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Maryse's Book Blog

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

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Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 6)
This is the latest published book of this series (although more to come soon).

As much as I loved “Phury” (he was one of my favorites out of the brothers. You know – the noble sweet virgin Vampire, that is in love with Bella – his twin’s wife?), well…when it came to his character development in this book, I was left somewhat unsatisfied.

Although this book tried to focus on Phury and his potential mate “Cormia” (one of the “Chosen” – very sweet- by the way), it revolved mostly around a somewhat valid yet irritating “woe is me” struggle with his constant self sacrificing.

He painted himself into a corner of being unloved, unwanted, unthanked (although the opposite is true) and stayed in a self absorbed, drug addicted stupor. In my opinion, from what I have learned from this actual character in past books, he seems to be simply too nice of a character for this type of “angst” and I feel he was slightly shortchanged here.

Phury’s deep downward spiral kept on an insistent pace before the upturn. The emotional connections, in my opinion, took so long to develop, that I was struggling through his scenes, but nonetheless, I can’t wait for further development of his character in future installments. I’m certain they will be good.

Oh and some of the scenes were as steamy as the past books.

One of my particular favorites (a nice touching moment): When Phury was drawing Cormia while she posed for him:

“It’s done”  he said roughly.

“Is that…who I am?”

“It’s how I see you.”

There was a long silence. Then she said with a kind of astonishment, “You think I’m beautiful”

Ok ok, so maybe I should give Phury a break…After re-reading this scene, I mean, I guess he does have reason to be angst ridden (you’ll see why too…). Perhaps I’m being too hard on the character (due to the deep depression that was simply wearing thin on me). I just wanted more of that kind of scene, above.

I do love the character development of all the others involved (and there was a TON of extracurricular character activities) so this made the book a lot easier to read. John Matthew and his trio were terrific, and that story line (Lash and all) are what keeps the readers on the edge of their seat. You’ll see!!

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

I just received “The Harlequin”, by Laurell K Hamilton…

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I can’t wait to get started! I have been avidly following the whole Anita Blake series, and am quite fond of that eccentric bunch!

Of course I have my favorite books out of this series…and perhaps a few that have left me somewhat bewildered, but its all in good fun!

After all of this time, the whole group of ’em feel like old friends now, and every time I get a new Anita Blake book, I get all warm and fuzzy inside (wait – that didn’t sound right, considering some of the crazy scenes depicted…).

OK well…forget I said that!!!

In fact, I will start blogging about this series soon enough, and boy do I have a lot to catch up with on that!

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: