Merrick

Almost nothing actually happens in the book‘s present timeline. The only significant thing happens at the very end of the book. Most the story is Merrick's backstory, however, it feels flat and boring.
The premise of this book held so much potential, but absolutely none of it is realized. It is emphasized repeatedly how powerful Merrick is; however, she never really does anything much more than reading minds (a trick which even the weakest vampires could achieve with the Mind Gift). Moreover, while Merrick is related to the Mayfairs, she makes it a point not to involve herself with them, so much that is feels like there was no point in even making her a Mayfair.
The scenes with Claudia feel like an afterthought. It does not feel like Louis got any closure in this regard.