Tag: Fantasy

Calluna (Spell Library #4)

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Calluna by Jewels Arthur
Series Name: Spell Library
Genres: Angels, Contemporary, Elves, Fantasy, Magic, Paranormal Romance, Reverse Harem, Romance, Shifters
Intended Age Group: Adult
Publisher: Independent
Edition: Kindle
ASIN: B086GFHRZJ
Rating: 3/5
Amazon

Description

Calluna doesn’t buy into all the love junk she sees all over town. She’d rather spend her time working at her pet store Beastie Besties, where she’s recently been curing a slew of cursed animals. She’s determined to find the culprit and put a stop to the curses. Her goals do not change when she suddenly finds herself with multiple fated mates, and dark secrets come to light.

Personal & Info

I’m going to be honest. I don’t remember some of the serious story parts. However, I do remember most of the romance, which I think is the most important part of each book in this series. It’s been about a year since I read this, and this was the last one I read. So if I read more and review them, it’ll be from here on out.

Characters

Calluna is the main character. She’s something called a changeling. I’m not completely clear on all the lore for that, but I think in this case it means she was swapped with another baby.

Lars is Calluna’s friend, whom works with her at her pet store, where they treat cursed animals.

Landyn, I think he’s a griffin, and he works at a night club or bar, if I remember correctly.

Rhett and Damian, they are themselves a couple. Rhett is a fennec fox shifter, and Damian is a meerkat shifter.

Elias, I believe he is an angel.

Story & Thoughts

As usual for this series, I like the characters. They are always well defined and full of personality.

There are more lore dumps in this volume for how the world works. Rules about magic, some species laws, stuff like that. It makes the series feel more fleshed out. I love that stuff.

The writing style is a little different than previous volumes. This one rotates through all of Calluna’s mates at least once to help flesh things out. It gives a better idea of how the mate bond feels to each of them, and what their lives are like behind the scenes. It works well with the lore dumps to make them feel more natural.

At this point, four books into the series, I think it’s safe to say you never really know what you’re getting into. Violet and Lupine seem tame, and Juniper and Calluna are very sexual. Be ready for either possibility when digging into this series.

This one is a step up from Lupine, but not as good as Violet or Juniper.

I’m a little confused why Vampires are out and about during the day with nothing to say they were using any sort of covering like Bert does, which is specifically mentioned in the first book. There are two instances in here where different vampires are visiting somewhere outside their home in what appeared to be daylight hours, but nothing is specified about window coverings or what they are wearing to protect them from the sun. It seems odd.

I’m sad they never the epilogue never says what the men get for their tattoos, only Calluna.

Lupine (Spell Library #3)

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Lupine by Hanleigh Bradley
Series Name: Spell Library
Genres: Angels, Contemporary, Fantasy, Magic, Paranormal Romance, Reverse Harem, Romance, Shifters, Wolves
Intended Age Group: Adult
Publisher: Independent
Edition: Kindle
ASIN:  B086BKF1ZN
Rating: 2.5/5
Amazon

Description

Lupine, a wolf shifter, and an orphan herself, runs the Silver Springs Orphanage. She’s never felt like she truly belonged. Always overworked and stressed, she’s always busy taking care of the twenty unique children of the orphanage. None of them are human.

When the mafia comes to town and moves in across the street, will Lupine find a home and connection with the wolves?

Personal & Info

First of all, there is a disclaimer at the start of the book saying the author usually writes in British English, but is writing in US English for this particular series, and it asks readers to be patient with the occasional British slip. That’s all fine and good. I don’t mind that. However, with this knowledge, I became aware of how many slips there were. There were a lot. I think this book needed someone with US English as their first language to proof it. It would have been fine on its own, but as part of a series, it felt jarring.

I don’t have good notes for this one, so I’m not sure I’ll have much to say. I’ll do my best anyway.

