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Heirs of Chicagoland #4
Devouring Darkness
In the newest installment of the USA Today bestselling Heirs of Chicagoland series, vampire Elisa Sullivan unearths an ancient grudge, with potentially devastating consequences.
As the only vampire ever born, and the daughter of two very powerful Chicago vampires, Elisa Sullivan knew her life was going to be . . . unusual. But she wanted to make her own way in the world, preferably away from her famous family. Then supernatural politics—and perhaps a bit of destiny—intervened, and Elisa had to steady her nerves and sharpen her steel to fight for the city of Chicago. Luckily, Connor Keene, son of the North American Central Pack's Apex wolf, is right by her side.
When Elisa and her Ombudsman colleagues agree to escort a vulnerable supernatural to Chicago, they inadvertently set in motion a scheme of long-awaited magical vengeance. The city may pay an arcane price it can't afford unless Elisa and her allies rise to the challenge.
Contains mature themes.
As the only vampire ever born, and the daughter of two very powerful Chicago vampires, Elisa Sullivan knew her life was going to be . . . unusual. But she wanted to make her own way in the world, preferably away from her famous family. Then supernatural politics—and perhaps a bit of destiny—intervened, and Elisa had to steady her nerves and sharpen her steel to fight for the city of Chicago. Luckily, Connor Keene, son of the North American Central Pack's Apex wolf, is right by her side.
When Elisa and her Ombudsman colleagues agree to escort a vulnerable supernatural to Chicago, they inadvertently set in motion a scheme of long-awaited magical vengeance. The city may pay an arcane price it can't afford unless Elisa and her allies rise to the challenge.
Contains mature themes.
308 pages, Hardcover
First published September 20, 2022
174 people are currently reading
1159 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 163 reviews
May 28, 2022
3.5 stars
My emotional investment in the “demon attacking Chicago” storyline was underwhelming until the halfway point, when the stakes suddenly became personal and interesting. As usual: I like the Elisa/Connor ship a lot; their romantic relationship is settled/conflict-free in this installment. I have a feeling that won’t last considering Elisa’s inner monster issue is still unaddressed. I’m also nervous about how they’re going to resolve the mortal/immortal issue — I know Connor is cool with it, but the difference makes me legit anxious. I’m hoping that Elisa becomes mortal; immortality seems kinda sad if all your friends die off.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
My emotional investment in the “demon attacking Chicago” storyline was underwhelming until the halfway point, when the stakes suddenly became personal and interesting. As usual: I like the Elisa/Connor ship a lot; their romantic relationship is settled/conflict-free in this installment. I have a feeling that won’t last considering Elisa’s inner monster issue is still unaddressed. I’m also nervous about how they’re going to resolve the mortal/immortal issue — I know Connor is cool with it, but the difference makes me legit anxious. I’m hoping that Elisa becomes mortal; immortality seems kinda sad if all your friends die off.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2022
While each story in the Heir of Chicagoland series features a case to be solved, I truly recommend beginning with book one, Wild Hunger. The overall series arc, friendships, and of course the romance are best served fresh from the beginning. At the time of writing this review, one more installment was contracted with the publisher.
The story starts off slowly as Elisa Sullivan and her Ombudsman partner are asked to rescue an informant who has been compromised. All goes well until they are attacked. We and the Ombudsman have little information after the attack, but a part of Chicago was destroyed. The young woman they rescued is missing and her partner has been injured. We muddle through picking up clues and face another attack where the villain is revealed. On the third attack, things really pick up and I found myself completely invested. In fact, from the fifty percent mark, I could not set this one down.
I love each of the heirs individually and throughout the series we’ve gotten to know them and witness growth, bonding and seeing them work as a team. Their friendship and alliances have proven how well they work together, and in Devouring Darkness, they truly must not only work together, but trust each other. Threats to the shifters increase the pressure as does a slight rifle with the fae. I loved seeing Elisa bring her A game.
The romance between Connor and Elisa continues to strengthen and we some significant development. And Lulu… oh my, that girl really comes into her own and shines in this one. LOL.
I thought the storyline was well done, as it kept me on the edge of my seat. We see a solid, unrushed conclusion before getting hints of things to come. Neill left me excited about the next book.
Fans of the Chicagoland Vampires, urban fantasy and paranormal romances will want to add Devouring Darkness and the Heir of Chicagoland to their bookshelves. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
The story starts off slowly as Elisa Sullivan and her Ombudsman partner are asked to rescue an informant who has been compromised. All goes well until they are attacked. We and the Ombudsman have little information after the attack, but a part of Chicago was destroyed. The young woman they rescued is missing and her partner has been injured. We muddle through picking up clues and face another attack where the villain is revealed. On the third attack, things really pick up and I found myself completely invested. In fact, from the fifty percent mark, I could not set this one down.
