'The Beast' Black Dagger Brotherhood #14 by J.R. Ward

From the BLURB:

Rhage and Mary return in the new novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood

His name is Rhage - the deadliest fighter and most voracious lover of all the Brotherhood, whose inner beast could never be tamed. But Rhage found his eternal love in Mary Luce, a woman who once bore a life-threatening curse, while dreaming of eternity with her vampire warrior and protector.

They've made it to hell and back. Now their story continues in a new novel sure to draw fans back into the 'frighteningly addictive' (Publishers Weekly) world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

‘The Beast’ is the 14^th instalment in JR Ward’s ‘Black Dagger Brotherhood’ urban-fantasy/paranormal-romance series.

Nope. I did not read 13^th book ‘The Shadows’. I saw the controversy swarming around it at the time of release, and so I stayed away – until recently, when I attempted to read, but a few chapters in I started to like Trez and Selena and so I decided to bail. Because I am not putting myself through that. There were enough in-depth romance blogger reviews for me to know exactly what happened in the 13^th book, and get the gist of the billion other storylines threaded throughout. And anyway, ‘The Beast’ is revisiting the pairing of Rhage and Mary who we first met in book 2, ‘Lover Eternal’ – so I thought I knew enough about them already to dive into a book revisiting their relationship.

I really loved Rhage and Mary – and after Zsadist & Bella, and Rehvenge & Ehlena (I know, I’m in the minority there!) – they’re probably my favourite couple of the BDB. Especially since Mary is one of the only human mates in the brotherhood collective, she reminds me of a better time in this series when it wasn’t all talk about hairless Chosen females who were verily, otherworldly and unattainably beautiful … and I thought all the sacrifices and balances to ensure Mary could stay with Rhage had just the right amount of ‘kill your darlings’ high-stakes (without going overboard, as the Warden clearly did in ‘Shadows’!)

But I gotta say, coming back into this series after not reading a book for two years … I suddenly feel like The Emperor Has No Clothes (or: The Vampires Have No Fangs, to be apropos).

I just … struggled with this one. For starters: I only read the sections pertaining to be about Rhage, Mary, Layla (freakin’ STILL!) has a story going on with Xcor, Vishous has something happening with someone – but I only read his interactions with Butch, Jane and Lassiter … I skipped over I-don’t-even-know-what with Assail, and some reporter (or was she a real-estate agent?) called Jo. The Warden used to be really good at running concurrent storylines – often of our protagonists alongside glimpses of antagonists – but as the series has blown out now to 14 books she feels the need to have about six different stories running together and I just can’t.

But the story itself about Rhage and Mary was … fine? I mean; I saw it all coming from a mile away. And everyone told me that it would work out for them, even as this book sees Rhage asking some really tricky questions of his and Mary’s relationship – I still got cut up reading their struggles and particularly as it made commentary on Mary, motherhood and what it means to be a woman. I do wish that the Warden had poured a little more salt in the wound, however – I could have done with more examination of where Mary (as a human) fits into Rhage’s life in the brotherhood, because she also can’t sustain him with her blood alone and I thought that was a pretty obvious discussion to have, on top of the other hurdles they’re facing in this one. To me, the really raw, emotional scene was pretty much over and done with when Rhage – literally – has a conflicting, rational thought to his emotions and decides ‘cool, I’m all good with this now.’

There were some nice moments in the book – lots of appearances and hints of possible future plots and pairings that I’m sure would have sent die-hard fans into conniption fits.

But suddenly – after a two-year break – I came back into these books and the BDB world and I just had no time for the “bromance” bullshit. I mean;

Manny pulled up a chair. “How we doing, young man?” 

“Hey, old fart. Where’s your better half?” 

“Payne’s having a lie-down. I tired her out, if you get what I mean.” 

The two pounded knuckles…

Ladies and Gentleman; the vampires have no fangs, because suddenly I could not stop rolling my eyes and/or physically sneering at (the many) scenes like the one above. It was when I realised what’s been in these books all along, but I suddenly have no time for – the BDB mansion is basically a frat house.

Also: the Warden’s language. We all know she has a very particular pop-culture vernacular that I’ve never been entirely convinced will stand up, in even a couple year’s time … but not reading that tonal-topical style for a couple years, then coming back into it just made me cringe. Even scenes that I’m sure she wrote to be sweet and emotional just left me scratching my head;

 Sometime later, Mary woke up after a good long rest … and smiled at her decidedly asleep mate. Rhage was out like a light, his eyes closed, one blond brow twitching, his jaw grinding as if maybe he were dreaming of an argument or a pool game. His breathing was deep and even, and yes, he was snoring. Not like a chain saw, though. Or an unmuffled Mustang revving at a red light. Or even anything close to Butch’s wounded-badger routine – which was something you had to hear to believe. 

No, the sounds her man let out were more like Krups coffee pot right as it was finishing a cycle of brewing; the kind of thing that burbled in the background, offering a comforting rhythm of patter that she could sleep through if she wanted to or stay up and listen to if she were stewing again. Come to think of it, his snores were probably the quietest thing about him, considering how heavy his footfalls were, how loud his laugh was, and how much he spoke, especially if he were giving his Brothers a hard time.

What even is?!

Look, I’m pretty sure my reaction to what should have just been a nice, easy revisit of a fan-favourite couple is probably just the signifier I needed that I’m done with this series. More fool me for not realising four or five books ago … but I am going to be a bit sad to say goodbye to this universe, which I first discovered in a haze of paranormal romance binging and once got a real kick out of.  But now, sadly, the shit-kickers are coming off and staying off. Sayonara!

2/5

'The King' Black Dagger Brotherhood #12 by J.R. Ward

From the BLURB

Long live the King . . .

After turning his back on the throne for centuries, Wrath, son of Wrath, finally assumed his father's mantle - with the help of his beloved mate. But the crown sets heavily on his head. As the war with the Lessening Society rages on, and the threat from the Band of Bastards truly hits home, he is forced to make choices that put everything - and everyone - at risk.

Beth Randall thought she knew what she was getting into when she mated the last pure blooded vampire on the planet: An easy ride was not it. But when she decides she wants a child, she's unprepared for Wrath's response - or the distance it creates between them. The question is, will true love win out . . . or tortured legacy take over?

 ‘The King’ is the 12^th instalment J.R. Ward’s ‘Black Dagger Brotherhood’ series.

This book goes back to Wrath and Beth, and is concentrated on them because Xcor and the Band of Bastards have got plans in motion to de-throne Wrath, while his hellren is pleading for a baby when that’s the last thing in the world he wants.

Trez and iAm are tangled up in their past, while the beautiful chosen Selena is making Trez wish for a different future.

Assail and Sola … I dunno who these two even are. I skipped over all their parts (all the parts … so many parts – why?)

Layla has a young on the way, but is continually pulled back to Xcor and their secret rendezvous, even while he’s working hard to pull her family apart.

Wh-what did I just read?

I swear – I spent about 89% of this book in a state of “WTF?” and the other 11% wondering “is this nearly over?” I think this book actually marks the end of my time with the ‘Black Dagger Brotherhood’, and I honestly can’t tell if we’ve drifted apart or they changed.

First of all, the Warden’s writing felt so bloated with pop-culture references it reads dated (even though some of these references are only 8 months old … so imagine how they’ll read years from now?)