Characters

Lupine, the main character, is a wolf shifter in charge of running the Silver Springs orphanage. I think she has one employee/helper, but I can’t remember their name. I don’t think they are important for the purposes of the review.

Wren, Rehan, Camden, and Kalen are all the love interests. They are wolf shifter mafia dudes who move in across the street.

Story & Thoughts

I like the story and the characters.

I don’t think this is good as Juniper or Violet. It doesn’t seem like there is much actually going on. The problems in the other books come across as more dire. This one is more slice of life with minor inconvenience.

The confrontation toward the end is resolved quickly. It’s obvious there is more to Lupine’s story, because the main issue isn’t even addressed in this book. It doesn’t occur here, which makes the story feel lacking. To try explaining it better, I feel like finishing this one only feels like reading half a book. I believe there’s another Lupine book in this series later on that deals with the part that isn’t addressed in this one.

I’m actually surprised about the love interests. When I hear mafia, I don’t think of guys like these. They seem more like yakuza than mafia. Is there a difference? I think there’s a difference.

I find it amusing all five of them piled into Lupine’s bed. I’m not sure how comfortable that would be, but I bet it’s cramped. It just goes to show how close wolves like to be to their mates.

Juniper (Spell Library #2)

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Juniper by Eva Delaney
Series Name: Spell Library
Genres: Comedy, Contemporary, Fantasy, Ghosts, Magic, Paranormal Romance, Pirates, Reverse Harem, Romance, Shifters, Vampires
Intended Age Group: Adult
Publisher: Independent
Edition: Kindle
ASIN: B086HG2WRC
Rating: 3.5/5
Amazon

Description

Juniper is in hiding from some allies turned enemies for taking some things that weren’t hers. When she decides to use some dark magic for a night of fun with her three favorite toys, things go awry. The toys become dildo shifters! The three being: a shy vampire, an 18th century pirate, and Shakespeare himself.

The spell only lasts until morning, so Juniper promises to show them a good time. But can she really stand to let them go? If she wants a real chance at a future with them, she must come out of hiding and confront her problems.

Personal & Info

Violet is good, so I am continuing the series. If you also read Violet, I do not recommend using that as an expectation for this book. Violet is cute and funny, and generally appropriate. This book goes in a completely different, erotic, direction.

Some of these have paperback copies available, but not all of them. I can only find Amazon links for them, so that’s all I’m listing.

I don’t have good notes for this one, so I’m not sure I’ll have much to say. I’ll do my best anyway.

Characters

Juniper, the main character, is a dark witch. She’s hiding from people in plain sight by not using dark magic, because apparently people can track that. She’s a thriving business woman in the sex toy industry. Her products are magically enhanced for all kinds of shenanigans.

Oscar, I believe he is the bookish vampire. He is my favorite in this volume. I resonate with him and want him for myself.

Sam is the pirate. I think he hogs most of Juniper’s attention.

Shakes is literally Shakespeare. I think they function under the logic he doesn’t LOOK like Shakespeare because he looks younger than the commonly seen pictures or something like that.

Alyssa, I think she is Juniper’s best friend, if I am remembering right.

Story & Thoughts

I actually think the first third of the book is difficult to read, because it seems like it’s trying too hard. By this I mean, throwing in as many sexual jokes and phrases as possible, to the point where they don’t make sense, or sound strange. Some of the humor is lost because of this. After the first third, the story finds its pace and gets better.

This book has more action in it than Violet. There are magic duels, for example. I think an entire street gets messed up because of one.

I can’t remember the finer details about the story events toward the end with the island and the other witches and warlocks or whatever you want to call them. What I do remember is the book is very erotic, like, maybe eighty percent erotic, and twenty percent actual deep story. I’m making up these numbers.

There are elaborate sex scenes scattered about. Three ways, guy on guy, almost anything you can think for them to do, they do. It’s not shy either, you might as well be reading a full blown erotica.

It’s incredibly obvious Juniper’s favorite guy is the pirate. They have the best chemistry of the three, and their personalities seem to compliment each other in a gravitational way.

Violet (Spell Library #1)

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Violet by Mia Harlan
Series Name: Spell Library
Genres: Comedy, Contemporary, Fantasy, Magic, Paranormal Romance, Reverse Harem, Romance, Shifters, Vampires
Intended Age Group: Adult
Publisher: Independent
Edition: Kindle
ASIN: B086HXCNHT
Rating: 4.5/5
Amazon

Description

Violet is a young chameleon shifter on the run. She’s spent the past year posing as her 80-year-old best friend in Silver Springs. No one can ever find out who she is or what she looks like or she might end up dead. Not even her three fated mates: a bear shifter, a vampire mage, and a troll cop. But that might be out of her control.

Personal & Info

I see a lot of ebook ads on social media. That’s where I found this one. The description was so out there and funny on its own that I added it to my wish list. I scroll through my wish list regularly for sales, and this one was free one day, so I grabbed it. I’m glad I did, too, because this book is glorious!

I am unable to find any hardcopies or listings on other major sites, so I’ve only listed the link to the Amazon kindle version.

It’s been a while since I read this, but I like to read this series every so often as a pallet cleanser when I need a break. At this point, I’ve read four of them (in the past two years), so I’d like to get reviews up for them so I won’t be missing any when I get around to reading more of them.

All of these books CAN be read as stand alone novels, but they do connect a little. The characters appear in other books, and the main connector is a novel that gets passed to each main character.

Characters

Violet, the main character, is a chameleon shifter. She impersonates her best friend to work at the library. Violet is in a bit of trouble, so nobody can know who she really is.

Violet, Violet’s best friend (yes there are two Violets), is a skunk shifter. Other Violet impersonates this Violet at work.

Liam is troll police officer. I don’t mean the jokester kind, he is a literal troll. He’s related to one of the old ladies that frequents the library.

Bert is Liam’s partner. He’s a vampire who chooses to work the day shift.

Cash is a wealthy vampire. His name is rather fitting when you think about it. I think he invented this world’s version of social media, if I remember right.

Nole is a bear shifter. He works at the library with Violet. I believe he has two brothers, but I probably won’t be mentioning them.

Story & Thoughts

This book has me laughing and giggling most of the way. The first half is hilarious

The story occurs within the span of only a few days. Day one, Violet is practically bombarded by men. I won’t say how, because that would spoil the comedy.

My favorite is Cash. I like his sense of humor the most, and he seems like the sweetest, in my opinion. No details on how or why, because I don’t want to spoil anything.

The story is not purely comedy, though. It gets serious in the second half, but the events practically fly by, so it doesn’t feel like the book itself is serious.

Both Violets get a happy ending, which is great. It’s not really a surprise though, because as a romance, a happily ever after is standard. I am a little surprised at the ending old lady Violet gets, though. That part caught me off guard, but good for her.

The general setting of the story intrigues me, but I have to wonder what humans see if they can’t see all the paranormal stuff.

I’m tempted to give Violet a perfect score, because, as a comedy, the rating system is a little different. I laughed a lot, which is good, but I feel like there is something missing from the serious section. I love this book. It’s a great break from the more serious fantasy I often read.

Rapture (Fallen Angels #4)

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Rapture by J.R. Ward
Series Name: Fallen Angels
Genres: Angels, Contemporary, Demons, Erotica, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Urban
Intended Age Group: Adult
Publisher: Signet/Penguin Group (USA)
Edition: Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-451-41479-3
Rating: 3.5/5
Amazon Barnes & Noble ThriftBooks

Description from the Book

Mels Carmichael, reporter for the Caldwell Courier Journal, gets the shock of her life when a man stumbles in front of her car outside the local cemetery. After the accident, his amnesia is just the kind of mystery she likes to solve, but she soon discovers they’re in over their heads with his past. Over their heads with passion too. As shadows walk the line between reality and another realm, and her lover’s memory begins to come back, the two of them learn that nothing is truly dead and buried. Especially when you’re trapped in a no-holds-barred war between angels and demons. With a soul on the line, and Mels’s heart at risk, what in Heaven – or in Hell- will it take to save them both?

