Lover Arisen

Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book #20

By J.R. Ward

ISBN# 9781982179991

Author’s Website: jrward.com

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Review

*Beware of possible spoilers*

Balthazar is being possessed by the demon, Devina.  He’s attempting to stay awake because when he goes to sleep, she forces herself on him.  He isn’t staying at the Brotherhood mansion anymore because he doesn’t want to put those he cares for in danger.  However, he is unable to hide his feelings for the human detective, Erika, from Devina.  And, now Balz will do anything to keep Erika safe.

Devina is getting sick of men leaving her.  So, she casts a spell from the evil book for true love.  It produces a perfect specimen of a man.  However, he leaves too.  Then, she realizes what she’s missing in the spell.  She must sacrifice true love to receive it for herself.  And, what do you know?  Balz and Erika are the perfect couple to destroy.  Oh, and her perfect match is pure evil.  An evil the Brotherhood thought they had defeated once and for all.

This book was okay, but unremarkable.  It was way too easy to put down.  I’ve really enjoyed this series, and I would be sad to see it end.  However, I wonder if it would have been better for the series for it to have already concluded.  It’s like Ward has run out of things to happen and they’re all reading the same now.

There was one little twist in this book that I didn’t expect though.  And, maybe that will breathe some life back into the series.

I’ve always enjoyed Balz, and that continued through this book, as well.  He’s my favorite thief with morals.

Erika has been through a lot in her life and she truly deserves happiness.  What is it with these vampires falling for cops though?

I just wish the love between Balz and Erika had been a little more exciting.  Balz deserved a relationship that was just as fun as him.

My heart broke for Lassiter in this book.  It showed how much he was willing to give to help others.  And, I hope that the Brothers will eventually find a way to give him back what he sacrificed, in this one.  Once they realize what he gave up, that is.

There were definitely things going on this book.  However, the novel still felt dull and kind of one-dimensional though.  I’m really hoping that the series starts to perk up some and take us back to the feelings it invoked in the earlier books.