The growl that came out of that massive chest was a reminder that her man was not, in fact, a man. He was the last purebred vampire left on the planet – and when it came to her and sex, he was fully capable of going wrecking-ball to get at her. 

And not in that stupid-ass Miley Cyrus poser-sex way – and provided Beth was willing, of course.

This never used to bug me before, but I really seemed hyper-aware of it in this book and for some reason it sounded like someone imitating J.R. Ward and forcing that prose.

 Yet here she was, head over heels with a straight-up killer who had a trucker’s vocabulary, a royal bloodline as long as his arm, and enough attitude to make Kanye West look like a self-esteem reject.

Secondly, I also seemed hyper-aware of the misogyny in this book. Granted, the parts that bugged me were mentioned when Trez was confessing his sordid (trafficking) past to Selena and he was equally disturbed by his exploits … still, my discomfort also came from the female human-hating that the Warden has been writing for the last few books now. I’ve said in the past that I miss the time when humans could be hellrens – Mary is still my favourite heroine of the series – but lately the pool of female love interests have been taken exclusively from the Chosen (those hairless specimens of perfection. Urgh. Who can relate to that?) or vampire race – these are amongst my most hated heroines (Layla and Cormia verily get on my ever last loving nerve. Truly.) In this book it’s mentioned that Trez and iAm’s culture look down on humans, and the fact that Trez has slept with so many of them (we’re talking thousands here, people!) makes him unclean – makes his very soul unclean.

… hundreds of dirty human women who hadn’t brought up safe sex or STD tests or whether or not they’d already contracted AIDS from letting sluts like him into their panties. 

Well, gee. Thanks.

I admit to liking the Trez and Selena romance and the Xcor/Layla scenes. Those worked for me, and mostly because these are two couples that have a lot to overcome and the battle ahead is fraught with obstacles that should keep things interesting. I also liked mention of iAm’s romantic background. But so much of this book was fat that needed cutting – I haven’t actually read a review yet that admits to liking Assail/Sola (or even reading all of their chapters) – why are they even in this series? When fans are clamouring for a revisit to Mary and Rhage, or Zsadist and Bella (for what it’s worth, I’d also appreciate a Rehvenge/Ehlena scene) why is the Warden focusing so much on this new pairing that it seems nobody is rooting for?

Part of the appeal of the ‘Black Dagger Brotherhood’ is in the feeling of family – something Beth mentions multiple times in this book – that we could revisit these characters and monitor the progression of their relationships. But we barely get a glimpse into even the more recent pairings; John Matthew and Xhex, Blay and Qhuinn or Tohr and Autumn. Why? It makes this series read disconnected from even its most recent past.

*Sigh*. I used to really enjoy these books, but now I’m feeling myself cringe while reading. This is not a good sign – I might try the 13^th instalment, but it’s seeming more and more likely that I’ll just cash in my good reading memories now and leave while the going is still somewhat good.

2/5

'Lover at Last' Black Dagger Brotherhood #11 by J.R. Ward

 Received from the Publisher 

From the BLURB:

Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....

Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.

Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one.

There has been a romance brewing in the Brotherhood mansion for many years now . . .  it started as friendship, progressed to unrequited love, fitful lust and finally, brutal rejection. Now the bonds that tie these two are all but irrevocably broken.

Qhuinn is the young star of the Black Dagger Brotherhood – a dedicated bodyguard to his best friend, John Matthew, and one fighter who isn’t afraid to risk his life for the cause. He’s rapidly on his way to becoming an indispensable warrior, even if he isn’t officially part of the Brotherhood, and could never be, because of the heterochromia that marks him as inferior. Qhuinn has been shunned his entire life for his physical defect, and has never known a family’s love – so he’s making one of his own. The Chosen Layla is pregnant with Qhuinn’s child, a daughter he saw in a near-death vision. And while this child was not conceived in love, or even lust, both Qhuinn and Layla are excited to meet their young. 

The warrior Blaylock, meanwhile, is still coming to terms with the knowledge that the man he professed to love is moving on and starting a family, with a woman . . . It wasn’t that long ago that Blay was admitting his true feelings to his best friend and fighting partner, and having Qhuinn twist a dagger in his heart when he replied that he could only envision life with a female. Now Blay has moved on with Saxton, Qhuinn’s savvy and sophisticated cousin, and he’s trying to love the man who is his first true lover . . .  but Qhuinn still comes between them, even if Blay struggles to admit that the feelings he so wishes were buried are anything but.

While Qhuinn and Blay dance around one another, both desperately trying to come to terms with their true feelings and loving limitations, a coup is brewing. . .  Xcor, leader of the Band of Bastards is working to overthrow King Wrath. And while one revolution brews, a royal wedding is being postponed by the Shadow Brothers, Trez & iAm, who are both going on the run so that Trez doesn’t have to enter into an arranged marriage that would make him King’s consort. 

‘Lover At Last’ is the much-anticipated 11th book of J.R. Ward’s tremendously popular ‘Black Dagger Brotherhood’ series.

This is the one we’ve all been waiting (and hoping) for – ever since Blay & Qhuinn’s true feelings were made manifest, fans have been eagerly crossing their fingers for the Warden to dismiss mainstream paranormal romance conventions and write the M/M (male/male) romance we’ve all known has to brew between these two . . .  and now she’s done it! Qhuinn and Blay’s romance is glorious – a heartwrenching, arcing story that takes them both to their lowest lows and triumphant highs – and leaves fans utterly replete. Less successful in this 11th instalment is the many overcrowded secondary character stories; but I’ll get to that.

First – the good . . .  and Qhuinn & Blay are *so* good! These two have been on a romantic rollercoaster for many books now. Between Qhuinn’s rakish thirst for sexual connection with anyone and everyone (except his best friend, Blay) and Blay’s painful love from afar, and consequent rejection – these two have had a monumental love story brewing that’s had fans gushing and fuming in equal measure. There’s a lot riding on ‘Lover At Last’, because while the majority of fans have known for a while now that only a full-fledged book would appease the Qhuay romantics, some small-minded fans have been adamantly put-off by the thought of a homosexual Brotherhood coupling. To them I say – nothing – because I won’t waste my time. But to those who have been eagerly anticipating Qhuay I will say that the Warden holds nothing back – this is an M/M worthy of Josh Lanyon, and it’s among the most romantic of all the Brotherhood mating stories.

“I have loved you for years. I have been in love with you for years and years and years ... throughout school and training ... before transitions and afterward ... when you approached me and yes, even now that you're with Saxton and you hate me. And that ... shit ... in my fucking head locked me down, locked everything down ... and it cost me you.”

But, fair warning, the Warden drags these two through the emotional pits before she can even begin to start building them up – she has to examine why Qhuinn has never admitted his true feelings for Blay, and why Blay could never let Qhuinn go even while he’s been in a loving relationship with Saxton. And, to that end, I hope we haven’t seen the last M/M Brotherhood pairing with Qhuinn and Blay – because Saxton proves himself to be a rather enigmatic and worthy male in this book, and I'd love to see him get a happily ever after. 

