Review by Vicky London
You know you’re in trouble when a book begins with a glossary (groan). Jeez, if there has to be some kind of reference tool then it’s a good indication that your story is probably way too complicated. There’s nothing that puts me off more than a glossary, a detailed map, or a huge multi-generational family tree at the beginning of a book. This is a sign that somewhere in the first 50 pages I’m going to wonder “what the heck does this mean again?” and have to go back and look it up.
There are elements of the book that are inadvertently pretty comical like a certain group of people called “lessers” that smell of baby powder. Seriously?! These lesser guys are a society of vampire slayers who are pretty much evil. There isn’t really any explanation for why they have such a jones for killing vampires. Apparently their leader The Omega doesn’t like vampires because they have “too much power”. Uh, okay. On top of being soulless the lesser are also impotent. Maybe that’s what pissed them off.
The vampires of the brotherhood have names that are fairly cheesy like Phury, Wrath, and Tohrment. More like professional wrestler names than vampire names. If you can get past some of the hokier elements of the book, the story is pretty good.
Wrath, the king of the vampires must help Beth,the daughter of his murdered friend make the transition to vampire (she is half human, half vampire). Apparently they go through some kind of vampire puberty that not all survive.
The vampires get mixed up with the cops when prostitutes start turning up dead. One of the lessers is killing them to lure vampires. Wrath has to deal with the lesser attacks in addition to a human cop who wants to protect Beth.
Popularity: 18% [?]
Reader Ratings - Click On A Star to Rate This Book:
(85 votes, average: 4.78 out of 5)
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April 10th, 2006 at 10:45 pm
If you can read the back of the book, and are truely interested in reading it, then you’ll enjoy it. The new vocabulary adds a fun and creative twist to the topic/genre.
I really enjoyed it!!
April 11th, 2006 at 7:46 am
It probably would have been better at the back of the book. To be faced with all that at the beginning is kind of daunting. I have to say though that I liked her second book a lot more.
August 3rd, 2006 at 8:49 am
I read Lover Eternal First, then went back and read Dark Lover. I loved them both. I have no problem with the vocab upfront, cause once I started reading I needed to flip upfront real quick. I look forward to the next book in this series.
October 6th, 2006 at 5:04 pm
Wow. ok so i really really love this series. i just got the 3rd book last saturday and am already done it lol. kinda wish i didnt
read is so dang fast. i really liked it with all the cheesy names and glossary. it made it so different to read. grrreat romance wow. best series i have read on vampires EVER. actually, best books i\’ve ever read. really.
October 17th, 2006 at 9:13 am
I’ve read the books in order and they all fun and innovative. The dialogue is hip and modern and the warriors are to die for. She puts entrancing spin on the world of vampires while leavng the reader longer for more! My only disappointment is that I read them too quickly.
October 29th, 2006 at 5:48 pm
I absolutely love the series! I am currently reading the third book and I don’t know what I am going to do when it is over! This is a great series that involves suspense, action, heart ache, and steamy vampire romance all at the same time. The best collection of books I have ever read.
December 27th, 2006 at 10:42 am
As a frequent reader of paranormal romance, I can say that these books were quite enjoyable, especially compared to others. I found them a little violent and edgy, but at the same time the romantic elements made me smile. Personally I had no problem with the vocab. Yes, the weird names were at first off-putting, but I got past that because the characters were so interesting.
February 8th, 2007 at 11:03 am
I just loved Lover Eternal & Lover Awakened. I haven’t read Dark Lover as yet but I’m pretty sure I’ll love it. I can’t wait for the fourth book to be released. J. R Ward is a very talented writer and I congratulate her on her major successes.
February 14th, 2007 at 8:50 am
I must say that i am very suprised at the review that this sight gave the book. i personally thought it was an amazing book and i admit i have become somewhat obsessed with the series and i ca’t wait for the next one to come out in march. The whole series is created with great story lines and very interesting characters that you cant help but want to get to know more about thier histories and personalities. i’ll say it agian i loved these books!!! oh and by the way i really don’t think the names are cheesy at all ha ha
March 14th, 2007 at 2:33 am
J R Ward blows me away. Next Brother Please! You feel me ladies!
