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137th out of 397 books
—
611 voters
Dark Lover: The First Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood (Collector's Edition) (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1)
by
J.R. Ward
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 their enemies-the lessers-more than Wrath, the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
The only purebred vampire left on...more
The only purebred vampire left on...more
Hardcover, 464 pages
Published
October 4th 2011
by NAL Hardcover
(first published September 6th 2005)
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3,000)
Mar 24, 2010
Mel
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Mel by:
Amelia and Stav
Shelves:
pnr
*channeling Johnny Cash *
"Six foot six he stood on the ground,
he weighted 235 pounds
But I saw that giant of a man brought down
to his knees by loooove."
A few dear Goodreads-friends pressured me into reading this and I must say: I'm pleasantly surprised (3,5 stars).
An interesting and unpredictable plot? Not really. Cliché? Very. Romance and sex? At times the romance was almost sappy and the sex was good but I actually had expected it to be hotter (it's quality people, not quantity!).
But des...more
"Six foot six he stood on the ground,
he weighted 235 pounds
But I saw that giant of a man brought down
to his knees by loooove."
A few dear Goodreads-friends pressured me into reading this and I must say: I'm pleasantly surprised (3,5 stars).
An interesting and unpredictable plot? Not really. Cliché? Very. Romance and sex? At times the romance was almost sappy and the sex was good but I actually had expected it to be hotter (it's quality people, not quantity!).
But des...more
Mar 23, 2012
KatLynne
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to KatLynne by:
Dhes, Jaynie, Dee & Dorsey
Picture of Wrath...Warning/GIF - Partial Nudity
(view spoiler)
Wrath - 6'6" - 270 lb Warrior Vampire - Raw male power - Intense - Aggressive - Tattooed - Deliciously erotic - Protective - Hard, ripped, well muscled body
I am always intrigued with the pictures my GR friends add to their reviews. Wanting to get an image of Wrath in those leather pants, I visited photo bucket and this is what I found. While there are no leather pants, I thought he was perfect:)
This is my first "ad...more
(view spoiler)
Wrath - 6'6" - 270 lb Warrior Vampire - Raw male power - Intense - Aggressive - Tattooed - Deliciously erotic - Protective - Hard, ripped, well muscled body
I am always intrigued with the pictures my GR friends add to their reviews. Wanting to get an image of Wrath in those leather pants, I visited photo bucket and this is what I found. While there are no leather pants, I thought he was perfect:)
This is my first "ad...more
87 likes · like · see review
"Wrath was six feet, six inches of pure terror dressed in leather. His hair was long and black, falling straight from a widow's peak. Wraparound sunglasses hid eyes that no one had ever seen revealed. Shoulders were twice the size of most males'. With a face that was both aristocratic and brutal, he looked like the king he was by birthright and the solider he'd become by destiny."
*sigh*
Fantastic start to the Black Dagger Brotherhood series!
We get the world building, the awesome characters, t...more
126 likes · like · see review
Jan 25, 2012
Ren
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
paranormal,
there-are-hot-men,
vampire,
had-translated,
tortured-hero,
fugly-translation-cover,
reviewed,
4-stars,
abused-character,
alpha-hero,
annoying-chara,
assasin-killer,
character-with-tattoo-and-piercing,
e-books,
immortal-warrior,
humor,
king-queen,
romantic-or-couple-cover,
sadistic-psycho-chara,
special-ability,
steamy,
virgin-heroine
UPDATE : Thanks for all friends and people who have like this review and commenting. Glad I can make you smile and laugh ^_^.
Black Dagger Brotherhood is masterpiece, and it will always be =)
My feeling right now :
Allright, this is the first book that start my love for BDB series, and when I know this book will be translated a year ago (at February 2010), I'm excited!!
Waiting 2-3 months later, no news...
Waiting 2-3 next months later, still no news...
And then at July, the publisher said that...more
Black Dagger Brotherhood is masterpiece, and it will always be =)
My feeling right now :
Allright, this is the first book that start my love for BDB series, and when I know this book will be translated a year ago (at February 2010), I'm excited!!
Waiting 2-3 months later, no news...
Waiting 2-3 next months later, still no news...
And then at July, the publisher said that...more
133 likes · like · see review
Feb 13, 2012
Annie the Destroyer *Leather Lust*
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
paranormal romance fans
God, so that's how the Black Dagger Brotherhood series starts out, huh? I am so bummed that I didn't start with this one. It only makes sense to read the series in order but at the time, I only had the sixth and seventh book on hand. Nevertheless, Dark Lover is as solid as ever.
Wrath, my man. This dude is so fucking hot, it's insane. He's so arrogant and aggressive. He's possesive and passionate. He's the best King in my mind. And Beth, where do I even start with her? She is so strong, even from...more
Wrath, my man. This dude is so fucking hot, it's insane. He's so arrogant and aggressive. He's possesive and passionate. He's the best King in my mind. And Beth, where do I even start with her? She is so strong, even from...more
82 likes · like · see review
Feb 21, 2011
Kat Kennedy
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
the-great-shelf-of-meh,
kat-s-book-reviews
I originally wrote this review in a more innocent time. A time, if you can imagine, when I was a lot less cynical and a lot more likely to give books a break.
So I did the obligatory drool over the Black Dagger Brotherhood men whilst expressing frustration at the multiple POV's (SO MANY!). I complained about the content and nature of Wrath and Beth's relationship but let it slide because, hey it was just some light-hearted fun.
A couple of years ago I was at my mother's house when a large, terrify...more
So I did the obligatory drool over the Black Dagger Brotherhood men whilst expressing frustration at the multiple POV's (SO MANY!). I complained about the content and nature of Wrath and Beth's relationship but let it slide because, hey it was just some light-hearted fun.
A couple of years ago I was at my mother's house when a large, terrify...more
87 likes · like · see review
Mar 19, 2013
Loederkoningin
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
goodreads-hype,
terrible,
gender-stereotypes,
creepy-love-affairs,
unintentionally-funny,
surprise-virgin,
not-well-written,
guilty-pleasures,
too-much-emphasis-on-glorious-looks,
too-much-sugar,
shouldve-donated-to-wwf-instead,
fluffy-romance,
everyone-liked-it-but-me,
f-m,
formulaic,
i-sinned-i-skimmed
You have got to be kidding me.
What author names her main characters, the members of the incredibly dark and dangerous black dagger brotherhood of vampire warriors....*inhales*
...Wrath, Tohrment, Vishous, Rhage, Phury and Zsadist?
And as if that isn't hilarious enough, Ward just doesn't get enough of superlatives to describe how extremely dangerous her vampires - a bunch of interchangeable Conan the Barbarian's - actually are. Allow me to quote:
"Rhage was a towering male, big, powerful, stronger...more
What author names her main characters, the members of the incredibly dark and dangerous black dagger brotherhood of vampire warriors....*inhales*
...Wrath, Tohrment, Vishous, Rhage, Phury and Zsadist?
And as if that isn't hilarious enough, Ward just doesn't get enough of superlatives to describe how extremely dangerous her vampires - a bunch of interchangeable Conan the Barbarian's - actually are. Allow me to quote:
"Rhage was a towering male, big, powerful, stronger...more
63 likes · like · see review
Apr 06, 2012
Buggy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
shelf-09,
top,
paranormal-rom,
shelf-08,
lit-boyfriend,
tortured-hero,
vampalicious,
scars-r-sexy,
re-read,
shelf-12,
tattooed-hero
Opening Line: "Darius looked around the club, taking in the teeming, half-naked bodies on the dance floor."