Now on to the not-so-good . . . and, actually, these are complaints that have been brewing for the last three books or so. Number one is that the Warden no longer seems to touch-base with past characters quite so much. This has been a common complaint for a few books now – fans have often pointed to the lack of Rhage & Mary updates, these two seeming to have fallen by the wayside pretty much since their book ‘Lover Eternal’ (despite being one of the fan-favourite couplings). But more recently fans were disappointed to not have a touch-base on John Matthew and Xhex’s relationship. And it happens again in ‘Lover At Last’ –we don’t get any scenes between the latest coupling of Tohr and No’One, which is especially disappointing since it felt like their coupling at the end of ‘Lover Reborn’ was still a work-in-progress, and something the Warden would monitor with updates in subsequent books. 

It used to be that the Warden was quite good at keeping readers in-touch with past couples of the BDB world. Zsadist and Bella were frequently revisited in side-stories, as are Beth and Wrath (who, consequently, are set-up to be the focus of 12th book ‘The King’ in 2014). But now instead of feeding fans’ curiosity about the goings-on of mated Brothers and their Shellans, the Warden has been introducing new characters and side-stories . . .  like that of Assail and Sola in ‘Lover At Last’. Sola being a human sent to spy on lone-wolf Assail, who gets more than she bargained for when her spying is detected – and Assail’s animal instincts piqued by this curious human female. 

Now, in theory I like Assail/Sola – especially because it’s a human/vampire pairing that we haven’t had since Butch and Marissa (or, more technically, Rhage and Mary!). But I found myself frustrated whenever the Warden cut to their story, because I wasn’t as invested in them as I was more established characters – like Trez, iAm, Xcor, Qhuinn, Blay, Wrath, Beth etc, etc, etc. Especially when Wrath and Beth’s ongoing story was set-up in this book, as was Trez’s, not to mention Xcor and Layla . . .  adding Assail and Sola to the pile was one too many. 

The more successful side-stories were that of Trez & iAm – Shadow twins who have apparently been hiding quite a bit from the Brotherhood and fans alike. I’m not thrilled that another Chosen is set-up as Trez’s potential love interest . . .  but I am thrilled that it seems a done-deal that Trez and iAm will both be getting books.

And then there’s Xcor – the ugly, scarred leader of the Band of Bastards, and possibly the only thing saving Layla from being universally despised by BDB readers. Perfect, verily beautiful Layla being paired with the scarred and despised Xcor is actually sort of genius – and while I’m still not invested or enamoured of her, I appreciate that her previously sickeningly Mary-Sue life is becoming layered, messy and complex . . .  and I’m liking that, a lot.

All in all; ‘Lover At Last’ is a most satisfying book for those who have been Team Qhuay and had their fingers-crossed for a book that does them justice. ‘Lover At Last’ is that book – a perfect love story for two of the most popular BDB characters in the series. And while I wish previous characters would get more love from the Warden (while newer secondary characters could be hustled away) stories like Xcor and Layla’s, Trez and iAm’s would suggest that this is a series that still has a lot to offer . . . 

3.5/5

'Love Reborn' Black Dagger Brotherhood #10 by J.R. Ward

 Received from the Publisher

From the BLURB:

In the darkest corners of the night in Caldwell, New York, a conflict like no other rages. The city is home to a band of brothers born to defend their race: the warrior vampires of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

Now back in the Brotherhood – and unrecognisable as the vampire leader he once was – Tohrment is physically emaciated and heartbroken beyond despair. When he begins to see his beloved in his dreams – trapped in a cold, isolating netherworld – Tohr turns to a self-serving fallen angel in hopes of saving the one he has lost. When he’s told he must learn to love another to free his former mate, Tohr knows they are all doomed . . .

Except then a female with a shadowed history begins to get through to him. Against the backdrop of the raging war with the  esser, and with a new clan of vampires vying for the Blind King’s throne, Tohr struggles between the buried past, and a very hot, passion-filled future . . . but can his heart let go and set all of them free?

** WARNING: This review contains 'Lover Reborn' spoilers, and spoilers of all other BDB books. Don't read if you haven't read 'Reborn' yet! **

In-Between

‘Lover Reborn’ is the tenth book in J.R. Ward’s paranormal ‘Black Dagger Brotherhood’ series . . .  ‘Reborn’ is one of the most-anticipated books of this long-running series because it is Tohrment’s story, and it has been a long time coming.

One year ago Tohrment’s life was ripped apart. His pregnant shellan, Wellsandra, was murdered by the lesser society and Tohr has been mourning her and their young ever since. Immediately after her death he took himself away from the Brotherhood, but was dragged back by the angel Lassiter whose job it was to see Tohr through his dark time.

For many books now, Tohr has been a shell of his former self. He has watched his brothers find their own shellan’s, as he grows embittered by empty memories of his two-hundred-year mating with Wellsie. Recently, Tohr’s adopted son, John Matthew, found his own shellan in the form of half-sympath vampire, Xhex. But Xhex hasn’t been the only new female addition to the Brotherhood mansion . . .  following the events of ‘Lover Mine’ which revealed Xhex’s origins, her long-lost mother also came to stay with the Brotherhood.

Rosalhynda was a female of worth, once upon a time. Until a sympath kidnapped and raped her, and impregnated her during her needing. Hundreds of years ago Tohrment and his mentor, Darius, rescued Rosalhynda and spent months keeping her safe during her pregnancy. . .  but after giving birth to Xhex, Rosalhynda took her own life with a dagger to the gut – so full of shame for her fall from grace, she could not go on living, not even for her young.

Unbeknownst to Tohr and Xhex, Rosalhynda did not go into the Fade. Instead she went to serve The Chosen and Scribe Virgin, going over to the other side and renaming herself No’One – donning a hooded robe and dedicating herself to a life of servitude as penance for her sins.

Now No’One is back, and living in the Brotherhood Mansion with orders to serve the Chosen female, Payne, but also to reconnect with her estranged daughter, Xhex.

But No’One’s presence is rubbing salt in Tohr’s wound. No’One has seemingly returned from the dead, permitted to have another life on earth . . .  yet his Wellsie and their young are gone forever, lost to him in the Fade. Or so he thought.

Lassiter finally decides to break his silence and explain to Tohr that Wellsie and their son have not migrated to the Fade – they are not in peace. Instead, they are in-between. Neither here nor there, in a barren grey landscape, tethered only because Tohrment cannot let them go.

If Tohr wants his family to find peace in the Fade, he must find peace here on earth. And he might just find it in the most unlikely of places, with No’One.

Autumn

J.R. Ward had such a big task on her hands, writing Tohr’s story. She had a lot of balls to juggle in getting his HEA just right, and that’s partly why his story has taken so long to write. The Warden had to ensure that enough time had passed since Wellsie’s death, before Tohr’s moving on could be told with any credibility. And I think now is the right time. This is book ten, and it feels definitely like Tohr is due his healing.

It was obvious in ‘Lover Mine’ that No’One would be taking on the difficult role of Tohr’s soon-to-be chosen female. A tough task, since the Warden herself admitted that within her series universe, hellren who lose their shellan’s don’t mate again. They get one chance at happily-ever-after, and that’s it. But the groundwork for Tohr and No’One’s HEA was laid when the Warden revealed that they’d had a connection some two-hundred-years ago, before Tohr’s mating to Wellsandra, back when No’One was Rosalhynda.

