I'm really hoping some of you have read this latest book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by now and want to discuss. I searched but didn't see a discussion on this one.

Lover Avenged (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Bk 7)

JR Ward (April 2009)

The king must die. So begins J.R. Ward's darkly seductive Lover Avenged the latest book in her blistering Black Dagger Brotherhood series as the vampire warriors fight to defend their race from enemies seen and unseenand one mixed-blood male's loyalty is tested beyond endurance. Caldwell, NY, has long been the battleground for the vampires and their enemies, the Lessening Society. It's also where Rehvenge has staked out his turf as a drug lord and owner of a notorious nightclub that caters to the rich and heavily armed. His shadowy reputation is exactly why he's approached to kill Wrath, the Blind King, and leader of the Brotherhood. Rehvenge has always kept his distance from the Brotherhood, even though his sister is married to a member. Because he's a symphath able to read and manipulate other people's emotions his identity is a secret, the revelation of which will result in his banishment to a colony for sociopaths. And as plots within and outside the Brotherhood take their toll on Rehvenge, he turns to the only source of light in his darkening world -- Ehlena, a vampire untouched by the corruption that has its hold on himand the only one standing between him and eternal destruction.

I'm hoping to hear what some of you others think. Like many of you, I love this series, except for the last book (Lover Enshrined, Phury's story) which I thought was pretty awful.  I was soooo hoping JR Ward would redeem herself in this one.  For the first time, the book was issued as a hardcover, so it was more expensive and probably more pages.  My take - it wasn't nearly as good as the first few nor as hideous as book 6.

For me, it's a "must read" because I do want to continue with the series. But this story was all over the map. The main love story of Rehvenge and Ehlena wasn't nearly as dominant a story line as usual. There were many sub-plots and back stories going on. The evil foe, the Lessors, continue to be (for me) pretty darn boring and destracting. There were many times I wanted to throw the book against a wall and wished for a "fast forward" button to get to the "good parts".  Too often, it felt like homework - something I was required to read not to get behind in the subject.

On the plus side, the reader does learn a lot more about Rehvenge and those who surround him.  The storyline of John and Xhex develops more. (I can't wait for their book in May.) There was a fair amount about Wrath.  The other brothers popped in and out regularly but were handled pretty superficially. There was also teasing appearance by Payne, Vishous' twin sister, who is likely to be an interesting character in the future.

I'm not sure how I'd rate this one, maybe a 3.

Ahhh, come on!

27 views but no one has a comment?? Surely someone has read this book by now?????

I've read it and pretty much agree with what you said.  It's better than the last book but not as good as the ones before.  I'm also looking forward to reading more about Payne.

Hey Jo... Lover Avenged was a good book... I think because a lot of us read it as soon as it came out...trying to remember some of it..(I loaned mine out). I thought the female was a good strong character...Rhev needed someone like that...The relationship between him and his derranged half- spider scare the crap outta me sister was really interesting and her end was great.. The sympaths...wonder the direction they will take...I always have liked the side stories with John Matthew, Blay and Quinn are great , they are coming into their own and will be great to see them mature more...John Matthew's obsession with Xhex.. I do hope that pans out or he finds someone who is worthy...Lash needs a good kick in the pants.. and Havers needs a woman.. a new mate... Tohrment.. wonder if they will re-mate him...

I couldn't finish it. Huge disappointment for me. You're right it did feel like homework and there are way too many books in my TBR pile to waste my time reading something that feels like work. I would have loved a cliffnotes version. There was just too much crap mixed in with what is supposed to be Rhevenge's story. This was the first BDB book where I felt like the secondary characters and subplots had as much if not more focus than the main characters.

I have to agree with Heather's statement that the secondary characters and subplots had as much if not more focus than the main characters.  However, I enjoyed reading it if just for that.  I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series, although at one/year that will take FOREVER, sigh.

most of the same comments, from what i remember.  i enjoyed it overall, but it felt like there were 3 stories going on instead of just one.  i felt terrible about John Matthews, so i'm hoping his book redeems all that disappointment.

