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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
allingoodtime's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I know I’ve mentioned it before, but the parts in this series that deal with the Omega and the forelessers are not my thing. I don’t mind them as the foil for the Brotherhood and the vampire race, but when the narrative is from their POV I could care less and find myself skimming. Well hallelujah! This book has none of that. There are some tussles with the forelessers that are extremely important, but they never take over the story. Although there is a reason for this, I’m hoping the stories will continue this way even once the forelessers regroup.
We all know there was something more going on between Vishous (aka V) and Butch than friendship. At least on one side. This is dealt with a little more in this story than it had been previously, and the characters actually express the words. There is still some homophobic language when dealing with them, but it’s heading in the right direction when it comes to how we look at and talk about relationships that aren’t cishet. Yay!
I’ve gotta give it to the author, more than once she has found a way to incorporate a human into the world of the vampires without it feeling forced or out of the scope of the world that’s already been built. There is a LOT that happens with V in this book. Not only does the reader get his background throughout this book, but V himself learns things about his past he never knew. It throws him for a loop and kicks off a series of events that kept me turning the pages.
As for V’s mate, talk about a strong FMC. I love Jane and her kind heart and strong will. The peeks into her upbringing were riveting. I wish we would have gotten a bit more of that to understand her parents. But at the very least it helped to understand her and her motivations.
With as much oppression as there was in this story, with characters being forced into scenarios they neither asked for nor wanted, there were a lot of parts that made me laugh. I just love when an alpha falls hard and doesn’t understand what is happening. It was especially funny to me since V had fallen in love with Butch but was now presented with this other person that brought out his possessive side. Jane and V are amazing together and end up exactly what the other needs. V has never given up control when it comes to his sex life and he finds the freedom to do so with Jane while she finds the freedom of letting him take the lead, too.
This is also a big book for John in many ways. He’s moving right along and I adore the way Z looks out for him both physically and emotionally. John has a lot from his past to work on and while I’m chomping at the bit for his full story to be told, I know he still has a long way to go. I’m trying not to spoil things for myself by looking ahead to see which book will be his. I need to let myself watch the story unfold as the author intended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping
Minor: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
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
kaadee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Ok, there’s a lot I have to say.
I hate and love the world building a lot. I mean, I’m a fan of Dune which I would consider one of the most in-depth, well done world building series ever written. So reading this, I can’t help but make critiques. There’s plot holes, a ton of them, but I’ve heard that more of the books closes them up. After 5 books, I still feel like I’ve read nothing. Over these 5 books it has literally spanned a year. Not even. I feel like over 5 books we should have some explanation of something, right? And when they do give us world building scenes, they’re poorly written and aren’t very detailed.
I’m gonna be honest though, I love the Scribe Virgin. I know some people absolutely despise her but I honestly see myself in her a lot. One of my favorite quotes from the book is “She was as she had always been:alone in the midst of the world she’d created”. God, I love that line. It adds a ton of depth to her character, especially over the course of the book with the sacrifice of the song birds. She’s well written, I just think everything else is shit. We barely get anything from the Omega, which is ok because the forelesser was killed last book. Ok. Understandable. Not a huge fan but I can get over it, besides I don’t like reading the lesser POV all that much.
Now the romance. Jane, a smart doctor or whatever is a typical woman. I mean, sure she’s smart and definitely a smart ass, but she has no substance. Mary is my favorite girl so far and I feel like Jane is just Mary in a different font. She has no motivation except for her dead sister and now V. Ugh. Give me something!!!! I hate that the author (A WOMAN) can’t even write a good character who is in fact the same gender as she is!! Like hello!!! You have tons of experience!
There are things I liked about Jane but they mostly have to do with V. I like that she’s open minded. That’s about it. I thought her ending was very weird, I mean, a ghost? Really? Was that the best we could do? Ok sure, I can look over it but at this point I have a whole list of things I’m trying not to think about anymore. I cant even write more about her because she has nothing to offer. I must admit though, the beginning with the ouija board was perfectly written. It was so good, I just wish they had gone a little more in depth with her figuring out his name. Anyway, that’s it for her.
V. An abused smart asshole who is in love with his best friend until Jane shows up. I love V and Butch’s friendship, they would have been cute together. Give us at least one lgbtq+ character PLEASE. And she did. And they didn’t even get together. Nope. V ends up with bland ass Jane. It’s fine.