When ‘Lover Reborn’ begins, No’One has been in the Brotherhood mansion for some time, but hasn’t settled in. The Doggen (servants) treat her like a female of worth, but she has spent the last couple hundred years in a designated role of servitude to the Chosen females, and she’s uncomfortable being the mother to a Brother’s shellan, and therefore treated better than she thinks she deserves.

No’One has also found it difficult to assimilate in the Brotherhood mansion because of Tohr. She feels his anger towards her, but doesn’t quite know why he’s casting her glacial looks at Last Meal. Tohr, of course, sees No’One’s very presence back on earth as an affront to his dead shellan. The Scribe Virgin permitted No’One to return from death – heck, the Scribe Virgin also saved Rhage’s Mary from death, and bought Doc Jane back as a ghost for Vishous. But Wellsie is dead and gone. It’s not fair, and it’s part of the reason that he’s finding it so hard to move on.

But when Lassiter comes to Tohr with the horrifying news that Wellsie is not enjoying peace in the Fade, that she is in fact stuck in the barren wasteland of in-between, Tohr is spurned into action. . .  and intent on ‘moving on’, if only to save his shellan.

Lassiter has grand plans, for Tohr and Wellsie, but also for No’One. The way Lassiter sees it, the wheel of fate started turning two-hundred-years ago when Tohr had to bury Rosalhynda beneath an apple tree after she took her own life. . .

As he smiled at her, his expression was that of a holy man. “My name’s Lassiter, and I’ll tell you all you need to know about me. I’m an angel first and a sinner second, and I’m not here for long. I’ll never hurt you, but I’m prepared to make you pretty goddamn uncomfortable if I have to, to get my job done. I like sunsets and long walks on the beach, but my perfect female no longer exists. Oh, and my favourite hobby is annoying the shit out of people. Guess I’m just bred to want to get a rise out of folks – probably the whole resurrection thing.”
No’One’s hand crept up and held her robe together in a tight grip. “Why ever are you here?”
“If I told you now, you’d just fight it tooth and nail, but let’s just say I believe in full circles – I simply didn’t see the one we’re in until you came along.” He gave her a little bow.

I really liked Tohr and No’One. There’s lots of talk in this book about Wellsie being in the ‘in-between’, neither here nor there, stuck in limbo. And that’s also true of Tohr and No’One. All these players are stagnate – stuck in their respective black holes. It’s only when Tohr and No’One connect that they find a tether in one another, and are able to pull themselves out. . .

I liked that Tohr and No’One had a slow-burn romance. They had a lot to contend with; Tohr’s grief and the fact that he’s still very much in love with Wellsie. And No’One martyrdom, her thinking that she’s unworthy because of her past. It is a very slow, meandering romance – but when things start to heat up, J.R. Ward brings the romance. And it’s lovely and heart-warming to read Tohr getting a little slice of happiness after being miserable so long.

That’s not to say Tohr and No’One’s romance wasn’t without fault. I, personally, think that their HEA was rushed towards the end. At one point Tohr absolutely blasts No’One – he accuses her of martyrdom and being in love with him only because she knows he won’t ever love her back. He yells at her for punishing herself again and again and again, and claims that their romance isn’t healthy for either of them. And, you know what?, I agreed with every single word he said. I had been thinking all those things about Tohr and No’One’s HEA from the beginning – and I was head-nodding throughout Tohr’s grand, vicious speech.

No’One leaves to lick her wounds, bunking with Xhex while she sorts her life out. It’s during this time that she decides she won’t be a martyr anymore – but if she doesn’t want to be a society princess ever again, and she doesn’t want to serve others, what can she do? Xhex, wisely, counsels that she’ll have to figure out what she wants to do. YES! It was at this point that I despaired to see the end was so close. . .  because it was at that *exact* moment, that I wanted another 200 pages. I wanted to read about No’One being by herself in the real world for a little while – going to University perhaps? Joining Marissa at the women’s shelter, maybe? I wanted Tohr to take some time to accept his new level of acceptance with Wellsie’s death (and even take some time seriously making amends to No’One). Instead, the Warden writes a race to the finish. . .  

Meet the Maker

Straight up – I hated the ending. I thought the Warden wrote a total cop-out by turning to celestial hocus-pocus waffle regarding Wellsie’s Fade ceremony. This isn’t the first time I have rolled my eyes at the Warden writing a quick ethereal scapegoat to wrap up her book. I wasn’t overly thrilled with the Scribe Virgin’s quick-fix of Mary in ‘Lover Eternal’. And I hated the Casper magic she weaved on Doc Jane in ‘Lover Unbound’. The end of ‘Reborn’ was more convenient plot scapegoating, in my opinion. And I can’t help but think Tohr would have questioned, again, why No’One was bought back but his Wellsie was definitely relegated to the Fade. . . ?

So, I did like Tohr and No’One. But I felt like their relationship didn’t really hit an emotional and truthful stride until the end. . .  when I wanted more proof from Tohr that he was wanting to move on, and had enough room in his heart for a second shellan (and I would have really appreciated a mating ceremony on top of that!). I would have liked another season in which No’One took proper command of her life, for the first time, and spent time with her daughter figuring out who she is and what she wants to do with herself. And I would have *really* appreciated a non-sucky finale that didn’t rely heavily on transcendence wackiness to explain everything.

What I didn’t like about this romance, however, was made up in the form of Lassiter. He has a starring role in Tohr and No’One’s romance and he is divine. Literally! I can’t wait for him to get his own HEA, because hints are dropped in this novel about his one-and-only and never again love that had me raising my eyebrows. Not to mention he’s so downright funny and lovely and I just want him to meet someone and fall in love!

Band of Bastards

I really hated ‘Lover Unleashed’, but one good thing to come out of that book was the introduction of the Band of Bastards – a group of vampire warriors (trained by the Bloodletter) who have moved from the old country into Caldwell, with every intention of overthrowing Wrath and taking control of the glymera.

I love, love, loved the introduction of these fresh characters. I admit, beyond Tohr and Qhuay’s books, I didn’t quite know where the Warden would take this series next. . .  but I was so happy to read so much potential in the Bastards.

There’s Zypher, a handsome vampire who gives Rhage a run for his money in the ‘hottie’ stakes. Throe was a son of nobility, now unlikely second-lieutenant in the Bastards. And their fearless leader is Xcor – a vicious fighter with scarred face and black soul who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. And on the sidelines lurks Assail, a well-to-do vampire who is moving in on Rehvenge’s old drug territory, for reasons unknown. . . 

The Bastards are here, and their scenes have taken over from the old lesser point-of view chapters (something I only ever skim-read!). These are some mighty-fine bad guys. . . mainly because (unlike the lessers) they each have room for redemption. I always hated the lesser POV chapters because they were just bad guys – with no wriggle room. With the Bastards, half the fun will be falling for them while they butt heads with our beloved Brothers. I can definitely envision the Warden pulling fans in all different directions with these Bastards, and I can’t wait.

My only complaint with the Bastards is their similar characterization to the Brothers we’ve already read. Assail is a Rehvenge-type anti-hero (and many characters draw this comparison throughout ‘Reborn), while Zypher is another warrior cursed with good looks, like Rhage. Xcor has a scarred face like Zsadist, and a similarly mean outlook on life. I hope these are only superficial similarities – and not just regurgitated character arcs.

