as to allow their offspring to shine.
Urban fantasy meets mystery/suspense in a spinoff that promises some passionate romance in future installments. How long til the next book? You can fill the time catching up on the generation before or you can start fresh with this one. Your choice. Enjoy!
My favorite quote:
"It's not an advantage to be numb to terrible things. It means we can't feel. When we can feel, and we do it anyway, we show our bravery. And terrible times are when we need to act most of all. That's when we do the most good."
May 10, 2021
The next generation is here! This spin off of the Chicagolands Vampires features the one and only Elisa. As the only born vampire, she is unique and treated differently. It is possible to read this book as a standalone. Reading the original series would help. Full disclosure, I have not read all the other books in the other series. I left it in a huff when Mallory went all crazy "dark Willow". I didn't like it and thought it came out of the blue. I digress. In this new series, it is literally featuring the son and daughters of the original powerhouse. The powerhouses are still here, in a supporting cast role. They will be needed as it seems this next generation has issues.
I like the new generation. Elisa is responsible and conscientious daughter. As a possible heir to her father's House she is a princess. This could make her as spoiled brat. She is not. She did her training in Paris, France to be treated the same as other young vampires. However, her apparently lack in age does not equate to lessor power. She holds an extra oomph and she's afraid of it. This has trouble written all over it. Why children think they can hide something from responsible, caring, loving and supportive parents is beyond me. We do get to see a little bit what is to come. Personally, I think it's awesome what Elisa has, but that is because I'm a jaded old woman uncaring of other people's opinions. When I was as young as Elisa, it would have mattered a lot to me.
Along with Elisa, Connor, son of the Pack Alpha makes his presence known. Connor is a hawt, sexy werewolf shifter with issues of his own. His are responsibilities to his pack. It shouldn't be a problem, but it is because Elisa messes with his priorities. He isn't expecting to be attracted to the snot nosed little princess he remembers. To round out this supernatural triad is LuLu. She is the daughter of Mallory. As a witch from two very powerful magicians, one would think Lulu is a powerhouse too. But no, she complete cut of any magic use and ignores her full potential. Of the three, Lulu is the one I'm most disappointed in. I understand where she is coming from. However, her willful blindness to magic is going to be a major handicap and will only bring her grief. I'm already thinking of all the different scenarios of how she will be a liability. None of the permutations are looking good.
The conflict in this story is a long time coming. The Fae are back and what they want is fathomable if unachievable. When they attempt to do what they want, all hell breaks loose. The strong alliances between the American vampire houses and the shifters are strains. This flushes the European Vampires peace treaty talks down the drain with Elisa caught in the middle. The political intrigue in written heavy handed. The players are not subtle in the Pack, Vampire house and especially not in the Fae. It is clear from the get go who are the main threats. Although I have a sneaking suspicion there is a quieter vampire betrayer that will come in follow books, out of the blue. Just like how there was zero indication of Mallory going bad, just one day she went crazy. Not a fan of this writing style, but tends to be a trademark of Ms. Neill, coming out of the left field with the unexpected. It will be exciting to see what happens. This new adult book is recommended to paranormal readers who enjoy seeing a new batch of supernaturals coming into their own.
*provided by NetGalley
I like the new generation. Elisa is responsible and conscientious daughter. As a possible heir to her father's House she is a princess. This could make her as spoiled brat. She is not. She did her training in Paris, France to be treated the same as other young vampires. However, her apparently lack in age does not equate to lessor power. She holds an extra oomph and she's afraid of it. This has trouble written all over it. Why children think they can hide something from responsible, caring, loving and supportive parents is beyond me. We do get to see a little bit what is to come. Personally, I think it's awesome what Elisa has, but that is because I'm a jaded old woman uncaring of other people's opinions. When I was as young as Elisa, it would have mattered a lot to me.
Along with Elisa, Connor, son of the Pack Alpha makes his presence known. Connor is a hawt, sexy werewolf shifter with issues of his own. His are responsibilities to his pack. It shouldn't be a problem, but it is because Elisa messes with his priorities. He isn't expecting to be attracted to the snot nosed little princess he remembers. To round out this supernatural triad is LuLu. She is the daughter of Mallory. As a witch from two very powerful magicians, one would think Lulu is a powerhouse too. But no, she complete cut of any magic use and ignores her full potential. Of the three, Lulu is the one I'm most disappointed in. I understand where she is coming from. However, her willful blindness to magic is going to be a major handicap and will only bring her grief. I'm already thinking of all the different scenarios of how she will be a liability. None of the permutations are looking good.
The conflict in this story is a long time coming. The Fae are back and what they want is fathomable if unachievable. When they attempt to do what they want, all hell breaks loose. The strong alliances between the American vampire houses and the shifters are strains. This flushes the European Vampires peace treaty talks down the drain with Elisa caught in the middle. The political intrigue in written heavy handed. The players are not subtle in the Pack, Vampire house and especially not in the Fae. It is clear from the get go who are the main threats. Although I have a sneaking suspicion there is a quieter vampire betrayer that will come in follow books, out of the blue. Just like how there was zero indication of Mallory going bad, just one day she went crazy. Not a fan of this writing style, but tends to be a trademark of Ms. Neill, coming out of the left field with the unexpected. It will be exciting to see what happens. This new adult book is recommended to paranormal readers who enjoy seeing a new batch of supernaturals coming into their own.
*provided by NetGalley
September 2, 2018
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
This was good. I decided to read this book largely because I have been enjoying Chloe Neill's Devil's Isle series and I noticed that this book was the start of a new series. I didn't initially realize that this series is a spin off of the Chicagoland Vampires series so I was a little nervous after I made that discovery since I have only read the first book from that series. I am happy to report that this book works perfectly fine as a starting point and there is no need to have read the Chicagoland Vampires series to enjoy this novel.
This book starts out very strong. Elisa is in Paris with a friend when the area is attacked and she springs into action. Tensions are high among the European vampires so representatives from the areas go to Chicago to discuss peace. Elisa hasn't been home to Chicago in years but she is determined to help make these peace talks successful.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Elisa was very smart and resourceful. She knew how to handle herself and was willing to take necessary risks. She did have fears and worked hard to hide certain things from others. Connor was absolutely wonderful. He is the son of the local werewolf pack and has known Elisa since they were kids. He was smart, tough, protective, and incredibly sexy. Lulu, Elisa's best friend, added some laughs to the story. She was very competent and seemed to be exactly what Elisa needed at times. Theo worked very well with Elisa and proved that even humans could hold their own with all of the supernaturals in the area.
There was a really well done mystery at the core of this story. There is a murder that needs to be solved but nobody in charge seems to want to look beyond the surface. Elisa knows that there is more to the story so she works to figure out what is really going on. There is plenty of excitement and a few twists and turns that kept me guessing. I thought that there was a really nice balance of creativity, action, character development, humor, and a touch of romance.
I would recommend this series to others. Elisa and her friends were all really strong characters trying to solve a rather complex mystery. I do look forward to future installments in this series.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts
This is probably more like 3.5 stars but I am rounding up for now. This book was exciting and some of the dialogue made me laugh but I never found the book hard to set aside for some reason. I liked the characters well enough and thought that all of the key players were rather unique. There were a couple of mysteries going on and I liked how they were tied together in the end. There was even a bit of romance that kept things interesting.
This was good. I decided to read this book largely because I have been enjoying Chloe Neill's Devil's Isle series and I noticed that this book was the start of a new series. I didn't initially realize that this series is a spin off of the Chicagoland Vampires series so I was a little nervous after I made that discovery since I have only read the first book from that series. I am happy to report that this book works perfectly fine as a starting point and there is no need to have read the Chicagoland Vampires series to enjoy this novel.
This book starts out very strong. Elisa is in Paris with a friend when the area is attacked and she springs into action. Tensions are high among the European vampires so representatives from the areas go to Chicago to discuss peace. Elisa hasn't been home to Chicago in years but she is determined to help make these peace talks successful.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Elisa was very smart and resourceful. She knew how to handle herself and was willing to take necessary risks. She did have fears and worked hard to hide certain things from others. Connor was absolutely wonderful. He is the son of the local werewolf pack and has known Elisa since they were kids. He was smart, tough, protective, and incredibly sexy. Lulu, Elisa's best friend, added some laughs to the story. She was very competent and seemed to be exactly what Elisa needed at times. Theo worked very well with Elisa and proved that even humans could hold their own with all of the supernaturals in the area.
There was a really well done mystery at the core of this story. There is a murder that needs to be solved but nobody in charge seems to want to look beyond the surface. Elisa knows that there is more to the story so she works to figure out what is really going on. There is plenty of excitement and a few twists and turns that kept me guessing. I thought that there was a really nice balance of creativity, action, character development, humor, and a touch of romance.
I would recommend this series to others. Elisa and her friends were all really strong characters trying to solve a rather complex mystery. I do look forward to future installments in this series.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts
This is probably more like 3.5 stars but I am rounding up for now. This book was exciting and some of the dialogue made me laugh but I never found the book hard to set aside for some reason. I liked the characters well enough and thought that all of the key players were rather unique. There were a couple of mysteries going on and I liked how they were tied together in the end. There was even a bit of romance that kept things interesting.
August 9, 2018
The story begins when we meet Elisa Sullivan, in Paris. She has finished her schooling and is serving a year in service to the House that sponsored her. Elisa is the daughter of Merit and Ethan and the first-born vampire. While it helped that I had read the first two books of Chicagoland Vampires and knew about the Cadogan House, Neill did an excellent job of sharing history, particularly those of Conner, the heir-apparent to the Chicago Park and Lulu, Elisa's best friend.
Chicago is the epicenter for peace between supernaturals and humans. The vampires are hosting peace talks for European vampires, who are experiencing political unrest. Elisa is working for the French House. It is the first time she has been home in four years. We learn about Elisa and her uniqueness. She is the first-born vampire, but she is also more. Something that scares her and that she keeps hidden. She has been working to control it, but upon returning to Chicago it reawakens. And I am all in!
The plot was a suspenseful one with a side thread of romantic energy and growth for Elisa. The peace talks are sidetracked when a vampire is murdered and one of the pack is arrested. Things don't add up and Elisa begins to investigating. The Chicago peace treaty with the humans prevent the Cadogan House from investigating, but Elisa uses a technicality to investigate on her own.
This was such a well plotted and paced story. I quickly slipped into the world and found Elisa to be an engaging and complex character. I loved the snarky banter between her and Conner. Lulu was a pure joy and secondary characters added interest, strengthened the world and aided Elisa. For fans of the Chicagoland Vampires, we see plenty of key characters to satisfy while giving way to the young. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Chicago is the epicenter for peace between supernaturals and humans. The vampires are hosting peace talks for European vampires, who are experiencing political unrest. Elisa is working for the French House. It is the first time she has been home in four years. We learn about Elisa and her uniqueness. She is the first-born vampire, but she is also more. Something that scares her and that she keeps hidden. She has been working to control it, but upon returning to Chicago it reawakens. And I am all in!
The plot was a suspenseful one with a side thread of romantic energy and growth for Elisa. The peace talks are sidetracked when a vampire is murdered and one of the pack is arrested. Things don't add up and Elisa begins to investigating. The Chicago peace treaty with the humans prevent the Cadogan House from investigating, but Elisa uses a technicality to investigate on her own.
This was such a well plotted and paced story. I quickly slipped into the world and found Elisa to be an engaging and complex character. I loved the snarky banter between her and Conner. Lulu was a pure joy and secondary characters added interest, strengthened the world and aided Elisa. For fans of the Chicagoland Vampires, we see plenty of key characters to satisfy while giving way to the young. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
May 20, 2018
<3 4-4,5 Stars <3
What a fantastic story, I was intrigued from the first pages! The story line is great, the characters lovable and the writing flawless!
Elisa is a complex and strong heroine!Connor is an interesting character, he is dominant,sexy and cocky!I enjoyed him a lot!I love their banter, they have a complicated relationship.
I loved this world and I find it brilliant!I'm looking forward for the next book!
What a fantastic story, I was intrigued from the first pages! The story line is great, the characters lovable and the writing flawless!
Elisa is a complex and strong heroine!Connor is an interesting character, he is dominant,sexy and cocky!I enjoyed him a lot!I love their banter, they have a complicated relationship.
I loved this world and I find it brilliant!I'm looking forward for the next book!
November 16, 2025
Nothing could have prepared me for the excitement I felt reading about the Chicagoland second generation. Total. Book. Hangover!
Elisa is the only child born of two vampires and everyone is curious to know what secrets her impressive heritage might hold. But there is only one person, Connor, that knows her secret…not even her parents have a clue. Connor is the heir and son to the King of the USA werewolf packs.
After a time away, Elisa returns to Chicago as security for a European vampire. An assassination, of a diplomat, puts all the supernatural in Chicago at risk and reunites Elisa with her family, Connor and the life she left behind.
A Spin off series, of a beloved series, had me anxiously waiting its release. Heirs of Chicagoland was worth totally worht it. Fresh, exciting, a generous amount of humor and heartache, Neill doesn’t miss a beat keeping the reader clinging to every word.
I FLAT OUT LOVED IT. Loved how Neill balanced the humor, fantasy, crossovers and new and exciting into a world we couldn’t get enough of... but now its reinvented with a new amazing characters and circumstances.
P.S. I went back and re-read the entire Chicagoland Vampire series and then jumped to Wild Hunger once again because I clearly couldn't get enough of Neill's writing.
