Review: Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward

Lover Reborn
Book 10 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series
Author: J.R. Ward
Publisher: NAL
Release date: 3/27/12
Author's website: Link

In the darkest corners of the night in Caldwell, New York, a conflict like no other rages. The city is home to a band of brothers born to defend their race: the warrior vampires of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

Now back in the Brotherhood - and unrecognizable as the vampire leader he once was - Tohrment is physically emaciated and heartbroken beyond despair. When he begins to see his beloved in his dreams - trapped in a cold, isolating netherworld - Tohr turns to a self-serving fallen angel in hopes of saving the one he has lost. When he's told he must learn to love another to free his former mate, Tohr knows they are all doomed . . .

Except then a female with a shadowed history begins to get through to him. Against the backdrop of the raging war with the lessers, and with a new clan of vampires vying for the Blind King's throne, Tohr struggles between the buried past, and a very hot, passion-filled future . . . but can his heart let go and set all of them free?

Let me start off by saying that I absolutely love this series and it's characters. LOVE!!!  But at the same time I wasn't entirely satisfied with some of the books in the series including the last one Lover Unleashed. So I was a little worried when I began reading Lover Reborn.  Just a little.  But this book totally blew away any expectations that I had for it!  At the core of this story is Tohr whose beloved mate was killed in book 3 of the series Lover Awakened.  The readers of this series has felt his suffering for so long and in his book we get scenes of his actual suffering which was absolutely heartbreaking for me.  I found myself tearing up while reading Tohr's scenes of him remembering his dear Wellsie.  He also brings up a good question:  Why were some of the mates of his other brothers brought back to life or saved, but his wasn't? This understandably makes him angry and the reader gets to see a wide range of emotions from his character.  From absolute grief to him laughing while remembering the good times.  He begins to notice the character No'One whom we meet in the previous book as Xhex's mother.  She's very quiet, reserved and has had a difficult past that Tohr was once a part of.  He's not very nice to her at first as he feels guilty for being attracted to her, but begins to confide in her in ways that he can't to the others. Her gentle understanding and patience is exactly what he needs at this time.  She's also discovering things about herself while being around Tohr.  Feelings that she never thought would waken within her do as she makes an important decision regarding Tohr's recovery.  This brings them even closer together and the reader gets to experience a different type of romance as these 2 characters help each other heal in ways they never thought possible.

I loved getting the opportunity to learn more about Tohr in this book!  We know how fierce and loyal he was to the Brotherhood as well as Wrath, but to see him in action was wonderful!  He is so important to this group of brothers and now their group feels complete.  He is so appreciated and it is shown in so many scenes as it was great to see him back as Wrath's right hand man!  His scenes with Wrath as well as his adopted son John Matthew warmed my heart as the bond between them is strengthened.  The same can be said for No'One as she and her daughter Xhex finally get the opportunity to bond as mother and daughter. Words are finally said between them that enables them to see each other in a different light.  This entire book was so emotional and I found myself tearing up many times.  J.R. Ward did an excellent job with these scenes and tying them all together so that they progressed as the storyline went on.

Now I'm going to talk about the good part.  I was pleasantly surprised at how sexually compatible Tohr and No'One were with each other and loved that nothing else existed during this time.  It was all about experiencing pleasure their scenes were very intimate in a way that made you feel as if you were watching them from a dark corner.  Ward does not disappoint at all with these scenes and I'm glad that we got to see Tohr in action...so to speak.  *smirks* In fact, there is all kinds of sexing going on in this book and I'm not ashamed to admit that I loved each and every scene!

I'm giving Lover Reborn a rating of:

So many secondary storylines are in this book!  We learn more about the B.o.B. (Band of Bastards) from the Old Country as they find a way into the lives of the Brotherhood.  I am enjoying this group although their main motive is not one I would agree with.  Xcor is extremely interesting and I can't wait to see what happens as the result of his interactions with certain people in this book.  There's also a new mysterious vampire on the scene by the name of Assail that has his own agenda. Lassiter, the angel that is helping Tohr, is absolutely hilarious in this book!  While he has his own agenda, he finds himself changing as he has to help others find their way.  I'm so happy he is a part of this series now and can't wait to read more about him.  Our favorite Brothers have lots of funny and heartwarming scenes as they show once again just how supportive they can be for one another.  Their connections to one another is what I love most about this series.  They truly are a Brotherhood and this book truly shows that. Qhuinn and Blay...these 2 characters have worked their way into so many readers hearts and I loved the intense scenes between them.  Ward does a great job at elevating their relationship bit by bit to the point of driving us all crazy!  We know how they feel about one another and this book makes me want their HEA even more!  Overall folks, this book was one of the best in the series for me.  So entertaining, so emotional, so good!  J.R. Ward truly has a uncanny way of mixing comedy and drama together and she truly has something unique that makes her readers love her characters and series even more.  Now I must end my review by shouting the phrase that is near and dear to my heart: BDB4EVA!