This may be the hardest review I have ever had occasion to write. On the one hand, this book was unreservedly tremendous, the best of the series yet, and I since have long been a fan of this series to that is really saying a whole lotta something. So I want to talk about it, want to sing its praises and make sure that my feelings on the matter are clear: Merit is awesome, this series is awesome, and if you have not yet read these books and are even the slightest bit Urban Fantasy-inclined, you should immediately start at the first in the series, Some Girls Bite, and work your way forward until you’re completely caught up.

But the thing is, a big part of what makes this particular installment of Merit’s adventures so outstanding, so outrageously, heart-stoppingly brilliant is the massive OHMYFUCKINGGODDIDTHATREALLYHAPPENJESUSCHRISTTHATCANNOTBEREAL turn the narrative takes in its closing moments. And, much as I feel a desperate need to discuss this ending some more, to vent and to marvel and to share and to grieve, I also don’t want to spoil the experience for anyone who has yet to experience this twist of maniacal genius for themselves.

Now, I have some theories about this ending. I feel -- even strongly suspect -- that all is not quite as it seems and that the next book in the series, Drink Deep (out this November), will prove to be positively Supernatural-ian in its resurrective capabilities. Oh, I am not entirely convinced of this, and certainly the crafty and clever Neill has been known to throw out the odd irrevocable surprise that I had been certain she’d recant but then did not. It’s just a hunch that I have. That this particular story line is not over.

But let’s back up a bit. The premise here is that Merit (she only goes by her last name, eschewing her first even though it’s pretty innocuous; in this book, we find out why) was turned into a vampire against her will, purely to save her life. Most of the vampires in Neill’s world live according to very strict guidelines and rules, and so she therefore owes allegiance to Ethan Sullivan, the Master of Cadogan House -- one of Chicago’s three such Houses. In Merit’s Chicago, vampires have only recently come out of the coffin; first inspiring fear, they then inspired fascination, but now the populace is back to fear and as the book opens, it seems like maybe they have a reason. Vampires are apparently turning super-violent and taking out innocents in bloody feeding frenzies, contrary to all tradition and law, and the Mayor of Chicago insists that Ethan – and, by extension, Merit – take care of the problem.

Meanwhile, the Greenwich Presidium, the UK-based vampire governing body, has taken an interest in Chicago’s recent upsurge of supernatural hate, leading its disdainful head, Darius, to pay a visit. While Mayor Tate is ordering Ethan to solve the vamp mystery or go to jail, Darius is simultaneously insisting that he do nothing.

Which means Merit has to go off the grid and sort things out for herself, rogue agent black ops plausible-deniability style.

Also, Ethan spends a good deal of the book wheedling his way back into Merit’s good graces (and, he hopes, bed) after his ruthless and misguided dumping of her last time out. Now, I have talked a lot of smack about Ethan Sullivan over the years, and I stand by every word, but I’ll confess this book goes a little way toward softening my attitude toward him. I still think he’s an asshole, but… THAT THING… kind of makes me less inclined to… no. I won’t say another word on the topic. I really don’t want to spoil it. ’Cause… damn!

Damn, I tell you!

What I will say is that there is one fault I have to find with this book, and it is one that I have had with the entire series: must EVERY man in the world be in love with Merit? Sure, she’s awesome. And according to the covers, super-crazy hot. But, dude. In this book I count five would-be suitors. FIVE. That seems somewhat excessive.

Despite this minor quibble, however, I completely loved this latest chapter in our newbie vampire’s life of eternal drama. I mean, that ending! Not only did I not even come close to seeing it coming, but I have not been able to stop thinking about it since.

It’s just… awesome.

   -- Rachel Hyland