Review: Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

September 6th 2005, Signet Eclipse
393 pages, E-book
Borrowed from the Library
First in Black Dagger Brotherhood series
Adult Fiction

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.

Cover Review:

I hate it so very much when they put a color filter on top of an image. People are not red. It’s distracting and ugly. I do like the dagger and the woman biting the mans neck, because it relates to the contents.

Opinion:

People have been bullying me into reading this series for SO long now, but with the never ending pile of review books I hadn’t gotten around to it. When it was available instantly from Overdrive I just had to start on the series. This book is super steamy with lots of action and a ton of heart.

Beth is a highly relatable character that is passionate about her mate. I dislike that she slept with Wrath without even knowing his name, especially after being sexually assaulted. Beyond that I had no issues with her. She was intelligent, loving, and understood Wrath.

I simply love Wrath. He is damaged, strong, and once he falls for Beth he will do anything to ensure her safety. One of my favorite scenes throughout the entire book is him fighting for their relationship with a higher being. The poignant marriage ceremony is another of my favorites.

With names such as Rhage, Tohrment, Zsadist, etc. you know these boys are going to be dynamic. I can’t decide if I like the novelty of their names, but I do love the boys. They each have their own distinct personalities and I can’t wait to read their stories.

The amount of different POV’s (point of view) distracted me. It felt like we were flipping around and at times it felt like I was gonna get whiplash.

The character development is so strong in this book. The plot is never ending action and I felt real connection to the entire book. It had it’s issues, but overall it was an incredibly enjoyable read.

Rating:

Rie

I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

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Num8ers by Rachel Ward

February 1st 2010, Chicken House/Scholastic Inc.
325 pages, Paperback
Bought from Amazon
First in the Numbers Series
Young Adult

Ever since the day her mother died, Jem has known about the numbers. Numbers that pop into her head when she looks into someone's eyes. They're dates, the numbers. Dates predicting with brute accuracy each person's death. Burdened by such horrible knowledge, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. Maybe they can find happiness together, if only in the brief time that remains before his expiration date. But on a trip to London, Jem foresees a chilling chain of events: The city's a target. The clock's running out. The countdown is on to a blowup!

 
Opinion:

From the very first page this was an incredibly dark read that isn’t for the faint of heart. It was literally painful for me to read. I attempted to put it down several times because it was just too real, but I couldn’t. I had to know if Jem would find her happy ending.'

A drug addicted mother dies leaving her seven year old daughter alone with the knowledge that she sees when people are going to die. While in yet another foster care home Jem is cutting out of school and Spider a black boy that reeks attempts to talk to her, but when she sees his number is coming close she tries to leave. When he insists on continuing to talk to her it is the beginning of a beautiful friendship that turns to love.

Jem is a very complex character and Ward’s characterization is mostly why this book is so good. Left by everyone she has cared about Jem is a loner, and add the fact that she can see when everyone is going to die this throws her further into her own world.

Spider immediately grabbed my attention, as I had my own Spider in middle school. A violent boy that will protect you from all outside forces. He has his own issues, believing drug dealing and stealing is the way out of the slums, but he is also a partner that Jem needs to face the world.

This book will tear your hear apart and leave it that way. Characterization is very strong, the actions that Jem and Spider take aren’t always the smartest, but it fits within their characters.

One final note. Many say that it’s a cliffhanger. I don’t feel that way. I don’t even feel compelled to read the next one. The ending fit the book.

Rating:

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