I received this ARC copy of Wild Hunger from Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest and voluntary review. Wild Hunger is set for publication August 14, 2018.
Elisa is the only child born of two vampires and everyone is curious to know what secrets her impressive heritage might hold. But there is only one person, Connor, that knows her secret…not even her parents have a clue. Connor is the heir and son to the King of the USA werewolf packs.
After a time away, Elisa returns to Chicago as security for a European vampire. An assassination, of a diplomat, puts all the supernatural in Chicago at risk and reunites Elisa with her family, Connor and the life she left behind.
A Spin off series, of a beloved series, had me anxiously waiting its release. Heirs of Chicagoland was worth totally worht it. Fresh, exciting, a generous amount of humor and heartache, Neill doesn’t miss a beat keeping the reader clinging to every word.
I FLAT OUT LOVED IT. Loved how Neill balanced the humor, fantasy, crossovers and new and exciting into a world we couldn’t get enough of... but now its reinvented with a new amazing characters and circumstances.
P.S. I went back and re-read the entire Chicagoland Vampire series and then jumped to Wild Hunger once again because I clearly couldn't get enough of Neill's writing.
I received this ARC copy of Wild Hunger from Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest and voluntary review. Wild Hunger is set for publication August 14, 2018.
April 27, 2017
O.M.F.G!!!!!! ♥♥♥
I just have finished Blade Bound and now I'm going crazy for this book to come out!
I already love Elisa and Connor together! They are been my otp since Gabriel told MeThan about a possible green eyed child on their future! Gabriel and Ethan as in laws! Can't wait to read it!
Ps: Pleaseee don't make a love triangle. #Elinnor ♡♡♡
I just have finished Blade Bound and now I'm going crazy for this book to come out!
I already love Elisa and Connor together! They are been my otp since Gabriel told MeThan about a possible green eyed child on their future! Gabriel and Ethan as in laws! Can't wait to read it!
Ps: Pleaseee don't make a love triangle. #Elinnor ♡♡♡
June 28, 2020
I was seriously afraid to start this series because how could it possibly be as good as its predecessor? That fear was a waste of time as it happens because holy shit! I love the new generation already. Every one of them! Each has its own thing going on but together they make a beautiful sight to behold.
I wasn't sure how much interaction we'd get with the old guard (and I voted for as much as possible) and I'm happy to let you know that if you're like me - you'll be pretty happy.
I'm very excited about getting to know Elisa, Connor, Lulu and their gang better.
Over and out
I wasn't sure how much interaction we'd get with the old guard (and I voted for as much as possible) and I'm happy to let you know that if you're like me - you'll be pretty happy.
I'm very excited about getting to know Elisa, Connor, Lulu and their gang better.
Over and out
July 25, 2018
When you are one of a kind, the world wants a piece of you, as a friend or a foe, but as the only vampire ever born, Elisa just wants to be herself and keep her secrets just that, secret. Only one person knows what she hides, and Connor, shifter prince and future King of his pack isn’t about to force her hand, even when a diplomat’s mysterious assassination could destroy the supernatural world of Chicago.
Chloe Neill hasn’t just brought back the intrigue of her Chicagoland Vampires with a spinoff of the new generation, she has built a strong foundation to what could prove to be even more exciting, more intense and more importantly, FRESH! It's time for change and Ms. Neill is bringing it on!
No worries fans, WILD HUNGER the first in the Heirs of Chicagoland series doesn’t’ miss a beat! The same “Neill” attitude is ringing through with a fresh spin, humor and heat! These characters will come alive, and their relationships will be “complicated” to say the least, because this generation is getting ready to take center stage in a world still filled with the conflict that only a melting pot of supernaturals and supernatural egos could create!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Berkley Publishing Group!
Series: Heirs of Chicagoland - Book 1
Publisher: Berkley (August 14, 2018)
Publication Date: August 14, 2018
Genre: Urban Fantasy | Romance
Print Length: 352 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Chloe Neill hasn’t just brought back the intrigue of her Chicagoland Vampires with a spinoff of the new generation, she has built a strong foundation to what could prove to be even more exciting, more intense and more importantly, FRESH! It's time for change and Ms. Neill is bringing it on!
No worries fans, WILD HUNGER the first in the Heirs of Chicagoland series doesn’t’ miss a beat! The same “Neill” attitude is ringing through with a fresh spin, humor and heat! These characters will come alive, and their relationships will be “complicated” to say the least, because this generation is getting ready to take center stage in a world still filled with the conflict that only a melting pot of supernaturals and supernatural egos could create!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Berkley Publishing Group!
Series: Heirs of Chicagoland - Book 1
Publisher: Berkley (August 14, 2018)
Publication Date: August 14, 2018
Genre: Urban Fantasy | Romance
Print Length: 352 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
August 14, 2018
With the beginning of a new spinoff series, Chloe Neill delights readers with the first book in the Heirs of Chicagoland series. WILD HUNGER features a new heroine, the daughter of Merit and Ethan, Elisa Sullivan. I found that I really enjoyed Elisa’s character. She was fierce but still relatable and the balance throughout the story was very well done. Because Neill has done such a good job with building this world with the original series, this series really doesn’t need to waste very much time explaining it. However, miraculously, I think the book would standalone well even if you didn’t read the Chicagoland Vampires.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought the pace of it moved along well, keeping my attention without ever slowing down. There’s a nice balance of action and humor, which reminds me very much of the original books.
I am also looking forward to what the romance will be in this new series. This was probably my favorite part of the book because there are so many possibilities! I’m hoping that at least one of my guesses will be right and I can see a nice romance bloom.
WILD HUNGER is a fantastic start to the Heirs of Chicagoland. With a heady hose of action and adventure, you won’t ever encounter a dull moment with Chloe Neill’s books.
June 27, 2018
*Thanks to NetGalley for this title that I read voluntarily in exchange for an honest review*
Merit and Ethan's story is over but that's totally fine because we get Elisa and Connor! I have to say that I may just like Connor more than Ethan... yeah I was surprised by this but I can't help but love me a sexy shifter. Eliza is trying to find who she is through most of this novel, having always been the daughter of two very famous vampires and the only born vampire to boot, it's not been easy on her to just be herself. So she goes off to Paris but when she gets back things sure have changed and the easy peace in Chicagoland maybe gone...
If you have read and enjoyed any of the books from the first series then you're going to love this. It's more of the same awesomeness that we've come to expect from this author. The writing keeps getting better with every single book that comes out. I will say that I thought we would see more of the characters from the other books but I'm sure we will in time. I just honestly want more of Connor.
Overall, this is going to be just as awesome as the first series and I can't wait to be here for the ride!
Merit and Ethan's story is over but that's totally fine because we get Elisa and Connor! I have to say that I may just like Connor more than Ethan... yeah I was surprised by this but I can't help but love me a sexy shifter. Eliza is trying to find who she is through most of this novel, having always been the daughter of two very famous vampires and the only born vampire to boot, it's not been easy on her to just be herself. So she goes off to Paris but when she gets back things sure have changed and the easy peace in Chicagoland maybe gone...
If you have read and enjoyed any of the books from the first series then you're going to love this. It's more of the same awesomeness that we've come to expect from this author. The writing keeps getting better with every single book that comes out. I will say that I thought we would see more of the characters from the other books but I'm sure we will in time. I just honestly want more of Connor.
Overall, this is going to be just as awesome as the first series and I can't wait to be here for the ride!
August 17, 2019
The next generation is here! This spin-off of the Chicagoland Vampires features the one and only Elisa. As the only born vampire, she is unique and treated differently. It is possible to read this book as a standalone. Reading the original series would help. Full disclosure, I have not read all the other books in the other series. I left it in a huff when Mallory went all crazy "dark Willow". I didn't like it and thought it came out of the blue. I digress. In this new series, it is literally featuring the son and daughters of the original powerhouse. The powerhouses are still here, in a supporting cast role. They will be needed as it seems this next generation has issues.
I like the new generation. Elisa is a responsible and conscientious daughter. As a possible heir to her father's House, she is a princess. This could make her a spoiled brat. She is not. She did her training in Paris, France to be treated the same as other young vampires. However, her apparently lack in age does not equate to a lesser power. She holds an extra oomph and she's afraid of it. This has trouble written all over it. Why children think they can hide something from responsible, caring, loving and supportive parents is beyond me. We do get to see a little bit of what is to come. Personally, I think it's awesome what Elisa has, but that is because I'm a jaded old woman uncaring of other people's opinions. When I was as young as Elisa, it would have mattered a lot to me.
Along with Elisa, Connor, son of the Pack Alpha makes his presence known. Connor is a hawt, sexy werewolf shifter with issues of his own. His are responsibilities to his pack. It shouldn't be a problem, but it is because Elisa messes with his priorities. He isn't expecting to be attracted to the snot-nosed little princess he remembers. To round out this supernatural triad is LuLu. She is the daughter of Mallory. As a witch from two very powerful magicians, one would think Lulu is a powerhouse too. But no, she complete cut of any magic use and ignores her full potential. Of the three, Lulu is the one I'm most disappointed in. I understand where she is coming from. However, her willful blindness to magic is going to be a major handicap and will only bring her grief. I'm already thinking of all the different scenarios of how she will be a liability. None of the permutations are looking good.
The conflict in this story is a long time coming. The Fae are back and what they want is fathomable if unachievable. When they attempt to do what they want, all hell breaks loose. The strong alliances between the American vampire houses and the shifters are strains. This flushes the European Vampires peace treaty talks down the drain with Elisa caught in the middle. The political intrigue in written heavy-handed. The players are not subtle in the Pack, Vampire house and especially not in the Fae. It is clear from the get-go who are the main threats. Although I have a sneaking suspicion there is a quieter vampire betrayer that will come in follow books, out of the blue. Just like how there was zero indication of Mallory going bad, just one day she went crazy. Not a fan of this writing style, but tends to be a trademark of Ms. Neill, coming out of the left-field with the unexpected. It will be exciting to see what happens. This new adult book is recommended to paranormal readers who enjoy seeing a new batch of supernaturals coming into their own.
I like the new generation. Elisa is a responsible and conscientious daughter. As a possible heir to her father's House, she is a princess. This could make her a spoiled brat. She is not. She did her training in Paris, France to be treated the same as other young vampires. However, her apparently lack in age does not equate to a lesser power. She holds an extra oomph and she's afraid of it. This has trouble written all over it. Why children think they can hide something from responsible, caring, loving and supportive parents is beyond me. We do get to see a little bit of what is to come. Personally, I think it's awesome what Elisa has, but that is because I'm a jaded old woman uncaring of other people's opinions. When I was as young as Elisa, it would have mattered a lot to me.
Along with Elisa, Connor, son of the Pack Alpha makes his presence known. Connor is a hawt, sexy werewolf shifter with issues of his own. His are responsibilities to his pack. It shouldn't be a problem, but it is because Elisa messes with his priorities. He isn't expecting to be attracted to the snot-nosed little princess he remembers. To round out this supernatural triad is LuLu. She is the daughter of Mallory. As a witch from two very powerful magicians, one would think Lulu is a powerhouse too. But no, she complete cut of any magic use and ignores her full potential. Of the three, Lulu is the one I'm most disappointed in. I understand where she is coming from. However, her willful blindness to magic is going to be a major handicap and will only bring her grief. I'm already thinking of all the different scenarios of how she will be a liability. None of the permutations are looking good.
The conflict in this story is a long time coming. The Fae are back and what they want is fathomable if unachievable. When they attempt to do what they want, all hell breaks loose. The strong alliances between the American vampire houses and the shifters are strains. This flushes the European Vampires peace treaty talks down the drain with Elisa caught in the middle. The political intrigue in written heavy-handed. The players are not subtle in the Pack, Vampire house and especially not in the Fae. It is clear from the get-go who are the main threats. Although I have a sneaking suspicion there is a quieter vampire betrayer that will come in follow books, out of the blue. Just like how there was zero indication of Mallory going bad, just one day she went crazy. Not a fan of this writing style, but tends to be a trademark of Ms. Neill, coming out of the left-field with the unexpected. It will be exciting to see what happens. This new adult book is recommended to paranormal readers who enjoy seeing a new batch of supernaturals coming into their own.
September 3, 2018
Wild Hunger is the first book in Chloe Neill's new Heirs of Chicagoland series, a spin off from her popular Chicagoland Vampires books but set 20 years in the future and staring the next generation. While I do think you could start here if you've not read the previous books you will pick up spoilers for the original series and since I love the books so much I'd definitely recommend starting at the beginning and working up to the spin off.
This story is narrated by Elisa Sullivan, daughter of Merit and Ethan, and the only ever born vampire so Elisa's life has always been watched closely by the vampires of Chicago. As much as she loves her family she has spent the last 4 years living in Paris to get away from the spotlight and the only reason she is returning to Chicago now is to help run security for peace talks between the European vampires that Cadogan and the other Chicago vampires are hosting. Elisa is keeping big secrets from her parents about the magic she was born with and how much she struggles to control it. The only person who knows her secret is her childhood nemesis Connor (wolf shifter and son of Gabriel Keene, Apex of the North American Central Pack) and that's only because he's seen first hand the damage she can do if she loses control. When an assassination threatens to bring the peace talks crashing down it is up to Elisa and Connor to figure out what is really going on but they're going to have to put aside their childhood animosity to do it.
