Cold Curses: An Heirs of Chicagoland Novel by Chloe Neill

Fans of this series are not going to be disappointed (unless this is the last book, which it does not sound like it will be) by the fifth book in the Heirs of Chicagoland series.  So much happens to Elisa and Connor in this book. After their engagement in Devouring Darkness the two must show the pack that they are strongest together. Elisa is trying to stop the demon invasion of Chicago and monster is eager to reunite with the other part of him in the sword, but first Elisa must come clean with those around her that she has this part of magic in her. Lulu, Connor, and Alexei are all there ready to help each other and support Connor as he fights to maintain his status as Alpha in the pack. A surge in the ley lines creates chaos and when Lulu is caught in the crossfire the feelings that Alexei has for Lulu becomes clear. The demons that are running amuck in Chicago are fighting each other for territory and a surprising figure tries to claim the monster inside Elisa. When monster and Elisa are separated the power Elisa really has, worries her mother and the sword is now loyal to Elisa above all others. In what might be the cutest scene in the story Connor walks out of the pack headquarters as a wolf while between Elisa and Alexei who take him home to heal and Elisa falls asleep with her wolf. Eagerly awaiting the next book in this series does not being to describe what the reader will feel when they finish reading this book. 

 

Character List/Book Summary:

Elisa Sullivan – born a vampire, the magic that helped create her also put part of the monster in her. When she tells her parents and Aunt Mallory they are concerned, but Aunt Mallory figures it makes sense since her mother was holding the sword when the spell was cast that some of it trickled into Merritt and then to Elisa. A store own makes a comment that her face and her sword don’t match when she and Theo try and find out information about who broke the cornerstone. Is worried about the fighting that Connor is doing, but knows he belongs as head of the pack and this is what must be done. Has Alexei and Dan promise to keep her updated. 

Connor Keene – Elisa’s finance, shifter, Prince of the pack and making his claim as Apex of the pack. Is hurt when a challenger uses magic to cheat, the pack takes care of the cheater. Loves Elisa and knows about her Monster, supports her when she is trying to find out how to help Lulu and stop the demons from coming into Chicago. Feels the pack should help stop the demons instead of staying out of it as they have done in the past. Covers Elisa in his magic as apex of the pack. 

Lulu Bell – Elisa’s best friend, sorcerer who does not practice since she has blood magic. Is working on a mural for Clint when they are caught in the cross fire and is hit with a magic fireball and it slows her body and puts her in a magical coma. Alexei shifts to human form and stays with her in the hospital and Cadogon House when she is moved there for safety. Tries to talk to Elisa in her dreams but cannot talk and struggles to communicate to Elisa in the dreams. Is able to take the monster out of Elisa and into the sword. 

Alexei Breckenridge – Connor’s best friend and is living at his townhouse with Lulu while they are working on ridding the city of demons. Is there to support Lulu and Elisa as they take the monster out of her. Elisa realizes how much he cares for Lulu and does not tease him about it while Lulu is in a coma. 

Petra – an aeromancer and helps Elisa when she goes up against the upstart since Connor and Alexei will need to help Swift. Helps find the background information on Jonathan Black, that explains what his role is in the demons coming to Chicago. 

Theo – Elisa’s partner at the Ombudsmen. After Elisa is hurt in a fight he wants to make it clear to Connor that it was not his fault. Dating Gwen, a Chicago police officer who specialized in supernatural.

Claudia – fairy queen, strawberry red hair. The fairies drank too much magic from the surge in the ley lines Elisa and Connor find the fairies in a drunken state. She explains to Elisa that they do not know what caused the surge in the ley lines and when Elisa calls in a favor Claudia tells her to research personal history. 

Egregore – the creature that is bound in the sword and partly in Elisa, is not evil but was created by an evil sorcerer.

Daniel Liu – shifter and close friend of Connor’s. Toasted Connor and Elisa’s engagement but reminds her he is mortal.

Mallory Carmichael – Lulu’s mom, and Elisa’s aunt. Is working to get the wards up again but is having a problem with the wards. Accidentally wakes up a river monster. Creates a spell to help deflect demon fireballs and create something that would allow Elisa to infect Jonathan with a spell that would weaken the magic he has and has been stealing. 

Catcher Bell – Mallory’s husband and Lulu’s dad, comes up with the idea of scraping the wards and creating a barrier that would stop demons with ill intentions and bad actors from coming into Chicago. 

Dantalion – demon that goes by Dante, claims Buckley sold him a very expensive condo because of something that was stolen in New York. Refuses to leave Chicago, and has a large legion. Is dealt with and his minions give bits of information to Elisa and Theo about who Dante is fighting and what the upstart wants. 

Jonathan Black – half elf half sorcerer, his magic is broken. Attorney. Tells Elisa a client is not happy with happy with him. Elisa finds him trying to steal power from demons, claims he is Sorcha’s son and Elisa has something that belongs to him. When he tries to take monster from Elisa it fights not to go to him. 

Bjorn – a river troll that helps Elisa and is George’s son. Tells Elisa to talk to the river monster whose name is Ambrosia. 

Kieran Swift – nephew of the Western Pack Apex, and is next in line to be that pack’s Alpha. Gets caught up helping Connor fight demons and look for a missing cornerstone. Is kidnapped by Jonathan and Elisa helps get him back. He supports Connor as Apex, and Elisa being his partner. Connor gives him a word of advice on how to act like an Apex if he really wants it one day. 

 

 

https://bookshop.org/widgets.js