Helpful Score: 8
I am going to write a spoiler free review. Don't worry if you are still reading!
This is the long awaited John Matthew entry in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I know that I have been waiting patiently to see him get his happily ever after. The book begins where the last book left off, with Xhex (John Matthew's woman) having been abducted. Her eventual rescue was well done and honored the way Ward has written her character.
The book primarily consists of six plot lines: John Matthew and Xhex, Qhuinn and Blaylock, some creepy mansion (not going to tell why it is significant!), Payne in the Fade, Darius and his memories, and Lash. Overall, I think Ward handles theses back and forth story lines better than she has in previous books. In those books, I wanted to skim the "killing of the lesser" storylines and get back to the Brotherhood. I really enjoyed most of the subplots in this book and I loved the Qhuinn-Blaylock-Saxton storyline. In addition to the better done plot lines, it was great to see most of the Brotherhood make cameo appearances. Well, the men mostly, but a few glimpses of the women as well. Except for Phury, who barely showed up at all.
The good about this book:
~Angst, Angst, Angst!! If this is what you read these books for, you will not be disappointed!
~The romance aspect is back on the front burner, while still keeping the urban fantasy. Ward got a lot of flak for the shrinking of the romance, but there is a lot more here than there has been in any book since Butch. It was well done.
~The communication between the mute John Matthew and Xhex was really well done. I was wondering how Ward would accomplish this, but I found it to be pretty seamless.
~LOVE the subplot with Quinn-Blay-Saxton. It is complicated and messy and really fun to read.
~Ward softens Xhex without diminishing her character.
The bad about this book:
~The language sometimes got ridiculous! I have read all the books, so I know what to expect from Ward, but I think some of it is a bit unnecessary. And I hate the phrase "hang a louie".
~A little confused about what's going on with the Scribe Virgin.
I read these books for pure fluff, and that is what I got. It was great! This is now in my top 3 of all of the Black Dagger Brotherhood books and it is not to be missed. If you are just starting out, you MUST start at Book 1 to make sure they make sense. This was a great way to pass the time and well worth running to the bookstore when it came out!
This is the long awaited John Matthew entry in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I know that I have been waiting patiently to see him get his happily ever after. The book begins where the last book left off, with Xhex (John Matthew's woman) having been abducted. Her eventual rescue was well done and honored the way Ward has written her character.
The book primarily consists of six plot lines: John Matthew and Xhex, Qhuinn and Blaylock, some creepy mansion (not going to tell why it is significant!), Payne in the Fade, Darius and his memories, and Lash. Overall, I think Ward handles theses back and forth story lines better than she has in previous books. In those books, I wanted to skim the "killing of the lesser" storylines and get back to the Brotherhood. I really enjoyed most of the subplots in this book and I loved the Qhuinn-Blaylock-Saxton storyline. In addition to the better done plot lines, it was great to see most of the Brotherhood make cameo appearances. Well, the men mostly, but a few glimpses of the women as well. Except for Phury, who barely showed up at all.
The good about this book:
~Angst, Angst, Angst!! If this is what you read these books for, you will not be disappointed!
~The romance aspect is back on the front burner, while still keeping the urban fantasy. Ward got a lot of flak for the shrinking of the romance, but there is a lot more here than there has been in any book since Butch. It was well done.
~The communication between the mute John Matthew and Xhex was really well done. I was wondering how Ward would accomplish this, but I found it to be pretty seamless.
~LOVE the subplot with Quinn-Blay-Saxton. It is complicated and messy and really fun to read.
~Ward softens Xhex without diminishing her character.
The bad about this book:
~The language sometimes got ridiculous! I have read all the books, so I know what to expect from Ward, but I think some of it is a bit unnecessary. And I hate the phrase "hang a louie".
~A little confused about what's going on with the Scribe Virgin.
I read these books for pure fluff, and that is what I got. It was great! This is now in my top 3 of all of the Black Dagger Brotherhood books and it is not to be missed. If you are just starting out, you MUST start at Book 1 to make sure they make sense. This was a great way to pass the time and well worth running to the bookstore when it came out!
Helpful Score: 5
I've already read it twice, and thinking about a 3rd go round. This has to be one of the best books out of the series.
