Please note!! There are spoilers below. If you do not want to be spoiled, I wrote a spoiler-free review of Lover at Last for USA Today.
JR Ward has been torturing us for years with Blay and Qhuinn. While this is my favorite series, I also tend to not love and squee over every book. Ward tends to have 1,245 different storylines and POVs in each book, sometimes distracting away from the main H/H. However – while yes we get lots of different side stories, I was very happy with Blay and Qhuinn’s HEA and pretty satisfied with the other side stories as well. Let’s break it down.
Blay and Qhuinn.
“Because I was, and I remain, utterly and completely and totally…in love with you.”
Oh Qhuay!! I love angst. The angst that Ward has put these two through for book after book killed me, yet I reveled in it. I am very happy that the angst is still present in this book. Blay and Saxton have been sleeping together for a year but Blay knows Saxton isn’t his mate.Qhuinn has taken a year off from manwhoring, and now all he can think about is Blay. Their love in this book takes on a very intense and physical form. Ward gives us the good m/m sex scenes (although as everyone has said – where is the lube? LOL). Their passion is hot, and we get a lot of it. The end of the book is so,so romantic that I wish there had been a little bit more of that between them I could have used some hand holding or some romantic scenes after Qhuinn proposed. But I’m not complaining because I really was satisfied by their HEA. Well done JR Ward. WELL DONE.
Some notes: After getting the go ahead from (lawyer) Saxton, Wrath changes the old laws so that Qhuinn can be inducted into the Brotherhood. He is no longer JM’s bodyguard. Love that he is now officially a brother!
While scouting out a farm, they find Qhuinn’s brother Luchas in some type of oil bin, soaking in Omega blood. Tortured and broken, barely alive. He is rescued and is recovering at the mansion.
How awesome are Blay’s parents? Very awesome. Both coming out scenes – well done.
How awesome is it that Qhuinn flies an airplane to get Z home safely?? I loved that scene. LOL. That felt like old-school BDB (ie..a scene that would have taken place in one of the beginning books) And then Qhuinn breaks down in front of Z? So emo. I love.
Qhuinn and Layla
Brace yourselves because I’m about to say something shocking. I adored Layla in this book. VERILY! Can you believe it? Why you ask? She stands up to Havers which is totally awesome and fights for the rights to her body. She stands up to Phury. She is Qhuinn’s rock as he goes through all of his shit. I love that they come right out and tell each other they don’t love each other (Thank you Ward! I did not want that drama). I love their friendship. I love when Qhuinn realized he was going to be a dad for real. I loved how he goes total alpha on Havers and makes him apologize. You go boy. The weakest part? Payne healing Layla. Not that I wanted her to miscarry but that just seemed like such a cop out moment. I don’t know. I’m not a Payne fan as it is.
Xcor
I. Love. Xcor.
I LOVE his relationship with Layla. When she takes the car and meets him and she unlocks those doors. Oh. I can’t wait to see how all of this unfolds. He obviously still wants the throne, and now he may be going with the- Beth is a half-breed route rather than the violent route. He did mention if he could kidnap one woman, it would all come crashing down. I don’t’ see him kidnapping Layla..but maybe? Somehow he will have to redeem himself so he and Layla can go have dirty sex together. Maybe save Layla at some point? Another friend said maybe he will save Beth or another female? We shall see but I want more of him! The way he can track Layla and how he goes from wild, cold warrior to protecting her. Oooooh…Xcor you intrigue me.
Also, Xcor knows the location of the brotherhood mansion now. duh duh duuuuuh!
Assail and Sola
At first I wasn’t sure what Sola’s part in this book would be. I’m still a little confused by her. I assume she has a lot of secrets that we will find out soon. I like Assail, but still feel like we don’t know that much about him. Will his book be next? I worry, because he isn’t close with the brotherhood, so if he gets a book, that means lots of page time away from the mansion. But I assume his book is next since Sola is missing? He is ruthless (love that he killed Elan) and has secrets and motives of his own. Very curious about him.