I really liked all the back stories but I always love getting into the characters' heads but for some reason it felt like I was being more shut out in this book. The vampire race as a whole didn't seem to gain as much in this book either whereas before, Wrath became king, blood slaves were made illegal, and the chosen were allowed to mate whomever they wanted. Yeah Rhev now controles the sympaaths but they were never a big part of the story so it doesn't seem to have nearly as much impact. I've never been too fond of the lesser parts, they'd be better if they were shorter and/or they were doing more importent stuff to help the plot move farther instead of making it feel like they were just stopping time in the book, but a few times they have been helpful/interesting like when Lash turned out to be the Omega's son. I really liked Elanah's (think I spelled that wrong) personality for Rhev. He couldn't have ever been with anyone with less of a backbone in her. Good that she was a nurse too.Even with it's no so great qualitys I loved it! I also loved how Wrath got more attention, ever since his book he's been severly lacking some story time. Still can't believe they named the poor dog George though. Poor pup.

I don't know why everyone's bashing Phury's book though. I liked it. :(

As for what I'm hoping for in the next book: I wanna see more of Payne. She really needs to be unleashed upon the world to be the first female warrior. I'd also like more info on the dark wingged house guest. He's already pretty funny. :p Lash needs to be castrated, end of story on that and Blay either needs to become useful in some way or get hit by a bus because he doesn't do anything!

Is it Phury himself? his story? or the side stories in the book?

I became frustrated with the little wizard man...but then again, I have never been an addict to the extreme Phury was, He also, has some relationship issues...It was a whiney book IMO. But I just might have to re-read it to form another opnion.

Agreed Jeanie.. I really want to see where she is going to go with Payne...and Lassiter..he is hysterical...comic relief...

I am still realing from the Doc Jane ghostess with the mostess..just me...

I like that Rhev will be in alliance with the Brothers...

I liked this as an advancement of the subplots... :)

I liked learning more about Rehv... but I really wanted more John Matthew  (CAN NOT wait for May!!)

Payne gets her own book -- on the BDB forum, JR Ward even tells who she ends up with -- I won't spoil it here... ;)

We didn't get to see many of the other women... and the Wrath storyline almost took over the book... the parts with the Lessers - I really skimmed, they just weren't as interesting as the rest of the book - I really don't want to delve into the evil workings that much... :)

Lash really needs a good ass-kicking... I have a feeling there is more in store for him....

The books come out so far apart - I have trouble remembering the little subplot details from one to the other...

there is more in store for Blay and Qhuin, also... promise :)

I just started reading it and so far I like the book.  Hopefully it won't take me very long to finish it. 

I love the whole series, read them all back to back as soon as the last one came out. I hope there will be more, I was not disapointed or bored with ANY of the books. The latest one has me wanting more.

I loved the entire series also. I think my favorite was Zsadists book followed by Rhages story then Wraths. I read Lover Avenged a few months ago and I thought it was just alright. Im hoping JR Ward really hits it off with Lover Mine, which I CANT wait to read.

I loved it.I have loved all of them, but V's and Phurys books are not my fave. I really liked V and I'm still confusesd as to how the whole ghost but not thing works....the ending of that one just makes my head hurt. And with Phury's book I just didn't think  Cormmia was a good fit for him or strong enough to pull him out of his addiction , which I thought happened kind of aburptly. I still love them but I enjoyed the other books more.

Funny Koren, because since my internet sucks I guess my reply didn't show up, but I have pretty much the same opinion as you.  Z's book was my absolute favorite, matter of fact, I just re-read it.  Phury gets on my damn nerves, he's to whiny crybaby for me and his story bored me to tears.  V was my favorite character, but his book was a huge disappointment, especially the ending, that was just weird and awful. 

I know Kim ...she so had me on V's book ...untill the whole ghost and not thing. Only Phury is not really my issue, but I didn't think Cormmia was nearly strong enough of a woman to pull someone out of addiction. She just doesn't seem like the kind of woman who could deal with that kind of man or those kinds of issues. Especially since she has never really lived in the real world. I wasn't so much that he got on my nerves, as that she did. And I absolutely love Z. I think he's proabaly everybodys fave but ..wow. I kinda seem to have a thing for the wounded tragic hero. EX: Z, Zarek, Ash, Syn, all of my fave characters in books seem to have really bad pasts.

Okay, I've picked it up and decided to give it another go. I have to admit I am totally skeeved out by the whole incest / half sister thing Rehv has going on. It's a giant ball of ick!

I have only read the first three in the series and I am finding them a lot alike.  Am I missing something here?  I sent the first two to my DGD and am waiting to hear if she likes them.