I love each of the heirs individually and throughout the series we’ve gotten to know them and witness growth, bonding and seeing them work as a team. Their friendship and alliances have proven how well they work together, and in Devouring Darkness, they truly must not only work together, but trust each other. Threats to the shifters increase the pressure as does a slight rifle with the fae. I loved seeing Elisa bring her A game.
The romance between Connor and Elisa continues to strengthen and we some significant development. And Lulu… oh my, that girl really comes into her own and shines in this one. LOL.
I thought the storyline was well done, as it kept me on the edge of my seat. We see a solid, unrushed conclusion before getting hints of things to come. Neill left me excited about the next book.
Fans of the Chicagoland Vampires, urban fantasy and paranormal romances will want to add Devouring Darkness and the Heir of Chicagoland to their bookshelves. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
April 20, 2023
This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books
Cocktails and Books received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of our review.A demon is loose in Chicago, wreaking havoc wherever she goes. At the same time, NAC has their handful with some pack members not happy with the current state. Dueling priorities mean Elisa and Connor have to split their focus as they try to protect their city with the help of their friends.
I've genuinely been enjoying this series, but I never thought there would come a point where Connor and Elisa would surpass Merit and Ethan....until this book. Ethan and Merit were placed on this pedestal of the perfect couple, in my opinion, because of all they went through. The struggles, the fights, the friendship, and finally their romance. It wasn't easy for them, but they figured it out. I wasn't sure what to expect with Elisa and Connor, from the two toddlers fighting in the epilogue in Blade Bound to the adults in Devouring Darkness. But as I finished this book, I realized that Connor and Elisa are so much more than their parents.
What I love about Elisa and Connor is their support and understanding of the other. They know who the other is and they never try to stand in the way of doing what they must. They worry, but they constantly support. They know the good, the bad, and the ugly about each other and none of that matters. Ethan may have learned to do all of this for Merit, it's almost instinctual with Connor and it's why I think they've surpassed Elisa's parents.
As always, our hero/heroine save the day, but the ending of the book (plus the epilogue) shows there's at least one more story for this series. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE....let there be one more story. I need a complete ending for Connor and Elisa. So...just one more...PLEASE!
Cocktails and Books received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of our review.A demon is loose in Chicago, wreaking havoc wherever she goes. At the same time, NAC has their handful with some pack members not happy with the current state. Dueling priorities mean Elisa and Connor have to split their focus as they try to protect their city with the help of their friends.
I've genuinely been enjoying this series, but I never thought there would come a point where Connor and Elisa would surpass Merit and Ethan....until this book. Ethan and Merit were placed on this pedestal of the perfect couple, in my opinion, because of all they went through. The struggles, the fights, the friendship, and finally their romance. It wasn't easy for them, but they figured it out. I wasn't sure what to expect with Elisa and Connor, from the two toddlers fighting in the epilogue in Blade Bound to the adults in Devouring Darkness. But as I finished this book, I realized that Connor and Elisa are so much more than their parents.
What I love about Elisa and Connor is their support and understanding of the other. They know who the other is and they never try to stand in the way of doing what they must. They worry, but they constantly support. They know the good, the bad, and the ugly about each other and none of that matters. Ethan may have learned to do all of this for Merit, it's almost instinctual with Connor and it's why I think they've surpassed Elisa's parents.
As always, our hero/heroine save the day, but the ending of the book (plus the epilogue) shows there's at least one more story for this series. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE....let there be one more story. I need a complete ending for Connor and Elisa. So...just one more...PLEASE!
November 21, 2022
Read this review on
Fresh Fiction
DEVOURING DARKNESS is book four in the Heirs of Chicagoland series and this time, Elisa has her hands full when she gets involved with a troubled sorceresses. The stakes are high if she can’t quickly get a handle on things, but luckily, she has someone like Connor to help her navigate through the supernatural streets of Chicago.
Chloe Neill keeps things pretty light with this book. The banter and flirtation has always been one of my favorite things about her writing and although there’s a lot of action and suspense throughout the novel, I feel like these little parts make the book for me. Neill does a good job of balancing the romance and action, so there’s enough of both to satisfy any reader.
If you haven’t read this series yet, I would definitely suggest reading the original Chicagoland series first, but you’ll have plenty to look forward to with this series that follows Ethan and Merit’s daughter. Elisa is a wonderful protagonist that I enjoy reading about. She’s never too much, but has a lot of interesting quirks to her as well.
All in all, this is a fun book that definitely made the night fly by.
DEVOURING DARKNESS is book four in the Heirs of Chicagoland series and this time, Elisa has her hands full when she gets involved with a troubled sorceresses. The stakes are high if she can’t quickly get a handle on things, but luckily, she has someone like Connor to help her navigate through the supernatural streets of Chicago.
