Book Review: Lover Avenged (Black Dagger Brotherhood #7) by J.R. Ward

Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this installment to the series. The book itself is very chunky with so much stuffed between the covers it's going to be hard to review this without any spoilers (I'll do my best and hide anything that reveals to much).

This book focuses on Rehvenge (Bella's brother) who has really been a secondary character, albeit an intriguing one, up until now. We have seen him as Bella's somewhat over protective brother and as Phury's drug dealer, trying to hide his 'dark side' from the rest of Vampire society; knowing that if anyone found out about his being half sympath he would be shipped off to the sympath colony. On a visit to Haver's clinic for more of the drugs that keep his sympath side suppressed, he meets nurse Ehlena; this book is the story of how he tries to protect her from his world. Not just the sympath in him and his monthly visits with princess; but the drug dealing, the clubs; basically everything that makes up his life. He doesn't want to be with her, because he doesn't see himself as good enough for her, and yet he can't imagine life without her. Ironically Ehlena feels the same about Rehvenge (although for different reasons).

I like that Ehlena is another strong female character that can think for herself and doesn't necessarily do as she is told. I think that if all the women in these books were quiet and did as they were told all the time without an argument, not only would they not be likable and irritating as characters, I think it would also make the male characters less appealing. Each book in series starts with the main character seeming quite hardened to the world, and as the story goes on and you start to peel back the layers you always see a different 'softer' side to them, they come across a bit more mellow. Zsadist being perfect example of this. They are all alpha male characters and, to an extent, all control freaks that want to have their own way. I think it's having the strong female characters that makes the story, and peels away the layers so you get to see what is really going on underneath the dominant, alpha male exterior.

There was so much going on in this. With events going on in this book such as (view spoiler)[Rehvenge's true identity as a sympath not being such a big secret anymore, and the death of both the princess and the sympath king now makes Rehvenge their leader, it will be interesting to see how this develops and the effects that it will have on the kind of relationship that he will have with Wrath and the Brotherhood. Hopefully it will be a good thing for them both. (hide spoiler)]

Xhex and John: (view spoiler)[ I can't wait to really get into the next book to see where this relationship is going. After getting the cold shoulder from Xhex, the effect that John's subsequent change in personality will have on himself and well as the people around will be. Also seeing how things play out with Xhex now that she has been taken by Lash, and getting to see more of who she is as a person is something that I'm looking forward to in the next book. (hide spoiler)]

Great book with lots of detail. Highly recommend if you have kept up with the series.


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Book Review: Lover Enshrined (The Black Dagger Brotherhood #6) by J.R. Ward

Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So far I think this has been my least favourite installment of the series. Not saying that I didn't enjoy it, I just happened to enjoy the others more.

So far each book has focused on a couple and then had the whole Lesser story line and John Matthew et al. story line happening more in the background. For a book the is suppose to be centered more around Phury and Cormia, it didn't feel as though it took up the majority of pages. I don't necessarily think that the other story lines got more pages than the "main" one but it certainly didn't feel like it got the lion's share.

I'm not going to lie, I think that Phury has 99 problems, 95 of which are just imagined, and don't even exist, and the remaining 4 aren't as bad as he thinks. I think there were a few missed opportunities for humour with Cormia. Considering that she has been taken out of and bland and basic environment and then brought into this bizarre and vibrant world, I feel as though the shock and wonder and lack of understanding could have been played upon a little more. This was sort of done right at the end with the other Chosen, and I think at times through out the book this was a missing.

(I'm Going to hide the next sections because of Spoilers)

The Lessers: (view spoiler)[ It will be interesting to see the repercussions of the Lessers taking and turning Lash and the effect that it will have on the Vampire community. I have a hunch that he won't last very long, purely based on his personality. (hide spoiler)]

John Matthew: (view spoiler)[I'm looking forward to watching John and Torhment rebuild their relationship, and come to terms with everything that has happened. It will be interesting to see if Torhment's absence and the fact that John has gone through his transition will have an effect on the dynamic of their relationship. (hide spoiler)]

Good book and totally worth reading if you have kept up with the series so far.

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Book Review: Lover Unbound (the Black Dagger Brotherhood #5) by J.R. Ward

Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think that I read this book too quickly.

It was interesting to discover Vishous's past, and see how he has been shaped by it as well as a what it takes to reshape it all. V has always come across as one of the more level headed characters but it really came as no surprise that he was just as troubled as the rest of them. It was an interesting choice I think to pair him with Jane. All the couples so far have had someone that needs saving. This was a pairing of two very strong minded people that under different circumstances may not have got along. I like Jane as a character. She came as bit of a relief for Marissa in the previous book. I like that she is very independent, stubborn and doesn't back down easy.

I think that there is a story to be told about Jane's colleague after V payed a visit for that photo. Could it be another Butch scenario?

Good book. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Would recommend.

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Book Review: Lover Revealed (The Black Dagger Brotherhood #4) by J.R. Ward

Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am loving this series!

I love the fact that the characters in these book have so many layers to them. They are so well written, you get a real feel for them, an can create such a clear image in your own head as to what they are like and how they act. The characters and the writing make for a really engaging story. The changes in character perspective and the subtle change in writing style that goes with it, make the book very well rounded and believable. I think if the writing style stayed consistent for each character, it really wouldn't work as there would be to many characters that you wouldn't differentiate between. The change is subtle, but it is there.

This installment focuses on Butch; who since book one has been there and around with the Brotherhood, but never really going anywhere. This time we get to see why he is here and see behind the tough cop persona, and watch as the relationship with Marissa unfolds. It was also interesting to see the friendship between Butch and Vishous develop.

Great edition to the series. Highly recommend.

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Book Review: Lover Awakened (The Black Dagger Brotherhood #3) By J.R. Ward

Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. I loved this book. J.R Ward has a great writing style that really puts you in the character's head space, and changes depending on the character.

This book focuses on Zsadist. Up until now he has really been the shady, mysterious character that we all know is there and yet don't really know anything about him. Over the first two books we are told to stay away from Zsadist, he's dangerous and has issues; in this book we discover his awful and tragic past and see a different side to him and come to understand his motivations and mindset. This is all done through the development of the relationship between him and Bella, who was introduced in book two.

We also see the John Matthew story line develop a bit more, and it is certainly going to be interesting to see what direction that goes in especially with the events that happen towards the end of this book.

Really enjoying this series. Highly recommend.

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