WARNING: There will be spoilers! So if you haven't read Lover Enshrined yet DO NOT ENTER. Come back when you're finished.
I loved this book! JR WARD is a goddess. I consider her a true talent, an awesome story teller, and a genius! Debk3 said that JR's imagination just staggers the mind and I have to agree!! Warning this is a long review. Con't...
Back Cover:
In this "frighteningly addictive" paranormal romance saga, there's a war raging between vampires and their slayers. Here are the stories of a secret band of brothers like no other--six vampires 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 greater 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....
My Opinion:
Oh my, where to begin?
I think I'll start off with all the emotions that I had while reading this book.
Mouth Watering 
Nail Biting 
Jaw Dropping 
Tear Jerking 
Sad at times 
Happy 
Gasps 
Shockers 
I basically want to share with you what I thought were highlights from the book and some things that hit home for me.
~~Right off the bat in the Prologue there was a shocker. I never would have expected that the Omega had a son. And one with a vampire no less. JR jumps right in there doesn't she. Then in chapter 20 we find out that the son is Lash. That was not a big surprise to me as Lash has been a hothead and trouble-maker from the beginning. Now in chapter 22 it did surprise me that Lash can still eat and have sex. Gosh, he can even go into the sunlight now which is not good as now he can do evil not only in the night but also in the day. I guess you can say that's one up on the Brotherhood.
~~Chapter 9-Tohr!!
~~Chapters 10 & 11, Phury and Cormia 
On page 116 Phury thought mine.
~~Chapter 12 and the scene with John, Lash, and Quinn. Another
~~Chapter 13 when Phury told the Directrix that he didn't want Cormia to be the First Mate anymore.
~~Chapter 20 where the Omega turned Lash.
~~I think that chapter 24 is noteworthy. What an intense scene between Phury and Cormia in the theatre. At times sweet and other times well... Like when he told her he was letting her go as First Mate. That hurt Cormia but Phury did show her that it wasn't because he didn't want her. And Fritz...oh how he had to interrupt them. Not that I wanted their first time to be in a theatre seat so it was just as well.
~~And chapter 25, Tohr...need I say more.
~~I felt sorry for John on pages 267-269 when he was telling Warth the reason why Quinn slit Lash's throat. It's got to be so hard for him. Then at the end of chapter 26 I also felt sorry for Blay when Quinn confronted him in a mean way about his feelings.
~~Noteworthy pages are 277-281 when Phury and Z had a conversation about their past and 284-292 when Wrath came up with a solution to save Quinn!
~~Another great scene with Phury and Cormia is on pages 322-329 when he draws her picture on the chalkboard...it was so sweet. Then things get very steamy only for Phury to stop and announce that he's a virgin. Then on pages 332-334 he covered up the picture with the ivy and told her he tried to have sex once before but it didn't work out. That it wasn't right, wasn't good so he stopped. Just like with Cormia...what else was she suppose to think when he said that. Stupid male!
~~Now chapter 35, OMG now that's a chapter if there ever was one. It was very intense and graphic and somewhat uncomfortable to a certain level. I do not like the princess at all and her hold over Rehv with sex. Blackmailer indeed. I was a bit surprised he enjoyed it to a certain degree and was glad to see that he got to her at times.
~~Pages 390-398. Wow Phury went crazy. Just the thought of other males (John, Quinn, & Blay) looking at Cormia when she was naked made him see red. He was so demanding with her and so rough. I so did not picture that when they finally mated. Kinda harsh to say the least. I know Phury felt bad about the way it went down but really. Then when John looked in on Cormia and saw blood on the insides of her thighs in chapter 40. All I could think was uh-oh. Of course John had to go after Phury and he never even put up a fight saying he deserved what he got. Wrath had to handle the situation and Cormia defended Phury. But it was all she could take so she disappeared to the otherside before Phury could stop her. Phury thinks she is lost to him now and he decides to do something drastic.
~~Chapter 39-Tohr and the introduction of Lassiter!! Again need I say more.
~~Chapter 42 (pgs 420-423)-Quinn and Blay! OMG! I am so glad that they made up but I so didn't expect them to kiss. And what a kiss it was. I know Blay is attracted to Quinn but it's not one sided as I got the feeling that Quinn was very much enjoying it as well. I'm not sure how I feel about something happening between them but it probably won't anyway. Would you guys want to see them together?
~~I love Lassiter so far and was glad to see that he went to Rehv to find the Brotherhood on pages 426-429.
~~Now pages 430-432. I can hardly believe how stupid and what an idiot Phury is to take hard drugs like that. And that wizard of his... When they found Phury on pages 435-436, it was very emotional. Phury wasn't breathing...OMG. And Z, well he just tore at my heart by saying "He can't be gone," "He just can't be...." I was so glad when he woke up and he and Z talked on pages 440-446. It was about time they really talked and it was so sweet it brought a tear to my eye. I just knew that Phury would be alright from then on.