Anyway. V is kinky as shit. Good for him. I mean, he was all weirded out by himself saying how was a pervert but come on the kink wasn’t even that bad. Bland. Also; he was a terrible dom. He never gave aftercare, or breaks, or even cared at all. I know it ties into his past blah blah blah and Jane is the first to get care from him bUT IT WAS STUPID. GOD I JUST WANT ONE GOOD BDSM SCENE THAT IS WELL WRITTEN AND CORRECT AND NOT SOME WEIRD UNCONSENSUAL/TERRIBLE DOM THING. ITS ALL I ASK FOR. IF YOURE NOT GONNA WRITE A GOOD WOMAN CHARACTER AT LEAST GIVE IS WELL WRITTEN SEX SCENES.
I also am not a huge fan of Phury. I know they’re setting him up for next book but he’s annoying me. I love John Matthew so goddamn much and his relationship with Z is perfect. I also love Blay and Qhuinn. Anyway. Yeah.
That’s all I have for right now considering it’s 2 in the morning and I haven’t slept.
I hate and love the world building a lot. I mean, I’m a fan of Dune which I would consider one of the most in-depth, well done world building series ever written. So reading this, I can’t help but make critiques. There’s plot holes, a ton of them, but I’ve heard that more of the books closes them up. After 5 books, I still feel like I’ve read nothing. Over these 5 books it has literally spanned a year. Not even. I feel like over 5 books we should have some explanation of something, right? And when they do give us world building scenes, they’re poorly written and aren’t very detailed.
I’m gonna be honest though, I love the Scribe Virgin. I know some people absolutely despise her but I honestly see myself in her a lot. One of my favorite quotes from the book is “She was as she had always been:alone in the midst of the world she’d created”. God, I love that line. It adds a ton of depth to her character, especially over the course of the book with the sacrifice of the song birds. She’s well written, I just think everything else is shit. We barely get anything from the Omega, which is ok because the forelesser was killed last book. Ok. Understandable. Not a huge fan but I can get over it, besides I don’t like reading the lesser POV all that much.
Now the romance. Jane, a smart doctor or whatever is a typical woman. I mean, sure she’s smart and definitely a smart ass, but she has no substance. Mary is my favorite girl so far and I feel like Jane is just Mary in a different font. She has no motivation except for her dead sister and now V. Ugh. Give me something!!!! I hate that the author (A WOMAN) can’t even write a good character who is in fact the same gender as she is!! Like hello!!! You have tons of experience!
There are things I liked about Jane but they mostly have to do with V. I like that she’s open minded. That’s about it. I thought her ending was very weird, I mean, a ghost? Really? Was that the best we could do? Ok sure, I can look over it but at this point I have a whole list of things I’m trying not to think about anymore. I cant even write more about her because she has nothing to offer. I must admit though, the beginning with the ouija board was perfectly written. It was so good, I just wish they had gone a little more in depth with her figuring out his name. Anyway, that’s it for her.
V. An abused smart asshole who is in love with his best friend until Jane shows up. I love V and Butch’s friendship, they would have been cute together. Give us at least one lgbtq+ character PLEASE. And she did. And they didn’t even get together. Nope. V ends up with bland ass Jane. It’s fine.
Anyway. V is kinky as shit. Good for him. I mean, he was all weirded out by himself saying how was a pervert but come on the kink wasn’t even that bad. Bland. Also; he was a terrible dom. He never gave aftercare, or breaks, or even cared at all. I know it ties into his past blah blah blah and Jane is the first to get care from him bUT IT WAS STUPID. GOD I JUST WANT ONE GOOD BDSM SCENE THAT IS WELL WRITTEN AND CORRECT AND NOT SOME WEIRD UNCONSENSUAL/TERRIBLE DOM THING. ITS ALL I ASK FOR. IF YOURE NOT GONNA WRITE A GOOD WOMAN CHARACTER AT LEAST GIVE IS WELL WRITTEN SEX SCENES.
I also am not a huge fan of Phury. I know they’re setting him up for next book but he’s annoying me. I love John Matthew so goddamn much and his relationship with Z is perfect. I also love Blay and Qhuinn. Anyway. Yeah.
That’s all I have for right now considering it’s 2 in the morning and I haven’t slept.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail