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"While Merit didn't choose to become a vampire or Sentinel of Cadogan House, she vowed to fight for her House and its Master, and she's managed to forge strong alliances with powerful supernaturals across Chicago. But even though Merit has had wild adventures, this may be her deadliest yet.... A killer is stalking Chicago, preying on humans and leaving his victims with magical souvenirs. The CPD hasn't been able to track the assailant, and as the body count rises, the city is running out of show more options. Vampires and humans aren't on great terms, but murder makes for strange bedfellows. Can Merit find the killer before she becomes a target? "-- show lessTags
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Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
*** Review contains minor spoilers from previous books in this series. ***
There are two main plot threads in Chloe Neill’s latest CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES installment, but in all honesty I only had eyes for one. The Tarot murder mystery was interesting enough in itself; I liked seeing Merit & Mallory finally getting back on track, and I enjoyed deciphering the riddles left behind by the killer. However, after the way WILD THINGS ended, my focus was entirely on Ethan’s GP candidacy, and given the title of this book I was a little surprised that the author didn’t concentrate more on the latter and less on the former. That point aside, in BLOOD GAMES readers get to meet Amit Patel (the most powerful vampire in the show more world!), discover Neill’s version of THE HUNGER GAMES, and no CV novel would be complete without… Sullivan acting like a douche.
I really liked the way that the GP plot line played out; from Darius’ fall from grace, to the trials, to the unexpected end result. Nicole Heart, Ethan’s American competition, does kind of come out of left field though. Perhaps I missed it, but I think some reference should have been made to her before now. I also wish that The Sentinels Games would have evolved past the intimidation stage. That being said, I loved the psych and phys tests that the candidates had to undertake because vampires are an all-or-nothing kind of supe, meaning the BLOOD GAMES were to the death. The physical trial was nail bitingly spectacular with burning buildings, trolls and unforeseen duplicity. I won’t pretend to understand how the GP tallies points, but the winner will leave you wondering.
No CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES review would be complete without a mini Ethan rant, so here it comes! After an attempt is made on his life, the master of Cargodan House receives a note that he refuses to share with Merit because for some inexplicable reason he thinks that lying to her somehow qualifies as protection. Yes, THIS AGAIN. So, of course they end up at odds, seeds of doubt are planted, and the happy couple goes from mock proposals to butting heads. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again; will this 400+ year old vampire never learn!? At least their tiff does lead to some light being shed on Ethan’s past with Balthasar, and after Merit proves once again that she’s in it for the long haul some genuinely tender moments ensue. I loved them together in the later chapters, but couldn’t help feeling a little frustrated by the fact that the 28 year old novitiate continues to be the more mature one in this relationship.
The author stays true to her Chicago roots by making the city’s famous food and landmarks integral parts of the story. I liked the correlations between the locations and the Tarot murders, and the Ombuddies were amazing as usual. The ending was a bit of a head-scratcher followed by a startling cliff hanger, but all of this just goes to prove that Chloe Neill’s still got it! BLOOD GAMES is a high octave read peppered with awesome fights, heartfelt moments, and developments that shake the very core of the CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES universe. show less
*** Review contains minor spoilers from previous books in this series. ***
There are two main plot threads in Chloe Neill’s latest CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES installment, but in all honesty I only had eyes for one. The Tarot murder mystery was interesting enough in itself; I liked seeing Merit & Mallory finally getting back on track, and I enjoyed deciphering the riddles left behind by the killer. However, after the way WILD THINGS ended, my focus was entirely on Ethan’s GP candidacy, and given the title of this book I was a little surprised that the author didn’t concentrate more on the latter and less on the former. That point aside, in BLOOD GAMES readers get to meet Amit Patel (the most powerful vampire in the show more world!), discover Neill’s version of THE HUNGER GAMES, and no CV novel would be complete without… Sullivan acting like a douche.
I really liked the way that the GP plot line played out; from Darius’ fall from grace, to the trials, to the unexpected end result. Nicole Heart, Ethan’s American competition, does kind of come out of left field though. Perhaps I missed it, but I think some reference should have been made to her before now. I also wish that The Sentinels Games would have evolved past the intimidation stage. That being said, I loved the psych and phys tests that the candidates had to undertake because vampires are an all-or-nothing kind of supe, meaning the BLOOD GAMES were to the death. The physical trial was nail bitingly spectacular with burning buildings, trolls and unforeseen duplicity. I won’t pretend to understand how the GP tallies points, but the winner will leave you wondering.
No CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES review would be complete without a mini Ethan rant, so here it comes! After an attempt is made on his life, the master of Cargodan House receives a note that he refuses to share with Merit because for some inexplicable reason he thinks that lying to her somehow qualifies as protection. Yes, THIS AGAIN. So, of course they end up at odds, seeds of doubt are planted, and the happy couple goes from mock proposals to butting heads. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again; will this 400+ year old vampire never learn!? At least their tiff does lead to some light being shed on Ethan’s past with Balthasar, and after Merit proves once again that she’s in it for the long haul some genuinely tender moments ensue. I loved them together in the later chapters, but couldn’t help feeling a little frustrated by the fact that the 28 year old novitiate continues to be the more mature one in this relationship.
The author stays true to her Chicago roots by making the city’s famous food and landmarks integral parts of the story. I liked the correlations between the locations and the Tarot murders, and the Ombuddies were amazing as usual. The ending was a bit of a head-scratcher followed by a startling cliff hanger, but all of this just goes to prove that Chloe Neill’s still got it! BLOOD GAMES is a high octave read peppered with awesome fights, heartfelt moments, and developments that shake the very core of the CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES universe. show less
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
I love it when a series is so consistently good that I can have little doubt in its ability to stay fresh and exciting. BLOOD GAMES continues the steady tradition of awesomeness I have come to expect from The Chicagoland Vampires series. BLOOD GAMES revolves around a baffling series of murders that have supernaturals as the main suspects with a huge political battle raging in the vampire world. There is so much delicious intrigue and twists in this book that even without the breakneck pacing of the fight scenes I’d be glued to the pages just trying to figure out what is going to happen to Merit, Ethan, and their friends and family in the very near future. The political battle has the most far show more reaching consequences for Cadogan House and I’m excited to see where the results will take everyone in the next book.
I continue to adore Merit, my favorite foodie vampire. Had Merit not become a sentinel vampire she should have opened up a restaurant with her kind of amazing ideas for restaurant themes. She has matured so much over this series and come in to her own with grace and confidence. I constantly get annoyed at Ethan and his stubborn ‘alphaness’ which kind of puts me off of the character but somehow Merit is able to knock some sense into him every time he pushes her away which always makes way for some sexy make up time. Aside from her rocky relationship with Ethan I always enjoy seeing just how good of a friend Merit is especially with the always adorable shifter, Jeff. We get some Catcher and Mallory time where they actually get to help out with the finding the serial killer. These two need a short story together because I need to read more of them being adorable and quirky together.
BLOOD GAMES shows off just what I adore about this series. It has grizzly murders, massive political implications, and awesome sword fighting with a sassy, always hungry vampire at the center of it all. Chloe Neill has done it again; left me satisfied and craving more of Merit and this cast of colorful supernatural creatures. show less
I love it when a series is so consistently good that I can have little doubt in its ability to stay fresh and exciting. BLOOD GAMES continues the steady tradition of awesomeness I have come to expect from The Chicagoland Vampires series. BLOOD GAMES revolves around a baffling series of murders that have supernaturals as the main suspects with a huge political battle raging in the vampire world. There is so much delicious intrigue and twists in this book that even without the breakneck pacing of the fight scenes I’d be glued to the pages just trying to figure out what is going to happen to Merit, Ethan, and their friends and family in the very near future. The political battle has the most far show more reaching consequences for Cadogan House and I’m excited to see where the results will take everyone in the next book.
