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A review by kaadee
Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
adventurous
dark
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Ok so I was basically forced to read this book and I have a lot of thoughts.
First of all, I would like to start of saying I am a feminist. The last thing I enjoy is a man being annoying and very misogynistic. That was my main problem with the book, the lack of boundaries the men had. I mean, in one chapter they all grabbed the main character like 10 times. Have they never heard of keeping their hands to themselves?? It isn’t hard. I get that the book is smut and it’s woman’s fantasies (yadayada i don’t care) I’m not a huge smut reader whatsoever so the constant sex scenes was annoying but whatever, if it’s your cup of tea sure go ahead. I could work around the sex part and enjoy the actual story of the lessening society, sure.
Well, the world building is trash. So, if I wasn’t going to pay attention to the sex part I was paying attention to the plot and the world. It had no substance. I mean, I feel like the author just made up words to describe things and the Encyclopedia in the beginning made me feel like I was about to read a good world building story. Nah. The lessening society is a terrible enemy but I lowkey agree with their actions (just a bit hah sorry) I don’t understand the whole beef with the Scribe Virgin and the Omega like can’t you just fight or something? Why carry on a needless battle for hundreds of years.
Second of all, we are literally introduced to the main character when she is being sexually assaulted. I mean, come on!! Why do women need to be sexually assaulted to further a plot? They don’t! It’s stupid and it makes me hate the author just a little bit more. Also -1 star for all the pop culture references. Jesus, if there’s one thing I hate in a book it’s a pop culture reference just thrown in there for the fun of it. It ruins the fantasy for me especially when they talk about Wrath banging it out to Jay-Z. Who needs to know that? Because I honestly don’t care.
Now that I hated on the book let me go over some things I enjoyed. The dialogue between the side characters. An author who can make side characters loveable is doing a good job. I want more of the side characters and I feel like they all had individual personalities. I enjoyed their banter with each other, like, a lot. It was funny at times, so funny I even laughed out loud. I also enjoy the Scribe Virgin. It’s nice to know there is someone (a woman) that puts these Alpha males in their place.
Anyway, I will be reading the next book but only because I’m interested in seeing if the series gets ANY better (hoping)
2023 return: changing my rating because this is one of my favorite series. You can make fun of me for this review, it’s ok. I was innocent back then lol
First of all, I would like to start of saying I am a feminist. The last thing I enjoy is a man being annoying and very misogynistic. That was my main problem with the book, the lack of boundaries the men had. I mean, in one chapter they all grabbed the main character like 10 times. Have they never heard of keeping their hands to themselves?? It isn’t hard. I get that the book is smut and it’s woman’s fantasies (yadayada i don’t care) I’m not a huge smut reader whatsoever so the constant sex scenes was annoying but whatever, if it’s your cup of tea sure go ahead. I could work around the sex part and enjoy the actual story of the lessening society, sure.
Well, the world building is trash. So, if I wasn’t going to pay attention to the sex part I was paying attention to the plot and the world. It had no substance. I mean, I feel like the author just made up words to describe things and the Encyclopedia in the beginning made me feel like I was about to read a good world building story. Nah. The lessening society is a terrible enemy but I lowkey agree with their actions (just a bit hah sorry) I don’t understand the whole beef with the Scribe Virgin and the Omega like can’t you just fight or something? Why carry on a needless battle for hundreds of years.
Second of all, we are literally introduced to the main character when she is being sexually assaulted. I mean, come on!! Why do women need to be sexually assaulted to further a plot? They don’t! It’s stupid and it makes me hate the author just a little bit more. Also -1 star for all the pop culture references. Jesus, if there’s one thing I hate in a book it’s a pop culture reference just thrown in there for the fun of it. It ruins the fantasy for me especially when they talk about Wrath banging it out to Jay-Z. Who needs to know that? Because I honestly don’t care.
Now that I hated on the book let me go over some things I enjoyed. The dialogue between the side characters. An author who can make side characters loveable is doing a good job. I want more of the side characters and I feel like they all had individual personalities. I enjoyed their banter with each other, like, a lot. It was funny at times, so funny I even laughed out loud. I also enjoy the Scribe Virgin. It’s nice to know there is someone (a woman) that puts these Alpha males in their place.
Anyway, I will be reading the next book but only because I’m interested in seeing if the series gets ANY better (hoping)
2023 return: changing my rating because this is one of my favorite series. You can make fun of me for this review, it’s ok. I was innocent back then lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment