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evikes's review against another edition
4.0
I really missed the BDB, and could not wait until this book!! Re-read LM in preparation for LU, and loved every minute of it. The characters in this book are so wonderful… Payne & Manny are well paired, and I swear I cannot find one fault with either of them. I also found this book to be much more erotic than the others.. maybe just my imagination, but there seemed to be a LOT of sex in this one – that was NOT a complaint, but seemed like every chapter was mentioning someone having a hard-on (mostly Manny).
There were a couple of things that bugged me about the story (like the fact that the vamps have an outstanding sense of smell, but Payne didn’t know there was a horse 20 feet from her… I think even I could have smelled that) but those little details were not enough to overshadow the experience. I also felt like there was just too much going on in this book - I know V is her twin but IMO there was too much about him and Jane. I also don't know wth was up with the serial killer... did I miss something? Just seemed disjointed.
The one aspect that DID leave me unhappy was the Qhuay situation. I think it’s gotten to the point where that situation is overshadowing the other plot lines ‘cause it’s just dragging on for soooooo long now. I now understand a bit more about Layla (and Saxton too), but it just needs to be resolved somehow. That is all I’m going to say, since I want to keep this spoiler free and there’s no way I can do that if I go into any details.
I loved the book (I think more so bc I love the series overall, not as a stand alone book)....... and now, more waiting until Tohr’s book.
There were a couple of things that bugged me about the story (like the fact that the vamps have an outstanding sense of smell, but Payne didn’t know there was a horse 20 feet from her… I think even I could have smelled that) but those little details were not enough to overshadow the experience. I also felt like there was just too much going on in this book - I know V is her twin but IMO there was too much about him and Jane. I also don't know wth was up with the serial killer... did I miss something? Just seemed disjointed.
The one aspect that DID leave me unhappy was the Qhuay situation. I think it’s gotten to the point where that situation is overshadowing the other plot lines ‘cause it’s just dragging on for soooooo long now. I now understand a bit more about Layla (and Saxton too), but it just needs to be resolved somehow. That is all I’m going to say, since I want to keep this spoiler free and there’s no way I can do that if I go into any details.
I loved the book (I think more so bc I love the series overall, not as a stand alone book)....... and now, more waiting until Tohr’s book.
idratherbereading542's review against another edition
3.0
Read Count: 2
- Main Couple: Manny(human)/Payne(vampire/demigod)
- POVs Included: (will add later)
- Book Playlist (Black Dagger Brotherhood Series Playlist)
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UPDATED REVIEW 5/13/2022:
UPDATED RATING (3 STARS)
So I have to start off this review with a bit of a disclaimer. I’ve been re-reading this series after having read a good chunk of them about 11-12 years ago or so. The newer ones I haven’t read yet, but this was one I have.
But anyways, my disclaimer is that I’ve been enjoying them, however, about 75% of the way through, my reading mood shifted. I am a very moody reader and like all kinds of books from mysteries, urban fantasies, and romances like paranormal, military, bodyguard, sports, dark romances, and many others. Well, sometimes these moods shift between books and I will sort of change to reading another type of genre for awhile before moving on to another, and so on. Unfortunately this shift happened in the midst of this book. I took a small break and read a dark romance (Captive by R.J. Lewis if you’re interested). But after reading that amazing book, this shift to my dark romance mood stayed and the need to stay in that genre held true. However, I only had about 100 pages left of this book and felt the need to finish it first. But this kind of dulled my feelings towards it near the end since my reading mood had already shifted. This is a classic it’s me not the book thing. So as you read this review keep that in mind…
Now onto the book (sorry for the long-winded disclaimer).
I liked the romance between Manny and Payne okay. They are sweet together, albeit a little bit…well, boring. They aren’t like smoking hot together or have a high amount of chemistry. They are…sweet. Which is great if that’s what you’re looking for.
I will say that what I’ve said in prior reviews, I’m very much over the vampire/human pairings in this series. Vampires in this world need an opposite sex vampire to feed from, and it’s as intimate an act as sex is for them. So this puts a weird dynamic in place. And in the case of this book, Payne (the female) is the vampire warrior whereas Manny is the human (technically half-vampire although with no vampire traits). As such, Payne is way stronger than Manny, and that is such a turn off for me. I like the male to be stronger physically and I’m not loving the dynamic, no matter how sweet they are together.
