Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #6)

by J.R. Ward

book data

2,118 ratings, 4.03 average rating, 272 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		40%
4		32%
3		19%
2		6%
1		1%

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published

June 3rd 2008 by Signet

binding

Mass Market Paperback, 534 pages

url

http://www.jrward.com

characters

Phury, Cormia

setting

The United States

isbn

0451222725 (isbn13: 9780451222725)

description

In this "frighteningly addictive" paranormal romance saga, there's a war raging between vampires and their slayers. Here are the stories of...more

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06/08/08

Laura rated it:

bookshelves: darkurbanfantasy

recommends it for: fans of urban fantasy

Auntee, you were right. This novel is unlike any other in the BDB series. I would call it a major work of urban fantasy. But not really a paranormal romance. If you consider the romantic story of Phury and Cormia to be the main plot (because of the title), it only takes up about 15% of the book. The rest of the book is composed of 10 or more subplots. Yes, this is a very, very busy novel. *grin*

Okay, back to Phury and Cormia. Because Ward’s other novels are PNR you get even...more Auntee, you were right. This novel is unlike any other in the BDB series. I would call it a major work of urban fantasy. But not really a paranormal romance. If you consider the romantic story of Phury and Cormia to be the main plot (because of the title), it only takes up about 15% of the book. The rest of the book is composed of 10 or more subplots. Yes, this is a very, very busy novel. *grin*

Okay, back to Phury and Cormia. Because Ward’s other novels are PNR you get evenly spaced sex scenes and satisfaction fairly soon. Not so with this one. Ward does something in LE that I have never seen before. She takes the first sex scene with Phury and Cormia and spreads it over 2/3 of the book, breaking it up with cliffhangers. Seriously, I kid you not. Cliffhangers in one sex scene. Can you spell FRUSTRATION?

I lost count how many times Phury and Cormia started to have sex for the first time. He would penetrate a little bit. Then change his mind and pull out, leaving her a virgin. I got to the point where I wanted to tell Cormia: “Girlfriend, the next time Phury does that, grab the Brother by his shoulders, push hard, and impale yourself! Just do it!” Dear Goddess, I know these characters aren’t real, but I am, and I need RELIEF! *big smile*

It’s kinda like when you’re in high school and college. I don’t know if you did this, but I grew up in the Appalachian Mountains, and this is what mountain girls do. When we find a guy we like enough to have sex, we did it in stages. Remember that? One date we’d let him get to “first base.” The next date “second base,” then “third base,” then we’d let him hit a “homerun.” Well, let me warn you. Phury and Cormia have many more “bases” than four in their relationship. And when they finally hit the “homerun,” they make a heartbreaking, agonizing mess out of it. In fact theirs is no easy relationship. The word that comes to mind is PAINFUL (yes, in all caps).

But, you know what? The HEA ending is so incredibly sweet it makes it all worthwhile. Lots of wonderful changes lead up to it, too. As a fan of Phury, I couldn’t be happier with how things turned out with Cormia. This alone makes the entire novel worthwhile for me.

I’m not going to say more, because this novel is packed with surprises in all the subplots, so no spoilers from me. However I do want to say something about the condemning voice in Phury’s head. The one he calls the Wizard. I believe Ward uses the Wizard as a metaphor for the condemning voice in the head of every child who has been emotionally and verbally abused. It’s composed of all the horrible things your parents ever said to you. It’s also composed of all the love you were denied. Trust me, all abused children hear that voice, and it doesn’t go away when you grow up. The good news is you can silence it, and it’s simpler than you think. All you have to do is realize the truth: the Wizard is a liar. Talk back to that voice, call every condemning comment a lie, and the Wizard will eventually shrink and disappear. This voice is not exclusive to addicts. Every addict I’ve ever known started out as an emotionally or verbally abused child. That’s where it starts. How your life turns out depends on how much you listen to and believe the lies the “Wizard” tells you 24/7. Yeah, the Wizard never shuts up, until you shut him up.