Chloe Neill keeps things pretty light with this book. The banter and flirtation has always been one of my favorite things about her writing and although there’s a lot of action and suspense throughout the novel, I feel like these little parts make the book for me. Neill does a good job of balancing the romance and action, so there’s enough of both to satisfy any reader.
If you haven’t read this series yet, I would definitely suggest reading the original Chicagoland series first, but you’ll have plenty to look forward to with this series that follows Ethan and Merit’s daughter. Elisa is a wonderful protagonist that I enjoy reading about. She’s never too much, but has a lot of interesting quirks to her as well.
All in all, this is a fun book that definitely made the night fly by.
October 3, 2022
Hat wieder sehr viel Spaß gemacht, daher ging es auch so schnell zu lesen.
Mein Highlight wie immer Elisa/Connor. Ich lieb sie einfach. ❤️
Mein Highlight wie immer Elisa/Connor. Ich lieb sie einfach. ❤️
December 20, 2024
Maybe it’s just me, but I was bored, Bored, BORED through a good majority of this book. SO much minutia, so much just putzing through the daily stuff, so many wandering thoughts and inconsequential tidbits that I had a terrible time keeping focussed and reading. It was only my OCD about finishing what I start and my sincere love of the characters that kept me trudging through.
BUT…. The last 15% or so was awesome! Once everything FINALLY came to the big climax, it was a great one. Even then, however, the demon big bad didn’t hold a candle to the fabulous climax with the Apex and the pack (probably because Connor is the best part about this series). Now THAT was worth reading for!
BUT…. The last 15% or so was awesome! Once everything FINALLY came to the big climax, it was a great one. Even then, however, the demon big bad didn’t hold a candle to the fabulous climax with the Apex and the pack (probably because Connor is the best part about this series). Now THAT was worth reading for!
March 19, 2024
This was good. Our gang is finally tuning in to who they are, separately and together. And Elisa has figured out Monster, and oh it made me want to cry! One book left...let's do this.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
September 13, 2022
Thank you to Berkley pub and NetGalley for this earc
This book wasn’t bad. But also it didn’t make my heart bit faster.
I am a huge of the original Chicagoland series. But Heirs are just not as good. Don’t get me wrong. It’s nice to read about a more or less normal vampire girl with a normal shifter boyfriend and they are pretty stable relationship. But. I still not sure how to feel about the fact that’s she’s immortal and he’s not. In the past, Chloe Neill found ways out of these situations but honestly this time around, I don’t think there’s one.
Also, with the main problem in this book, timing of everything was just a little too convenient for me. Everything happened by the minute and didn’t make me stress, which is a good storyline should do at least once in the book.
And the monster. There is been 4 books now and we still don’t know much about it.
Overall, it was cute but I didn’t love it
This book wasn’t bad. But also it didn’t make my heart bit faster.
I am a huge of the original Chicagoland series. But Heirs are just not as good. Don’t get me wrong. It’s nice to read about a more or less normal vampire girl with a normal shifter boyfriend and they are pretty stable relationship. But. I still not sure how to feel about the fact that’s she’s immortal and he’s not. In the past, Chloe Neill found ways out of these situations but honestly this time around, I don’t think there’s one.
Also, with the main problem in this book, timing of everything was just a little too convenient for me. Everything happened by the minute and didn’t make me stress, which is a good storyline should do at least once in the book.
And the monster. There is been 4 books now and we still don’t know much about it.
Overall, it was cute but I didn’t love it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2022
Loved it! Can’t wait for the next book.
January 4, 2023
Como eu amo essa série! Acompanho há uns 10 anos e sempre me divirto horrores.
September 27, 2022
As much as I adored Chicagoland Vampires I am moderately enjoying Heirs of Chicagoland. The installment are interesting and the action is on on point but if I’m being honest, I haven’t experience the “I can’t wait for the next read” lust until “Devouring Darkness.” Yep, that’s right. This read helped me become truly invested in this series.
Elissa receives a call asking for her assistance in extricating Rose, a confidential informant from an attack. Once she arrives on the scenes with the Ombudsman they are attached by none other than ghosts from the 1872 Chicago fire and Rose is gone.
As Elissa and her friends begin searching for Rose they realize they are dealing with a demon and Rose is not who she originally presented herself to be.
To complicate matters further Cade, a member of Connor’s pack has made it his duty to dismantle the Prince’s authority and attack his union with vampires. His timing is not good especially with a demon running around the city but Cade of course just attempts to use this to his advantage.
As exciting as all of this seems I was moderately impressed with the plot; but, about 55% of the way into the read I really became invested and was with Connor and Elissa all of the way. The cliffhanger ending really sealed the deal for me and now I’m really looking forward to the next installment.