I love it when authors put a fresh spin on much loved series so I was really looking forward to this spin off and it was just as much fun as I hoped it would be. It was nice being able to dive back into a familiar world and see a few of the old faces but it was also great to get to know the next generation and see the story go in a new direction. Elisa was great, it was a little frustrating that she wouldn't ask for help with her magic but I could understand her desire to stand on her own two feet and I liked her independent streak. She has a pretty good relationship with her parents but I was glad that they didn't have a huge role to play because this should be Elisa's story not a continuation of Merit's. Connor was a fun character too and I enjoyed the way they teased each other constantly, they grew up together and at times they still bicker like the children they once were but you can tell there's a nice amount of chemistry bubbling along under the surface so I've got high hopes on the romance front.
Alongside Elisa and Connor we also get to meet Mallory and Catcher's daughter Lulu and I loved the friendship between her and Elisa. Lulu is afraid of becoming addicted to dark magic like her mother did so she's refusing to use her powers at all and instead focuses on her art but she still steps up to help when Elisa needs her. There are plenty of other characters introduced, particularly from the NAC Pack, who I think will have a larger role as the series continues and I'm also very curious to find out whether we'll see more of the vampire house that Elisa had been living with in France.
Wild Hunger was a great start to the series and I'll be preordering the next book just like I did with the original series.
This story is narrated by Elisa Sullivan, daughter of Merit and Ethan, and the only ever born vampire so Elisa's life has always been watched closely by the vampires of Chicago. As much as she loves her family she has spent the last 4 years living in Paris to get away from the spotlight and the only reason she is returning to Chicago now is to help run security for peace talks between the European vampires that Cadogan and the other Chicago vampires are hosting. Elisa is keeping big secrets from her parents about the magic she was born with and how much she struggles to control it. The only person who knows her secret is her childhood nemesis Connor (wolf shifter and son of Gabriel Keene, Apex of the North American Central Pack) and that's only because he's seen first hand the damage she can do if she loses control. When an assassination threatens to bring the peace talks crashing down it is up to Elisa and Connor to figure out what is really going on but they're going to have to put aside their childhood animosity to do it.
I love it when authors put a fresh spin on much loved series so I was really looking forward to this spin off and it was just as much fun as I hoped it would be. It was nice being able to dive back into a familiar world and see a few of the old faces but it was also great to get to know the next generation and see the story go in a new direction. Elisa was great, it was a little frustrating that she wouldn't ask for help with her magic but I could understand her desire to stand on her own two feet and I liked her independent streak. She has a pretty good relationship with her parents but I was glad that they didn't have a huge role to play because this should be Elisa's story not a continuation of Merit's. Connor was a fun character too and I enjoyed the way they teased each other constantly, they grew up together and at times they still bicker like the children they once were but you can tell there's a nice amount of chemistry bubbling along under the surface so I've got high hopes on the romance front.
Alongside Elisa and Connor we also get to meet Mallory and Catcher's daughter Lulu and I loved the friendship between her and Elisa. Lulu is afraid of becoming addicted to dark magic like her mother did so she's refusing to use her powers at all and instead focuses on her art but she still steps up to help when Elisa needs her. There are plenty of other characters introduced, particularly from the NAC Pack, who I think will have a larger role as the series continues and I'm also very curious to find out whether we'll see more of the vampire house that Elisa had been living with in France.
Wild Hunger was a great start to the series and I'll be preordering the next book just like I did with the original series.
May 25, 2021
Over 13 novels, the "Chicagoland Vampires" series kept getting better and better and "Heirs of Chicagoland" is on the same path. The original series grew from primarily entertaining to complex and creative, and the spin-off shows even more development and forethought. Put together, these two series have such satisfying continuity and planning that I wish existed in more series. Chloe Neill has definitely gained my trust as an author.
Neill did a fantastic job portraying a world 20+ years in the future (2040-ish). We see enough social progress and new technology to convey that society has advanced but by a realistic amount. Also, the "Chicagoland Vampires" characters haven't just been sitting around, they've moved on with their lives: Malik became a Master, Mallory and Catcher moved west, Luc is Second and Kelley is the new guard captain, and the humans in public office have changed.
In addition, this series has a (slightly) more diverse cast of characters. Is there room for improvement in terms of representation? Absolutely. But I also feel that the author is conscious of this and of what she can write authentically and has consistently done a good job of addressing race (which is not often the case in vampire novels). Over the two series, these books show more and more self- and social awareness.
In retrospect, I have so much appreciation for all of the groundwork Neill surreptitiously did preparing for this series in previous novellas and novels. For example, hinting at Cadogan's contract with the city in Slaying It. Or how, after often having to act as Master of Cadogan and handling House paperwork, of course Malik went on to have his own House. Or all of the shifter drama - but that's better saved for a different review. I'm very interested to see how Elisa and Connor's relationship develops, especially because Connor's aunt had to abdicate her claim as Pack Apex because she married a different shifter type. But Fallon does get the props she deserves in this book, at least a little.
Anyway, great read. Definitely recommend reading "Chicagoland Vampires" first.
Neill did a fantastic job portraying a world 20+ years in the future (2040-ish). We see enough social progress and new technology to convey that society has advanced but by a realistic amount. Also, the "Chicagoland Vampires" characters haven't just been sitting around, they've moved on with their lives: Malik became a Master, Mallory and Catcher moved west, Luc is Second and Kelley is the new guard captain, and the humans in public office have changed.
In addition, this series has a (slightly) more diverse cast of characters. Is there room for improvement in terms of representation? Absolutely. But I also feel that the author is conscious of this and of what she can write authentically and has consistently done a good job of addressing race (which is not often the case in vampire novels). Over the two series, these books show more and more self- and social awareness.
In retrospect, I have so much appreciation for all of the groundwork Neill surreptitiously did preparing for this series in previous novellas and novels. For example, hinting at Cadogan's contract with the city in Slaying It. Or how, after often having to act as Master of Cadogan and handling House paperwork, of course Malik went on to have his own House. Or all of the shifter drama - but that's better saved for a different review. I'm very interested to see how Elisa and Connor's relationship develops, especially because Connor's aunt had to abdicate her claim as Pack Apex because she married a different shifter type. But Fallon does get the props she deserves in this book, at least a little.
Anyway, great read. Definitely recommend reading "Chicagoland Vampires" first.
August 7, 2018
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Heirs of Chicagoland series is here! I am not sure I had any specific expectation. It was comfortable to be back in world of Chicagoland Vampires . The setting is 20-odd years later. Elisa is the voice and our view to the world now. I think you could read this without reading the other series. I'm OCD so I wouldn't but the mentions of well-known characters are brief. A few jokes might go over your head as they are idiosyncrasies of those characters but the story itself is not affected, just the level of humor you might find here.
