Who's Your Author? discussion

Chicagoland Vampires is a UF/PNR series set in Chicago and follows Merit, a 28 year-old English Literature Ph.D. candidate who has been made a vampire and joined Chicago’s prestigious Cadogan House

One of my favorite Urban Fantasy/vampire series. Merit is a solid heroine who doesn't exhibit as many willfully dumb behaviors as a lot of them do, and Ethan Sullivan is one of the sexiest vampity guys out there. I have enjoyed every one of the books, though the last one, Biting Bad, wasn't one of the strongest. Still, it advanced the story line, and made me happy, overall. I could do with less Mallory, never having been taken with her character, but I can see there will be more of her, instead, so I'll have to get used to it. I'm in it for the long run.

I particularly like the structure and politics of the various houses, and am enjoying Cadogan House's break from the presidium.

I really like this series, I only just discovered it in the last few months, but it's quickly become one of my favorites. In fact, I just bought a Midnight High shirt from Chloe's website. :)

Just brace yourself for Book 4, if you haven't read it yet. I threw mine across the room and cursed Chloe Neill for an hour. While crying. But I won't tell you more than that, in case you haven't read it yet. I'll just say after you have your tantrum, pick up the book, put it away, and start on #5. Fast! :)

I like Merit a lot but I really struggled w/this series. I could not stand the back & forth angst between Ethan & Merit in the first few books. It was too teenage/YA/angsty for me. I wanted to stake Ethan in the heart myself a few times. He was way to high maintenance at the begining. Now that that angsty stuff is over I've grown to enjoy the series & Ethan has grown on me. Personally I love Catcher. THAT would be my guy if I could choose (love Gabriel a lot too). And yes I do realize that I'm the only person ever who didn't like Ethan. :)

Marcia wrote: "Just brace yourself for Book 4, if you haven't read it yet. I threw mine across the room and cursed Chloe Neill for an hour. While crying. But I won't tell you more than that, in case you haven't r..."


I'm so very glad that I didn't start this series earlier and that I had read reviews cuz I can see the whole throwing you book across the room thing. That would have been brutal had I not have known in advance what was going to happen long term.

Alisa wrote: "Marcia wrote: "Just brace yourself for Book 4, if you haven't read it yet. I threw mine across the room and cursed Chloe Neill for an hour. While crying. But I won't tell you more than that, in cas..."

Oh, it was a shock, all right. I'm too old for that kind of trauma! :) But unlike you, I loved Ethan from day one, arrogance and all. Mostly because I knew he had held this position of total responsibility for centuries and his mindset was all about protecting Cadogan House. I could forgive him his desire not to be affected by an upstart like Merit, especially when I could see how very much he was affected by her, in spite of himself. But he won me over absolutely when he told her "You undo me." That was the moment I was forever more in his corner.

There were things about the early books that did annoy me, I'll confess. Constantly referring to Ethan as a "boy" was grating on my nerves. He wasn't a "boy" even when he was first turned. And it wasn't being used in a way that made it sound like slang. It sounded like a teenaged girl talking about the boys in her class. So I can see some of your YA feelings.

I also confess that I have a weakness for elegant men, as opposed to blue-collar types, like Catcher. That doesn't mean I don't like Catcher's character. I do, very much. He's a great character. Just that I don't find him sexy. The elegantly dressed Master of Cadogan House just does it for me, totally.

The only person I don't like in the series (of the ones we are supposed to like, that is) is Mallory. I have always thought her selfish and unsupportive of Merit, and I have seen nothing to change my mind. And I'm over the blue hair bit.

But overall, I love the complicated politics and the other characters, and Ethan & Merit as a team. The series is one I wouldn't miss for anything. I wouldn't put it on an equal footing with Seanan McGuire or Jim Butcher, and their works, but I still love it.

Yeah I'm way over Mallory too. I always go for the tattoo'd bad boy over elegant (which explains my wild 20's). LOL I'll tell you what though, I'm going to be so mad if (view spoiler)[ there is no baby Ethan in the future. (hide spoiler)] Gabe's vision better come true. Some how, some way, that needs to happen. Ethan's reaction could be epic if she does it right.

