I enjoyed re-listening to this one, even though as I've wrote ןn the previous reviews I'm noא into the audio version. I think the narrator is doing a very poor job. You can't distinguish any character from one another (maybe except for Fritz..) but the book is GOOD and so worth reading!
I'll start by saying that guys like Butch and gals like Marissa "aren't my type". He was never one of my favorites. He is too "rough around the edges" in a way I don't find appealing. He had a tough life, his family practically hating him and blaming him for his sister's murder even though he was just a kid and there is no logic in blaming him at all. His father beat him up, his other siblings forgetting him once he was gone. He was a cop and they all call him that but I wonder why he even was into that considering his substance abuse.. But as the main hero in this book I really loved him and learned to appreciate him as a male of worth which he is.
His romance with Marissa was beautiful. I loved how he was with her and how much he wanted her but didn't want to push himself into her arms if she didn't want him. I loved how nearing the end he was willing to give her a choice in something I thought she didn't have even a right to decide for him, but when she tried stopping him from fighting he told her this is who he is and he will do what he can do to help the brotherhood and yeah, he is a warrior, even if he is a human and came to this world recently we get that from the beginning and she should have realized that from the start and not putting so many breaks on him, who he is, who he wants to be.
Without spoilering I'll just say that there is a beautiful conclusion the his "problem" of being human and a way for him and her having their HEA as well as him getting to fight alongside the brothers.
And Marissa? She is so pure that she was almost boring. There was nothing to her. Her innocence was sweet up until it was awkward. and then something happened that changed her into a different person. Sometimes a kick in the butt does that to you.. for me it was a little bit too quick but it was a good change that made me appreciate her for being someone, not just doing what she is told but also being able to consider others in her time of pain and wanting to help others. She and Butch are the same in this sense. From their pain and good nature they want to help others even if it's in a total different way.
I didn't like the brakes she tried putting on Butch but I also get why she did that, now that she's got him she wasn't willing to let him go no matter what. The one scene she got angry / upset with Wrath felt a little bit too much for her change. But well, I guess he didn't really reacted because he knew she was expressing her worry for Butch. She made one kick ass announcement at the stupid Council meeting that made Rehv almost literally ROFL which shows us how much she's grown from being that scared little girl (400 years, yet.. a little girl and a scared one) to being a woman who knows who she is and what she wants! OH YEAH! go girl power!
The story itself speaks of a prophecy of the Lessers and "The Destroyer" who will take down the Omega. Mr. X which is the most annoying Lesser of them all (I'm lying, every POV I read of the lessers becomes my most hated one ;)) is into this prophecy wanting to be over of the Lessening Society once and for all after being resurrected by the Omega after Mr. O (David) was killed by Bella (OH YEAH to girl power once more :)). He recruits Mr. D who he considers to be "The Destroyer" from reading and re-reading the prophecy. Mr. D. was an annoyance as well..
I don't like these soulless bastards they make no sense to me. They have one goal which is destruction and no real motive. Mr. D. wants to do whatever he wants and Mr. X just wants to find a way to destroy - the Omega, the Vampires, other Lessers. There is no real character to these guys. nothing. They are the reason I can't give this one 5 stars. There is mostly no real need for them in the story and if there is it could have been done in a better way or without reading their POV.
A little bit about other POVs in the book - Havers is being a TOTAL and ABSOLUTE ass, I wanted to write that in the review of the first book but couldn't - They should have killed him, He has NO function. He is a stupid, chauvinistic, self absorbed bastard. I feel like I didn't curse him enough here. The next book (if I'm remembering right) should bring us another option to using this sorry ass doctor.
We learn a little more about Rehvenge. We also learn a little bit about his head of security Xhex and their relationship. Both of them would have a book in their name and I can't wait to get to them even if I've already read them. Rehv is a lot more than he seems and Xhex also have a very interesting story.
After Thor throwing a disappearance act on the Brotherhood John is left shattered. He is nearing the change which shift his emotional grid as well. Nearing the end he finally finds 2 new friends - Blay and Quinn but also gaining an enemy - Lash - which is THE most annoying vampire in the series, like the Lessers all he wants is mayhem he is just stupid and arrogant. I think right after Thor disappeared the Brotherhood didn't get how much of an effect it would leave on John but once he started deteriorating Wrath started making sure he would stay in line but mostly included. That being said I do think that John would have lost his sanity without his friendship with Blay and Quinn. It's nice having Wrath, Beth, Z and others by his side but I think that having someone resembling him in age and stage in life is what he missed in life. I loved Z's part in helping John out. I think this book really shows his other side, no matter how much cruel act is on there is so much love and care that mostly stays hidden but when it shows I just fall for him all-over-again. awwww
Last but not least - Vishous - Butch's best friend or as they call each other - room mates - is having a rough time of his own. His visions dried off and he is re-dreaming the same nightmare day after day. It comes to the point were Wrath wants to pull him out of rotation and there is NO WAY V is going to survive THAT as well. He is so happy for Butch but in a way he is mourning the loss of him. Their relationship mean more to him than even he realized before. We also learn a little about his perversions in the apartment he keeps in the city. Next book is of him. He was never my favorite brother but once you really read about him and who he is, what he's been through you see him in a total different light (no pan intended ;)) can't wait listening to the next one.