Elisa is young, a new adult, learning her life and place in the world. So is Connor Keene. We don't get as much insight into Connor though. Wild Hunger is more of an adventure than a romance, which is typical in an urban fantasy series. There's a good groundwork here for the future in this world. The characters like Lulu Bell, Miranda, Tanya, Riley Sixkiller and more are presented with more development hopefully to follow.
It was a bit odd to have Elisa involved in the investigation as Merit would have done in the past. The Ombudsman office has changed, although Chuck is alive but retired, we meet some of the new players. I'm not sure of them yet. So Elisa doesn't have the familial connection plus Cadogan House agreed to stay out of investigations. She's also been away at school and doesn't know the players so it's odd she was included so rapidly.
It's a fun tale with quick updates on old friends and introductions of the new gang forming. I'll be looking forward to what is next.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Heirs of Chicagoland series is here! I am not sure I had any specific expectation. It was comfortable to be back in world of Chicagoland Vampires . The setting is 20-odd years later. Elisa is the voice and our view to the world now. I think you could read this without reading the other series. I'm OCD so I wouldn't but the mentions of well-known characters are brief. A few jokes might go over your head as they are idiosyncrasies of those characters but the story itself is not affected, just the level of humor you might find here.
Elisa is young, a new adult, learning her life and place in the world. So is Connor Keene. We don't get as much insight into Connor though. Wild Hunger is more of an adventure than a romance, which is typical in an urban fantasy series. There's a good groundwork here for the future in this world. The characters like Lulu Bell, Miranda, Tanya, Riley Sixkiller and more are presented with more development hopefully to follow.
It was a bit odd to have Elisa involved in the investigation as Merit would have done in the past. The Ombudsman office has changed, although Chuck is alive but retired, we meet some of the new players. I'm not sure of them yet. So Elisa doesn't have the familial connection plus Cadogan House agreed to stay out of investigations. She's also been away at school and doesn't know the players so it's odd she was included so rapidly.
It's a fun tale with quick updates on old friends and introductions of the new gang forming. I'll be looking forward to what is next.
August 13, 2018
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Wild Hunger is the first installment in author Chloe Neill's Heirs of Chicagoland spin-off series. For those who haven't yet read the book, let me summarize as best as I can without any spoilers. First, this story picks up 23 years after the finale of Blade Bound. Alas, there is also a novella called Slaying It that you can also read before picking up this new series, but I don't think it's actually necessary. I've read where reviewers are calling the novella a bridge between the series.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Wild Hunger is the first installment in author Chloe Neill's Heirs of Chicagoland spin-off series. For those who haven't yet read the book, let me summarize as best as I can without any spoilers. First, this story picks up 23 years after the finale of Blade Bound. Alas, there is also a novella called Slaying It that you can also read before picking up this new series, but I don't think it's actually necessary. I've read where reviewers are calling the novella a bridge between the series.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
May 7, 2020
zzzzz
November 20, 2018
Great start to a new series. Looking forward to the second book to release in 2019.
September 24, 2018
I loved getting to know the kids of such beloved characters. Elisa is a happy mix of Ethan and Merit. I love where I hope Chloe Neil is going with this story. Lulu, the daughter of Catcher and Mallory is quirky and struggles to ignore the magic since she chooses not to practice magic. Conner is of course a sexy shifter who is arrogant but also caring and it was a slow burn through the whole book with the chemistry between Elisa and Conner.
I love this Chicagoland world so I was so excited that this spin off was happening. Can’t wait until the next one!
I love this Chicagoland world so I was so excited that this spin off was happening. Can’t wait until the next one!
October 15, 2018
I am such a huge fan of Chicagoland and have been salivating for this spinoff. Overall, I was a little let down. It felt like so much of the backstory between Elisa and Conner was missing, therefore I had little connection to their supposed chemistry. I'm not giving up yet and hope the next installment is better.
* I would not recommend starting this series unless you've read Chicagoland.
* I would not recommend starting this series unless you've read Chicagoland.
September 24, 2024
Audible 9/2024
I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads
4 Stars
Wild Hunger is the first installment in the Heirs of Chicagoland series. However, I must inform Chloe Neill’s new readers that it is a spin-off of the Chicagoland Vampire series, which is narrated by the heroine of Wild Hunger’s mother.
Do I believe the spin-off could be read without confusion by new readers? Absolutely. But I may not be the best judge since I know the original series like the back of my hand. I do believe the emotional payoff would be much more for the reader if they read the original series first.
I’ve been waiting not-so patiently for this spin-off, eager and intrigued to see what Neill would deliver when it came to Darth Sullivan and Merit’s daughter. Elisa is everything I wanted and more. Logical. Pragmatic. Compassionate. Empathic. Elisa is a perfect mix of her coldly efficient father and her emotionally driven mother.
Now, this is where I believe it best to have the foreknowledge from the original series. The worldbuilding is explained, but not in an info-dump that would bore and distract readers who already know the what/where/why/when/how. I appreciated how thin it was on giving a rundown on previous events, which means new readers won’t suffer from too much information all at once. However, will new readers need more information? I have no idea.
Elisa is struggling with something not quite integrated inside her, similar to how her mother fought her inner vampire many books ago. This added levels of angst and fear, connecting the reader to Elisa in a human way.
Connor.
We’ve been waiting for Elisa and Connor since Gabriel showed Merit the prophesy. While this had readers dying to see how it would go down, the anticipation perhaps made me expect too much. While Elisa resonated with me, Lulu was Mallory 2.0, Connor was a smoking hot, broody, smug wolf wearing leather and a motorcycle helmet, they weren’t Merit, Mallory, or Darth Sullivan… they were original, but the nail-biting will they, won’t they, what happens next sensation didn’t inundate me while reading.
I’ve read Some Girls Bite at least 15 times, and the plethora of emotions the book sparks in me can’t be compared. The first handful of The Chicagoland Vampires is by far my favorite in the Urban Fantasy genre. Which begs the question, will I reread Wild Hunger? Probably not.
What was missing for me is the newness feeling of a brand-new series, where the reader learns beside the narrator. Elisa is the first of her kind, with a lot to learn about herself, while taking the reader along for the ride, and I hope more of Elisa’s growth is shown in subsequent installments, because I feel the fae plot overshadowed the reader getting to know our heroine.
I appreciate that these characters are the next generation, the spin-off is a series in its own right, and I tried hard not to judge the books and characters against one another. I was excited to read it, and I am left wanting more, yearning to read the next in the series. However, I didn’t experience that gut-punch sensation, the need to know what happens next, or the secondhand embarrassment I consistently felt for Merit, which made those initial books dig their hooks into me so deeply.
Vampire politics and reemerging fae are the conflict of the storyline, which is fast-paced action and suspense. There’s underlying romance between Elisa and Connor. I’m a sucker for angsty slow-burn, so I’m going to make a very odd request. Elisa is a vampire. I don’t need between-the-sheets action, but someone should sink fangs at some point for the titillation factor… they’re Cadogan vamps, just saying.
I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads
4 Stars
Wild Hunger is the first installment in the Heirs of Chicagoland series. However, I must inform Chloe Neill’s new readers that it is a spin-off of the Chicagoland Vampire series, which is narrated by the heroine of Wild Hunger’s mother.
Do I believe the spin-off could be read without confusion by new readers? Absolutely. But I may not be the best judge since I know the original series like the back of my hand. I do believe the emotional payoff would be much more for the reader if they read the original series first.
I’ve been waiting not-so patiently for this spin-off, eager and intrigued to see what Neill would deliver when it came to Darth Sullivan and Merit’s daughter. Elisa is everything I wanted and more. Logical. Pragmatic. Compassionate. Empathic. Elisa is a perfect mix of her coldly efficient father and her emotionally driven mother.
Now, this is where I believe it best to have the foreknowledge from the original series. The worldbuilding is explained, but not in an info-dump that would bore and distract readers who already know the what/where/why/when/how. I appreciated how thin it was on giving a rundown on previous events, which means new readers won’t suffer from too much information all at once. However, will new readers need more information? I have no idea.
Elisa is struggling with something not quite integrated inside her, similar to how her mother fought her inner vampire many books ago. This added levels of angst and fear, connecting the reader to Elisa in a human way.
Connor.
We’ve been waiting for Elisa and Connor since Gabriel showed Merit the prophesy. While this had readers dying to see how it would go down, the anticipation perhaps made me expect too much. While Elisa resonated with me, Lulu was Mallory 2.0, Connor was a smoking hot, broody, smug wolf wearing leather and a motorcycle helmet, they weren’t Merit, Mallory, or Darth Sullivan… they were original, but the nail-biting will they, won’t they, what happens next sensation didn’t inundate me while reading.
I’ve read Some Girls Bite at least 15 times, and the plethora of emotions the book sparks in me can’t be compared. The first handful of The Chicagoland Vampires is by far my favorite in the Urban Fantasy genre. Which begs the question, will I reread Wild Hunger? Probably not.
What was missing for me is the newness feeling of a brand-new series, where the reader learns beside the narrator. Elisa is the first of her kind, with a lot to learn about herself, while taking the reader along for the ride, and I hope more of Elisa’s growth is shown in subsequent installments, because I feel the fae plot overshadowed the reader getting to know our heroine.
I appreciate that these characters are the next generation, the spin-off is a series in its own right, and I tried hard not to judge the books and characters against one another. I was excited to read it, and I am left wanting more, yearning to read the next in the series. However, I didn’t experience that gut-punch sensation, the need to know what happens next, or the secondhand embarrassment I consistently felt for Merit, which made those initial books dig their hooks into me so deeply.
Vampire politics and reemerging fae are the conflict of the storyline, which is fast-paced action and suspense. There’s underlying romance between Elisa and Connor. I’m a sucker for angsty slow-burn, so I’m going to make a very odd request. Elisa is a vampire. I don’t need between-the-sheets action, but someone should sink fangs at some point for the titillation factor… they’re Cadogan vamps, just saying.
April 25, 2018
4.5 stars if I wanna be technical, lol.
I was expecting to just 'like' this book, especially since I hadn't started the Chicagoland Vampires yet, but I loved it! Reading the other series first could have helped, but there's enough that you can jump right into this one without being lost.
There were very few, very tiny typos, like leaving out a "to" or "it" and there were only 2 or 3 of them, but the book doesn't release until August, so no biggie.
On the other hand, THE BOOK DOESN'T COME OUT UNTIL AUGUST and now it will be that much of a longer wait for the sequel. In the meantime, I'll just mosey on over to my kindle and start everything else Chloe Neill has written that's been chillaxing on my Kindle for a couple years. (Though we'll see if I like it as much, since Ethan was just kind of there, but Merit struck me as... weird).
There was nothing outright complicated about the worldbuilding, but the mix of real world politics (like the delegates and peace talks) with Fairy/Vampire/Shifter agendas was fun.
Some of the fairy dialogue was stilted in a way that came off a little corny, but it wasn't a big deal, and didn't detract from the enjoyability of the book for me. There were some problems with pacing in the middle, but if Im being quite honest, it could have because I wanted to skip all of the intrigue and get to the romance! I'm shameless in that way. There was no insta-love, for which I'm eternally grateful, and the hint of what's to come between our two MCs that we got in the last chapter and epilogue? Yes please!
I will say, that the romantic interludes, though brief, were a smidge awkward, but it works because Connor and Elisa are awkwardly trying to maneuver around developing feelings between lifelong frenemies in the middle of all hell breaking loose across the city of Chicago and disaster being wrought between shifters, vampires, fairies, humans, and their respective politics.
The way Connor responded to the secret she's hiding from literally everyone else was also swoon worthy, and double thumbs up for the fact that even though their feelings appear to be drastically changing towards each other, they stay true to their sarcastic and snarky selves.
It's a great blend of PNR and Urban Fantasy, with some great one-liners. My favorite was Lis's internal description about what she suspected was powering Lulu's "car".
All in all, it's refreshingly different from the paranormal romance I usually read. Not drastically, just in little subtle ways that ensure it doesn't feel like every other PNR I've read, and some days I feel like I've read ALL the good ones already.
I was expecting to just 'like' this book, especially since I hadn't started the Chicagoland Vampires yet, but I loved it! Reading the other series first could have helped, but there's enough that you can jump right into this one without being lost.
There were very few, very tiny typos, like leaving out a "to" or "it" and there were only 2 or 3 of them, but the book doesn't release until August, so no biggie.
On the other hand, THE BOOK DOESN'T COME OUT UNTIL AUGUST and now it will be that much of a longer wait for the sequel. In the meantime, I'll just mosey on over to my kindle and start everything else Chloe Neill has written that's been chillaxing on my Kindle for a couple years. (Though we'll see if I like it as much, since Ethan was just kind of there, but Merit struck me as... weird).
There was nothing outright complicated about the worldbuilding, but the mix of real world politics (like the delegates and peace talks) with Fairy/Vampire/Shifter agendas was fun.
Some of the fairy dialogue was stilted in a way that came off a little corny, but it wasn't a big deal, and didn't detract from the enjoyability of the book for me. There were some problems with pacing in the middle, but if Im being quite honest, it could have because I wanted to skip all of the intrigue and get to the romance! I'm shameless in that way. There was no insta-love, for which I'm eternally grateful, and the hint of what's to come between our two MCs that we got in the last chapter and epilogue? Yes please!
I will say, that the romantic interludes, though brief, were a smidge awkward, but it works because Connor and Elisa are awkwardly trying to maneuver around developing feelings between lifelong frenemies in the middle of all hell breaking loose across the city of Chicago and disaster being wrought between shifters, vampires, fairies, humans, and their respective politics.
The way Connor responded to the secret she's hiding from literally everyone else was also swoon worthy, and double thumbs up for the fact that even though their feelings appear to be drastically changing towards each other, they stay true to their sarcastic and snarky selves.
It's a great blend of PNR and Urban Fantasy, with some great one-liners. My favorite was Lis's internal description about what she suspected was powering Lulu's "car".
All in all, it's refreshingly different from the paranormal romance I usually read. Not drastically, just in little subtle ways that ensure it doesn't feel like every other PNR I've read, and some days I feel like I've read ALL the good ones already.
August 21, 2018
I have only read one Chicagoland book, but I did feel like it did not matter. This is after all 20 years? 23? years after those finished. Sure they talk about things from the past, but it is the present that matters.
Elisa is the daughter of two vampires. But vampires can not have children...Magical stuff happened and she was born, with something lurking in her soul. Ok so the thing inside of her was a secret and I found that silly. Her parents saved the city in 13 books, but she can not tell them this huge thing..ok. Instead she ran away to Paris (but hey who wouldn't run away to Paris!)
Now she is back with French vamps so that Europe can have peace, just like Chicago. But drama! Someone does not like that idea. Murder and mayhem ensured.
She meets her BFF again.
She meets her childhood nemesis, hunky wereprince Connor.
She meets this cool guy who she decides at once is perfect friend material.
And of course there are her parents (but to be fear, I only read 3 of their books so I did not get the feels) Others will def get all the feels.
I did like Elisa, and she was kick-ass, but the same time not. I am not saying every heroine has to be kickass, but they have to have a brain, and I felt she was saved way too often. All because she never stopped to think. Reckless is not cool. And it's not like oh she is young, other people that are young saves her ass. I hope she shapes up and does not have to be saved by men all the time.
I did enjoy the tale and I liked the baddie. But yes I hope Elisa grows a brain.
Narrator
Her vice sounded so familiar, but no, I have not listened to her before. It so bothered me. It felt like I had listened to many of her books before. But hey, that must be a good thing. If you are at ease with the narrator at once.
Elisa is the daughter of two vampires. But vampires can not have children...Magical stuff happened and she was born, with something lurking in her soul. Ok so the thing inside of her was a secret and I found that silly. Her parents saved the city in 13 books, but she can not tell them this huge thing..ok. Instead she ran away to Paris (but hey who wouldn't run away to Paris!)
Now she is back with French vamps so that Europe can have peace, just like Chicago. But drama! Someone does not like that idea. Murder and mayhem ensured.
She meets her BFF again.
She meets her childhood nemesis, hunky wereprince Connor.
She meets this cool guy who she decides at once is perfect friend material.
And of course there are her parents (but to be fear, I only read 3 of their books so I did not get the feels) Others will def get all the feels.
I did like Elisa, and she was kick-ass, but the same time not. I am not saying every heroine has to be kickass, but they have to have a brain, and I felt she was saved way too often. All because she never stopped to think. Reckless is not cool. And it's not like oh she is young, other people that are young saves her ass. I hope she shapes up and does not have to be saved by men all the time.
I did enjoy the tale and I liked the baddie. But yes I hope Elisa grows a brain.
Narrator
Her vice sounded so familiar, but no, I have not listened to her before. It so bothered me. It felt like I had listened to many of her books before. But hey, that must be a good thing. If you are at ease with the narrator at once.
April 26, 2018
I was excited about this spin-off series, but also a little nervous wondering if Elisa and Connor could live up to what I loved about Ethan and Merit's series. I have to say, the author did a fantastic job of giving you just enough to understand the dynamics from the Chicagoland Vampire series but make this one stand on it's own. But more importantly, we got a grown-up Elise Sullivan (who is the perfect combination of her parents), Lulu Bell and Conner Keene who completely owned this book.
I loved Elise. She was the perfect mixture of her parents and there were many times where I sat there thinking "yep, that's totally something your mother/father would do." But I was awed by her struggle to find her place and how both she and Lulu kinda rebeled against who their parents are. That endeared her to me more. Yes, she jumped into things (very much her mother's daughter) but it was with a sense of righting a wrong and twisting the rules so she could (very much her father's daughter).
The developing relationship with Connor has me intrigued. It left me wondering if Gabriel had seen his son with Elise way back when he had his vision of Ethan and Merit's daughter. And I'm now left puzzling what obstacles these two are going to have to fight in order to get their HEA.
If you enjoyed the Chicagoland Vampire series, Heirs is a must read. There are a few players that cross-over from the previous series, but it stands on it's own with the same fast-paced action, humor and angstiness that readers are used to.
I loved Elise. She was the perfect mixture of her parents and there were many times where I sat there thinking "yep, that's totally something your mother/father would do." But I was awed by her struggle to find her place and how both she and Lulu kinda rebeled against who their parents are. That endeared her to me more. Yes, she jumped into things (very much her mother's daughter) but it was with a sense of righting a wrong and twisting the rules so she could (very much her father's daughter).
The developing relationship with Connor has me intrigued. It left me wondering if Gabriel had seen his son with Elise way back when he had his vision of Ethan and Merit's daughter. And I'm now left puzzling what obstacles these two are going to have to fight in order to get their HEA.
If you enjoyed the Chicagoland Vampire series, Heirs is a must read. There are a few players that cross-over from the previous series, but it stands on it's own with the same fast-paced action, humor and angstiness that readers are used to.
July 29, 2018
3.5 stars. Not bad, and Neill has improved as an author over the years. The storyline is the same old same old. Chicago is in magical danger, and Merit...oops, I mean daughter Elise must solve the mystery and save the day for Cadogon House and all the supes in the city. Since most of the characters are immortal or near immortal; it’s basically the same cast of characters along with the next generation of clones.
If you liked CLV, you’ll like this. If you liked Merit, you’ll like Elise...mainly because it is pretty much the same character with a new name. Well, there is the . Oh, and this time Ethan is Gabe’s son, a shifter named Connor, so slight change there.
If you liked CLV, you’ll like this. If you liked Merit, you’ll like Elise...mainly because it is pretty much the same character with a new name. Well, there is the . Oh, and this time Ethan is Gabe’s son, a shifter named Connor, so slight change there.
July 9, 2018
This was my first outing with Chloe Neill, but I think it will not be the last. I really enjoyed the start of this new urban fantasy series. It is a spin off from another series, but I can attest that you do not need to have read that series to follow what is going on in this one just fine. There was some structural and pacing weirdness in the beginning, but it picked up and I am excited to see where the series goes.
did-not-finish
March 16, 2024DNF at 17%. I appreciate the peace talks but I'm so bored. She goes on and on with world building and facts about what has happened in the past.
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