Review: Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward

Title: Lover Enshrined
Author: J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood, #6
Publisher: Signet
Release Date: June 3, 2008
Pages: 534
Rating:

In this "frighteningly addictive" paranormal romance sage there's a war raging between vampires and their slayers. Here are the stories of a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. And now a dutiful twin must choose between two lives... 

Fiercely loyal to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of the race, becoming the male responsible for keeping the Brotherhood's bloodlines alive. As Primale of the Chosen, he is obligated to father the sons and daughters who will ensure that the traditions of the race survive, and that there are warriors to fight those who want all vampires extinguished. 

As his first mate, the Chosen Cormia wants to win not only his body, but his heart for herself. She is drawn to the noble responsibility behind the emotionally scarred male. But Phury has never allowed himself to know pleasure or joy. As the war with the Lessening Society grows grim, tragedy looms over the Brotherhood's mansion, and Phury must decide between duty and love....

“Fuck. Me, "Vishous Breathed. 
"I will so pass on that, "Lassiter muttered.”

Never in a million years did I think I would give LOVER ENSHRINED such a high rating. Prior to starting this book I was horrified at all the negative ratings on this book, and I was dreading reading this book, putting it off for the longest time. I even considered skipping the book all together and perhaps finding a summary of what happened between the side characters in this book, but I am so glad I decided to read it! Because for what hundreds of readers hated, I loved!

Even though I loved this book, I completely understand why others didn't like it. But I am looking at the bigger picture here. This book felt more like an explanation for the side stories. I think that is what I needed most. For the last two books I was at the point of wanting to give up. I did not like Butch's book, nor did I like Vishous' book. To a point, Phurry's story is horrible too, but Phurry's story only takes up about 15% of the book, the rest is side character stories!

“Got a problem.” “I can’t fix your personality, sorry.” Lassiter laughed, the sound ringing through the house like church bells. “No.. I like myself just as I am, thank you.” “Can’t help your delusional nature, either.”

I know this is a romance book and you expect to see a romance, and for the romance part of this book, yes, it was horrible, but the side characters stole the show and did wonderfully at keeping me captivated until the very end and now I am very interested in the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series.

I will say it. I hated Phurry's story. I think he absolutely stupid and made so many wrong choices and, "What the hell?" I don't really know what to say that this point, but I felt like his story was pointless, and yes, it had to be told because he was apart of the Brotherhood, but I'm glad I'm done with his shit. Maybe I just didn't understand why he was going through all that shit with the drugs and everything. It's a real shame, because Cormia was a wonderful heroine and I would've liked to have a real romance between them. At least their story only took up 15% of the book and I wouldn't have to sit through all this stuff.

“Your wish is my command, prince of mine.” 
Don’t call me that.

The real story began with all of the John Matthew, Qhuinn and Blay stuff. Most of the story centered on them, because big changes happen between them. I was just introduced to Qhuinn and Blay not too long ago and it was a bit hard to focus on them with me not liking the last two books, but now they are front and center in LOVER ENSHRINED and I absolutely adore these two, oh, and of course John too! Lass is being an ass as usual and a bit of information leaks from his mouth for him just being an ass and all hell breaks loose!

Qhuinn does something I couldn't believe and there are some new realizations for John and Blay in the group! But everything goes well. I find that I am falling more and more in love with John because he is really one hell of a character. I love going through all of his emotions with him and it really took a great friend and some bravery for what he had to tell Wraith to help Qhuinn. Like I said, "One hell of a character." 

"What is wrong with you,” he whispered, “that you care so much about me?” “What is wrong with you that you can’t see why I would?”

I'm going to go back to Qhuinn and Blay. It is well past this book already and of course many of you know the "Qhuinn + Blay = ♥♥♥♥♥" thing. I felt like this is the book where you totally become Team Qhuay for the first time! I don't know. I just fell madly in love and was hating that this is only a side story because from all their scenes I got, I go and scream, "HAVE SEX ALREADY!!!!" I mean the sexual tension makes you go insane! But my heart seriously breaks for these two! Especially Qhuinn!

His parent already hate him because he is different, with the mismatched eyes and it's like no one really cares about him but John and Blay! And his father won't even speak to him! He sends the butler to speak to him. That is messed up! We had a lot of scenes in Qhuinn's POV and I"m glad we had them! I really look at him differently and feel for him very close to how I feel for John! Of course, Xhex and Rev had their own spotlight in the book and I really think all these characters taking over the show in LOVER ENSHRINED is because their books will be coming up next. It was quite nice to get more acquainted with them!

Tohr closed his eyes and opened his arms. John ran to the bed and grabbed on to his father for everything he was worth.