March 27th, 2007 at 8:19 am
Books are about escaping reality for a while and using one’s imagination. J R Ward books allow you to do that.
I have enjoyed all the novels so far and can’t wait for the next!
May 18th, 2007 at 9:42 am
I was not sure about this book when I first picked up, but I am sooooo glad I did. I was hanging on every word. I will pass the book on but I will keep everyone in the series. I would love to trade places with Beth in a New York minute. Keep writing so I can keep reading.
May 18th, 2007 at 9:46 am
I was not sure about this book when I first picked it up, but I am sooooo glad I did. I was hanging on every word. I will pass the book on but I will keep everyone in the series. I would love to trade places with Beth in a New York minute. Keep writing so I can keep reading. I love the fact that they kept Butch around, he was a sad and lonley guy but he is a very good fit with the Brothers. Yes I can feel you!!!
May 22nd, 2007 at 3:35 pm
These books exude a great balance between legitimate plot and erotic storytelling. I don’t consider this cheesy romance at all because the dialogue is displayed with a blunt edge, and even if a cheesy moment is happening, typically the Brothers will stop themselves and growl in their own disgust at how cheesy they sound.
These books are addicting. I just finished “Lover Revealed” and was quite intrigued at the massive shift in plot. The romance I love, but it’s the fact that plot runs seamlessly through it which makes me able to not put it down!
June 17th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Dark Lover has to be my favorite book of the Black Dagger brotherhood, by far. I have quite an obsession with vampires, as it is, and this just aided to it. The brother’s names are so different, its addicting. I completely disagree with what this site reviewed the book as. So it has like 4 pages of a dictionary, so what? flip past it….. is it really that hard? I mean you are going to be going through hundreds of pages, whats so big about four? The BDB is amazing, and J.R. Ward has done amazing with the series thus far. Ya I feel ya, as long as you feel the brothers too, true?
June 17th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Okay, okay. You guys got me, I was wrong. I confess, I do love JR Ward now. I wasn’t that crazy about the first book and I still think the names are goofy. It’s just total cheesy goodness. Take a look at the other reviews if you don’t believe me.
July 16th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
I picked up JR Ward by chance at a used book store and I was hooked. I couldn’t read it fast enough and then I was on a mission to get them all. Now I am anxiuously waiting for the next. Thank You JR for making the vampire the good guy not to mention the sexy show human men how to treat a lady guys.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:02 pm
This series is seriousrly amazing…that IT !!
LOVE book 3 LOVE Zsadist
August 30th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Loved all four books, am awaiting Lover Unbound. I don’t really care if the review was not great, I love the BDB.
September 13th, 2007 at 6:38 am
YOU WILL LOVE IT!!!! I find it hard to put them down even though I have read them like 10 times each!
September 28th, 2007 at 4:44 am
I hated the resolution of Lover Unbound! The rest of it rocked, but the end sucked.
November 2nd, 2007 at 9:43 am
I have read all the books so far in the series, and I loved each and every one of them. I didn’t want to put them down. I can’t wait til the next one in March (I think). My favorite story was of Rhage, but Zsadist’s story was a very close 2nd. If you love fantasy with lots of action and sexuality, you will love this series!
December 10th, 2007 at 7:47 am
I began these books on a flight to NY. I finished the first one in 2 days and have proceeded to blitz through the next 4. Although they are light in some areas, I find them enjoyable.
They are a welcome twist on the vampire genre!
February 19th, 2008 at 7:38 am
I am on the scond book in the series and plan to go get the others as soon as I am finished with this one. About 1/4 of the way into DARK lOVER I was hooked. Each brother has a way of making you fall in love with them. Wrath…oh it was his darkly strong bold demanding way and then with Rhage it’s his caring and loving heart. I can’t wait to get to know the rest of the brothers. I highly recommend these books for vampire lovers and romance lovers. I am not big on
re-reading books but this is one series I will hold onto and definately re-read.
