Black Dagger Brotherhood (3) - Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward
Book 3: Lover Awakened (in German Mondspur & Dunkles Erwachen, in French L'Amant furieux) I read it in German where it contained 314 and 293 pages. Originally published 2006.
Bella's gone. She's probably dead. And Zsadist doesn't even know what happened! He's desperate – and then, he gets a lead. But freeing Bella means to also re-awaken his past... and the fact that his twin brother loves her, doesn't make it better. Zsadist would do anything in his power to give Bella everything she deserves: happiness, health, Phury – but unfortunately, all Bella wants is what she could never have: the twisted, poisonous, hurting Z.
Oooookay, this book was really intense. First to the style: This was so much better than the first! Of course, it could just be that they used another translator. Otherwise, J.R. Ward simply gained more experience – and used it. Either way, I like it. There are still colourful pictures and all, but they are connected. And the way the characters are described? Wonderful!
To said characters: I already mentioned in Dark Lover (D / E) and Lover Eternal (D / E) that Z is a really fascinating person. This doesn't change in this book. You get to understand him, how he's caught up in his own personal hell due to what happened to him. I'm so glad for Bella's stamina, because this is basically what redeems him. I love how Z falls for her – the little (okay, for him huge things) in the beginning, the necklace and how he cleans her house – and how she grows on him.
But whom I really am sorry for is Phury. Good God, that poor, poor boy! Seriously, that has to suck. He lives his entire life for Z, every single minute of it.
Spoiler:
Than he falls in love with the same girl – and she wants Z, even after everything he does! But Phury doesn't stop doing everything for his brother. He even mimics the scar! By the way, how could David fall for that? His hair stayed in place and the wound was fresh!
However, I love how the ending plays out: Bella is really angry at Z and makes clear that she won't be treated like that (yay self-respect!), but still she fights for the people she loves – and she basically saves herself and the ones around her. She doesn't need the boys for that. I like that a lot. And the epilogue is so beautiful, Z's redemption? Wonderful!
Again, what I don't like is that she seems to forget the girls. By the way, I'm sorry that we hear so little about Beth and Mary. Sure, they are not main characters here, but they ARE an important asset to the covenant. The relationship between Butch and Marissa is just shoved to the side as well. In the first two parts of the series, there were lots of hints as to how this would continue. Now, Marissa's just out of the picture for a while – which is sad, because it's not explained WHY she reacts this way.
Okay, to continue with the others. I'm kind of sorry for O. Because in a really twisted way, he's in love with Bella – and he gives everything he has for her. He's still the villain. But I liked him way better than X.
As for John Matthews: His reaction to Beth was really well done – and I knew it!!! Okay, I'm done flipping out. I like the scene with Sarelle. How he lets her close. His training... well, it's something. Poor boy. But I love how Z takes care of him.
Spoiler:
What really got to me was Wellsie's death and Tohr's reaction. God!!!! Why??? I'm so so sorry for him. When he reacted the way he did but didn't realise what happened... and then, when he did realise! That poor, poor man. And the baby!
Another important character would be Rehvenge. He's fascinating as well. This sympath-stuff? Really well done –
Spoiler:
And I so knew about the Reverend. It was kind of obvious after his eye colour had been described.
I like how he tries to take care of Bella – not because I actually like the methods, but because it makes sense. He's the over-protective brother and this would be exactly what's in his nature.
Spoiler:
His mother's creepy, by the way. I like how he finally gives in to Bella in the end (that girl rocks) and how he really shows her he loves her.
I'm excited as to how his future's going to play out – and Phury's. I wonder how long it will take them to find someone (because he and Marissa? Hell to the no). And I wonder whether Rehv will join the covenant – he has a warrior's name, hasn't he?
However, even though the themes in this book are really intense (for example how both Bella and Z have to deal with their pasts and what they had to do=, the book has its funny moments. Like Z's reactions to what comes out of Bella's mouth. She IS refreshingly honest and open with her feelings. And the scene with her burst of fertility – or rather, Wrath's and Rhage's reaction towards it? Nice!
In brief:
Okay. I definitely give the star for style, additionally the book gets one for characters and for the ideas as well as half a star for content and half a star for the aftermath Bella and Z have to deal with. So, again, four stars!
Prequel:
Sequel: