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Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #1)
by J.R. Ward
by J.R. Ward
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). It read like the sort of fantasy dreamed up by a teen-aged girl who has never actually had a great deal of contact with actual boys, let alone actual MEN.
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(last edited Jan 11, 2008 02:58pm)
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Jan 11, 2008 02:50pm
In reference to the previous comment...This book reads like a romance novel because it IS a romance novel. I've never seen this series located anywhere but in the romance section of the book store. I'm not sure where you got the notion it was Dark Fantasy.
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You've got to be kidding me. "A fantasy that a teen-aged girl with no male contact" wrote this book. Are you sure you even read this book?
Maybe you should go back to reading that God awful fantasy crap you're obviously used to reading.
Barbara wrote: "You've got to be kidding me. "A fantasy that a teen-aged girl with no male contact" wrote this book. Are you sure you even read this book?
Maybe you should go back to reading that God awful ..."
Ah, a response as peurile as the book itself. I think my point is made.
Your point is hardly made. I was merely suggesting that you stick to the genre you're used to. If you don't like paranormal romance, don't read it.
My point was that I like WELL WRITTEN paranormal romance. This doesn't qualify. Assuming I ever met a guy who talked like the heroes of this series do, I would be far too busy falling over laughing to actually get around to having sex with him.
I didn't care for this book, either, and I was prepared to love it when I picked it up at B&N. All the hype and its legions of followers couldn't be wrong, right? Wrong. I'm a bit tired of the "we're so bad, baby" vampires, and these guys are the epitome of that type. These guys sound like they're on crack. Or, as I read at Smart Bitches/Trashy Books, to sum it up in a logline..."nothing can prevent a monster cock from uniting with a magic hoo hoo." No thanks.
I have the same problem with many "great" books - I'm tired of the cheesy vampire romance books - I'm looking for something more dark fantasy with a bit of romance added, but nothing cheesy - it sounds like you both, Simone and Susan, may have some recommendations? Thanks!
You might like Susan Hubbard's ethical vampire series. I'm not flat out in love with them, but they're intelligent and very different. Her approach is completely new for the genre.
Marsha, it's not modern paranormal romance, but have you read any Juliet Marillier? Her Sevenwaters series is based on Celtic mythology, so there is definitely darkness and fantasy, along with some really nice romance - all extremely well-written. Ditto on her Bridei Chronicles. I also really, really love Martha Wells...her books The Element of Fire, The Death of the Necromancer, and then The Wizard Hunters trilogy are all loosely connected, and have a lot of both dark fantasy and romance. You can read The Element of Fire for free on Well's website, if you want to get a taste.
I forgot to mention that, if you're looking for something a little more straight-forward romantic, I love the Gail Carriger series that starts with Soulless - it's definitely not dark, in that it is hilariously funny, but it is very smartly funny, and takes place in a Victorian steampunk setting.
But they are not "men." As specified in later books, they might look a little like men but they are not men. They are vampires. And if they don't talk or act like "real men" well, it IS a fantasy novel after all!
M, I did acknowledge in the review that they were not technically "men." I'm glad you enjoyed the book, but I still think the male characters sounded like they were of the species "douchebag," and that species does not make for good fantasy fodder for me!
Simone, I'm a fan of that series, especially the early books. But I just wanted to tell you that you should not give too much about the comments of the hardcore zealots. Some people can only get rude when someone doesn't like their fave series. :-)
Thanks for the review. I had a sneaking suspicion this book would end up being a cheesy romance, masqurading as a dark fantasy with romance elements. Was just on the verge of purchasing it for my kindle when I read your review.Might be good for a long train trip, but I'll hold off buying for now :)
I will say Ward veers more towards darker UF by books 9&10. She sticks to the "vamp meets girl, falls in love and douses her with bonding scent" for the first few, but there is a drastic change in tone after John Matthews' story. Just throwing it out there...
