Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood) (Black Dagger Brotherhood): Black Dagger Brotherhood, Volume 6 (Black Dagger Brotherhood Series) [Paperback]

I had trouble rating this novel purely because it was not at all what I was expecting. With her latest in the Black Dagger Brotherhood (BDB) series Ward moves the goalposts slightly. Unlike its predecessors, Lover Enshrined leans more towards the Fantasy element and veers from the Romance.

Previously Phury took on the role of Primale, meaning he was responsible for the repopulation of the brotherhood. He was 'given' Cormia as his First Mate, the first of 40 whom he was expected to impregnate. Here he and Cormia are politely estranged though living in the same house and have yet to get down to the task in hand. She is written to be the light to his dark and they are nicely contrasted. Cormia is likeable, sweet and inexperienced. The novel maps her journey from her celestial white-world into Phury's technicolour hurly-burly. Phury's drug addiction is worsening and we learn that he has an internal schizophrenic voice to whom he listens. Ward writes his character so vividly and so effectively that it is difficult to find fault with him. Other reviews have said that Phury seems to be a different character in this novel to others. Contrary to this I have always seen him as the most mysterious of the warriors, with the most potential for inner-turmoil; Lover Enshrined merely gives further insight to the enigmatic character. He almost rivals Zsadist, his twin, in this sense (see Lover Awakened).

Whilst these characters begin to fall in love, the war between the Lessers and the Vampires is worsening. We learn that The Omega has a son who has infiltrated the brotherhood and the latest flock of warriors (John, Blay and Qhuinn) begin to come into their own. Zsadist and Bella are the only recurring main characters given time in LE and we follow her pregnancy. Phury's obsession with his twin's shellan (wife) has never sat comfortably with me and his abrupt shift of affection seemed a little clumsy. There are a lot of characters, sub-characters,plots and sub-plots to follow, perhaps too many to fully appreciate on a first reading.

In summary: Lover Enshrined is a good read with interesting and edgy characters, and plenty of new developments. My only criticisms are that it is perhaps too long (around 600 pages) and would have benefited from being split into two volumes with more focus on certain elements. The other thing that I would note is that many of the characters from the first five books are sidelined here and we see very little of them and the book is the worse for it.

Note: If you are new to the BDB series you cannot start with Lover Enshrined, there's too much to catch up on. Start with Dark Lover and work your way through; all of the first five novels have a distinctly more Fantasy-Romance flavour.

*****You will be disappointed if you read the BDB series purely for the romance factor because it really is marginal to the bigger picture presented here.*****

I'm frustrated in how to start this review for I'm torn in two. At one hand I want to rave about the second generation brothers and because we are heading for exciting times plot wise but the romance is subdued to a minor voice. So where to start this review...at the beginning anyone would say, so that is where I'll start.

The beginning of LOVER ENSHRINED is one that opens up with a whole can of trouble as The Omega takes the war between the Brothers and the Lessers in to a new direction. With an intriguing prologue J R Ward gives an appetizer for what is to come and with flipping to the next page I was confronted with Phury and his reason for his red smoke addiction. I soon found out that behind the exterior of his gentleman-like-behavior there hides a tortured warrior that is desperate for a lifeline. Though "The Wizard" was not really my thing I could feel Phury's pain radiating from the pages still I also feel that his addiction is a bit overdone and makes Phury look weaker. The need that drives Phury to help others is not always appreciated or wanted and it results in a friction between him and Zsadist.

With Cormia J R Ward struck an innocent cord with me and I loved her discoveries of movies, the swimming pool and food. She is above all a gentle woman that loves to help those in need and for that she understands Phury so well. They seem to have a connection together but they do not go further than causing a spark and a sizzle here and there as again the romance feels rushed and doesn't have a lot of pages in this novel. Phury's tormented feelings and Cormia's own insecurities make them outward almost distant of each other, while their inner struggles speak of such a different tale. This made it difficult for me to get connected to their journey of love and in the end I did not witness that all consuming love that makes my heart sigh in appreciation.

