Sunday, April 29, 2012

Review for Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward

Title : Lover Eternal
Author: J.R. Ward

Description: In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war raging between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret bound of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Possessed by a deadly beast Rhage is the most dangerous of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

Within the brotherhood, Rhage is the vampire with the strongest appetites. He's the best fighter, the quickest to act on his impulses, and the most voracious lover-for inside him burns ferocious curse cast by the Scribe Virgin. Owned by this dark side, Rhage fears the time when his inner dragon is unleashed, making him a danger to everyone around him.

Mary Luce, a survivor of many hardships is unwittingly thrown into the vampire world and reliant to Rhage's protection. With a life-threatening curse of her own, Mary is not looking for love. She lost her faith in miracles years ago. But when Rhage's intense animal attraction turns into something more emotional, he knows that he must make Mary his alone. And while their enemies close in, Mary fights desperately to gain life eternal with the one she loves..

My Thoughts: We are back in the thrilling world of the Brotherhood and the Lessers we love to hate. In this book we meet Mary Luce, who has not had a easy life. She has faced a lot of battles from the care-taking and watching of her mom being put through the ringer until illness took her. As well as fighting her own battle with cancer. Just when she thought it was all over, she had survived and was about to get back into the pit, she finds out it's back. In the midst of this a boy, actually a guy who has been calling the hotline she works for, finally comes out of the shadows. Mary instantly takes him under her wing. Bella, her new neighbor, and unknown to her is a "civilian", recognizes what John Mathews is really. He is destined to be part of the Brotherhood. Just one problem though, he can't speak, but can sign to communicate. Only Mary knows how to talk with him. Bella contacts the Brotherhood to let them know about John Mathews and is told to bring him in, as well as Mary to interpret for them. 
Rhage, after recovering from his beastly change, is walking the corridor. Though all his senses aren't back, he is drawn to Mary and soon has her pinned against the wall close to taking what he wants, but is told to go. That will not be the last of it. Once you want something as bad as he wants Mary nothing will keep him away. He contacts Bella and has her set up a date. Mary goes into the date and can't fathom how some incredibly hot guy would want her, when it's obvious he could have any woman he desired. To Rhage however, there is only Mary. Even though he should give her up, he can't find it in his heart to let her pull away from him. Will she be able to accept him and the beast when even he doesn't believe he is worthy of her? 
Can I first say 'What the heck took me so long to read Rhage's story!' I read this book as a break from reviews and I fell in love with the BDB world again. Rhage is known for his beautiful, movie star good looks. Not to mention his sexual prowless, that makes him a complete man-whore. You think he would like getting lucky all the time, but in reality, after being cursed by a scribe, the only way to keep the beast at bay is fighting and sex. Underneath it all Rhage is vulnerable and not thrilled with what he has to do. It's just a means to an end, but with Mary it's different. One touch and his body awakens, with the beast near, and even though he wants her more then anything, he is scared he will hurt her. There were a few things he did that had me yelling at my book. I won't say them so not to spoil it for you all. All and all I loved Rhage and his beast. Mary was a great leading lady for him. She has faced her battles and though the moments where she has low self-esteem kills me, in truth, it makes her more real. What woman hasn't second guessed herself over one of her perceived flaws at one time or another. Other than that, she is sweet yet fierce. Loyal and loving, with the strength to take on the man and the beast. Even at her weakest moment she is thinking of others. J.R. Ward had me on a roller coaster of emotions. I laughed, wanted to yell at a few of the characters, and I cried. The love between Rhage and Mary touched my heart and had me rooting for them, even crying for them at times. This book is definitely one worth reading. It will make you fall more in love, not only with the leading characters Rhage and Mary, but once again with all the Brothers and the stories you know are just waiting to be told. I can't wait until I can dig into Z's story! I am a "Lover Eternal" of J.R. Ward and the Brotherhood.
5 out of 5 stars
You can purchase it here: 

3 comments:

Acasleton said...

Yet again, a great review! Can't wait to read this one!

lindsey hutchison @ United By Books said...

awww thanks huns! you haven't read the BDB boys yet? your gonna have a hard time picking a fav!

Edna said...

Great review! Love this series and Rhage even though I wanted to throw my book across the room at a certain part of this book lol.