Biting Cold ~ Chloe Neill

Biting Cold by Chloe Neill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Loved this one. Chloe Neill has done it again! Merit is back to kick some butt and try to make the world a safer place for Vampire and humans alike.

Summary:
Turned into a vampire against her will, twenty-eight-year-old Merit found her way into the dark circle of Chicago’s vampire underground, where she learned there was more to supernaturals than met the eye—and more supernaturals than the public ever imagined.And not all the secrets she learned were for sharing—among humans or inhumans. Now Merit is on the hunt, charging across the stark American Midwest, tailing a rogue supernatural intent on stealing an ancient artifact that could unleash catastrophic evil on the world. But Merit is also the prey. An enemy of Chicagoland is hunting her, and he’ll stop at nothing to get the book for himself. No mercy allowed.

No rules apply. No lives spared. The race is on.

My take: 
This book picks up shortly after the last. Merit and a newly raised from the dead Ethan are headed towards the middle of no where in the hopes to reach the Maleficium before Mallory or Tate. Merit isn't given a lot of time to dwell on her relationship with Ethan since the world seems to be ready to explode around them.

Fast paced a fun this was a great addition to Merits story. We have seen her grow into a Vampire with quick wits, good decisions and amazing battle skills. Even her handling of her up and down relationship with Ethan seems more mature.

Neill has also taken Mallory's addiction seriously. There is no wishy washy I'll be better speech. Mallory acts true to an addicts behavior. First uncaring and then remorseful. Crafting fantasy after real life is the best way to hold an audience. It would have been unbelievable if everyone just forgave Mallory and she was suddenly all better. Showing her struggle was an important addition to the story line.

An even more interesting development was Tate himself. He shows his true colors, so to speak, and we are finally able to understand just what he is. Biting Cold introduced us to some new supernatural players and revisited some old friends, or fiends depending on the day. The ending was a tiny cliffhanger but certainly not as bad as ; hey your best friends and evil magic addict and your sort of boyfriend is back from the dead! I will still be looking forward to the next book though :)