I get much love from JR as she sends me ARCs of these books after I sent her a desperate fangirl letter back when Dark Lover
I do keep expecting to be replaced in the ARC bonanza though. I hope that doesn’t happen soon, because I’m sure I’ll eventually be able to auction off one of these ARCs and make my car payment. Okay not really, but I would be sad, since I do have a nice collection of Brotherhood ARCs going. A matched set next to my collection of the real thing. But enough babbling.
I have to start with an aside about something, I know that Bam’s review caused a stir a few weeks ago, and I think Janine reviewed this book yesterday. But I don’t read reviews under two circumstances: 1) if I know I’m absolutely going to read a book, I never read the review because I don’t want to be swayed or read spoilers and 2) If I’m going to be writing a review, I don’t read it. Because I don’t want to unconsciously mimic someone else’s review. So after I write this, I’m headed to Bam’s to see what the big fuss was about (if I can make my way through the whole review because, damn, Bam, wordy much? Need a good editor? )
On to the blurb:
Butch O’Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard-living ex-homicide cop, he’s the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world-to engage in the turf war with the lessers. His heart belongs to a female vampire, Marissa, an aristocratic beauty who’s way out of his league. And if he can’t have her, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers.
But fate curses him with the very thing he wants. When Butch sacrifices himself to save a civilian vampire from the slayers, he falls prey to the darkest force in the war. Left for dead, he’s found by a miracle, and the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back, though even her love may not be enough to save him.
What didn’t work for me: Okay, let’s just put this out there. I mentioned I’m a fangirl, right? And I love me some Brotherhood books, but sometimes, the things these macho guys say? For mercy’s sake. “I’m outtie?” I am stating here and now, in this public venue, that I’m going to send JR a copy of Clueless and force her to watch it, so she too can have the vision of Cher and Dionne in her head every time “I’m outtie” comes out of one of the Brother’s or lesser’s mouths. It’s just not right. And that leads me to my second point about the language–the fact that both the Brothers AND the lessers use the same slang, the same yo-yo-yo-boooooy way of talking. The uniformity of that really got to me in this one. In books past, I’ve rather looked over it, but once both sets of peeps start talking the same smack, well, it threw me outtie the story a little.
Something I noted that was different about this book, was the missing of Phury. While most of the other Brothers, and some other secondary characters get page-time, I felt that Phury was noticeably not in this book too much. Maybe it’s because I have special feelings for him and can’t wait for his story, but I noticed dammit 
Edited to add: After I read Janine’s review and the comments there, someone said that Marissa has been named as people’s favorite heroine. Not true for me. In fact, I was thinking as I finished this book that I’m every other book with liking the heroines. Liked Beth, didn’t like Mary so much. Liked Bella, don’t like Marissa so much. I didn’t even mention Marissa in the original draft of this review, I had to come back and add this in, that’s how much she didn’t cross my radar as “likeable”
One other thing I should mention here, though it’s not something that doesn’t bother me, so it’s not a “didn’t work for me thing” but something I think might disturb other people; yes, there are some homoerotic overtones. I can only believe they’re deliberate because they’re unapologetically there and part of the story. .
What worked for me: The whole damn book with the exception of the somewhat uniformity of character voice that I mentioned above. Otherwise, no matter what the issues with the book, no matter that a character says “I’m outtie” or some other ridiculous thing, this story is amazing. And that’s why JR is at the top of the game, why people move past what doesn’t work for them and ignore it. Because she’s a good storyteller, she sucks you in, grabs you by the throat and keeps you turning the pages to find out what’s going to happen next. I’ll tell you now, I let this ARC sit for a few weeks because I was one of those doubters who rather wrinkled my nose and said “Butch’s story? Eh.” Boy, do I feel like a schmuck. I should have read it right away. Why didn’t someone tell me to sit down and read it. Because once I did? I didn’t go to bed until it was done. JR takes the reader deeper into the world of the Brothers, gives more mythology, more background and introduces some intriguing new twists.
Overall: Clearly I loved this book despite what I didn’t like. I don’t CARE about that stuff because I loved the story just that much. I know people think that sometimes the main romance gets short-shrift somewhat to fit in the secondary characters as well, but I think the cast of characters and all their page time is what makes these books great. Oh, and you Vishous lovers out there, who can’t wait for his story? He plays a key role in this book so you get to see a lot of him and find out some things you might not have guessed. In other words, if you like these books at all, don’t miss this book.
Lover Revealed is due to hit shelves March 6th, but I know there have been early sightings already. You can order it here
And if you want to find out more about JR, you can visit her at her website.
Don’t forget, everyone who comments today will be eligible to win a copy of this book, which I’ll have sent to you via Amazon. Winner will be chosen on Thursday.
Managed to get a copy this past weekend. :cheer: Agree with your ‘overall’ comments ~ that whatever doesn’t work for you, and yes, there were a couple of things for me ~ one which Janine pointed out in her review, the book as a whole does.
