JR Ward – Dark Lover

Genre: Paranormal
Book 1 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood
ISBN: 0-451-21695-4
Releasedate: September 2005
Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc.
Format owned: HC Rhapsody & MPB
For sale at: The Book Depository Store

Synopsis
In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.

The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.

REVIEW
Lately I have read so many vampire-novels that I thought 'oh no, not another one'. But I heard so much about the Black Dagger Brotherhood Warriors that my senses started tingling, my hands started shaking and my mind kept saying: 'read-it; read-it; read-it'. I finally gave in and all I can say is: "Yes I am truly and utterly a self-confessed Vampire-addict with a thirst for more". And after reading Dark Lover, on top of it all I have a hunger for Rhage; a longing for Zsadist...you get my point. Especially those who have also read this series, I'm hooked!!!!

I had some trouble at first getting the glossary fixed in my head, because, lets face it, all vampire novels have that good/bad world combined in one, but all authors want their own terms to make them different from all the rest. But once I got the hang of it I got sucked in the story.Wrath and Beth are great characters. Beth is a very strong self-reliant woman and with all the testosteron "me tarzan, you jane" Alpha Males in this series that is exactly what this novel needed to make it spectacular. Sparks flying around from the moment BEth and Wrath meet. Let's be honest, don't we all long for that instant chemistry that leads to great sex?! Not you??? Well I say : I do!!!The story is marvellous, absolutely formidable, but... always that small but... what kept slowing me down while reading it was the whole Lesser-section in between. It felt like a novel within the novel and not something that was actually part of the story. There were connecting points - yes - but it didn't do it for me. Towards the end it came together a bit more, but the parts in between didn't connect as a whole story. I've been told this will be better in part 2 & 3 of this series.

Despite all the Vampire Series out there after reading this book, I felt like JR Ward has turned it around in a whole new packeage/scenery which makes it interesting, fun, and refreshing. I really loved the way she has written it and although some rough language is used in a way I thought 'isn't it a bit much' but then realized that it suits the Warriors so perfectly. What however did bother me a bit was, that sometimes abbreviations were used like : BMOC handsome; and like BVD's underwear - I mean I never heard of those before and I lived in Ireland.... Maybe she should have put those in her glossary as well... just for those outside the USA who are not common with them.

But all in all JR Ward has claimed her way into my heart with these superb Warriors. Definitely an author who has all my praise!!!! I couldn't wait to start in the next novel so (cheeky grin) I already have and all I can say is hmmmm yummy!!!!

4 Stars