The Iron Mask

A big portion of ‘Reborn’ is also dedicated to Xhex and John Matthew, and their trouble in paradise. John isn’t coping well with Xhex’s warrior status in the brotherhood, and Xhex can’t envision their mating continuing as it has been. . .

I was really happy to revisit this couple, particularly because it made sense that they had a starring role in Tohr and No’One’s book (Xhex being No’One’s daughter, John being Tohr’s son). Xhex and John definitely have unique hurdles to overcome in their mating – and it’s something no other Brother has had to deal with, which makes it so interesting (and somewhat heartbreaking). These two are still great, and reading about them was a nice revisit.

The Chosen

Verily, I have hated Layla for a long time. I have made my feelings absolutely clear about this Mary-Sue too-perfect-to-be-likeable Chosen female. I still don’t like her after reading ‘Reborn’, but I like where her story is going. . .

Layla meets both Throe and Xcor from the Bastards – and she feeds both of them with the best of intentions (and thinking them to be members of the Brotherhood). Both Throe and Xcor are enthralled by Layla (because she’s so stunningly beautiful, face like the sun. . .  yadda, yadda, yadda). And Layla is equally intrigued by Xcor, a male she is oddly drawn to. . .  until she learns the truth about him and the Bastards.

Thank God for the Warden – she’s taking a fairly disliked character and giving her an intriguing storyline and potential HEA. I particularly like the Layla/Xcor possibility because of the Beauty and the Beast connotations. But while I like where Layla’s *story* is heading, I still don’t like her. In ‘Reborn’ she again comes across like a smiling idiot whose value is only skin-deep. But you know what? With such a good story for her in the works, I want the Warden to prove my assumptions wrong. I want Layla to be totally misunderstood and more than just a pretty face – because now her story demands it.

On that note. . .  I feel like I again have to say I’m a little over all the Chosen/vampire females who have been overpopulating this series. I said it in my ‘Lover Unleashed’ review, and I’ll say it again. I miss the human female love interests! I am *dying* for Rhage and Mary’s short-story and I am desperate for a Brother to have a shellan who isn’t vampirically beautiful, hairless and all-round perfect. I am so keen for a human female to come in who’s real and relatable and has as good a romance as Mary did with Rhage. Seriously! Enough of the hairless vampire Glamazons – I want a down-to-earth human chick to get some Brotherhood booty! 

Qhuay

Get ready to squeal because. . .  it’s happening! Definitely. Irrefutably. I am 99% sure that ‘Reborn’ is the book before Qhuay. . . and, guys, it’s going to be goooooood. Warden promised us bumps in their road to happily-ever-after and she delivers them in ‘Reborn’. Qhuinn is tangled in new family matters, and Blay is coming to terms with his never-gonna-die feelings for his best friend. Warden absolutely, positively sets these two up for a glorious HEA.  Get ready, because theirs might just be the most anticipated Brotherhood book of all!

Brotherhood

The Warden definitely makes up for the lacklustre ‘Unleashed’ with Tohr’s ‘Reborn’. It was wonderful to finally read Tohr get a little slice of happy, and with a female who was equally deserving of a little bit of peace. Lassiter shines in his heavenly role, and I think after Qhuay, fans will be clamouring for his HEA. Speaking of Qhuay. . . it’s freakin’ happening and I couldn’t be more delighted! The Band of Bastards are an intriguing lot of anti-hero’s who will be devilishly delicious to read about. . .  particularly for Xcor and Layla’s possible HEA. ‘Love Reborn’ is another wonderful, rip-roaringly exhilarating instalment in J.R. Ward’s superb ‘Black Dagger Brotherhood’ series.

4/5

'Lover Unleashed' Black Dagger Brotherhood #9 by J.R. Ward

From the BLURB:

Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, warrior cloth as her brother: A fighter by nature, and a maverick when it comes to the traditional role of Chosen females, there is no place for her on the Far Side… and no role for her on the front lines of the war, either.

When she suffers a paralyzing injury, human surgeon Dr. Manuel Manello is called in to treat her as only he can- and he soon gets sucked into her dangerous, secret world. Although he never before believed in things that go bump in the night- like vampires- he finds himself more than willing to be seduced by the powerful female who marks both his body and his soul.

As the two find so much more than an erotic connection, the human and vampire worlds collide … just as a centuries old score catches up with Payne and puts both her love and her life in deadly jeopardy.

** Spoilers ahead - BEWARE! **

For never was a story of more woe

Vishous, son of the Bloodletter and Scribe Virgin, has just discovered he is one half of a twin. At the same time this revelation comes to light his twin sister, the Chosen Payne, lies paralysed from the waist down . . . and the only man who can save her is a human called Manuel ‘Manny’ Manello.

Meanwhile, there are new vampires coming to the town of Caldwell. Xcor and his Band of Bastards are old-world vampire warriors, here to challenge Wrath to his kingdom.

In the human world, Josè de ka Cruz has got himself a new rookie partner called Thomas ‘Veck’ DelVecchio. This newbie has his first case cut out for him, as they hunt a serial killer who stalks and brutally kills the women of Caldwell. . .

I must be cruel only to be kind.

Normally I barricade the door when there’s a new Brotherhood book. I take the phone off the hook and power through the new instalment so I can jump online and discuss it with all my equally obsessed blogger friends. Not the case with ‘Unleashed’. While reading this ninth book I found my mind wandering; I'd read for a bit and then put the book down and walk away for a little while. I finished it in one day, but I also realized that there were whole passages and chapters that hadn’t really sunk in – as though I was skim-reading them.

My biggest problem was a total apathy for Payne and Manny and their romance. I have been sceptical about ‘Unleashed’ for a while now . . . and my concerns stemmed from the fact that I don’t know Manny and Payne, so why should I care about them? Part of the appeal of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series is getting to know each brother individually, and anticipating their happily ever after story. Not the case with Payne and Manny. As readers, we don’t really know these characters – they are peripheral, mentioned in passing and relegated to the sidelines in previous books.

I really enjoyed ‘Lover Avenged’ and the relationship between Rehvenge and Ehlena – two characters who were likewise small-time until their instalment put them in starring roles. But where Rehv and Ehlena had heat, chemistry and friction to spice up their romance, I found Payne and Manny to be utterly dull.

Warden does for Manny and Payne what I hate in all romance stories – love at first sight. And it’s made worse by the fact that Payne is paralysed and on an operating table when Manny lays eyes on her. Gag. This couple left me cold – to the point that I groaned whenever a chapter refocused on them.

I was also concerned about Payne’s instalment because in previous books she has been presented as a warrior female. But ‘Unleashed’ is coming on the coat-tails of Xhex’s book, ‘Love Mine’. . . I was worried about having two BDB instalments featuring strong, warrior-women. Alas, I had no need to panic about Xhex/Payne similarities. Payne may fight with Wrath and handle knives, but there was no trace of an ass-kicker in this book. She is thoroughly, depressingly, a Chosen female . . . and all the naïveté that entails. Verily. And on that note. . .

I hate thee as I hate hell. . .

I hate Layla. Verily.