Can’t wait for V’s story.
Great review. I like how you state what you didn’t like and what you did.
After reading your review, I want to read this book even more.
I love this series!! Some of the slang takes me out a bit but I love it still. I am jealous of those with ARCs because I feel like I have been waiting forever!!
This series is one of my keepers.
Dammit. I wanna read a JR book… so I’m commenting! :giggle:
And I have to use this smiley… is that an $800 dog, Angie?? lolol :doglick:
Wonderful review. Someone used outtie again? Noooo! Someone said that in Dark Lover and I remember an image of blond flaky valley girls leaping into my head. Maybe it’s because we’ve both seen Clueless.
Glad to hear that aside from a little uniformity in language you loved the book. Can’t wait.
Great review, Angie! Sounds like we both ignore what may grate on our nerves with other authors because JR Ward can tell a story.
I cannot wait for next week (and my Borders Rewards coupons)!!
I sooooo cant wait to read this book!!!! I’m a very big fan of JR Ward’s Brotherhood series, and after reading your review, Bam’s and Janine’s review, I’m really, really excited to get ahold of this book and read it!
By the way, would going down on both knees and begging until your ears fall out make you give me an ARC of this book? just kidding! Thanks for the review, Angie! :bat:
Great review!!!! I can’t wait to read Lover Revealed. Love the series!
I can’t get the fangrrl online gangbang of a few months ago out of my head. For the first time ever I was so creeped by a clan that I honestly don’t believe I can bring myself to read this book even though I loved the previous ones.
I loved this book. In my review, I declared I would give up chocolate for JR. And I would.
You know, I usually try not to read reviews of a book I am going to read too because I’m afraid it will color my perception and I’ll only see the flaws that were mentionned by the reviewers. But THIS book? I went LOOKING for the reviews. I’ve been searching, digging, tracking down every parcel of info I could find on the internet. I knew it would be good anyway. JR’s writing is so detailed, intricate and original that she can won over even the worst sceptics. She did it twice for me, with DL and LE and after that, I was completely hooked.
When LA came out I almost went mad because it took three weeks before any of the bookstores in town had it available. How crappy is that? And then I let the book sit on my shelf for several days because I knew after I read it it would be months before I got another one. I finally caved in after a week and a half and devoured it in a single sitting – from 7 PM to 5 AM. And ever since I feel I’ve been walking in circles like a caged tiger, waiting for LR. When I found your site two days ago and realized you would post a review today, I added it to my Favorites and wrote it down in my agenda. That’s what these books do to me. So all I can say is THANK YOU a thousand times for giving an addict a little fix, and for confirming that Butch is as wonderful as I hoped for.
I am trying to hold off reading this book until my vacation – darn you are making this harder than it was already!
Thanks for the review. This series is an auto buy for me, and I will be waiting in line next week to buy it.
I already ordered a copy and it’s on its way home.
Amazon just mailed it. I don’t know about Butch, but I like the series. But I agree with you that many characters sound very similar.
Whenever I hear the phrase “I’m outtie”, I think of bellybuttons! *lol* I’m salivating for this book. I wish I’d had the foresight to beg for an ARC. I have, however, learned my lesson and will gladly beg for a prize!
When I saw the cover on your Reading Now list I was intrigued but not sure. Now I’m wondering if I should give this series a try. What’s the name of the first book? Do they stand alone if I were to read this one first or would I be better to go back and start at the beginning?
So funny…this series never jumped out at me before, and now, the more reivews I keep reading…well, I’m starting to feel the pull…
Dark Lover is the first book, and I really am the wrong person to ask about reading in order, because I have OCD about series. They must be read in order. But I do think these books build on each other, so I feel fairly reasonable in saying you should read them in order. Go, buy, enjoy
I am so looking forward to reading this book!! I hope it doesn’t take forever to get to me! And I know a friend of mine is lining up to borrow mine as soon as I finish it!
:fire:
yeah i LURVE this series….HOW DO PPL GET ON THE ARC LIST DAMMIT?? i needs to be on there…guess maybe i shoudl write a few book reviews huh?? this series hooked me from day 1 alotho i agree that the slang gets a bit tiresome and i am sorely disappointed w/ the brotherhood’s taste in music…but that’s just personal preference…..throw some Depeche Mode in there for gawd’s sakes!!!
I’m sorry! I forgot to post the winner yesterday, though one was chosen. Richelle is going to get a copy of Dark Lover from Amazon. Welcome to the world of the Brotherhood, Richelle!
I also sent a copy to Erin, she commented and it was her birthday, so there were two winners
Neither of them have read JR yet, we’ll convert them! One reader at a time, right?
Thanks, Angie! I’m looking forward to being converted!
I could use another editor. Between you and Sasha, I could be whipped out of my wordiness.
In Clueless they say “I’m Audi” not “I’m outtie.” I just thought I would point that out even though it means the same thing.