Sandy M’s review of Lover Reborn (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 11) by J.R. Ward
Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy published by Signet 2 Oct 12
I know there’s been some flak over the last few books in this series, folks aren’t liking the lack of romance, feel there’s less connection to characters, or don’t like the way the series is heading. And that’s probably among other things. But even though I’m about three books behind in reading it, I’m still loving this series just I have since reading the first book.
And since I am so behind, there’s a few characters who are new for me in this story, but that doesn’t even bother me. As long as I am with the Brothers, it doesn’t matter if I read in order or not. I read out of order this time only because I got caught without a book, so checked my iPhone to see what I had available. The only thing that sounded good at that moment was Lover Reborn. I’m glad, because it’s fired me up to get to reading the others I need to. Soon.
I’m also glad it’s Tohr’s book that happened to be on my phone. It’d been a long time coming waiting for his return and struggle in finding love again, after everything he’d been through losing Wellsie. We also finally find out exactly why Lassiter has been sent to the Brotherhood. I think aside from the romance and the fighting, the bottom line in this book is of personal insights. As it is with reading books, we’re all different in our tastes. What I like, you may not. The same is to be said for grieving, for falling in love after loss of a loved one. While some readers may not like the fact Tohr didn’t grieve any longer for Wellsie, it works for me. He’s a vital man, a warrior, a vampire. To see him as a shell of his former self is painful. His uncaring attitude about his life, despite knowing how those who love him would be affected if he doesn’t survive a run-in with the Lessers.
Finding someone to love again has never occurred to Tohr. In fact, he flat out refuses to believe he will love again or mate again. When is the right time to move on after losing a mate, be you vampire or not? Mating for life is the Brotherhood way, so for Tohrment his mind, his soul never looks in that direction. Until No’One. They have a bit of a history, he saved her life when she’d been viciously attacked by a sympath eons before, only for her to take her own life after her babe is born, knowing she would be cast out by her family for her disgrace. No’One has been brought back into this life, and she’s tried to atone for all that has gone before, even trying to make peace with her daughter, Xhex. Avoiding Tohr and the feelings for him that are surfacing, the type of which she’s never felt before – all she’s had at the hands of a male is brutality – can only last so long. But this is when Tohr discovers Lassiter’s mission from his Maker.
While trying to let Wellsie go by pursing a relationship with No’One – actually it’s just sex with intermittent niceties thrown in – what Tohr can’t wrap his head around is the fact that he has to truly let go, not just go through the motions. Is No’One really the one for Tohr? Is she too meek? Even when he’s a bit rough with her in the beginning, whether it’s conversation or between the sheets, she never protests. Her capacity to understand his torment is huge; she even invites Wellsie into the relationship when things become too much for him at times. It’s those little things, though, that eventually lead Tohr into deeper feelings for No’One, but it’s not until much later that he realizes this. I actually like No’One, the fact she’s so different from Wellsie. She does keep her pride when things go south between them near the end, so I think Tohr might have a few surprises in store in the future.
A lot is going on around these two as they go through their life lessons. John and Xhex are having marital issues due to the fact that he can’t live with her fighting on the street alongside him against Lessers. Losing her is out of the question; he doesn’t want to end up like Tohrment. So Xhex takes herself back to her old job, refusing to stay in the mansion with John. Having not read their book yet, which I’m sure put them through the wringer like every book has done for every other mated pair in this series, I’m surprised they’re still going through problems. But they have to find their own way, just as Tohr and No’One do. And Qhuinn and Blay.
Saxon is a new character to me, so I did a double take when I found him and Blay together, with Qhuinn on the outside by his lonesome. Then just when you think all might come together for those two, one of the Chosen is put in a precarious situation and it’s Qhuinn who steps up when she falls apart. So their book is hopefully quite intriguing. I have a way to go before I find out, however.
Then there’s the Band of Bastards, vampires from the Old Country, here to depose Wrath, giving their leader the position of King. I find it interesting that Ms. Ward makes me feel a bit sympathetic at times about these characters, even knowing what they’re up to against the Brothers I love so much. But, remember, we’re at the end of the line of Brothers to read about, so where does the series go from here? New characters are needed. Could these be the ones? Only time will tell. I’m curious what will happen to the BoB from here on out.
I didn’t mean to go into this much detail, since I’m so late in reviewing the book. I’d planned to go over more of what I like about certain aspects and whatnot. But so much goes on this book. And I like every bit of it. I think it’s going to be that way for the length of the series for me, just as it has been so far. Doesn’t matter if there’s inconsistencies, if something happens too soon or too late, or whatever. As long as all those Brothers are around, I’m happy.
Grade: A+
Summary:
Ever since the death of his shellan, Tohrment is a heartbroken shadow of the vampire leader he once was. Brought back to the Brotherhood by a self-serving fallen angel, he fights again with ruthless vengeance- and is unprepared for a new tragedy. Seeing his beloved in dreams—trapped in a cold, desolate netherworld—he turns to the angel to save his former mate, only to despair at the path he himself must take to set her free. As war with the lessers rages, and a new clan of vampires vies for the Blind King’s throne, Tohr struggles between an unforgettable past, and a future that he doesn’t know he can live with… but can’t seem to turn away from.
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