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| Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 6) | 
 enlarge | Author: J.r. Ward
Publisher: Signet
Category: Book
List Price: $7.99 (18.81 RON)
Buy New: $7.19 (16.93 RON)
You Save: $0.80 (1.88 RON) (10%)
Avg. Customer Rating:  332 reviews
Sales Rank: 2980
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 560
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.3
ISBN: 0451222725
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780451222725
ASIN: 0451222725
Publication Date: June 3, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Promotion: Buy 4 eligible items in the 4-for-3 promotion offered by Amazon.com and get 1 of them free. Terms and Conditions
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 A Transition Book--Not Really Phury's June 3, 2008
24 out of 27 found this review helpful
I knew going into LE that Ward had a tough job. With Phury being the last of the "original" brothers, she had to use this book as a transition to resolve certain issues, present new characters and allow for the BDB story to evolve. In that respect, this book accomplishes the goal. We see broad changes in the BDB world, and the introduction of certain characters that fans on her website have been waiting for. I really think this book lays a good foundation to continue the story. As a transitional book, it is wonderful.
However, this can barely be called Phury's book. As one reviewer put it, he and Cormia are side characters in their own story, and by the end, you just aren't believing in them, cheering for them, or feeling for them. The story is really more about everyone else than it is about them, and I just think they fall flat as characters. This is particularly disappointing, because Ward can write some the most emotional, passionate, downright gutwrenching relationships, and Phury and Cormia just didn't get that. Also, the brothers themselves really take a backseat in this book, as the story is so packed with transitional plotlines, and this can be good or bad depending on how you feel.
So, this book is certainly better than LU, which really frustrated so many fans, but depending on what you were expecting, you may either be really happy, or really disappointed. If you wanted Phury's story, then you won't be thrilled. However, if you've been wondering how in the world this series would continue with the original brothers' books written, then you may be pleased.
 Not a romance June 3, 2008
10 out of 15 found this review helpful
For starters this book isn't a romance novel. It's paranormal/urban fantasy. For those that are looking for a romance novel this isn't it. For people who have never read any of the Black Dagger Brotherhood novels don't start here. You'll have no idea what is going on.
SPOILERS
There are multiple plots going in this book. Quinn, Blay and John are doing some growing up. Lash turns out to be even worse than everyone thought. Rhev and Xhex are far fleshed out as characters and Zsadist is coping with the fact that Bella could die due to a difficult pregnancy. The lessors reorganize and successfully attack the glymera in a series of very effect strikes that leaves their leadership decimated.
But the main story line is supposed to be about Phury and Cormia. Phury is in a downward spiral-addiction, his feelings for Bella and Cormia are tearing him apart, and the stress of being the Primale is too much. He's smoking the Red Smokes more and more. What J.R. Ward has done is crafted a story of addiction and recovery. He hits rock bottom in every way possible and literally has to make the choice between life and death. Cormia is facing her own demons as well as trying to be strong while the man she relies on most is falling apart.
This book succeeds as paranormal fiction. It works as a novel about recovery and it certainly advances the overall arc of the BDB novels. I deleted one star because the hot erotic romance of JRW previous novels isn't here.
 Denial Aint' Just a River in Egypt and This Isn't a Romance. June 3, 2008
226 out of 294 found this review helpful
this is my last JR Ward book---
To be bought new,
With joy,
And with great anticipation.
If there is a word for disappointment squared, I'd like to know what it is. Until then, just use your imagination.
What made JR so special was that she could write people---relationships, loyalties and yes, ROMANCE....
The stories, characters, plots etc I didn't like and skimmed in the first 5 books are now the focus of this book and upcoming books.
And to my greater sorrow, the stuff I adored is now missing and not coming back (so we are told).
What we have is Urban Fantasy (Which I don't read and I resent being tricked into reading).
Romance is what JR did best and what made her special, amazing and a gift to readers.
Urban Fantasy is not her strength....she reads like all the other vamp writers now. Like if you've read one, you've read them all (and I have read them all!)
So yeah, I cried, but not for the right reasons.
I cried over 8 bucks lost, 5 hours wasted, 3 months of hopes for something better mocked.
In LE, she's now just doing something mundane, ordinary and overdone---
Vampires at war as the story and
OH! Here are a few pages of romance to keep the book on those shelves in the bookstore. Why?
No joke, less than 1/5th of the book even has Phury or Cormia's names on the pages. It's pathetic. There should be a law, like if a book has less than a certain percent devoted to the couple, it can't call itself a romance.
They do it with fruit juice!
That is the root of my heartbreak (not the juice, the denial).
What set JR apart was the quality of the story, the emotions and interactions of the lead couple--- the lessers, Scribe Virgin, the Omega etc could have been by any writer anywhere. I mean, Vamps at War is what ALL ALL ALL these books are about.
I won't lie--
Ward's first three were brilliant from a romance standpoint
(nothing new from the evil beings standpoint, but it didn't matter ).
I didn't mind LR or LU, though I simply thought they were a slump in her writing.
Now I know better--- LE is the 'new' and clearly devolved JR Ward--
Urban Fantasy Author Faking Romance.
OK, in LE...
