Review: Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward
Written by Gwen - September 26, 2007 at 3:09 am
Gwen's review of Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 5) by J.R. Ward
Paranormal romance published by Signet 25 Sep 07
This is the fifth book in the Brotherhood series. It's based on a group of warrior vampires who protect their species, a species who is (we believe) secret from humans. Who are these warriors protecting their fellow vamps from? Why, some bad guys who smell like, uh, baby powder - the Lessers. Just roll with it, okay? Oh - don't read all of this post if you care about spoilers. I have a few after the break.
I love reading about the Brothers. I love that they're giants and still have table manners. I love that they're the protectors of their race, but still have flaws. I love the easy camaraderie between them. I have loved nearly all of the Brother's stories. I even spent time on the BDB discussion forums - until they kept editing or deleting my not-always-PG13 posts (I know, shocking, isn't it? LOL). I will probably keep reading the BDB books, but perhaps with a little less anticipation now that I've read LU.
I actually blame myself for this dilemma. I have come to expect so much from a BDB book. It would be nearly impossible for an author to consistently meet that archetype every time they step up to bat. At the same time, there are things I really did not like about this book, and those I place squarely at the author's feet.
Ward has not managed to create a heroine I consistently like (really in any of her books, to be honest - not as Jessica Bird or J.R. Ward). All of her female characters have been weaklings or stricken with the TSTL curse. This book is no exception - the heroine starts strong, but ends on a weak, confusing note.
I was glad that this book didn't harp on the bad guys, the Lessening Society. Those are the parts of past BDB books that I skipped or skimmed. The only time I felt the Lessers had any true evil was in Dark Lover. After that, they were too plastic or cookie cutter. All they lacked was a t-shirt that said, "I'm the bad guy."
Unlike other reviewers, I had no trouble with the unusual aspects of Butch and V's relationship. Complicated relationships and confusing emotional attachments are a fact of life. For a species for whom life is on such an emotional, primal edge as these vampires, it's not surprising that Ward felt she needed to complicate this relationship between best friends. Complexity is a fact of life and it's interesting to read about it - to me at least.
I had a problem with the amount of ink spent on Phury in this book. I would have preferred to get less of his back story, and more of V and Jane. I don't doubt Phury's story will be interesting to read, but I thought I was here for V and Jane.
There be spoilers ahead. Don't click past the break unless you wish to read them. For those of you who won't be clicking thru,
Grade: C
Summary:
The ruthless and brilliant brother Vishous possesses a destructive curse and a frightening ability to see the future. As a member of the Brotherhood, he has no interest in love or emotion, only the battle with the Lessening Society. But when a mortal injury puts him in the care of a human surgeon, Dr. Jane Whitcomb compels him to reveal his inner pain and taste true pleasure for the first time-until a destiny he didn't choose takes him into a future that does not include her...
Read an excerpt.
Keep reading for the rest of the review, spoilers and all...
Wait!?!?! She brings her back, but as a spirit?!?!? Man, that's kind of depressing. You had me until that part. Now I'm not so sure I'll be reading it. I enjoy a good cry, but weirdly depressing shit turns me off. *sigh* I don't know. Maybe I should read Butch's story first.
Good review. It totally irritates me, also, when the focus is too much on other characters and not on the main ones. *cough, Lynn Viehl, cough, cough*
I felt short changed by the amount of time spent with V & Jane too. Whilst I enjoy reading about the secondary characters, for me, the romance between V & J definately suffered for the lack of air time.
And the ending?!? What?!? *Still* trying to get my head around that.
Gosh, I haven't read the book yet-and the spoilers- but judging from the review and the posts, this is not one Ward's best.I certainly hope not bc so far all her books are A+ for me.
I have been hearing about the whole Jane becomes Casper scenario and people like you Gwen are not pleased. Does that mean Jane becomes solid between the hours of midnight to 6am? I can't wait to read about ghost sex. Seeing as V has all these fetishes, sex with a ghost isn't all that strange I guess!
I got my book yesterday so this weekend will be busy.
I told some that this book and Phury's next one will change the series and reader's opinions overall. But what about Ward's fan girls on her message boards? Will there be gushing galore or more less than stellar remarks?
I am a spoiler whore, so I knew about what would happen to Jane and came into the book mentally prepared. After blasting through the book in one sitting, I did go back and reread most of it in slower segments last week. I'm still not sure how I feel about it. katiebabs, from what I remember, V's special hand (his curse) is actually a blessing when it comes to Jane's ghostly form because whenever HE touches her, she's solid to him. So in terms of ghost sex, it's insinuated that everything's the same between them. When Jane is hanging out at the mansion, apparently she has to concentrate or do some sort of mental thing in order to stay solid. Otherwise, people can walk through her. One problem with the book is that JRW doesn't really flesh out (har har, I made a pun) the rules of Jane's coporeal/ghostly form. I can only assume that she'll do so in the following books.
My main criticism with the book is that I felt that we did not get enough face time with V and Jane. I thought they were both fascinating people and I was annoyed when things would start to get interesting and then, bam, cut to JM or to Phury or (god help us) to Cormia. arrrrrg! I mean, I love hanging out with all of the members of the BDB and sure, I know that it's part of Ward's style to start setting up the next book(s) in advance but it felt like overkill this time. Considering all of the separations that V and Jane go through, I want to be rewarded with some quality time with them before/after the hard stuff. Also, I wanted some more love scenes, dammit! The few we got were pretty hot, but I wanted more. *g*
I agree with you, Gwen, in regards to the V/Butch relationship. I've read a lot of commentary on the net about it (mostly negative) but I think that was the thing that JRW got right. I was happy that she followed through on how that was set up in LR. I saw V's feelings for Butch as being the first time in his miserable life when he allowed himself to get emotionally close to another human being. Didn't mean that they were soul-mates and meant to be a couple. Particularly since I never got the impression that Butch had quite the same attachment as V. (Remembering back to book 1, Butch has been gaga over Marissa since the beginning.) Imho, V was ready to fall for Jane because he had already begun the process of learning how to relate on an emotionally intimate level with Butch. But I think I may be one of the only people who saw it that way. lol.
Aaaanyways, probably the weakest link in the BDB chain for me. That doesn't mean I'm swearing off the series though. Regardless of the lower-keyed romance element, I still find myself highly entertained by the world that Ward has created and I love spending time with the Brothers.
Well, I haven't read it yet. As much as I want to, am about to gnaw off my nails to, I won't be able to buy it till friday. *Sigh* Oh well. I'm not normally a spoiler person, Butch is my fave and I knew back at the beginning of the series something special was going to happen with him ,so I avoided any mention of it until I bought it, then I devoured it about 5 times in a row, lol.
This time after hearing all the rumors, I did something I don't do. I read the spoilers. As many as I could find. Am I upset about the ghost aspect? Not yet. They are together from what I gather, and his hand can't hurt her. I can live with that, I think.
Am I a fangirl? Yes, but I'm also her friend, so maybe my opinion is skewed in two ways.
I trust JR. I may read it, cry myself stupid, hate it and never read V's book again, but I will read it with an open mind. It moves the series forward and my fave brother is in it too.
I don't "squee* but, JR, I am behind you.
WickhedLil
I read it in one sitting yesterday and I can't figure out how I feel about it. The book felt flat as a whole after I finished. I was really looking forward to V's story and feel cheated. I suppose I will reread soon to see if I feel any different the second time through. I will buy Phury's book and have hopes it will redeem the series. Oh well, I feel the need to cleanse the palate with a mystery!
Hello all. BIG SPOILERS IN TEXT.
I guess I'm in the minority here I liked LU. I also like the fact that Jane came back as a ghost and not "solid" I mean, she had to give something up (although it wasn't addressed that way)in order to stay with V. I enjoyed the back story, because I enjoy books that enclude them (in a well written way)i.e. Suzanne Brockmann. I believe we'll be seeing more of V&J in Phury's book they prob play a big part. Especially when V's twin comes out to play.
Lover Unbound linkage...
Reviews for Lover Unbound have been trickling in through the blogs over the last couple of weeks. Reactions are Â… mixed....
