I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Lover Reborn
by
J.R. Ward
paranormal romance in Hardcover edition that was published by New American Library (NAL) on March 27, 2012 and has 572 pages.
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Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Dark Lover, Lover Eternal, Lover Awakened, Covet, Crave, Lover Revealed, Lover Unbound, Lover Enshrined, Lover Avenged, Lover Mine, Lover Unleashed, Envy, An Irresistible Bachelor, Leaping Hearts, His Comfort and Joy, Rapture, Lover at Last, Possession, The King, The Shadows, The Bourbon Kings, Blood Kiss, The Beast, Blood Vow, The Chosen, Blood Fury, “Dearest Ivie”, The Thief, "The Reception", "The Rehearsal Dinner", Consumed, The Savior, Blood Truth, Where Winter Finds You, The Sinner, A Warm Heart in Winter, Claimed, The Wolf
Tenth in the Black Dagger Brotherhood paranormal romance series revolving around an elite force of vampire warriors tasked with guarding the Blind King in modern-day Caldwell, New York. The couple focus is intense on Tohrment and No’One working out their particular issues. A lesser focus is on John Matthew’s realization that he can’t bear the thought of something happening to Xhex. A betrayal on his part.
In 2012, Lover Reborn was nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Vampire Romance.
My Take
A good story, but I was a bit disappointed. There was very little action involving all the brothers and I was dismayed that Ward’s usual use of slang amongst the boys was missing. I suspect the changes are simply due to the “changing of the guard” with Ward splitting her efforts between John and Xhex’s problems and the tidy-up of Tohrment and No’One’s issues. A finishing off of the older traumas with the next installment likely to concentrate on Qhuinn and Blaylock, the younger recruits.
Ward provides the back history on Tohr and Wellsie’s married life as well as the trauma that scarred No’One’s — something a history nut like myself always appreciates!
I don’t understand why Butch isn’t helping eliminate the lessers. Ward established that Butch’s power kills them off without their “power” returning to the Omega. That it weakened him. So, why isn’t Butch out there?
Rhage cracked me up with his dance moves when the boys are trying to convince John to be reasonable! I could read that bit over and over.
Ward has expanded on Xcor’s role in the series and added some crucial tweaks to his perspective and she has added a new problem in Assail. Throe has his own particular problems with Xcor, not the least of which is changing to suit the times.
The Story
It’s suicide by battle for Tohrment. He can’t kill himself lest he not pass into the Fade, but he certainly doesn’t object to increasingly treacherous situations. When Xcor comes out to play, it simply makes battle more interesting.
But it’s the insecurity of battle that has John raging out of control, forbidding Xhex from participating. Oh no. Not gonna happen. This is one female who can take care of herself and she is so outta here.
The main issue before the Brotherhood is Xcor’s plan to supplant Wrath as King forcing Wrath to hit the campaign trail and make nice to the Council and all the glymera. Admittedly, the hit by the Lessening Society is a strong marketing point for Xcor and his Band of Bastards, but surely, even the glymera will see the truth of Xcor.
The Characters
It’s been over a year since Wellsie‘s murder and Tohrment simply wants to die that he may join her and their unborn baby. He isn’t feeding. He barely sleeps. He simply cannot let his love go. Lassiter is, I suspect, a bad angel. He’s on probation and will be doomed if he can’t save Wellsie’s spirit and aid in Tohrment’s continued existence.
No’One has been punishing herself for centuries. Taking the lowest, most menial tasks. Covering herself as completely as possible. Wearing colorless, rough fabrics. Now, she’s putting herself out to help rescue Tohr in gratitude for his care of her daughter.
Son of Darius and foster son to Tohrment, John Matthew is mute, communicating with ASL. Wellsie’s death impacted him as well, but his recent marriage to Xhex (Lover Mine) has renewed his joy in life. Qhuinn is John’s guard and friend, oathed to protect him no matter what. It’s all Qhuinn has in his life for his parents disowned him for his imperfections and his part in Lash’s death (Lover Enshrined). Blaylock once made up the third in their triumvirate of friendship until his relationship with Saxton began and broke Qhuinn’s heart.
Xhexania is a product of rape between a glymera and a symphath. Abandoned by her mother, Xhex has worked as an assassin for centuries. John has promised that their mating will not affect her being able to fight. He promised. Trez Latimer and iAm are twins, Shadows; Trez runs the Iron Mask and iAm handles the cooking at Sal’s when he isn’t helping Trez. He’s cool with Xhex coming back to work for him.
Cameo appearances with Rhage and Mary, Payne, Zsadist and Bella, Phury and Cormia, Butch and Marissa who is still running the women’s shelter, Rehv and Ehlena, and Vishous with a bit more from Wrath, his seeing-eye dog George, and Beth; the ghostly Doc Jane; and, Manny. Fritz Perlmutter is doggen and in charge of the household and its staff.
Xcor is a brutal vampire and soldier who has come over to America from the Old Country with his Band of Bastards intending to incite a coup d’état against Wrath. His men include Throe, a former glymera who proved his abilities; Zypher; Balthazar; and, Syphon. Elan is on the ruling Council and has different ideas. Assail is a wily, clever glymera slowly taking over the drug trade in Caldwell. It’s the Brothers’ fault that the Chosen, Layla, commits treason and falls in love.
The Lessening Society is a group of humans who have given up their souls to the Omega, a godlike being from another plane of existence, in order to destroy all vampires. Each member, each lesser, gives up their full name being known only by the first initial of their last names and is supported by the Society for the rest of their almost-immortal lives.
The Cover
A wide range of metallic oranges from a cloudy swirl at the base up to what appears to be an elaborate swirl of a tail with a very angry looking Tohrment glaring out. And a very tacky looking dagger hilt intersecting the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
The title speaks truth for this is all about Lover[s] Reborn.