The no.1 in this novel that will keep you reading on and on was the plot. As Qhuinn, Blay and John Matthew grow more comfortable in their own skin it is the sense of change that vibrates through the pages, luring you to keep on reading and that is what I did. The second generation brothers get tighter and tighter together as more is revealed about them and they just made my heart pound in anticipation. Qhuinn, Blay and JM are being readied to enter the Black Dagger Brotherhood but there are also many events that make you witness that male bonding which I loved so much with the original BDB Brothers.

When the war with the Lessers is entering a new chapter keeping everyone on their toes we also get to know more about Rhev, we follow Bella and her pregnancy and we get to meet Lassiter. The various storylines intertwine together and give an intriguing read altogether. Still with Phury and his struggles something is laid bare that I did not expect. It is with the actions of the Brothers towards one of their own in his greatest hour of need, that felt out of character and did not sit well with me. The whole Black Dagger Brotherhood magic seems to have passed on to the second generation and was emphasized by lack of interactions among the Brothers.

The Omega turns the scale in to his favor and the ripples of one action doesn't seem to end and with this J R Ward shows her talent that once more she could surprise me at various moments of this BDB episode. Though she gave me new things to discover, new characters to meet, plot intrigues to unravel it was the underdevelopment of Phury and Cormia's love that couldn't lift this story to the great heights of the first few novels. I was hoping to get caught in a soaring romance and perhaps Phury and Cormia are not this kind of couple together but I missed heat, I missed need....wanting, I missed the absolute hunger of a Black Dagger Brother for his Shellan.

It is with LOVER ENSHRINED that the author created a vibrant plot that speaks of intriguing twists and turns which I enjoyed myself with but I'm also sad for I feel I need to say goodbye to something unique within this series and let go of further expectations of a soaring romance included in the BDB stories.

Reviewed by Leontine
Courtesy of Realms On Our Bookshelves

I hardly know what to say! I was hooked from Dark Lover to Lover Revealed. I don't know what's happened. She just seems to have 'lost her Mojo' somehow. Maybe she's gathering her strength for next lot.

WHY I'M DISAPPOINTED?

1) Because the storyline was everyone else's EXCEPT Phury's. I agree with some of the other reviewers that it read like a 'middle book' or bridge to the next in the series. His story was - I hate to say this - BORING!

2) Because Cormia just worked my nerves until she started standing up for herself, but that took SOOOO LOOOONG!

3) Because I think the Wizard was someone we should have been introduce to a little earlier on in the series. I didn't like that surprise.

4) Because I ended up having little empathy with Phury's character, except when he was treated badly by his family as a child and maybe he feels he has nothing to hang on to since he no longer had to take care of Zsadist.

5) Because he started taking heroin. In Lover Awakened, he almost succumbs to it and we breathe a sigh of relief when John Matthew inadvertently stops him. He's so grateful, so it's surprising when it pops up so vehemently again - and becomes a feature! Doesn't make sense...

6) Because he's thrown out of the Brotherhood - until he gets help! Everyone else gets help within the Brotherhood. Why couldn't the Brothers have tied him up in the Tomb and made him go Cold Turkey? That would have been a great storyline.

7) Because this Lassiter (Angel) bod, thinks he can just 'join' the BDB. Who is he?

8) Because the Scribe Virgin is becoming somewhat redundant.

Nah! Doesn't work for me...

This book just didn't stand alone like the first four did. It's a continuation of Lover Unbound. One reviewer thought it was 'HOT!' Good lord, woman! What have you been reading!!?? Have you read the first four in the series!? You'd spontaneously combust!!

WHY I GAVE IT 3 STARS?

1) Because of the 3 new 'little brothers': John Matthew, Blay and Qhuinn. I'm looking forward to their adventures - especially regarding the Lash situation.

2) Because Rhev's dark weirdness has made me curious. How does he fit in?

3) Because I'm dying to read Qhuinn's story. Can hardly wait to see what JR will come up with for THAT one...

4) Because JR is STILL the UNDISPUTED QUEEN of erotic suspense. That 'thing' between John Matthew and Xhex? Now THAT was hot!!!

Apologies for the lengthy review but I had to end on a good note...