I have to say I was kind of disappointed...V is my favorite brother and I just felt that there wasn't enough of him and Jane. I agree in the fact that there was a lot of Phury in this book, but I think it was because she had to set up his story for when it comes out in April. I was confused by the fact that JR Ward not only killed off Jane, but then brought her back as a "ghost". Where V could still touch her and they could still have sex, which is odd to me. I guess I was just very confused at the end of the book--I guess I should probably reread it.
I haven't gotten this one yet, but after reading the spoilers (Don't judge me! LOL) I can't say I'm anxious. It sounds like a major cop out to me.
*sigh*
[...] yesterday and if you haven’t already you can find it all over the place. Gwen’s review is here, do be aware it contains spoilers as I am sure the comments do. So enter at own [...]
Yes, the reviews of LU have been mixed as Menage a Kat has said. But nothing--absolutely nothing!--will stop me from reading it.
A friend of mine, sworn to tell me nothing, read it and loved it. I'm kind of glad of the mixed reviews . . . makes it even more intriguing to dig into V's story.
EC
EC - I was really torn after I read the book. It took me far longer to write this review than normal. I'm just not ambivalent by nature.
Don't get me wrong. It's a good book. No argument. Totally worth the bucks to buy. And this will be one of the few books that I'll actually keep (I normally sell books when I'm done with them).
My problem is not with the writing, which as per J.R.'s norm is excellent. My problem is with what happens to the characters and the story structure.
GAH! This is so frustrating. Love Hate Love Hate Love Hate...
WOO to the HOO!!! I can FINALLY talk about the damn book!
Here's the thing, in some ways this is my favorite of the series, but in other ways, it pissed me off.
Am I really the only person that LIKED the fact that the focus was not completely on V and Jane? For me, allowing characters other than the leads to play on center stage, was a STRENGTH in the story. We very seldom get to see that in a romance. But, like just about EVERYONE else, I was relieved not to have any of the excrutiatingly dull Lessor deets. *snore*
LOVED Jane, she's my favorite shellan so far; LOVED V and Jane's relationship-- he never assumed she would give up everything for him, just the opposite, he just wanted to work out a way that they could be part of each other's lives. So, in a way, Jane ultimately giving up her life anyway just kind of pissed me off. Here was a chance for a different type of relationship for a Brother and his shellan, and JR had to go and kill her off. DAMN! As for the whole ghost thing... uh... I think that's too far out there even for me. But, okay, let's see if JR has the writing chops to get me to accept that one.
I could write a book about what I thought of the whole Primale brouhaha. But it boils down to two things-- I remember thinking that Phury would be better for the role of Primale (damn, I'm good, huh?). And, later, I realized that if Cormia turns out to be the female lead in Phury's book (notice I did NOT use the word heroine), she'll make Marissa seem positively exciting by comparison and I will probably throw Phury's book in the toilet.
But, what pisses me off more than ANYTHING is that, in every single BDB book, INCLUDING THIS ONE, it is an absolute rule that the Scribe Virgin was capable of creating life only once so she created the vampire race. So, to break such a major world rule for a less than compelling reason, is unforgivable. Then she says she regrets making the deal to give up V to his father, yet we are shown that she's got her daughter, Payne, hanging around in some kind of suspended animation. Geez, she makes Brit-Brit look like June Cleaver!
Last comment-- Anyone wanna speculate on who Payne's hunny-bunny will be? John is attracted to Rhev's security chief, Xhex(?), so we know he likes the mannish Dom types. So, will Payne turn out to be John's shellan? Or is she meant for Rhev? If so, will John (I can't remember his new Bruthah name) end up with Xhex?
Gwen I can completely empathise with the love / hate thing!
I love the interaction between the brothers (especially Butch and V), and I personally always enjoy the multiple story threads running through the books - well, except for the Lesser POV. That I was most happy to miss in this book!
What I hated? The ending. The Casper thing was just a real let down. I was disappointed because I thought both Jane and V deserved better than that. For me, it just feels like a really weak chance at a HEA.
I normally finish these books and automatically get an urge to start reading from the beginning... Sadly, not this time.