I continue to adore Merit, my favorite foodie vampire. Had Merit not become a sentinel vampire she should have opened up a restaurant with her kind of amazing ideas for restaurant themes. She has matured so much over this series and come in to her own with grace and confidence. I constantly get annoyed at Ethan and his stubborn ‘alphaness’ which kind of puts me off of the character but somehow Merit is able to knock some sense into him every time he pushes her away which always makes way for some sexy make up time. Aside from her rocky relationship with Ethan I always enjoy seeing just how good of a friend Merit is especially with the always adorable shifter, Jeff. We get some Catcher and Mallory time where they actually get to help out with the finding the serial killer. These two need a short story together because I need to read more of them being adorable and quirky together.
BLOOD GAMES shows off just what I adore about this series. It has grizzly murders, massive political implications, and awesome sword fighting with a sassy, always hungry vampire at the center of it all. Chloe Neill has done it again; left me satisfied and craving more of Merit and this cast of colorful supernatural creatures. show less
Blood Games
4 Stars
As Cadogan House and it's Master, Ethan Sullivan, await the response of the Greenwich Presidium to his challenge for leadership, Merit has her hands full assisting the CPD on a case involving several murders staged to look like the work of vampires and other magical practitioners. Can Merit stop the killer before he strikes closer to home?
There is a lot going on in this installment of the Chicagoland Vampires with three separate storylines. Nevertheless, Neill manages to pull it all off nicely, and there are a couple of surprising twists at the end that should make for interesting reading in upcoming books.
The "games" mentioned in the title may refer to any or all of the plot lines including the serial killer who uses show more Tarot cards to stage his victims, the obstacles that Ethan must overcome to assume leadership of the GP, and the machinations of a mysterious traitor siphoning cash out of the GPs bank accounts. Each is well-developed and resolved satisfactorily.
As always, there is tension and angst in Ethan and Merit's relationship as he refuses to let her in on the secrets of his past for fear of losing her. With time, stubbornness and a cunning scheme or two, Merit manages to wear down his resolve and their romance is the stronger for it.
The only disappointing element is Neill's failure tokill Mallory off despite a golden opportunity. Oh well, there is still time for the remaining books. A girl can hope!
In sum, entertaining and action packed with just the right amount of drama. Looking forward to Dark Debt. show less
4 Stars
As Cadogan House and it's Master, Ethan Sullivan, await the response of the Greenwich Presidium to his challenge for leadership, Merit has her hands full assisting the CPD on a case involving several murders staged to look like the work of vampires and other magical practitioners. Can Merit stop the killer before he strikes closer to home?
There is a lot going on in this installment of the Chicagoland Vampires with three separate storylines. Nevertheless, Neill manages to pull it all off nicely, and there are a couple of surprising twists at the end that should make for interesting reading in upcoming books.
The "games" mentioned in the title may refer to any or all of the plot lines including the serial killer who uses show more Tarot cards to stage his victims, the obstacles that Ethan must overcome to assume leadership of the GP, and the machinations of a mysterious traitor siphoning cash out of the GPs bank accounts. Each is well-developed and resolved satisfactorily.
As always, there is tension and angst in Ethan and Merit's relationship as he refuses to let her in on the secrets of his past for fear of losing her. With time, stubbornness and a cunning scheme or two, Merit manages to wear down his resolve and their romance is the stronger for it.
The only disappointing element is Neill's failure to
In sum, entertaining and action packed with just the right amount of drama. Looking forward to Dark Debt. show less
For pure entertainment value I just can't go wrong with the Chicagoland Vampire series. It's perfect for my tastes: it's not fluffy, but it's not gritty either. Don't get me wrong, I love Mercy Thompson (for example), but I have to be honest and say I struggle with some of the more violent aspects of her stories and the psychological themes Ms. Briggs sometimes introduces. Chloe Neill, on the other hand, always gives me stories with wit, intelligence and snark (oh, the snark!), with none of the dark oily aftertaste.
Blood Games also had some murder mystery going on and well, that's right in my wheelhouse. It's not a badly plotted mystery, either. Better than average slight-of-hand with suspects and an interesting, not completely show more un-suspenseful denouement. I really liked the mystery setup too: a string of murders, each one pointing to a different supernatural segment of society.
As in all her books though, there is more than one storyline and the focal point this time around is Ethan's bid to take over the GP; to be master of Europe and America's vampires. I had wondered how Ms. Neill would make this work when it was introduced at the end of the last book; it sort of felt like she'd written herself into a corner unless she was going to make drastic changes to the setting or cast. She pulled it out though; I won't gush over its brilliance or anything like that, but I was happy enough with the way things worked out.
The only letdown of the book for me was Ethan's Big Angst. He's keeping secrets from Merit - because I suppose people think a lack of conflict is boring - and he refuses to share. Until he does and his Big Reveal was massive. Massively anti-climatic. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, and it never did. His confession was NOT worth the angst. It wasn't even a surprise.
Oh well. I'm an unrepentant fan of the series and I can't wait for the next book. show less
Blood Games also had some murder mystery going on and well, that's right in my wheelhouse. It's not a badly plotted mystery, either. Better than average slight-of-hand with suspects and an interesting, not completely show more un-suspenseful denouement. I really liked the mystery setup too: a string of murders, each one pointing to a different supernatural segment of society.
As in all her books though, there is more than one storyline and the focal point this time around is Ethan's bid to take over the GP; to be master of Europe and America's vampires. I had wondered how Ms. Neill would make this work when it was introduced at the end of the last book; it sort of felt like she'd written herself into a corner unless she was going to make drastic changes to the setting or cast. She pulled it out though; I won't gush over its brilliance or anything like that, but I was happy enough with the way things worked out.
The only letdown of the book for me was Ethan's Big Angst. He's keeping secrets from Merit - because I suppose people think a lack of conflict is boring - and he refuses to share. Until he does and his Big Reveal was massive. Massively anti-climatic. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, and it never did. His confession was NOT worth the angst. It wasn't even a surprise.
Oh well. I'm an unrepentant fan of the series and I can't wait for the next book. show less
BLOOD GAMES was an excellent addition to the Chicagoland Vampires series. This time Ethan is waiting to hear the results of his challenge for the leadership of the Greenwich Presidium. The leader - Darius - has been suspiciously silent.
Meanwhile, Merit is called by her Grandfather to take a look at a crime scene. The son of one of the police officers who works with Chuck has been murdered. Chuck wants Merit to see if she thinks vampires were involved. She and Ethan and Jonah take a look at the site but don't think vampires were involved despite the fact the katanas, but not genuine katanas, were part of the scene.
Merit's investigation with Jonah into to source of those fake katanas leads to the funniest section of the book. Their show more investigation takes them to a science fiction sort of convention where Merit is assumed to be dressing up as herself - and not doing it very well - and she is baffled by all the souvenir gear with Ethan's face on it. His face on ladies' underwear is the most baffling to her.
Things escalate when more murders are committed and the competition for leadership of the Greenwich Presidium involves Ethan in mental and physical challenges. Ethan and Merit are also dealing with some relationship issues too as Ethan is being blackmailed and is afraid to tell Merit what secret the blackmailer is threatening to expose. While they love each other deeply, they really haven't been together very long and they are both still getting used to trusting each other.
I loved the writing and I certainly love Merit and Ethan. I can't wait for more adventures. show less
Meanwhile, Merit is called by her Grandfather to take a look at a crime scene. The son of one of the police officers who works with Chuck has been murdered. Chuck wants Merit to see if she thinks vampires were involved. She and Ethan and Jonah take a look at the site but don't think vampires were involved despite the fact the katanas, but not genuine katanas, were part of the scene.
Merit's investigation with Jonah into to source of those fake katanas leads to the funniest section of the book. Their show more investigation takes them to a science fiction sort of convention where Merit is assumed to be dressing up as herself - and not doing it very well - and she is baffled by all the souvenir gear with Ethan's face on it. His face on ladies' underwear is the most baffling to her.
Things escalate when more murders are committed and the competition for leadership of the Greenwich Presidium involves Ethan in mental and physical challenges. Ethan and Merit are also dealing with some relationship issues too as Ethan is being blackmailed and is afraid to tell Merit what secret the blackmailer is threatening to expose. While they love each other deeply, they really haven't been together very long and they are both still getting used to trusting each other.