What’s up with Assail’s freaky twin cousins? I LIKEY.
Trez and iAm
I think this storyline was the weakest of the group. I like them both, but got a little bored with them. I do think it will be interesting to see how Trez handles being mated to the future queen, while totally in love with Selena. I also love that they are now living at the brotherhood mansion. Maybe Trez will get the next book?
In conclusion:
I was surprised JM wasn’t in this more as Blay and Qhuinn are his good buddies. I adore V so glad he had a few minor roles. Lassiter only has one sentence or something…I’m ready for his storyline to get wrapped up. I thought Murdher might make an appearance but nope.
Wrath has some good scenes telling of the glymera. Beth and Layla are becoming buddies, maybe this means Beth will go into Needing soon.
I’d give this book a solid B
So you tell me:
– Did it live up to the hype? Are you satisfied with Qhuay’s HEA?
– What was your favorite scene?
– What was the weakest part of the book?
– Who do you think will be the Hero and Heroine in the next book?
Yes, it lived up to the hype! It had everything I wanted…Hot Alpha Males, Steamy Sex, Lots of Action & lets not forget Honey Boo Boo references ;) I loved how Blay & Qhuinns story played out. I loved their HEA! The side stories were exciting & kept my interest. I am IN LOVE with Blays Folks. Ohmigod…I totally cried! So happy about that. I *actually* liked Layla in this book. I can’t believe it. I sooo disliked her before. Xcor still pisses me off cause he’s such a bonehead. It was nice to see him regret his decisions after the car scene. There may be hope fkr him yet in my eyes. I wanted more Throe! I really like his story. The line you quoted, from Blay actually slayed me. We’ve been waiting soo damn long for this! Loved it.
Lets talk about the sex, shall we?!?! GOD.DAMN. It was Smexy to the 10th power. I am not ashamed to admit that I had to walk out side to cool down! And possibly change my panties. Whaaaaa?! And that scene with Blay/Selena/Qhuinn…well, I’d like to Give Thanks to the talented JR Ward for adding that scene cause I’m pretty sure it was about me. Well, in my
head it was ;)
Hmmm, I can’t think of anything else right now. I just finished like 40 minutes ago & I’m literally going on NO sleep.
I seriously loved this book! How long til the next one…
Chapter 67. That’s all that needs to be said. UNF.
While Blay let out a groan, Qhuinn leaned over and took the female’s other wrist. Holding it with one hand, he used his other to yank out the bottom of his muscle shirt – and then shove Blay’s palm down the front of his own pants.
Oh Chp 67. :)
I know, right! I re-read it like 6 times. Rawr!!
OH! The Blay/Qhuinn/Selena scene was HOT!! Might have been my favorite scene. Well- also the breaking lamp scene. And the couch scene. *ahem*
Before this book I thought Throe might end up in the Xcor/Layla mix but I’m not so sure anymore. He kind of intrigues me though.
You need sleep and to let it all soak in. Until next March…sigh
Seriously, I’m blitzed right now. I’m exhuasted & emotional & experiencing a total book hangover. But I must needs discuss this book…verily.
I forgot to mention that the one thing I didn’t like was that nothing was mentioned about the others getting excepted into the BDB. Why was it never discussed?
Good point…I guess she is drawing out the suspense with that? I don’t know…
I was totally and completely surprised that I liked Layla.
LOVED Qhuinn threatening Havers. Absolutely adored it.
I am a little annoyed that she’s reusing plot points ie. Sola and Xhex both getting kidnapped in the last chapters, Trez and Phury and V set to marry others out of obligation instead of being allowed to ‘follow their hearts’ as it were.
Blay’s parents were FABULOUS. Loved them.
Not sure how I feel about the Luchas stuff. We’ll see how it plays out but I’m pretty ambivalent at this point.
Assail has peaked my interest.
Xcor has (finally) gotten me invested in his character. I’m SUPER glad Ward didn’t give all of the other BOB’s a POV chapter in this book. I’m guessing that she probably felt tempted, but it kept it from being too cluttered.
Overall, it was just a really satisfying read.