April 8th, 2008 at 5:28 am
I’ve never finished a series and immediately started over reading it again. Until JR Ward came along with BDB. I am obsessed. This is not only the best paranormal series I’ve ever read but the best SERIES I’ve ever read. After the first two you feel like you are part of their world and you can’t get enough if them. THIS IS A MUST READ SERIES!!! 5 Stars!
June 11th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I love Ward…..Love her style of writting..
I’ve read all the Brotherhood series….And i’m eager to know if she will write another noble…from the Brotherhood…perhaps John’s, Quinn, and Blay may have a novel of their own that Ward can write…..
July 18th, 2008 at 9:31 am
I finished Lover Enshrined a few weeks ago and even though I felt Phury’s story fell short of my expectations, I mean how much does the poor guy have to suffer? I am still in love with these guys! There are definitely some twists I really want to know more about. (Payne) I am soooo eager to read more about Quinn, John, Blay and Tohr.
I am obessed with re-reading this series as well. My boyfriend is so tired of seeing one of the books in my hands he has attempted to buy me other series by other authors and I still pick up my BDB’s and re-read. My favorite would definitely be Zadist’s story, however I want to know Bella more. The new insight to Rhev’s world is sooooo compelling to me now and I hope there is a book about him as well. So come J. R. write FAST!!!!
October 6th, 2008 at 10:55 am
I am enjoying the series so far, new nomenclature and silly extra-consonant names notwithstanding. I’m not tremendously in love with the product placement. But the books are great fun to read.
November 4th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
I love J R Ward…….I’m reading her new book titled The Black Dagger Brotherhood An Insiders Guide. Its very intriguing! Iwas wondering if anyone has read it and knew the term Challa? Just to let you all know the books so far are;
1-Dark Lover
2- Lover Enternal
3- Lover Awakened
4- Lover Revealed
5- Lover Unbound
6- Lover Enshrined and coming soon
7-Lover Avenged(all about Rehvengeand his storyon sale may 2009) …………..But if you like to learn more about the brotherhood you should read An Insiders Guide!!
November 22nd, 2008 at 4:45 pm
best series ever! The only books I read over and over…
February 1st, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Her books are amazing!!! I love them. I’m so thankful that my friend got me that book giftcard, and I saw “Dark Lover” and was like…this looks interesting. After realizing there was more of the BDB books, I went out and bought them all. They’re amazing and I don’t regret buying them all!!!
March 4th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
yeah challa means creator
March 24th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I have read every book in the series that is currently out. From Dark Lover-The Insider’s Guide, I have read them all over and over again. I think the world she creates is so unique and diverse. It’s truly amazing to me. I think each book brings a new perspective and a new attitude to the Brotherhood. There is no other vampire series I could love more. She is truly one amazing author and person.
May 31st, 2009 at 4:32 am
Хорошо! Все бы так писали
July 29th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
I have all of the Black Dagger Brotherhood books. And I have been addicted from the beginning. My favorite is V but I didnt think his book was the best. I think they are all very sexy bigger than life men that most women would love to be they’re mate. haha. Cant wait for the next book, hopfully it is soon.
August 5th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
i just finished dark lover and i’m already dying to go out a buy the rest of the story. J R Ward is extremely talented and she knows how to mix the right amount of romance and hard core violence to make you beg for more. Even from the first novel i’m interested in all the characters introduced. Except maybe the lessers. They have no appeal to me. And they smell like baby powder
gross. any vamp book lovers…er well any book lovers of any kind will love this book. the first few pages and i was hooked. though i was sad when darius died. but the other warriors are to die for. Rhage especially. love the characters. love the story. love the twist on the vampire world and their hunters. can not wait to read book two.