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Lover Eternal
by J.R. Ward
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 441 (paperback)
Publication: March 2006
(Signet)
Goodreads Summary: In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war raging between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret bound of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Possessed bu a deadly beast Rhage is the most dangerous of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
Within the brotherhood, Rhage is the vampire with the strongest appetites. He's the best fighter, the quickest to act on his impulses, and the most voracious lover-for inside him burns ferocious curse cast by the Scribe Virgin. Owned by this dark side, Rhage fears the time when his inner dragon is unleashed, making him a danger to everyone around him.
Mary Luce, a survivor of many hardships is unwittingly thrown into the vampire world and reliant to Rhage's protection. With a life-threatening curse of her own, Mary is not looking for love. She lost her faith in miracles years ago. But when Rhage's intense animal attraction turns into something more emotional, he knows that he must make Mary his alone. And while their enemies close in, Mary fights desperately to gain life eternal with the one she loves...
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Review: I’m going to pause for a moment and get something out of my system so that I may continue this review in a professional manner. I'll have to repeat this for most of the books in this series, so bear with me.
Okay... All better.
Lover Eternal is the second book in J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Picking up where Dark Lover (see review HERE) left off, this is the story of the warrior Rhage.
Rhage is the strongest of the warriors. No one can best him in a fight. He’s unstoppable, losing himself in the battle. But that isn’t because he loves the fight. It’s because of the monkey on his back.
Cursed years ago by the Scribe Virgin, *coughs* evil witch *coughs*, Rhage lives daily with the fear that he will hurt his friends. He uses fighting and sex… lots and lots of anonymous sex… as a form of self-medication. They take the edge off his hunger. Until he meets Mary Luce, a human woman who turns his carefully controlled world upside down.
Mary Luce is battling her own demons, fighting a fight she can’t win. But Mary isn’t a quitter, and she will do everything in her power to stay strong and survive. Including denying blonde hottie, Rhage, admittance into her life.
But neither fate nor true love will be denied. Nor will a warrior who has found his mate. And Rhage won’t allow Mary to push him away, especially once he learns just how precious the time they have together is.
This book is the one that sealed the deal for me with this series. I fell in love with the brothers in this book. Rhage won me over, completely. He made me laugh, he made me cry… he made me want to kick a fictional character’s ass on his behalf. *points up to previous comment about the Scribe Virgin* He also had me fanning myself. *laughs* #TrueFact.
As always, it was the characters that did it for me. Rhage has such a good heart and he gives every bit of himself over to Mary, offering her unconditional love. Mary is so incredibly strong and such a good person, one who gives of herself without seeking any glory. People like that are rare, and yet she’s so believable and approachable. The two of them together were amazing to see, and I was thrilled with how their story worked out.
The only downside for me in this book was that Rhage and Mary were denied the last little piece of their HEA, and I felt they deserved it. However, as I understand it, that final piece to their happiness will be resolved in their upcoming novella.
Again, Ward’s writing is quick and sharp, the dialogue flows and is entertaining, there is much smart ass and snark, and the brothers and Butch are truly fun to watch. This book REALLY ups the ante on the smoking hot sex, so read it with an ice cold bottle of water handy. And know that you will never look at a chain quite the same, again. *grins*
Rating: 4 stars
I just finished this book and have to admit this series is addicting. I can't wait to read Z's story next!
ReplyDeleteSounds like I'm going to dig this book hard. I love a selfless man...and one who knows what he wants...and lots of *cough cough* sex *cough cough* is always a plus.
ReplyDelete*runs to buy fan*
Dark Lover didn't exactly cast Rhage in a flattering light... *cough manwhore cough* so when I started Lover Eternal I was a little skeptical of his redeeming qualities. I was glad to be proven wrong. His adoration and devotion to Mary from day one was enough to win me over. Not to mention his dirty talk... *shivers*
ReplyDeleteI love Mary. She's such a strong person who has risen above so much, a lesser person would have become bitter. I love how she loves Rhage, all sides of him.
Besides Mary, there were so many great characters introduced in this book (Bella, John-Matthew *swoon*). This book made me very excited to continue the rest of the series.
Thanks for another great review Louise!
Oh Rhage...*insert fangirl scream here too*. How can anyone not be head over heels for Rhage? You have this amazing warrior, who is Hollywood gorgeous, who is funny, who is a sex God but on top of all is sweet and adorable and romantic. I mean, COME ON! I want one.
ReplyDeleteI think the most amazing thing abut Rhage is that, once you get to know him, you get to see that he's even more beautiful inside than outside and that says A LOT about him. He may not be my favorite, but I love, love, loooove him. He is always making me smile with his sense of humor and jokes. I love the way he's with V and Butch, their friendship is one of my favorite things in the series.
And Mary...well, Mary is that kind of person that everybody wants to be friends with. She's honest, she is caring and she always know the right thing to say. Plus, I could totally relate to her regarding her struggle to accept Rhage. I would be all suspicious too if I had someone like Rhage saying he loved me. I mean, she's just a regular girl and he is RHAGE, you know?! Together they made me laugh and they made me cry, cause their love story is so beautiful and HAAAWWWWWT!
What to say about Rhage describing to her all the things he wants to do to her ? *fans self* What to say about their firs time *fans self* And wht to say about the hottest 3some ever: Rhage, Mary and the beast??? *calling an ambulance* Sweet Mother of Good, never some chains sound so exciting to me. #ChanisFTW
Bottom line is: love me some Rhage and Lover Eternal is an awesome book. Great review, Lou!!! Mwah
@Lisa
ReplyDeleteZsadist and Bella's story (Lover Awakened) is my absolute favorite book of this series. Be prepared with many, many tissue, though. #PSA
I can't wait to hear what you think of LA!
@Kyla Holt
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the ice cold bottled water! Rhage and Mary will make you sizzle! *insert evil laughter HERE* Can't wait to see the tweets and texts when you start reading, Zombabe!
@Notebookgirl72
ReplyDeleteYES!! Didn't Ward do such an amazing job redeeming him? He's so not the playboy we are led to believe he is in Dark Lover.
Yes, all of the characters are great. She does a good job of making them interesting and likeable.
@Mônica Vidal
ReplyDeleteOh, Mon... *fangirl screams with you*
I love Rhage, love that he wasn't the kind of male we first thought, love the tenderness and caring for not only Mary but his brothers he shows, love that he's a giant teddy bear. He is one of my abso fave bros. And dear goddess... #ChainsFTW
*ducks and hides from angry mob* I've actually not read anything in this series yet, but have heard nothing but good things about the books and the characters and the steamy love scenes. Methinks I need to find time to read these books before an angry horde of fangirls come breaking down my door, no?
ReplyDeleteSmiles!
Lori