REVIEW - LOVER MINE - BOOK ;8 OF THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD

Author: J.R. Ward
Pages: 528 pages
Publisher: Signet
Published: April, 2010
Form: Paperback
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #8
Adlibris: Link

Finally the story of John and Xhex (pronounced Hex)! I've been waiting for this, throughout book 2 - 7 we've been witness to their chemistry developing, and now here is Lover Mine! 

This book continues right where Lover Avenged left us, Xhex has been imprisoned by Lash, son of Omega, in a supernatural prison where no one can hear her, see her or sense her. Being as warped as he is, Lash has ended up completely obsessed with Xhex, loving her in his twisted way. Xhex against all odds manages to keep hold on her sanity while Lash repeatedly beats her and abuses her, her only goal to escape or die taking the bastard with her.

And then there is John, who realizes that there is a chance he might not find her and tries to come to terms with his feelings for her and the fact that if they find her dead, she's gone forever, and if they do find her alive she still might not care for him after all. John being mute creates a story that is very intriguing to read especially his communication with others who normally aren't chatty.

In all a very delicious story, lot of darkness and pain in it, but all the light in the book saves it from being grim.

We also get a look into Blay’s and Quinn’s relationship, where the two fight what is expected of them and what they want, and what they can’t have.

Now, I have to say this is my favorite book since Eternal Lover, I can't help it I'm a sucker for the ‘will they won't they’ love stories. And this is third book I'm giving full on five stars, I friggin' loved this! I wish I could tell you more, but you have to read it for yourselves.

Kidnapping, imprisonment, tattoos, unrequited love, revenge, vengeance, brothers in shitkickers and leathers armed to the teeth fighting for the existence of their race - this one is a keeper!

By now I am well obsessed with the Black Dagger Brotherhood world, and can safely say it's my favorite series I have ever come across, beating even Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Series!

Rating :

Started Reading : 24th of July 2011
Finished Reading : 27th of July 2011

Also don't miss out on this video :

REVIEW - LOVER AVENGED - BOOK ;7 OF THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD

"Rehvenge has staked out his turf as a drug lord and owner of a notorious night club that caters to the rich and heavily armed. His shadowy reputation is exactly why he's approached to kill Wrath, the Blind King and leader of the Brotherhood."
 
Author: J.R. Ward
Pages: 544 pages
Publisher: Signet
Published: April, 2009
Form: Paperback
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #7
Adlibris: Link

Rehvenge is the owner of ZeroSum, a nightclub favored by the Black Dagger Brotherhood' warriors, he is also a drug lord, and sells girls in his VIP area, and has his hands in some assassinations, so in all he doesn't come off as a nice guy, until you get to know him.

Brother to Bella, the mate of Zsadist, he has taken care of the family the best he could, which has meant drugs and prostitutes, making sure mom and sister aren't aware of his business, where the brotherhood is.

So when he's approached to assassinate the King, things start to get dicey, it seems more people are aware of his past, the murders and his sympath side.

He turns to Xhex to get assassination over and done with. Xhex a half-sympath half-vampire like Rehvenge has a rough side, and when it turns out one of the club girls is in trouble she doesn't waste time to find the abusive boyfriend Grady... But Grady has run into more trouble as he ends up coming face to face with Lash, son of Omega, who tries to relief the money troubles of the Lessing Society by dabbling in drugs.

We also meet Ehlena, a no-nonsense nurse at the vampire clinic, who starts attracting Rehvenge's attention as he tries to find relief to his sympath side by using dopamine. Ehlena's life twirls around work and taking care of her mentally ill father - and has no room for Rehvenges advances. But one phone call seems to change it all. Change everything.

Lover Avenged is great piece of writing, draws you in and with all the different characters that take lead are complimenting the other stories that run through the book, Wrath's, Rehvenge's, Ehlena's, Xhex's, Lash's and John's. Mixed in a way that is torturous, but always gives more information and adds to the characters.

