Maryse's Book Blog

Following my heart, one book at a time...

Book Review – “Lover Unbound” by J.R. Ward

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Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 5)
This is the 5th book in this series, however it is my 2nd favorite! Vishous, is an active Vampire character in the entire series, a computer genius, with some cool Vampire powers to boot! He has psychic visions, and a glowing hand that he has to keep gloved (it can heal as well as kill. It’s kind of electric). Despite his psychic powers just recently drying up, he is seemingly balanced enough in the grand scheme of things. He is loyal to his Brothers, and bonds deeply with his human roommate “Butch”. He keeps his dark side disguised…

In this chapter of the Brotherhoods life, we discover that Vishous, too, has a deep tumultuous past (a ruthless heartless warrior of a father, a “survival of the fittest” upbringing, and an absent mother) which has hardened his heart such, that it doesn’t allow him much leeway for love in his life. In fact, he has bonded so deeply to “Butch”, which is a fairly new feeling for him, that he actually feels like he is in love with him (I didn’t see that coming!!).

In the past installment, we see Vishous trying to comprehend the love between Marissa and Butch. He imagines what it would be like to love someone that deeply, trying to come to grips that it will never be that way for him and Butch, and possibly him and anyone, for that matter.

After a near fatal shooting, he ends up in a human hospital and meets his surgeon, Dr. Jane Whitcomb. unbeknownst to her, he instantly starts bonding (in the typical “Mine” vampire way). His brothers “break him out” of the Hospital (daylight is coming, and he needs to hightail it out of there, before he turns into a Vampire crisp). Low and behold, as they escape, “Rhage” throws Dr. Jane over his shoulder, caveman style, and steals her away as per Vishous’ demands (much to her resistance).

While being forced to care for him in the Brother’s compound (the Brothers have promised her that she will be released as soon as Vishous is well), Dr. Jane realizes just what she is dealing with.  Despite her “captive” status, she takes advantage of learning as much as she can (for the sake of genetics!). She has to consistently remind herself to keep in check, since she is discovering that she is quite taken by Vishous’ charms.

There was nothing more attractive to her than when a man was into smart women.

Crap.

Stolkhom. Stolkholm.  Stolkhom-

Lots of good stuff here! Vishous discovers what it’s like to truly be in love (Butch who?), and over the numerous days they spend together, their bond becomes quite secure. Unfortunately, due to certain obligations (he has a big future ahead of him), he has to let her go…

I won’t go any further than that. There is so much more to this book (more personal discoveries, spiritual awakenings, and an answer to where Vishous truly comes from) that make this book an exciting read. The angst in this book is well suited to the story. Lots of it, but not just for the sake of creating empty drama.  The story, in my opinion comes full circle.

a touching scene: When Vishous has to take her memory so she won’t remember the Vampires, and she can go back to her life:

He pulled back and pressed his lips to her. “I love you and I’m going to keep loving you even after you don’t know I exist”

WOW! That whole chapter was heart wrenchingly real (you know, I mean, without the whole “vampires erasing memories” thing)  🙂

Through this book, we also see John Matthew through his transition, his discovery of who his real father is, and how much he takes after him. We get a glimpse into the lives of the “Chosen” females and their hierarchy on the “Other Side”, and the future breeding plans of the species as a whole.

5 STARS!!!

Best to read the books in this order: J.R. Ward – The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series Reading Order:

Book Review – “Lover Revealed” by J.R. Ward

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Lover Revealed (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 4)
The fourth installment in the series, features “Butch”, the human cop that has abandoned his life to join the trials and tribulations of the Vampire Brotherhood. Best friends and roommates with the Vampire, “Vishous” , we join Butch through his struggles as a limited human that is in love with an Aristocratic Vampire “Marissa”.

Marissa, unconditionally devoted to Butch (his humanity and weaknesses do not deter her), has to consistently face-off with Butch’s male instinct to protect and be strong for the love of his life. He feels shame in his inability to fully fight with the Brother’s in battle, and comes to the realization that all of his fancy clothes, cars and “digs” have not been earned by him, but are just provided to him by way of his living in Brother’s mansion.

Again, much angst to deal with, and a constant push and pull of just letting things happen, vs. fighting for one’s dignity. A few excellent twists and turns in this one along with Butch’s lineage, and just how deep the relationship between Butch and Vishous, really cuts (that love almost seems to rival Marissa’s).

Butch does grow as a character, with a twist on his past, along with a new found ability that proves to be scary, and yet could be of great value to the Brotherhood, against the Lessers.

We also learn more about “Rhevenge” (Bella’s half sympath, half vampire brother), Marissa’s own struggles against a male dominated aristocracy, and their expectations for the female roles.

In this novel, while the two main characters are Butch and Marissa, there are other characters that are also richly explored, helping set us up for future stories, including John Matthew (still Pre-Transitional) and his deep depression while he misses the only father he ever knew.

My favorite part ? The ceremony at the end of the book, was very well described. Every emotion, every visual, it was as if I was there…and, you just gotta love “V”!

4 STARS!!!

Interested in the series? —> J.R. Ward – The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series Reading Order:

Book Review – “Lover Awakened” by J.R. Ward

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Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 3)
This is Book#3 of the series, and was my absolute favorite! The emotional connections and self discovery were deeply explored, and not a single thing was left out. I bonded with the characters, and enjoyed the journey they took me on, from self loathing, to unconditional love.

Zsadist. The name says it all. A deeply damaged character that instills fear in anyone that sees him. With his seething pitch black eyes, his towering, skeletal physique, his shaved skull, piercings, tattoos, and nasty jagged scar running down the middle of his face, you get the impressions that HE IS the nightmare vampire that all the horror stories warn you about. Full of hate, anger, and emotional disconnect. How could anyone ever try to even approach him, let alone, be attracted to him?

Ahhhh but our heroin Bella, the beautiful Aristocrat Vampire from Book two, (and in Book two) only has eyes for him, and even SHE doesn’t understand why. Each encounter she had with him was unpleasant and full of dangerous warning directly from him to STAY AWAY.

As “Phury”, his twin brother describes him,

“You need to stay away from him…My twin’s not broken. He’s ruined”

In this book, she has been captured and held hostage by a particular Lesser (who is pure evil, but discovers he’s in love with her, as she reminds him of his dead wife – that story in itself is deeply ugly, and delusional on his part).

When Zsadist discovers she has been kidnapped, his only mission in life is to find her, and save her. Despite his hatred of life, and of himself, his need to rescue her consumes him. The turmoil in his feelings towards her, when he does find her, and cares for her, protecting her from even his own Brothers, despite this being against his nature, is quite intense.

A great struggle of love and hate ensues, just a constant roll of angst (letting go and then pulling back). What’s worse, is that Zsadist’s  noble, pure, self sacrificing BEAUTIFUL identical twin (Phury – a “Brother”), is also deeply in love with her (and you’ve still got to deal with that damn crazy “Lesser” stalking her to get her back). If you’re up for the see-saw, crazy love triangle, the reward is well worth the path that the reader has to travel to get there.

Some of my favorite parts:

When Bella tries to cuddle Zsadist while they sleep.

“He jerked away from her-and fell off the mattress, landing on his ass”

When Bella comes into her “needing” period – think of it as a female dog in heat – it’s the male dogs that go crazy (the other Brother’s reactions are simply hilarious)

“Holy shit” someone said with a groan. “This can’t be happening” another growled.

Here is the entire series reading order list: J.R. Ward – The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series Reading Order:

Book Review – “Lover Eternal” by J.R. Ward

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Lover Eternal (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 2)
My third favorite of the series (although, truly it’s hard to pick, as each one was great fun, and have their own special moments)

This BOOK#2  focuses on the Vampire warrior “Rhage”. He appears to be one of the younger of the group, has the looks of a model/actor (aptly nicknamed by his brothers “Hollywood”). His persona is one of a playboy, constantly on the prowl for his next “sexual encounter”, never to be completely enthralled by one woman. Party boy, bad boy all around! His brothers consistently give him “props” for his sexual prowess. On the outside, he’s a stud, but on the inside lies the heart of a man who just wants to love and be loved…

Rhage also has another demon (a “real” one, actually). Although he is a fast and furious fighter, he will absolutely devastate/devour everything around him, if he is pushed to the brink, and accidentally allows his “monster” to escape (and when this happens, not even his brothers are safe).

