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Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #3)

J.R. Ward

Start date: March 1, 2013

Finish date: March 31, 2013

Discussion: Challenges: What's the Rush

Why we're reading this: Part of our group series (re)read: Black Dagger Brotherhood …more
[close] Part of our group series (re)read: Black Dagger Brotherhood

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Showing 2 of 44 topics — 4,327 comments total

Challenges: What's the Rush

* 2025 Series Read: K.N. Banet's "Jacky Leon"
By Steph , Serious series addict · 103 posts · 33 views

last updated Sep 26, 2025 08:29PM

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* YEAR-LONG CHALLENGES
By Steph , Serious series addict · 1 post · 389 views

last updated Aug 17, 2010 11:14PM

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What Members Thought

May 27, 2010 Stephanie (Reading is Better With Cupcakes) rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal, romance, read-2011

I enjoyed reading this story. You really got to see inside of Z, who he really is, all of insecurities etc. I loved seeing his relationship not only with Bella, but also with Phury grow and change.

Also, something that most books don't really do, this story made me want to cry a couple of times. That reaction instantly makes me appreciate the book that much more. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Nov 28, 2010 Chelsea rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, vampires, uf-pnr, smexy

This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.

**This review will reference events at the end of the second BDB book, Lover Eternal, and does not recap the world built in book one, Dark Lover. If you haven't read the earlier books, please check out the reviews of Dark Lover and Lover Eternal.**

Zsadist is the brother everyone avoids in the early Black Dagger Brotherhood novels. He can be cruel and downright scary. The jagged scar crossing his face, coupled with the tattoos and piercings, This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.

**This review will reference events at the end of the second BDB book, Lover Eternal, and does not recap the world built in book one, Dark Lover. If you haven't read the earlier books, please check out the reviews of Dark Lover and Lover Eternal.**

Zsadist is the brother everyone avoids in the early Black Dagger Brotherhood novels. He can be cruel and downright scary. The jagged scar crossing his face, coupled with the tattoos and piercings, make him look the part. He only feeds from humans, and the rumor mill says he tortures and maybe kills them. The Brotherhood, who are known for their loyalty to one another, purposely keeps females away from Zsadist.

But, as we learned in Lover Eternal, Bella seeks out the "scarred brother." She wants him, to be with him. But after he kicks her out, she's captured by the leader of the lessers (vampire slayers). Early in Lover Awakened, we learn Mr. O wants to pretend Bella is his dead lover. While he doesn't have sex with her, he wants to physically fight with her, hold her and pretend she's his wife. (It's even creepier than it sounds.)

Zsadist makes it his personal mission to find Bella and make those who took her pay. His brothers don't understand, but he spends time at her home, protecting it and feeding her fish.

Zsadist is sure Bella shouldn't be around him. He's convinced he'll taint her and repeatedly pushes her toward his twin Phury. She refuses and makes it clear she only wants to be taken care of by Zsadist, and no matter how callous he wants to be, he's unable to say no to her. (Or to stop from bonding with her.)

Your heart will go out to Zsadist, and when he opens up to Bella -- telling her the true horrors of his past -- you will melt. Giant puddle just wanting to help. Bella is perfect for him. He can't scare her away and, after the events of her abduction, she understands him more than any of his brothers can.

It'd be wrong to give any more details than that, but you'll quickly understand why so many fans of the BDB series say Zsadist is their favorite brother. In Lover Awakened, J.R. Ward has found a perfect blend of action, edge-of-your-seat pacing and character development that leaves you aching for these people. Bonus: Ward always brings the bedroom heat.

Oh, and it'd be wrong not to warn you: There will be another cliffhanger to build up to the next storyline. ...more

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May 22, 2010 Shell rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-paranormal

Oh my goodness!!! I thought I loved Wrath and Rhage! Wrong, Zsadist is the absolute best in the series. I have to admit that I like the "bad boy" and against the grain, withdrawn type of characters. I felt Bella's love and devotion to Zsadist and his love and concern for her. This is definitely a most read! ...more

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Jun 12, 2010 Missyb rated it really liked it

This is one of the few books that I have re-read. Absolutely love Z. This one is about Zsadist & Bella. It's sad to read what happened to him, but great to read how he changes for the better. ...more

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May 05, 2010 Lisa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: black-dagger-brotherhood-series, all-time-favourites

May 08, 2010 Emma marked it as to-read

May 10, 2010 Alyssa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: june-2010-reading-challenge-parano, june-2010-reading-challenge-werewo, vampires, read-in-2010, library-reads, favorites

May 17, 2010 Kindlelicious rated it it was amazing

May 17, 2010 Heather rated it it was amazing

Shelves: pnr

May 18, 2010 Deanna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: library-book, 2010, bdb-j-r-ward

May 27, 2010 Daffodil added it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, color-blue

May 27, 2010 Christine rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

May 31, 2010 Chrissie marked it as to-read

Shelves: paranormal-romance, books-i-own

Jun 02, 2010 Leanna rated it it was amazing

Jun 10, 2010 Shari rated it really liked it

Jun 10, 2010 Nini rated it liked it

Jun 12, 2010 Anna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: paranormal-romance

Jun 22, 2010 Enoir rated it it was amazing

Jun 24, 2010 Kristy Manning rated it it was amazing

Jun 29, 2010 BaileyBones added it

Jun 29, 2010 Mandapanda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: paranormal-romance

Jul 01, 2010 Anastasia rated it really liked it

Jul 07, 2010 Monique marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Jul 11, 2010 Christine rated it it was amazing

Aug 18, 2010 Hina rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: tortured-hero, paranormal-romance, 2011, scarred-hero

Aug 25, 2010 Nicole rated it it was amazing

Shelves: vampire-fiction, paranormal-fiction, adult

Oct 16, 2010 Ashley ~twisted_illusions~ marked it as to-read

Shelves: 3rd-in-series, paranormal, fantasy, adult, romance, romantic-couple-cover, library-has, vampires-to-read, left-to-read-in-a-series, urban-fantasy

Oct 20, 2010 Holly murphy rated it it was amazing

Nov 25, 2010 Nici added it

Dec 30, 2010 Tiffany added it · review of another edition

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