Lover Avenged (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #7) in Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group

Mar 12, 2009 Danielle The Book Huntress rated it it was amazing

Shelves: vampire, flawed-hero, owned-copy, medical-profession, audiobook, favorites, criminal, part-of-a-series, library-checkout, favorite-or-autobuy-author

I don't even know where to begin with this review. Like so many of Ward's other books, this book consumed my thoughts. Even when I wasn't reading it, I was pondering the interactions between the characters, hoping for the best, and dreading the worst that I felt was coming.

I don't know how the WARDen does it, but my love for this series and her writing grows even more all-consuming with each book. I do know that she understands the power of evoking emotions in the reader. I can't read any of he I don't even know where to begin with this review. Like so many of Ward's other books, this book consumed my thoughts. Even when I wasn't reading it, I was pondering the interactions between the characters, hoping for the best, and dreading the worst that I felt was coming.

I don't know how the WARDen does it, but my love for this series and her writing grows even more all-consuming with each book. I do know that she understands the power of evoking emotions in the reader. I can't read any of her books without getting my emotions involved in the process.

I loved Rehv before I read this book. I love him even more after reading this book. Rehv is a great example of why antiheroes are so compelling to me. He is a mass of contradictions and not predictable in the least. He is so sexy, so powerful, yet so vulnerable at the same time. He's no boy scout, but his does have honor and duty. He sacrificed himself again and again for those that he loved, even allowing some of them to think the worst of him. Inside he bore his loneliness like a burden he felt he deserved. I was glad that he had two families, his mother and sister, and Xhex, Trez, and i.am.

I didn't like the drugs, the violence, and the prostitution, but I could understand why Rehv and Xhex inhabited that dark world. They felt that this was the only place they belonged. Fortunately Rehv also has the tether of his family, although he has to live a lie for many, many years. Xhex doesn't even have that. The sympaths were as fascinating I thought they would be. Even though this book delved into that world, I'd be perfectly happy to read more about them. They manage to exude a menace that jumps off the page as I read about them.

Like most outstanding books, the scenes were vivid like a movie in my mind. I love the realism mixed with magic and the supernatural. I am in awe of the WARDen's imagination. She has taken an hip/upscale/urban motif, mixed with the culture and world of an ancient race, and created several love and relationship stories and put them all together into a delicious confection that is this book. But it's the three-dimensional characters that really seduce me. Even the casual characters manage to grab my notice and my interest.

I am so glad that Rehv found Ehlena. It was great seeing such a tough, isolated guy fall so hard and fast and give his heart away. The interactions between Rehv and Ehlena was sweet and romantic, but erotic at the same time. He really knows how to treat a woman with tenderness, to cherish her as though she is the only woman in the world. At times, I was worried that Ehlena didn't deserve his love and devotion, but she proved true and worthy of it. Ehlena is one tough, steadfast woman. Just what Rehv needs. And Rhev is what she needs as well. My heart can rest in peace that Rehv does have the love and acceptance he always secretly yearned for. I am happy that he has a deep, loving relationship with Bella, and is like a brother to the Brotherhood.

It was also nice to see more of Wrath and Beth interacting. As they were the first couple, some of my memories have faded. So reading about their relationship and how it has remained deep and true was really great. What the WARDen has done with Wrath was so well-executed and felt right although some might feel that it was a dark way to go.

John Matthew is at a really dark point in this book, and I vacillated between despair and rage at what he is doing to himself. But I am so excited to read his book when it comes out. I wish it was coming out sooner. I can't wait to see him come into his own and claim his shellan in Xhex.

Xhex is my girl. I love the woman. She is all over it. I enjoyed getting perspective on her emotions and her thoughts. Her loyalty to Rhev is unquestionable, and I know there is more to learn about that, as well as her past. I felt her sorrow as she tried to push JM away although she clearly loves and is as drawn to him as he is to her. The next book in the series is going to be awesome as we see what transpires with Xhex and JM and follow along from how things ended in this book.

The whole Lash situation promises to grow even more enthralling. At first I dismissed him as an immature bully. But he is proving to be a formidable antagonist. The way things will go down with him is going to be something else. He's evil as all get out, but he's a fascinating character. I think he will definitely prove to be the supervillain in this series. And boy did he go there at the end of this book. Let's just say it's going to be 'on' in the next book.

It was nice seeing the other brothers, but like the greedy BDB fan that I am, I wanted more of them. Short stories about other brothers and their shellans, please??? I miss Marissa and Cormia. Haven't seen much of them lately. More Butch, V, and Jane too. How about Rhage and Mary updates.

Ah, I never get enough of these books... Let this be a warning to you. Do not read these books if you want a life outside of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. ...more

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May 24, 2009 Treece rated it liked it

Why, oh why, do I feel after reading over 500 pages that something is missing?

