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Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #1)

J.R. Ward

Start date: January 1, 2013

Finish date: January 31, 2013

Discussion: Challenges: What's the Rush

Why we're reading this: Part of our group series (re)read: Black Dagger Brotherhood …more
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Challenges: What's the Rush

* 2025 Series Read: K.N. Banet's "Jacky Leon"
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last updated Oct 27, 2025 01:12PM

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* YEAR-LONG CHALLENGES
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last updated Aug 17, 2010 11:14PM

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What Members Thought

Jul 18, 2010 Chelsea rated it it was amazing

Shelves: vampires, uf-pnr, suggested-series-firsts, smexy

This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.

As of late we’ve read too many paranormal romances where the story is either all character focus and no sex or all steam and no connection to the people involved. And that’s what makes reading J.R. Ward’s first Black Dagger Brotherhood novel Dark Lover so incredibly refreshing.

Dark Lover has characters you can love (even those secondary ones), an interesting world with great mythology, a plot that needs to be devoured and really hot vampire This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.

As of late we’ve read too many paranormal romances where the story is either all character focus and no sex or all steam and no connection to the people involved. And that’s what makes reading J.R. Ward’s first Black Dagger Brotherhood novel Dark Lover so incredibly refreshing.

Dark Lover has characters you can love (even those secondary ones), an interesting world with great mythology, a plot that needs to be devoured and really hot vampire love scenes that are used to move the plot forward and not just for the sake of being dirty.

Beth is a metro reporter at a local newspaper. She’s the one who takes care of the basic police beat, which means she’s on good terms with all the boys on the force. They look out for her, feed her tips on news and are generally friends. She’s also a vampire about to transition into being what we’d typically think of as a vampire. It is going to be brutal — some don’t make it — and she’s going to need a guide with plenty of blood.

Unfortunately, Beth doesn’t know any of this. She never knew her parents, and so she has no idea of her heritage. Wrath knows though. Beth’s father’s last request was that Wrath help his daughter survive the transition.

Wrath can’t imagine him ever being caring or the one to hold someone’s hand through this process. As the king and leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, the order of warriors charged to protect vampire kind, he’s hard and ruthless. A warrior through-and-through, he sets out to protect Beth. What he didn’t expect was to fall in love with her.

Both Beth and Wrath have to come to terms with who they are in order to move forward.

All the while the Brotherhood contests with an order of vampire slayers and new police interest in their activities, especially after Beth leaves with the big, evil-looking Wrath.

Bottom line: You need to read Dark Lover. It’s dark. It’s sexy. It has vampires. And a story you won’t want to put down. ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

May 27, 2010 Stephanie (Reading is Better With Cupcakes) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2010, paranormal

It took a bit to get used to the writing style and the special words, but after I got used to both of those the story was really enjoyable. I never really found the story lacking and it was constantly able to hold my interest.

2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 30, 2010 Joyce rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audible-read, 1-in-series, drm-free-epubs

This was an excellent book. I'm so glad I was finally convinced to start reading it. I love the world that is created. It is original and a bit different lore to the vampire story. ...more

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May 22, 2010 Shell rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-paranormal

I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. As being the first book in a series, it wasn't too bogged down with facts and background. Ward made those facts interesting, and really developed the Brotherhoods personalities really well. Wrath's story, in my opinion, is one of the best in the series. This is a definite must read. I have recommended it to many friends and my poor book is so worn out from passing it around! ...more

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Jun 02, 2010 Tania Rock rated it really liked it

Shelves: wattpad

Hi all,

I just finished my shifter book, "Dark Lover" by J R Ward on March 26 and I give it a rating of 4+/5.

This book was a complex and interesting read. Full of action, spectacular & sensual romance and full bodied characters.

This was by no means a simple read, you've got to pay attention to fully grasp the storyline and character development. I found myself having to re-read a few pages every time I started reading after taking a break; but my memory is bad from medication, so it could just be ...more

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Aug 25, 2010 Nicole rated it liked it

Shelves: vampire-fiction

Dark Lover at times was a gripping read. However, I found my self laughing at the dialogue. The exchanges between the males and females in this book was just too funny. The story was still interesting despite the fact I was chuckling from the start to the very end. I do plan to read the next book in this series. But I will get the next book from the library.

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