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shellballenger's review against another edition
Type of read: Commuter Read.
What made me pick it up: I stumbled across the Black Dagger Brotherhood in early 2024 with Darius (Book 0) and I got sucked into this crazy, cracked-out, sexy, throwback-feeling, world of vampires fighting something more evil than themselves.
Overall rating: Vishous...oh you dark, broken, beautiful man. I feel like 'Lover Unbound' was one of the first in the series where Ward played with a new storyline dynamic. We had flashbacks, multiple character POVs, and more of a focus on the community (and ultimately the world that Ward has created) as a whole, rather than just one of the brothers. There are definitely some jaw-dropping moments - I, for one, was not expecting the big twist - and times when you are truly sucked into the book and what's happening with these characters. As I mentioned, 'Lover Unbound' continues to build the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and the many characters within. We get more info on John and ultimately get to see him through his transition and learning more about his father, Darius , Fury, and Zsadist. We also get a bit more of a look into the ritual and pomp of the Scribe Virgin and that portion of the brother's world. I also loved that Jane was not the traditional FMC. She's got a little extra spunk to her and that's refreshing, although some of her character arc was extremely predictable. And I feel it's necessary to say, I appreciate that Ward didn't truly make Manny out to be a bad guy. It was refreshing to see a male character outside of the Brotherhood not get the creeper/bad guy rap.
I know I've said it before in previous reviews for this series, but I feel like I just have to say it again, this is just a good escape read. You don't have to think too much about it, you don't have to try and keep things straight (Ward does a great job dropping little reminders at the beginning of each book and throughout so you keep the characters and their traits straight), and you can just dive into a (slightly dated) world of sexy vampire warriors. I'm here for it.
Reader's Note: 'Lover Unbound' includes themes of death; dying; consensual sexual activity; consensual BDSM sexual activity with sub/dom relationships; violence; kidnapping; torture; murder; sexual assault; and character recollections of physical and sexual abuse. There's also a lot of LGBTQIA+ conversation within 'Lover Unbound, especially as it navigates the relationship between Butch and Vishous, Vishous's past sexual history and partners, and how everything continues to work and grow within their relationship with each other and with their mates . I'm not going to say that it's homophobic, rather, it's quite understanding and loving; however, I think it's the way the Brotherhood talks and just the wording Ward chooses that make it feel juuuuuuuuust a tish on the uncomfy side (which, realistically, might have been the goal).
What made me pick it up: I stumbled across the Black Dagger Brotherhood in early 2024 with Darius (Book 0) and I got sucked into this crazy, cracked-out, sexy, throwback-feeling, world of vampires fighting something more evil than themselves.
Overall rating: Vishous...oh you dark, broken, beautiful man. I feel like 'Lover Unbound' was one of the first in the series where Ward played with a new storyline dynamic. We had flashbacks, multiple character POVs, and more of a focus on the community (and ultimately the world that Ward has created) as a whole, rather than just one of the brothers. There are definitely some jaw-dropping moments - I, for one, was not expecting the big twist - and times when you are truly sucked into the book and what's happening with these characters. As I mentioned, 'Lover Unbound' continues to build the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and the many characters within. We get more info on John
I know I've said it before in previous reviews for this series, but I feel like I just have to say it again, this is just a good escape read. You don't have to think too much about it, you don't have to try and keep things straight (Ward does a great job dropping little reminders at the beginning of each book and throughout so you keep the characters and their traits straight), and you can just dive into a (slightly dated) world of sexy vampire warriors. I'm here for it.
Reader's Note: 'Lover Unbound' includes themes of death; dying; consensual sexual activity; consensual BDSM sexual activity with sub/dom relationships; violence; kidnapping; torture; murder; sexual assault; and character recollections of physical and sexual abuse. There's also a lot of LGBTQIA+ conversation within 'Lover Unbound,
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
pvbobrien's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Pregnancy