IMO this novel is a major literary accomplishment for Ward in the genre of urban fantasy. If you haven’t read it yet, all I can say is buckle your seatbelt. You’re in for a wild ride!! *big smile*
(less)

Like this review? yes (16 people liked it)

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06/04/08

Julie (jjmachshev) rated it:

bookshelves: 2008-reads

Read in June, 2008

recommends it for: All BDB fans

Well, Ward has done it again. I just couldn't put this book down once I started. There was so much going on, it was non-stop from the first chapter! There have been lots of complaints about Ward's books and her characters, and where the series is going. I, for one, kind of enjoy the fact that I don't expect the series to go in any certain way. I like s/f, I like fantasy, and I like romance. This series, once again, just speaking for myself, seems to be a blend of all three and it works for...more

Like this review? yes (9 people liked it)

4 comments

02/26/08

Auntee rated it:

bookshelves: keepers, paranormal-romance

Read in June, 2008

recommends it for: Fans of BDB series

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Wow! This one was unlike any of the others in the BDB series. It didn't focus so much on the romance between the H/H (Phury and Cormia), as the other books in the series did, and at first I missed that. This was more about Phury coming to grips with his past, and his ability to finally forgive himself and allow himself the freedom to love and be loved. It was also heart wrenching at times to watch Phury battle with his drug addiction, which he had for (hundreds!) of years! At times Phury's ...more Wow! This one was unlike any of the others in the BDB series. It didn't focus so much on the romance between the H/H (Phury and Cormia), as the other books in the series did, and at first I missed that. This was more about Phury coming to grips with his past, and his ability to finally forgive himself and allow himself the freedom to love and be loved. It was also heart wrenching at times to watch Phury battle with his drug addiction, which he had for (hundreds!) of years! At times Phury's self destructiveness and hero complex did grate on my nerves, but at least the author took the time to reveal his heartbreaking back-story, so I could see the motivations for his actions. And when Phury finally got his act together and allowed himself to accept Cormia's love, it was a beautiful moment and brought tears to my eyes.

This was also a transitional book, setting in motion what is to come later in the series, with not many plot points being resolved. The plot about the future BDB brothers, John Matthew, Qhuinn, and Blay, and their close friendship, was especially interesting to me. Qhuinn's horrible treatment by his family, was especially disturbing and sad. (They shunned him due to his mismatched eyes? (One blue, one green) Haven't they ever heard of David Bowie? lol! And the friendship that blooms between Blay and Qhuinn reminded me much of V and Butch, but went much farther than theirs went. I am curious to see how far sexually the author is going to take this friendship.

John Matthew continues to have a fascination with the mysterious Xhex, but we only learn just a little bit more about her. Obviously more will be revealed in a future book.

And thankfully, a person very important from John Matthew's past makes a somewhat suprising return, brought back by a mysterious fallen angel. (once again--future book)

And the sympath Rehvenge gets a fair amount of mention in this book. The 'creature/princess' thing/person he is being blackmailed by I found really creepy yet intriguing. Once again, just enough to whet your appetite for a future book.

There is also a not so suprising revelation of who is the son of the villianous Omega. I think I saw this one coming, but the future war between the Omega's son and the Brotherhood will continue on in the following books, I'm sure.

Finally, a few of the things that I would have liked to see but were not in the book: more on the other brothers and their shellans! Although Zsadist and Bella were featured a little (mainly in a storyline regarding the birth of their child), and Wrath had a few moments, the others were barely mentioned. Doc Jane made a few 'ghostly' appearances--but only to do some 'doctoring'. Beth made one brief appearance. No sign of Mary or Marissa. Butch, V, and Rhage had token appearances. I would have loved a page or two just to see what they were all up to. But that's a minor quibble. Even though this was not the most romantic or exciting of the BDB series, this was a worthwhile book, bringing to light the future direction of the series. And I find J.R. Ward's writing style so exceptional, she could write a phone book and I would probably find it interesting! I would give "Lover Enshrined" 4 1/2 stars, and I will definitely look forward to more in this exciting series!(less)

Like this review? yes (12 people liked it)

27 comments

01/21/08

Kathrynn rated it:

bookshelves: 2008, own, reviewed, romance-modern, romance-paranormal, series-bdb_ward

Read in June, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

I did not care for this book--at all. I thought it had too many plots, scene interruptions and not enough romance. I was very disappointed in Phury's character--FIVE months and he all but ignored Cormia, then "assigned" John Mathews to show her around.