This is a beautifully done romance. Wrath is a sexy, tormented, to die for hero and Beth is simply perfect as his Queen. JR Ward has created a fantastic paranormal world with this series and I can guarantee you'll enjoy your time spent with the Black Dagger Brotherhood. DARK LOVER is ultimately addicting, sexy, erotic, funny and brash with an entertaining yet menacing cast of seriously alph...more
This is a beautifully done romance. Wrath is a sexy, tormented, to die for hero and Beth is simply perfect as his Queen. JR Ward has created a fantastic paranormal world with this series and I can guarantee you'll enjoy your time spent with the Black Dagger Brotherhood. DARK LOVER is ultimately addicting, sexy, erotic, funny and brash with an entertaining yet menacing cast of seriously alph...more
37 likes · like · see review
I was disappointed by this book. From the description, it sounded more like dark fantasy, but in practice, it's more like a romance novel of the cheesiest variety, only replace the generic pirate/naughty lord/auto mechanic human hunk with a vampire hunk. The dialogue was overwrought, and the behavior of the man/men in question was extremely stereotypical when it wasn't extremely implausible (even given that we are theoretically talking about men of a different and non-existent-in-reality species...more
61 likes · like · see review
May 12, 2012
Kelly-Jane
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Fans of The Dark Hunter and/or Feral Warriors series
3.5 stars
PLOT BREAKDOWN BITCHEZ.
Random shit.
Random shit.
Random shit.
Hero and heroine meet.
Hero and heroine feel sexual attraction LIKE NEVAR BEFORE.
Hero and heroine have sex moments - LITERALLY MOMENTS - after meeting.
Heroine discovers hero is kinda scary.
Heroine goes to scary hero's house to get some answers from scary hero.
Hero and heroine have sex.
Sex.
More sex.
Heroine learns a bunch of shit about vampires.
Hero confesses his love.
RANDOM SIDE STORY WHAT.
Heroine - SPOILER - makes the transition...more
PLOT BREAKDOWN BITCHEZ.
Random shit.
Random shit.
Random shit.
Hero and heroine meet.
Hero and heroine feel sexual attraction LIKE NEVAR BEFORE.
Hero and heroine have sex moments - LITERALLY MOMENTS - after meeting.
Heroine discovers hero is kinda scary.
Heroine goes to scary hero's house to get some answers from scary hero.
Hero and heroine have sex.
Sex.
More sex.
Heroine learns a bunch of shit about vampires.
Hero confesses his love.
RANDOM SIDE STORY WHAT.
Heroine - SPOILER - makes the transition...more
60 likes · like · see review
So I read this book after seeing it on many recommended lists.
I liked it, I didn't love it.
Things I liked.
1. The world which these novels inhabit. You can tell a lot of thought and energy went into the world building here.
2. The actual Brotherhood and the easy banter of the Brothers. They felt like comrades, brother-in-arms.
3. Beth. For once I liked the female character more than the male protanginist. She was smart, capable and although she fell madly in love with no reason at all (apart from a...more
I liked it, I didn't love it.
Things I liked.
1. The world which these novels inhabit. You can tell a lot of thought and energy went into the world building here.
2. The actual Brotherhood and the easy banter of the Brothers. They felt like comrades, brother-in-arms.
3. Beth. For once I liked the female character more than the male protanginist. She was smart, capable and although she fell madly in love with no reason at all (apart from a...more
33 likes · like · see review
Call this one a while drinking book review, because I'm not drunk, but I'm slowly working on a nice Thursday buzz. I mean, I've got stuff to do tomorrow, so I'm cut off before the real slurring starts. I wasn't going to write a review for this because there's so little to say about this book specifically. So I'll just do a quick and dirty review, and then noodle on about a few things later, so if you're just in for the quick and dirty, here it is, you dirty girl:
Dark Lover is your typical girl...more
Dark Lover is your typical girl...more
67 likes · like · see review
Oct 25, 2012
Elizabeth
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Elizabeth by:
Michelle, Jenn
What I was thinking the whole time is that the ideal reader of this book probably has that calendar, popular years ago, of a man with an incredible body, decked out in super-guy-trade-gear (e.g. firefighter, police officer, military, etc.) without his shirt and cradling a naked baby. On one level, the images have this very simple message that this tough guy is also a caring, nurturing soul. On another level, the image represents the new era of representation of sexual desire for women, because t...more
29 likes · like · see review
May 01, 2013
Anna
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Anna by:
Lisa Jayne
Shelves:
bff-buddy-reads-2013
Well hello there BROTHERHOOD
Goodbye ovaries !!!!!!
