I always have a lot of fun reading Chloe Neil’s books. Yep, they’re (relatively) nice vampires and shifters, and the dialog is witty as hell (although not as on-fire as the original series). In these books vampires being vampires isn’t really the important part; solving the mysteries and doing with with the cooperation of friends and allies is. These books are heavy on friendships, solid plotting, and some light romance as a side-gig.

This fourth one felt a bit sharper than the first 3, as if Neil finally got into the groove with this new cast of characters and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The end has an epilogue that’s not a cliffhanger, but a definite lead up to a new threat, and it still annoyed me because it will be at least a year before it’ll be out. ( )

The newest Chicago area Ombuds office member, Elisa Sullivan, is out on the job to aid an informant whose identity has been discovered when she inadvertently activates a spell designed to protect the city from an ancient foe. With the enemy now on the loose, and causing chaos in their wake, Elisa and Co will have to dig deep into Chicago's past to try to discover how to save its future.

I've really enjoyed this spinoff series, Chloe Neill has done a great job in keeping with the same feeling that started in the first series but still making this series and characters its own entity. Devouring Darkness definitely makes a big comment on how separate the OG characters are from the newer ones (you'll understand once you read it) and rightfully so as you cannot only rely on where you came from but have to forge your own path which is something Elisa has certainly done.

One huge thing is the Elisa and Connor relationship. I love how their story has its own path and we didn't get a rehash of Merit and Ethan. It's difficult to have a couple pair off in the first book in the series because a lot of times the slow-burn makes for such a great read, but I think it pays off in seeing a couple navigate a relationship - and all its ups and downs - from the beginning. It's not always easy for Elisa and Connor, but seeing them work through whatever is thrown their way is the best kind of romance read.

With a setting like Chicago, I love the history. I like excavating through the past and the time that came before, we get a bit of that within Devouring Darkness, but I could always use more.

Of all the books in the series thus far, this one feels the most like the bridge book. By that I mean a book that by itself doesn't outwardly move a lot, but leads you into the next book or the next arc of the series. Because of everything that happened, I still felt like there's so much more to come, so much that's been started/opened in this book that wasn't completely dealt with. This isn't a bad thing, I'm super excited to see what Chloe Neill has next for us and the book still had plenty of exciting moments, but I'm left thinking more about the possibilities of what's to come than what just transpired.

Overall, another good entry in the series, I love where the story has come from and can't wait to see where it goes next! ( )

In this episode of the Heirs of Chicagoland series, Elisa and her colleagues have to find and capture a chaos demon who has damaged one of the wards built in 1872 which allowed her entrance.

While Elisa is busy dealing with the chaos demon, the Pack is dealing with interlopers from out of town who have come to lodge complaints. Connor is pulled between helping Elisa and helping with the pack.

Things get much worse when the demon causes Cadogan House to disappear just before Elisa and Connor arrive for a brainstorming session about removing the demon from Chicago. Trapped in the house are Elisa's parents, Connor's parents and Lulu Bell's parents along with the head of one of the other vampire houses and all the vampires who were at home when Cadogan House was removed.

Elisa and her team now have to figure things out on their own without the help of older vampires and the extensive library at Cadogan House. Lulu is so angry that she decides that she has to share a secret she's been keeping for ten years about her reasons for not using her magic.

The story was fast-paced and filled with action. I enjoyed the interactions of the characters and the worldbuilding in a Chicago with a variety of supernaturals. Fans of the series won't want to miss this latest episode. ( )