Twice Bitten
Urban Fantasy
July 6, 2010
Trade Paperback, 355 Pages
NAL Trade
Why I read: One of my favorites series!!
Favorite Quote: “On the other hand, they’re the ones creating this pec-tacle.”
I slide her a glance, arching an eyebrow. “Pec-tacle?”
”You know, like spectacle” – she paused to point at her breasts – “but with more dude nipples.”
The werewolves are in town and tensions are high. They are in Chicago for a convocation to decide if they are going to stay in their respective territories, which ultimately means they would be around violence erupts from rogue vampires. Or if they would ALL retire to their ancestral home in Alaska. Sorcerers are spouting prophecies of upcoming battles. Underground anti-vampire groups are forming, and the werewolves are nervous about their part if there is an upcoming war. They are still secret to the public, the only supernatural species out to the public are the vampires.
Gabriel, head werewolf has asked Ethan, head vampire of Cadogan House and Sentinel Merit, to be in their meetings for security purposes. Ethan is afraid if violence is to come, and the shifters have all left, the vampires won’t be able to stand on their own. He is very serious about trying to get on the shifters good side. The shifters are afraid if they ever become public, they won’t be feared or thought of as cool like the public thinks of vampires, but used for experimental purposes and research.
First let me say this is a hard review to write because I don’t want to say anything to spoil – yet most of what happens in Twice Bitten and what I want to talk about veers right into that category. Chloe Neill gives Ethan a lot of page time in this book, which I loved. Mallory and Merit are on the outs from the previous book, and Merit finds herself having to work closely with Ethan for the werewolf matters. In the first two books we have seen lots of sexual build-up and a few kisses to relieve that tension. In this book things get taken up a notch.
There is almost a perfect scene between Merit and Ethan – one where their defenses are stripped. 400 years of Ethan’s wall slowly crumbles down. They must reassure each other and it is a very emotional moment.
Ethan can be all business, but when he looks at Merit, and his eyes turn to that swirly, sexy silver, all know he has other thoughts on his mind. In this book we see a softer side of Ethan – although still quite conflicted.
“You undo me, Merit. Wholly and completely. You don’t take me at my word. You challenge me at every opportunity. And that means when I’m with you, I am less than the head of this House…and I am more that the head of the House. I am a man.”
Can Ethan let go of control, slip out of “Head of Cadogan” mode and let his human needs take over? More importantly, can he give Merit what she needs? His entire life is one political balance with the other Houses, with the humans, with the shifters. Everything is so preciously balanced if he lets Merit in, the scale is tipped, and he must decide if he can live in an unbalanced nature.
BUT, I also need to say – this is an urban fantasy. HEA’s (happily ever afters) are not presented to us in an easy fashion and this is only book three in the series. There are moments I wanted to hold Merit and Ethan and squeeze tight. There were times I wanted to shake my fists at them. But this is why I love urban fantasy. Some events really surprised me. Some events made me smile. Some frustrated me – at first. There were times I became very frustrated, but as I continued to read, good explanations and reason are given and eventually I understood the decisions that were made. This is the book where we get a glimpse into the “real” Ethan but it is also the book where we must remember he has not been human for a very long time and he has enormous responsibility.
Because Mallory is absent in the beginning some of that humor I love so much from Chloe Neill is missing, but it makes a triumphant return later on. We get a great glimpse into werewolf culture and there is a scene where Gabriel “calls the pack” that gave me goose bumps.
I really, really enjoyed this book. This is one of my favorite series and I think Twice Bitten really moves along the story line and makes for an extremely entertaining read. I am very curious to see where Chloe Neill takes us from here.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recent Reviews:
The Eclectic Book Lover – A+
Goodreads
June 29, 2010 at 7:56 am
Great review-and I loved that Ethan quote! Ethan is so shakeable in these books.
June 29, 2010 at 7:56 am
This series has been in my book closet for a while. I've heard nothing but great things about it. I've made it my goal to actually read it in July – especially since the 3rd book is joining the first two. Great review Mandi!
June 29, 2010 at 8:00 am
Buckeye – He is very shakeable..and he makes me go rawr..LOL
Julie – Oh yes!! Perfect July reading!!! Let me know you how like them
June 29, 2010 at 8:03 am
Gah! I cannot wait for this book! I know I'm going to rip through it and then read it again slowly
June 29, 2010 at 8:04 am
Patti – LOL..Good plan!
June 29, 2010 at 8:08 am
I enjoyed this book very much. I I was anticipating certain parts of it so much, you know what I mean, that I was holding my breath and didn't even realize it. At other times I had to close the book and reopen it to contain my excitement. I don't think I've done that with another book before. LOL! Great review! We need book 4 like now.
June 29, 2010 at 8:54 am
great review –enough to tease the fans but enough to have them wait for the book like NOW.
June 29, 2010 at 9:01 am
Your favorite series, huh? I guess, it's time for me to dig up Some Girls Bite from the bottom of my TBR pile. Great review!
June 29, 2010 at 9:03 am
Bells – I slammed this book down a couple of times too! But then picked it right back up..LOL
Julie – LOL…I hope you enjoy it!
ERR- Dig it out girl!!
June 29, 2010 at 9:31 am
Thanks for linking to my review, Mandi! I'm glad that you liked it too. I've already re-read my favorite parts. Hopefully, I'll be able to re-read the whole thing again soon!
June 29, 2010 at 9:38 am
Great review Mandi! So looking forward to this one:):)
June 29, 2010 at 9:42 am
You so make me wanna read this series!!! I need to buy it..or perhaps wish for it as xmas..hm
June 29, 2010 at 10:04 am
Dude nipples?!?! lol
Ya this series sounds so good! Why havent I picked it up yet??? Thanks for reminding me to do so sweetie!
Great review!!! =)
June 29, 2010 at 10:10 am
Fabulous review Mandi!! I adore this series and so glad you turned me on to it.
Rawrrrris right!
June 29, 2010 at 11:14 am
Jacquelin – There are lots of favorite parts
Jenny – Hope you enjoy!
Blodeuedd – I hope you do read it..you will love Ethan
Monroe – Yes..dude nipples! LOLOL
Tori – Glad you read it!!
June 29, 2010 at 11:39 am
Dang it! I can tell I'm not going to get my way where Ethan and Merit get sexy time.
Twice Bitten is one of the books I was most looking forward to this summer.
June 29, 2010 at 1:04 pm
This is one of my top releases for the year!! I can't wait to get my hands on it.
Glad to see more Ethan is coming my way (:
June 29, 2010 at 1:08 pm
KC – you must read to find out….
Renee – Def get a lot of Ethan!
June 29, 2010 at 3:50 pm
I so want to read these books. Now I want to really rip into this series. Darn tbr.
June 29, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Wow, excellent review Mandi. I've not read this series, no time but you and Stacy make me want to. lol
Thanks for sharing!
June 29, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Oh nice review! How many books in the series? How long will it take me to catch up? LOL
June 29, 2010 at 9:20 pm
God I can't wait to read this book! That Ethan quote has me salivating for more!
June 30, 2010 at 5:25 am
Great review Mandi – thank you!
July 13, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Please tell me what's up with the unrecognizable Merit on the front cover? Uhhh, brown hair and bangs, where??? That's what she's known for, u know???
July 13, 2010 at 1:40 pm
That's true..although I just think this is a better cover. I don't know..I didn't think about the bangs