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There were way too many side stories going on--Tohrment, and John Michael and his friends, and Rehvenge, and Xhex and Lash. I LOVE this series. The author ruined Phury for me. His story with Cormia seemed like it was missing pieces--like him telling her that it was her, not Bella that he loved. But his brothers just kicking him out instead of helping him had me thinking that another author had just taken over the series. He became a whiny, selfish brat.
Though I like all the side stories, there just didn't seem to be a center story of this book. This book just didn't fit. there seemed to be no focus. Red Smoke became so destructive & addictive, when before it seemed like it was like a light version of pot. The brothers, who were so close didn't try to help the one brother who was there for everyone else all the time. I still enjoyed it, but Phury, who seemed like the light of the brotherhood, turned out to be a messed up ass, with his "wizard".
While there is no way I would give up on this series, I love it too much--I hope the author has more focus in her upcoming books.
That element was completely absent in this book. LEn seem to be only about the other characters and plots. The rest of the book is about JM, Quhinn, Blay, Lash and Rhev. Their story was rather weak.
On a whole, the book wasn't bad and I enjoyed reading it but it was very different from her other books. Although I usually reed her books in 2 days. Phury and Cormia take up about a third of the book. The stories I fell in love with seemed to have died.no wait.Ward murdered it. I feel that the end of the book came together well.
I will read the rest in her series and hope she redeems herself. What I love so much about the BDB series is the compradore and closeness of all the Brothers. That is what was so heartbreaking. The reason I'm giving this book only three stars is because of the heartache Ward has given me.
****************NO SPOILERS********************************************I have to agree with most reviews that this book was a BIG disappointment. That is something Ward does well usually, she closes the book well. I haven't given up hope yet. It's still written well and it certainly kept my attention. Book 2,3,4,and 5 are my favorite. Why change styles now. Ward did a horrible job building their relationship up.
I know a lot of romance authors like to change their genre and develop into a more serious author but don't change a series that has been smoking hot. Okay, I am over exaggerating a little. Ward gives you a great romantic story while building up other character and plots. LEn took me over a week. Start another series or book.
His addiction was not an issue for me, however I have to agree this was not the best time to have his love story play out. Add that to the fact that Cormia was such a chore, there is just no way I can believe in the romance that supposedly blossomed. Not a Romance - Finally, I have to agree with other reviewers who say this is definitely not a romance. She is wishy washy to the extreme. Phury - I love Phury, and have since book 1.
I kept waiting for her to blossom into the mate that Phury needed, but even at the end she sort of fizzles. He couldn't even take care of himself, much less babysit her. Payne and Manny's story in particular has tons of potential.So, to end my two cents (or three, or a dollar), I have to say that this is by far the weakest book in the series, although the content in it is essential to plot development. This girl makes Marissa look like a lioness, and that is saying something. 1. However, I could not make myself believe that at this point in his life Cormia would be anything but a detriment to him.
The book leads us into this new arch in the series.Cons: And here is where the story loses me because there are many. The truth is that normally Phury, being his understanding and protective self, would have been a good match for her. This series does not work as urban fantasy nearly as well as it does paranormal romance. The heart of the series is the romance.
The love story was completely unbelievable, and not in a good way. I hope Ward takes that into consideration in her future novels, which include many promising characters encountering their mates. The fact that she is paired off with Phury at his worst time doesn't help. The plotlines were not boring in and of themselves and the characters have tons of potential (except for Cormia but lets not go there again). I did not like her at all. Plot devices instead of true independent characters that make us feel like we know them. I've read all of this series, and now that I am trying to get them for my Kindle, I have decided to finally put in my two cents on this novel.
As urban fantasy it is run of the mill. 4. I could not care less what happened to Phury and Cormia as a couple, I did not care what happened to Cormia at all, and I only cared about Phury due to knowing him from previous novels. However it was just too much for one book. However, she tried to spotlight so many different characters here, that we lost the main characters.
He had too many other issues to deal with, which frankly are often hard for the reader to get through as well. Cormia annoys me in every scene she is in. CORMIA - In one word, my biggest issue with this book. They became almost formulaic, something her characters are not usually known for. The entire story is taking a detour, as the vampire society is changing for the better. Her character development is second to none in this genre. I could not care less what happened to the character and that is a bad thing when you are referring to a lead.2.
This book is a disservice to Phury, but it also just falls flat as a romance.3. If you take that away, the story turns into just another urban fantasy, which there are many, with no heart and no emotion to keep the readers hooked. Pros: This story is a bridge from the stories of the original Brothers (minus Thorment) and the other characters in the series whose stories will be showcased in their own books. At the very most it is a very badly written romance. This book is more urban fantasy than anything. One of Ward's strengths in my opinion, is her ability to bring characters alive for her readers. Still, the rest of the series truly is outstanding. Too Many Plotlines - That one is self explanatory.
In fact, I dislike her more than Marissa (another one I am not too fond of). The romance element is what gives it the spark that elevates it from a good story to a great one. Let's face it, the man's mind was not in finding his mate. It felt contrived, used more as an element to advance the plot than something made of true emotional bonding. As a paranormal romance it is outstanding. The information could have been presented differently, so the book's main story would not suffer.
(and then only because his brother's child was born) Maybe he should have done this before starting a relationship with his Shellan too. I fell in love with the Brothers in books 1-4.But somehow, I felt like the author changed the way she wrote the books starting with book 5.In books 1-4, the main characters filled up most of the book.You got glimpses of the other characters, but the book itself was about 2 main characters.A brother from the Black Dagger Brotherhood and the women who would ultimately be his shellan. The books are wonderfully written, and are definetly a emotional roller coaster ride. The fallen angel as well as V's twin (that he knows nothing about), Payne. The drug use was bad, but to turn him into a full addict who actually overdoses and almost dies instead of going after the women he loves.I dont know. The author has sneaked in 2 new characters.
But, she decided in the books 5 & 6, to switch tactics and to put more people into the story line, and to try to weave the romance into the story, instead of weaving the story into the romance.I have read the reviews, and for alot of people, this seems to work fine for them. It was just PERFECT. I personally, didnt enjoy the new writing style. I felt like the Romance between the 2 character's was done and over too quickly.I know some people love the knew character John Matthew and his 2 friends, and some people find them a bore. I just read all 7 BDB books in 7 days.Once you start, you're hooked. But, the book caused me to cringe from him and to really dislike him totally. When the author put the spotlight on his character, it was to bring out all his flaws, and there were just to many for me.
I just dont know.I didnt enjoy the love story aspect in this book, because I felt like between the voices in his head and his self hate and drug use, that he really didnt have much to GIVE to another person. The author had him being the only brother to get kicked out of the brotherhood, live somewhere elese, and start going to a therapy group (for drugs) before the brothers came around him again. If she had just allowed us glimses of John Matthew, it would have been intriguing, but the author just put so much of John Mathhew into the book.that I felt was getting a little bored of reading about him when I REALLY wanted to be reading about Phury and Cormia.One last issue, for me, is that in the first 5 books, I really enjoyed the character build up of Phury. In the first 4 books, the author weaves the love story of these two, around the battle of the Lessers and the Black Dagger Brotherhood. But, thats just me.and for me, it should have happened earlier in the book, so that a REAL love story could have developed between the two.I have read many people say they wont be reading any more of the BDB books because of how the author changed her writing style, but I feel like I am too emotionally invested in the characters to let this stop me from reading the future books.
I am sad to say, that I also find them a bore, BUT ONLY because the author puts so much of the character into the story that is SUPPOSED to be a love story between Phury and Cormia. With his gorgeous hair, his being the first to help another person, and being the one who saved his twin, he was becoming my favorite Brother. I WANT to know what happens.and I want to say that I have read the latest books, book 7 and its NOT the one on one love story that the first 4 books were, but it IS BETTER than books 5 & 6. I cant WAIT to hear more about these two knew characters and hope her newest book tells us more.
Most of the reviews are implying that there isn't enough, for lack of a better word, S-E-X in it. It built up more sexual tension between two virgins than I thought was even possible.Truly enjoyable read and you don't want to miss out on continuing the BDB series. We should all be able to relate on some level to his doubts of worthiness.
Don't worry, Ward never disappoints her fans with always giving a happy ending. This story has no stops in it and keeps pulling you in. True, the vivid erotic scenes are cut down from her previous installments but that does not detract from the story.It is a true romance with love and pain included.
I felt like I was in the same room with Phury as he was spiraling out of control.Even though this is considered Phury's story, the side stories are also well developed including John Mathew's. The story itself is incredibly developed. This story goes in detail of Phury's inner demons.
To be honest, the lack of intense erotic episodes was somewhat of a relief. If all you're looking for is a pornographic novel, perhaps you should look elsewhere.
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