Please no John with Xhex!!! yuk yuk!!! I am not a big fan of Xhex at all.
I still think John will be with Layla, or so I hope!
Apparantely Rehv's mate has been in all the books so far, which for the life of me I can't figure out.
My specs about who goes with who and so forth is so sad
Tonight I start reading this love/hate book.
aww, I kinda like Xhex. Or, I like the potential for what she could be (an arse-kicking independent female, finally, in the series). As for JM and Layla...well, hmm. Read the book and then let us know what you think.
I have to admit, I've been intrigued by Rhev since the beginning and I wish his story would hurry up and get here already. And of course there is still Tohr running around somewhere out there. Now that JRW has opened the ghost door, does this mean a return for Wellsie? Inquiring minds want to know...
Katiebabs said:
It's not a match I would have thought up, but apparently she trips his trigger and (right now at least) Layla doesn't.
Really? The only female I can think of that's been in every book is Beth. I think it's safe to say it isn't her. Can anyone tell me what female has been in every book that isn't already a shellan? This is so gonna bug me now!
Gwen, regarding that love/hate thing . . . oh, yes, I relate to that! I've got a couple of books I've read recently where I've *loved* certain aspects and been disappointed in others. It truly is frustrating. I'm glad you said LU was worth the bucks, because I've already paid them and the book is sitting--like a box of chocolates--beside my bed. But I haven't even peeked yet, because I'm just finishing (and loving) Jo Beverley's LADY BEWARE.
EC
I loved both the lack of lessers, and the lack of extraneous h's.
Hasn't Layla been in all the books?
Laura, I think that Layla made her first appearance in Rhage's book (but I could be wrong). Still, I've always hoped that she would become one of the love interests of one of the Brothers in the future. Particularly now after her so-called "failure" in LU...she needs some good sexual healing. *g* Maybe with Rhev? hmmm.
There seems to be more disappointed fans with this book including me and I've been wondering if JR Ward has noticed? and I wondered if she cares enough to comment on the negative reviews the book is getting.
Is there any explanation on a lot of our concerns, primarily the shallow ending of Jane being a ghost?
Considering the bad reaction the book is getting I really want to know what she has to say and I hope to high heaven its not" I just write what the brother's tell me"
That particular "mantra" is insulting.
Thank you. Any info would be great.
While it would be interesting to us readers, and entertaining in a "stupid author tricks" kind of way, authors probably shouldn't defend their creative decisions. If a claim like libel or plagiarism is made, sure, defend that. But if it's just to react to readers' opinions of plot points, characters, or events in the book, eh, no, I wouldn't defend it.
An opinion is just an opinion - they are all different for different reasons. An author would get old and gray before they ever changed anyone's minds, and they'd just entertain us in the end.
sorry... I am just now reading the review but gwen hon THIS
Main characters don’t die often enough in romances, in my opinion.
Doesn't happy because that isn't a romance!!!! IT would be WRONG. wrongwrongwrong
bad gwen! no cookie for you
I love a book that can make me cry. And when Jane died, I was almost sobbing. It was amazing. I remember thinking, "Not V! V can't lose his shellan!" And almost desperately wondering what Ward was going to do next.
Then. BAM. Casper time. ARGH!
I understand and I don’t expect authors to defend their work, but I think they do have a responsibility to explain the why’s of their work. I mean we as readers are paying money to buy their books.
I would just like to know why she wrote certain things the way she did and I believe she does need to justify killing Jane off because there was no need for that and then to make things worse bringing her back as a ghost? Come off of it.
The author is not in it alone. If she was writing books for herself, than why get them published?
I think in the romance genre, there are 3 in a romance novel the hero, the heroine and the reader. I am as much in the h/h’s relationship as they are. I invest myself with their story, their heartache, their struggles, their triumphs.
The author asks me to believe in the story he/she is trying to tell.
I don’t think its too much to ask, for an author to explain themselves.
I may have to do a review since my issues are way different than gweniwishauthorskilledleadcharacters seem to be.
hmph
bad gwen
bad bad
Well Lauren that is still her deal. The brothers tell her and she must listen or they shut up. I know on romancenovel.tv she said she 'got it wrong' at first. I never bothered to ask how... but she was not going to address spoilers here since the book would have only been out one day.
They should be opening the board for spoilers at some point. I would expect most neg comments to be deleted by the mods per the rules but Ward did say she welcomed emails and pms...
Lauren, I don't think it would do much good even if she DID offer a public "Why I did it" statement. She'd just end up defending the book AND the statement then. Kim Harrison tried that when she killed off Kisten and most people STILL weren't satisfied. As readers we just have to accept that the book has been written and published. It's not going to be recalled and rewritten by a committee of fans. As I said earlier, now let's see if J.R. has the writing chops to get us to accept the events in LU.
Sybil, did you read the Cameron Dean's Candace Steele Vampire Hunter trilogy? There were a LOT of angry people who felt they were cheated and betrayed out of an HEA. Me? I remember the books BECAUSE we were shocked out of the HEA. Well, that and the wonderfully written story leading up to it.
But, my point is, if it makes for a better story, I don't have a problem with a death instead of an HEA. I wouldn't want a steady diet of them, mind you, but sometimes the storyline needs that impact to be complete. When JR killed off Jane, my first thought was, Holy Shit! I can't believe she's doing that AGAIN! What the hell is she gonna do with V NOW- he's lost both Jane AND Butch?! Of course, I didn't have long to find out.
One thing's for sure. Nobody can say that J.R. Ward writes formulaic books!
What can I say. I'm a rebel!
death = no HEA = not romance
Didn't read dean if I did I would think she is evol and should never be published again. Ward has a world were vampires are 'alive' so guess her ghosts can be too. V and Jane are together I can take that as a HEA. Paranormal has some wiggle room... but they must be together.
Otherwise I don't care if you are writing the bestestest thing ever, you kill your hero or your heroine don't call it romance. If you do your book sucks and I hope it tanks.
I just finished and let me tell you I must applaud Ward. She made me like V and up to his book I didn't care for him in the least. I love Jane and I loved the book overall, except for Jane goes boo. That erked me, really really erked me. Is she going to walk under a sheet now?
But I have always wondered if Ward would have gone the route with V and Butch being more? Probabaly not going to happen because of the subject matter, maybe as a secondary story, but not the main one
I have major specs and I think I figured out who Rehv's mate is and Xhex
I need more discussion on this! This series is like liquid crack! LOL
I really want to want to read Rehv's book. Who you thinking is his mate? I thought the new chicka Bella (is being preggers what is making her stupid and clueless) tried to set Phury up with but I think Ward has said the mate was in all the books. I could be getting that confused with Wellsie replacement.
Didn't Wrath have to feed in DL when Beth couldn't feed him. Was that Layla he went too? I can't remember.
But for me it all depends on Phury's book. I can deal with one blip in the books. No author can do nothing but great, grand and wonderful. But I am still so sad for Phury. The whole bathroom thing was such a cop out and really a waste of what could have been such an amazing scene. And having him slowly turn into Z really should have started last book. With his book being next it will seem like such a fast turn around.
le sigh... and the whole soul mate thing... which I lurve by the way is being completely fucked since she keeps trying to work these triangles into the books. As well as it is getting old... watch V pine for Butch... watch V watch Butch and Marissa get it on... watch V sigh for the lurve he dare not want. Watch Phury pine for Bella.... watch Phury watch Z and Bella smooch... watch Phury sigh for the lurve he dare not want.
It is only book six. Should we already be getting this?
Payne? HATEHATEHATEHATE that... stupid secret baby shit once is bad enough, TWINs? one who is frozen? ugh!
And don't even start me on Xhex. I don't want her anywhere near the mansion. Didn't Marissa suffer enough being mated to Wrath for hundreds of years? nah... lets pile some more on and have the manchick butch needless fucked in LR into the mix.
Wrath fed on Marissa in DL. It was a very uncomfortable, yet intimate scene. I felt so badly for Marissa.
Damn. The whole time I was reading I was telling myself that it was a B+. I despise the way the brothers talk, so I can't make it an A book because of it.
Then Jane died, and it all went to hell. WTF was that?
