Bookfanatic reviewed on
Helpful Score: 2
This book is ten times better than the last book with Payne and Manny. This story feels more complete, well rounded and plotted. Finally we see the Brothers actively involved in fighting villains other than the Lessers. It was about time. Obviously the Brothers had to have vampire enemies, not just Lessers. It was about time Ward addressed the factions that are unhappy with Wrath.
This book has something else I really like. All the other characters, most of them anyway, make an appearance. So often in these BDB books, characters have their own book then they disappear from existence in the later books. Phury, Marissa, Trez/iAM, Rehv, Ehlena, Rhage, and many more have brief appearances. I liked that. It shows the connection to Tohr and gives you a sense their stories are continuing as well.
Some mild spoilers below..
Tohr's reactions to No'One at times seemed heartless, but understandable also. He was deeply in love with Wellsie. As we have seen in the last two books, he's had a hard time letting go of the past. However, I didn't think he used No'One, but he could have used more care with his words. On the other hand, No'One is so submissive so often that I was thrilled when she finally grew the backbone she did. She also needed to hear some of the things he said to her because she was acting like a martyr for far too long. Tohr shows great sensitivity to No'One's past with the sympath. I thought that aspect was handled with delicacy and care which shows what a male of worth Tohr is.
This is the type of romance you rarely read about. A person learning to love again after losing their first love. Most authors shy away from that topic understandably because it's not romantic. Readers want soul mates, first love, the one and only kind of love stories. But Ward does a good job of showing one can have a strong love for one woman and yet go on with life to love another. Having said that, I don't know if I'm completely sold on Tohr loving No'one that deeply. One telling sign is that he never releases his bonding scent in all the times they're together. He does hiss, bare his fangs at the other Brothers for looking at her, but the scent which is so crucial to bonding is never released. Part of me feels like No'One will be second best. Tohr will love and care for her, but their love is secondary to what he had with the majestic and strong willed Wellsie.
This is the story of not only Tohr and No'One/Autumn (she changes her name midway through the book), but also a continuation of John/Xhex as well as Blay/Saxton/Qhuinn; Layla/Xcor/Qhuinn, and Lassiter.
The relationship between John and Xhex has growing pains. This is understandable as she's a fighter and he's a protective hellren. Xhex shows her maturity and her love for John. She's still incredibly strong willed, but she shows a softer side here. I loved seeing the new relationship between No'One and Xhex. Xhex showed a softer, more vulnerable side in her matters with her mahmen.
Great plot, very hot sex (are we surprised about this?), funny dialogue (mostly from Lassiter), and a sense that this series has renewed vigor. I felt the series was stalling, but this book gives the BDB series the kick in the butt it needed. Highly recommended. Keep the tissues handy.
This book has something else I really like. All the other characters, most of them anyway, make an appearance. So often in these BDB books, characters have their own book then they disappear from existence in the later books. Phury, Marissa, Trez/iAM, Rehv, Ehlena, Rhage, and many more have brief appearances. I liked that. It shows the connection to Tohr and gives you a sense their stories are continuing as well.
Some mild spoilers below..
Tohr's reactions to No'One at times seemed heartless, but understandable also. He was deeply in love with Wellsie. As we have seen in the last two books, he's had a hard time letting go of the past. However, I didn't think he used No'One, but he could have used more care with his words. On the other hand, No'One is so submissive so often that I was thrilled when she finally grew the backbone she did. She also needed to hear some of the things he said to her because she was acting like a martyr for far too long. Tohr shows great sensitivity to No'One's past with the sympath. I thought that aspect was handled with delicacy and care which shows what a male of worth Tohr is.
This is the type of romance you rarely read about. A person learning to love again after losing their first love. Most authors shy away from that topic understandably because it's not romantic. Readers want soul mates, first love, the one and only kind of love stories. But Ward does a good job of showing one can have a strong love for one woman and yet go on with life to love another. Having said that, I don't know if I'm completely sold on Tohr loving No'one that deeply. One telling sign is that he never releases his bonding scent in all the times they're together. He does hiss, bare his fangs at the other Brothers for looking at her, but the scent which is so crucial to bonding is never released. Part of me feels like No'One will be second best. Tohr will love and care for her, but their love is secondary to what he had with the majestic and strong willed Wellsie.
This is the story of not only Tohr and No'One/Autumn (she changes her name midway through the book), but also a continuation of John/Xhex as well as Blay/Saxton/Qhuinn; Layla/Xcor/Qhuinn, and Lassiter.
The relationship between John and Xhex has growing pains. This is understandable as she's a fighter and he's a protective hellren. Xhex shows her maturity and her love for John. She's still incredibly strong willed, but she shows a softer side here. I loved seeing the new relationship between No'One and Xhex. Xhex showed a softer, more vulnerable side in her matters with her mahmen.
Great plot, very hot sex (are we surprised about this?), funny dialogue (mostly from Lassiter), and a sense that this series has renewed vigor. I felt the series was stalling, but this book gives the BDB series the kick in the butt it needed. Highly recommended. Keep the tissues handy.