Lover Avenged was like eating a well cooked, beautifully presented meal and while I was hungry and savored every bite, it still needed something. I'm full, the flavors rocked my world and I'm nowhere near satisfied after devouring it.

As much as I liked it, and the BDB universe, the two main players were NOT center stage enough. Too many sub plots swallowed the developing romance between Rhev and Ehlena, choking out th Why, oh why, do I feel after reading over 500 pages that something is missing?

Lover Avenged was like eating a well cooked, beautifully presented meal and while I was hungry and savored every bite, it still needed something. I'm full, the flavors rocked my world and I'm nowhere near satisfied after devouring it.

As much as I liked it, and the BDB universe, the two main players were NOT center stage enough. Too many sub plots swallowed the developing romance between Rhev and Ehlena, choking out their story. Wayyy too much time was spent on Lash, who as a villain is wayyyy to cliched and downright silly at times. Some of his moves, I mean come on---too darn predictable and just plain ole cheesy.

The upside is the focus on Wrath and his trials. I would have liked to see more of the Scribe Virgin, more of the brothers, less of John Matthew. JM is getting on my nerves. He wallows in "Woe is me" too much and what I liked about him is well...I don't want to bring spoils here.

Another good side was learning more about the Moors and Xhex got a chance to shine.

*SLIGHT SPOILER*
Then there's the small intro of Payne thrown in there to tease basically.
*END SLIGHT SPOILER*

I'm getting a little fed up with publishers where novels are turning into oversized serials posing as series. And this one felt closer to a lonnnng drawn out serial than the next book in the series.

So for the next book? Less subplotting, keep the focus on the main progtagonists more, and resolution, resolution--and please, please, try to pull back on the slang in the narrative (another thing that is choking the plot). JR Ward does have street cred, the BDB gave it to her and some. She doesn't need to prove it in every sentence! It's distracting sometimes, and she kicks royal ass on coming up with some of the most inventive and outrageous cool lines, similes, and metaphors to grace a paranormal romantic thriller. It can be overkill on occassion.

Unlike the previous books, there were NO shockers and "oh be still my heart". Not this time. Nothing really grabbed me this time. This one just plain ol ran out of steam for me. I liked it but I'm grateful for libraries.

...more

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Jun 24, 2010 Cindy added it · review of another edition

OK folks - I can't review this. Halfway through the book the accumulated trauma - emotional, physical and mental - of characters you have grown to know and love just did me in. I set it down planning to finish it later - and it hasn't happened. So back on the shelf it goes and maybe MUCH later I'll try again. ...more

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Jun 22, 2021 Juliana Philippa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 0-own, pnr-vampires, 0-own-as-kindle-ebook, pnr-magic-supernatural, pnr-urban-fantasy, 0-own-avg-rating-3-point-8-plus, 0-own-avg-rating-4-plus, 0-own-over-500-pages, 0-own-as-an-ebook, 0-reviewed-short-and-sweet

The thing was, they had something in common, something that crossed species lines and eclipsed social stratifications and bonded them together even though she would have denied it. She was lonely, too, and in the same way he was.

3.75 stars
I was very excited about Rehvenge's story, because talk about an anti-hero—he's half-symphath (who are basically manipulative murdering sociopaths), as well as a drug-dealer, pimp, and bookie. At this point, we've seen him do right by the Brotherhood multip ...more

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Feb 01, 2010 Lynsey A rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, favorite-series, forbidden-love-romance, vampire, paranormal-romance, ward-bdb-series

I loved this book! I love this series! This and Zadist's book are my favorites. ...more

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Dec 19, 2009 Lady of the Lake rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, vampire, audio-book, go-to-author, favorite-author, series, black-dagger-brotherhod

Well done... Looking forward to # 8! this is the fastest I've ever read a series of books! Perfect timing on my part as I'm now primed and ready for Lover Mine. ...more

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Aug 22, 2010 Stacey rated it liked it

Shelves: uf-paranormal, vampires, read-in-2010

On the plus side I really liked Rhev, more than I thought I would.
On the down side he & Ehlena seemed like half-assed versions of Zsadist & Bella, with a little Doc Jane thrown in. As a result I didn't get as emotionally involved in this one as I did some of the previous books in the series. :-/

...more

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Jun 26, 2009 Jessica rated it really liked it

If you liked previous BDB books, this one will not disappoint you. Ward somehow manages to make you root for the drug lord! Its amazing. The main plot is exciting with enough twists to keep you wanting more. Info added for continued arcs was awesome as well. I felt like this book totaly moved the series forward. There was closure and change in a lot of different areas. As always with these books, you aren't surprised by the ending, but the journey there is not predictable. ...more

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