Ash’s review of Lover Reborn (Black Dagger Brotherhood series book 10) by J. R. Ward
Paranormal Romance published by NAL 27 Mar 12
I have to say that this is my favorite book in the series so far, which is great because the last one I wasn’t crazy about.
Up until now, I have never really connected with any of the characters. I just don’t care like I usually do with a favorite series. I like them all, but none of them have ever stood out to me. With the exception of Qhuinn, but he hasn’t had much screen time. It’s always the books as a whole that drew me in, when usually I am all about the people.
Tohrment especially has been just someone in the background. I never could get who he is, which is understandable considering his journey. I’ve been looking forward to his book because he intrigues me, and he seems to stand apart from the other Brothers. There’s never been a moment where I’m tired of him or wishing he would just talk normal (there needs to be a drinking game centered around ‘shitkickers’, seriously, I am so over that word). His grief, his attempt at moving on, it all feels very real to me. I could connect with a character, finally!
No’One is…okay. There is just something with Ward’s women that isn’t as strong as her men. I don’t know exactly what my problem is, but I could take them or leave them. No’One is probably the one I like the most. However, I hate how she just takes Tohr’s cruel words as her due. I get that it’s part of what she has to work through, but it is a little harder to see Tohr falling in love with someone who can be that weak, especially after being with Wellsie, who was so strong. I haven’t figured out all my thoughts with that yet and probably won’t for awhile.
There is also the side story with Xhex and John and their relationship woes. Last time it was V and Jane, and I wonder if each Brother will have his turn? I don’t like seeing previous couples in distress, but I can appreciate the realness it adds. Not everyone gets to their happy ending easily, and it makes sense in this world for there to be bumpy roads. I just don’t like how their story gets told in short bursts here and there. If I have any major complaint with this book, it’s that we get so many POVs about so many different things. As soon as I get into one person’s scene, it switches to someone else. Less jumping around would make me happier.
Out of all the series I read, this is the one that flows the best and continues to stay fresh (annoying terminology aside) book after book. The first story arc is over with, and the transition is pretty damn smooth, in my opinion. We have moved on to new faces, new enemies, and after ten books, I still end each one wishing I had the next one (especially now since next is Qhuinn’s!).
BTW, does anyone else want to spell everything with an extra H after reading these books, or is it just me?
Grade: A-
Summary:
Ever since the death of his shellan, Tohrment has been unrecognizable from the vampire leader he once was. Physically emaciated and heartbroken beyond despair, he has been brought back to the Brotherhood by a self-serving fallen angel. Now, fighting once again with ruthless vengeance, he is unprepared to face a new kind of tragedy.
When Tohr begins to see his beloved in his dreams—trapped in a cold, isolated netherworld far from the peace and tranquillity of the Fade—he turns to the angel in hopes of saving the one he has lost. But because Lassiter tells him he must learn to love another to free his former mate, Tohr knows they are all doomed….
Except then a female with a shadowed history begins to get through to him. Against the backdrop of the raging war with the lessers, and with a new clan of vampires vying for the Blind King’s throne, Tohr struggles between the buried past and a very hot, passion-filled future…but can his heart let go and set all of them free?
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
I can totally agree with everything you wrote on this, and the series.
Tohr has always been a fave of mine, from the beginning, when we meet Beth, to where he’s working with John, to the death of Wellsie, and dealing with the angel (which that … confuses the heck out of me, BTW).
I’m not a fan of the weak-willed women, but I can see why it was with No’One. She was brutally used, and that does some emotional damage on a person, vampire or not 😉 I did love seeing her build a relationship with her daughter, helping bring out that hidden softer side of Xhex.
I could do without the going into the mind of the lessers. Really, I could. I don’t care about them at all. I don’t feel like they really move the story forward. They helped with Bella, yes, and even some with Beth, and of course with Xhex and the former trainee whose name currently escapes me, because of being kidnapped, but otherwise, bleh.
I’m so mad at myself for getting behind in this series. This is probably the third I’ve not read, with another one coming. Maybe over the holidays I’ll try to catch up. I miss the brothers! Great review, Ash.
Sarah- I was never a fan of being in the lesser minds either. I think they were a bit of a weak enemy and now with the Band of Bastards it is much more interesting. I also agree about No’One and Xhex. I would have liked to see more of that. As for weak women, I actually tend to sympathize more with them, but only if they end up growing a back bone. I want to see that a ha! moment when they start to fight back against life. I guess I never really saw that with No’One.
Sandy- I tend to get at least 1 book behind with this series, it took me a while to read Lover Unleashed. I just didn’t care about the main couple, so it wasn’t until Lover Reborn came out that I read it. I am super excited for the next book though. I think it’s the one I have been looking forward to. I haven’t had a “must read” moment with this series until now.