And, I forgot to mention, Tohr's back!!!! Yes! I missed him! Tohr is a bit messed up a little bit and apparently he looks horrible and I hated him a little for being a little cold to John Matthew, but I was so emotional when Tohr opened his arms for John to run into. It was so sweet and I hope Tohr ends up recovering from loosing his Weslie! Oh, and I also have to mention the introduction to Lassiter, the fallen angel that I am so in love with! Trust me, you will be too!

Overall, LOVER ENSHRINED was a sucky romance book, but it was a wonderful book just to further the side characters stories a little more in anticipation for their books which will be coming soon. So, LOVER ENSHRINED wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be and I am so glad I decided to read it and not skip it due to all the 'Negative Nancies' out there!

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Review: Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward

Title: Lover Unbound
Author: J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood, #5
Publisher: Signet
Release Date: October 1, 2007
Pages: 502
Rating:

In Caldwell, New York, war rages between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Now the cold heart of a cunning predator will be warmed against its will...

Ruthless and brilliant, Vishous, son of the Bloodletter, possesses a destructive curse and a frightening ability to see the future. As a pretrans growing up in his father's war camp he was tormented and abused. As a member of the Brotherhood, he has no interest in love or emotion, only the battle with the Lessening Society. But when a mortal injury puts him in the care of human surgeon, Dr. Jane Whitcomb compels him to reveal his inner pain and taste true pleasure for the first time-until a destiny he didn't choose takes him into a future that cannot include her...

I find it quite funny how the Black Dagger Brotherhood books are going for me. I find myself in a pattern. I go from liking the first couple books to disliking the next few. It's really strange actually and I thought I'd like LOVER UNBOUND too.

Going into LOVER UNBOUND, I really loved the prologue or chapter 1, I don't remember at this point really, but it was the part where Jane finds out she is destined to be with a man named Vishous. And I completely swoon over that part, because it's like how beautiful is that? The more I read the more I fall in love with Jane's side of the story, her being a doctor and I totally go Grey's Anatomy all over myself. LOL

And I imagine all the doctors hooking up. Oh, and I fell in love with Manny, the head doctor with a temper that was so hot and sexy at the same time! I fell in love with him just from his introduction and forgot all about Vishous, so I think that screwed it all up for me, maybe.

Anyway soon after, I really started loosing interest in the storyline between the main couple and it really became such a bore to me that it was a repeat to how I felt about the previous book, Lover Revealed. It was really sad because I was hoping to really like this book. A lot of the times I was going, "ARRGHHHH, when is this book gonna end?" It was very long too. I doubt I'd be saying anything about the length of the book if I liked it though. Haha!

Good news is I adore all the little side stories behinds what's going on between the main couple. I enjoy the stuff with Blay, Quinn and John of course which made the book more bearable. The next book, ummmm... I have no idea when I'll read that one. I've heard horror stories about Phurry's book so I will not be reading it soon. I'll have to wait a bit for his.

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Review: Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward

Title: Lover Revealed
Author: J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood, #4
Publisher: Signet
Release Date: March 6, 2007
Pages: 455
Rating:

Butch O'Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard-living ex-homicide cop, he's the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world-to engage in the turf war with the lessers. His heart belongs to a female vampire, Marissa, an aristocratic beauty who's way out of his league. And if he can't have her, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers. 

But fate curses him with the very thing he wants. When Butch sacrifices himself to save a civilian vampire from the slayers, he falls prey to the darkest force in the war. Left for dead, he's found by a miracle, and the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back, though even her love may not be enough to save him.

I went into LOVER REVEALED disliking the couple, Marissa and Butch and I came out disliking them even more. It didn't really surprise me that I didn't like this book because I wasn't expecting to in the first place since the main couple are two of my least favorite main characters.

I did start liking Butch a bit more in the last book, LOVER REVEALED, but in  Lover Revealed both Butch and Marissa got on my nerves. One minute I was angry at Butch to the way he's handling things and his attitude towards Marissa and then the next thing I know I'm pissed at Marissa for something and it went on and on like that to the end of the book. I'll be honest. I skimmed a lot of it because I just wanted to get it over with and finish the book.

I really just didn't she the magic in this couple like I did with the previous ones. I didn't get that spark between them that I love to see in paranormal romance couples. I just thought everything about this book was ridiculous. It enraged me even more that everyone is in everyone's business when it wasn't their business in the first place.

I think the only good thing about this book was the wonderful side story. Thank god I am interested in good old, John Matthews or I probably would have thrown this book across the room and be down with it. I adore John Matthew and I won't let the main couple story ruin the chance to read about him because he is one of the best characters in this series.

Overall, I can't really say I am disappointed because I didn't expect much to begin with involving Marissa and Butch. For me this was just one of those books I needed to get out of the way to continue on with the rest of the story. Even though I didn't like  LOVER REVEALED I am really looking forward to Lover Unbound.

