Elisa Sullivan is finding her way in the vampire world. She’s unique, in that she was born rather than made, and her parents are the rulers of Cadogan House. Meanwhile, Connor Keene is the son of the North American Central Pack’s Apex and is in line to be Apex himself one day. The budding relationship between Elisa and Connor is unusual, but Connor defies expectations and invites Elisa to a generally private pack initiation in Minnesota. Unfortunately, things in Minnesota quickly deteriorate when a shifter dies and rumors abound about the Beast of Owatonna. Elisa and Connor are on their own as they face enemies on several fronts even as Elisa struggles with her own inner battle.

I love Elisa and Connor! I was saddened when the Chicagoland series ended but Chloe Neill has more than satisfied my need to revisit those characters with the glimpses we see in the Heirs of Chicagoland series! WICKED HOUR is the second book in the Heirs of Chicagoland series. While it can be read independently from Chloe Neill’s Chicagoland series (although I can’t imagine why anyone would skip that incredible series!), WICKED HOUR is probably best read in the context of the Heirs of Chicagoland series due to some of the ongoing story lines, such as the growing romance between Elisa and Gabriel and Elisa’s own inner battle with what she has dubbed the “monster”.

Chloe Neill has a knack for putting her main characters in some sticky situations and WICKED HOUR has more than just a few. We learn quite a few shifter rules as the tension surrounding Elisa and Connor’s relationship is heating up. Connor’s role as the future Apex means others are gunning for Elisa. No spoilers but Elisa and Connor make some risky decisions that had me on the edge of my seat worrying about how things would turn out.

Chloe Neill delivers yet another phenomenal urban fantasy tale with WICKED HOUR. The twist involving the Beast of Owatonna adds an intriguing dimension to the overall world building, but it is once again the characters who make Chloe Neill’s tale shine. Chloe Neill is a must-read author for urban fantasy fans and the Heirs of Chicagoland series is an excellent place for new readers to dive in!