Review: Blood Fury by J.R. Ward

Series: Black Dagger Legacy Book #3

Format: eBook

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Borrowed from Library (Overdrive)

Genre:Paranormal Romance, Vampires

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

A vampire aristocrat of the Glymera, Peyton is well aware of his duty to his bloodline: mate with an appropriate female of his class and carry on his family’s traditions. And he thought he’d found his perfect match in Paradise—until she fell in love with someone else. When his split-second decision in a battle with the enemy endangers the life of another trainee, Peyton has to face the idea that his future, and his heart, actually lie with another.

Novo, as a female in the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training program, feels like she has to prove herself to everybody—and she has no interest in being distracted by falling in love. But when Peyton proves to be so much more than a rich playboy, she is forced to confront the tragedy that has broken her soul and closed her off from love.

As the two grapple with Novo’s past and Peyton’s present, another couple must contend with an erotic connection that is unparalleled—and potentially scandalous.

Saxton, who has had his heart broken, discovers in himself a deep-seated attraction to Ruhn, a new member of the household. But will the other male explore the connection? Or will he close his mind and his heart to what could be true love . . . and cost Saxton everything?

Review

I'm so glad I was able to get this from Overdrive so quickly. It was my favorite book in this spin-off series. Both romances and all four POVs were well-developed and engaging.

Going in I actually knew very little about this book. I definitely didn't know about Ruhn and Saxton so that was a nice surprise. I'm glad Saxton finally got his HEA. And Ruhn was so different from the alpha males Ms. Ward normally writes. It's great to read someone more calm and simple. I mean simple in a nice way.

Of course the romances were fast, but it works well here unlike some of the others in these two series. I wanted both couples and to be happy and I would get that anxious feeling in my stomach when things would go badly for them.

Novo especially got to me. Her story made me cry a little. And I loved reading her growth and grieving process.

This reminded me again why I like the BDB books/world. J.R. Ward still has that magic.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: The Shadows by J.R. Ward

Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood Book #13
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 590
Rating: 4 Stars 
How I Got It: Borrowed from the library
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Vampires
Publisher: Signet

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

 

Trez “Latimer” doesn’t really exist. And not just because the identity was created so that a Shadow could function in the underbelly of the human world. Sold by his parents to the Queen of the S’Hsibe as a child, Trez escaped the Territory and has been a pimp and an enforcer in Caldwell, NY for years- all the while on the run from a destiny of sexual servitude. He’s never had anyone he could totally rely on... except for his brother, iAm.

iAm’s sole goal has always been to keep his brother from self-destructing- and he knows he’s failed. It’s not until the Chosen Serena enters Trez’s life that the male begins to turn things around... but by then it’s too late. The pledge to mate the Queen’s daughter comes due and there is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and no negotiating.

Trapped between his heart and a fate he never volunteered for, Trez must decide whether to endanger himself and others- or forever leave behind the female he’s in love with. But then an unimaginable tragedy strikes and changes everything. Staring out over an emotional abyss, Trez must find a reason to go on or risk losing himself and his soul forever. And iAm, in the name of brotherly love, is faced with making the ultimate sacrifice...

Review

I knew how I was going to rate this until the last 100 pages. Then, I was thrown for a loop.

My thing about this and the previous couple of books is how many storylines there are. It gets confusing and then some seem to disappear. It also felt like a lot of set-up for The Beast and Blood Kiss.

About half-way in I started to really enjoy it. I got very invested in Trez and iAm. And Paradise-I'm very excited to read her story.

Trez and iAm have always interested in me. They've been kind of mysterious figures so it was great to get into their heads. It would be easy to compare them to the other brothers-Z and Phury. They do have some similarities, but this is a different story.

There were definitely some serious romantic relationships going on here. And I was actually invested in all of them. Which was actually a writing accomplishment. Without spoilers let me say this: it was one hell of a roller-coaster.

I felt like these books were getting a little boring, but I'm now fully invested again. I need the next book ASAP and wanted to go in for a re-read of the earlier books especially Rhage and Mary's book.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward

Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood Book #2
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 441
Rating: 5 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Signet

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Within the brotherhood, Rhage is the vampire with the strongest appetites. He's the best fighter, the quickest to act on his impulses, and the most voracious lover-for inside him burns a ferocious curse cast by the Scribe Virgin. Owned by this dark side, Rhage fears the time when his inner dragon is unleashed, making him a danger to everyone around him.

Mary Luce, a survivor of many hardships is unwittingly thrown into the vampire world and reliant on Rhage's protection. With a life-threatening curse of her own, Mary is not looking for love. She lost her faith in miracles years ago. But when Rhage's intense animal attraction turns into something more emotional, he knows that he must make Mary his alone. And while their enemies close in, Mary fights desperately to gain life eternal with the one she loves... 

Review

After reading some of the more recent books J.R. Ward books I was feeling like a re-read. Especially after The Beast I wanted to go back to the beginning of Rhage and Mary's relationship. Now, to be honest, whenever I re-read these I typically skip the Lesser sections. I'm here for the inter-personal relationships.

I actually forgot a lot about this book. Mary is a really great heroine who has to go through a lot. But she truly cares about other people and it's nice to see how intrinsic that is to her character. Definitely, an alpha who is super-protective, but that's expected in this world.

Reading this made me want to re-read Lover Awakened, too. First, there's just something so beautiful about these early books and the relationships between the Brotherhood. Plus, the chemistry between Zsadist and Bella is so strong.

I freaking love these books.

Thanks for reading!
Holly