And speaking of vampire/human pairings, there’s always the need to introduce some kind of deus ex machina in order to keep them together “forever”. I don’t really mind these in paranormal books, and the one in this book works okay, except it isn’t consistent with what glowing has meant for V in the previous books. When Payne glows, she heals/regenerates. When V glows, he destroys (except for with Butch). I don’t get the difference if they are twins, unless it’s supposed to be some kind of balance. Or just random.
Now speaking of V. This book also has a side story for V, Jane, and Butch. Thankfully Marissa was mostly absent for this. Maybe Ward knows how much we all dislike her, or maybe she herself doesn’t like her. Lol I know a lot of reviews have stated the concern about messing with V and Jane’s HEA. But, personally, I actually like that Ward goes back to prior couples for time to time. Not only does it refresh my heart for them, but it makes them feel more real. Love doesn’t heal every broken piece of a person, and going back to watch the continuation of healing is nice in my opinion. I like that everything isn’t perfect after that HEA, but that these couples have issues to still work through together (and they do). I also like the re-focus on my favorite characters, and I hope she continues to do this in future books. I still stand by V and Butch should’ve ended up together and I get the feeling that Ward kind of wished she went there with them. But too late now, so we get this lingering sexual tension between the two that will never be realized. Unless she goes into a multi-couple/ménage relationship, which is just too kinky for this series to do I think. Too bad.
Some of my other thoughts on the book:
- I LOVE the Band of Bastards and Xcor so far. So intrigued by them. I know they are bad boys…but I might have a thing for bad boys. And the threesome with Xcor, Throe, and the hooker was the hottest sex scene in the book!
- No lesser POV this time. Looks like the Band of Bastards is taking place as the primary villains at this point. I’m good with this. The lesser POVs can get boring and stale so this is a good change of pace.
- There was no Lassiter in this book. WTH?? I love that fallen angel and need me some more of him!
- Why in the world did Quinn get rid of all his piercings? I get needing the step back from being a manwhore…but not the piercings! Those are effin sexy and I’m so pissed. These better make a re-appearance!
- The Jose/Veck POV was kind of lame. It very loosely tied in with the Band of Bastards story line, but mostly just felt like a plug for the Fallen Angels series. In no way did it really need to be apart of this book because it didn’t fit with the rest of the story. Awkward…
Overall the book was…okay. Like I said in my disclaimer, my reading mood has just shifted. I lovers these guys and this world very much and will be back to them, but ready to break into another genre for a time. So part of my meh-ness could have to do with that.
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ORIGINAL REVIEW (4/3/2011):
ORIGINAL RATING (4 STARS)
So, like many, I've been looking forward to this book for awhile. I'll be honest, a part of me wasn't looking forward to it. My reasons being that: 1) the books have changed so much and there are so many character POVs going on that it takes away from the romance, and 2) they've been getting so much longer that I wasn't sure if it would feel drawn out. However, I was wrong on the second case and although the first case was present, the other "side" stories were quite interesting.
First off, this is Payne and Manny's book, if you didn't already know. This book literally picks up right where the last one left off, where Payne is brought to the Brotherhood mansion and they're in search of Manny to help heal her. Once he comes to help, an instant attraction between them is formed. As her healing progresses with Manny's help, their relationship blooms and they become very much in love. I really liked both Payne and Manny's characters. However, I didn't feel the heat between them as a couple as much as I have in the past books.
In addition to their story, it almost seemed to be a second V/Jane(/Butch?) novel as well. What I mean is that those three got so much page time in this one, I think their story actually took more space in the novel than Payne/Manny's. This, is good and bad. I liked that it's realistic that even after mating life isn't all roses and their relationship is real and takes work. I liked that, and I think it would actually be nice if in the future books we got a glimpse into our other favorite couple's lives *ahem* Z and Bella *ahem* like we did for them. However -- and I'm sure if you're already a BDB fan you'll know what I mean -- it also just made V and Butch's relationship all the more confusing. As if it wasn't confusing enough already, this book has made me even more confused about them!
Aside from V/Jane(/Butch?) we also get to see into Qhuinn's head a bit more and he's going through some emotional and life changes which, I believe and hope, will prepare him for a relationship with Blay in a future book/novella. I think he went through some good changes in this one and that his character is growing really well to accept how he feels towards Blay. I can't wait to see what happens there, but I do feel very sorry for him right now, even though he kind of deserves it with how he's treated Blay in the past.
