Post by Charlynn on Mar 12, 2011 13:50:05 GMT -5
Lover Awakened
Well, hello there, Black Dagger Brotherhood Series, and welcome back. After the second novel – Lover Eternal, the third book – Lover Awakened – was a much needed jolt to the J.R. Ward series. As I suspected, Zsadist was exactly what I needed to reinvigorate my interest in the Brotherhood books. What can I say? Those misunderstood bad boys with the deeply buried heart of gold underneath a gruff, harsh exterior? They get me every time.
Zsadist, a former blood slave who was used for more than just his vein, was the darkest of the Black Dagger Brotherhood warriors. He not only enjoyed but also needed pain. Refusing to drink from a member of his own race, he half starved himself, subsisting on the weakened blood of humans and apples. He also refused any comforts. He slept on a pallet on the floor beside the skull of the vampire who had kept him bound and chained as her blood slave for so many years, he didn't use heat in his room, and he only possessed the necessities; no extras, or hobbies, or trinkets for Zsadist. He did all of this because he thought he was ruined – beyond damaged goods.
So, when he met Bella and realized that he was drawn to her, that meant that, of course, he needed to stay away. He was dangerous, and she was too good for him. Despite his resolution, though, he couldn't quite shake the hold she had on him. And then she was kidnapped, and Zsadist became a man possessed, determined to find her. Even once she was safe, he couldn't quite let go. And it didn't help his cause that Bella fought him at every step of the way. Despite his belief that she deserved better, he was the only one she wanted, the only one she felt safe with. Zsadist tried to block bonding with her, and he tried to push her onto his brother, a warrior he felt was worthy of Bella, but she wouldn't let him go, and then her needing arrived. (In the series, the female vampire's equivalent to a human's menstruation cycle, particularly the ovulating stage – a time when she is extremely fertile and driven out of her mind with lust and sexual urges, so much so that he literally calls to all the males around her like a siren.) Although Zsadist offered to drug her, she chose him instead. It wasn't smooth sailing from that point on for the couple; they still had several roadblocks to break through, most of which were Zsadist's fears preventing him from committing to Bella, but, eventually, they were able to surpass his past. They bonded formally, he was able to start connecting to his fellow warriors and even the trainees, and they had a little girl together.
Obviously, as the focus of the story, Zsadist and Bella's relationship had to be entertaining for Lover Awakened to work. And it was. Unlike with the second book, their obstacles didn't feel as contrived or as predictable. Readers knew in advance about Zsadist's issues, although the details about them were still hazy, and, despite what others had said about him, there had been brief flashes of hope to support the idea that he could be healed if someone took the chance to love him. Yes, his brother – Phury – had been loving him for years, but the affection and devotion of a lover is different than the love of a sibling. Even with this said, don't think that Phury didn't play his part in rehabilitating Zsadist. It's just that the evolution of the character, of Zsadist's relationship – not only with Bella with all the characters in the book, wasn't contrived like it was between Rhage and Mary.
There were other aspects of the book which lent it more of an entertainment factor as well. Although I'm not thrilled about John's backstory – though I know that rape does occur whether between a man and a woman or two men, that doesn't necessarily mean that I want to read about it unless it serves a larger purpose in the book and, so far, John's rape just seems to be an unnecessary plot point, I am enjoying the fact that he is Darius reincarnated. While readers know this, the characters in the books do not, and I think it will be interesting to read about them discovering the truth... as long as its not drawn out for too long. With that said, though, so far so good. I especially look forward to how this reveal will play out with Wrath and Beth, considering Beth is Darius' daughter.
In addition, I was definitely not expecting Mr. O to shoot and then kill Wellsie. That was totally a shocker. And in a good way, too. Don't get me wrong. I didn't dislike her character, want her dead, or want Tohr to go through such anguish as to lose his shellan and unborn child; however, because her murder was so unexpected, it made the war between the vampires and the lessers seem more real. Anyone could die at any point. No one is safe. I can appreciate adding such gravity to the situation. Plus, it should prove to revitalize Tohr's storyline. Before this happened, he wasn't haunted by anything. Of all the Brothers, he was the most well-adjusted, the happiest. His life was set, so there was no reason to tell his story. Now there is.