The Heir’s series hasn’t shown the same level of hotness in the romance department as the previous series. Additionally, I think limiting the vamp and were parental is a major mistake. It just makes this stronger. I hope Ms. Neil will capitalize on the pack and coven bonds, include some hot love making scenes and up the ante on the action. She has been playing it too safe with this series for far too long!
Elissa receives a call asking for her assistance in extricating Rose, a confidential informant from an attack. Once she arrives on the scenes with the Ombudsman they are attached by none other than ghosts from the 1872 Chicago fire and Rose is gone.
As Elissa and her friends begin searching for Rose they realize they are dealing with a demon and Rose is not who she originally presented herself to be.
To complicate matters further Cade, a member of Connor’s pack has made it his duty to dismantle the Prince’s authority and attack his union with vampires. His timing is not good especially with a demon running around the city but Cade of course just attempts to use this to his advantage.
As exciting as all of this seems I was moderately impressed with the plot; but, about 55% of the way into the read I really became invested and was with Connor and Elissa all of the way. The cliffhanger ending really sealed the deal for me and now I’m really looking forward to the next installment.
The Heir’s series hasn’t shown the same level of hotness in the romance department as the previous series. Additionally, I think limiting the vamp and were parental is a major mistake. It just makes this stronger. I hope Ms. Neil will capitalize on the pack and coven bonds, include some hot love making scenes and up the ante on the action. She has been playing it too safe with this series for far too long!
October 11, 2022
This one really hit hard for all of the "kids". Bad things happened and people that thought they could trust screwed them over. I liked how Elisa, Connor and Lulu banded together, with the Ombudsmen and trusted members of the pack to figure out what was going on. So much of what they were up against was new territory and it didn't help that those that normally would help were taken off the game board. All of them ended up facing things they didn't want to. I was very impressed with Lulu, she stepped up and owned up to some things and did what needed to be done. I have a feeling her life will be better now that she doesn't have to hide so much. I also liked how Connor stepped up with the pack, especially at the end. I also loved how Elisa came dressed for her own battle, ready to support Connor.
September 11, 2022
The Scooby gang finds themselves in a pickle when an ancient evil wakes up and the Pack discovers betrayal in their midst. Plenty of action, suspense, humor, and of course romance bolster the struggle to save Chicago and the Pack where choices will be made that will change them all.
May 3, 2022
Best installment yet...and that ending! Wow!
September 25, 2022
felt forced
I’ve been a fan for years and got family to read Chloe Neill. I was seriously disappointed in this one. Way too predictable and the ending was unsatisfactory.
I’ve been a fan for years and got family to read Chloe Neill. I was seriously disappointed in this one. Way too predictable and the ending was unsatisfactory.
November 16, 2023
Round up to 4.5 stars.
June 25, 2023
DNF 55% Became boring & repetitive
September 17, 2022
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 continues with the next generation in Chicago. I am enjoying learning about them as individuals. They have various strengths and issues. The characters are developed a bit more in each book. We see Elisa having more political skills to work with other species. I've been enjoying the stories and it seems clear there will be more. I would read the series in order, like most urban fantasy.
Devouring Darkness has a new threat to Chicago. The main villain is not clear until problems happen. The Ombuds search in a variety of ways to get information which will help them. It seems kind of disorganized. While destruction is happening, they don't seem to have a way to contain the perpetrator even if found.
Things only get worse. There are rabblerousers trying to fight Connor as the heir to the Pack. They disparage Elisa and vampires, blaming them for current problems. The situation is chaos until they uncover a bit of information.
Connor and Elisa, along with their friends work to solve the current issues. Lulu is more help than expected. Elisa understands more about herself. Unfortunately, the ending points out that someone is going to try again.....
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 continues with the next generation in Chicago. I am enjoying learning about them as individuals. They have various strengths and issues. The characters are developed a bit more in each book. We see Elisa having more political skills to work with other species. I've been enjoying the stories and it seems clear there will be more. I would read the series in order, like most urban fantasy.
Devouring Darkness has a new threat to Chicago. The main villain is not clear until problems happen. The Ombuds search in a variety of ways to get information which will help them. It seems kind of disorganized. While destruction is happening, they don't seem to have a way to contain the perpetrator even if found.
Things only get worse. There are rabblerousers trying to fight Connor as the heir to the Pack. They disparage Elisa and vampires, blaming them for current problems. The situation is chaos until they uncover a bit of information.
Connor and Elisa, along with their friends work to solve the current issues. Lulu is more help than expected. Elisa understands more about herself. Unfortunately, the ending points out that someone is going to try again.....
