Lover Enshrined: A Novel of The Black Dagger Brotherhood

Ward returns to the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood with another sexy, fast paced novel that I couldn’t put down, regardless of the length of the story. Emotions run high as Ward’s flair for the dramatic takes readers deep into the intertwining lives of her fantastic characters. At the same time, she makes her larger than life story completely believable. The well written narrative combines with enchanting dialogue to create an unbeatable whole. I really enjoyed the dialects and slang that Ward writes with, both in the narrative and the dialogue. It really brought the story to life for me. The peek at the diverging histories of the vampires and the lesser was even more pronounced here. The tidbits of history that Ward provides puts a great many things into a deeper context and further develops the world of the series as a whole. The Scribe Virgin and her Chosen become a focal point, giving you a great deal of insight into how the spiritual aspect of this world works. I love how the history and culture of the BDB is continually developing. It’s neither fluid nor static. I’ll admit, I was definitely intrigued by Phury throughout the earlier parts of the series, but I absolutely loved him here. The complexity of character rivals that of any character in a work of fiction. His sense of self-worth is focal to who he is and plays a key role in his interactions with everyone around him. Cormia’s sense of duty and growing unhappiness provided me with a good sense of who she was inside and what she felt she should be doing. Together these two proved to be a very memorable and endlessly entertaining (and emotionally engaging) couple who definitely served this story well. Ward has created a world and band of characters that becomes more intricate and in depth with each passing novel. I find myself caught up in the individuals stories, unable to put the novel down, while also dying to know what happens next.

A book about the power of pain and letting regrets hold an axe over your head, waiting to fall at any time. Of trying to do everything for everyone so you dont have to look at yourself. About the lengths people will go to to feel numb in the place of pain or regret, or even happiness. And of the despair and lonliness and shame that comes with addiction for the addict, and the fear, helplessness and frustration that the loved ones of the addict feel when there is not to be done. A story of finding the will to let go of your own expectations and accepting yourself, flaws and all, of finding that reason to get up and make a change, to find help in dislodging the monkey on your back and learning to make ammends with yourself and others who you had even inadvertantly hurt and pushed away with addiction. A very true to life look at the power of addiction. How the drug use will make you hate yourself more and more, and push you to use more and more to escape that hate, only for it to grow more. Of a families attempts to talk to an out of control addict on the verge of suicide who believes there is nothing left for them but pain and regret. And of the strength and hope that can be found when that first sober breath fills your body, feeling like the first deep breath you've taken in..forever. A story of redemption in your own eyes, not someone else's, and of realizing love is not a concept you can give to nor accept from anyone when you cant accept it from yourself. And that even at your worst, someone who loves you will stay and talk nonsense to you if only to give you comfort, and realizing that is what means the most, not the looks or the parts that would be considered inferior to others you mistakingly compare yourself to. This book is about taking a stand for what you think is right, even if it destroys years of tradition, because it is what you believe is right....and in having to deal with the consequences of those choices, both seeminly insignificant and those beyond the imagination of their reaching. And taking responsibility for who you are and what you did, and rising from the ashes, forgiving your sins, real or imagined, and becoming stronger for your trials of fire.

The most uninteresting of the books in this series. Phury has his moments as a side character but a whole book was a mistake. I've read all the books and this is the only one I feel I could have skipped. Zsadist from book 3 was my favorite though, if that's any kind of reference for you.