~~455-Phury told Cormia that he loved her!! I loved it when he said to her: "Phury. You call me Phury. Never 'your grace' or 'Primale'. Starting now, I don't want to hear anything but my real name from you." But alas they still can't be together because he has to fulfill his duty.
~~Page 467-John saw Lash!! It's too bad that John thought he imagined it.
~~When Phury had the DTs Cormia looked after him and then they got to talking. Phury came up with a new way of thinking and now has a different plan to save the race!! (pg 482)
~~Chapter 49-Awesome!! Tohr is back with the brothers! I am so loving Lassiter.
~~Chapter 50-Phury convinces the Scribe Virgin to see things his way. And when Phury goes to leave the Sanctuary everything is in color.
~~Tohr and John, chapter 51. I had tears in my eyes when reading this chapter. I am so happy for John!! I know it's going to take awhile for Tohr to come around but reconnecting with John is definitely a start.
~~page 501, Rehv is going to be the next leahdrye! Just a bit ironic since he is half symphath.
~~The first few pages of chapter 53 with John were priceless. I am glad he finally got the confidence to confront Xhex but to bad he had to be wasted in order to do it. Atta boy John, you deserve some happiness too!! On 522 when Xhex read John's note, all I could think was that he is one bold male. Of course his note was in reference to what she had said to him on page 95! 
~~It was so nice to see Phury and Cormia together in Rehv's place. And that some of the Chosen were there as well. I am glad that Phury chose to go to addiction meetings and that Z was there looking on when he finished them.
~~Chapter 56-The Scribe Virgin woke Payne up and her reply was priceless!!
~~Chapter 57-We see how committed Phury and Cormia are. Nalla is born and all the brothers visit Phury. Z sings!! All is well at that moment and it's a great ending.
Rating: 5+~Outstanding
Book 29
Har/Sil~20
Other~9
A soul suffocated by fear leaves too many joys unlived...Maria Housden.
Awesome review Shelley! I
Awesome review Shelley! I love how you recapped all the best points, and w/pages/chapters to boot.
I can't wait to read more about Lassiter, he's a hoot, i loved him also. I had to laugh when the Scribe Virgin un-suspended her daughter and she immediately expressed her love for her mother(fu) hahaha to funny, loved it.
Kathy D
Thanks Kathy
I sat on this book for a few days after I read it. I just didn't know how to review it. I debated for a while whether to do a review with spoilers but I'm glad that I did. I had notes on a piece of paper at first. Then as I was writing my review I kept thinking of more stuff that I wanted to add.
Did you get the note that John gave to Xhex. Read what she said on page 95 then go back and read the note from John. I thought it was a hoot.
A soul suffocated by fear leaves too many joys unlived...Maria Housden.
MY BOOK REVIEWS
Thanx Shelley, i just went
Thanx Shelley, i just went back and re-read both parts. I can't remember for sure now if i remembered or not the first time. I may not have remembered the first one? lol The book was so jam packed with so many things and then all the reviews, and yours...which i went back thru alot using your pages/chapters...it will stick in my memory now though, you can bet on it.
Kathy D
The blood on thighs
The blood on thighs I didn't see it the same way. I saw it just because she was a virgin and he was too and neither knew really what they were doing. I'll have to go back and read that again. I did have one thought throughout the book and that was who the wizard was. At times I thought maybe multiple personality and other times I thought maybe just a weird conscience. Anyone else have any thoughts on that.
The D2K Paranormal Junkies ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog
I didn't see the blood part
I didn't see the blood part as violence on Phury's part either...just that he was in a hurry, and neither knew what they were doing as well. Had i thought for a minute that it was forced sex, i'm not sure i would've got over that...so i'm really glad i didn't see it that way. lol
Kathy D
I do think that the
I do think that the wizard was just a weird conscience. You know cause Phury has been through a lot and probably hasn't dealth with it the best. I am sure the red smoke didn't help matters and brought the wizard out in spades. Did you notice that when he was sober and with Cormia at the end the wizard was not around.
I didn't see the blood part as violence on Phury's part either...just that he was in a hurry, and neither knew what they were doing as well. ....I guess I didn't word that part the best. I don't think it was a violent act at all. Both were not experienced and I know Phury wanted Cormia so bad that he just went for it.
The only reason why I said it was rough and harsh was because it was Cormia's first time and it should have been slower, more tender. Cormia wanted it just as much as Phury did and I think she was overwhelmed when they were finished and that's why she asked him to leave the way she did.
As for John seeing the blood...I don't think he realized that a woman bleeds after her first time. So he over reacted. Then of course Phury felt guily about the way he took her, even though Cormia defended him and said it wasn't forced.
A soul suffocated by fear leaves too many joys unlived...Maria Housden.
MY BOOK REVIEWS
I understand exactly where
I understand exactly where your coming from Shelley. In real life, with humans...the way he took Cormia wouldn't have gone over well at all, or been excepted, or encouraged...but with these vampire/breed books, there sex can tend to get a fair bit rougher, so i don't tend to get quite as upset with scenes like this anymore. And i think Cormia was in a bit of a hurry as well, before he left on her again. lol
Also, Cormia was upset with Phury because he didn't look happy after the act was finished...and when he saw her upset, he thought it was his fault for having had sex with her..... she asks Phury to leave and John comes on the scene and reads the upset expression wrong after seeing the blood on her legs. At least i think thats how it went down ,that's how my memory remembers it anyways. lol
I may have to read that part again myself.
Kathy D
I found a fantastic
I found a fantastic interview with JR Ward!! She also lists 10 things about the brothers that we do not know.
Here's the link: http://www.mylifetime.com/blog/michelle-buonfiglio/j.r.-ward-guestblog-p...
A soul suffocated by fear leaves too many joys unlived...Maria Housden.
MY BOOK REVIEWS
I just came from watching
I just came from watching the video and reading everything. Some of it was very interesting. I love watching/reading favorite author interviews.
Kathy D
Kathy
It was interesting wasn't it. I know what you mean about watching interviews with favorite authors!
A soul suffocated by fear leaves too many joys unlived...Maria Housden.
MY BOOK REVIEWS
Wizard...
To me, the wizard was very much tied in with Phury's addiction. I've heard addicts talk about having a negative inner voice or hearing their mother, father, whoever always saying they were a failure, etc.
The D2K Paranormal Junkies 2008 Challenge
Wow Shelley... that's fantastic!
I want to hibernate with the book once again, just because re-reading parts of it bring it back so well... I gotta say this is one addiction that I never intend to surrender! I mean, c'mon... it's the BROTHERS! They're worth it.
Okay a few points:
1. "...the blood on the thighs" ~ oh yeah... Cormia didn't have a problem with any of it and Phury, well the guy didn't have a clue either way and he definitely put a negative connotation on what he did to her.
But with John, I can certainly see why he thought that Phury had raped Cormia... and the fact that it brought back his rape so clearly; well it's no surprise that he went ballistic and attacked Phury. But overall, I really, really think that that, overall, is the best thing that could have happened 'cause John now has to deal with it instead of hiding it. And knowing that Blay and Qhuinn know too, and aren't turning away from him ~ as Wrath didn't either ~ will go a long way to aid John's healing.
2. Deb, the wizard... jeepers when we were first "introduced" to him I had no idea what he was, but Yeah, I really do see that he was Phury's addiction. I mean once Phury shot up, the wizard was silent ~ he didn't need to bother Phury 'cause he was doing what he, the wizard, wanted him to do. He actually mentioned it later on ~ and Shelley I'm amazed at the page & chapters you listed... you're miles ahead of me there! ~ that the only way to keep him, the wizard, quiet was to use heroin all the time. YUCK! As bad as his DT's were, having to deal with the aftermath of the wizard is, I think the worst.
3. Blay and Qhuinn... no nothing will happen between the two ~ nothing sexual anyway. Qhuinn may have experimented other times (he mentioned that he didn't have a problem when there were women involved, but he's not gay. I just salute him for dealing up front with Blay ~ and himself ~ regarding the love he holds for him. And he knows that Blay loves him, but he really, really wants him to find someone that can commit 100% to Blaylock alone: Qhuinn knows that he can't do that 'cause he's definitely a woman's man.
Wow, this is fun! Thanks for the forum Shelley!
October's MEMBER OF THE MONTH
kalyko ~ Reading: One of life's little joys and a much needed reward!
Kathy
How are you? Glad you dropped by! I agree with the points you made 100%. You know I actually want to reread it already!!
A soul suffocated by fear leaves too many joys unlived...Maria Housden.
MY BOOK REVIEWS
Shelley, that was a great
Shelley, that was a great review. I was so glad that when they found Tohr and the moment he had with John when they got back to the mansion. I agree with you with John and Xhex, I didn't think he would do it but I'm glad he found that confidence to do so.
Tiffany
BJBC
My Shelfari Page
That moment
That moment was like a kodak moment. I was proud of John and didn't think he would do something like that. It was a surprising moment. Now I want to see if he's going to be that bold going after her or if he needs to be. Maybe she'll go after him now. I want more now.
The D2K Paranormal Junkies ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog
I know I can't wait to read
I know I can't wait to read the scenes with John and Xhex!! It's going to be something worth waiting for.