Did not think Phury's way or style of killing "lessers" should have been grounds for kicking him out of the Brotherhood. It wasn't just the drug problem because he'd had that for several hundred years. The ici...more I did not care for this book--at all. I thought it had too many plots, scene interruptions and not enough romance. I was very disappointed in Phury's character--FIVE months and he all but ignored Cormia, then "assigned" John Mathews to show her around.

Did not think Phury's way or style of killing "lessers" should have been grounds for kicking him out of the Brotherhood. It wasn't just the drug problem because he'd had that for several hundred years. The icing on the cake was his torturing the "lessers" coupled with his carelessness. Yes, he was a hazard to have watching your back, but he did his killings alone.

Phury's reasons for being a drug addict and vow of celibacy didn't tally up for me. He was whining about his childhood, when it wasn't that bad, certainly not enough to warrant several hundred years of drugs, celibacy, and guilt. I did not care for his internal wizard or his drug addiction and felt the Brother's should have undertaken prevention long ago. He was known as a liar and they believed he would be the Primale? They knew he was prone to dishonesty and they knew he was celibate.

For me, Wrath really lacked in leadership in the past couple of books. He should have been more aware what was going on in Quinn's life and how he was being treated by his family. He should be more aware of what the Brother's are doing as well.

As for Quinn's story, I fail to see how the race can be so desperate for "young" and treat one as an outcast because he has two different colored eyes. No wonder they are faced with possible extinction. Between the asinine rules on The Other Side and Glymera coupled with "lessers" killing them, their ability to remain a solvent race is slim. Toss in the added Brother's are practically falling apart and what a mess.

I did not care for all the details on Quinn, John Mathew, Blay. Their "coming of age" scenes and internal drama's were too much for me. I didn't need to know about their bodies baser urges to such detail and frequency. I got it the first time! Talk about throwing a wrench in the mess--Blay.

I did not care for Rhevenge or Xhex's stories. My WTF meter was at its maximum toleration level when their tales unfurled. (eyes rolling)

For me, the ending was the best part, but because there was very little interaction between Phury and Cormia, just didn't add up to a great "I love you."

Finally, there were a lot of mundane details throughout the book that I thought dragged the story lineS down. I got the impression this book was rushed and not as well edited as past books. I realize all the Brother's have now had their turn at the wheel and this one allowed for the story line to continue--albeit in a slightly more sci-fi/urban fantasy genre and not necessarily romance. (less)

Like this review? yes (10 people liked it)

17 comments

07/22/08

L8blmr rated it:

Read in August, 2008

recommends it for: Fans of the series (don't be discouraged by negative reviews)

I began reading this with trepidation due to a lot of negative reviews I read - no romance, more urban fantasy, too many characters, to many NEW characters (particularly new "species' of PN's), etc. Well, I loved it! It may not be the same ratio of romance to adventure or an awful lot of character development, but you have to admit that it's head and shoulders above most of the new stuff out there to read! It saddens me when someone says "that's it - no more Ward books for me ... too...more

Like this review? yes (8 people liked it)

13 comments

05/22/08

Inky rated it:

I was lucky enough to get a review copy of this book and can I just say: Wow.
This is my favorite installment of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by JR Ward. The emotional depth of the book is vast -- it's about brothers, lovers and comrades in arms. It's about budding friendship, distant parents, and painful change. She takes us through addiction, societal restructuring and the ravages of a growing war with the Lessening Society.
And at the heart is the love story between Phury and...more