Phury was yet another interesting aspect to Lover Awakened. I found his inner turmoil and torment to be quite compelling. Though self-imposed, he is another anguished soul, perhaps even more so than his brother. By taking care of Zsadist for so many years, Phury extinguished all of his own personality. He existed, first, to find his brother, and then he existed to save his brother. Once Zsadist turned that corner and didn't need his twin any longer, Phury lost his purpose. And he also admitted that he was a junkie. Though he didn't take the heroin, the confession of his addiction, even if only to himself, further crushed him. I must admit that I was somewhat disappointed that Phury didn't take the H. It's not so much that I want to see him destroyed; I just think it could have added yet another level of desperation to his story whenever it is eventually told in the series.
Finally, the last two notes are more about Bella. One, I'm not sure how I feel about her brother's increased role in the story. Before, when she was first introduced, he was simply in the background. But now we know him. He's interacting with other characters. And he's a sympath who is less than fond of the Brotherhood. Do I want to read more about him? I'm not sure. But it is obvious that he's a dark and twisty soul. I suppose he could be interesting, but, right now, he just comes across as far too self involved. Secondly, there's the fact that Bella killed Mr. O. After what he did to her, not only did she deserve that retribution, but I liked the fact that Ward didn't make her a hand-wringer; she didn't stay at home, lamenting the fact that the menfolk were out getting their hands dirty while she knitted... or something else as equally asinine an and inane. She got her own revenge. She fought. She saved herself and two of the most powerful warriors her race has ever seen. Best of all? Her heroic moment was believable. Smart and resourceful women only compliment the Brotherhood, the focus of the series. It wouldn't make sense for any of them to be with someone weak and incapable.
So, that's that. Lover Awakened revived the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series in my eyes and, as a result, rejuvenated my interest in the books and characters contained within them. The next up is Lover Revealed. It focuses upon Butch – the former cop and now human companion of the Brotherhood who, in the previous book, drank the blood of one of his warrior friends – and Marissa, two characters which, up until this point, have not been among my favorites. But we'll give it a whirl, and, as always, I'll report back my findings. Until then....
Well, hello there, Black Dagger Brotherhood Series, and welcome back. After the second novel – Lover Eternal, the third book – Lover Awakened – was a much needed jolt to the J.R. Ward series. As I suspected, Zsadist was exactly what I needed to reinvigorate my interest in the Brotherhood books. What can I say? Those misunderstood bad boys with the deeply buried heart of gold underneath a gruff, harsh exterior? They get me every time.
Zsadist, a former blood slave who was used for more than just his vein, was the darkest of the Black Dagger Brotherhood warriors. He not only enjoyed but also needed pain. Refusing to drink from a member of his own race, he half starved himself, subsisting on the weakened blood of humans and apples. He also refused any comforts. He slept on a pallet on the floor beside the skull of the vampire who had kept him bound and chained as her blood slave for so many years, he didn't use heat in his room, and he only possessed the necessities; no extras, or hobbies, or trinkets for Zsadist. He did all of this because he thought he was ruined – beyond damaged goods.
So, when he met Bella and realized that he was drawn to her, that meant that, of course, he needed to stay away. He was dangerous, and she was too good for him. Despite his resolution, though, he couldn't quite shake the hold she had on him. And then she was kidnapped, and Zsadist became a man possessed, determined to find her. Even once she was safe, he couldn't quite let go. And it didn't help his cause that Bella fought him at every step of the way. Despite his belief that she deserved better, he was the only one she wanted, the only one she felt safe with. Zsadist tried to block bonding with her, and he tried to push her onto his brother, a warrior he felt was worthy of Bella, but she wouldn't let him go, and then her needing arrived. (In the series, the female vampire's equivalent to a human's menstruation cycle, particularly the ovulating stage – a time when she is extremely fertile and driven out of her mind with lust and sexual urges, so much so that he literally calls to all the males around her like a siren.) Although Zsadist offered to drug her, she chose him instead. It wasn't smooth sailing from that point on for the couple; they still had several roadblocks to break through, most of which were Zsadist's fears preventing him from committing to Bella, but, eventually, they were able to surpass his past. They bonded formally, he was able to start connecting to his fellow warriors and even the trainees, and they had a little girl together.
Obviously, as the focus of the story, Zsadist and Bella's relationship had to be entertaining for Lover Awakened to work. And it was. Unlike with the second book, their obstacles didn't feel as contrived or as predictable. Readers knew in advance about Zsadist's issues, although the details about them were still hazy, and, despite what others had said about him, there had been brief flashes of hope to support the idea that he could be healed if someone took the chance to love him. Yes, his brother – Phury – had been loving him for years, but the affection and devotion of a lover is different than the love of a sibling. Even with this said, don't think that Phury didn't play his part in rehabilitating Zsadist. It's just that the evolution of the character, of Zsadist's relationship – not only with Bella with all the characters in the book, wasn't contrived like it was between Rhage and Mary.
There were other aspects of the book which lent it more of an entertainment factor as well. Although I'm not thrilled about John's backstory – though I know that rape does occur whether between a man and a woman or two men, that doesn't necessarily mean that I want to read about it unless it serves a larger purpose in the book and, so far, John's rape just seems to be an unnecessary plot point, I am enjoying the fact that he is Darius reincarnated. While readers know this, the characters in the books do not, and I think it will be interesting to read about them discovering the truth... as long as its not drawn out for too long. With that said, though, so far so good. I especially look forward to how this reveal will play out with Wrath and Beth, considering Beth is Darius' daughter.
In addition, I was definitely not expecting Mr. O to shoot and then kill Wellsie. That was totally a shocker. And in a good way, too. Don't get me wrong. I didn't dislike her character, want her dead, or want Tohr to go through such anguish as to lose his shellan and unborn child; however, because her murder was so unexpected, it made the war between the vampires and the lessers seem more real. Anyone could die at any point. No one is safe. I can appreciate adding such gravity to the situation. Plus, it should prove to revitalize Tohr's storyline. Before this happened, he wasn't haunted by anything. Of all the Brothers, he was the most well-adjusted, the happiest. His life was set, so there was no reason to tell his story. Now there is.
Phury was yet another interesting aspect to Lover Awakened. I found his inner turmoil and torment to be quite compelling. Though self-imposed, he is another anguished soul, perhaps even more so than his brother. By taking care of Zsadist for so many years, Phury extinguished all of his own personality. He existed, first, to find his brother, and then he existed to save his brother. Once Zsadist turned that corner and didn't need his twin any longer, Phury lost his purpose. And he also admitted that he was a junkie. Though he didn't take the heroin, the confession of his addiction, even if only to himself, further crushed him. I must admit that I was somewhat disappointed that Phury didn't take the H. It's not so much that I want to see him destroyed; I just think it could have added yet another level of desperation to his story whenever it is eventually told in the series.
Finally, the last two notes are more about Bella. One, I'm not sure how I feel about her brother's increased role in the story. Before, when she was first introduced, he was simply in the background. But now we know him. He's interacting with other characters. And he's a sympath who is less than fond of the Brotherhood. Do I want to read more about him? I'm not sure. But it is obvious that he's a dark and twisty soul. I suppose he could be interesting, but, right now, he just comes across as far too self involved. Secondly, there's the fact that Bella killed Mr. O. After what he did to her, not only did she deserve that retribution, but I liked the fact that Ward didn't make her a hand-wringer; she didn't stay at home, lamenting the fact that the menfolk were out getting their hands dirty while she knitted... or something else as equally asinine an and inane. She got her own revenge. She fought. She saved herself and two of the most powerful warriors her race has ever seen. Best of all? Her heroic moment was believable. Smart and resourceful women only compliment the Brotherhood, the focus of the series. It wouldn't make sense for any of them to be with someone weak and incapable.
So, that's that. Lover Awakened revived the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series in my eyes and, as a result, rejuvenated my interest in the books and characters contained within them. The next up is Lover Revealed. It focuses upon Butch – the former cop and now human companion of the Brotherhood who, in the previous book, drank the blood of one of his warrior friends – and Marissa, two characters which, up until this point, have not been among my favorites. But we'll give it a whirl, and, as always, I'll report back my findings. Until then....