Along comes “Mary” to the Brother’s compound (side-note: she has no idea where she actually is, but has travelled with friends for an “interview” of sorts). She is a sweet, normal, all around (self described as somewhat plain) girl next door, and 100% human (although suffering from a potentially deadly illness). While Rhage re-cooperates physically after one of his “monster” releases, he cannot see well, but can hear her beautiful voice, and is drawn to her.

For days (weeks?) pursues her aggressively, and although she is highly attracted to him (who wouldn’t be), her illness and insecurities keep holding her back.

While the battle rages on against the evil “Lessers/Lessening Society”, the biggest battle is one both Rhage and Mary must face in their own personal struggles, and the ones they have to face together.

We are also introduced, in this novel to two integral characters that appear throughout future books (John Matthew, a mute pre-transitional Vampire, who was orphaned and struggles living on his own, and “Bella” a beautiful vampire born in aristocracy, who is Mary’s best friend and neighbor).

Actually, some of my favorite scenes in this book, involve the interactions between Bella, Zsadist and Phury.

When Bella touched Phury’s beautiful hair and the whole party froze up watching Phury’s reaction to her:

“They’re not used to seeing me with…that is, no females…ah…”

When Bella went to touch Zsadist’s scar on his face:

In a flat cold voice he said, “Careful there, female. I bite”

What a great setup to the triangle about to ensue in the next novel of the series…

Loved it! I love how the Vampires struggle with the integration of these “humans” into their surroundings (considering they usually aren’t very fond of humans in the first place). Very happy moments, very sad moments, I’m not telling you any more, other then this one really is an emotional roller coaster of sorts.

4.5 STARS!!

Interested in the series? —> J.R. Ward – The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series Reading Order:

Book Review – “Dark Lover” by J.R. Ward

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In a nutshell, each book concentrates mostly on one of the “Brothers” from a band of defensive “Vampire Warriors” chosen to protect their diminishing species. While it is a romance series, (spiraling us through an emotional whirlwind of highs and lows when that Brother meets his “true love”), we also get a glimpse into the world of Vampire politics, social classes, and full blown battles against enemies.

With Dark Lover, we encounter “Wrath” (who is the leader of his Brotherhood, and the only full blooded vampire left). He is described as “colossal” and stacked, with a constant menacing (albeit gorgeous) look, long black hair, and always decked out in black leather, “shitkickers”, and weaponry of all sorts.

He is sworn to protect the daughter (“Beth”) of one of his warrior “brothers”, who has just been killed by their enemy. She has been raised in the human world (she is half human), has not known her vampire father, and has not yet been through the very painful “transitioning” into her vampire self. In fact, she has no clue what she’s in for (she doesn’t even know vampires exist)!

Beth, (who is also drop dead gorgeous), is a journalist who works closely with the Police department, and has plenty of suitors, none of which she has even remotely been interested in. One cop in particular (“Butch”) also takes to protecting her, which in turn causes quite a deadly encounter between him and Wrath, dragging both Beth and Butch into the Vampire world, one of which they could have never anticipated (and essentially, can never leave).

Through this book, we are introduced to the “vampire transitioning” process (vampires are brought into being, by being born with it in their DNA, and are essentially human until they “transition” in their early 20’s). They eat regular food, feel love and bond (although the bonding process is quite interesting and a HUGE part of each book – always hot and steamy!!), and if needed, “feed”, off of another Vampire of the opposite sex (human blood does not keep them strong or nourish enough).

So essentially, we’ve got a group of good guy Vampires (that are a long lived species, NOT the undead), who are being hunted into extinction by the “UNDEAD Lessers” (they used to be human “psychopath serial killer types” that were chosen and transitioned through evil).

Love, bonding, unusual friendships being forged, and battling evil! What more could a girl want? I loved it, devoured it, and plowed right through to the very end!

5 STARS!!

Interested in the series? J.R. Ward – The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series Reading Order: