The Black Dagger Brotherhood. I got introduced to this series actually a few books in. I started with the Lover Revealed (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 4) The Butch & Marissa story.- This was a good intro book even though it was the fourth book in since she writes such strong stories that can stand alone. I didn't feel lost with the characters at all. As the book went on I found myself of course getting more and more into the story which was much more than just a romance.
There was the struggle between the Vampires and the Lessers, the group of evil beings who smell like baby powder and all owe fealty to the OMEGA. There are a lot of side stories going on, but not to the point where you feel overwhelmed or lost with it. And of course J.R. Ward has a way of writing about these guys that makes you feel as though they are the big brothers you never had.
I liked that Butch was a sort of tortured soul but along for the ride. Able to pick up the pieces after pretty much not giving a shit about himself for the longest time and ultimately triumphing. Overcoming class and becoming something supernatural. It was good, not my favorite of the series but good.
I then went back and got all the books and started at the beginning. Starting with Dark Lover (Beth & Wrath), then Lover Eternal (Rhage & Mary) I kept hoping and praying that when I got to the character I really wanted to read about and prayed it wouldn't disappoint. And BOY oh BOY it didn't!!!
I finally reached my goal Lover Awakened. Zsadist! Whew!!! I knew he was going to be a handful, I knew that the story was going to be gut wrenching in places and it was. I was so engrossed in this one, and continue to be. I find myself at times just randomly thinking of him as though he were someone I really knew. Thinking hmmm I bet he would hate this, like this, kill this!!!
Also there is this song by Snow Patrol that for some reason just makes me think of Zsadist and Bella. The song is called Set Fire to the Third Bar. The lyrics and the images that the singers bring to me somehow make me think of the story, there is a part to the song that goes "And miles from where you are I lay down on the cold ground and I pray that something picks me up and sets me down in your warm arms " I think that the lyrics remind me not only of the fact that Bella was kidnapped and in the cold but also that Zsadist was so cold internally that in a way it was Bella that picked him up and held him in her warm arms.
It's a great song, and I like the build up that Snow Patrol has in their songs. Which is how I felt with this book, that there was this tremendous build up so that when the ultimate consummation happened it was like a house on fire.
I liked the ending to Lover Awakend, though in some ways it left me a little bereft. I wanted more, and I know that there will be more of him in the books to come, I like that J.R. keeps her other characters present in the books.
But then we get to Lover Unbound Vishous and Jane's story. Hmm.... I loved Vishous up until this book. He was conflicted and dark. Troubled but reclusive in what was troubled about him. Him having feelings for Butch didn't bother me in the least, I didn't care that he felt that connected to Butch. I thought it was endearing. Then him finding Jane was good as well, even though for me I preferred him to be the one on top and in control. I found the story of him and Jane in his condo with all his fetish gear still highly erotic.
But the thing I didn't like was how V ended up somewhat cowed I guess by the fact that he was to become the Primale and how he allowed anything to get in the way of him and Jane being together. Then when he was not going to be the Primale and Phury took over for him, he still seemed like Vishous Lite. Not nearly as Bad Ass as he had been before. Then the ultimate let down. Jane gets killed and comes back as a ghost. Ugh I don't know what it is about that tactic but it bothered me a lot.
I felt like J.R. maybe ran out of juice at the end of this book. Like she was out of ideas and said, well hell I'll make her a ghost. Out of all the crazy possibilities she could have pulled from, I was just a bit let down by that. I was especially turned off by his being the one who keeps her corporeal and if she loses concentration she gets see-through and people can walk through her. Hmmm. I just felt that was somewhat lame.
But I am still looking forward to the new one. I like Phury and I would like to see what his inner workings and outcome will be ultimately. That one is supposed to come out in June. It seems that several of the books I am looking forward to are coming in May, June and August.
I am going to be in Book heaven then. I have to learn to read slower though since my Husband got laid off and it's looking like I might face the same as well soon. It's part of the reason I am re-reading my old favs, so that I am not tempted to go out and spend on new books. It's like Phury's addiction to Red Smoke. Mine is the smell of new books and ink!