Layla joins the growing list of Chosen females who I don’t like reading about. There’s just something about all of the women who migrate from the Other Side – Cormia, Marissa, and now Payne. I just don’t like these females, and I am becoming increasingly frustrated by them being paired with the Brothers. I miss the human females who became Shellans. My favourite Shellans in the series are (or started out as) humans; Beth and Mary. But not since Vishous’s book, ‘Lover Unbound’ has a Brother hooked up with a woman of the homo sapien persuasion. The last four Shellans have been vampires – Cormia, Ehlena, Xhex (part sympath) and Payne. Now, I didn’t mind Xhex and Ehlena as heroines, but on the whole I am no longer interested in reading about vampire/vampire pairings.

I think part of the reason I don’t connect with the vampire heroines is that, as a female reader, it’s not exactly fun to read about these perfectly beautiful women in all their hairless glory nabbing gorgeous Brothers for themselves. I loved reading about Mary and Rhage, because lovely, beautiful Mary couldn’t even fathom Hollywood being interested in her. There’s a level of believability to that; I can connect vicariously with Mary’s feelings of inadequacy. No doubt I would have the same reaction if a gorgeous Brother took a shine to me (hey, a girl can dream!). With all of the Chosen females, there’s too much perfection. They are too beautiful, too naive, too nice and too . . . verily! I'm over it, quite frankly. And I am seriously considering skipping whichever book contains Layla’s HEA storyline.

I am in blood / Stepp'd in so far

I love Vishous, but I (like many fans) was not satisfied with his book, ‘Lover Unbound’. I thought Jane’s ghostly transition was weirdly indecisive on the Wardens part. And it only became more awkward as the series went on and questions went unanswered. Are she and Vishous mated? Can she eat? Does she sleep? Is Jane unhappy with her ghostly-self? Is Vishous? It was all frayed ends, up in the air. . . until this book.

I would say that ‘Lover Unleashed’ is Payne *AND* Vishous’s book. In this instalment Vishous cuts loose – he goes off the rails and exposes himself, completely. Everything that was left unsaid in ‘Unbound’ is ripped open like an oozing wound in ‘Unleashed’. And it is wonderful. Vishous is in a very bad head-space when his twin appears, and Jane bears the brunt of his upheaval.

J.R. Ward really exposes Vishous’s every little nook and cranny in ‘Unleashed’. The big, pink elephant in the room has always been the fact that Vishous had a serious, hard-core crush on his best buddy Butch for a long time (until both men met their respective Shellans). Well, Ward delves into that ‘almost’ relationship, somewhat satisfyingly in this book. She even looks at that relationship from Jane’s POV:

. . . . it was always like that with V. With him, she never knew what to expect, and not just because he was the son of a deity. He was sex on the edge all the time, hard-cornered and crafty, twisted and demanding.

And she knew that she merely got the watered-down version of him.

There were deeper caves in his underground maze, ones that she had never visited and could never go to.

The one thing I would have liked in relation to the Butch/Vishous dynamic was Marissa’s response to it. We get one little scene with her where she seems A-Okay, but I wasn’t buying it. I wish the Warden had offered us a little Butch/Marissa heart-to-heart (consequently, I missed out on just such an exchange in ‘Lover Mine’ too, since Butch never fessed-up to Marissa or John Matthew that he and Xhex hooked up once. Marissa, the poor dear, seems to be left in the dark on all manner of things).

J.R. Ward has always been very open and honest about her difficulties writing Vishous. He’s a broken and complicated character – coming from an insanely abusive childhood and transitioning into an adulthood of painful BDSM play. One of the few good things to come out of ‘Lover Unleashed’ is a new outlook for Jane and Vishous. . . their tale finally seems to have been told, and it’s about time too!

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.

‘Unleashed’ introduces a possible new big-bad in the BDB universe. For nine books now it has been the same villains – Omega and his lessers. But in this instalment we meet an old-world vampire called Xcor, and his Band of Bastards. These are vampire warriors from England. They are like the Brotherhood, minus all the moral chivalry. These guys are mean – yes, they kill lessers – but they have no time or care for humans and their petty problems. And they are in Caldwell for one reason and one reason only – to dethrone Wrath. . . dun, Dun, DUNNN!

The Bastards were probably the best part of this book for me. I'm putting my hand up as an early fan. I think there’s a lot of potential here, for new characters and more well-rounded villains. I have never been a real fan of the lesser and Omega storyline. Truth be told, I often skim-read over all the chapters told from Mr. X and the Omega’s POV. With these Bastards, there’s potential for redemption and a full character-arc. These are morally bankrupt characters that could go either way – via the path of redemption, or ending up on the heel of a Brother’s shitkicker. I have particularly high-hopes for one Bastard called Throe, who seems to have an unusual interest in the human world. But I really liked Xcor – a big, mean warrior with a face only a mother could love (could he be the new Zsadist? Only time will tell!).

And all the men and women merely players

One of the biggest pitfalls of ‘Unleashed’ is the lack of scope. One of the best things in a BDB book is getting to revisit old characters (now fictional friends). It’s one of the reasons I love this series and the universe the Warden has created. Characters don’t just disappear - they get their novel-length time in the sun, and then they reappear sporadically in later books. Not so much the case in ‘Unleashed’. This ninth book is most assuredly (and sadly) the Vishous and Payne show. Admittedly, Vishous needed a spotlight focus to correct his lack-lustre ‘Unbound’ instalment. But the sharp focus means the Warden skips over revisiting old favourites; like Tohr, Lassiter, Xhex, John Matthew etc, etc. And the biggest omission of all is Qhuinn and Blay.

For quite a few books now, fans have been rabid for Qhuay – the only M/M pairing in the BDB world. The Warden has uhmmed and ahhed about whether or not to give fans a novel-length, homosexual HEA for two of the Brothers . . . so instead she has been writing their unfolding side-story in each new instalment – and it has been wonderful. Rocky, and sad, but wonderful. Each new book and side-story has bought Blay and Qhuinn that little bit closer to their happily ever after. Not the case in ‘Unleashed’. We get a little bit of insight into Qhuinn’s thinking and changing attitude, but there’s not nearly enough Qhuay-time to satisfy. I can only hope that the lack of them is an indication that the Warden is close to coming out with their novella. Fingers crossed!

‘Unleashed’ is quite a frustrating book for all that the Warden omits. In ‘Lover Mine’ we met a new vampire male (and ex-Brother) called Muhrder. His hefty side-story in ‘Lover Mine’ seemed to indicate that he was a new player in the series . . . yet, there is no mention of him in ‘Unleashed’. He has disappeared. So what was his purpose in the first place? J.R. Ward may have an end-game in mind, but her fans aren’t privy to the inner-workings and I'm sure it’s driving the majority of us nuts!

Thus bad begins and worse remains behind.

My overall response to ‘Lover Unleashed’ was a resounding; “meh.”

I think, to some extent, this novel was all about the Warden going back in order to move forward. On the one hand, she’s giving fans a much-longed for storyline concerning Vishous and Jane. She’s tying up loose ends . . . while at the same time she has introduced a whole new crop of characters (and potential villains?) for future books.