I don't even know what I am going to say in my review. I'm still shocked.
Sybil, your comment "most neg comments to be deleted by the mods" in earlier post... why is that? is "constructive criticism/disagreement" not welcome on that board?
Well the thing to remember is it is a fanboard, hosted by the author. So there will be many a rabid fangrrl around - which ALL authors need to be that successful.
So going into a board like that and posting Criticism is always a hard thing. For the mods it can create 'stress' among the members and really, that fucking sucks to have to deal with. So when you have thousands of members you generally error on the side of the fun, fun, funnah vs deep thoughts...
If Ward had been on Wednesday there would have been no discussion of LU which would be spoilers. When I asked if I could post where she would be later when the book had been out for 'longer than a day' she said her board. And did say she was happy to take pm's or emails.
Sybil, do you think the real reason Ward didn't show up here was due to the mixed reviews? Quite a few people had already read the book by release day. I for one am still shaking my head. I was reading through the comments and it's obvious how much readers have invested in this series and I'm thinking that's why so many feel such a big let down.
I saw EC Sheedy's comments that nothing would make her not read the book. I was the same way. I think if you are a fan of the series you won't be satisfied until you read it for yourself because no matter what other people say in their comments and reviews until you go through the process of reading it you won't know how deflating the ending was.
To be completely honest Rosie it wasn't a matter of Ward not 'showing up' and I am sorry if that was the impression.
She wasn't able to do a normal 'guest day'. She has guest in the past at least twice doing the full day, which I admit I request a lot of an author when I ask them to guest so I am fully prepared for them to say no *g*.
Due to the previous days, I have been more than willing to work around her schedule because she is so busy and it still brings something to readers. We had planned on a Q&A instead. Questions were sent but not answered, instead she requested to do a guest post and send it in over the weekend. Unfortunately due to other projects I didn't get it until the night before she was scheduled to guest.
The post was short, not informative (had nothing to do with the book) and we couldn't set a time to be on board. Adding in the fact she didn't want to address anything spoilerish it came down to... well honestly if the post was a reflection of the amount of time she was able to put into the commitment to guest, it was going to be a disappointment to the readers.
As well as it wouldn't be worth our time to look for pictures, format posts and scramble to create content to at least make it worth the build up readers would have had when they visited. And that doesn't include the added headache of removing any comments that had spoilers, which I had agreed to do at her request.
Most of all I didn't think it would be worth (anymore of) her time or a good reflection on her from a reader POV.
I didn't get much of an argument so...
It comes down to why we do guest author days. It isn't for sqqquuueeey fangrrls (although they are welcome). It isn't for an ego boost for authors (although I hope they get one). But it is to help readers discover a new author they MUST read, a new series that will be wonderful, to learn something new about said author or series and to celebrate the greatness we see in romance. And it is very important to us the author is shown in the best possible light because they are our guest and in that had a book we wanted to shout about for all to hear about. So it was decided it was better to do nothing than it was to offer nothing and pretend it was more.
[...] forget to read Gwen’s Lover Unbound review here. NOTE!! There are spoilers in the review and spoilers in the comments. (It’s an [...]
Surprise, Surprise, she opened up her spoiler board.
Most of the comments are not good and I can't beleive they haven't been deleted! LOL.
Very cool! She seemed very surprised when I said that people were thinking she was hiding behind the the rules of the forum. And well... from what a few other authors have said I don't think dorie & co delete posts without clear direction. So it is very good to hear that has been taken care of.
Very good to hear!
I recently joined so I could connect with other RAW attendees before hand. Anyway, I was dismayed, that out of my 1st dozen or so posts, two were deleted with no explanation given. I find that a little over zealous. One was a thread where I posted a link to the pic showing the pile of LU for sale at RAW. WTF was wrong with that? That's all it was, a pic of a pile of books!!
Even the LKH board isn't that strict! Over there, you can completely trash the books. You can not, however, launch personal attacks on LKH or those whose opinions differ from yours. Which is how it should be.
It was before release date... no? If so they would have killed it. So not to make other fans who were being good and not buying before release sad.