A soul suffocated by fear leaves too many joys unlived...Maria Housden.
MY BOOK REVIEWS
About Xhex and JM...
I really think that, somewhere down the line, we'll see them together. If anyone could live with a half symphath I think it'd be John.
And Tohr. OMG... my heart is breaking for him all over again.
But how wonderful is it to finally be introduced to Lassiter ~ and boy is there a story and a half to the history between him and the Brothers! Whoo hee!
And Rehv, my oh my... the more I see of him, the more I like him. He's becoming such a complex character with a lot more than is on the surface... and who the dickens would be his mate!
Huh... January, eh?
October's MEMBER OF THE MONTH
kalyko ~ Reading: One of life's little joys and a much needed reward!
~~ If anyone could live
~~ If anyone could live with a half symphath I think it'd be John~~
I agree Kathy!
And Tohr. OMG... Tohr!!
Lassiter ~ I love his character already and can't wait to find out about his past with the brothers either. We all know it's going to be good!
~~And Rehv, my oh my... the more I see of him, the more I like him~~
I feel the same way.
~~... and who the dickens would be his mate!~~
That is the question isn't it.
~~ Huh... January, eh? ~~
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I did hear Lover Avenged was put back until May. I'm not 100% sure but I will go on the message board later and try to find out for sure!
A soul suffocated by fear leaves too many joys unlived...Maria Housden.
MY BOOK REVIEWS
Oh heavens Shelley...
...that's definitely not fun news!
But I guess I shouldn't complain ~ it's not as though Ward doesn't give us enough story for the wait... and there IS the compendium ~ for which I'm eagerly waiting... as always, eh?
October's MEMBER OF THE MONTH
kalyko ~ Reading: One of life's little joys and a much needed reward!
Yep it's so sad. Rehv's
Yep it's so sad
. Rehv's book Lover Avenged is not going to be out until May 2009.
There is a great interview with JR through romancenovel.tv! Here is the site: http://www.romancenovel.tv/wordpress/2008/06/08/interview-jr-ward/#comment-3664
JR told her fans a few juicy tidbits through her interview and the comments afterward!! Here are most of the things that were said!
1. They talked about Quinn's cousin, Saxton. Does anyone remember him? Jr said we will be seeing him again! I have to wonder if he might be Blay's HEA.
2. JR told us who Rehv's mate will be!! It is one of the nurses at the clinic. She showed up in LR when she brought coffee to Butch and again in LEn as she was the one to help Phury evac the clinic. You know the one who asked for the gun because she knew how to use it!! Her name is Ehlena!!!!!!!!!!!
3. John Matthew's book is more than likely after Rehv's!!!
4. JR was originally going to write 10 books in this series but now it's open-ended!! Yep that's right guys, OPEN-ENDED!!!!! She said that as long as they continue talking to her and new characters show up she'll keep writing
.
5. The first line in Rehv's book is:
"The King must die"
6. John and Xhex both get their HEA in the same book! Now she never said it would be with each other but I think it will be.
7. And finally Tohr will get his HEA but it's going to be a ways down the road.
Check out the site...it's great. I asked JR in the comment section the same question a couple of times but she never answered it. I wanted to know if we'll see much of Lassiter in Rehv's book and if Payne will make her appearance there.
A soul suffocated by fear leaves too many joys unlived...Maria Housden.
MY BOOK REVIEWS
Lassiter...
Lassiter really threw me as he sort of popped out of nowhere and I didn't really like that as a plot device. BUT then I did a little research and it seems he is a (or was a) regular on the BDB boards so that made it work for me. Hope that makes sense.... I'm hoping the Compendium (sp?) will pull a lot of this info together in one format.
The D2K Paranormal Junkies 2008 Challenge
Hey Guys
I just read that in the Compendium the short story with Z, Bella, & Nalla will be 124 pages long!!
A soul suffocated by fear leaves too many joys unlived...Maria Housden.
MY BOOK REVIEWS
That's awesome news Shelley.
That's awesome news Shelley. I really want to read more on them three.
Kathy D
I just wanted to add
I just wanted to add another link to another interview that JR did. This one involved JR telling us...her fans...Ten Things You Might Want to Know About the Black Dagger Brothers!!
It's great.
Here's the link: http://www.mylifetime.com/blog/michelle-buonfiglio/j.r.-ward-guestblog-phast-and-phurious
A soul suffocated by fear leaves too many joys unlived...Maria Housden.
MY BOOK REVIEWS
Thanx for another
Thanx for another interesting link Shelley! Although i haven't seen JRWs yet, cause i started watching all the author ones that came on. Lori Fosters were awesome and enlightening. I had an entirely different voice for her. lol
I'll soon be to JRWs though, i can see them.
Kathy D