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06/16/08

Julie (Mom2lnb) rated it:

bookshelves: paranormal-romance, read-2009, urban-fantasy

Read in January, 2009

recommends it for: Fans of the BDB, PNR Romance & Urban Fantasy

Reviewed for thcreviews.com
I had noticed that Lover Enshrined, like Lover Unbound, its predecessor in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, seemed to have quite a few low ratings, but unlike with Lover Unbound, this time I did not let the discontent of others influence my reading of the book. I am so glad that I didn't, because even though I cannot say that Lover Enshrined is one of my favorites in the series, it was still a very good story. It was also a very busy story with so much happe...more

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10/24/08

Gatadelafuente (Danielle) rated it:

bookshelves: addiction, angsty-read, arranged-marriage, celibate-or-less-experienced-hero, family, flawed-hero, hero-to-die-for, heroine-i-adore, hot-and-steamy-romance, knight-in-tarnished-armor, less-than-perfect-hero-or-heroine, owned-copy, paranormal-romance, part-of-a-series, read-in-2009, redemption, tortured-hero, unrequited-love

Read in January, 2009

I loved this book. I had heard many criticisms about it not being as good as the others, and Phury not being as fleshed out. I have to say that I have a real understanding of Phury now. His torment is very much internal and revolves around his sense of failure, his not being able to "get there on time", as my mother so wisely said as we discussed the book last night at dinner. He failed in helping his parents, he failed in getting his brother back faster. Boy does he have a whopping ...more

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07/01/08

Eastofoz rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

I didn’t particularly like this installment of the BDB. Ward still writes well but plot wise I felt that she was all over the place. Phury’s story, that was supposed to be the main story, meandered throughout the novel. I didn’t like him and I didn’t think that his sudden love for Cormia was in the least bit believable. He was boring and tedious. Even their love scenes were blah and Ward has always written phenomenal ones for her lead characters.

The other brothers were...more

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06/04/08

Kym rated it:

bookshelves: paranormal-romance-urban-fantasy

Read in June, 2008

Since others have done a great job of outlining this books plot, I'll just say what I thought of it. Which is that it was good, added plenty to the legend of the Brotherhood and expounded about Ward's vampire society, but that—as is being reiterated constantly—it isn't a romance novel. In fact, Ward hasn't really written a romance novel since Lover Awakened, if I'm being honest with myself, but I'm still enjoying the journey. I think the reason that so many fans are disappointed is because L...more

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03/15/08

Christel rated it:

bookshelves: jr-ward

Read in June, 2008

recommends it for: any JR Ward, BDB fan

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

After waiting for this one to be released, I read it on one night. This is a transitional book in the series, setting up for future books in the series. Now he is my take on what I read:

1. Cormia- I really felt sorry for her in the beginning. Taken from Sanctuary and only knowing her world there, I know the way she felt, complete culture shock!! I have been there and done that, it's not fun and you are completely overwhelmed. Finally she becomes friends with John Matthew and Bella. A...more

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10/31/08

Beth(MN) rated it:

bookshelves: 2008, paranormal-romance, urban-fantasy, vampires, wizards-r-us

Read in November, 2008

There were several concurrent storylines in this book. I counted seven. I think it goes without saying that if you haven’t read the first five, don’t you dare start here because nothing will make sense.

I’ve ordered the seven storylines from most to least prevalent, basing my decisions on how much time Ward spent on each of these issues:

1 - John Matthew was, by far and large, the main character of this novel. And by extension that covers his buddies, Qhuinn and ...more

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06/04/08

Penny rated it:

Read in June, 2008

Too many storylines, so little cramped space. I think J.R. Ward spent so much time interweaving the various storylines that she let the main love story lapse. This is supposed to be Phury/Corima's story and it ended up becoming a race to see how many characters she could cram into the book. Yes, she moved alot of different plots foward but in the end, she ended up not giving Phury/Corima the storyline that they deserve.