November 8, 2022
Roger, Chicago’s supernatural Ombudsman and Elisa's boss, has tasked her and her partner with rescuing one of his informants. During their rescue, they battle some powerful ghosts and lose track of the woman they went to help.
This is where I sort of lost interest in things for a bit. The post-battle glop mystery was a kinda interesting, but then we move into a bit of the same/same. As with the previous installments, things really pick up about 3/4 of the way through the book and I'm once again eager to know what happens next. The endings always leave you wanting more and that epilogue, dang.
It could've been my mood or the book, who knows. Either way, I always enjoy returning back to Chicago for the Chicagoland clan's (past and present) adventures and will continue to follow the series.
✮✮✮½
This is where I sort of lost interest in things for a bit. The post-battle glop mystery was a kinda interesting, but then we move into a bit of the same/same. As with the previous installments, things really pick up about 3/4 of the way through the book and I'm once again eager to know what happens next. The endings always leave you wanting more and that epilogue, dang.
It could've been my mood or the book, who knows. Either way, I always enjoy returning back to Chicago for the Chicagoland clan's (past and present) adventures and will continue to follow the series.
✮✮✮½
September 23, 2022
As usual, Chloe Neill delivers a fantastic story, great characters, strong relationships, and a gripping problem to be solved. There's a reason I give every one of her books 5 stars - because I can't get enough of them!
October 16, 2022
Pet peeve: Marriage (engagement really)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2022
Great addition to a series I'm enjoying quite a bit! I love Elisa & Connor.
April 10, 2023
I think this book is one of my favorites in this series! Elisa and the Ombuds along with Conner are trying to find a way to rid Chicago of a Demon. I highly recommend this series.
August 21, 2024
A fun audiobook,. Classic good vs evil. bring it on.
July 19, 2025
Devouring Darkness is Chloe Neill's fourth installment in the Heirs of Chicagoland series and it was just as exciting and action-packed as to be expected from this author! Chloe Neill is one of my favorite urban fantasy authors as she gets the genre! There's the perfect blend of action, romance, mystery, and of course the added paranormal characters!
Elisa is called in to help protect a young sorcereress who is fleeing from trouble, but upon escorting her, she and her team are immediately ambushed by ghosts! Yes, GHOSTS! In the melee the sorcereress runs away or it taken, it's not clear yet, but Elisa is troubled by this. It's not long though before her attention is taken over by a new set of problems! Largely there being a demon afoot who is looking to create a little chaos in Chicago as it looks for one of the Cornerstones that is deemed a place of power.
Soon Elisa's loved ones become in danger and it will be up to her and Connor and their cast of friends to help rescue their loved one and put a stop to the demon trying to take over the city.
One of the things I've always loved about Urban Fantasy is how plot driven the stories are. There's never a dull moment, the action is always moving forward and there are a lot of moving pieces in this one! Characters will be challenged, there will be fights, there will be losses, and revelations will be made. It's a whirlwind of activity that will have you devouring the pages, which was aptly done with that title! Lol.
I loved getting more glimpses at Elisa and Connor's relationship! It's been several books since I last read from this series but all the feelings I had are still there and were revived upon diving back in. It's like I wasn't gone for an insanely long time! What continues to be nice about this series is how seamlessly I can dive back into the story despite all that time! While it is necessary to read in chronological order with this one, there are only a few plot threads that carry over time and time again. They get summed up in some ways that make it easy to understand what had happened and how it relates to the current events.
I'm about to dive into the final book of the series and am a nervous wreck! There were some exciting things happening at the end of this one that is sure to lead to an exciting conclusion! I love that we do still get to see Merit and Ethan again and some of the other original cast! Though they aren't center stage with these books, it's still nice to know that they are all there!
If you're a fan of the Chicagloand Vampire series than you probably don't need me to tell you to read this series asap because you probably already are! If you have not read the first incredible series, you don't have to necessarily in order to grasp what's going on in this series! As long as you start at the beginning of it, you will be fine! This is a series, and author, for all fans of the beloved Urban Fantasy genre and comes highly recommended from this reader!
Overall Rating 5/5 stars
Elisa is called in to help protect a young sorcereress who is fleeing from trouble, but upon escorting her, she and her team are immediately ambushed by ghosts! Yes, GHOSTS! In the melee the sorcereress runs away or it taken, it's not clear yet, but Elisa is troubled by this. It's not long though before her attention is taken over by a new set of problems! Largely there being a demon afoot who is looking to create a little chaos in Chicago as it looks for one of the Cornerstones that is deemed a place of power.
Soon Elisa's loved ones become in danger and it will be up to her and Connor and their cast of friends to help rescue their loved one and put a stop to the demon trying to take over the city.
One of the things I've always loved about Urban Fantasy is how plot driven the stories are. There's never a dull moment, the action is always moving forward and there are a lot of moving pieces in this one! Characters will be challenged, there will be fights, there will be losses, and revelations will be made. It's a whirlwind of activity that will have you devouring the pages, which was aptly done with that title! Lol.
I loved getting more glimpses at Elisa and Connor's relationship! It's been several books since I last read from this series but all the feelings I had are still there and were revived upon diving back in. It's like I wasn't gone for an insanely long time! What continues to be nice about this series is how seamlessly I can dive back into the story despite all that time! While it is necessary to read in chronological order with this one, there are only a few plot threads that carry over time and time again. They get summed up in some ways that make it easy to understand what had happened and how it relates to the current events.
I'm about to dive into the final book of the series and am a nervous wreck! There were some exciting things happening at the end of this one that is sure to lead to an exciting conclusion! I love that we do still get to see Merit and Ethan again and some of the other original cast! Though they aren't center stage with these books, it's still nice to know that they are all there!
If you're a fan of the Chicagloand Vampire series than you probably don't need me to tell you to read this series asap because you probably already are! If you have not read the first incredible series, you don't have to necessarily in order to grasp what's going on in this series! As long as you start at the beginning of it, you will be fine! This is a series, and author, for all fans of the beloved Urban Fantasy genre and comes highly recommended from this reader!
Overall Rating 5/5 stars
February 13, 2023
I’ve enjoyed Chloe Neill’s other novels so I knew I would enjoy the latest edition to the Heirs of Chicagoland series. I immediately found the action riveting, the characters engaging, and the story exhilarating and fun. One of the things I like the best is that this isn’t your typical Vampire novel. While it does have plenty of paranormal characters, Chloe Neill adds a unique spin to the trope, with Elisa born a vampire and unusual magic.
In this particular book, Chloe Neill delves into demons. While the intrigue and tension are very real and the threat to Chicago the driving force of the novel, I also especially appreciated the level of detail into the concept of demons and how Elisa and her Ombudsman colleagues go about researching and figuring out a solution to the high level threat in their midst. The magic is realistic and the end of the novel powerful and intriguing.
Personally, even if I didn’t love her other novels, I would have been hooked by the ending of this novel. I can’t wait to read more. If you like the other novels in the series, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat, you will love the exhilarating and fun ride along with the amazing characters.
In this particular book, Chloe Neill delves into demons. While the intrigue and tension are very real and the threat to Chicago the driving force of the novel, I also especially appreciated the level of detail into the concept of demons and how Elisa and her Ombudsman colleagues go about researching and figuring out a solution to the high level threat in their midst. The magic is realistic and the end of the novel powerful and intriguing.
Personally, even if I didn’t love her other novels, I would have been hooked by the ending of this novel. I can’t wait to read more. If you like the other novels in the series, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat, you will love the exhilarating and fun ride along with the amazing characters.
April 3, 2024
There is so much to unpack from this epic book.
It starts out with Elisa and Theo going to a small town outside of Chicago to rescue an Rodgers informant who had been discovered by her colleagues. On the way back from picking her up they are attacked by ghosts and the informant disappears. She later messages Rodger to let him no she ran away by is somewhere safe.
Elisa & Co try to find out why ghosts attacked them. They call an old friend, Ariel the necromancer for help which she is willing to do. They summon a ghost using the ooze left on the wounds of Elisa and Theo. The ghost is a Victorian woman from 1872 who was called a Guardian. Just after the great Chicago fire in 1871 a chaos demon came to Chicago and reeked havoc. Supernaturals banded together to defeat it and called themselves the Guardians. The ghost were part of one of the wards that is activated when the demon is near or trying to enter Chicago. The Guardian did not know the real name of the demon or its sigil which they would need to both command it and banish it.
While the demon drama is going on, the Pack have three visitors from Memphis that are power hungry nutjobs and are there to challenge the Apex in a cowardly way. The female of the group tries to shake Elisa and Connor's relationship but failed epically. Their relationship is the most solid thing in this book. They love between those to is huge and beautiful and I just love them together. Connor is so protective of Elisa but also lets her be who she is. Perfect man lol
We also find out the real reason why Lulu does not use magic. Turns out in her teenage years, she found out her real magic, with was dark magic or old magic. It made Mallory her mother, who is recovering dark magic addict, nearly relapse. Both of them were also worried someone would use them for powerful and bad things, so Lulu pretended to hate magic. But she has a LOT of magic. She finally uses it in this book and damn but she packs a punch. She also has gotten very close to Alexei Breckenridge and those two obviously love each other. I have a hopeful and good feeling those two will end up together. Alexei is my favorite character in this series and I wish he had someone better than Lulu. I still cannot stand her. She is selfish, entitled and above all STUPID! She even does the most stupid thing in this book that nearly started a war because she threw a tantrum. GAH!
