Lover Enshrined and Lover Avenged by JR Ward

So Monroe and I both read the last two Black Dagger Brotherhood books recently and finally got around to discussing them.

Beware - spoilers GALORE!

Fiercely loyal to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of the race, becoming the male responsible for keeping the Brotherhood's bloodlines alive. As Primale of the Chosen, he is to father the sons and daughters who will ensure that the traditions of the race survive and that there are warriors to fight those who want all vampires extinguished.

As his first mate, the Chosen Cormia wants to win not only his body but his heart for herself- she sees the emotionally scarred male behind all his noble responsibility. But while the war with the Lessening Society grows more grim, and tragedy looms over the Brotherhood's mansion, Phury must decide between duty and love.

ames: After Lover Unbound, I seriously needed a break from the Brotherhood. I read spoilers for LU, so I wasn't shocked at the one things went down, but I was disappointed. Thus the break.

So imagine my surprise when I ended up really enjoying Lover Enshrined!

I liked the balance of it, the romance was no longer the main story and that let Ward focus on everything else. Plus I love John Matthew.

You?

Monroe: Well of course I love JM…we've already had it out over him…UGH you're so selfish! ;op But of course I loved that we got more into his story and for me when I read a BDB book I eat them up!

BUT BUT BUT…this one has to be my least fav (in the aspect of Phury and Cormia). Idk it was all weird. And the ending just plain didn’t fit with the feel of the other books…OTHERWISE I loved the other stories with JM and Lash etc.

I also loved Cormia's first outlook on life…it was like a child’s outlook. Seeing everything for the first time. And for a tick I wanted JM and her to be together! I mean come on how cute would that be?!?!

(I miss Beth and Wrath…but we will get to them later on ;o)

ames: See, that's why I think a break was a good thing. I wasn't so focused on the romance. Seriously, the only romance I'm thinking about now is John Matthew's and then Blay and Qhuinn (OMG! I CANNOT WAIT). I just found everything else so interesting because I agree, what went on between Cormia and Phury was...meh. And I even found the parts with the lessers more interesting - whereas in the past, I used to skim over everything involving them.

Monroe: Ya but I still feel the romance should be good…it's an aspect of the book and it should be good! Lol But idk…I could say it was like a filler book for me…something to get me to the next book! :o)

Blay and Qhuinn…OMG that’s one man sandwich I'd love to be in! I can't wait to see what all is going to happen in their story! And JM…Im still on the fence about him and Xhex. I think its b/c I picture her TOO butch.

And I'm such a moron (in fact I think you practically slapped me) concerning the story of Tohr. I couldn’t believe I wasn’t picking up on him being the mysterious person the book kept going back to! LMAO! I'm a moron! But after I figured it out I was totally excited! I missed Tohr and love that man!

ames: Oh yeah! LMAO I completely forgot about that. hahaha Like who else was it going to be?

And speaking of Tohr, what did you think of his tormenter, Lassiter? (was that his name? the angel? am I going crazy?)

Monroe: Lordy idk who it was supposed to be…I hated it b/c I was seriously like WHO THE HELL IS THIS? LMAO!

What do you mean by his tormentor??? (I skimmed over those parts b/c I didn’t know what the hell to think) but I knew it was an angel and was getting him back home. (Which btw thinking more into the next book and we see more of him I wonder if by some reason he will ever get a book or something?!?! I know hes not a brother but still…or wait does he jump into the other series by Ward?)

ames: I was being facetious by calling him his tormentor - because he was keeping him alive, which was the last thing Tohr wanted, you know?

I think there's going to be a connection to the other series. I think I saw that somewhere.

I felt bad for John Matthew when Tohr came back but was still shut down. Like John needed you, you selfish jerk!

Monroe: Ok I'm slow…lol it’s a Monday!

Ya the more I seen him in the next book the more I liked him! :o) I need to read Covet!

JM and Tohr, that relationship breaks my heart! Its like they can't seem to get back on track! :*( And I love Tohr so I can't wait till he finds love again!

ames: I know, it'll be good to meet his woman. I wonder if the Virgin does something similar to what she did with JM and Darius? Like to go back in time with Wellsie's soul and stick it in a baby so that she'll be all grown up for Tohr? Know what I mean?

Monroe: Oh Ames you just made me so hopeful! I want that too happen b/c I loved Wellsie. I loved how sweet she was to JM!!! I just want their family back together!!

ames: I wonder...I wasn't that torn up by her death. Like I didn't get mad that she died. Ah well.

Ok, final word on Lover Enshrined: I enjoyed it and am giving it a B-.