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Review: Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward

Title: Lover Awakened
Author: J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood, #3
Publisher: Signet
Release Date: September 5, 2006
Pages: 434
Rating:

A former blood slave, the vampire Zsadist still bears the scars from a past filled with suffering and humiliation. Renowned for his unquenchable fury and sinister deeds, he is a savage feared by humans and vampires alike. Anger is his only companion, and terror is his only passion—until he rescues a beautiful aristocrat from the evil Lessening Society.

Bella is instantly entranced by the seething power Zsadist possesses. But even as their desire for one another begins to overtake them both, Zsadist’s thirst for vengeance against Bella’s tormentors drives him to the brink of madness. Now, Bella must help her lover overcome the wounds of his tortured past, and find a future with her…

LOVER AWAKENED was such a beautiful story that I don't even have words to express how much I loved this book. I was quite surprised to have liked it as much as I did. For the first two books in the series I wasn't completely into it and never thought I would really get into a book in this series, but I'm finally sold on the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series. It took Zsadist's book for me to see the light.

I didn't really like Zsadist in the previous books and you really didn't know much about him, but in this book you feel so much for this guy that you end up loving him to death and wish complete happiness for him. Zsadist is one of those tortured heroes that you love so much and you feel so sad and heartbroken in what he had to go through. By the end of LOVER AWAKENED Zsadist has really changed big time that it's like he is a completely different person and that is all thanks to the love of his life Bella.

"I was dead until you found me, though I breath. I was sightless, though I could see, & then you came & I was awakened."

Bella and Zsadist were beautiful together. After all these years Zsadist is still tortured from what happened to him and Bella is the first person that he really let in. There is a lot of hurt between these two characters and that has to do with Zsadist not being ready for someone to see him and want him the way Bella does and also Zsadist always pushing Bella away because he believes he deserves better than him. He does not see himself worthy and that breaks my heart. These two have been through a lot and I am glad to see such a wonderful happily ever after for them.

What I love about the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series is that we have a side character story going on in the background. I am loving the side story and it really gives you a look at the other characters in the Black Dagger Brotherhood World and I can't wait to read some of these characters books. All in all I loved this book way more than the first two in the series and I am excited to zip through the rest of the books and fall in love with more of the brothers.

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Review: Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward

Title: Lover Eternal
Author: J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood, #2
Publisher: Signet
Release Date: March 7, 2006
Pages: 464
Rating:

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war raging between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret bound of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Possessed bu a deadly beast Rhage is the most dangerous of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. 

Within the brotherhood, Rhage is the vampire with the strongest appetites. He's the best fighter, the quickest to act on his impulses, and the most voracious lover-for inside him burns ferocious curse cast by the Scribe Virgin. Owned by this dark side, Rhage fears the time when his inner dragon is unleashed, making him a danger to everyone around him. 

Mary Luce, a survivor of many hardships is unwittingly thrown into the vampire world and reliant to Rhage's protection. With a life-threatening curse of her own, Mary is not looking for love. She lost her faith in miracles years ago. But when Rhage's intense animal attraction turns into something more emotional, he knows that he must make Mary his alone. And while their enemies close in, Mary fights desperately to gain life eternal with the one she loves...

Starting LOVER ETERNAL, it was kind of slow like book 1, Dark Lover, but I quite enjoyed the story of Rhage and Mary. Rhage is a complete flirt. Also he is hot, tortured, funny and a total romantic. He is basically the ladies man. Rhage has got to be my favorite warrior. And he will do anything to save his woman.

He is absolutely perfect. I wouldn't mind spending an evening with this guy. But, Rhage has a dark side of him, deep within him hides a beast which is powerful and should be feared. This was a curse given to Rhage as punishment by the Scribe Virgin. And he cannot control the beast. Mary is very strong and she has been through so much. Her mother died and he has been through cancer, but now the cancer returns. Mary ends up friends with a young man that is unable to speak and through this young man she becomes sucked into the world of vampires.

I will not fall in love with you," she said. "I can't let myself. I won't." "That's all right. I'll love you enough for the both of us."

I think that LOVER ETERNAL was a big improvement from Dark Lover. I still wish the story would've just been focused on Rhage and Mary though. I think this couple has been through so much and are both tortured in a way. I like that Mary is still so strong even knowing about the cancer. And reading this, I know that she has the ability to always be strong for Rhage when he is scared about the beast.

I thought it was much better than Dark Lover, but there were still a few moments where I wanted to put the book down. I decided to stick with Rhage and Mary and follow them through the story and not worry about the other storyline with the brothers. I was just focused on the main couple. I don't really find any of the other stuff that interesting or that good to keep my attention. But as far as the love story, it was amazing! I was really impressed and adored Rhage and Mary.

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