OH, yes. I'm longing for that, too. I've always figured it was in the cards. You can trust Gabe. HIM I like. A lot. I actually really do like Catcher, too, and find him a very interesting character. He just doesn't push the same buttons a particular fair-haired vampity guy does. (For one thing, I absolutely LOVE a man in a white dress shirt...even paired with jeans. Maybe especially paired with jeans. With the cuffs rolled up and open at the throat to expose that suprasternal notch. Oh. *fanning self* I'm REALLY too old for these thoughts! *snort*

I've seen the occasional "bad boy" type that worked for me, in my day, but I've always loved elegant. Not necessarily RICH or opulent elegance, just that hint of smoothness, with silver links at the shirt cuff, and a dress jacket held over one shoulder. Hey. I think what I mean is half-undressed elegance. Hahahaha. Yeah. That's the ticket!

*going away now, thinking about the Master of Cadogan House in his expensive suits, worn with careless disregard*

I like the series but I do not love it.

In many ways it feels like it straggles the line between YA and adult. So much angst at times. For example I like Ethan but I have a hard time believing his age. Then there is the whole dorm life, that just throws me off. I often wonder if CN likes that show friends. Can you imagine living in the same house with the same group of people and you are a hundred?? Always thought that was odd. Then there is Mallory like why is she even in the books??

I do enjoy CN's writing style. I really like how the setting feels involved in the storyline - like Chicago is a side character - I also like the side characters sometimes more than the main ones. My favorite books in the series were books three and four Twice Bitten and Hard Bitten after that it is blah.

I know I am totally in the minority but I thought I would share my two cents.

Dawn wrote: "I like the series but I do not love it.

In many ways it feels like it straggles the line between YA and adult. So much angst at times. For example I like Ethan but I have a hard time believing hi..."

I would hope we are each entitled to our own opinions, here, whether we are in the majority, or not. Me, I don't find it at all hard to believe Ethan's age (which I think is more like 300, if my memory serves me right). He's so pompous and stuffy, at times, that he seems like someone who has been around a long time to me. At least in the beginning. He's loosened up now that he's admitted he loves his Sentinel.

Now Merit, I agree, has had some moments that made her seem a bit less mature than one might want, but I think she's grown into her position really well, and shouldered a lot of responsibility. The only time I was really angry with her was when she hid the truth from Ethan about what she had done when he was...ahem..."away." And I mentioned the part about referring to grown men as "boys," which annoyed me, too.

But other than that, I like the politics of the series and think the characters are solid, so it works for me. And of course, I'm willing to forgive a lot because I enjoy Ethan so much.

As for Mallory, well there always has to be a best friend, I guess, but to me, she has always tried to interfere with Merit's happiness, and I would have a much harder time welcoming her back into the fold after her big betrayal than Merit has had. I'm guessing her magic is going to play a big part in the next few books, but I really wish it didn't. I personally think Catcher deserves a lot better.

I really liked the early books, but after book #4 and the choice the author made in #5 it was less so. I feel like that choice was a cop out.

Darcy wrote: "I really liked the early books, but after book #4 and the choice the author made in #5 it was less so. I feel like that choice was a cop out."

I so agree!

Marcia wrote: "Dawn wrote: "I like the series but I do not love it.

In many ways it feels like it straggles the line between YA and adult. So much angst at times. For example I like Ethan but I have a hard time..."

We can always agree to disagree this is why there are so many books something for everyone!!

As for Ethan I dunno he is supposed to be all badass but I just never see it. I do agree on the pompous part lol

Mallory just annoys me she always has - to me I feel like if you wrote her out of the story you would not loose anything which makes me wonder why are you in my book??

Oh and after all that complaining I am reading Biting Bad this month **grins** I am next on the list at the library!

Funny how differently we see it, isn't it? That's why there's vanilla, chocolate and strawberry in the ice cream freezer at the store! :)

For me, Ethan is just about perfect. And I think the series, overall, is getting stronger again, rather than weaker. The plot is becoming deeper and more detailed, and the relationship between Ethan & Merit is deepening, as well. It isn't my very favorite Urban Fantasy, but I wouldn't miss a single book.

I missed this thread.

This series rankes in my top 10 PNR/UF series. Ethan is an Alpha assh*** and he is in my harem. I do fancy alpha assh*** who put the heroine through some personal struggles and hell and then cave in and do some groveling. I think this Author does a fantastic Alpha ass character, not too much of horrible but a little bit to make me want to slap him upside the head, rather than just shoot him in the head.

If I had to chose another, it would be the shifter, what's his name?.... Gabe. Too bad he is taken. I'd love to read his story.

Other than sex and sexy man in those books, I think Merit is amazing and solid, I like Jonah too (here I get distracted again) and just about everyone.
Although, I have to say Catcher dosesnt do much for me. *pass him over to Alisa*

I think this series is most definetly Adult, because the angst is not juvenile, it's related to the decisions leaders make and how those decisions impact those being led. I don't imagine being a leader of anything would be easy and consequences of actions, whether romantic (hello Mr. President) or business related carry over and strain a good looking Vamp.

Ethan is like Eric from Sookie to me, except I hope he dosen't get (view spoiler)[thrown away. (hide spoiler)]*shudder*

I agree, it does have something to do with the suave thing: I mean Quinn from Riely Jensen is in my harem too, so there is also another similarity.

I think I'm in the minority but I cannot stand Catcher - he is such a holier than thou prick - it really bugged me in book #2 that he (view spoiler)[became all passive/aggressive when Merit and Mallory had an argument over Morgan (hide spoiler)] and in book #5 when he (view spoiler)[implied that Merit was betraying Ethan's memory by working with Jonah (hide spoiler)]

Mallory also annoys me no end and I cannot for the life of me accept that (view spoiler)[washing dishes for the shapeshifters is a suitable punishment for her evil acts (hide spoiler)]

Lauren wrote: "I think I'm in the minority but I cannot stand Catcher - he is such a holier than thou prick - it really bugged me in book #2 that he [spoilers removed] and in book #5 when he [spoilers removed]

M..."

Bahahahah on Mallory. She is in therapy.

@Lauren!!!! How could you say such a thing? That hurts. LOL

Fine......you guys all be that way. There's just more Catcher for me.

@Mistik - Lol!

You can have him, Alisa!

Personally, I like Jonah. :)

Karena wrote: "Personally, I like Jonah. :)"

I hope he gets a novella in between of his own

Yeah, I also like Jonah. I kinda feel sorry for him.

Lauren wrote: "Yeah, I also like Jonah. I kinda feel sorry for him."

Those are my feelings too.

Karena wrote: "Personally, I like Jonah. :)"

Ditto and honestly he felt like a much better match for Merit then Ethan

Dawn wrote: "Karena wrote: "Personally, I like Jonah. :)"

Ditto and honestly he felt like a much better match for Merit then Ethan"

I am torn on that one, I honestly like Jonah and Ethan (maybe Jonah just a bit more though). Right now I'm glad that Chloe isn't pulling the Love Triangle card right now. That would bother me way too much.

Karena wrote: "I'm glad that Chloe isn't pulling the Love Triangle card right now."

Yeah, so not a fan of love triangles. Not sure one would work in this series anyway as Merit is obviously a one vampire woman :0)

Lauren wrote: "Karena wrote: "I'm glad that Chloe isn't pulling the Love Triangle card right now."

Yeah, so not a fan of love triangles. Not sure one would work in this series anyway as Merit is obviously a one ..."

Thank the gods. ;) I have to say I also love the byplay between Merit and Jeff. Cracks me up every time.

Karena wrote: "Thank the gods. ;) I have to say I also love the byplay between Merit and Jeff. Cracks me up every time."

For sure, I love how Jeff keeps hitting on Merit.

I love Jeff! His animal form came as a real surprise :0)

I just found this series and, through it, this group! ;-) I just finished book #4, which I accidentally spoiled the BIG BAD to myself while looking at reviews on Amazon, but I then read every book description until I knew that somehow, someway it's reversed. I'm totally in the Ethan Corner of this party. I thought exactly the same as Mistik with Ethan being very close to Eric from SVM, just green eyed and not quite as tall. But just as hot!! Yum!! So I'm now procrastinating the start of book #5, even though the BIG BAD already happened, I'm just wondering how quickly it will be FIXED!! Oh and Jeff is awesome!! I can't wait until like next month when he gets his very own novella!!