LU is a definitely WTF book and it all deal with Jane become Casper. I keep thinking of the movie that came out in the lat 90's. Ugh.
I know think Rehv will end up with Layla.
And those boards are evil, I was on there for over 2 hours last night trying to get all my thoughts down.
LU is a definitely WTF book and it all deals with Jane become Casper. I keep thinking of the movie that came out in the lat 90's. Ugh.
I now think Rehv will end up with Layla.
And those boards are evil, I was on there for over 2 hours last night trying to get all my thoughts down.
Did you mean to double post Katiebabs?
Did you mean to double post Katiebabs?
(tee hee) I'll delete.
She was up late you know. It is possible....
Har har Gwen
And the night before I was up past midnight reading guess what?
Two nights in row and I can't even type! Thank you everyone, it is Friday- and perhaps another late night on the town!
She must be young. I can't function when I stay up that late more than one night in a row.
I remember when...
I don't want Layla to end uo with anyone. Look at how hard it was for Rhage and Mary to get used to Rhage feeding off Layla. I would hate for them to have to find another Chosen to do it.
I doubt that Rehv would want his mate feeding another male.
Well I really adore Rhage and Mary (unlike some) and have no feelings about Layla either way BUT damn that is sad. So basically she is just meat to feed Rhage and is allowed no life? Ever?
Of course I would be happy for Xhex to go away or die cuz I think it would hurt Marissa to have her end up some ones mate and move in and than get to see some chick Butch screwed in the bathroom everyday at first meal.
i totally agree with you, totally disappointment! i love the series, and i know that every one had a book or two that you go "ugh, ok next!" but damn! WTF im left unsettled, dissatisfied, and cheated. i really need to get over it, and in the same boat with you, i was on the boards anticipating with all the rest. to many inconsistencies, too many different characters, not enough of V and Jane.
Ew, thats right about Xhex (How do you say that name anyway?)
I don't care all that much for Marissa, but I don't want her having to put with Xhex.
It is funny how this book is becoming to be known as the WTF book.
But the one thing I must admit that I did like were the sex scenes with Jane and V. I seriously was fanning myself!
Ward can really write erotic sex really well.
About Layla, it isnt that I think she should have not have a life, but isn't that what the Chosen are for? To be there for the needs of the Brotherhood?
I'll just worry about Rhage if Layla take off or gets mated.
Okay, I just read J.R. Ward's explanation for the Casper ending. It basically says that she was as surprised as we were. Okaaaaaaay.
But I have to confess that the Casper thing is growing on me. Oh, I will still join KatieBabs in refering to LU as the WTF? book. But, if you look at the series in it's entirety, somehow it just fits. Go ahead and TRY to explain this series to someone that's never heard of it. Go ahead. Because by the time you finish, saying "and the latest book had the heroine dying and coming back as a ghost that has to concentrate so people won't walk through her and her BDB's cursed hand makes her solid so they can boink together" well, it just seems to add one more reason why this series is so damn popular, doesn't it?
Ya gotta admit, we sure as hell have NEVER read anything like it before, have we?
The Butch/V thing had such potential; I'd love to see what JRW could do with a m/m erotic romance. She does write some scorchy sex.
Oh yeah, I forgot that the hand is supposed to make her solid so they can do the deed.
So, Does he have to be touching her with that hand in order for her to stay solid, or can if be any part of his body?
SOunds complicated.
I read her explanation too and well, can't say as it satisfy's me but who am I to argue? ....just someone who forked out $11.65 for the fracking book!
She does say there will be a Slice of Life tomorrow showing? explaining? better how things will work out.
I went to her interview on Romance TV and she talks about how Phury's book is really a set up for Rehvenge's which left me thinking his(Phury) book will be like V's, crammed with a bunch of other subplots-just when he was getting interesting.
Oh Well, I'll still keep reading them until I get completely tired of them but I'm glad I've found some other author's that are fast becomeing fav's.
Lara Adrian
Kresley Cole's -Immortals
and a new series coming soon about Dragon's? I found out about it here but can't think of the name of the author.
ouch 11.65?
I haven't read anything on the board yet, is it easy to find?