I loved everything about this book the new characters, plots, storyline, everything.
The love story between John Matthew and Xhex is unbelievable, it's so good. He is one of my 3 favorites now. The side story of Qhuinn and Blay, cannot wait for their book, the books are just getting better as time goes by.
GREAT JOB, WARDEN
Can not wait for the next ones to follow
I loved everything about this book the new characters, plots, storyline, everything.
The love story between John Matthew and Xhex is unbelievable, it's so good. He is one of my 3 favorites now. The side story of Qhuinn and Blay, cannot wait for their book, the books are just getting better as time goes by.
GREAT JOB, WARDEN
Can not wait for the next ones to follow
Robin M. (robinmy) -
Helpful Score: 3
This book picks up just a couple of weeks after the last. John Matthew vows to rescue his mate, Xhex, who was abducted by Lash and is being held in a room by a magical spell. Once free, Xhex joins the brothers in battling Lash and the Lesser Society, but refuses to admit her emotional connection to John.
The book concentrates on several relationships. Ward has written a very satisfying story for JM and Xhex. An interesting subplot is the relationship between Blay and Qhuinn. These best friends have been distant with each other since Blay admitted that he loved Qhuinn. Now Qhuinn is jealous when Blay decides he has to get on with his life, and starts a relationship with Qhuinn's cousin, Saxton.
Other subplots of the story is a flashback to Darius becoming friends with a young Tohr, and a story about a ghosthunters type reality show that feels out of place. But, it all ties together in the end of the book.
Can't wait for the next installment. Ward will have a hard time topping this book. My rating: 5 Stars.
The book concentrates on several relationships. Ward has written a very satisfying story for JM and Xhex. An interesting subplot is the relationship between Blay and Qhuinn. These best friends have been distant with each other since Blay admitted that he loved Qhuinn. Now Qhuinn is jealous when Blay decides he has to get on with his life, and starts a relationship with Qhuinn's cousin, Saxton.
Other subplots of the story is a flashback to Darius becoming friends with a young Tohr, and a story about a ghosthunters type reality show that feels out of place. But, it all ties together in the end of the book.
Can't wait for the next installment. Ward will have a hard time topping this book. My rating: 5 Stars.
Helpful Score: 3
I really enjoy BDB, but this wasn't a favorite. First, I was never that excited about John as a character, so I suppose that didn't help. Even though he's gone through transition, John is still just to young for me. He doesn't have the life experience to be a compelling character. But I do like Xhex.
The story line seemed pretty choppy and the overuse of the slang and lingo just had me wincing. Reminded me of when my son and his friends were little and would decide certain words/phrases were "cool" and then use them over and over until the rest of us were ready to scream. Waayyyy too corny for a writer of her talent.
What I missed most was the interaction of the other house members, especially the women. How could they tell John's story and all the issues he was going through, yet virtually no mention of his sister, who is living in the same house?
I did like seeing a bit more of Payne. Rather sick of the whole "Lessors" plotline, but even so - the storyline about Lash was just plain weak.
Plot holes and the way the story moves all over the place didn't help.
Even with all this, it was a "must read" for me as I do want to continue with the series.
The story line seemed pretty choppy and the overuse of the slang and lingo just had me wincing. Reminded me of when my son and his friends were little and would decide certain words/phrases were "cool" and then use them over and over until the rest of us were ready to scream. Waayyyy too corny for a writer of her talent.
What I missed most was the interaction of the other house members, especially the women. How could they tell John's story and all the issues he was going through, yet virtually no mention of his sister, who is living in the same house?
I did like seeing a bit more of Payne. Rather sick of the whole "Lessors" plotline, but even so - the storyline about Lash was just plain weak.
Plot holes and the way the story moves all over the place didn't help.
Even with all this, it was a "must read" for me as I do want to continue with the series.
Stacy W. (whatstacy) -
Helpful Score: 3
WOW! This is a great book! There is so much going on in this book, between the love affair with John and Xhex, to the emotional battle with Quinn and Blay, and the sneak peek into the other Brother Murhder. New characters are introduced and a lot of things are answered. This book reminded me of why i love this series so much that i want to go back and read the whole series over again. CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE!
www.texasreader-stacy.blogspot.com
www.texasreader-stacy.blogspot.com