Rehvenged has grown to be one of my favourite characters. . . . yummy. ;)

J.R. Ward has a talent to finish the story with a happy ending but leave you begging for more when she sets up the next novel!

A superb world of eating, breathing vampires that take shit from no one, and show justice that fights with shitkickers, leather pants and daggers. Amazing read, I highly recommend it!

Rating :

Started Reading : 20th of July 2011
Finsihed Reading : 22nd of July 2011

REVIEW - LOVER ENSHRINED - BOOK ;6 OF THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD

Author: J.R. Ward
Pages: 560 pages
Publisher: Signet
Published: June, 2009
Form: Paperback
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood Novels #6
Adlibris: Link

Ugh... I have to be honest, but this one was not for me, I had to struggle to get through it.

Phury who's been wholly readable in other books, goes off the deep end with drugs and has a proverbial monkey on his back.

Cormia on the other hand is joy to read as she discovers how fun life is outside the Other Side at the Chosen Sanctuary, as she learns to live a little, watch movies and adjust to colors.

Her interaction with John Matthews is much more pleasant than it is with Phury, who can't get his shit together, and after he gets some sanity back after 444 pages you feel dragging as well.

John Matthews and his friend Qhuinn and Blay are yet again fun to read, as they bring the only cheer into the book apart from Cormia's discoveries.

In all the couple is flat and even the ending doesn't save it.

Perhaps I am slightly biased here due to having seen addicts, having lived with one so it's no fun to read, and in all if I'd know how sad and unnerving this book was I would have not read it.

If you do decide to skip the book I'll sum up for you what you need to know to move into the next book after my signature.

I truly hope there will be less screwed up brothers in the books to come, cause it keep getting darker and darker... This one didn't have much light or romance to speak of it in.

Rating :

If you do decide to skip the book I'll sum up for you what you need to know to move into the next book: John and Qhuinn get in trouble after Qhuinn slahes the throat of Lash who turns out to be the son of Omega and vampire. Qhuinn ends up being John's 'bodyguard' to get him off the charges of murdering the now 'missing' Lash who has returned to work for daddy. 
Tohrment is brough back by fallen angel Lassiter who wishes to remain with the brotherhood against everyone's wishes.
Z and Bella's Daughter is born which join the brother together again after they fell out when Phury od'd.
Cormia and Phury open up house a part from the brotherhood as Phury was put on leave of absence and offer  a sort of half away house to Chosen who wish to come out of the Sanctuary.

REVIEW - LOVER UNBOUND - BOOK ;5 OF THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD

"As a member of the Brotherhood, V has no interest in love or emotion, but when a mortal injury puts him in the care of human surgeon, Dr. Jane Whitcomb she compels him..."


Author: J.R. Ward
Pages: 528 pages
Publisher: Signet
Published: September, 2007
Form: Paperback
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood Novels #5 
Adlibris: Link

First thing first, Vishous comes out in book four as a sexual deviant, and seems to have feeling for Butch, and the way this book begins isn't diverting from that road... until he meets Jane that is.

Vishous who has had active role in the previous books as well gets his past brought to day light so to speak, and we get reasons for why he as he is, from a monster of a father to a surprise of a mother. To a destiny of keeping the vampire race going.

We also meat Jane, and I just loved her character from page one on, she has a rough life like V as well and hasn't found love and nurturing from her parents either which brings these two closer together.

Now it is probably very anti-feminist of me but I love books where the woman is abducted by the male lead to keep her safe - there is something very romantic/cave man about it, and the fact that this is how the ball gets rolling with Jane and V had me giddy from the beginning.

But like in all brotherhood books these brothers are messed up, Rhage with his inner beast he can't control, to Zsadist slavery and sexual abuse, to Butch insecurities about his lineage and being human, V is no exception he hates himself with quite the vigor. It seems the only one half sane about this group is Wrath who comes out pretty much A-Okay in Book 1. So angst is expected again.