Not too sure who will be next. Assail would make sense, but I also don’t think we know him well enough to rival the hype Blay & Qhuinn’s book received. I think it’ll either be him or Trez.
But what I REALLY want is a novella. Come on Rhage and Mary!
Agree about Sola – Bella was kidnapped too at one point. Makes me wonder if because of that, Assail will be the next hero.
I was wondering if we would get more from the bastards. We have all of their names now. And of course Syn intrigues me because he doesn’t have a name but they call him that because he is so naughty. So of course I want to know more about him ;)
I had actually forgotten about that novella…I wonder when it is coming out???
I totally forgot that Bella was kidnapped. And Beth. It would be quicker to list the females that haven’t been kidnapped.
Syn is totally hitting all the same appeal buttons that Z hit. My heart melted a little bit when he referred to Nalla as his ‘little female.’
Yes! I thought that too! More Syn! He was entriging!
And I think Trez’s story is gonna be next because of the whole he-needs-to-marry-the-princess- like-now thing.
Now that the brothers have all had their stories, I’m not as frantic about the next story. I will read it & love it, because it is JR Ward and she rocks! This was the one I’ve been waiting on FORFUCKINGEVER.
It’s been what, six years since Phury came out and they had that FANTASTIC kiss? Patience DEFINITELY paid off.
Yessss. That whole scene with Qhuinn breaking down and Bella running out …I loved
I really, really liked it. I gave it 4 stars cause tho I loved it, it was not all perfect, but that’s fine. Books don’t always need to be perfect to be PERFECT, you know?
I was very happy with how the book ended. The eiplogue was by far my favorite moment, I just wish we had gotten to see more of that. It seems sort of unfair that when they finally accepted their feelings for each other the book was over.
But I freaking LOVED the angst. OMG, the angst. It was so everything that I was not expecting. Seriously. I love angst in my m/m books but I was thinking Ward wouldn’t go there with Blay and Qhuinn but omg did she ever. I felt sorry for Qhuinn at some parts but also I totally understood where Blay was coming from. The sex scenes…well, yeah, where was the lube?? No, no, no. Anal sex without lube is a no go. Sorry, but that was awkward. Also, I was kind expecting them to do it in any other position than doggy style, but whatever. Maybe this is me who read way too much m/m books. I am pretty sure people who never read m/m will not even notice those.
I could have done with less of Assail, if you ask me. I don’t see the apeal that Ward sees on him and it makes me worry that next book will be about him. But, let’s wait for it.
I hate Xcor. Sorry but I do. I don’t even know how Ward is gonna redeem him, cause honestly, I can’t see a situation where the Brothers forgive him for trying to kill Wrath. But I am very interested in seeing it happening.
Qhuinn’s induction killed all my feelings and I was laughing so loud with him thinking they were in his bedroom to beat him up. Poor Qhuinn. And also, the way they tlaked at iron mask and came to terms to their feelings…at that point I was screaming FUCKING FINALLY!
All in all, it was a great book and such a thrill to read it and I feel like everything we went through with Qhuinn and Blay finnaly paid off.
Sorry for the long comment and the swearing!!!
*mwah*
I agree we needed to see more – quiet romance like the epilogue. I wish they had had another love scene after the proposal where they faced each other during sex. I’m greedy! ;)
I think Xcor’s story is going to drag out – But I’m very interested to see how he is redeemed. I love him with Layla for some reason.
The induction was great. LOVED.
So glad it was a good pay off.
I was waiting for the face to face sexing too. I kept checking the page numbers when I was reading thinking, “you’re running out of time! you’re running out of time!” By the time it got there, I didn’t think 15 pages would be long enough, but it worked. I just need more! Maybe a novella along the lines of Father Mine?
Yesss..that would be perfect
I had to unhype myself before I read this book, and I’m glad I did. I love the way the Qhuinn/Blay story ends, and I love all the fabulous wanksting and penile upswings, but I was underwhelmed by the unrequited love (not) misunderstanding. Also, the thing with Payne and the thing with Qhuinn’s brother were very WTFy.
I loved Rhage in this book. Every time he was on-page, it led to something awesome. But the character I want to see more of Saxton. I hope he ends up with someone fab.
Fave scene was definitely the wanksting in the Room of Requirement. :D
The Payne healing was WEAK.
And the Luchas thing was pretty predictable. Both weak spots in the book for sure.
I was surprised Saxton kept getting page time. I hope she keeps him as a side character and gives him a relationship too
I approve of your fave scene. LOL
It’s on par with ghost Jane. Too much deus ex machina in these books.
I would think Saxton will have to help Wrath get past the half-breed problem of Beth and his position as king. Of course Beth will get pregnant in the next book or the one after that. It will be a crucial part of the plot for Xcor to take over probably.
Yes…agree to all that
I have to wonder why Saxton was okay with Blay essentially using him and then dropping him for Qhuinn. Sax said he loved Blay and yet her was just resigned to the fact that Blay would never love him. I wanted some anger on Sax’s part.
Now I was Sax to have his own story and hopefully if and when he does, Ward will have him use some lube unlike Qhuay who didn’t.
Last page of this book had me so choked up. Beautiful.
I think Saxton knew from the beginning where Blay’s true feelings lay. So he was under no illusion – maybe hoping Blay would fall in love too..but yeah. I hope he sticks around.
The last page was lovely.
Ok, is it me? Or did anyone think that the “associate” that was talking to Xcor was Sax? He spoke similarly & was knowledgable about the laws & old ways. It made me think of Sax immediately. And it made me think that that would be a good way to get back at Qhuinn & Blay, playing double agent. He didn’t seem angry enough. No one gets over “being in love” that fast. It seemed too easy to me. Thoughts? ?
I agree, but that seems so obvious. But the ‘solicitor’ did seem like Sax
This went through my head A LOT!!
But…did they mention him as thin and wiry? I don’t know…Saxton going to see his aunt in Florida felt…weird. And suspicious…
Yes Mandi! I’m glad it wasn’t only me that thought that. I really like Saxtons character & would feel totally betrayed if it was him. I just couldn’t stop comparing the two.
Very interested to see where (if) this goes in the next book
OMG I could not be out of this chat even if I just randomly found this post (and the blog, hi blog owner!) because I can’t accept in my heart that it is Saxton, it would be so… low. I mean, fuck the king up because his love life, come on, you gotta be better than this! The I thought; glymera, blond… there is havers (who has reasons to be mad at wrath, even if it’s all in the past…), and what about lash? doesn’t seem like him, but he is blond and he will be back… just hope is not Saxton =/ Assail totally got my attention (though I don’t know how Sola will work out in this, she is human, right?) and I ended up respecting Layla’s character more. The whole Payne/Layla thing was off but may have interesting developments, and X-cor knowing the location? Trouble! Next book is Wrath and Bella (after the novella), at least is what I heard. Didn’t like much the way she handled the emotional side of their story, like they don’t talk and Qhuinn doesn’t even know they broke up… so stupid! Love Blay’s parents, so cute! The end scene left me intrigued, did they get really mated? Carving and all? Dance is cute, song could be Etta James “At Last”, not freaking ‘Don’t Stop Believing’. Sorry for the huge post but I need to discuss with someone! This Saxton thing is really bothering me.. didn’t want him to be a bad guy!
I’m pretty sure JR Ward revealed that Elan was talking to Saxton’s father. Here’s the spoiler post on her FB page: https://www.facebook.com/JRWardBooks/posts/10151354724293231
Yes..thanks Kat. He was talking to Saxton’s dad. I Hope Sax plays a big role in the future though
At least Phury had some balls in this book. Erm.. I still like Havers and his bow tie. Poor dude is just sticking to the rules he’s had to follow since birth.
I think you are the only one who likes Havers! ;)
Yup. I’ve like him even when he kicked Marissa to the curb to get run over by the bus the fans were hoping for.
I agree completely Mandi! I definitely wanted a few quiet, intimate moments with Blay and Qhuinn after their big emotional showdown at the end, the whole HEA felt a little rushed to me. I also would have loved a full sex scene between them when they weren’t angry/hurt and when Qhuinn wasn’t under the impression Blay was cheating on Saxton with him. I know, I know, I’m greedy. We got that little snippet at the very end with the whole bathroom thing, but I wanted MOAR.
I love Xcor too. So. Much. I want to hug him. And also do other things. I could have done without Assail and Trez’s side stories in this book for sure, I would have been a happy camper with just Qhuay and Layla and Xcor.
I agree…I hope Assail remains a sidestory – I’m just not invested in him enough to read an entire book about him.
Help me out here. I have read review after review about this series so I FINALLY broke down and got book #1 on my kindle. And…. I really don’t like it. It’s boring…. the sex scenes are bad….. I’m nearly 1/2 way thru and I want to put it down. But everyone RAVES about this series….. does it get better??
I think enjoyment of this series is relative to what you have read before it. Ward’s writing has improved over the years of writing and it usually takes a couple of books before an author really gets comfortable in her world and characters. When the first book came out I don’t think there was a lot of options for people who wanted alpha male vampires. Kind of like the 50 Shades and Twilight phenomenon.
Tam: Most people who have read the series were meh about Dark Lover, but I promise you, Rhage’s book, Lover Eternal is the book that will amaze you and make you want to continue reading. Lover Eternal is my favorite of this series and one I re-read once a year.
Maybe try Rhage – who is book 2? BUT – That is Ward’s writing style. Slang, over the top…I don’t know. It works for me but I can also see how it would very much not work for others.
Rhage’s book is book 2. Also her slang I felt has gotten a lot worse, especially in LAL. But alas, no fidiot mention :(
just finished! I didn’t like the fact that Blay and Qhuinn had their moment in the bar like that. Seemed kind of dorky and the ending was rushed. I was glad we got to see Qhuinn’s induction into the Brotherhood reminds the fans of the roots of the Brotherhood and all the tradition involved.
One of my favorite tropes is forbidden love and Xcor/Layla has Romeo and Juliet written all over it! Can’t wait for all those feels. Can you imagine Quinn when he finds out Layla is in love with Xcor and what that means for the fate of his child!
I loved Assail. I like his alpha male cockiness and that a human is going to bring him to his knees
I like what Trez and iAM are and I look forward to finding out more about Shadows, but I don’t really care about the Trez/Selena thing and hope that stays as a secondary story.
Next books I want: Xcor/Layla, Assail/Sola, Wrath/Beth (pregnancy), anything with Rhage (he is my male!).
Since Trez now lives at the mansion, I wonder if his book will be next. I’m dying for more Xcor Layla.
I thought Q’s induction was really nice.
@Tam – If it helps, I wasn’t sold on book 1 either (I also found it boring), but I loved book 2 and it remains my favourite of the series.
I love, love, love the story about Qhuinn and Blay. I have reread the last three chapters about 5 times now. I just wish it didn’t feel so rushed. I wanted more of them at the end. I wanted a mating ceremony. I wanted more time of them in a real relationship. I just want more and to think I’m going to have to wait 12 months before we get more BDB, and it might not even have anything about them in it. I need more of Qhuinn and Blay, I have spent too many years invested in there relationship.
My favorite scene is when Qhuinn is sitting at the bar and turning people away. It was the first time Blay got to see how much he had changed and then when Blay tells the woman that is hitting on Qhuinn to back off because he was with him… I wanted to cheer out loud.
I guess I think the weakest part of this book was everything with the Lessers… I don’t even know why she bothered putting them in except to add depth to the Assail story and since I have no investment in Assail, that story didn’t really interest me much.
I think that Assail and Sola will be the next H/H. I have been thinking about a HEA for Saxton. I’m hoping she considers Lassiter as Saxton’s HEA. Saxton is so wonderful, wouldn’t an angel be perfect for him?
I think we all need more romantic, happy times with Qhuay. Maybe she will give us a novella one day. Or maybe they will have one of the bigger side stories in an upcoming book.
