3.5 stars might be a tiny bit unfair. This is probably more of a 4 star read, but I'd have enjoyed this last book in the series more if Neill had opted to end on a bang, rather than full-scale mass destruction.

Merit and Ethan and the rest of the scooby gang are trying to enjoy peace and quiet and a wedding, but the after-party comes with snow. In August. After that all hell breaks loose as an old enemy isn't as vanquished as they'd hoped. And boy is she pissed.

The thing is, I don't like sequels all that much when they involve 'the return of..'; I was disappointed at the end of the last book (#12) because the big bad was hauled off to jail. Nobody with half a brain could think that would end well. So having her evilness come back felt a bit 'here we go again'. However, I loved what Neill did with Chicago, and I loved, loved, loved how Ms. Evil met her end. It was fitting and it was hilarious.

But I love these characters; they're the sort I'd like to call friends. Merit and Mallory have the best dialogs. I think, given enough popcorn and iced tea, I could just sit back and listen to these two talk to each other for hours.

My entire immediate family is from Chicago, save myself, so I have an inherited affection for that gorgeous city (Go Cubs!), and it was painful to watch Neill tear it up. And she didn't mess around; she immediately went straight to the landmarks any Chicagoan knows and loves; she didn't even spare the lions! This made reading difficult; I kept thinking no, no, not Shed's... dammit...omg, NOT WATER TOWER PLACE!

Of course, the good guys win in the end - that's not a spoiler; it's the last book in the series, so of course they are going to triumph. Normally, in this situation, I enjoy an epilogue; a little something to give me some view of how it all works out in the long run. Honestly though? Here, I'd have been happier without it. It verged on twee. I can't believe Neill went twee on me. But... glancing at the book ads at the end, it seems she's creating a new series based on the two characters in that twee little scene, so I suppose there was a method to her madness.

I've love this series madly, and I think the author brought it to an end at a good time and place. I'll try the new series, although I'm not sure Chicagoland will hold the same appeal to me without her landmarks and without Merit's and Mallory's witty repartee. ( )

Listened to audio narrated well by Sophie Eastlake. Ethan and Merit finally marry but mayhem happens, with humans and vamps hearing voices causing them to go mad attacking people, then the mad sorceress returns. She demands Mallory and Merit in exchange she'll release her stranglehold on the city and of course the Mayor is all too willing to give them up. That doesn't go as planned either, creating an even bigger problem. Ethan and Merit work together with the others and have to work out accepting each other going into danger to save Chicago. Loved the epilogue. ( )

Good finale

I liked this even thought the demise of the villain was a bit anti-climactic. This book focused a lot on relationships. I liked the interaction between Mallory, Catcher, Merit and Ethan. We finally got the wedding but he whole, "you're mine" bit got a little tiresome. The slaying of the dragon topped off the series nicely as did the new beginnings for all the families. Looking forward to the next series. ( )

I wasn't crazy about Blade Bound, sorry to say. It really started out slowly with way too much info on the wedding, dress, etc. The big battle livened things up a bit, but that was towards the end of the book. The epilogue was a pretty big 'ho hum' for me too, because it was all baby talk and cutesy baby birthday party.
Two to 2 1/2 stars at best. This is a great series overall (but I'm glad it is over). ( )

Blade Bound
3.5 Stars

Merit and Ethan must confront the latest threat to Chicago in the form of a malicious sorceress who will stop at nothing to prove her superiority over both humans and supernaturals. Can they stop her from destroying everyone and everything they hold dear?

The final installment in Chloe Neill's Chicagoland Vampires series continues in the same vein as the previous books with Merit, Ethan and Chicago's vampires fighting to save the city from the villain of the week. Nevertheless, there is one really good plot development who doesn't love a good dragon? that goes a long way toward compensating for the humdrum of the first two thirds.

Of course, the answer to the long awaited question is finally provided. Unfortunately, the explanation for Merit's prophesized pregnancy is rather meh! Somehow I was expecting something more intimate and profound than the Deus Ex Machina of the dragon's power binding the fetus. Ah well!

Overall, like the series as a whole, Blade Bound has some fantastic moments interspersed throughout that make it an entertaining read. Now I have to decide if I'm interested in continuing with the spin-off …. Probably, but only once there are several published. I don't have the patience to wait long periods between installments.
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