Recommended. Especially since we got two characters I wasn't a fan of and became a fan after reading / listening to their love story.
Additional Details: Audiobook, 16:18 Hours, 10-13 March 2014 / On GoodReads
ABOUT THE MCs
Butch/Dhestroyer
The
only human male ever to be allowed within the Brotherhood. However, he
is descended from the line of Wrath, which allows him to be "turned" and
subsequently initiated as a Brother. A former homicide detective, Butch
was given the nickname "Cop" by the vampires. He lives at the "Pit", a
two-bedroom gatehouse connected to the mansion where the King and other
Brothers dwell. Friends with all of the warriors, he is especially close
to Vishous, who also lives at the Pit. He is the object of an ancient
lesser prophecy and has the ability to sense them wherever they are.
After absorbing them into himself, he is only able to be healed by
Vishous. His and Marissa's story is told in Lover Revealed (BDB #4).
Marissa
The
"great beauty of the species". For over 300 years, she was the Shellan
of Wrath, the Vampire King. Their match, however, was a loveless one and
ended when Wrath fell in love with Beth. Marissa, for her part, was
attracted to Butch from the moment they met. Her brother, Havers,
evicted her from their house after discovering she harbored feelings for
a human. When Butch is later transformed into a vampire, Marissa
becomes his shellan, their story is told in Lover Revealed (BDB #4). She
helps run "Safe Place", a shelter for battered females and children. ABOUT THIS SERIES
The Black Dagger Brotherhood is a Paranormal Romance by J. R. Ward.
This was actually the first PNR I've read. I've been a HUGE vampire fan
most of my life, but I used to read Fantasy and Urban Fantasy. When I
fell upon this series I've realized adding the romance "bit" is the best
thing ever!
This
series have been one of my most favorite for a long while. I really
liked the way Ward built the world of the Brotherhood and in general the
"Breed". They have been living besides humans but they are not a threat
as they feast from their mate (partner) and anyhow human blood isn't
potent enough for them. They mostly act human but as expected they have
special abilities and animalistic behaviors.
The
series follows the Black Dagger Brotherhood, a contingent of vampire
warriors in charge of protecting the "Breed" (Vampires) against their
mortal enemies the "Lessening Society" which are a group of ex-humans
transformed into soulless being with the sole purpose of harming the
vampire race. The head of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Wrath, is also
the King of the race but he was trying to run away from his duties
leaving in his stead a group of vampire aristocrats called the Glymera.
My
main issue with this series comes from the longgggg novels with many
POVs and sub-plots. Sometimes it feels like everything is happening
while there is nothing to actually move the plot. I guess it's very
character driven and there is a lot of shenanigans between the
"Brothers" which makes this read a fun one. This is a series to anyone
looking for an action packed novel with tender romance and a lot of
"bro" attitude. In each book one of the brothers gets his own HEA. There
are interesting coupling, not what you'd expect (or the men themselves
expected) but each woman helps her Breed male find his own happiness as
they are all damages in their own way.
I've
been a huge fan of the series till the 13th novel - "The Shadows", it
has been a breaking point for me, because it was different (and many
reading complained about it) but also because I somehow felt I've had
enough. I still highly recommend this series, It's one of the best in
the genre IMO.
If
you love these kinds of series I'd also recommend "Midnight Breed" by
Lara Adrian. There is a few similarities (mainly in the first
books) bit it takes a totally different turn. I actually enjoy it a bit more than this one.
YEP, RECOMMENDED!
Books:
1. Dark Lover [Wrath & Beth] (published 6 September 2005) ★★★½
2. Lover Eternal [Rhage & Marry] (published 7 March 2006) ★★★★½
3. Lover Awakened [Zsadist & Bella] (published 5 September 2006) ★★★★★
4. Lover Revealed [Butch & Marissa] (published 6 Match 2007) ★★★★½
5. Lover Unbound [Vishous & Jane] (published 25 September 2007) ★★★★
6. Lover Enshrined [Phury & Cromia] (published 3 June 2008) ★★
--- An Insider's Guide (Including "Father Mine") (published 7 October 2008 ) ★★★★
6.5 Father Mine [Zsadist, Bella & Nalla] (published 7 October 2008) ★★★★★
7. Lover Avenged [Rehvenge & Ehlena] (published 28 April 2009) ★★★★★
8. Lover Mine [John Mathew & Xhex] (published 27 April 2010) ★★★★★
9. Lover Unleashed [Payne & Manny] (published 29 March 2011) ★★★★½
10. Lover Reborn [Thor & Autumn] (published 27 March 2012) ★
11. Lover At Last [Quinn & Blaylock] (published 26 March 2013) ★★★★½
12. The King [Wrath & Beth revisited] (published 1 April 2014) ★★★½
13. The Shadows [Trez & Selena / iAm & Maichen] (published 31 March 2015) ★★★
As I've mentioned there are more books published in this series but I've stopped after the 13th one.
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