One reason I love her books is because she gets me invested ...more

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06/24/08

Diana rated it:

Read in June, 2008

recommends it for: no way

yikes. I can't tell you how much I hated this book. Well ok I can and will. Well first off was there a contest to see how many subplots she could fit into this book? The cast of hundreds bored me, i cared about none of them. So many plot holes, The omega now can have children? Well I guess as the author she thinks oh well my readers are so stupid they will not remember I put that in a previous book, the omega can not create life. Well I did,and many others. This book was a mess from start to fin...more yikes. I can't tell you how much I hated this book. Well ok I can and will. Well first off was there a contest to see how many subplots she could fit into this book? The cast of hundreds bored me, i cared about none of them. So many plot holes, The omega now can have children? Well I guess as the author she thinks oh well my readers are so stupid they will not remember I put that in a previous book, the omega can not create life. Well I did,and many others. This book was a mess from start to finish and I did finally finish this after 3 weeks yes I said 3 weeks I usually finish her books in 1 to 2 days. Well that was the first 4 books her last 2 have fallen off the rails. I thought lover unbound was bad but this one was worse. I mean this was no romance. And yes I know the spine of the book says novel, but the cover is a romance and the back of the book says paranormal romance saga. And the back of the book is all about phury and cormia but excuse me they take up what 100 pages of a 500 hundred page book! oh and it was put in the romance section of every book store and discount store. This book has about 6 short stories in it and they do not even have a middle and an end just the beginning of them. Nothing was resolved Nothing. I felt like I was in an episode of lost. I have a feeling she will dole out little bits and pieces over the next 10 books. All here next books will be trasistional books. She introduced a new character Lassiter who doesn't interest me in the least. oh I'm sorry also Rev's blackmailer, the princess. big yawn, don't care! John is now becoming oh whine is me Phury. Yawn. Hex, gives me the whillies, I hate butch women. You can be a stong woman without looking butch and her earlier books she was described as butch looking but suddenly she isn't any more. once again she forgets what she previously had written, If you cant remember hire someone to help you keep it strait or better yet just give a few drafts to you fans who will tell you if you forgot a specific plot point. J.r. your world is falling apart in these last 2 books. I am sorry but I wasted my money on lover unbound, I then wasted my time reading lover enshrined(luckily I got this one from the library),both money and time are important to me and you have lost me as a reader. Having checked out what others have said at amazon I think you may have lost half of your romance readers I sure hope for your sake you can pick up enough urban fantasy readers. I doubt you will, romance readers make up 50 percent of all books sold, and you allianated many. You should have given V and Phury their books, then stated you were going to try something new and made the boys the urban fantasy part, I would have been disappointed but I would have wished you well. I have never seen a books series switch genre in the middle and you did not do yourself any favors. I am sure you thought you could make a few more bucks off us and possibly make us buy your urban fantasy. I for one will never buy a book with name on it again, J.R ward or Jessica Bird. Shame shame shame on you. and your publishing house. berkley!(less)

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06/11/08

Brie rated it:

recommended to Brie by: Paranormal Romance readers that can live without the romance.

Disclaimer: I'm grading Lover Enshrined based on the whole story, because it is romance-lite. If I graded it on the romance alone then it wouldn't cut the mustard. There are some spoilers in this review, you will have to highlight to see them. This review is long, sorries.

My enjoyment of Lover Enshrined came as a surprise. I will admit to not liking Lover Unbound much at all, and before that Lover Revealed wasn't that good of a read for me either. I had also read advance reviews and ...more

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06/11/08

Shannon rated it:

bookshelves: 2008, paranormal, romance, urban-fantasy, vampires

Read in June, 2008

The series is taking an interesting direction further into urban fantasy, and while it might be a bit cluttered with subplots and supporting cast, I still really enjoyed it. Phury's drug addiction wore thin pretty quick (in the previous books, you don't get such a close-up as here), and the dithering got pretty frustrating too. But it made it more believable. Some of the other characters - especially the ones who've already had their "turn" - are becoming less substantial because you d...more

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06/07/08

Jeneral rated it:

Read in June, 2008

recommends it for: Black Dagger Brotherhood fans only need apply

Man, I'm trying really hard to like this book. I've been reading a few pages a night (it's been a busy week and I'm too tired to concentrate). But I think I may be getting over this series. The "hip" language is starting to get to me. The author sounds less bad-ass and more like your dad trying to "keep it real" while he's driving you and your friends to the mall, and you're in the back of the minivan rolling your eyes. And the one Lesser's Southern accent/thought proces...more Man, I'm trying really hard to like this book. I've been reading a few pages a night (it's been a busy week and I'm too tired to concentrate). But I think I may be getting over this series. The "hip" language is starting to get to me. The author sounds less bad-ass and more like your dad trying to "keep it real" while he's driving you and your friends to the mall, and you're in the back of the minivan rolling your eyes. And the one Lesser's Southern accent/thought process keeps coming and going, often in the same paragraph. And did he really say "w'all" as a contraction for "we all"?? I've lived in the South for 33 of my 35 years, and I've never heard that.

Anyway, I'll probably finish it up this weekend when I have some more reading time. Usually, the storytelling can get me over the annoyance I feel at this writer's tics. I hope it works for this one.

****

GOD, this book was awful. Boring. I just... wow, I was glad to finish it. I think back on the earlier volumes in this series, where I stayed up late to finish them, reading the whole thing in two nights at the most. This took the better part of a week, mostly because I had to keep putting it down because I was so bored.

The Phury/Cormia story was nice, although I kind of felt like we were rehashing the whole Primale-who-doesn't-want-to-be-a-Primale thing in Vishous's story last time. I know it was kind of against the whole HEA concept, but I was more annoyed at Phury for not following through than I was rooting for him and Cormia. I just wanted one of these guys to do their damn job.

The whole Rehv/Xhex subplot has never captured my interest, so all the time spent with them just bored me.

I pretty much wanted to set Mr. D on fire. What the hell was up with his "accent"? I mentioned the "w'all" before, and then there was the use of "y'all" as a singular. And then there were all the times that the "Southern" started to sound more like "Ebonics." If you don't know how to write Southern characters, don't do it. That's all I'm sayin'.

I didn't mind the subplot with the boys, but I didn't like it enough to notice that this novel with the name "Lover" in the title with a sexeh picture on the cover devoted about 1/4 of the total page count to the couple in question.

Thanks for the ride, JR Ward, but this seems to be my stop. If I miss the series, I'll go back and re-read Rhage's book or Z's. But I don't see getting any new ones in this series.(less)

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12/27/07

Lisa rated it:

bookshelves: paranormal, paranormalromance

Read in June, 2008

Okay - I thought this book was amazing. I read plenty of spoilers (again - I just can't help it) prior to actually receiving the book so I knew a lot of what was coming but was thrilled with each subplot and storyline anyway. Frankly I'm surprised by the number of haters over this book. Phury's story wasn't, in my opinion, really lacking as it had actually started in V's book and continued on from there. Sure, the interrupted sexual scenes were frustrating but we're talking about Phury here. He ...more Okay - I thought this book was amazing. I read plenty of spoilers (again - I just can't help it) prior to actually receiving the book so I knew a lot of what was coming but was thrilled with each subplot and storyline anyway. Frankly I'm surprised by the number of haters over this book. Phury's story wasn't, in my opinion, really lacking as it had actually started in V's book and continued on from there. Sure, the interrupted sexual scenes were frustrating but we're talking about Phury here. He was a virgin. He had been celibate for how many years now? Hello people, he wasn't going to go and be all about sex like the other brothers were. His relationship with Cormia was a good fit and I liked his decision to stick up for her, stand by only her and request from the SV that things change and the Chosen actually get a choice. I thought it was all very true to his inherent character. And Cormia? She just kicked ass in all the right ways. She had a backbone. She had spirit. She had dreams of her own and she fell in love with Phury in spite of all his flaws. Balance.

