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Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1)

A book by J.R. Ward

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Lust at First Sight (Sort Of...)

Dec 8, 2007

by taminator40
posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

Rating:

I knew going in that Dark Lover was a paranormal romance, so I was expecting a slightly formulaic plot with sexy vampires and a rocky path to forever love. I can honestly say I got that; but I keep vascillating on just how much I enjoyed this novel. On one hand, I kept turning the pages as it was interestingly written and peopled with stereotypical characters you love or love to hate. On the other hand, the "romance" between the main characters never really made it for me as it was almost totally built around lust.

There are lots of things that bugged me about this novel, and some things I did enjoy. Firstly though, I simply couldn't buy into all the experiences the heroine suffered with almost no qualms: assault, an intruder that she desires immediately (and has sex with!), violence against a friend, turning into a vampire, learning about the father she never knew, marriage within days of meeting her "mate." I wanted more build up between the hero and heroine; that would have at least given credence to the sudden, soul-clenching, can't-live-without-you relationship which develops. Secondly, I really *hated* the names of the vampires; Rhage, Phury, Zsadist, Wrath? It reminded me of the odd spellings I tried to come up with for future children when I was in junior high school. I also had difficulty with the vampire world as presented here as it followed few of the "rules" I've read about anywhere else (but that may not have been a bad thing). Finally, the formula itself was almost too much; a twist or turn here or there would definitely have fleshed the story out, and made the characters much more life-like.

So what did I like that kept me reading? I liked that the hero was flawed with poor vision; that kept him from being too stereotypical. I loved some of the minor characters, including Rhage, Zsadist, Vishous, Butch the cop, and Fritz the butler. They were definitely nice additions that rounded out the landscape. I liked that Wrath finally stepped up to his true calling and I'm sure I'll want to know how things work out in their world. The writing, while quite purple at times, was engaging enough to keep me going and wondering how things would turn out (though I was certain I knew...and I was right).

A friend who often reads the same books as I do recommended this one to me and overall, I can't say it was a bad choice for me. While wishing it was more than it is, I can say that fans of paranormal romance and vampires in particular will enjoy it. In fact, as I reflect more on my reading experience, I may yet think it falls in the four star category. Despite its flaws, it's good reading that doesn't require much of the reader other than turning those pages.

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More Dark Lover (Black Dagger Broth... reviews

Quick Tip by ABRune. June 19, 2010

posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

A Quick Tip by ABRune

I absolutely love love loved this book. It's one of the only contemporary romance novels I have ever been able to stomach. The language in it is pretty standard romance fluff and if you like that, or at the very least can laugh at it like I do and still enjoy it, then go ahead and pick up this book, along with the others in this series.

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review by amycottrell. June 19, 2010

posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

Dark Lover: Real Vampires Don't Sparkle

"Her core bloomed for him." That's the kind of language used in all of J.R. Ward's love scenes and if you think you can handle that without laughing, then this might be a paranormal romance series you will enjoy. Dark Lover is the first in Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series and is arguably the best. The Brotherhood is a group of vampire warriors, trained for and tasked with the arduous mission of saving the vampire race. When I started the book, … more

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review by Parajunkee. November 17, 2009

posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

Sexy, Gritty good Fun...

I have been waiting to do these books for awhile. And what better time to slip underneath the covers with some hot-blooded manly vamps, that the onset of winter? Welcome cold weather, and welcome Black Dagger Brotherhood. Hello, boys! J.R. Ward, while I wasn't impressed with her new series, (see Covet review) the Black Dagger Brotherhood is a totally different beast entirely. The first book, Dark Lover introduces us to Ward's world. A world that features vamps as a completely … more

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see all Dark Lover (Black Dagger Broth... reviews (5)

About the reviewer

Tammy Koudelka McCann (taminator40)
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About this book

Wiki

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.

The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.

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