Author: J.R. Ward
Publisher: Hatchette
Publication Date: March 28, 2013
Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy
Format: Hardcover 608 pages | Kindle 962 KB
Buy this book on Amazon: Hardcover | Kindle Edition
Author's Website: http://www.jrward.com/
Author's Goodreads Profile: J.R. Ward
Synopsis from Goodreads:
My Thoughts...Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....
Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.
Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one.
Honestly, I wasn't going to review this book, but I decided that I need to at least do a mini review since this is a series that I really do like a lot. That said, this book was a HUGE disappointment to me.
This has been one of those stories that has been building for literally years now since only one book comes out a year. The tension between Qhuinn and Blay has been building over time and when they finally get their own book it's totally hijacked by the beginnings of nearly half a dozen new story lines. That made this book feel like a filler book and that really sucks for Qhuinn and Blay, who are lucky to be bit players in their own book.
I realize that because of the content that is involved with a m/m love story, there are some even faithful readers that won't want to give this one a go and maybe that's why she did the story this way. I gotta be honest, I think J.R. Ward did a good job with the tension between them up to this book. It was hot and sexy, but when it came right down to it, I wasn't thrilled with how she handled the scenes in this book. I think that the build up was great, but the actual execution was a big let down.
Overall, I was disappointed with how she told their story. I hated that they lied to each other the entire book and I feel like when you have 600+ pages to tell a story, there is NO need to rush the ending. She totally rushed their ending by dragging out the lies and deception to the end and she did them a great disservice by tying up their "HEA" in a short epilogue.
I am getting to a point where I really dislike the way she writes this series, but I know there are those out there that love it. I don't like brand dropping and I hate the made up verbs even more! With every book that comes out I swear that I am not going to read another one because this annoys me so much, but I just can't do it! I have invested YEARS into this series and I just can't stand not knowing what happens...Plus, I am kinda liking Assail and Xcor and I want to see what happens to them.
Warning to those of you who prefer clean romance, you aren't going to find that in this series! There is a fair amount of profanity and the main characters in this particular story are male, so if that's not something you care to read then give this one a pass for sure. I know that even some fans of this series are passing on this one because of this. The only problem with passing on it, is the set up for so many future books. I am convinced that's why she wrote it this way...
I happened to love this one. I also love Assail and Xcor and I am hoping for a Band of Bastards series. I am someone that probably would have skipped it but I loved Blay and Qhuinn so much I couldn't skip it.
ReplyDeleteUsually I love the side stories in this series, how else did I fall in love with Blay and Qhuinn's story. But this time it was just annoying. I had no connection to these side characters and after waiting so long to finally read Lover At Last, it was a bit of a put off.
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge, and I mean HUGE fan of J.R.Ward and the Brothers. I know she has a Fallen Angels series that I have not read yet but the Brothers... OMFG!
ReplyDeleteThis book was a disapointing one. I love the way Blay and Qhuinn had made it through the series but this was not good. That said, the new characters made me want more, specially Sola and Assail story. Xcor was good but not sooooo much.
I know that by this point, the book 13 it's about to be release in April so... Did you give up on this? I'm still up to speed and I can tell you (if you don't know) It's getting good! :P