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

• Audible Audio Edition
• Listening Length: 11 hour(s) and 10 min.
• Program Type: Audiobook
• Version: Unabridged
• Publisher: Tantor Audio (December 21, 2010)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004H8C07W
• FTC Disclosure: copy purchased with my own money

Merit is a new vampire trying to adjust to life with fangs. Ethan is the head of the house she belongs to. He turned her to save her life. So why does she hate him? Because she doesn’t have a choice. She repeats this several times throughout the book (so many times that it really started grating on my nerves after a while), even going so far as to declare Ethan her “mortal enemy”. I understand the whole “being pissed off because she was turned against her will” thing but he turned her because she was going to die. So sorry girly, I’d rather live as a vampire than DIE.

The funny part about the whole “mortal enemy” thing is that she’s wildly attracted to him. And he wants her too. But she pushes him away time and time again (which irritates the crap out of me, I can’t lie). I think she’s trying to be noble about her position in the house (Sentinel – the protector of the house because even though she’s only a few days old, she’s got massive amounts of power and she’s really freaking strong) and still hold onto this stupid grudge. Even when she admits that she’s got a thing for Ethan, she still bitches about him.

I absolutely love the secondary characters. Catcher, Mallory, Luc, Lindsey, Chuck (Merit’s grandfather), Jeff… I love them all. They’re quirky and funny and well-written. They add a lot to the story and keep it going. I never got bored when the story didn’t center on the hero & heroine, the way I find myself doing a lot these days in other books I’ve been reading.

One secondary character I didn’t love is Morgan, who I’m told is going to be in future books. This really makes me want to bang my head against a wall. Ethan and Merit have more than enough in their way with all Merit’s neuroses, but do we really need a quasi love triangle too?

I guess I should say that when we first met him, I really liked Morgan. But then he found out that she’s that Merit, and from Cadogan house, and he flipped shit. Then he showed up later and just… annoyed me. He wasn’t charming to me anymore. He was just the stupid guy who went and narc’d on Merit and then somehow lost every bit of his suaveness in the process (because let’s be honest – after the incident at the club, he just wasn’t that smooth anymore).

Despite the fact that Merit irritated me with her whining about being changed without her consent, I did love the book. I couldn’t stop listening (yes, I’m listening on audiobook again). I even listened with my family at the baseball game – which wasn’t easy, let me tell you. It gets loud! I’m rooting for Merit and Ethan. Once they finally hook up, it’s going to set my earbuds on fire (which might cause some damage to my head, but I’m in a big building with medical equipment 8 hours a day so I think I’ll be ok).

Rating: 4.5 meows

Mama Kitty

I am a filthy-mouthed 29-year-old full time mommy/wife/student, bookaholic, Twitter addict, & self-described tomboy-princess. I am never without at least one book (I usually have two... sometimes more), and I will be happy to tell you ALL about whichever book(s) I happen to be reading at the moment. :)

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