I realllllly wish Lassiter would get a book. I have no idea who I want him to end up with. I wonder if Saxton has any secrets that will come out soon
I loved Xcor in this book.. heck.. I’ve loved his character since he showed up. I have something for the scarred/messed up guys. I re-read the scene in the Mercedes with Xcor and Layla several times.. made me tear up! I can’t help but think that Sola is a half breed.. especially with the mysterious Spanish man that showed up looking for her and with the disappearance. She’s probably getting to the age where she will need to transition. This is probably my favorite of all the BDB books. I see it on my re-read list many times over!
Sola def has some secrets…
This and Lover Mine are my most favorite of her recent ones. Let’s hope it continues…
I hope they get each others names tatooed on their backs in the next book <3 And hopefully a ceremony! And an extended version of the Iron Mask bathroom scene ;)
That sex in the bathroom scene made me LOL a little. I love they get all hot thinking about it.
And hell yes we need the mating ceremony. Dark spices and all
Didnt do it for me and I live BDB…..i agree I loved Layla in this book. But I hate Xcor, ugh i will die if he and Layla get an entire book…i love Throe and hate that he is sidelined in favir of Xcor…i was so annoyed that Layla accepted him…he tried to kill Quinn and Wrath…..traitor Layla…..
I was surprised Throe was more in the shadows this time.
There have been several of her books where at the end I feel like you do. LOL. I’m just happy Layla is showing some backbone. Xcor – he is going to need some kind of massive redemption. I’m interested to see how Ward goes about it.
It was okay but not great for me. I think it was awesome that an m/m romance this mainstream was published, but I’m not a fan if big misunderstandings. I would rather have the two guys spending some time together and fighting off some external conflict as a couple for at least part of the book.
As for the sex, well the door wasn’t closed and I’m glad of that, but I was hoping for at least one romantic and sensual scene, involving more lips, tongues and fingers, perhaps face to face.
My favourite scenes were when Qhuinn began feeling connected to his child and when Blay came out to his mum.
Blay’s parents were a nice part of the story. I really enjoyed that scene.
I think a lot of peeps agree that it was sexy, but could have been more romantic. Take out some of the uneeded pages with lessers etc and put in some hand holding and kissing.
Yes! This :)
It did not live up to the hype because I all but that is no slight to Ward…I just didn’t want a full on Blay/Quinn novel…so for me, there was no hype….
I wonder why she felt the need to have 1001 sex scenes with them, hell I wish Rhev & Ehlena had 1/2 as many…or even Wrath and Beth, heck anyone…Blay & Quinn had by far the most steamy book so I feel like the other couples were slighted…
Assail I love but with a twist…I don’t like that he is so cavalier about working with lessers…they are committing genoside against your race…but for now I still like him. If Ward starts to demonize Saxton I will be royally pissed off…
I think I’ll like Trez & Selena (I love a Virgin Heroine, lol and Trez is super sexual)…
And Trez has that princess or queen or whatever coming after him to mate. Heh. I like his relationship with his brother too. And they now live in the mansion so YAY. Hopefully we find out soon who is next :)
My favorite line (and there was a bunch of them) was the last line. “…and lived happily ever after.” None of the other books ended that way. I thought it was a telling sign of how much she both wanted to write the book and a big finger to those that didn’t want her too.
I also never ever thought I would like Layla. But I loved her. I wanted more pov with the HEA’s but I’m greedy like that. I found it interesting that Assail was doing business with Lessors. I really wish that the next book be a filler book. No HEA just tying up some loss ends, giving us glimpses into all the lives we want to know what going on in. I was really really suprised we didn’t have a scene with Mary talking to Layla. Or even Layla saying she talked her.
I was very excited and very nervous for this book. I did not care for the last one. In the last one, I wanted them to not end up together. I wanted them to grow into accepting their lives and using each other to move on and that being it. I think that if this story had been anyone else’s, I might not have read it.
I LOVED the last line. Loved.
