The Thief

Hands down my favorite paranormal series!! That being said… I feel like I was shortchanged on this book… Where is the HEA for Sola and Assail?? What is going to happen as she ages?? I also felt with the build up to Vishious and Jane’s added storyline that it fell flat!! They had one conflict and then pretty much everything was fine… I understand the need for future stories/books but seriously this was a let down and my very least favorite of ALL Ward books.

I just don’t know what I’ve read. It surely can’t be a J.R. Ward book. It was so boring. But, then again the Chosen was a huge disappointment. BUT, Blood Fury was excellent. I am starting to wonder if The Warden is spreading herself too thin writing 3 different releases a year. There are tons of inconsistencies, that I am not going to get into, but I will say references to current shows and music shouldn’t be referenced when the timeline is a a few years behind the present year.

I am seriously wondering if the Warden is using a ghost writer. The writing and story doesn’t FEEL like her. There isn’t the “grab” and “spark” that sucks you in like the previous few books. It almost feels like “fluff”. I would rather see the series end on a good strong book, than be strung along with books that just don’t hold your attention any longer. I WANT to be excited for a J.R. Ward release again. I have 10 years invested in this series, I LOVE these characters. Please don’t show a disservice to them by writing fluff. The men are the badasses any longer. They are singing Moana songs, and wearing MLP pants! I want the grit and the fighting and rough sex back!

Possible spoilers

I love diving back into this universe. No matter who the story focuses on, I just love the BDB world. I guess it probably depends on whether youre a Vishous fan or not, how you will embrace this story. I love Vishous, hes my favorite brother, so I loved his and Janes story line. And I think it was handled well. I think Vishous was sufficiently repentant, and I think both of their issues were brought to the forefront and dealt with. And to those who say Vishous was not his old self, I say that hes evolving and thats a good thing.
I also loved Assail and Solas story, but like many readers, Im concerned about how their future will work out.
I think this was a transition book of sorts. Seems like were on the cusp. New enemy, new deity, possible new surgeon (maybe Manny/Butch/Jo Earlys father), Murhder. Im dying to know who stole the book!
I loved the funny moments! The turkey/stuffing/mashed/no veggies scene between V and Phury was hysterical, as well as the My Little Pony PJ pants.
I thought some of the scenes were a little too drawn out, focusing too much on the setting. Ms. Ward has too much story to tell to need any filler. But maybe I was just too anxious to get to the action. Cant wait til the next book!

I never know with J. R. Ward books if I’m giving it 4 or 5 stars because there is something that annoyed me so much during the reading that I can’t ignore or I loved it so much that I can’t think of anything that I didn’t like. This book is more of a 3.5 read just because I am so over and done with the Vishous stuff. Like I posted on my Instagram, Ward should just kill the male and be done with him.

What I did love about this book was Sola and Assail’s story. I know many will disagree with me but I think every story so far has developed at the exact time it should and this one is no different. Assail needed to clean himself of his addiction and Sola needed to see him almost dying for this couple to appreciate what they have or could have.

What I like about this books is that we see a side to this characters that is sweet but, even with the women, it does not make them weak and vulnerable, on the contrary, it gives them character and make them feel more real.

I can’t wait to see what this new turn in the war will bring and how some of the secondary stories will develop further in upcoming books.

I love vampire romances! This used to be my absolute favorite vampire series, and Lover Awakened is one of my all-time favorite books. The premise of this book did not particularly appeal to me, but I bought it for the nostalgia of the series. The heroine, Sola, wasnt very compelling – pretty and tough but immoral and insecure. The hero, Assail, wasnt much better – handsome and paranormal but weak. They had little chemistry and no sizzle. The storyline was complex and unpredictable. Overall, not a bad book but never caught fire for me.

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