Author: J.R. Ward
Date of Publication: September 6, 2005
Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-Book
Buy This Book: Amazon
Synopsis: 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.
My Review:
After seeing this book everywhere and reading so much hype about it I decided it was finally time for me to hop on the bandwagon and see what this novel was all about. I had no clue what this book was about when I started but it was easy to figure out and I liked not having to think too hard about the plot. Overall I would say that I liked Dark Lover, it was fun and a nice escape from reality, but there were a few things about this novel that made me mark it down.
To start off on a positive note I really liked Beth, she was an enjoyable character and she didn't have that annoying chip on her shoulder that a lot of paranormal romance heroines do. I also really enjoyed the constantly changing perspectives, I've heard a lot of complaining about them but I thought they added a extra layer of depth to all the characters who weren't the at the center of the story. I think my favorite secondary character had to be Mr. X, a murder and vampire slayer his part of the novel was so different from the part focusing on Wrath and Beth I thought it added a nice contrast.
The number one thing that made me mark this novel down was Wrath and Beth's first meeting. No introductions, no talking, no getting to know each other, they just jump out of their clothes and start having sex. If there is one thing that irritates me to no end its "insta-love" and this book was a prime example of insta-love at its very worst. Then, not only did they have sex the very first time they meet they did it the second time they met as well, I felt like they hardly even talked to each other in between.
Wrath was a tricky spot for me. At first he was a major ass and I hated how he treated Beth but toward the end of the novel I started to warm up to him a little bit. His loving character at the end doesn't make up for how he acted like a serial killer in the beginning but I did like his personality a bit more. On a related note I just couldn't get over the names in this novel; Wrath, Rhage, Tohrment, Phury, I know they're supposed to be warriors but I just couldn't take any of them seriously, especially Zsadist.
I would say that I liked this novel, and I'm interested enough to pick up the next one someday, but it was far from one of the best novels I've ever read. I can see how huge fans of paranormal romance looking for an escape from reality would love this book so I would suggest giving it a try if you've got nothing better to read!
3/5
(Don't forget to enter my giveaway for Amy Queau's novel Progress! Click here!)
Great review, I've had this on my shelf since forever and have been meaning to get around to it. Good perspective for the book.
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