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erikawastaken's review against another edition
4.0
I have to say it, I miss when these books centered around one couple and their romance.
Similar to the last few BDB and the last Prison Camp book, the main couple feels like a side story. Because Balthazar was such an interesting character in the other books, I was looking forward to his book.
But if anything, this felt like Devina’s book. I feel like this series has gotten to the same place Supernatural did in later seasons. Eventually, you outgrow the bad guy and dealing with the larger issues needed to drive the plot; suddenly, you realize you’ve stepped away from the key component of those early seasons.
Similar to the last few BDB and the last Prison Camp book, the main couple feels like a side story. Because Balthazar was such an interesting character in the other books, I was looking forward to his book.
But if anything, this felt like Devina’s book. I feel like this series has gotten to the same place Supernatural did in later seasons. Eventually, you outgrow the bad guy and dealing with the larger issues needed to drive the plot; suddenly, you realize you’ve stepped away from the key component of those early seasons.
bookjunkie57's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
Lover Arisen
Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 20
I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: PW Public Library
Dates Read: 5/30/23 - 6/5/23
Stars: 4
Narrator(s): Jim Frangione
The Characters:
Balthazar :
Erika Saunders :
Devina, Lassiter, Vishous, Rahvyn, Nate
The Story:
Writing: Excellent. I never have a problem getting lost in this world. Even with characters that aren’t my favorites.
Forward Motion: Good. A lot happened in this volume. There were also references to an event in a previous book that I don’t remember or maybe haven’t read (I accidentally skipped The Viper). However, this moved along just fine and some interesting things are on the horizon.
Overall Interest: Good. I did do some zoning out but I think it always started as a result of me not remembering something in a past book. That’s the cost of a bad memory and a long series but I’m willing to pay for it.
Length of Reading Time: Fair.
Re-read-ability: I’ve been toying with the idea of a reread of the series. If it happens it will be included.
Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 20
I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: PW Public Library
Dates Read: 5/30/23 - 6/5/23
Stars: 4
Narrator(s): Jim Frangione
The Characters:
Balthazar :
Erika Saunders :
Devina, Lassiter, Vishous, Rahvyn, Nate
The Story:
Writing: Excellent. I never have a problem getting lost in this world. Even with characters that aren’t my favorites.
Forward Motion: Good. A lot happened in this volume. There were also references to an event in a previous book that I don’t remember or maybe haven’t read (I accidentally skipped The Viper). However, this moved along just fine and some interesting things are on the horizon.
Overall Interest: Good. I did do some zoning out but I think it always started as a result of me not remembering something in a past book. That’s the cost of a bad memory and a long series but I’m willing to pay for it.
Length of Reading Time: Fair.
Re-read-ability: I’ve been toying with the idea of a reread of the series. If it happens it will be included.
cats_coffee_chaos's review against another edition
3.0
Me 7 years ago would have really loved this book. Me today, just am not into all that sexual descriptions anymore. Minus the sex stuff, solid 3 star book. The story was good, the characters were great, and I did love the ending. But I don't know how I feel about Lash being back or how things with Raven went at the end when she just disappeared like that. And poor, poor Nate... but also poor Lassiter. Wow, Ward, you did your characters ugly at the end.
travelingbookiemonster's review against another edition
3.0
I honestly feel like I just keep reading these books out of duty. Like I can't stop reading them, not because they are all that great but because I need to see how this series ends. (If ever!)
The books aren't as spicy as I remember them being in the beginning. Not sure if that's the writing or just because BDB was my first dip into the smut pool & I've since become an Olympic smut swimmer?
Either way, I've already pre-ordered the next. Hopefully that story keeps me engaged more than this one.
The books aren't as spicy as I remember them being in the beginning. Not sure if that's the writing or just because BDB was my first dip into the smut pool & I've since become an Olympic smut swimmer?
Either way, I've already pre-ordered the next. Hopefully that story keeps me engaged more than this one.
katkinney's review against another edition
3.0
There is a lot going on in this 20th book of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. The Omega, defeated in a previous installment, may have found a way to come back to Caldwell in the form of a character we’ve seen before, who will be Devina’s match. Ward has hinted this would happen for years in her Q&A’s so longtime fans of the series will not be surprised by this particular development. There were lots of povs in this one. I found the Devina scenes entertaining… to a point. But much like with the Lesser scenes of previous books, after a while they start to take up a lot of page time and because she’s done some things that are really unforgivable, I’m not sure I want to cheer for her happy ending with anyone or read about her falling in love.
Our main couple in this book is Balthazar and Erika. The former is one of the Band of Bastards and Erika is a cop we were briefly introduced to in a previous book. I liked their storyline, which centered around demon possession and a quest to find a Book of Spells, just fine. I really liked both characters and wished we could have spent more time with them. Due to so many other story lines (Vishous, Nate, Rayven, Lassiter, Devina), they get comparatively less page time despite being the main romance, and we really haven’t had any development of their characters in the previous books since Ward has made the change over to writing standalones. Unfortunately this made their characters and love story read as a bit flat to me.
My favorite part of the book was the story arc involving Nate, Rayven and Lassiter. There were some interesting developments and revelations about Rayven and I liked how what happened in the book set up angsty situations for both Nate and Lassiter. 3/5 stars.
Our main couple in this book is Balthazar and Erika. The former is one of the Band of Bastards and Erika is a cop we were briefly introduced to in a previous book. I liked their storyline, which centered around demon possession and a quest to find a Book of Spells, just fine. I really liked both characters and wished we could have spent more time with them. Due to so many other story lines (Vishous, Nate, Rayven, Lassiter, Devina), they get comparatively less page time despite being the main romance, and we really haven’t had any development of their characters in the previous books since Ward has made the change over to writing standalones. Unfortunately this made their characters and love story read as a bit flat to me.
My favorite part of the book was the story arc involving Nate, Rayven and Lassiter. There were some interesting developments and revelations about Rayven and I liked how what happened in the book set up angsty situations for both Nate and Lassiter. 3/5 stars.
ladykelsier's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
mooreamyd's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bubbataylor's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
linsinbox's review against another edition
1.0
Well I have never given J.R. Ward only 1 star before, but I couldn't even finish this book. I can't stand the new "villain" Devina and I was so disappointed in the darkness of the story and the fact that the Brothers were basically MIA for the most part. After 20 books I feel like the Brotherhood books have lost their magic and I won't be reading them any longer.