Personal & Info

This is the most recent volume in this series I’ve read. After this one, the reviews will be posted as I read them, so the content will be more fresh in my mind. I believe I finished this one in July, so it’s not that far back.

Reminder, I’m reading these in tandem with the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by publication date, because that is recommended. They will be shelved this way in the index.

I’m keeping an eye out for any cross-overs with the Black Dagger Brotherhood, and there are a variety of things in this one. They are mostly small nods toward people and events. These are the ones I noticed:
-The farmhouse massacre is mentioned.
-Beth is mentioned at her previous work place.
-There is a brief implication of the Band of Bastards walking down the street.

Characters

Jim Heron, as usual.

Matthias is the soul to save. This is not a spoiler, because the context is intended to be vague, but the story heavily hints at him, and you learn fast who it is.

Mels is the love interest.

Adrian, Jim’s only angel assistant. If you’re wondering where Eddie is, you shouldn’t be here. Go read Envy, or whatever other volume you’re at. Adrian has a lot of character growth over this book and the couple before it. I didn’t like him in volume one, but now I think he is potentially my favorite character in this series.

Devina, also as usual.

Story & Thoughts

My thoughts at the start: I am not fond of Matthias. I can’t bring myself to care. I don’t think I will like this volume.

This is the kind of book I have to read slowly, one or two chapters at a time. Initially, I don’t like Matthias, so my prediction is I won’t like the story. I go into this expecting disappointment, and planning to read through it just to be able to get to the next book.

In the end, I find myself pleasantly surprised. As the story goes on, I get more sucked into it, and I grow to like Matthias. I didn’t think I’d ever like his character.

Story-wise, I think Matthias has an unfair advantage. He can remember what it is like to be in Devina’s wall, so he knows what awaits him if he doesn’t change and make the right choices. I suppose it’s not completely unfair, though, because Devina, knows him well, and knows how to manipulate him.

For a brief time, I thought Matthias might join the war. They have bounced around the idea of recruiting before, and his actions made me think, maybe.

I can’t say I agree with Jim’s final decision of the volume. It’s reckless and risky, but it could very well get rid of his primary distraction to make the rest of the game easier. Only time will tell if this is a wise choice.

There are some significant reveals, especially toward the end. We learn more about the mysterious creator.

Both this book and Lover Reborn address the after life. If you read them by publication, they are next to each other, and both point out that everyone’s afterlife, or hell, looks different. You can draw your own conclusions on what that means. I find it interesting they have the same theme and similar timing.

Trigger Warnings

Sexual themes and violence are the main ones for this series. Maybe torture, too. I can’t remember if there are others.

Lover Reborn (Black Dagger Brotherhood #10)

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Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward
Series Name: Black Dagger Brotherhood
Genres: Contemporary, Erotica, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Urban, Vampires
Intended Age Group: Adult
Publisher: Berkley/Penguin
Edition: Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-451-23828-3
Rating: 3.5/5
Amazon Barnes & Noble ThriftBooks

Description from the Book

Ever since the death of his shellan, Tohrment has been a heartbroken shadow of the vampire leader he once was. Brought back to the Brotherhood by a self-serving fallen angel, he fights again with ruthless vengeance, unprepared for a new tragedy. Seeing his beloved in dreams – trapped in a cold, isolated netherworld -Tohr turns to the angel Lassiter to save his former mate. The only way to rescue her is for Tohr to love another. As war with the lessers rages and a new clan of vampires vies for the Blind King’s throne, Torh struggles between an unforgettable past and a hot, passion-filled future. But can his heart let go and set all of them free?