In addition we meet some brand new characters who I'm pretty sure will get books in the future. I'm not sure what to think of them yet, but there was a menage scene involving two of them and a female that was quite yummy and unexpected. I very much enjoyed that. :)
Overall, another fantastic BDB novel. The reason I gave it four instead of five was because I think that, while the side stories enhance and build the characters and world, this one took it too far because the romance between Payne and Manny seemed pushed to the background most of the time. But, I'm very much happy with the book overall and I'm SO excited to finally get Thor's book next! He is so long overdue and I'm very much happy that he'll have his HEA soon. :)
- Main Couple: Manny(human)/Payne(vampire/demigod)
- POVs Included: (will add later)
- Book Playlist (Black Dagger Brotherhood Series Playlist)
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UPDATED REVIEW 5/13/2022:
UPDATED RATING (3 STARS)
So I have to start off this review with a bit of a disclaimer. I’ve been re-reading this series after having read a good chunk of them about 11-12 years ago or so. The newer ones I haven’t read yet, but this was one I have.
But anyways, my disclaimer is that I’ve been enjoying them, however, about 75% of the way through, my reading mood shifted. I am a very moody reader and like all kinds of books from mysteries, urban fantasies, and romances like paranormal, military, bodyguard, sports, dark romances, and many others. Well, sometimes these moods shift between books and I will sort of change to reading another type of genre for awhile before moving on to another, and so on. Unfortunately this shift happened in the midst of this book. I took a small break and read a dark romance (Captive by R.J. Lewis if you’re interested). But after reading that amazing book, this shift to my dark romance mood stayed and the need to stay in that genre held true. However, I only had about 100 pages left of this book and felt the need to finish it first. But this kind of dulled my feelings towards it near the end since my reading mood had already shifted. This is a classic it’s me not the book thing. So as you read this review keep that in mind…
Now onto the book (sorry for the long-winded disclaimer).
I liked the romance between Manny and Payne okay. They are sweet together, albeit a little bit…well, boring. They aren’t like smoking hot together or have a high amount of chemistry. They are…sweet. Which is great if that’s what you’re looking for.
I will say that what I’ve said in prior reviews, I’m very much over the vampire/human pairings in this series. Vampires in this world need an opposite sex vampire to feed from, and it’s as intimate an act as sex is for them. So this puts a weird dynamic in place. And in the case of this book, Payne (the female) is the vampire warrior whereas Manny is the human (technically half-vampire although with no vampire traits). As such, Payne is way stronger than Manny, and that is such a turn off for me. I like the male to be stronger physically and I’m not loving the dynamic, no matter how sweet they are together.
And speaking of vampire/human pairings, there’s always the need to introduce some kind of deus ex machina in order to keep them together “forever”. I don’t really mind these in paranormal books, and the one in this book works okay, except it isn’t consistent with what glowing has meant for V in the previous books. When Payne glows, she heals/regenerates. When V glows, he destroys (except for with Butch). I don’t get the difference if they are twins, unless it’s supposed to be some kind of balance. Or just random.
Now speaking of V. This book also has a side story for V, Jane, and Butch. Thankfully Marissa was mostly absent for this. Maybe Ward knows how much we all dislike her, or maybe she herself doesn’t like her. Lol I know a lot of reviews have stated the concern about messing with V and Jane’s HEA. But, personally, I actually like that Ward goes back to prior couples for time to time. Not only does it refresh my heart for them, but it makes them feel more real. Love doesn’t heal every broken piece of a person, and going back to watch the continuation of healing is nice in my opinion. I like that everything isn’t perfect after that HEA, but that these couples have issues to still work through together (and they do). I also like the re-focus on my favorite characters, and I hope she continues to do this in future books. I still stand by V and Butch should’ve ended up together and I get the feeling that Ward kind of wished she went there with them. But too late now, so we get this lingering sexual tension between the two that will never be realized. Unless she goes into a multi-couple/ménage relationship, which is just too kinky for this series to do I think. Too bad.
Some of my other thoughts on the book:
- I LOVE the Band of Bastards and Xcor so far. So intrigued by them. I know they are bad boys…but I might have a thing for bad boys. And the threesome with Xcor, Throe, and the hooker was the hottest sex scene in the book!
- No lesser POV this time. Looks like the Band of Bastards is taking place as the primary villains at this point. I’m good with this. The lesser POVs can get boring and stale so this is a good change of pace.
- There was no Lassiter in this book. WTH?? I love that fallen angel and need me some more of him!
- Why in the world did Quinn get rid of all his piercings? I get needing the step back from being a manwhore…but not the piercings! Those are effin sexy and I’m so pissed. These better make a re-appearance!