I have a lot of faith in J.R. Ward, so even though I was verily unimpressed with Payne and Manny, I hold out hope for the future of this series. I look forward to Tohr’s story (heartbreaking though I know it will be). I still want to know more about Trez and iAm. I need a Blay and Qhuinn novella, like now! And I am interested to see where the Band of Bastards take the future of this series . . . but ‘Unleashed’ marks the lowest point in an otherwise unblemished series (until Layla’s story, at least).

2.5/5

'A Man in a Million' Moorehouse Legacy #4 by Jessica BIRD (J.R. WARD)

From the BLURB:

As far as bad boy Spike Moriarty was concerned, Madeline Maguire defined female perfection. When they'd met, she'd walked up as if she wasn't the most gorgeous thing on the planet and asked to see his tattoos. He--a tough guy who'd make grown men run--had just about passed out. But their connection was definitely one-way…it had to be. Because he could never be the man in a million she was looking for, not with the things he'd done and seen. So for as long as she'd let him, he'd give her whatever she wanted. He'd worry about her walking away when it happened.

How’s this for persuading J.R. Ward fans to get stuck into the ‘Moorehouse Legacy’ series…. In the 4th book, ‘A Man in a Million’, the hero (Spike Moriarty) is a confirmed ancestor to Blackdagger Brother’s; Zsadist and Phury!
That’s right – Spike has yellow eyes and a harmless penchant for biting – and J.R. Ward confirmed on her ‘Jessica Bird’ chat board that he is indeed intended to be ancestor to the BDB twins! Yowza!

Spike’s story bares a small resemblance to Zsadist and Bella’s. The similarity comes from the fact that Spike has a checkered past that he’s reluctant to share with his heroine, Madeline. Whereas Zsadist hid his sexual abuse, Spike is hiding the fact that he’s an ex-con – convicted of manslaughter at the age of 24.

I loved Spike. He’s a tattooed biker and tough as nails sous chef – but the actions of his past have clearly impacted him and he’s a very humble and wise leading man.

Madeline is one of J.R. Ward’s more interesting leading ladies. Madeline steps onto the page with plenty of spark, personality and problems to boot. She is a very fleshed out character and intriguing to read – she’s a supermarket heiress, but her family life has left her deeply scarred. Her father was a perfectionist; her half-brother a tyrant in the making and her half-sister used sex as a means to hurt others (and she hurt Madeline by sleeping with at least two of her ex-boyfriends). Madeline crewed on Alex Moorehouse’s sailing boat, and earned the nickname ‘Mad Dog’ for her adventurous spirit. But on land she is a very introverted, cautious young woman who struggles in social situations and has never had a real romantic connection with a man.

Spike’s gentle-giant and Madeline’s delicate-tomboy make for a very compelling romance. Not only do these two heat up the page (having sex on Spike’s Harley, for instance) they are also really very sweet;

She touched his face. “You look hungry.”
“I am.” His voice was low, hoarse. “And I feel like I should apologize for it.”
“Don’t.” She put her mouth on his. “I’m hungry too.”
With those quiet words, it was as if she’d popped the lid off of him. His arms shot around her and he spread his legs wide so he could get her into his hips. He was almost out of time and she was everything hot and good and sustaining in the world.

‘A Man in a Million’ is the last instalment in Jessica Bird’s ‘Moorehouse Legacy’, and it’s a great way to cap-off the wonderful journey. Sure, the book occasionally veers into cheesy ‘lovey-dovey’ territory, but that’s just a case of Bird writing for her Harlequin audience who thrive on such honey.

I would highly recommend these books for anyone who enjoys the romance in her Blackdagger Brotherhood series. Ward’s Jessica Bird romance’s are just as steamy as the Brother’s HEA’s, minus a heavy plot concerning good guys vs. bad guys.

4/5

'Lover Mine' Black Dagger Brotherhood #8 by J.R. WARD

From the BLURB:

In the darkest corners of the night in Caldwell, New York, a conflict like no other rages. Long divided as a terrifying battleground for the vampires and their enemies, the city is home to a band of brothers born to defend their race: the warrior vampires of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

John Matthew has come a long way since he was found living among humans, his vampire nature unknown to himself and to those around him. After he was taken in by the Brotherhood, no one could guess what his true history was- or his true identity. Indeed, the fallen Brother Darius has returned, but with a different face and a very different destiny. As a vicious personal vendetta takes John into the heart of the war, he will need to call up on both who he is now and who he once was in order to face off against evil incarnate.

Xhex, a symphath assassin, has long steeled herself against the attraction between her and John Matthew. Having already lost one lover to madness, she will not allow the male of worth to fall prey to the darkness of her twisted life. When fate intervenes, however, the two discover that love, like destiny, is inevitable between soul mates.

So, try as I might, I could not compress this review down – I just had so much to say about this kick-ass book! So I conveniently broke down my review with subheadings, to aid your reading and my mental haywire while writing this review. Enjoy!

Subplots

It is a slow start. I’ve read reviews that warned about this, but there was a cynical part of me that wondered if things would ever pick up.

The storyline cuts back and forth to tell quite a few subplots, and at first they seem random and haphazard – but by book’s end they all coalesce.

John Matthew reads Darius’s diary and learns about his friendship with Tohrment. The diary segues into extended flashbacks to the 1600’s, in what reminded me of ‘In the Name of the Rose’ (1986 Christian Slater, Sean Connery film) as Darius takes Tohrment on his first Brotherhood assignment, tracking down a kidnapped glymera female.

There’s also a story about a reality TV show called ‘Paranormal Investigations’ that’s filming in South Carolina. This storyline really frustrated me – because it was so out of left field, and told from the POV of a human. It was doubly frustrating when this story came on the heels of pivotal Xhex/JM scenes.

There are also scenes set in the Chosen’s paradise. It is here that the Scribe Virgin’s daughter, Payne, spars with Wrath and laments her ‘imprisonment’. Payne’s story is next up in the BDB series, and even though I was skeptical at Payne’s book following Xhex’s (because both females are warriors, and a little bit similar?) this future storyline is actually very intriguing and beautifully set up.

It’s not as though these side-stories aren’t adding to the build-up of tension or new layers of characterization (or quite pivotal to future plotlines) but when the stakes are so high there is a certain amount of frustration that the story doesn’t have more ‘get up and go’, so to speak.

Lash = villain we love to hate

There were two subplots that really worked for me, however.

The first is the Warden’s traditional ‘bad guy’ POV. In previous books, the Warden has told the story of various lessening society villains. I’m not a big fan of such side-stories and I normally skim-read all the lesser POV stuff. It’s not a reflection on the Warden’s writing; I just don’t have much attention span when the Brother’s stories are so much more compelling. That wasn’t the case in ‘Lover Mine’. Because Lash is the lessening ‘baddie’ in this book and readers have seen his transformation from jerk-off Brother-in-training to son of the all-evil Omega - I think as readers we have more invested in this particular bad-guy subplot. And then there’s the fact that Lash is such a *good* villain. He’s really truly awful – dripping in evil, a true head-case masochist. Getting in Lash’s head is both fascinating, and creepy… sort of like reading a car wreck, you want to look away but you can’t help but be fascinated.

He enjoyed feeling like a god.

As whimpering breached the kid’s chapped lips, Lash relented, easing back. With a quick lick, he cleaned off the blade and flicked the weapon shut. “You’re going to like where you end up. I promise you.”