EPIC bestie read with Lisa Jayne ..... nothing to it/just do it <3
HOW DO YOU REVIEW A BOOK THAT ALREADY HAS OHH ... I DONT KNOW +50,000 REALLY AWESOME REVIEWS ALREADY??
THAT'S RIGHT
YOU DON'T
DON'T EVEN ATTEMPT IT SISTER SLEDGE....
YOU REALLY DON'T NEED TO BE SOLD ON THIS SERIES BECAUSE OF "THIS REVIEW". I WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH SOME EYECANDY AND VISUAL AIDS THAT HELPED SELL ME ON THIS SERIES!!!
I HAVE THE ..."ITIS" !!! THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHO...more
17 likes · like · see review
I have officially popped my Black Dagger Brotherhood Series cherry! And wow did I LIKE IT!!!!
Why the hell did I wait so long? Why have you? Still kicking this series around on your to read lists. I was just like you the sheer number of books in this series had me holding off starting. What a MISTAKE! The first book was easy reading, fast paced, exciting and fun!
You say you don’t do paranormal? Well these characters of the Black Dagger Brotherhood could be whatever J.R. Ward says they are and be...more
Why the hell did I wait so long? Why have you? Still kicking this series around on your to read lists. I was just like you the sheer number of books in this series had me holding off starting. What a MISTAKE! The first book was easy reading, fast paced, exciting and fun!
You say you don’t do paranormal? Well these characters of the Black Dagger Brotherhood could be whatever J.R. Ward says they are and be...more
17 likes · like · see review
I had this book sitting on my TBR for a while, but I wasn´t too compelled to read it because, quite frankly, vampires were always a bit too creepy for me. Anyway, I was finally convinced to give it a try and, thankfully, I was not disappointed. :)
I confess that the whole bloodsucking stuff is still kinda creepy to me - I know some people find it sexy, but I just don´t get it -, so I thank J.R. Ward for toning it down and not making such a big deal out of it. These BDB vampires are completely di...more
27 likes · like · see review
Jan 01, 2011
Elle
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
The seriously randy
Recommended to Elle by:
The general GoodReads population
It's your fault.
All you Goodreaders.
I was sucked in by the high ratings for this series. And the fact that I couldn't go anywhere on GR without this little red paperback popping up and waving at me. 'Read me. Love me. I'm totally worth it' blah blaaahh.
No.
Where were the characters???
Seriously. Where were they? WHY were they?
I could not for the life of me identify who was who and why they were there. And WHY did they fall in love? Are you, J.R.Ward, trying to sell me this idea of love-at-first-...more
85 likes · like · see review
Dec 31, 2009
UniquelyMoi *Dhestiny* BlithelyBookish
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
15 likes · like · see review
Jan 05, 2013
Sammy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Sammy by:
Shelly
I just completed my buddy re-read and realized I never wrote a review for the book that started my love affair with paranormal romance. The Black Dagger Brotherhood series is my absolute favorite paranormal series.
This book focuses on Wrath, the Blind King, and Beth Randal. Beth is the daughter of Darius. Darius asks a favor of Wrath. He wants him to help Beth in her transition from human to vampire when she reaches maturity. Events force Wrath's hand into helping Beth, but he is unprepared for...more
This book focuses on Wrath, the Blind King, and Beth Randal. Beth is the daughter of Darius. Darius asks a favor of Wrath. He wants him to help Beth in her transition from human to vampire when she reaches maturity. Events force Wrath's hand into helping Beth, but he is unprepared for...more
10 likes · like · see review
I remember a few years ago, being huddled around a table in the canteen, and talking about books with some of my friends. They were nigh on obsessed with this vampire hunting series, having bought all the books and swapping them between each other. I never got to borrow any copies (but then again I was kind of burnt out on vampires anyway), but the name did stick in my mind.