A family dinner was scheduled at Cadogan House with Ethan, Merit, Mallory, Catcher, Malik, Gabriel, Tanya and then hopefully the kids, Elisa, Connor, Lulu and Alexei because he is apart of the family. All the parent were already inside but just before the kids went in, the demon worked powerful magic and the whole House disappears with everyone inside it. Everyone looses their shit obviously.
Of course the three interlopers of the Pack, work their dissent among the Pack while the Apex is missing and Challenges Connor for the Apex spot. But Connor refuses because he is not Apex yet and he cannot except a challenge on behalf of his father. The parents are still alive but in another dimension.
Elisa & Co fight the demon a lot throughout the book. They also have Jonathan Black butting his nose in and "trying to help" but everyone knows that something is off about him and as we learn in the epilogue of this book, he is evil and bringing a horde of, I think, demons to Chicago, after he finds a ward stone and destroys it, to let them in. I suppose we will finally find out in the next and last book.
Elisa & Co finally work out the demon's sigil and her real name and are able to summon her. Through a difficult fight and a binding contract, the demon returns Cadogan House and all the people in it and then is banished. All the parents are overjoyed to see their kids and vice versa.
Elisa is invited to the Pack to see what the fallout of the interlopers is. Gabriel is FURIOUS about these cowardly interlopers. But since spending time in the other dimension, he has decided he wants more time with his family and while he is not retiring just yet, he is starting to move the power over to his son. Gabriel lets Connor except the challenge and Connor and the main interlope fight. During the fight, the Apex power finally comes to Connor and he is a POWER! He easily defeats the interloper. The interlopers girlfriend then tries to stab Connor in the back with a silver blade but Elisa has always got Connor's back and is there to disarm her quickly. Everyone is happy and talking when Connor goes to Elisa and says he loves her beyond reason basically and he does not want anyone else, so he asks her to marry him. She says yes and the Pack goes wild! most in joy.
We also learned in this book and the previous one, but I forgot to write it in my previous review, that Luc and Lindsay from CV series are now married! YAY! We also found out in this book that the Cadogan House Librarian married Paige the sorceress! Great endings for those two couples.
This book packed a hell of a punch, no pun intended hehe. We got a whole new type of big bad power, with a big fight and some series injuries. We have a great story arc leading up to the big finale. We hopefully will get a beautiful wedding as well. From the hints about the monster and the sword in this book, I would say we are going to get the big finish on that as well and I really, really, REALLY hope, that the monster somehow stays with Elisa because it has turned into a awesome character all on it's own. All in all, this was a very good book and I loved it. I am very sad though, that the next book will be the last but I also feel that it might be the right time to finish it. Part of the CV series problem I think was it went on to long. I will miss this series and Alexei, Connor and the NAC but I will have their books on my shelf for many re-reads to come.
It starts out with Elisa and Theo going to a small town outside of Chicago to rescue an Rodgers informant who had been discovered by her colleagues. On the way back from picking her up they are attacked by ghosts and the informant disappears. She later messages Rodger to let him no she ran away by is somewhere safe.
Elisa & Co try to find out why ghosts attacked them. They call an old friend, Ariel the necromancer for help which she is willing to do. They summon a ghost using the ooze left on the wounds of Elisa and Theo. The ghost is a Victorian woman from 1872 who was called a Guardian. Just after the great Chicago fire in 1871 a chaos demon came to Chicago and reeked havoc. Supernaturals banded together to defeat it and called themselves the Guardians. The ghost were part of one of the wards that is activated when the demon is near or trying to enter Chicago. The Guardian did not know the real name of the demon or its sigil which they would need to both command it and banish it.
While the demon drama is going on, the Pack have three visitors from Memphis that are power hungry nutjobs and are there to challenge the Apex in a cowardly way. The female of the group tries to shake Elisa and Connor's relationship but failed epically. Their relationship is the most solid thing in this book. They love between those to is huge and beautiful and I just love them together. Connor is so protective of Elisa but also lets her be who she is. Perfect man lol
We also find out the real reason why Lulu does not use magic. Turns out in her teenage years, she found out her real magic, with was dark magic or old magic. It made Mallory her mother, who is recovering dark magic addict, nearly relapse. Both of them were also worried someone would use them for powerful and bad things, so Lulu pretended to hate magic. But she has a LOT of magic. She finally uses it in this book and damn but she packs a punch. She also has gotten very close to Alexei Breckenridge and those two obviously love each other. I have a hopeful and good feeling those two will end up together. Alexei is my favorite character in this series and I wish he had someone better than Lulu. I still cannot stand her. She is selfish, entitled and above all STUPID! She even does the most stupid thing in this book that nearly started a war because she threw a tantrum. GAH!