Personal & Info

This is the most recent volume in this series I’ve read. After this one, the reviews will be posted as I read them, so the content will be more fresh in my mind. This one isn’t exactly fresh, but it is the freshest. I read it in May of this year, so the gap is only a few months, as opposed to being a year ago, like most of them were.

Qhuinn’s book is next, and I’m super excited to read that. I’ve been putting it off until I get caught up with these reviews for the previous volumes.

Characters

Tohr is the main character for this book. This is the first time in a while he is getting any solid attention. I’m actually surprised his book is occurring this soon.

Lassiter is important here, because he is guiding Tohr.

No’One, also known as Autumn, is Xhex’s mother, and the love interest. I will be referring to her as Autumn, because that’s a little less confusing.

John and Xhex experience some growing pains in their relationship now that they actually have a relationship.

Qhuinn and Blay’s plot building sections come to a head. Qhuinn’s book is next, and I’m excited to read it.

The Band of Bastards gains more significance as they plot. The BDB might have two enemy factions to contend with from here on out.

Story & Thoughts

I don’t agree with the premise for this one. Being forced to move on and stop grieving because your dead loved ones are essentially hostages with a time limit and it’s all your fault, I hate that. I mean, I get it if it’s because last rights haven’t been carried out, because that’s a common thing in multiple religions, but that’s not the case here. There are multiple criteria to be met to “free” them.

None of it is fair to Autumn. It’s like Tohr uses her and insults her throughout most of the book. Forcing a relationship on them that they are not ready for does not make for good story, nor does it make for a healthy relationship. We see Tohr’s less flattering sides often in this volume.

John and Xhex get a lot of attention here. It’s almost as much their book as it is Tohr’s. They have their first real fight as a couple, and it’s ridiculously blown out of proportion due to stubbornness on both sides. I think they are both wrong, but Xhex isn’t willing to so much as try to understand where John is coming from. Everything has to be her way or the highway, and that’s not how a relationship should be.

Regardless of those two things, I like the story. A significant amount of important plot things happen aside from Tohr’s romance. The book doesn’t feel bogged down by any perspective for too long.

If you are reading these in tandem with the Fallen Angel series, like I am, you are likely aware how angels like Lassiter function by now. However, I think this is the first time it’s stated that they are essentially solar powered in some ways. It’s definitely wise to read both to have a solid grasp on them as a species, if species is even the right word.

Trigger Warnings

I’m just keeping a running list of trigger warnings that have been in the series so far, from what I can remember. If you’re reading the series, or considering reading the series, and you have sensitivities, you might want to know these. The list so far: abuse, attempted rape, drugs, kidnapping, sexual themes, rape, and violence.

Envy (Fallen Angels #3)

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Envy by J.R. Ward
Series Name: Fallen Angels
Genres: Angels, Contemporary, Demons, Erotica, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Urban
Intended Age Group: Adult
Publisher: Signet/Penguin Group (USA)
Edition: Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-451-22945-8
Rating: 3.5/5
Amazon Barnes & Noble ThriftBooks

Description from the Book

As the son of a serial killer, homicide detective Thomas “Veck” DelVeccio, Jr., grew up in the shadow of evil. Now, on the knife-edge between civic duty and blind retribution, he atones for the sins of his father – while fighting his inner demons. Assigned to monitor Veck is Internal Affairs officer Sophia Reilly, whose interest in him is both professional and arousingly personal. And Veck and Sophia have another link: Jim Heron, a mysterious stranger with too many answers…to questions that are deadly. When Veck and Sophia are drawn into the ultimate battle between good and evil, their fallen angel savior is the only thing that stands between them and eternal damnation.

Personal & Info

I’m giving this book a small rating boost to be fair, since my reading frequency of it was erratic, so it took me longer to finish than normal. It’s nothing against the book, just life stuff getting in the way. It holds my attention just fine.

