Review: Dark Lover

Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, book 1) by J.R. Ward

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Dark Lover (1)

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.

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Review:

Dark Lover holds a very special place in my heart. It was on of the first Paranormal Romance titles that I actually went out and bought knowing it was a romance title. At that time I didn't think much of the romance genre. I had read a few Romantic Fantasy titles, and that was as far as I was willing to go. Then in my search for Urban Fantasy titles I stumbled across the Georgina Kincaid books, Night Huntress, and a few others that I enjoyed and realized where PNR titles. So I felt emboldened to venture into the foreign land of Paranormal Romance. After extensive research I decided that the Black Dagger Brotherhood was the place to start.

Oh, boy was I nervous. But it soon became apparent this was an Epic Paranormal Romance. The POV didn't just stay focused on the two leads. It changed between them and a multitude of fascinating characters. Not to mention the time spent with Mr. X, the evil villain of the Lesser Society. One thing I've always hated is an underdeveloped villain. I like to know what the bad guys are doing, what makes them tick, and such. Just like other aspects of great characters and a well developed world.

The slang is still something I have to get used to every time I pick up a BDB book, and I end up looking up a lot of the terms still. Even on this reread. But it helps to flesh out Ward's world and the characters. These legendary warriors of old are definitely modernized guys. Jamming out to rap and pop songs, embracing certain parts of the modern world. They're overly violent, but tenderly sweet. Sure it's unrealistic. There's some sexist issues that need to be addressed in later books. But that's kind of what the genre is about. But what I enjoyed is that while the males are alpha and they can say rude/stupid things they're not jerks. (Which seems to be what PNR leads have to be anymore. Jerks.)

I love that this book isn't just about the coupling of Beth and Wrath. There's a whole cast of side characters that are, well not really side characters. They're just as integrative as the couple of the book. Their stories are developing and I love that about this series. LOVE it. Not to mention that it helps to really flesh out the world. Give the couple of the book depth as we see them from other characters' perspectives.

This is still a unique take on vampires and I love how they don't prey upon humans. Oh, they can drink human blood and can be attracted to their blood. But to really survive they need the blood of a vampire of the opposite sex. Sun does hurt them, but watered down bloodlines can still go out into the sun. They can teleport! Use mind magic to light candles, close and lock doors, mind reading and wiping abilities, and basically move objects. (Which is a little hazy if that's a BDB trick or a vampire trick in general at this point.) Despite all those powers I enjoy that there are civilian vampires, who don't train as warriors and are basically “normal”. They are who the Brotherhood is protecting. Wrath is their King and while he isn't willing, it's nice that he eventually steps up. I enjoy that he doesn't want the role and that the weight of it is a responsibility that he truly understands. Will always strive to be worthy of. Thus starting a grand EPIC Paranormal Romance series.

Sexual Content: Sexual humor, dark themes are presented, almost rape, sexual abuse is talked about, and of course sex scenes.

 
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Dark Lover (1) Lover Eternal (2) Lover Awakened (3) Lover Revealed (4) Lover Unbound (5) Lover Enshrined (6) Lover Avenged (7) Lover Mine (8) Lover Unleashed (9) Lover Reborn (10) Lover at Last (11) The King (12) The Shadows (13) The Beast (14) The Chosen (15)	Dark Lover (1) Lover Eternal (2) Lover Awakened (3) Lover Revealed (4) Lover Unbound (5) Lover Enshrined (6) Lover Avenged (7) Lover Mine (8) Lover Unleashed (9) Lover Reborn (10) Lover at Last (11) The King (12) The Shadows (13) The Beast (14) The Chosen (15)	Dark Lover (1) Lover Eternal (2) Lover Awakened (3) Lover Revealed (4) Lover Unbound (5) Lover Enshrined (6) Lover Avenged (7) Lover Mine (8) Lover Unleashed (9) Lover Reborn (10) Lover at Last (11) The King (12) The Shadows (13) The Beast (14) The Chosen (15)