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Lover Unleashed (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #9)

J.R. Ward

Start date: February 1, 2015

Finish date: March 1, 2015

Discussion: Buddy Reads

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May 03, 2014 Aղցela W. rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal, audio, vampires, 500-600pg

I love this series. I was not sure about this book because of the reviews weren't as good as the other books and because it was about the brothers. I was so glad that I didn't let that stop me I loved this book. Payne comes to his side, paralyzed from a sparring session with Wrath. Vishous has had no idea in the 300 years he has been alive that he even had a twin sister. The Scribe Virgin, their mother had Payne imprisoned. Now she is here, in his life, and the protectiveness V feels for her is I love this series. I was not sure about this book because of the reviews weren't as good as the other books and because it was about the brothers. I was so glad that I didn't let that stop me I loved this book. Payne comes to his side, paralyzed from a sparring session with Wrath. Vishous has had no idea in the 300 years he has been alive that he even had a twin sister. The Scribe Virgin, their mother had Payne imprisoned. Now she is here, in his life, and the protectiveness V feels for her is out of control. When Jane calls Manny in to help operate on her, there is that instant "mine" between them (even though Manny is a human). This does not go over well with V, as Butch and the other brothers struggle to keep him from killing Manny. As time goes on, V goes into an even deeper downward spiral. Payne doesn't heal as she should, and when Jane attempts something shocking, he walks away - from Jane. This scene is very moving and well done. What we really get is V coming to terms with his abusive father, his negligent mother, and his role as a hellren. Yes he loves Jane, but can he overcome his past, and his current broken self to give her what she needs? Can he fulfill the new role as a brother to Payne? This book had a lot going on in it and I loved it. Manny uses his sexual attraction to help Payne heal from her injury. Manny looks at Butch and knows that he has seen him some place before, but can't remember where until he looks at a picture of his father and realize that they are brothers which mean's Manny has some Vampire in him. We also get to meet a new cast of vamps in this book. The Band of Bastards lead by Xcor who for 100's of years believed he was the son of The Bloodletter who has been looking for the female who killed him (Payne) who they kidnapped while she was fighting lesser. We also see how Qhuinn struggles to come to terms with his feelings for Blay and the fact that Blay has moved on with Saxton and Layla who thinks she is in love with him and he has a dream or vision about having a young with her. We also get to catch up with Jose De la Cruz and his new partner Thomas Del Vecchio Jr. who is a son of a serial killer who he looks just like him as they work on a case with dead mutilated girls. This book was really good V learned that he has to let go and Butch helps him with that I thought the wax scene was really good. Manny realizes that his life means nothing without Payne and she healed his horse. I am looking forward to reading or listening to the rest of this series.
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Mar 25, 2013 Cherise rated it liked it

Shelves: paranormal

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Both Payne and Manny were peripheral characters from previous books and we don't really know much about them. I like Manny in Jane's book as he was always a gentleman and was kind, gentle and considerate. Payne, in contrast, was initially like another Xhex, pretty tough and fighting mad. Initially I was a bit leery about this one, as neither characters were from the core pack, so I was worried there won't be much brotherhood involved. I am right, though I am also wrong. Seems like the previous b Both Payne and Manny were peripheral characters from previous books and we don't really know much about them. I like Manny in Jane's book as he was always a gentleman and was kind, gentle and considerate. Payne, in contrast, was initially like another Xhex, pretty tough and fighting mad. Initially I was a bit leery about this one, as neither characters were from the core pack, so I was worried there won't be much brotherhood involved. I am right, though I am also wrong. Seems like the previous books lately, there are multiple arcs going on at the same time, while these two are like isolated in their main world, the rest of the brotherhood are busy with their own stuffs.

I like the fact that even though Payne is a hardcare fighter, she was actually pretty feminine with Manny around (there just should be only 1 Xhex). They actually fit each other pretty well and have more interactions than quite a few of the previous books' main protagonists. I also love the fact that Manny doesn't have to change to a vampire to be with her forever (though I read somewhere that Ward plans to change him eventually, which I don't get why at all, it's like going Butch all over again, which is cliche...)

OK what I don't get is the V/Jane stuffs, I know from previous reads that Ward is recycling old relations ie. Beth/Wrath in Rehv's book, which I seriously don't mind as it just shows again how much the 2 of them are meant for each other by having Beth supporting Wrath all the way. I so do not get what V's problem is here (like chill dude, your mum did another number on you, what's new, you know she's a first class biatch already, and hey, you got a new sister, so why all the volcanic eruptions waiting to explode? Yes she wants you to kill her, but shouldn't you be working on the problem instead of running away then going crazy again when your spouse chose to do the dirty deed on your behalf?) I so don't get this, V is supposedly the smartest of the bunch, he's like omniscient too, sure, he's not good with emotional stuffs but I thought after being with Jane, he made his peace, I also thought they have a great sex life, even the notty notty bits. I also don't get why he has to drag Butch into it, I thought they're done doing the guy/guy connection thing? It's quite ewwy for me frankly, I actually skimmed most of this part and was glad it's all done and over with (jeez I was ready to blow up when V said it might happen again argh). Ward made V into another Z pre-Bella time, while Jane, our strong, independent and level-headed Jane, just started crying all over the place instead of trying to find a way to help him get through this. This is not what I want, I understand HEA doesn't have to mean forever and ever, their story should still be on-going, but I would prefer to have them work their problems out together instead of just being totally out of reach from each other.

As with recent books in this series, there are multiple veins and we're introduced to the BOB, which I sort of like (getting a bit bored with the lessor thing, especially when we don't know who's running the show now and how they're run). I think it's mentioned somewhere also that these boys will eventually be working with our brotherhood, which I think is good as most of the original brothers are more or less settled so we do need some new blood here to keep the series going.

I was pretty surprised given the fact that the next book is Tohr's there's not much developing there at all. Usually we'll get a prequel of sorts but not here, weird.

All in all, a good read, though I do seriously hate the V thing...Manny and Payne is sweet sweet but it's not really too memorable (I read these like 3 days ago and I couldn't quite really say much about them...) ...more

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