Lover Awakened

I’m rereading some of the books of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, a series of warrior vampires whose jobs are to protect civilian vampires and humans. I don’t know why I stopped after reading four. Out of the three that I’ve reread, it’s hard to chose a favorite. I do have special empathy for Zsadist and couldn’t remember if he and Bella got a HEA or not. So, it was interesting to find out what happened. I love how the books build on each other. You are left with questions but none, so far, are cliffhangers.

Each book so far reminded me why I was willing to pay $7.99 for an e-book that was published 5 years before I first read them. The characters are well developed. You are given enough background to understand the characters’ names and their personalities. Their names perfectly fit them. The books are full of drama, intrigue, action and danger. For a series on vampires, the sex is not overly erotic, graphic or descriptive as are other paranormal books, especially shifter books. They’re not YA but are not close to soft porn. The sex adds to each vampire’s storyline but does not overpower the story. Some aspects of the sex may disturb some folks. Even if you skip the pages with sex, you still have a complete and satisfying book.

The books are not perfect but are pretty well written. They are read for their entertainment value not for information on vsmpires. Hiwever, they are different enough from other vampire books to hold your interest. I could do without the slang but it’s not enough to distract from reading, as are some paranormal books filled with grammatical errors.

The books leave you wanting more but are fairly fulfilling. You are left with questions that hopefully will be answered in other books. However, there’s nothing that keeps you from putting down the books. I’d like to know if Torhment and/or Wellsie will show up in other books? When will Darius appear in future books and what is his warrior name? In what book does John transition into Terhror, or does he? Do all the warriors find their mates? How will the other warriors interact with Bella’s brother Rehvenge since Zsadist knows his real profession? Small Spoiler: Why did Vishous cause Butch to inadvertently drink vampire warrior blood? End of Spoiler.. Questions, not cliffhangers. Can’t wait to read the next two in the series. Will I continue reading the series or stop as I did before? I will at least read five, one more than I did before.

This book gets three stars for universe building. I can see why the Black Dagger Brotherhood has such a following. As far as vampire books go, this one was well developed. The setting and rules of this universe are really explained. There is a full society with a back story and dynamics, different factions with roles and gifts. I did find the world the story takes place in fascinating. I loved the dimensions of the “fade” and the underworld, the different parts of a complex society. This author’s take on vampires was pretty neat – their transitioning, needing, aging, death… all very well done.

Where the story lost me was the romance itself. And despite all that I just said above, there were just so many character perspectives. In a series, I like lots of characters, but I don’t need to be in their heads every book. It felt like there was so much time spent with characters who weren’t a part of THIS actual story – like John Matthews and Butch and Rhevenge, etc. etc. I would have preferred spending more time with the hero and heroine, Zsadist and Bella, and getting to know their love story more. I can tolerate POV from the villain (in this case, Mr. O) and I thought that the POV from Zsadist’s twin Phury made sense (mostly) but from everyone else… just way too long and way too many extra pages. I wanted to connect more with the H/h.

Zsadist is a vampire who was once a slave to a very abusive mistress who tortured him to the point that he is a dark, broken shell. He cannot stand to be touched and has a hard time expressing sensitive emotions on any level. Bella is an aristocratic vampire who is attracted to him, but he pushes her away because he cannot tolerate interactions on any level (this happens in flashback and/or previous book). When she is kidnapped, he becomes obsessed with rescuing her. When she is finally found, he commits himself to caring for her at first, though he fights the protective instincts he feels, and ends up in a game of push and pull.

Zsadist is a very tortured soul and I enjoyed watching him heal. Those are some of the strongest parts of this novel. And I loved watching him reconnect to his twin. When I finished reading this book, the relationship between Phury and Zsadist stood out to me as the strongest, most developed, and the most poignant. When it came to the love between Zsadist and Bella I just wasn’t as convinced. The “I’m dirty, you deserve better than me” trope maybe just went on way too long and I was exasperated.

Also, for such a long book, Bella is pretty much a stand-in Mary Sue. The author spends so much time switching POVs and developing all these characters…. but forgets one of the actual main characters. We don’t get to know Bella much at all. And she went through a pretty major trauma during her kidnapping (held in a dark, cold tunnel under a floor for six weeks) but there is about no time spent on HER healing or trauma. It’s forgotten pretty quick. She has no interests, thoughts, opinions, interactions beyond the most basic of tropes. There’s a huge missed opportunity for her to interact with the other female vampires that live in the house she’s staying in, but it’s only mentioned in the briefest sentences – “Bella passed some time with Mary and Beth.” It made me wonder if female vampires in this universe have roles beyond being “mated.” Are any of them warriors or leaders? Like Bella’s mother, is she a matriarch type? Not sure. It’s sad to say that towards the end I was excited when a female vampire takes on the job of teaching literacy – finally! A female vampire doing something! I’m guessing the point of these books is the BROTHERHOOD and so the focus is on the guys. I get that. But, still, we hardly spend time in Bella’s POV except to express that she really wants to be with Zsadist. Perhaps it’s because I didn’t connect to Bella at all that I had a hard time connecting to their love story.

4.5 Stars
Zsadist and Bellas story was so good! Im crazy about The Black Dagger Brotherhood universe. The world building is extraordinary. Zsadist is a fascinating character and I enjoyed getting a deeper look into his past and why hes the way he is. Hes been through hell. Horrific abuse and yet theres still a part of his humanity intact inside him. Bella brings that side out him. Shes a fantastic and kickass heroine. The perfect match for Zsadist. She brought the man out of him and those scenes were beautiful cause they showed that he was still in there despite him thinking the opposite.

A lot happened in Lover Awakened and some I didnt see coming. It bodes well for the next several books. More layers are peeled off of the other characters and I cant wait for their books.
J.R. Ward does an amazing job expanding this dark and gritty world. I have no idea where the overall story goes next and I like that. Im a fan of this strong and loyal Brotherhood and am ready for more.

4.5 Nalla Stars

Its really bad actually – Im supposed to be working but I read instead. Im supposed to be cleaning but I read instead. Im supposed to be cooking but I read instead. Im supposed to be sleeping but I read instead. Are you getting the picture? Are you seeing a pattern? These books really do pull you in and they just do not let go! Im desperate to get the next already,so why I am still writing? To let you know that your time and money are worth it. These books are fantastic and very addictive. X

If you are tempted by spoilers then don’t do it!! None in this review. This book was the turning point for me. The first two were good by god this had me screaming at the pages! I’m glad I use a kindle because it was the only thing stopping me throwing it across the room in frustration! BUT in the most amazing way! I love Z, his character is so deep and complex and well developed and if you don’t just adore Bella then you need smacking in the face with something heavy. I will not hear a bad word said about this book. I couldn’t put it down and read it in 6 hours, apparently it’s supposed to take 8 lol! What a brilliant story, dont spoil it with reading peoples accounts, every detail makes you want tot read it more! . I cant wait to read the rest!

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