- The Jose/Veck POV was kind of lame. It very loosely tied in with the Band of Bastards story line, but mostly just felt like a plug for the Fallen Angels series. In no way did it really need to be apart of this book because it didn’t fit with the rest of the story. Awkward…
Overall the book was…okay. Like I said in my disclaimer, my reading mood has just shifted. I lovers these guys and this world very much and will be back to them, but ready to break into another genre for a time. So part of my meh-ness could have to do with that.
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ORIGINAL REVIEW (4/3/2011):
ORIGINAL RATING (4 STARS)
So, like many, I've been looking forward to this book for awhile. I'll be honest, a part of me wasn't looking forward to it. My reasons being that: 1) the books have changed so much and there are so many character POVs going on that it takes away from the romance, and 2) they've been getting so much longer that I wasn't sure if it would feel drawn out. However, I was wrong on the second case and although the first case was present, the other "side" stories were quite interesting.
First off, this is Payne and Manny's book, if you didn't already know. This book literally picks up right where the last one left off, where Payne is brought to the Brotherhood mansion and they're in search of Manny to help heal her. Once he comes to help, an instant attraction between them is formed. As her healing progresses with Manny's help, their relationship blooms and they become very much in love. I really liked both Payne and Manny's characters. However, I didn't feel the heat between them as a couple as much as I have in the past books.
Spoiler
Also, what was up with the only ONE actual sex scene (excluding oral/play) between them? How disappointing!In addition to their story, it almost seemed to be a second V/Jane(/Butch?) novel as well. What I mean is that those three got so much page time in this one, I think their story actually took more space in the novel than Payne/Manny's. This, is good and bad. I liked that it's realistic that even after mating life isn't all roses and their relationship is real and takes work. I liked that, and I think it would actually be nice if in the future books we got a glimpse into our other favorite couple's lives *ahem* Z and Bella *ahem* like we did for them. However -- and I'm sure if you're already a BDB fan you'll know what I mean -- it also just made V and Butch's relationship all the more confusing. As if it wasn't confusing enough already, this book has made me even more confused about them!
Spoiler
It seems clear to me that Ward wanted them to end up together. Maybe it was too early in the series for a full m/m relationship to happen and that's why they didn't ultimately end up together. But from their interactions in this book, it is so very painfully clear that they should have ended up together in the end. Although they both say they're happy with their shellans, it seems to me that they can offer each other emotionally what neither of their shellans can. I won't bitch about this more, but it's frustrating and sad to watch them together with the sexual tension that drifts between them on a constant basis.Aside from V/Jane(/Butch?) we also get to see into Qhuinn's head a bit more and he's going through some emotional and life changes which, I believe and hope, will prepare him for a relationship with Blay in a future book/novella.
Spoiler
Although I'm not sure what to say about the "vision" he has about Layla's/His possible future daughter. Perhaps she's a surrogate for him a Blay? If he doesn't end up with Blay, I will be seriously mad.In addition we meet some brand new characters who I'm pretty sure will get books in the future. I'm not sure what to think of them yet, but there was a menage scene involving two of them and a female that was quite yummy and unexpected. I very much enjoyed that. :)
Overall, another fantastic BDB novel. The reason I gave it four instead of five was because I think that, while the side stories enhance and build the characters and world, this one took it too far because the romance between Payne and Manny seemed pushed to the background most of the time.
Spoiler
I also did not understand the Jose/Veck side story. It didn't seem to tie in to the rest of the story in any substantial way, unless Veck is a half-breed we don't know about, which seemed sort of possible maybe. I also kind of expected the Manny/Butch thing so that wasn't a surprise, but I was disappointed that him and Payne didn't want to go through the change. Don't understand that.ene98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
samhowe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mathiev's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
thenovelcourt's review against another edition
5.0
This was by far the quickest read in the BDB series, it almost didn't feel like a whole BDB book. V totally stole the show in my opinion, this was his and Butch's story more than anything else (and I'm not complaining). I can't believe I'm at book 10 next, Tohr's!
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Re-Read 2019:
Payne and Manny and Glory are in my top 5 favs. I could re-read this forever.
_
Re-Read 2019:
Payne and Manny and Glory are in my top 5 favs. I could re-read this forever.
lmrivas54's review against another edition
5.0
I would say that JR Ward has hit her stride with this one; the rhythm is excellent, the plot is excellent. It was one of those books you can't put down. I loved the love plot between Manny and Payne, they were true to their personalities, but with the added dimension of being so much in love with each other that it smoothed their edges. I loved having the brothers intervene, though not directly, hey it was not a party and everyone had to play, but you see that they're all there.
sidekicka7x's review against another edition
5.0
Another great book in this series. I hope to be caught up before The Beast releases.