Team Qhuay

The second sub-plot is Qhuinn and Blay’s romance. In ‘Lover Enshrined’ there was a big reveal – that Blay is gay and in love with his best friend, Qhuinn. They shared an oh-so-steamy kiss and since then things have been… awkward, at best.

Qhuinn is a glymera son, but he is all but disowned by his family because of a genetic ‘defect’ that gave him one blue eye, one green (heterochromia). Qhuinn has never felt worthy or wanted – and that defect has led Qhuinn to do some questionable things. Mainly, his desire to screw anything with a hole – male, female, multiple partners or one-on-one. Qhuinn is, by his own account, a man-whore. His one exception to the ‘screw anything with legs’ rule is Blay. Because Blay actually means something to him – whereas his random sexual exploits are nothing but scratching an itch, Blay is his best friend and of worth to him.

I loved the evolution of Qhuinn and Blay’s story.

I know that in the past the Warden has ‘ummed and ahhed’ about writing an M/M romance in what has previously been a hetero series. But with ‘Lover Mine’ she takes the plunge and beautifully sets up Qhuinn and Blay’s future plot (whether that is ‘HEA’ remains to be read).

I know there’s a big divide amongst BDB fans about this M/M romance – especially because the Warden previously said that Qhuinn would have a shellan. But I am completely in lust with ‘Qhuay’. I am a fan of M/M romances anyway, but I think it’s more to do with the fact that their story has been a real journey for readers, and Ward is handling their relationship beautifully and sensitively.

Even those who are firmly against an M/M plot have to admit that their romance makes for captivating reading. Even more so with the introduction of Qhuinn’s cousin, Saxton, who proves to be a viable love interest for Blay. I was all prepared to resent Saxton and his intruding on the Qhuay romance – but I actually found myself begrudgingly liking the guy, and rooting for his his little romance with Blay.

“I lied. I’ve never been on a date before.” This got him a cocked brow and he had to laugh. “Yup, I’m a real player.”

Saxton’s suave air slipped and behind his eyes, true warmth glowed. “Well, I’m glad I was your first.”

Blay met the guy’s stare. “How did you know I was gay?”

“I didn’t. I merely hoped.”

There’s lots of angst with Qhuay, and you definitely get the impression that their story won’t be wrapped up any time soon. I am crossing my fingers that the Warden gives Qhuay their own book – but at the same time if theirs continues to be a secondary plot then she could really stretch it out… admittedly that could mean a lot of prolonged heartache, but it could also mean they remain a focus for a few books more.

Either way – I’m ecstatic with the Warden’s decision to pair these two up, and at this point I’ll take their story whatever way it comes.

John Matthew + Xhex… OMIGOD!

Xhex and Jon Matthew have an amazing story – and it’s pretty impressive that with all the subplots and side stories in ‘Lover Mine’, they hold their own as the stars of the book. Their pairing has been a while in the making – and I think all that back-story and pent-up sexual frustration helped make ‘Lover Mine’ a truly explosive and smoking hot HEA for these two.

Besides, the story of the two of them was written in the language of collision; they were ever crashing into each other and ricocheting away – only to find themselves pulled back into another impact. She was his pyrocant and there was nothing he could do to change that. But he could sure as shit cut the bungee cord that was torturing him.

There was a lot of pressure for the Warden to tell John Matthew’s story. He is definitely a fan favorite – both because he’s a male of worth, but also because he’s the only brother whose back story has been completely open to readers… to the point where we know more about his background than any of the characters. I think readers feel closest to JM, and therefore quite protective. So it makes sense (in a weird, fan-girl way) that we want the best for our boy. We’ve seen Xhex put him through the emotional ringer in ‘Lover Avenged’, and now we want her to step-up and be worthy of JM’s love. And the Warden does an absolutely fabulous job of getting readers on Xhex’s side in a feat of characterization.

I was always sort of indifferent about Xhex. But in ‘Lover Mine’ she becomes a firm favorite. I liked the fact that she stands out from the other shellan’s and female characters – she is a tomboy to their nurturing mother hens. All of Ward’s previous female characters have been of the similar ‘woman savior’ archetype – whose love and tenderness have melted the hearts of their manly Hellren warriors. Xhex is a prickly character, in contrast. She has demons in her past and some deep-seated personal problems... she's also a ball-busting ass-kicker.

Xhex and the other Shellan’s

There are no scenes with the other Shellan’s in ‘Lover Mine’. Doc Jane makes brief appearances, as does Ehlena – but those scenes are more about logistics since those two are the doctor/nurse for the compound.

On the one hand I was a little disappointed by the lack of the other Shellan’s. Not only do I love revisiting their characters and marking their relationship progress, but I really think if they had been written in it could have been a nice contrast to Xhex. It might have been nice to see how she interacted with those ‘traditional’ females who are so very different from her tough-as-nails assassin persona. I especially would have liked to read Xhex and Marissa interacting (smackdown!)

On the other hand, Xhex constantly being surrounded by the Brother’s illustrated how well she fit in with the warriors. She really goes toe-to-toe with them, and holds her own in battle. But still, I would have liked more interaction between Xhex and the other Shellan’s… if only because some Shellan’s (like Mary!) really haven’t made cameos in quite a while, this is despite the Warden telling fans that she still has subplots in mind for them.

Future books

‘Lover Mine’ I think is quite a transitional book in the ‘Blackdagger Brotherhood’ series. New characters are introduced. Secondary characters once relegated to the sidelines are bought to the foreground. And several future plots are set-up. JR Ward has said that her series is currently open-ended, thanks to her ever-increasing success and popularity. Thanks to that open-endedness a whole new crop of characters have been invented and tangled plots woven in ‘Lover Mine’. I, for one, am *dying* for Tohr’s story. And Lassiter’s. And Trez & iAm’s. But there are a few introductions and characterization’s that I’m not thrilled about…

I hate Layla

I don’t like Layla. I’ll just put that out there. I haven’t liked her since she first stepped into the series in Rhage’s book, ‘Lover Eternal’, and I still don’t like her in ‘Lover Mine’. I think it was just a case of the Warden writing Layla as a very naïve, sugary-sweet ‘Mary Sue’ type character. She just rubs me the wrong way. I can’t really put my finger on the precise reason for my dislike… maybe it’s because she’s described as a ‘Lolita’ type woman, all virginal innocence but with the body of a siren. I don’t know how many female readers can really relate or empathize with her plight when she’s described thusly.

I actually really hope she isn’t down to become a Shellan. And if she is I really, really hope she isn’t going to be Tohr’s shellan.

Tohr is one of my favorite brothers (after Zsadist, Qhuinn and Blay) and I really hope his book is next after Payne’s…. but I *really* hope and pray that Layla isn’t his HEA. I also hope she isn’t Trez’s. Or iAm’s. Okay, so I really don’t like that Chosen!

Wrap-up

‘Lover Mine’ has a few pitfalls – mainly the crisscrossing, confusing subplots that don’t always make immediate sense and detract from the more interesting Xhex/JM and Qhuinn/Blay stories. But that’s only one drawback in a book that packs quite a punch.

‘Lover Mine’ isn’t my favorite BDB installment (‘Lover Awakened’ still holds that placement) but it is certainly a wonderful addition to a much-loved series.

4/5