Review for Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1) by J.R.Ward

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.

The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.

 

My Review

For those of you who are missing True Blood or are wishing there was another Twilight Saga book, try The Black Dagger Brotherhood on for size. It’s a completely different take on Vampires. In the BDB series, Vampires are born not made, and they don’t go through the change until about 25. It’s full of hot-as-hell dark heroes, strong beautiful women and multiple intriguing plot lines.
 
As Dark Lover starts out we meet Darius, a member of the elite warrior faction known as Black Dagger Brotherhood; that protects vampires against vampire slayers known as “lessers”. Darius has a meeting at a bar with Wrath, the last full blooded vampire on earth and would be king to their kind. Just the sight of him causes serious trepidation in the humans around him. He’s six-foot-six with long black hair and shoulders that are twice the size of most men’s. His face is handsome and menacing, making him look like a king and a soldier.

Ok. Do I really need to go any further? This would be enough to get me to read the book. Seriously.

Darius wants to ask a favor of his brother–in-arms, to help save his only daughter, Beth, who is about to transition. That is, change over from regular human to vampire. At this time, they must drink blood from the opposite sex to survive. Once this change occurs, the person may not go into the sunlight, and they can dematerialize. Like, poof! Now you see me, now you don’t. Many vampires do not survive transition, let alone a half-breed like Beth. Her only chance for survival is blood from a very strong vampire and Wrath is the strongest. Beth has no knowledge of her father. She was raised in the system. Darius kept his distance to keep her safe. Wrath flat out denies Daruis’ request and leaves. But eventually, events turn and Wrath decides to protect Beth.

Beth works as a reporter at a local newspaper and has a strong alliance with many of the local cops. After an altercation of her own, she wants to see her police-friend, Jose. Unfortunately, Jose is unavailable, but Butch isn’t. Butch is the large, handsome and capable detective who is very attracted to Beth. Let’s just say I like having Butch added to the mix. He might have a bit of a chip on his shoulder and he’s definitely a tough guy, but I always picture Butch as a cross between a buffed out Ryan Reynolds and David Boreanaz. (I know, they’ve both done vampire stuff, but a girl can dream!)

Someone is trying to lure vampires, who are not known to exist by the public, out into the open to torture and kill them. We get to see this inside the sociopath’s head every once in a while, which is a fresh take on the vampire novel. Wrath has a lot to deal with; Beth’s transition, his shellan Marrissa, the lessers that are killing vampires and the Brotherhood. Ragtag doesn’t begin to describe this bunch. The brotherhood is made up of Wrath, Darius, Phury, Vishous, Zsadist, Rhage, Tohrment. Oh, yeah! Did I mention Wrath is blind? He uses all of his other senses to “see”. I love the way that’s written.

There is a lot of plot, action, sex and emotion packed into this book, and it only leaves you hungry for more. Definitely a recommended read.

What I Loved about Dark Lover
1. That Wrath gets Beth’s kitty, Boo’s motor running and Wrath answers with a purr of his own.

2. Butch. Rugged, street smart, and sexy with the best of intentions.

3. When Beth’s icky boss asks her if she’d like a ride home, she thinks, Only if it were raining thumbtacks and hairpins, you letch. That made me laugh so hard.

4. The scene where Wrath comes to Beth’s apartment smoking a red cigarillo. That’s not all that’s smokin’!

5. That Vishous is a Sox fan. A Vampire wearing a baseball cap is just ironic.

6. The first time Butch and Marrissa meet. Book 4 is their story.

7. Beth’s strength and depth of character.

8. The way the word leelan is used. I don’t want to spoil it for you.

9. Wellsie, Torhment’s shellan and the relationship they have.

10. Wrath’s emotions can manifest physically. Cold fury equals meat locker like temperatures. Hope you like seeing your breath, asshole!

What I didn’t like about Dark Lover
1.  Now I’m addicted to this damn series with at least 9 more books to go!

2.  That I didn’t find out about it sooner.

3.  That this hasn’t been made into a movie. What are they waiting for?

 “I have a daughter.”

Wrath slowly turned his head. “Since when?”

“A while.”

“Who’s the mother?”

“You don’t know her. And she, ah, she died.”

Darius’s sorrow rose up around him, the acrid smell of old pain cutting through the stench of human sweat, alcohol, and sex in the club.

“How old is she?” Wrath demanded. He had a feeling where this might be headed.

“Twenty-five.”

Wrath cursed under his breath. “Don’t ask me, Darius. Don’t ask me to do it.”

“I have to. My lord, your blood is-”

“Call me that again and I’ll close your mouth for you. Permanently.”

“You don’t understand. She’s-”

Wrath started to get up. Darius’s hand grasped his forearm and then was quickly removed.

“She’s half-human.”

“Jesus Christ-”

“So she might not survive the transition if she goes through it. Look, if you help her, at least she has a chance of living. Your blood is so strong, it would increase the likelihood of her making it through the change as a half-breed. I’m not asking you to take her on as a shellan. Or to protect her because I can do that. I’m just trying to... Please. My other sons are dead. She’s all that could be left of me. And I... her mother is one I loved.”

If it had been anyone else, Wrath would have used his favorite pair of words, fuck and off. As far as he was concerned, there were only two good positions for a human. A female on her back. And a male face down and not breathing.
But Darius was almost a friend. Or would have been one, if Wrath had let him get close.

As Wrath stood up, he closed his eyes. Hatred washed through him, directed into the center of his own chest. He despised himself for walking away, but he just wasn’t the kind of male who could help some poor half-breed through such a painful and dangerous time. Gentleness, mercy, they were not in his make up.

“I can’t do it. Not even for you.”

Darius’s agony hit him in a great swell and Wrath actually swayed under the emotion’s force.

He squeezed the vampire’s shoulder.

“If you really love her, do her a favor. Ask someone else.”

Wrath turned and stalked out of the bar. On his way to the door, he wiped the memory of himself from every human cerebral cortex in the place. The strong ones would think they had dreamed him. The weak ones wouldn’t remember him at all.

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Rating:

 

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