Gwen’s review of Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 6) by J.R. Ward
Contemporary paranormal romance released by Signet 3 Jun 08
I caught up to Ward’s Brotherhood when I read Lover Eternal. Loved it – it wasn’t perfect, but damn it was a good story with a very hot hero. I quickly bought and read Dark Lover – I admit I didn’t like it as well as LE, but still loved the shit out of it. I was disappointed by Lover Awakened – not sure why. Loved Lover Revealed – Butch was one hot hero. Didn’t really love Lover Unbound. Now that I’ve read Lover Enshrined and all I can say is “DAMN!” Read on to find out if that’s a good thing…
I won’t keep you in suspense – I really loved Lover Enshrined. Not so much because it was a good love story as it was just a good damn story. I feel like Ward got back to something here. I ‘m not sure if it’s the roots of the story, the original intent behind the series, or just her story-telling bones. But she got back to something here.
Enshrined contains the Phury-Cormia love story, but it also contains so much more. It’s a true telling of the story of this race that inhabits Ward’s other reality. It’s multi-layered, peopled by a large and fascinating cast of secondary characters, and even has interesting bad guys once again. (I felt like the Lessers got very uninteresting in Awakened and didn’t make it out of that hole until now.)
When I read Enshrined, I felt like I was reading everyone’s story. By “everyone” I mean the males. In my opinion, Ward’s books focus primarily on the males. I suppose that’s why we don’t get too many interesting females in the stories, and we still don’t with this entry, though Cormia is no less interesting than the other heroines. I still like Bella best, but I think that’s because I got to know her very well in both Eternal and Awakened. We see a bit of her in Enshrined, and she’s still a lovely person. There’s one brief scene with Beth and a few scenes with Jane – not a hide nor hair is seen of Mary or Marissa – but Jane’s are perfunctory doctory scenes with no real interaction between her and others on a personal basis. Bella befriends Cormia and they have a couple of nice friendship scenes unfortunately with “Project Runway” in attendance, but at least Ward avoided the cliche of “Sex and the City.”
In Enshrined we learn quite a bit more about Rehvenge, the Omega, John Matthew, Blaylock, Qhuinn, Xhex, and, of course, Phury and Zsadist. This character development was fascinating to me. There was so much “other” story in this book, I even hesitated to call its genre “romance,” though there is undoubtedly romance in it. The scenes without the hero or heroine in them are incredibly interesting, even the ones with the Lessers (huge concession on my part – I used to skim over the Lesser scenes before and I didn’t in this book).
We get a full, well-rounded story in Enshrined. Ward digs deeply into Phury’s psyche and delves into the nature of his addiction. She does not “prettify” drug addiction or smooth over the turmoil it can cause within a family and friends. You get a raw, unvarnished depiction of where it comes from for Phury and how he strives to overcome it. It was really quite fascinating.
I could go on with what I liked about this book, but I don’t want to ruin it for you. You’ll just have to read it. If you’re a fan of Ward’s BDB books, you can’t miss this one. Enshrined is the beginning of something very different for the Brothers and for their society – both good and bad, I think. I can’t wait to read the next book. If you’re a fan of paranormal novels, I think you’ll like this one, but you may be a bit at sea with this complex world Ward has built – reading one or two of the previous books is recommended.
Lover Enshrined is paranormal storytelling at its best. Plus it has the spice of romance, sensuality, and action we have all come to expect from Ward. I highly recommend this book.
Grade: A
Blurb:
In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there’s a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other—six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. And now, a dutiful twin must choose between two lives…
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.
No excerpt is available yet.
Other books in this series:
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Coming 7 Oct 2008, The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider’s Guide.
Click on the Black Dagger Brotherhood tag below to read reviews, posts, and more about this and other BDB books.
Speaking of addictions, I blame my Brotherhood addiction on Sybil! Wicked, wicked woman . . . Now when one of JR’s books come out, I buy, pull down the blinds, lock the door and read, read, read. Happily, LOVER ENSHRINED (which I will finish in the wee hours of this dark and stormy night) is, as usual, a lover to be reckoned with.
And Gwen, I completely agreed with you when you said, “There was so much “other” story in this book, I even hesitated to call its genre “romance,” though there is undoubtedly romance in it.” I think that’s what makes Ward so fascinating to read. Romance? Absolutely. Sex? Oh yeah . . . but in the end she’s all about story. And Phury’s was a hell of a ride.