It’s funny with all this Layla love. That just goes to show that Ward CAN but rarely writes a female I enjoy. LOL. Layla finally had some backbone and I don’t know…a mind of her own? I love Xhex and her earlier females but I usually have trouble with them.
I would totally read a filler book…just to wrap up some storylines and get a glimpse into all the HEA’s. How awesome would that be???
Over on another blog someone thinks Lassiter will end up with Sax! Now I can get behind that and I have no worries that LAL will be a big big success (hopefully the most sold book in all the bdb series) maybe there will those two will get their own book together?
ERMERGERD! Lassiter and Sax *eyes roll back in head* JR Ward needs to improve her m/m writing skills a bit more though. Most of us here read m/m and I personally don’t think she got it quite right. The mechanics are there but like everyone is saying the romance that is critical to a m/m love story wasn’t there.
I felt the romance between them..but I just wanted to SEE it a little more if that makes sense. I felt that they were in love, but I wanted more quiet moments with them. We needed another chapter of them happy together.
YES! YES! YES! I want a no angst, happily ever after, romantic novella please! Something leading up to the birth of the baby.
yes, completely agree with this. :)
Oooo! Saxon and Lassiter. Yes, please! The serious and the carefree.
I didn’t at all think the solicitor was Sax. It just doesn’t feel right. If anything I think he will go toe to toe against him for the King. I think Sax always knew he was second fiddle. He didn’t plan on it being more for him, it just happened. He never was betrayed, he never was teased along. I just don’t see his character turning so dirty. He takes pride in his work. And wouldn’t Butch have a say for the throne if something crazy happened. Isn’t he of Wraths line?
YES! The Butch thing! This is someone who doesn
Also another spec which made me go AHA was that time Xcor was on the phone with some anonymous person. Some believe it was Saxton. Could Saxton be an enemy in the BDB perhaps? Hmm…
Oh Saxton – he didn’t really go to Florida, HUH??
*head may explode*
It wasn’t there a lot but when it showed, it made it all that much better. In that wonderful chapter 67, when everything is over and Qhuinn moves slowly to cover Blays arm with his and their hands do touch. Sigh..
Oh chp 67 – that is a VERRA good chapter
I keep looking at my book as I was reading it and the pages were dwindling. Everytime someone else was talking, I would look at the pages I have left and get a little nervous. Because while I do love knowing what is going on, I miss having more of a whole book for the actual HEAs. So, I am totally with everyone on wanting a happy/nice to each other chapter. I think with as many side POV’s she should make it longer. Or trim them out and put more of the main characters in. I wonder how many pages of the book actually deal with the HEAs?
Agree. She flips back and forth A LOT. She could have trimmed out a lot of stuff. At the same time, I expect that now…so I was prepared. But I would rather have more HEA time. And she needed another chapter with just Blay and Qhuinn.
She did state at her signing this last weekend that their story isn’t done and we will see them get mated. YAY
No, but really. Do JRW vamps have magical sexy bits? Because otherwise, MY GOD – where is the lube? It took me out of the scene every time because I kept thinking, OUCH!
The other thing that bugs me is the increasing number of new stories. The original books were shorter, but we actually got much more page time with the main characters. And then it was like most of the old characters from previous books got a single token line and that was it. No Mary. No Nalla/family/togetherness time. Precious little with any of the Brothers other than fight scenes. I just wish JR Ward would realize that what we really want is more of the personal stuff and less of these side stories. Then maybe it wouldn’t tick me as much to pay $18 for each book, you know?
Yeah – the continuous breaking of scenes to switch to different characters is annoying. I think the big consensus is that we needed more intimacy with Qhuay..we could have done with less Trez and Assail (although I loved the Xcor stuff)
And lube. Please JR Ward lube. ;)
I totally agree with Jordan about the increasing number of new story lines and characters. Like everyone else, I wanted more romance and intimacy with Qhuay. Why did did Ward have to have Qhuinn finally admit his love to Blay in a crowded bar? I kept wondering how they could hear each other over the loud music? Super vampire hearing? I wish we’d seen what happened immediately after they left the bar. Where did they go? What did they say to each other? No, we had to have “Two weeks later…” Why skip over all that juicy dialog and those smexy details?! Very disappointed.