Monroe: Ugh I can't even believe I'm saying this b/c I love these books and its always a joy ride when I read them but book wasn’t the best for me. The side stories kept me going. Also the ending was weird and uncomfortable, so for me…C

Caldwell, NY, has long been the battleground for the battleground for the vampires and their enemies, the Lessening Society. It’s also where Rehvenge has staked out his turf as a drug lord and notorious nightclub that caters to the rich and heavily armed. His shadowy reputation is exactly why he’s approached to kill Wrath, the Blind King, and leader of the Brotherhood. Rehvenge has always kept his distance from the Brotherhood, even though his sister is married to a member. Because he’s a sympath, his identity is a deadly secret- the revelation of which will result in his banishment to a colony for sociopaths. And as plots within and outside the Brotherhood take their toll against Rehvenge, he turns to the only source of light in a darkening world- Elhena, a vampire untouched by the corruption that has its hold on him- and the only thing standing between him and eternal destruction.

ames: Ok, this one was kind of explosive for me! It truly wrung some reactions out of me and this is the book I like to call "Where John Matthew did a bad thing." LOL

Monroe: Ok what JM did didn’t REALLY bother me. Was it wrong, yes and that point was a big turn for him but I guess we are living his “broken” time and in his book we will see his “fixed” time! :o)

Mmm…lets get to Rhev! I LOVED this book and the cover makes me weak in the kness!

How did you like this book?

ames: It was wrong, but it didn't bother me either. And I think Xhex being as butch as she is is sexy. LOL That's just me though. I think she's going to be a good heroine for him. AND with all that's going to go down after the events of this book, you know she's going to be tortured and whatnot too. So you have these two individuals with a lot of hurt to get over.

Rhev, ok that whole situation with his HALF-SISTER was messed up! And I was having some horrible images of that princess! She sounded like an alien or something. *shuddder* I'm glad she got her comeuppance in the end and that Rhev was free of her. Again, his romance wasn't a main focal point for me. I was more into everything else. The new lesser, finding out more about John, the shizz going down between Quinn and Blay. And OMG I CANNOT WAIT to meet Saxton. Woot woot!

I feel like rereading this book again. LOL

Monroe: I think I got closer to Xhex in this book, I admit but I think I'm not getting a good view of her. Like I see her as a dude but I think she's still supposed to be pretty just really tough looking. Maybe in their book I'll fall more for her. At first I didn’t like them together but by the end of the book I think I was ok with everything. He REALLY feels for her and that makes me smile! :o) He WILL find her! EEP!

I KNOW! I cant wait to meet Saxton but I have to say I'll be sad once their story is complete b/c they’ve really been steady in all the books. I want to keep going with them!!!

Rhev- yowza! How he approached Ehlena! Lol I never knew he had that playfulness in him! It was nice to see a softer side to him. And once he turned himself over I freaked! While they were at that horrible place I was on the edge of my chair! But that makes for a good book!

Ok so Ive read around blogland about how some people didn't like the degree that Wrath's blindess went to in this book. I think it's all fine. He is the blind king afterall and I really don’t think it was overdone. Most people think that Ward took it too far with putting the dog in the picture but it didn’t put me off one bit. I think it was great stepping back into Wrath and Beth relationship and his sight is a big part of it!

What do you think?

ames: Oh I loved the dog. LOL I've always wondered in paranormals about pets, no one ever has any. You'd think vamps would like cats or something right? Yeah Beth had a cat, but it's not a character in and of itself, it's just there. I like the added drama of Wrath's blindness. Everything can't be rainbows and puppies.

Oh gosh, when Rhev was in the sympath colony? EEK! Horrible horrible place.

Monroe: I know my heart broke for him and then when El got there he was so scared, but not for him for her! :*) Awww…I loved him!

Oh and Lash has really turned into a character I don’t mind! Lol Normally I skim over lesser stuff but I don’t mind Lash!

ames: I know! Lash is a real villain and he's definitely going to give the Brotherhood trouble! LOL The lessers until now have been too easy to defeat.

Monroe: I like it…I like how he changed!!! And how funny was it when he was weirded out that he was attracted to the princess (when he thought it was a guy?) lol

ames: Oh yeah, that was funny!

Ok I am giving Lover Enshrined a B. There was way more going on in this book than any others in the past. There's the assassination attempts and the politicking and the new lesser guy. Also, there are the sympaths and it just created a tension in the series, like you feel like evil is getting a step up over good.

And really, cannot wait for the next book!

Monroe: I say B+ and I too CANNOT WAIT for the next book to come out! I wish she would hurry already! ;o)

ames: Oh I KNOW!!

John Matthew is the best, for real. :P

Monroe: And hes mine! ;op

ames: Um NO.

Do I need to smack you around again?

Monroe: Yes please do I got really excited last time! ;o) LMAO!

ames: Haha I know you did. LOL