It seems John Matthew's role keeps getting bigger and bigger, we get to know the guy more, and the more we do the more he reminds us of the crewed up brothers, serious issues. It seems the pure forces in these books are always the women, saving graces almost. But then again isn't that life as well. ;) John had developed a bit of health into his life with friending Qhuinn and Blay who at the beginning of this book are pre-transition aka before their bodies turn from skinny small guys to vampires aka big muscled tall guys. And the adolescent getting a body suddenly is quite fun to read.

We also get into the head of Phury, Zsadist twin, who pines quite painfully over Z's mate Bella. So much so that it is hard to read, which means next book might be a tough one like Lover Awakened was. With Phury's growing usage of milder drugs is creepy at least he still has a good kind heart, even though he tries to numb it good.

Word of warning, if you are squeamish about sex and especially bondage then perhaps you'll skip this book, like said V's a bit, well a lot, deviant when it comes to sex. I personally didn't really understand the whole bit, but then again I wasn't the target audience for it. But needn’t worry Jane will mellow him out a little.

The lack of Lesser absence in the book is tangible until the end where, you can't help but to cry a little at what V and Jane have to go through. But still it's worth reading, the chemistry between the two is yummy and similar to that of Book 2's Rhage and Mary.

Rating :

Started Reading : 3rd of July 2011
Finished Reading: 4th of July 2011

Music : Cheryl Cole's "3 Words" goes great with it! ( http://youtu.be/qT4t99xnkQ0 ) as well as her "Fight For This Love" ( http://youtu.be/4umc87T5UMs ) and Parachute ( http://youtu.be/-AWoZmAxKxg )

REVIEW - LOVER REVEALED - BOOK ;4 OF THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD

Author: J.R. Ward
Pages: 480 pages
Publisher: Signet
Published: March, 2007
Form: Paperback
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood Novels #4
Adlibris: Link

This one is so full of twist "Best new series I've read in years! Now here's a band of brothers who know how to show a girl a good time." ~ Lisa Gardner

Enjoyed Book ;4 very much, even though read this one online. The previous three books have danced around the possibly budding, stomped flat romance of Butch, human tough-as-nails cop and Marissa, fragile virgin aristocratic vampire. 

The book begins with Butch's need to be a part of something, as he is no longer part of the human world, considered missing, and also not part of the vampire world either. Butch being aggressive and a smart mouth doesn't help matters, and neither does the fact that he pines after Marissa, a woman he met only few times months ago. Butch goes off on his own to fight off few Lessers after a night of drinking and gets himself captured.

The Omega makes his first appearance, and infects Butch with his dark essence leaving him to die in the woods. Luckily he's rescued by Vishous, but something in his has changed.

While Butch is battling his fears of turning evil, Marissa is feeling trapped in her social circle pining over Butch who seems to reject her every chance he gets. But hearing he's in her brother’s hospital she runs to his side.

As some things come to light they feel a connection starting to build again. Which leads into a whole mess of can humans and vampires be together, are the two just too different, and how does it affect the balance of the relationship when the female party is stronger.

Do not worry the steamy parts are still there, enough of them to make a reader blush several times. Butch seems to be a guy who likes to talk during sex. With that in mind this book definately, as all in the series, isn't for young adults - I'd recommend readers be over 16 or 17.

As these two pine and want each other in the most difficult circumstances we learn more of John Matthews, who studies and practices now mainly with Zsadist who seems to have truly turned somewhat appropriate after mating with Bella who waits for their child to be born. John keeps having hard time in certain areas of his training, and we find out more little by little of his former life.

We also get into a new stage of the war between slayers and vampires as V and Butch figure out their connection. Once in a while things get bit gay between them two, then the reader is left with a feeling of 'what?' But as the book goes on  it comes evident why for the what.

This one is so full of twists that I cannot tell much more, but you'll enjoy finding them all out.

I enjoyed reading this one as well, not as dark as the last one but more moody perhaps.

Rating:

Started Reading : 30th of June 2011 : evening
Finished Reading : 2nd of July 2011: evening

Interested? Want to read some to see if it's worth getting? Click HERE.  

REVIEW - LOVER AWAKENED - BOOK ;3 OF THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD

Author: J.R. Ward
Pages: 464 pages
Publisher: Signet
Published: September, 2006
Form: Paperback
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood Novels #3
Adlibris: Link

I just finished the third book, and with still 4 hours to bed time and no book 4, what am I to do?!

I shall write the review, and then tomorrow hunt down part 4.

I am really starting to like J.R Ward's vampires - few facts that separate them from aka normal vampires. They are not dead, they are alive, a species living away from human awareness. They drink blood, but only from each other and the opposite sex, they don't hunt humans. The Lessers are hunting them, killing vampires due to a jealous streak on Omega's side on Virgin Scribe who created the vampire race. They eat food as well as drink vampire blood for nutrition. They breathe and have other bodily hindrances. They are not immortal but live up to 1000 years.

But now to Book ;3 - it is definitely the darkest and most disturbing of the three, tapping on the issues of slavery and sexual abuse, almost disturbing enough to want to skip some of Zsadist's memories.

Zsadist is the male lead, a broken vampire warrior, feared and loathed by everyone he meets, except for our leading lady, Bella. Where Zsadist is rude, asshole and all around evil guy, Bella is kind, caring and determent.

In Book :2 Bella is kidnapped at the end of the book by Mr. O, a soulless Lesser, and in this book we begin with Zsadist's rampant search for her. Bella, who's been in captivity under the Lesser-fallen-in-love is fairly broken as well and Zsadist and Bella begin to heal each other.

Into the mix comes Zsadist's twin brother Phury who is just as infatuated with Bella as his brother.

As Bella tries to get through with Z, he relives a lot of his torment from the time of his change to vampire when he was taken as captive as a blood slave. These parts are bit hard to read, but show why he is and acts the way he does.

The story also follows more on John Matthew, as he meets Beth, Wrath's Queen and wife, now if you have read books 1 and 2 you can guess who he is, I know I did. John begins his studies and training to become a soldier, and possibly a member of the brotherhood. He also find great attachment to Thor and his wife Wellsie who short of legalities adopt him.

Mr. O wreaks havoc trying to find Bella, who he believes is his wife and who he, in his twisted way, loves.

We also meet Rehvenge, Bella's disturbed and filled with anger brother - who I know will come up in future books.

We also get new glimpse into Butch's and Marissa's relationship which will be what Book 4 is about.

Saddest story so far, but like all good books it has a good ending.

Rating:

Started Book : 30th of June 2011 : evening

Finished Book : 1st of July 2011 : day

Interested? Want to read some to see if it's worth getting? Click HERE. 

REVIEW - LOVER ETERNAL - BOOK ;2 OF THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD

Author: J.R. Ward
Pages: 464 pages
Publisher: Signet
Published: March, 2006
Form: Paperback
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood Novels #2
Adlibris: Link

Just about ten hours after finishing Book; 1 Dark Lover I picked up this in the library. Luckily it's my Summer vacation so I can read throughout the day if I wish.

Lover Eternal gives us a few days into the life of Rhage, a blond drop dead gorgeous brother in the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Hollywood, as the brothers call him, has one main issue which the story really revolves around, his beast, a curse that releases a dragon from inside him whenever he is angry, in pain or frustrated - whenever his temper flares.

Rhage's way of dealing with his beast is to fight and sleep around, so this book has a lot of steamy moments, and isn't for the faint hearted when it comes to sex.

Opposite of Rhage we have Mary. She's a leukemia survivor, who helps around as much as possible, and while working on a help line she meets John a straggly thin street kid, that turns out to be a vampire about to turn in a year or two. He cannot speak, so Mary well equipped with sign language helps her gorgeous (vampire) neighbor Bella introduce John to some "martial artists", read Black Dagger Brotherhood.

Rhage is immediately drawn to Mary and her nurturing side, and interesting chemistry evolves where Mary firmly believes no one as gorgeous as Hollywood would ever go for a girl as plain as herself. While they meet she also discovers her cancer might be back.

On the other characters, John Matthews is absolutely great, the boy is slightly damaged, but has great potential to become great character in the later in the series as well. Bella is the main character of the next book and her and Zsadist's relationship is put on the roll at the end of the book. Also Mr. O replaces much of Mr. X's appearances on the Lessers, soulless vampire killers of Omega.

As Rhage and Mary get to know each other, Rhage gets himself way too involved with her and against strict orders by the brotherhood brings her to their safe haven, getting himself in to trouble with Virgin Scribe who created the vampires and put the curse on Rhage in the first place.

What happens in the book is interesting, steamy, look at Mary and Rhage wanting to be together, and apart and together again while battling the beast, Mary’s illness, Lessers and the Virgin Scribe.

Amazingly great read, we get deeper into the world, and to the new vampire culture and learn more about the brothers and what drives them to protect their race. Thrilling reading with sizzling hot scenes where your tummy does cart wheels as you blush. ;)
But I do recommend you read Book; 1 to keep up with the inside jokes and brother dynamics.

Rating:

Started Reading : 30th of June 2011
Finished Reading : 30th of June 2011

Music : Goes good together with Cheryl Cole's "3 Words"

Interested? Want to read some to see if it's worth getting? Click HERE. 

REVIEW - DARK LOVER - BOOK ;1 OF THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD

"The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams" 


Author: J.R. Ward
Pages: 416 pages
Publisher: Signet
Published: September, 2005
Form: Paperback
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood Novels #1
Adlibris: Link

My first Book Review will be the latest book I have read, not one of the hundreds I have read so far, but in the future I might make exceptions and review my Top Picks.

But now to Dark Lover, Book 1 of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, which has now 9 books - which are on my list of books to read next.

I read Dark Lover in Finnish, which is my native language, and I enjoyed it so much that I finished it within 24 hours.

How the book was written is funny, and got few laughing out louds out of me, mainly due to the thinking process of the male lead, Wrath.

It took a little time to get over the names of the men in the brotherhood, but as you got into the story they seem less corny and seem to go with the image of the brothers.

Now there is quite expressive sex scenes, but they are not badly done or out of story. It is fun to read them cat and mouse around them though.

Now after getting through the first reaction to their names and accepting there is sex and it plays a fine part in the book we get to the plot.

Darius dies after asking Wrath, the vampire king who’s turned away from governing his people to live a life of warrior, to help his daughter who think she’d an orphan to survive her turn into vampire at age 25. Wrath gives him a stern no, but changes his mind as Darius dies. As Wrath visits Beth our female lead, flames lit up and the couple sleep together, which creates an interesting dynamic to their relationship, where Beth wonders just how she managed to go from a good girl to possible drug dealers lay, and Wrath has to come to grasps that he isn’t an emotionless, rude and dangerous warrior to all he meats.

While these two dance around each other we have a mix of other characters, Butch the cop with feelings for Beth, Mr X’s plans for the destruction of the Vampire kind as he leads his own soldiers against the Black Dagger brotherhood – and let’s not forget the entertaining dynamics of the brothers.

There is nothing quite as fun to read as alpha male bantering as you don’t actually have to be there, Vishous, Tohrment and Phury give laid back quips that easily make you smile and laugh.

To all women there is something in a bad boy, and this book is filled with them.

I absolutely fell in love with this book and the world J.R. Ward created, the brothers, the vibe, the characters, their lingo - it's a joy to read with plenty of steamy moments.

I recommend this series for either Summer Vacation reading, or for darker Fall and Winter days when it’s too cold to put your nose outside. Why? Because it’s sure to get you hooked if you are into vampire and romance novels with urban fantasy twist.  ;)

I’m on my way out right now to pick up the three following books in the series.

Rating:

Started Reading : 28^th June 2011 : evening

Stopped Reading : 29^th June 2011 : evening

Interested? Want to read some to see if it's worth getting? Click HERE.