A review by laurenjodi
Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward
3.0
Lover Eternal
3 Stars
Synopsis:
The fiercest fighter and most voracious lover within the Brotherhood, Rhage fears the harm he may cause when his curse takes over and the beast within him is released. That is until the day he meets Mary Luce, a human woman who has survived numerous hardships and can sooth the beast within Rhage. Soon the two will face their most dangerous foe and find out if their love truly can conquer all.
Review
Similar to book #1, the plot is on the mediocre side and only gets going toward the end. There are numerous "suspend your disbelief" moments and the Lessers are some of the stupidest villains in PNR. They are definitely more a danger to each other than to the brotherhood.
Rhage and Mary are likeable as a couple but not as individuals. Rhage goes from Don Juan/Casanova to lovesick puppy in under 50 seconds with little to no background or character development. The best thing about him is the beast even though the reason for his punishment is ridiculous at best. Mary's illness is saddening but also depressing and her lack of self-worth at the beginning makes her seem pathetic and annoying - first impressions are really very important and she does not make a good one even though she improves later.
One of the worst things about this series is the submissive and servile manner in which women are portrayed. The Chosen, for example, seem to exist solely for the purpose of "serving" the brotherhood and Layla's subservient behavior is very off putting (it reminds me of Marissa's attitude toward Wrath in book #1).
Nevertheless, there are a few appealing aspects such as the scenes with Rhage's beast, which are some of the best written in the book. In fact, the prose in general is an improvement (less street slang) but the dialogue is still childish and the writing style needs work.
Additional highlights include the compelling relationship between Bella and Zsadist and the subplot involving John Matthew's introduction to the vampire world. Both of these have me wanting to continue if only to find out what happens next - kind of like a bad soap opera.
3 Stars
Synopsis:
The fiercest fighter and most voracious lover within the Brotherhood, Rhage fears the harm he may cause when his curse takes over and the beast within him is released. That is until the day he meets Mary Luce, a human woman who has survived numerous hardships and can sooth the beast within Rhage. Soon the two will face their most dangerous foe and find out if their love truly can conquer all.
Review
Similar to book #1, the plot is on the mediocre side and only gets going toward the end. There are numerous "suspend your disbelief" moments and the Lessers are some of the stupidest villains in PNR. They are definitely more a danger to each other than to the brotherhood.
Rhage and Mary are likeable as a couple but not as individuals. Rhage goes from Don Juan/Casanova to lovesick puppy in under 50 seconds with little to no background or character development. The best thing about him is the beast even though the reason for his punishment is ridiculous at best. Mary's illness is saddening but also depressing and her lack of self-worth at the beginning makes her seem pathetic and annoying - first impressions are really very important and she does not make a good one even though she improves later.
One of the worst things about this series is the submissive and servile manner in which women are portrayed. The Chosen, for example, seem to exist solely for the purpose of "serving" the brotherhood and Layla's subservient behavior is very off putting (it reminds me of Marissa's attitude toward Wrath in book #1).
Nevertheless, there are a few appealing aspects such as the scenes with Rhage's beast, which are some of the best written in the book. In fact, the prose in general is an improvement (less street slang) but the dialogue is still childish and the writing style needs work.
Additional highlights include the compelling relationship between Bella and Zsadist and the subplot involving John Matthew's introduction to the vampire world. Both of these have me wanting to continue if only to find out what happens next - kind of like a bad soap opera.