The Dragon.... hmmm are you talking about Deborah Cooke's new series?
I think its in the Warden room but don't expect any big explanation.
Yes, I'm thinking about Deborah Cooke's new series, can't wait to read that.
I got it Friday, finished it Saturday and can honestly say I loved it. From start to finish, every shock, every tear, laugh and emotion. I was and am satisfied with the HEA, especially after reading the follow up slice of life on lifetime TV.
Okay, I'm online (finally), got my LU review up, and finally able to see what everybody else has to say. I think I liked this more than others. But I was definitely left feeling WTF at first. I bumped my grade up b/c I couldn't stop thinking about it, and wanted to read again.
I heartily agree w/those who felt that V & Jane were given short shrift. Especially since it was in favor of annoying crap. The Primale thing? Bleh. Cormia? Bleh. JM feeling sorry for himself? Bleh. JM lusting after Xhex? Ohmigosh, make it stop.
I am awfully apprehensive about Phury's book.
So Rehv's mate has been in every book? Hmmmm...Could it be the Scribe Virgin? (NOOOOOOO) Maybe Fritz is really a girl. Hell, if Ward can make me like Phury's book, I'll believe she is capable of anything.
I am awfully apprehensive about Phury’s book.
me too...
It is a better read if you do them all in a row. And I think I would have liked it better as a 'setup' book if I didn't feel I was being screwed into having to read the next 5, 10, 1000 books to get to the end of the current storylines. She is falling into the trap of by the time she gets to THAT characters book, she is too busy working on getting you to buy the NEXT book.
Yes, i am with you on the ghost or whatever she is thing. If she had to bring her back two things...!)if you had to bring her back, then why the hell did you kill her, 2) to bring her back, why couldn't she pull a Mary thing???? maybe this 'idea' well play an important role later on, right now it's just odd.
Deborah Cooke’s new series
I have started to plan out next years guest days and such (or at least my wish list and books to check out) and really I think it is gonna be a really great year.
And this series is way one to watch.
The post was about what I expected. So... I am totally on board to read Phury's book. So I guess we just have to wait and see...
First off let me say hi to everyone, i'm new to the whole forum thing and i only started reading the books a week ago and i've just finished V's book and all i can say is ummm.
Not sure what i thought i was disappointed, angry, disturbed and confused. I won't get into Jane being a ghost cause i think the reactions of the majority on here reflect mine, and i'm also pissed off with the whole Phury wanting Bella thing i hate love triangles and to me it seems he just can't bear the thought that his brother no longer relies on him and frankly i think Bella should get a clue and stop touching/flirting with him. sorry if any of you guys like them but for me Phury is the worst character. There was a few things i didn't understand from books/posts so i have a couple of questions for you guys if thats ok?
1. when they dematerialize can they take people with them? i remeber reading something about V holding a laptop close to him and doing it so would it work with people?
2. can some one post the site/link to where you can read what the author's response's were to other questions and where i can post or e-mail questions to her
3. does anyone know if there's gonna be Shellen's or brothers of different ethnicities and if we will hear more about the wonderful Rhage?
4.how is the scribe virgin a virgin if shes had two kids? and does V know he has a sister?
5.how about the possibility of female warriors since Xhex is as big as a warrior anyway she might as well be put to use!
6.does anyone else think Johns "reaction" to Xhex is something to do with his rape? (i would explain this question more but i can't remember to posting rules)
7. if there were black/asian/oriental lessers would they still end up with pale eyes/hair?
8. and finally has Ward written any other series i think i read some where on this site that the delay with releasing Phurys book was cause shes writing something else
9. sorry last one i promise! does anyone know or have any guesses how long this series is gonna be as the amount of characters in V's book along means its gonna be a very long series.
thanks in advance even if you don't know the answers i would be interested in peoples ideas
Keller
x
sula said:
Now that JRW has opened the ghost door, does this mean a return for Wellsie? Inquiring minds want to know…
I was wondering about that i don't know why since i read alot of horror but the scene where sshe died and how really disturbed me i keep thinking about it.
i was wondering if maybe Ward would do a Darius thing and ressurect her as someone else