I loved the writing and I certainly love Merit and Ethan. I can't wait for more adventures. show less
While reading:
Ah, the playfulness with the French accents was a nice touch. Almost as much as Margo appearing at all. Margo is so awesome as a secondary character. She and Lindsay are my favs.
OMG, she did not have her ask who is Diana Prince. Really? Though the innocence of Merit at a ComicCon is awesome.
Okay the mispronunciations of words the narrator got right for multiple books, and even earlier in this book, are really getting annoying.
-----
The final twist definitely left my jaw hanging. The changes that come through in this book create an interesting flow for the rest of the series. What will happen with the changes that are presented? Also, the overarching plot takes precedent over the simple murder mystery that runs from the show more beginning. I'm wondering mildly if the author couldn't get the book to full length without adding that to the plot.
The tension and the conflict with Ethan and Merit is starting to get tiring. They resolve it, then it comes back, then it resolves and it comes back again. Let it remained fixed for once, dang it. Even the fake proposals would annoy me.
Overall, good book, a definite improvement over the original which I said was just a junk book. If the author's website is right, just three left to read in the series... show less
Ah, the playfulness with the French accents was a nice touch. Almost as much as Margo appearing at all. Margo is so awesome as a secondary character. She and Lindsay are my favs.
OMG, she did not have her ask who is Diana Prince. Really? Though the innocence of Merit at a ComicCon is awesome.
Okay the mispronunciations of words the narrator got right for multiple books, and even earlier in this book, are really getting annoying.
-----
The final twist definitely left my jaw hanging. The changes that come through in this book create an interesting flow for the rest of the series. What will happen with the changes that are presented? Also, the overarching plot takes precedent over the simple murder mystery that runs from the show more beginning. I'm wondering mildly if the author couldn't get the book to full length without adding that to the plot.
The tension and the conflict with Ethan and Merit is starting to get tiring. They resolve it, then it comes back, then it resolves and it comes back again. Let it remained fixed for once, dang it. Even the fake proposals would annoy me.
Overall, good book, a definite improvement over the original which I said was just a junk book. If the author's website is right, just three left to read in the series... show less
Vampires, politics, murder, romance - those four tags encapsulate a lot of the story. We're back into messy vampire politic, also there's a killer stalking Chicago and the killings look ritualistic, or at least have supernatural overtones. Merit has to help with that and with the mystery of the vampire leader who seems to have lost his autonomy and then as I write I start wondering why Merit? Why does she have to do so much stuff, where are the other vampires, surely they could do some of this too?
Ah well, logic aside, I enjoyed the read and the way the relationship between Merit and Ethan continues to grow and how the end promised changes.
Ah well, logic aside, I enjoyed the read and the way the relationship between Merit and Ethan continues to grow and how the end promised changes.
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Author Information
52+ Works 12,119 Members
Chloe Neill writes the Chicagoland Vampires series and the Dark Elite series. She is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. (Bowker Author Biography)
Series
Work Relationships
Is contained in
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Blood Games
- Original publication date
- 2014-08-05
- People/Characters
- Merit; Ethan Sullivan; Luc; Jonah; Chuck Merit; Catcher Bell (show all 10); Jeff Christopher; Detective Stow; Lindsay; Mallory Carmichael
- Important places
- Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Epigraph
- Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood.
—Daniel Burnham - Dedication
- This tome is dedicated to Lady Katherine Guinevere Pendrake Stacey, who acted with bravery and honor in a
time of great need.
Special thanks to the attendees of WillyCon 2014, who provided valuable advice regarding... (show all) swords and steel. - First words
- Early March
Chicago, Illinois
He stood beside me as cameras flashed, a man with a long and lean body, deeply green eyes, and golden hair - Quotations
- "When Shakespeare said kill all the lawyers, he hadn't met the paparazzi."
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)“And he isn't alive. Someone is playing a very dangerous game, and we're going to win it.”
- Original language
- English
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 396
- Popularity
- 78,541
- Reviews
- 27
- Rating
- (3.94)
- Languages
- English, French, German
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 11
- ASINs
- 4
