Dark Debt
I was lucky enough got get a review copy of Dark Debt thanks to the publisher through NetGalley. I've a huge fan of the Chicagoland Vampire series and couldn't wait to read the newest installment.
I felt like Chloe Neill totally delivered with Dark Debt. It had the feel of the earlier books in the series for me. I loved the time we got to spend with Merit, Ethan, Mallory and Catcher. While I love so many of the characters from the series, I think the friendship between Merit and Mallory and Ethan and Catcher keep me reading installment after installment.
With then end of the GP (General Presidium) and the start up of the AMM (Assembly of American Masters) I expected it to be a big part of the story. However with the return of Ethan's maker Balthazar, who Ethan thought was dead, the AMM took a bit of a backseat in Dark Debt. With the mystery of Balthazar and the discovery that Navarre is in debt to a mob-like group called The Circle, and Merit and Ethan have their hands full. I love how Cadogan house always steps up to solve all the problems with the other houses in Chicago.
The Balthazar story line overlapped with The Circle and I loved how Team Cadogan worked to figure out what was going on between the two. I also enjoyed getting to see Cadogan work with the other houses. We haven't really seen much of Morgan and Scott recently, but was happy to see them back in action in Dark Debt. As always it was awesome to see Merit's grandfather Chuck and Jeff working with Catcher to help with the investigation of both The Circle and Balthazar.
I love watching each of the characters grow and change with each book. Each of the books build upon the last and with Dark Debt, Neill started a new story arc. Changes happen for Merit thanks to being exposed to Balthazar. Merit and her dad also have some changes in their relationship in Dark Debt. I've never been a very big fan of Joshua Merit, and felt like he got a bit of an eye-opener where it comes to his daughter.
I really loved the changes that are happening in the Chicagoland Vampire series with Dark Debt. The friendships seem to be stronger and the alliances among the houses are growing stronger. While there is some drama between Jonah and Merit in Dark Debt, I felt that it had been coming for a while and totally supported Merit's stance. Catcher and Mallory's relationship was really in the spotlight in Dark Debt and I absolutely loved how Merit had Mallory's back to make sure her dreams came true.
Dark Debt was an awesome addition to the Chicagoland Vampire series. I read and listen to the audio book with each new book. To anyone who loves audio books, Sophie Eastlake does such an amazing job with each and every book in this series.