Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Lover Arisen by JR Ward Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #20
Published by Gallery Books on April 5, 2022
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 429
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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As a homicide detective, Erika Saunders knows there is something otherworldly going on in Caldwell, New York. Mutilated bodies that cannot be explained are all over her case list—and then there are her nightmares in which she’s hunted by shadows and captivated by a mysterious man who is both a suspect and a savior.
When Devina’s wish for true love is finally granted, Balthazar and Erika unwittingly become the gateway for the rebirth of an old enemy of the Brothers. Will the very thing that brings them together lead to the ultimate destruction of the Brotherhood? Or will they have to lose everything in order to save the race’s most sacred defenders?
An old enemy has fallen and new enemies have arisen for the Brothers and their allies. Each new Black Dagger Brotherhood installment brings its own brand of excitement and Lover Arisen is no exception.
As the twentieth entry in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Lover Arisen is not a good place for new readers to jump in. It’s not even a good candidate for regular readers to skip forward to as it builds off the events in the last couple of books particularly the previous, Lover Unveiled.
I felt a bit all over the place with this one. There were some new aspects and there was progress in plot threads that made this good stuff. However, there were a few bits that left me dissatisfied.
I suppose the demoness forcing herself on a couple of the guys did upset me, but oddly, that wasn’t as problematic for me. Demons gotta do evil (though the endless descriptions of Devina’s fashion collection did nearly send me over the cliff) so her sadistic pleasure in hurting others and destroying people worked to authenticate her place as a solid villain.
No, what had the book losing points for me was the under-development of the romance, the scanty backdrop of Balthasar’s character, the barely there Brotherhood showing, and the recycling of a past villain.
On the flip side, I could appreciate and really cheer on Balt with his struggles against the demoness. I was indifferent to him in the previous book, but he really won me over. Erika was strong, courageous, and intelligent. She had a horrific past and she channeled this into a drive to protect and serve others. I was most impressed when she gave Balt a chance to explain. I thought that was a big deal since her investigation had led her to know him as a criminal.
But biggest gem of this book… Lassiter.
There is the build up of Lassiter’s story and further details about Rhavyn that gave me strong satisfaction. Rhavyn was introduced in the last book and she seemed to be a being with some serious magical clout and a tough road. More comes out about her and that spark between her and Lassiter grew into an actual flame particularly on his side. She’s much more powerful than I thought and has the timelessness that would make her a good match for a being like Lassiter. She’s got one foot out the door right now, but…
Lassiter’s struggles hit me hard and left me really hurting for this eccentric, fun, and surprising complex fallen angel. He got torn up in this one and that only left me craving his story all the more. This is good because his story is next and I am salivating for it.
While I enjoy some books more than others in the series, I am in love with the series as a whole and wouldn’t miss any of the books. I recommend it to vampire lovers and paranormal romance fans in general.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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I’m in love with this series, too, Sophia💜 Desperately trying to get to this one.
Yay, fellow fan! I made a big push back in the spring to get caught up on the last three books so I could get to this one. 🙂
I love this series and still need to read this one.
It will be great, Mary. 🙂
Nice review, Sophia. It’s nice that the book has a good balance and is a nice addition to the series.
Thanks, Wendy! I feel like each book is a surprise how it will hit me and that keeps me on my toes. 🙂
Awwww this series sounds good.
Sure was, Carole. 🙂
I am so far behind in this series. Not sure when I will get back to it.
It’s tough keeping up on them all. I spent part of May catching up on this series so I could read the latest.
Good for you for sticking with and mostly enjoying this series. I gave up a while ago. I would love to find out what happens with Lassie… but not enough to go back and read all the books I missed. I’ll just have to read your reviews to find out. Thanks!
Lassiter is actually the character I’ve really been waiting on through the last few books. I still have some of the side series books to read like Fallen Angels or the Prison ones.
I’m so behind in this series. Good to know it wouldn’t be a one to jump into without reading a few of the previous books. I’ve been enjoying some of the side story books that aren’t as dependent on the on-going story arc.
I like those side stories for their connection to the BDB world without the complications of needing to be read in order. Yeah, this one was not starting any plot threads, but picking up ongoing ones so it would get frustrating for you to jump right in.
It has been so long since I last read this series. I think that I would need to start at the beginning again. Someday.
I’m kinda vague on some of the earlier plot threads and have considered doing a re-read someday.