It’s finally Merit and Ethan’s wedding and all they want is for everything to right, which it does, until just after the reception. Now they must battle even more evil forces once and for all.

This was the final installment of Merit’s story. From start to end, the book was great. As with all of the Chicagoland Vampire stories, the story was great from start to end. I’ve loved following Merit and Ethan through all of their adventures and I will be sorry to see them go. I look forward to reading more from this author.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Blade Bound is the final book in the Chicagoland Vampires series by Chloe Neill.

Ms. Neill did a wonderful job wrapping up this series. It was nice to finally see Ethan and Merit tie the not, but with the big day coming closer, so does trouble. Their was mystery as well as action. I enjoyed seeing the gang; all the previous characters come together to help Merit.

I adored the wedding preparations, bridle shower, reception and the whole thing. It was done beautiful, but of course it don’t take long; before chaos breaks out and our gang is together trying to figure it all out and keep Chicago safe.

Blade Bound was an enjoyable read and I’m satisfied with the conclusion. I had a delightful time getting to know Merit, Ethan, and friends throughout the series. It was an engaging series to read, but not one I will be revisiting. I might be checking out the spin-off series; which will feature Ethan and Merits, daughter.

Rate: 4 Stars

The final novel in the series, it's Merit and Ethan's wedding and the politics are complicated and things don't always go to plan. Evil doesn't wait for people to finish parties.

 

Interesting and fun characters and I'm sorry to see them go but can see where it was a logical end to the arc and the story.

3.5 stars might be a tiny bit unfair.  This is probably more of a 4 star read, but I'd have enjoyed this last book in the series more if Neill had opted to end on a bang, rather than full-scale mass destruction.

 

Merit and Ethan and the rest of the scooby gang are trying to enjoy peace and quiet and a wedding, but the after-party comes with snow.  In August.  After that all hell breaks loose as an old enemy isn't as vanquished as they'd hoped.  And boy is she pissed.

 

The thing is, I don't like sequels all that much when they involve 'the return of..'; I was disappointed at the end of the last book (#12) because the big bad was hauled off to jail.  Nobody with half a brain could think that would end well.  So having her evilness come back felt a bit 'here we go again'.  However, I loved what Neill did with Chicago, and I loved, loved, loved how Ms. Evil met her end.  It was fitting and it was hilarious.

 

But I love these characters; they're the sort I'd like to call friends.  Merit and Mallory have the best dialogs.  I think, given enough popcorn and iced tea, I could just sit back and listen to these two talk to each other for hours.

 

My entire immediate family is from Chicago, save myself, so I have an inherited affection for that gorgeous city (Go Cubs!), and it was painful to watch Neill tear it up.  And she didn't mess around; she immediately went straight to the landmarks any Chicagoan knows and loves; she didn't even spare the lions!  This made reading difficult; I kept thinking no, no, not Shed's... dammit...omg, NOT WATER TOWER PLACE!

 

Of course, the good guys win in the end - that's not a spoiler; it's the last book in the series, so of course they are going to triumph.  Normally, in this situation, I enjoy an epilogue; a little something to give me some view of how it all works out in the long run.  Honestly though?  Here, I'd have been happier without it.  It verged on twee.  I can't believe Neill went twee on me.  But... glancing at the book ads at the end, it seems she's creating a new series based on the two characters in that twee little scene, so I suppose there was a method to her madness.

 

I've love this series madly, and I think the author brought it to an end at a good time and place.  I'll try the new series, although I'm not sure Chicagoland will hold the same appeal to me without her landmarks and without Merit's and Mallory's witty repartee.

 

 

 

Total pages: 361

$ Banked: $3.00

 

Note:  Chicago has the El subway system, which Merit and Mallory use to escape something chasing them, but there is also, as it turns out, travel by air; not on a plane, but spoilers would be involved in the telling, so I'll just say Merit definitely travels by air at one point.  ;-)