Erin S. (nantuckerin) reviewed on 7/11/2010 + 158 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

I am a huge fan of J.R. Ward -- especially her addictive, guilty-pleasure Black Dagger Brotherhood series -- and have been waiting on pins and needles for the release of Lover Mine, the eighth book in that stellar series.

After turning the final page of Lover Mine, though -- which I destroyed in a day -- I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. While some parts of the book were better than previous efforts, it seemed like we as BDB readers have traveled this path before.

Lover Mine picks up a month or so after the conclusion of Lover Avenged. Androgynous half-sympath Xhex has been kidnapped by Lash and held captive virtually under the Brothers' noses. Lash is one of the elements of the series that I'd consider most improved -- his spiral into evil and insanity has brought the conflict between the vampires and the Lessers to a new level, and his role as the series' Big Bad is well played. Lash -- son of the Omega, the ultimate dark force in the world -- has decided he's in love with Xhex, and wants her to be bound to him forever, not only as the first female slayer, but as the mother of his children. In true evil Lash form, he shows this "love" by raping and torturing Xhex, and rendering her invisible to prevent her rescue.

This does not sit well with John Matthew, the other half of this book's cannon romantic pairing. John Matthew and Xhex have had a rocky road to their relationship, but his love for her is consuming. He has her name tatooed on his back in her memory, and won't stop searching for her -- or her remains. Unfortunately, the tortured search takes up the first half of the novel, and reminded me a LOT of Lover Awakened and of Zsadist's search and rescue of his wife, Bella. He's angry and damaged. She's hurt, but not broken. Together they can heal eachother and have their Happily Ever After. Yup, we've definitely been here before.

The second romantic storyline is danced around, and would be my bet for the next BDB book's love story focus. Blay and Qhuinn are best friends - but obviously so much more. This will be the first gay love story openly played out in any of the books I have read, but Ward thus far is handling it beautifully. I'm intrigued to see what develops for them in the future, as well as their other romantic entanglements with the Chosen, Layla (seriously, that girl just can't get a break!) and Saxton, Qhuinn's open and rich "slutty" cousin, who has his eye on Blaylock.

Overall, though, I have to say that Lover Mine was a little bit of a letdown. I miss greater involvement of the original Brothers, whose banter was one of my favorite parts of the earlier books of the series. I also feel that Ward has an awful lot going on in this novel. There's the ghosthunters (a random and unnecessary plot point), Payne, the backstory of Darius and Tohr -- it's all just a bit too much to keep straight. My biggest disappointment, however, was the lack of resolution of the Darius/John Matthew connection. I was certain this would be the book that all the dots connected, that everyone figured it out, that it would all make sense. But, no. I can't think of another more appropriate time to give both the characters and readers this resolution, but I'm sure Ms. Ward has something up her sleeve. At least, I hope so.

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