Book Review: Lover Unleashed

I’ve been a fan since the beginning and over the years this series’ style has developed from paranormal romance to urban fantasy. For me, this is the best one in the series in a long while. Since moving into urban fantasy, Ward has focused on several different story lines in addition to the main one, which is fine, but the transitions in the books were a little too choppy. This one had no such problems.

I loved how Manny could really hold his own with the vampires and how surprisingly sweet, yet fearsome Payne was. I really, really enjoyed the amount of Vishous is in the book and you’ll see that everything is not perfect in his world and even vampires with their “shellans” can have issues. And of course you’ll see more of the Qhuinn, Blaylock saga. They’re both very stubborn, neither willing to give in to their feelings; Qhuinn because he feels he’s not worthy and Blay because he’s already put himself out there twice and been crushed, so he’s done w/Qhuinn. Or is he?

Then there’s the promise of some new conflict w/ a band of warriors from the Old Country who’ve come to America seeking vengeance, Lessers, and Wrath’s throne. Next up is Tohr’s book in April of 2012. Interested to see where she takes us w/ him. I also read that there may be a Wrath and Beth novella in the fall of 2012. I'll cross my fingers:)
Michelyn
Reference Librarian

'Lover Avenged' by J.R. Ward - Book Review

Lover Avenged by J. R. Ward

I've read the entire Black Dagger Brotherhood series so far and was not looking forward to this book b/c I was disappointed with the last 2. This was sooooo much better than those. Maybe it's b/c the author has re labeled these as "urban fantansy" rather than "paranormal romance" and I had different expectations.

Lover Avenged flowed better than previous attempts to be the Suzanne Brockman of the paranormal world so the different story lines weren't as choppy. This story focused on Rehvenge and his bad sympath-self and the struggles he faces being 2 different people, a loving son and brother to his family and a scary drug dealing/pimping/ head bashing night club owner. He finds peace with the help of a lady vamp who brings out more of his vampire instincts thereby squashing most of his sympath urges. It's not quite Chloe's effect on Doomsday in Smallville, but close.

Xhex and John have their storyline and most fans will be glad to see John finally man-up even though it's due to his heart being broken and him being sick of being a victim. (I still don't think this is a final mate match for these 2, we'll see)

Tohr is slowly coming out of his depression and trying, trying to live again.

Wrath is dealing w/ a major issue that is going to be tough for him. I'm interested to see how this plays out.

Hope you enjoy it.
Michelyn