Some months later, I asked one of these friends about the title of the books she loved, and she said they were part of a se...more
Some months later, I asked one of these friends about the title of the books she loved, and she said they were part of a se...more
25 likes · like · see review
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
9 likes · like · see review
May 21, 2008
Daisiemae
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone, but I am probably the last person in the planet to finally read it...hee hee
Recommended to Daisiemae by:
All of my friends here...y'all were soooo right about this one:)
Okay, so it took me a while to get on the Black Dagger Brotherhood bandwagon. Some of y'all know that I went over 4 years without picking up a book, so when I started reading again in August, I was behind (and still am) with series books.
In all honesty, I put reading this book off because I thought I would expect too much from it. All of the hype about it leads you to believe that it is unfailingly awesome...well it was.
I loved both Wrath and Beth. In my opinion they couldn't have been matched...more
In all honesty, I put reading this book off because I thought I would expect too much from it. All of the hype about it leads you to believe that it is unfailingly awesome...well it was.
I loved both Wrath and Beth. In my opinion they couldn't have been matched...more
32 likes · like · see review
Mar 07, 2009
Felicia
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
vaginal-urban-fantasy
Errr I dunno. It's so hard to avoid the cliches of this genre, either the main female character is totally uptight, bitchy and ass kicking, or she's some limpid virgin whose loins throb at the sight of crazy tall dudes in leather.
I know people love these, and the writings pretty good, not sure I'm hooked though. I'll give it another try.
I know people love these, and the writings pretty good, not sure I'm hooked though. I'll give it another try.
17 likes · like · see review
Welcome to the Black Dagger Brotherhood! An elite group of vampire warriors charged with the protection of their race, and a sensational bunch of badasses.
OK so I can't resist this picture, but seriously, they ARE TOTALLY a bunch of badassess! Leather-wearing, weapon toting, hugely muscled, badasses - with attitude! But they are also incredibly honourable, and fiercely loyal, and it's impossible not to instantly fall in love with each of them!
Wrath is the leader of the BDB. A cold and brutally e...more
OK so I can't resist this picture, but seriously, they ARE TOTALLY a bunch of badassess! Leather-wearing, weapon toting, hugely muscled, badasses - with attitude! But they are also incredibly honourable, and fiercely loyal, and it's impossible not to instantly fall in love with each of them!
Wrath is the leader of the BDB. A cold and brutally e...more
13 likes · like · see review
ETA 3/28/12: I tried to re-read this again last night because Ward's been all over my updates. Oh man...updates in italics.
I won't rate this book because, even though I got 77% of the way through it, I didn't finish it. I love myself too much to finish it.
I didn't even get to 77% this time. Somewhere around 50% red lights started flashing and an automated voice was saying "SYSTEM MELTDOWN! SYSTEM MELTDOWN! ABORT MISSION!! ABORT MISSION!!!!"
I don't need to give a recap of the plot because it's be...more
I won't rate this book because, even though I got 77% of the way through it, I didn't finish it. I love myself too much to finish it.
I didn't even get to 77% this time. Somewhere around 50% red lights started flashing and an automated voice was saying "SYSTEM MELTDOWN! SYSTEM MELTDOWN! ABORT MISSION!! ABORT MISSION!!!!"