Phury's addiction, regardless of what others are saying, wasn't suddenly a problem for the brothers - it had been a problem for a while but in this book Phury took it to another level between dismembering and torturing the lessers for kicks and then of course the big H overdose. So yeah - I totally understood the need for his removal. Phury needed to be able to focus on his needs and only his needs for once - recovery being the first and foremost. He couldn't do that while still being in the Brotherhood. There would always be some excuse to focus on something/someone else. This was the best way to help him. Maybe the only way. And they didn't desert him nor did they do this gleefully. I think it hurt them all. And his twin? Z couldn't just turn his back but he had to appear like he did. Phury had to feel like he was on his own with this. That's why Z was in the shadows of every meeting watching Phury and I'm sure aching for him but not letting his presence be known. No one could help Phury until he decided to kick the wizard on his own. I will admit that the wizard thing ticked me off. We knew Phury as an addict before this book but we only heard the wizard taunting him in this book and it bothered me.

As for people getting their panties in a twist over Z's self righteousness and attitude after only taking care of Phury for a short time? I call bullshit or did no one else actually read the conversation between Rhev and Z where Rheve commented on Z playing nursemaid? Z was actually the one to get Phury and Z into the Brotherhood when Phury was sick and almost dying. True the illness wasn't made clear but I think Z and Phury have been taking care of EACH OTHER a lot longer than people realize. They just have very different ways of doing it.

All the other storylines grew in potential by massive amounts. The boys becoming men was great as well as the discovery of JM's secret (due to the bastard Lash), Blay's secret and of course how each of them grew closer not further apart. It reminded me a lot of Butch and V's conversation about V's "love" for Butch not changing their relationship. They were still tight. Always would be. Same with the boys. Awesome. Tohr. I just ache for him. I hope he finds a way to heal because JM so obviously needs him.

Lassiter, Xhex, Rhev, the mysterious and evil Princess, Payne, the Chosen now living life on the other side, Lash taking over as the epitome of evil (like he wasn't before)... so many great things developing.

This is a series I'm going to be reading for a long time to come. And again, for all of those pissed that Phury's love story wasn't more developed - I say again, this series has always been and will always be about the Brothers. Their relationships with each other, their changing world, their obstacles to overcome. It's never been about the women. Any sex or romance we've been rewarded with has always just been a bonus - it's wasn't the core point of the story. Regardless of the cover art or the section of the bookstore it gets filed into. It's about the Brothers. Period.(less)

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02/02/09

Michelle rated it:

bookshelves: jr-ward, paranormal_romance

Read in February, 2009

My least favorite book of the series. There was just too much going on. I didn't like how Phury and Cormina's story consumed only 1/3 of the book and I didn't like how Ward put less romance into this book compared to her other books.

As far as the other stories, I think she did a good job at introducing her new characters who I'm sure will be in her books to come. I'm not really excited to read her next book about Rhevenge BUT that's exactly how I felt about Butch's story and I ended...more

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12/14/08

Shawna rated it:

bookshelves: 2008-aug-to-dec-reads, badasses-hunks-in-leather, favorites, hero-flawed-scarred-tortured-angst, i-own-favs-keepers, jr-ward, made-me-cry, pnr-vampires

Read in December, 2008

4 ½ stars - Vampire Romance

Lover Enshrined wasn't quite as captivating as the previous books in the BDB series because Phury and Cormia's relationship lacked the passion that the other relationships had. It's my least favorite, but still good enough to keep me enthralled with the BDB series. I am anxiously awaiting the release of Rev's story and hope that Ward will flesh out more on John Matthew's story as well in a future book. The BDB series is still the very best in the paranorma...more

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quotes from this book

"After a moment, Wrath turned to John. "This is Lassiter, the fallen angel. One of the last times he was here on earth, there was a plague in central Europe-" "Okay, that was so not my fault-" "-which wiped out two-thirds of the human population." "I'd like to remind you that you don't like humans." "They smell bad when they're dead." "All you mortal types do."" More quotes...