Review: Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward

Published: June 2008
Publisher: Signet
Format: E-Book
Source: Purchased on Amazon

In this "frighteningly addictive" paranormal romance sage there's a war raging between vampires and their slayers.  Here are the stories of a secret band of brothers like no other - six vampire warriors, defenders of their race.  And now a dutiful twin must choose between two lives...Fiercely loyal to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of the race, becoming the male responsible for keeping the Brotherhood's bloodlines alive.  As Primale of the Chosen, he is obligated to father the sons and daughters who will ensure that the traditions of the race survive, and that there are warriors to fight those who want all vampires extinguished.As his first mate, the Chosen Cormia wants to win not only his body, but his heart for herself.  She is drawn to the noble responsibility behind the emotionally scarred male.  But Phury has never allowed himself to know pleasure or joy.  As the war with the Lessening Society grows grim, tragedy looms over the Brotherhood's mansion, and Phury must decide between duty and love.

First Sentences

"Twenty-five years, three months, four days, eleven hours, eight minutes and thirty-four seconds ago...

Time was not, in fact, a draining loss into the infinite.  Up until the very second of the present, it was malleable, not fixed.  Clay, not concrete."

My Thoughts

So, another phenomenal read!!  I've kind of always had a soft spot for Phury.  I'm not sure why, but he has always been somewhat mysterious and intriguing.  You know from the get-go that he's had a hard life -- with rescuing Z, loosing a limb, being celibate, and a drug addict...Maybe it's the "mother hen" in me, but I always wanted to help him...

Anyway, the war is getting much more intense, and now the young boys are getting involved.  The book starts off with a huge shocker, but I won't spoil it for you.  Let's just say...I KNEW IT! And here's a hint -- if I haven't already mentioned it 102320348234 times, I HATE LASH. :)

The Lessening Society has gone after all of the families in the glymera and is killing them off one by one.  This is forcing many of the vampires in Caldwell to pack up and move out.  There are a few that stay behind, but not many.  

This book is filled with horrible tragedies and was sometimes hard to read.  I still get goosebumps thinking about some of the scenes of the war.  Ward does an amazing job making you feel like you are actually part of the story, and can see and feel everything going on around you.

I can't wait to start the next book!!!

Favorite Quotes

"Among the problems with shame was that it in fact did not make you shorter or quieter or less visible.  You just felt like you were."

"As much as we have free choice, absolute destiny is immutable.  What is meant to happen does, through one measure or another."

"If you make a deal with a copperhead, you can't be surprised you get bit."

"A house can be empty, even when it's full of people."

"But if you find yourself fighting an inner voice in your head all the time, then it's not where you're supposed to be.  Being a good liar is not a virtue."

"Look, you didn't fail me.  Because you can't fail at the impossible."

"'I love you forever' didn't always need to be spoken to be understood."

My Ratings

Cover: 5/5

Characters: 5/5

Writing Style: 5/5

Plot: 5/5

Ending: 5/5

Overall: 5

Happy Reading!