Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 6)

I really love this series, and particulary I love this book,it's not the tipical romance book but it's excellent and I enjoy every moment I spent reading it.

I had not intended to purchase this book after being so disappointed with the last ghostly romance. J.R. Ward angered my feminine person with her horrible conclusion. In hindsight, though, she told us what she thought of females in romance novels: they have no substance. I expected resignation to the formula so I did not intend on reading the next story. I dreaded a romance with an even-more substance-less (at least the others had actual lives to lose at the end) female who comes from a place where women are nothing more than incubating machines.

BUT being a BDB addict, always loving her attention to the alpha males, I felt compelled to buy LE. Much to my surprise, I was rewarded.

In LE J.R. Ward abandons the romance formula to become perhaps the first urban fantasy novel that's about men. While I'd like to see a woman or two rise to the level of importance as all Brotherhood dudes, I like that the main focus is the Dude. While I despise what happens to women in romance novels, I had grown weary of the only other choice for me: typical tough-talking, wanna-be-a-guy females in urban fantasy novels (i.e. Anita Blake...zzzz...). Forget women, I want to read about MEN. I want to lust after the MEN. I want a series I can follow like a soap opera, a story that continues a la Anita Blake without the virutal death of the men I love at the end of the romance.

LE does it. Ward finally is freed of her contracts and can write what she wants. As I read the story, I felt her freedom from formula romance. I liked that Phury didn't suddenly LOVE Cormia. It crept up on him. We end on a cliffhanger. YAY! A story that I can continue reading. I story that promises many more tales that won't end with the HEA (like the end of Zsadist's novel, V's or Butch's). Where are those men I love now? Totally absent. Too often, the HEA kills the soul of the man and the woman. They lose all their character. With LE, the shift to urban fantasy promises to give life to the men (and women) I love. The HEA doesn't have to kill them off.

I cannot wait for the next novel. Yes, yes, YES, on urban fantasy.

The many reviews that have been written say it all. For fans of Ward, which I once was, this book is a huge disappointment. There is no real romance and Phury, the alleged hero, is not likeable in any way except for maybe briefly at the end. Moreover, as most reviewers agree, this installment of the series is filled with subplot after subplot, many of which are also not entertaining. The only redeeming factor is the new Lesser front man (the new bad guy) is interesting. I would recommend reading the first 3 or 4 of the series. Those were excellent! LEn is not worth your time and I don't say that lightly.

As I do not do alot of shopping online, I had questions, order changes and was very nicely surprised. Seller was prompt, patient and very kind. Shipping was quick and product arrived in the condition promised. Would definitely do business again with this seller!

All I've got to say is WOW!!!

This is the story of Phury, Zhadist's twin. The one everyone fell in love with for being so compassionate of others during the last few books. The one everyone was hoping to see his happy ending.

Well, the book definitely delivers, despite all the wishy washy chaos with everyone else. The story almost seemed pretty scattered at points, but it straightened up for the most part. It just took a lot of extra effort to get there. The story almost seemed to be running around a nonexistant force.

The thing that surprised me was that with all the things we THOUGHT we knew about Phury really go deeper than I knew. I was not expecting him to be so miserable inside his head. Or in his own skin, or in the decisions he made for that matter. He was obviously going through something nobody understood. Maybe that's why the storyline seemed to be circling around and around again. J.R. Ward had to PUSH us and Phury toward his conclusion. It was messing with everything he had lined up for the Brotherhood, and the Chosen. He needed a good fixing.

Overall, the book was a fast read. I always love the ACTION, ROMANCE, and DRAMA Ms. Ward brings to her pages.

PS. I'm so glad to see Tohr made it back safe and sound for the time being.