A review by amy_reads4
Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Lover Eternal is the 2nd book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and I am so happy to be back in this world! This story follows Rhage and Mary, Rhage is one of the infamous Black Dagger Brotherhood warriors who has carried a 100 year curse set upon him by the Scribe Virgin for the last 9 years, whenever Rhage is close to losing control he turns into a beast. Mary is a lost soul with a vampire for a neighbour. When a young boy comes into Mary’s life he unexpected brings her and Bella into the life of the Brotherhood, and nothing will ever be the same for Mary from there.

I found Mary’s story particularly painful to read and process, having lost her mother and being in remission from lukemia, she knows when it has returned. I loved watching her relationship with Rhage develop, seeing the internal struggles they both faced letting another in.

This book further fleshes out the fight between the Brotherhood and the lessers, along with the new lengths the lessers are willing to go to in their quest to find the Brothers. The elements of the modern world mixed in with vampire culture make it so easy to visualise their world.

When John appeared, with the symbol of the Brotherhood and patchy dreams I immediately felt I knew who he was, but I shall save that idea until we get further into the series.

I cannot wait to get into the next one and fall in love with even more of the Brotherhood and their lives. I throughly enjoy their bonds and friendships with each other also.