I don't need to give a recap of the plot because it's be...more
21 likes · like · see review
I should have known by the summary that this book would suck ass, but alas, I was blinded by that s*xy sounding name, Wrath. Curse Ms. Ward for being intelligent enough to make that up. With a name like Wrath, I was expecting some sensual sinning to take place, but all I got was a blind, leather duster wearing vampire thug who introduces us to ridiculous supernatural turf wars, rap music, and the f bomb. Even worse, the supposed world of sensuality began as a cable guy fantasy gone wrong. This b...more
54 likes · like · see review
Mar 07, 2013
Amanda
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone with an open heart and mind
Recommended to Amanda by:
Stranger In a Book Store
I wish that I could write a Review that would justify how amazing I thought this book to be and the series with it. I had no Idea about and never heard a word or whisper about J.R. Ward and her books. I was in a Walden's and was just browsing and this red paperback book caught my eye. I didn't get it down just looked at it for minute(this part is to me a testament of how great the series is)and this stranger to me came up and said oh it's so worth reading. So I bought it.
I won't lie it did set...more
I won't lie it did set...more
8 likes · like · see review
Re-read 4/1/12-4/3/12
I found my Wrath...
Just as good, maybe a bit better the second time around. I really like the vampire world that Ward had created. The vamps seem more believable, ha if you can believe that. Beth falls for Wrath rather quickly, but I guess when you know, you know. Still don't care to read the stuff about the lessers, but they are part of the story so therefore necessary.
First read 6/12/09
I am so glad that I finally started this series! I love me some Wrath!
I found my Wrath...
Just as good, maybe a bit better the second time around. I really like the vampire world that Ward had created. The vamps seem more believable, ha if you can believe that. Beth falls for Wrath rather quickly, but I guess when you know, you know. Still don't care to read the stuff about the lessers, but they are part of the story so therefore necessary.
First read 6/12/09
I am so glad that I finally started this series! I love me some Wrath!
20 likes · like · see review
5 BROTHERHOOD STARS.
Domineering, overprotective vampires, great storyline and plot, a gang of leather clad warriors, creepy bad guys by the dozen ...
YES, I can only have started the Black dagger Brotherhood series, and what a start it was. I was fairly reluctant to start this lengthy series, and I can only say I'm glad I have. What an amazing seven hours I have spend reading.
The chapters fly by filled with an exciting plot and lady loving vampires. This book has everything ~ Action, Irresistibl...more
Domineering, overprotective vampires, great storyline and plot, a gang of leather clad warriors, creepy bad guys by the dozen ...
YES, I can only have started the Black dagger Brotherhood series, and what a start it was. I was fairly reluctant to start this lengthy series, and I can only say I'm glad I have. What an amazing seven hours I have spend reading.
The chapters fly by filled with an exciting plot and lady loving vampires. This book has everything ~ Action, Irresistibl...more
16 likes · like · see review
Two words "Bloody brilliant!".
24 likes · like · see review
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Should I try these | 24 | 122 | May 21, 2013 05:47am | |
| which brother is your favorite? | 579 | 1204 | May 17, 2013 05:27pm | |
| The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series | 25 | 157 | May 16, 2013 01:29pm | |
| Lovers in Order | 4 | 49 | May 16, 2013 05:08am | |
| J. R. Ward (BLACK...: Dark Lover (Book 1) | 84 | 332 | Apr 28, 2013 01:52pm | |
| YA Buddy Readers'...: Black Dagger Brotherhood/Start Date:April 22nd | 14 | 17 | Apr 25, 2013 06:52am |
J.R. Ward is a New York Times and USA Today Best Selling author of erotic paranormal romance. She lives in the south with her incredibly supportive husband and her beloved golden retriever. After graduating from law school, she began working in healthcare in Boston and spent many years as Chief of Staff of one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation. Writing has always been her passi...more
More about J.R. Ward...
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“Welcome to the wonderful world of jealousy, he thought. For the price of admission, you get a splitting headache, a nearly irresistable urge to commit murder, and an inferiority complex. Yippee.”
—
2,555 people liked it
“You've won the evolutionary lottery: You're a vampire. Let's go to Disneyland!”
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