Reminder, I’m reading these in tandem with the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by publication date, because that’s what was recommended to me. They will be shelved this way in the index. I’m glad I’m reading them this way, because Veck is actually introduced in Lover Unleashed (#9). Envy picks up literally right where that book leaves off with Veck.

Characters

Jim Heron is obviously in every book since he’s the main character.

Veck is the soul to be saved.

Sophia Reilly is the love interest.

Adrian and Eddie retain their roles as Jim’s angel assistants here, as with the previous books.

Devina, obviously important since she is Jim’s rival.

Story & Thoughts

I like reading about Veck. He’s similar to Butch (from the BDB) in that he is a loose cannon cop, but they also have their differences. Veck’s father is an incarcerated serial killer, and he is terrified of becoming like him. He’s terrified that he might so much as have the potential to be like him.

Jim’s group seems to do very little. They appear to be trying different approaches. In this book, nobody is even sure Jim is real. I guess you could say he plays up the angel aspect of things. He leaves no footprints and doesn’t seem to exist. They have a history of good results when they are more involved in things, so I find this approach surprising.

I don’t agree with how the romance plays out. It feels forced to me. Veck and Sophia constantly say, “we won’t do this,” and almost immediately do exactly that. It seems more like lust and lack of self control than anything. I don’t like how easily manipulated Sophia is, either. It’s like she is looking for a reason the whole time.

Get ready for some heartbreak. Something tragic happens in this volume.

Overall, I like the story, and I’m curious to see if it’s going to affect anything in the BDB series since Veck first appeared there. It probably won’t, but you never know.

Trigger Warnings

Sexual themes and violence are the main ones for this series. Maybe torture, too. I can’t remember if there are others.

Lover Unleashed (Black Dagger Brotherhood #9)

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Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward
Series Name: Black Dagger Brotherhood
Genres: Contemporary, Erotica, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Urban, Vampires
Intended Age Group: Adult
Publisher: Signet/Penguin Group (USA)
Edition: Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-451-23511-4
Rating: 3/5
Amazon Barnes & Noble ThriftBooks

Description from the Book

A fighter by nature, a maverick when it comes to the traditional role of the Chosen female, Payne is cut from the same warrior cloth as her brother. And that’s before human surgeon Dr. Manuel Manello gets sucked into her dangerous world. Although he’s never believed in things that go bump in the night – like vampires – he’s more than willing to be seduced by the powerful female who marks him as her own. But as the two find so much more than an erotic connection, the human and the vampire worlds collide…just as a centuries-old score catches up with Payne and puts both her love and her life in deadly jeopardy.

Personal & Info

Based on my rating, this is one of the worst volumes I’ve encountered in the series. It’s a three, and yes, that’s not bad, but this one is a low three. Like, teetering on the edge of a high two.

I do think I should warn you, if you don’t like super corny plot devices, you might not like this volume. This book uses sex as a type of magical solution. It’s an erotica, so it doesn’t matter to me, but I know that kind of corny nonsense annoys some people.

Characters

Payne was introduced in the previous book, and she is the female lead in this one. I have a problem with how she is portrayed, though. She is built up to sound like a tough girl, as strong as any male, whom loves to fight. This book does not do her justice in my opinion.

Manny Manello is a surgeon, and the love interest for this volume. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because he used to work with Jane.

Vishous is significant in this one because Payne is his sister, so insert all overly protective brother tropes.

Jane is also significant here, because she and Manny are doctors, and Vishous plays a big part. This book is about as much about Jane and V as it is Payne and Manny.

Qhuinn and Blay’s stories get a little bit of attention here. They’re still building up for later.

Story & Thoughts

This book focuses more on relationships and interactions with the characters instead of combat or anything with the lessers. It seems like there’s been a long break from them. There were a couple “small” encounters with them in this, but that was about it, not nearly as much as in previous books. It’s actually a little baffling after a majority of books so far contained a lot of content involving the forelessers’ perspectives.

I don’t care much for all the Vishous and Jane drama in the first half of the book. I couldn’t wait for those sections to be over so I could get to the other characters. That same drama gets better in the second half, though. The resolution of it is the best part of that section.

I like the Manny and Payne sections, but at the same time they feel like nothing was really happening. The big issue concerning Payne builds up from the prologue and feels anticlimactic resulting in pretty much nothing. I don’t think they get enough screen time in their own book. The conclusion of their story also leaves me wanting. I feel like it was missing something

A new group of vampires is introduced in this volume as part of Payne’s past and comes to find her in the present. I’m not sure how I feel about them, yet.

I find it odd the entire book says Payne has eyes like diamonds, but the prologue says they are violet. That doesn’t make any sense.

Trigger Warnings

I’m just keeping a running list of trigger warnings that have been in the series so far, from what I can remember. If you’re reading the series, or considering reading the series, and you have sensitivities, you might want to know these. The list so far: abuse, attempted rape, drugs, kidnapping, sexual themes, rape, and violence.

Crave (Fallen Angels #2)

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Crave by J.R. Ward
Series Name: Fallen Angels
Genres: Angels, Contemporary, Demons, Erotica, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Urban
Intended Age Group: Adult
Publisher: Signet/Penguin Group (USA)
Edition: Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-451-22944-1
Rating: 3/5
Amazon Barnes & Noble ThriftBooks

Description from the Book

Seven deadly sins. Seven souls that must be saved. One more no-holds-barred battle between Jim Heron, a fallen angel with a hardened heart, and a demon with everything to lose.

Isaac Rothe is a black-ops soldier with a dark past and a grim future. The target of an assassin, he finds himself behind bars, his fate in the hands of his gorgeous public defender, Grier Childe. His hot attraction to her is a totally wrong place-wrong time kind of thing – and that’s before Jim Heron tells him his soul is in danger. Caught up in a wicked game with the demon who shadows Jim, Isaac must decide whether the soldier in him can believe that true love is the ultimate weapon against evil….

Personal & Info

Reminder, I’m reading these in tandem with the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by publication date, because that’s what was recommended to me. They will be shelved this way in the index.

Unlike the first book, I didn’t notice any subtle crossovers with the BDB. They might be there. If they are in this volume, I can’t tell. I don’t care if they are there. I’m just trying to keep an eye out for them.

Characters

Jim Heron is the main character for the series.

Isaac Rothe is a former coworker of Jim’s, and the person Jim attempts to save in this book.

Grier Childe is a public defender, and the love interest for the volume.

Adrian and Eddie are Jim’s fallen angel assistants, whom advise and teach him as the game proceeds.

Matthias is Jim’s former boss. He was vaguely introduced over the phone in Covet, and appears in this volume.

Devina was introduced in Covet as the first soul’s fiancée. She is the demon trying to manipulate the game in favor of darkness.

Story & Thoughts

I get the feeling all of the books in this series will be a little slow to start, because each book is going to have to introduce new characters for each mission. The new characters being the soul to save, and the love interest who will be important to ensuring success.

This one feels a little lax. It seems like Jim and his friends do a whole lot of nothing. Isaac and Grier significantly overshadow the fact this is a fallen angel themed story. It feels like reading a love story between a military man and a lawyer with little else going on. I guess Jim makes the decision to be more hands off than he was in the first book.

I think Adrian has some significant character growth between this and the first book. The time difference is only a few days, so it seems fast. I think I like his character a little more than I did in Covet. I hate them abbreviating his name as Ad, though, it sounds so dumb to me.

I’m baffled at how big a mistake the angel team makes. Either Nigel lied, or Eddie was given bad information. It makes me question the rules of the game. Jim even questions the rules of the game because of the mistake. That kind of mistake should not have been possible. I know this is vague, but I can’t fully vent the frustration of what I’m talking about without spoiling a major plot point.

Trigger Warnings

Sexual themes and violence are the main ones for this series. Maybe torture, too. I can’t remember if there are others.

Lover Mine (Black Dagger Brotherhood #8)

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Lover Mine by J.R. Ward
Series Name: Black Dagger Brotherhood
Genres: Contemporary, Erotica, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Urban, Vampires
Intended Age Group: Adult
Publisher: Signet/Penguin Group (USA)
Edition: Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-451-23155-0
Rating: 3.5/5
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Synopsis from the Book

John Matthew has come a long way since he was found living among humans, his vampire nature unknown to himself and to those around him. After he was taken in by the Brotherhood, no one could guess what his true history was – or his true identity. Indeed, the fallen Brother Darius has returned, but with a different face, and very different destiny. As a vicious personal vendetta takes John into the heart of the war between vampires and their enemies, he will need to call upon both who he is now and who he once was in order to face off against evil incarnate – and rescue his one true love.

Personal & Info

If you weren’t looking forward to this volume, you’re probably lying. John has had plot building going on in the background of almost the entire series, and his sections have been some of the most alluring. I was impatient to get here.

There is a coded message before chapter one, and after the end of the last chapter. I’ll translate for people who don’t have the Insider’s Guide, which has an alphabet decoder in it. The code at the beginning says, “XHEX,” and the code at the end says, “JOHN MATTHEW.”

Characters

John Matthew finally gets his own book after being introduced in volume two.

Xhex, the love interest, experiences a lot of trauma and recovery. It’s similar to what Bella experienced, but a lot worse. Sex plays a big part in the recovery, which may not make total sense, but it’s fiction/fantasy and vampires, so whatever. If she needs good sex to recover from trauma sex, who am I to question fiction/fantasy erotica logic.

Lash is the most threatening villain so far, in my opinion.

Qhuinn experiences frustrations.

Blay starts dating, good for him.

Payne is introduced in this book. She spars with Wrath because she is not like other Chosen. Her book is next.

Story & Thoughts

I like this book, but I think there are things that could have been done differently to make the story and characters a little better.

We get a lot of Darius and Xhex backstory in this one. I like how it ties together with the current story involving John and Xhex. However, it can be considered a little weird. If you don’t see it, I’m not going to point it out.

I don’t like how Xhex, essentially, what did she call it, “chicked out.” That seemed out of character for her. She goes through a lot of trauma and stuff in this volume, but it’s like her whole personality tweaked and she became similar to all the other girls, at least for a little while. The balance of her vulnerable side versus her tough side seemed uncharacteristically different. I didn’t think she’d change THAT much after how she handled herself.

Lash’s part in the story feels anticlimactic. It seems necessary in order to tie up the story neat and tidy, but I just don’t find it satisfying.

Blay and Qhuinn’s sections feel more solid than John and Xhex. I found myself disappointed to only see glimpses of their story. I’m impatient to see more.

Kidnapping seems to be a running theme in the series. This is at least the third time someone has been kidnapped in proximity to the Brothers. I’m sure it probably won’t be the last.

Notable Issues

There are inconsistencies with John’s hair. This whole thing takes place over, maybe, a few days. The beginning of the book says he has a buzz cut, shaved bald, basically. Later on, fingers are run through his, “thick hair.” There’s no way his hair would have grown long enough for that in that time period.

I’m not sure what the ghost hunter parts have to do with anything. I get it’s probably a set up for later, but it seems so random and out of place throughout the book. It drags the story, and makes me get that, “why am I reading this,” feeling. I don’t care about the love life of two ghost hunter TV people. The parts that are likely to be important later are so small, I think the entire sub-story could have been cut. What Xhex sees on TV is probably enough.

Trigger Warnings

I’m just keeping a running list of trigger warnings that have been in the series so far, from what I can remember. If you’re reading the series, or considering reading the series, and you have sensitivities, you might want to know these. The list so far: abuse, attempted rape, drugs, kidnapping, sexual themes, rape, and violence.