A family dinner was scheduled at Cadogan House with Ethan, Merit, Mallory, Catcher, Malik, Gabriel, Tanya and then hopefully the kids, Elisa, Connor, Lulu and Alexei because he is apart of the family. All the parent were already inside but just before the kids went in, the demon worked powerful magic and the whole House disappears with everyone inside it. Everyone looses their shit obviously.
Of course the three interlopers of the Pack, work their dissent among the Pack while the Apex is missing and Challenges Connor for the Apex spot. But Connor refuses because he is not Apex yet and he cannot except a challenge on behalf of his father. The parents are still alive but in another dimension.
Elisa & Co fight the demon a lot throughout the book. They also have Jonathan Black butting his nose in and "trying to help" but everyone knows that something is off about him and as we learn in the epilogue of this book, he is evil and bringing a horde of, I think, demons to Chicago, after he finds a ward stone and destroys it, to let them in. I suppose we will finally find out in the next and last book.
Elisa & Co finally work out the demon's sigil and her real name and are able to summon her. Through a difficult fight and a binding contract, the demon returns Cadogan House and all the people in it and then is banished. All the parents are overjoyed to see their kids and vice versa.
Elisa is invited to the Pack to see what the fallout of the interlopers is. Gabriel is FURIOUS about these cowardly interlopers. But since spending time in the other dimension, he has decided he wants more time with his family and while he is not retiring just yet, he is starting to move the power over to his son. Gabriel lets Connor except the challenge and Connor and the main interlope fight. During the fight, the Apex power finally comes to Connor and he is a POWER! He easily defeats the interloper. The interlopers girlfriend then tries to stab Connor in the back with a silver blade but Elisa has always got Connor's back and is there to disarm her quickly. Everyone is happy and talking when Connor goes to Elisa and says he loves her beyond reason basically and he does not want anyone else, so he asks her to marry him. She says yes and the Pack goes wild! most in joy.
We also learned in this book and the previous one, but I forgot to write it in my previous review, that Luc and Lindsay from CV series are now married! YAY! We also found out in this book that the Cadogan House Librarian married Paige the sorceress! Great endings for those two couples.
This book packed a hell of a punch, no pun intended hehe. We got a whole new type of big bad power, with a big fight and some series injuries. We have a great story arc leading up to the big finale. We hopefully will get a beautiful wedding as well. From the hints about the monster and the sword in this book, I would say we are going to get the big finish on that as well and I really, really, REALLY hope, that the monster somehow stays with Elisa because it has turned into a awesome character all on it's own. All in all, this was a very good book and I loved it. I am very sad though, that the next book will be the last but I also feel that it might be the right time to finish it. Part of the CV series problem I think was it went on to long. I will miss this series and Alexei, Connor and the NAC but I will have their books on my shelf for many re-reads to come.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2022
I absolutely loved this installment! Many questions were answered while still giving me more questions, the new generation’s independence, competence, and camaraderie were in full force the whole book. I was genuinely happy when I opened the book and when I closed it. The epilogue was deliciously foreboding and the touches of the original series characters was just enough to satisfy without taking over. Chloe Neill has done what so many others have failed at, and created a truly amazing spin off without depending so heavily on the original stories so the new stories can stand on their own merit (pun included). I love the Heirs series will be devastated when it ends.
September 24, 2022
Elisa and Connor are perfect as a couple, this book was incredible, itw as full of intensity sexual or not and the fact that the new generation has to fight for their parents was awesome. I liked that Lulu was more present in this book.
I love so many things in this book, the love between Connor and Elisa, the pack, the friendship, the family and so many other things.
And the end was amazing, i’m so impatient to read the next book.
I need at least 3 more books about Elisa and Connor.
This book is for all the Chicagoland Vampire’s fan.
I love so many things in this book, the love between Connor and Elisa, the pack, the friendship, the family and so many other things.
And the end was amazing, i’m so impatient to read the next book.
I need at least 3 more books about Elisa and Connor.
This book is for all the Chicagoland Vampire’s fan.
September 30, 2022
Great episode in the Sullivan/Keene dynasty
I love her pacing. I managed to take two days to read it but once I hit 50% I couldn't put it down. Elisa is both vampire and not, and the story seems to allow the possibility of a third generation of Chicagoland if they survive the big bads who just keep getting more powerful. The next episode based on the epilog is going to take more than a few main characters to solve and i am looking forward to reading them all working together.
I love her pacing. I managed to take two days to read it but once I hit 50% I couldn't put it down. Elisa is both vampire and not, and the story seems to allow the possibility of a third generation of Chicagoland if they survive the big bads who just keep getting more powerful. The next episode based on the epilog is going to take more than a few main characters to solve and i am looking forward to reading them all working together.
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