Book Review: Lover Reborn (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #10) by J.R. Ward
Let’s just get it out there: Lover Reborn buttfucked me raw without lube. ~spoiler~ pun absolutely intended. J.R. Ward has an uncanny ability to weave intricate plots and characters that reel you in, leaving your heart torn between affection and frustration. If you’re ready for a rollercoaster of emotions, then buckle up, because this ride takes you on a journey through grief, love, and the messiness of moving on.
At the center of this chaos is Tohrment, still reeling from the loss of his beloved Wellsie. A year ago, when Ward announced his story was next, I was furious. It felt too rushed, too raw; I believed he needed time to heal. Throughout the book, I stuck to that thought, questioning whether Tohr could truly accept Wellsie’s death before diving into a new connection with No’One. Watching him grapple with the duality of grief and new love became an emotional whirlwind. Personally, I believe you can honor someone’s memory without jumping into bed with another person right away. Tohr felt like a bit of a jerk at times, treating No’One with disrespect, all while navigating his grief. There was, dare I say, too much sex mixed with angst—which is saying something coming from me.
The narrative pacing threw me off, cramming an entire year of development into a single book when previous installments took two weeks or so at a time. And while I adored the progression of some characters, I couldn’t help but think that Tohr and No’One would have benefitted from being built up gradually over multiple books. Readers were invested in Qhuay after five installments, yet Tohr’s path seemed rushed and somewhat haphazard.
Now, let’s talk about my love-hate relationship with Xhex and John Matthew. First off, Xhex is a badass warrior who isn’t afraid to call out the Brotherhood for their dated views on women. I loved seeing her challenge the boys in, what I thought, was a refreshing take on gender dynamics in a vampire world that often feels out of touch. Yet, it left me questioning the narrative’s treatment of female characters. Why was Xhex—the strong, outspoken one—so lonely in her critique while other female characters seemed blissfully unaware of their surrounding oppression?
Layla absolutely deserves a mention, too—because she drove me to the edge of sanity. Once a character I felt sympathy for, she turned into someone I found hard to respect. Her selflessness read as self-sacrifice to the point of absurdity, making me want to scream at the pages. By the end, I found myself almost relieved that her choices led to some dramatic twists.
And speaking of dramatic twists—Ward really didn’t hold back. Qhuinn’s heartbreaking journey was a highlight, but don’t get me started on his relationship with Layla and the chaos that ensued. By the end, I was left pulling my hair out, wondering what on earth Ward was thinking. The stakes felt unreal, and it had me questioning who I’d root for and why.
If you enjoy gut-wrenching emotional narratives that tug at every heartstring while simultaneously challenging the norms of love and loss, Lover Reborn might just be your next obsession. You’ll navigate through relationships that are fragile and powerful at once, testing the boundaries of devotion and selfishness. Just be prepared to pick your heart up off the floor, especially if you’re invested in Qhuinn and Blay.
In summary, J.R. Ward has delivered yet another intense tale that left me both exhausted and exhilarated, challenging how we define love and loss within a complex society. Whether you’re Team Tohr or Team Qhuay, you’re in for a ride that’s messy, heart-wrenching, and ultimately unforgettable. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to process this emotional rollercoaster before diving back into the series!
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