I’m also not happy about the song she had them dance to at the end. I think it’s too fast to slow dance to and not romantic at all, but that’s just me.
Overall, I’m glad we finally got Qhuay’s story but it just didn’t seem to me that it was devoted to them but to moving the BOB/Assail/Trez story lines forward.
Yep – we needed more pure romance. She says we get to see their mating in future books…Let’s hope!
Sadly, I think she went lube free for non m/m lovers. There was no ass touching, no talking about being in the other persons ass, no mention of a prostate (do they have one?), no clean up afterwards- hence no lube. I don’t think it was right and as a lover of m/m I was wanting all of that mentioned and more. But hopefully this will be a way to get more m/m books accepted into mainstream.
I agree. Now I must go reread scenes from Ty & Zane books to get my proper m/m fix ;)
Regarding the lube issue there was a subtle reference to how it works during Blay and Qhuinn’s first encounter:
“Then an arm shot under his pelvis and popped him up onto his knees. There was a brief lull, during which all he heard was heavy breathing behind him, the panting getting faster, and harder – He heard Qhuinn orgasm and knew exactly what that was for.”
Ah…Thanks Susan. I didn’t see that the first time around
On the DA thread, there’s a bit of discussion around why sperm isn’t a substitute for lube. Good thing the vampires heal quickly. :D
Oh my. :)
Mandi – Nice breakdown of a book with a lot of storylines!
I give a thumbs up in this one for Qhuinn, Blay, Layla, Xcor and Wrath. I agree that more non-sex moments with Blay and Qhuinn would have been nice and I hope to see a pivotal moment where Xcor is forced to side with Wrath to save Layla in the future. That being said, we’ve already done the physically damaged, illiterate hero thing in this series, haven’t we? (And don’t let me get started on the ghost thing – ugh!)
I personally could care less about Luchas or Assail. Really, Luchas is found sitting in a bucket of Omega goo in some abandoned cabin? I hope this story development is going somewhere in a future book because, otherwise, I would have been fine with him remaining missing for the duration of the series. (Sorry, but that page time could have been used in more smexy ways elsewhere.)
I’m looking forward to the Trey situation’s resolution. Maybe we’ll get to see a big old bitch slapping girl fight between Selena and the Shadow princess? That could be fun! :)
Overall, I’m still on board with the BDB and looking forward to The King!
I think Luchas is just going to go recover at his old house and be done with life. LOL. I doubt we will get a story for him.
We’ve already done that hero yes..LOL. We’ve already done kidnapping (Sola) And Ward has confirmed Sola is 100% human..so let’s hope she doesn’t go ghost!!!
I like Trez…very interested to see his fight up against the shadow princess and how he woos Selena.
Excited for The King!
I loved your review, and i too also was expecting Murdher to make an appearance. I wonder how that’s going to unfold.
Ugh I am so torn between Xcor, I hate him but I love how he is with Layla and I also think he is going to do something noble like save beth or something !
He is going to have to do something noble to be able to be with Layla! I just wonder how long Ward will drag it out….I hope he puts redemption in motion in The King because I am DYING for Xcor/Layla book :)
I loved it! I was very satisfied with the sex scenes, loved Blays parents and there were definitely some surprises. I went to.the signing in Cincinnati…the next book is The King! Another story about Wrath and Beth!!! Baby time!!
SO excited for The King!! Squeee!
The_Ohioan Chuck Todd reminds us that Obama’s “they cling to their guns and their religion” comment was made in March, not September. It remains to be seen in this ever faster news cycle whether the 47% solution can be mitigated in the 49 days left – especially since there is more on the tape which Mr. Romney, in his infinite wisdom, hopes will be released. ??!!In the next month and a half we will see ads from the super packs that will make this seem to be mild stuff. I suspect even the “daisy” ad will seem less devastating in retrospect. Batten down the hatches.