Lover Eternal - The Black Dagger Brotherhood (J.R. Ward)

If you haven't already read my embarrassing post about how I started the series "The Black Dagger Brotherhood," you can read all about it here.  If you need a laugh today, that could be it!  Checking "Lover Eternal" out of the library was a little bit less embarrassing than my first J.R. Ward library experience, but it still caused a bit of blushing at the check out counter!

The Black Dagger Brotherhood is a series (there are ten books in all) about a brotherhood of vampires.  The terminology and concepts are much different than those used in Twilight books - that is, there aren't werewolves, but instead there are lessers, and their rules for eating and whatnot are different.  But all in all, they are still vampire books and they are a bit more "grownup" than Twilight.

Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward is the second book in The Black Dagger Brotherhood series.  The first book, Dark Lover, focused on the relationship between Beth and Wrath, whereas this book focused on two different characters, Rhage (vampire) and Mary (human).  I would go so far as to say that this book, though dealing with the same group of vampires and same concepts, is different enough from the first book that you could read this one without having read the first one.  In fact, Beth and Wrath (the stars of the first book), make only a few short appearances in this novel. 

The storylines in this book: The first problem with their relationship is that Rhage is a vampire and Mary is a human.  He falls in love with her instantly, but it's against the rules for him to be dating a human.  Then, enter the fact that Rhage has been cursed - he has a "beast" inside of him, a beast that he's worried will harm Mary someday.  Finally, add in the fact that Mary has leukemia and it seems like all the cards are stacked against them. 

I found this book was exciting, just like the first novel.  There was obviously a romance side to the novel (as the title suggests), but there are many other topics addressed.  There was a lot more interaction with the other vampire brothers in this novel, which was nice, there were the cancer issues, and there was still the fighting with the lessers.  The end of the novel hints that the third book will focus on yet another vampire, Zsadist.  

I liked the book, almost better than I liked the first novel, Dark Lover.  If you're into vampires, I would still recommend this series. 

Dark Lover (J.R. Ward)

Are you a Twilight fan?  And if so, do think that maybe you're a bit too old for Twilight?  Then I have just the book recommendation for you!

If you haven't already read my embarrassing library story detailing how I ended up with this book in my hands, you should do that now. 

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward is a vampire love story with a bit of action and suspense.  Wrath is a purebread vampire who was asked by his friend (Darius) to take care of his (Darius') daughter (Beth) as she went through her "changing" from human to half-vampire.  (She's the daughter of a human mother and a vampire father, so obviously when she's about 25, she will go through her change and become a vampire.)  Although Wrath first declined the opportunity, it does fall upon him... Beth and Wrath have an undeniable chemistry from the beginning and he must do everything he can to help protect her. 

This book was like Twilight - but more hardcore in many ways.  There was a lot of detail about their "brotherhood" (that is, the vampires who are responsible for the livelihood of the vampire population) and about "lessers" (the humans without souls who are trying to get rid of the vampires).  A lot of interesting information was introduced and will no doubt be built upon in future books of The Black Dagger Brotherhood series.  The information seems to go into more depth about the vampires in this book than what Twilight ever did.  Also, there is more information about their relationships in this book, making it appeal to an older audience. 

I liked the book.  I found it a bit confusing at the beginning because I was learning a lot of new 'terms,' but once you get into it a bit, it all makes sense.  It was easy to read and kept you entertained by moving back and forth between different storylines that are all somehow connected. While you are comfortable with the ending of the book (i.e. it doesn't make you want to immediately go grab the second book in the series off the shelf), there is so much left to happen with the characters that you do feel as if you need to continue in the series to find out more.

"'Life is full of wonderful surprises, isn't it?'
'It certainly is.'" (Dark Lover, J.R. Ward, p. 329)

If you're not into the fantasy and vampire thing, then this is not for you.  However, as I mentioned, if you are a vampire fan but are looking for something a little more adult, then this would be a good pick.

The Embarrassing Library Story

It all started about a month ago.  I was all "I think this year, for my New Years Resolution, I'm going to buy less.  One thing I can do is start using the library more!"  (Realistically, I know that if the wait is too long for a book, I'm not going to wait for it - I'll end up buying it anyway.  But hey, I thought it would be good to try for a while.)  My first "book on hold" library story was a success - I put a book on hold, it got transferred to the library nearest me, and I was able to pick it up a few days later.  Woohoo - this library thing will be awesome.

The story continues at a Christmas party at the beginning of December, when the series "The Black Dagger Brotherhood" came up in conversation.  I was told by a few girls that I MUST read this book.  "Hey," I thought, "let's check if it's at the library."  They had one copy at a different branch, but it was currently checked out.  I put it on hold, knowing that it was due mid-December.  Perfect!

I've been checking the status of my book online (which is an awesome feature) and I noticed that it had been "In Transit" for a few days now.  Since I finished my latest book last night, I was ready for the first book of "The Black Dagger Brotherhood" series and decided to just go ask at the library.

She was very nice at the desk and called the branch it was being transferred from.  This was her end of the conversation.  "I have a patron here who has a book on hold.  It has been in transit since December 21st.  Could you check if it's on your shelf? (pause) It's W-A-R.  The author is J.R. Ward.  The book is called Dark Lover."  (Oh, this is embarrassing... It's not what it sounds like.)  So it wasn't there.  She tells me, "Maybe it's on the shelf here by accident.  The lady at the other desk across the library will be able to help you."

On to desk number two.  She was busy, so I thought, "This could be easy and less embarrassing.  I'll go look for the book on the shelf myself."  Nope, it wasn't there.  During this search, I said to my mother, "Mom, the book is called 'Dark Lover.'  It's not what it sounds like... It's a vampire book that (insert name of friend) said was very good.  This is kind of awkward."

Back to desk number two.  I ask about it, she checks the shelf again and it's not there.  Then she calls the library it was initially from, thinking it could have somehow ended up back there.  What I hear (along with the dozen people who are sitting right next to her at the computers.)  "Hello.  I have a patron here looking for a book.  It's been in transit for a while and maybe it's ended up back on your shelf by accident. (pause)  It's W-A-R.  Author J.R. Ward.  The book is called 'Dark Lover: The Black Dagger Brotherhood series.' Oh you don't need to write it all down.  You can just write down Dark Lover."  Meanwhile, a man shows up at the desk and is laughing (and we also get a few looks from the people at computers).  As I start turning red, I say to him, "It's not what it sounds like."

I find out he works there when he says, "Oh, there's a bin of books downstairs that has been there for a couple days.  I think they're transit books."  He goes down to get the bin of books as my mom and I wait near the movies just in case my book is there.  We see him bring up the box of books and he helps go through them, trying to find the book.  Mom says, "Well, they don't need to be reminded what the title is, at least."  Yes, it's an easy one to remember.  Dark Lover.

They find it and I go to the desk again to check it out.  I thank him, turn to the lady at the desk and say, "Well, I'm going to check out Season 3 of The Muppets, too, so that it doesn't look so bad.  That was really embarrassing."  After she punches in my stuff, the guys asks, "What's the book about anyway?"  I respond, "My friend told me it was good.  I don't even know really, it's like vampires or something."

I made their day.  You're welcome.  Now I have a book to read AND a season of The Muppets to watch. 

I haven't started the book yet, but it better be worth it. 

P.S. They were all extremely nice at the library and I think it was just a little mix up. Had I not asked, it would have sorted itself out (minus the embarrassment).