Keep ’em coming, JR
Oooh, I’m really looking forward to this one! I’ve heard good and bad things about it and it’s time for me to have my own opinion! lol.
Fabulous review, Gwen!
Wow, interesting review. Because I am a good duckie, I still have two books to read and review before I can crack this one. I refuse to even go in the vicinity of a book store.
I agree with you here, Gwen – but for me, I don’t think it was back enough -that or all the other makes into something much different.
I’m joining in on your confession. I also read them a lot more this time – Lash is just too villainous.
Rhev is becoming one of my favorite characters. I’m expecting he’ll get his own book. (Am I right or wrong?)
I loved the first four books – so much love. The fifth, not at all. The sixth, yes – is moving [the series back] on up (for me).
In case anyone missed it… Ward will be one of our guests today…
post and contest will be up at noon 😉
Great review, Gwen. I gave LEn a B++ in my review. I just couldn’t bring myself to give it an A because although I enjoyed Phury’s story line and I adored Cormia’s story line… there was very little Phury AND Cormia TOGETHER story line. 🙁 If Ward had better developed the romance between Phury and Cormia, I probably would have given it an A, too.
I’m thrilled by how many story arcs have opened up after LEn. I’m truly looking forward to Rehv’s book now. Too bad it won’t be until May 2009!
Christine – Agree with you on there was very little of Phury and Cormia in the book. That wasn’t a negative in my view, but only because, I think, I looked at LEn not so much as a “romance” genre book as just fiction with some romantic elements in it.
Once I got past that hurdle, I just took it as it came. GREAT story/ies.
The scene I loved most was John and a particular male (who I won’t name to avoid a spoiler), once he was back in the mansion recovering. When this male opened his arms and they hugged, crying, I bawled. Yes – I was a a big ol’ bawl baby. I still tear up when I think about that scene. It was PERFECT.
Me, too, Gwen! That scene was very well done. I shed a few tears several times in this book… But that scene, I totally cried out loud. Yup. Let out a good sob or two.
I looked at LEn the same way as you, Gwen. That this series is more a “family saga” of sorts with romantic elements to it. Which is fine by me at this point because I’m so emotionally vested in all the BDB characters, but I still would have liked to be more convinced about why Phury and Cormia love each other.
I love the build up for JM & Xhex’s relationship. That was really well done. True to both their characters, you know?
i love this book. after v’s book i thought i would skip this one, but like a good cellie i got it. and i am not sorry. this is such a great epic read. thanks!!
Cuz you are a freak? How can you not love the goodness that is LA? sheeze ok you are saved by liking LR. LOL hmmm do you like Marissa? I often thing I am the only person who just loved Marissa/Butch.
Knowing you, you didn’t like her.
I thought LE was a great book to get us back and set up where we are in the world building. This was awesome fiction and sadly the romance suffered for it. It was still a good love story in a way but not NEAR enough time was spent with them. And hello this is one fucking huge ass book… so where were you going to put more?
I hope the next one is a bit heavier on the romance. Because really Ward does it well and I have missed it in the last two. Lucky for me neither brother was a fave so I was ok. Well not the ghost thing. STILL hating on the ghost thing.
I’m with you. I used to really skim through the lesser parts. They just weren’t nearly as exciting/interesting as the rest of the story. Glad you enjoyed the book like I did. My review’s here if you want to check it out.
Okay, way after the fact, but I finally read LEn and I owe JRW a bottle of Scotch (a cheap one). JM + Xhex = hotness. Loved that last scene at the club.
I’m not going to write a review so far after the fact (though I’m itching too), but I’ve got to let off steam. I pretty much concur with most of the reviews I’ve read. I found this book to be far more entertaining than the last two. But it wasn’t due to the Romance. It was because of the Quinn/JM/Blay storyline.
Frankly, it made me a bit blue, b/c I was a Phury fan, and I had hoped he would get a great story. Instead he was turned into a weak pathetic mess. And dumb to boot. Can’t imagine what Cormia saw in him. And they were barely together. It doesn’t help that I hate the Primale storyline, and can’t warm up to the Chosen. I hope they are foisted on us no more. I will scream if Qhuinn is paired with a fembot. This stuff is creeping me out!
Anyway, I’m so addicted, so I will stick around for Rehv’s (the really, really good pimp’s)story, and will pray for a good heroine.
Did anyone else find themself overusing the word “so” after reading LEn?