What I liked?
Some of the sweeter scenes at the end (Though by then it was too little to late). By then my head hurt and I was so insulted I think I cracked a molar from grinding my teeth.
What I hated?
The absence of the brothers POV
The absence of most of the shellans and their POV.
The absence of the basic loyalty, the brotherhood, camaraderie etc that made the books great.
The acting out-of-character by beloved characters and far too much page time devoted to characters that are just not remotely likeable. The imbalance is surreal and disquieting.
What annoyed me?
Too much devotion to secondary plots, sub-plots, side-plots, new plots, more plots, OhIforgottoaddthis Plot!
PLUS, introducing new characters,
PLUS the exposition and expansion it seems on every character who has ever breathed in a BDB book.
PLUS adding new everything from information to Wow, we have a wizard?!?!
IOW, way way way way too much stuff and far far far too little about the couple on the cover.
What I missed?
The romance. It reads like one day before handing in the final draft she thought--- "Oh crap! I FORGOT! They've got Phury and Cormia's picture on the cover, I promised all my fans a romance--- CRIKEY!!"
Yes folks, it is that bad: 500 pages of UF and a romance that reads like a 110 page Harlequin stuck on top.
Denial ain't just a river in Egypt, and JR Ward is now writing urban fantasy (pay no attention to the man behind the curtain). If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck it's a duck. Yet, we are repeatedly told that no! She is a romance writer (see my law of percentages) Yet the last few books have had "novel" on the cover.
Seems someone knows the truth--- and it appears the author is the last one to know.
Oddly, it's very very clear that JRWard is either being dishonest with her fans and no longer wishes to write romance, but can't bring herself to fess up
OR, Even stranger,
JR is being dishonest with herself about still being a romance author..
Which is worse, I don't know.
Anyhow, when the truth comes out, call me (I'll be over in the paranormal romance section reading well, paranormal romance).
Oh, and why one star? Dishonesty in advertizing.
Could have been better June 3, 2008
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
I got this book from the library. I liked or loved extremely every book in this series, but for some reason this one was just okay to me.
There was definitely alot of story there, just maybe too much and not concerning the characters on the back cover. When I read the description of a book and they have the names Phury and Cormia, I expect more of those people. Phury spent most of the time foisting Cormia off onto other people. I don't want to give too much detail about the book, but there were some definitely interesting and intricate plot twists to be addressed in future books. Many new characters that look to become lead characters.
I still have my favorite Rhage book to keep me company until then.
Mix feelings June 3, 2008
12 out of 18 found this review helpful
There are details addressed in Phury's book that I have never seen in other books. Phury is the gentleman of the Brothers. He's stylish and intelligent. Yet he is also dealing with drug addiction that goes to new heights in this book. I like how Ward addresses this issue and I also enjoyed how Z responded to it. If I say anymore than that, it will be a spoiler.
I do have some problems with Lover Enshrined. Each book is longer than the one before it and I feel as if Ward is creating some type of goal to make a longer book each time. This leads to confusion and cludder. One chapter is two pages long. Compared to the other action-packed books, there is just *too* much going on and not nearly enough time was devoted to Phury.
The cludder also took away from the emotion of the book. I would read a chapter and get into it, feel Phury's desperation and want to know what happens. Then, suddenly, it was interrupted by irrelevance. By the time I was back with Phury that emotion dissipated.
Because there wasn't enough space for Phury in his own book there were also plot holes that aren't addressed. After five months, Phury suddenly wants Cormia. He wants to see her and he starts drawing her in place of Bella. Why? I don't know. There is no addressing of this sudden desire to want to be with his mate. At least in V's book, V had some confusion between Butch and Marissa. But Phury just goes with it and has very little internal conflicts when it comes to Cormia.
However, I did like Cormia's character. It is true that just because she was quiet did not make her shy. She addressed many issues and was a quick learner of her new world.
I was also surprised, yet pleased, with Phury's confrontation with the Scribe Virgin with regards to the Chosen. His speech was Hollywood worthy and I'm sure I'll end up quoting it. Wonderful scene.
Another favorite scene is towards with end between Phury and Z. I feel as if the twins are so much closer now and I'm proud of both of them.
I am a bit disgusted with the treatment by the Omega towards his lessers. I won't go into details but I fail to see any point to it. I think it just further addresses Ward's desire to create shock.
The slang has lessened, yet I couldn't help but to feel as if the brothers are now speaking as toddlers speak. The cut off of middle of words and saying things such as "hafta" just reminds me of a two year old. But that was insignificant compared to the overall quality of the book.
There are sexuality issues addressed with the book and I am so very, and extremely pleased that Ward has kept the stereotype out of the image. Because of that alone I am a looking forward to seeing the advancement of this particular character.
Overall, I am happy with the outcome. Phury went through a lot and had a happy ending but I feel as if he deserves more. However, the uniqueness and emotion Phury went through, from his relationship with Cormia to his relationship with Z, was very well written.
There was so much in Lover Enshrined that could have been taken out to make room for further development, but in the end I give it a good 4.5 stars. I recommend it for readers with the advice that they don't expect any brotherhood book to top Z's.
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