Lover Reborn: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood

Reviewed by: Rabid ReadsFor the second BDB installment in a row I found myself struggling to connect with the couple that’s supposedly at the center of this story. I enjoyed following Tohr on his road to recovery after losing his mate but No’One’s victim-like demeanor and inability to move on without a man’s help just didn’t sit right with me. I also found the chemistry between the two to be only lukewarm at best; quantity is not a good substitute for quality. Thank goodness for Xhex and JM otherwise I think this book would have been a total flop for me.I started this novel thinking that a reasonable amount of time had passed since Welsie’s death so Tohr moving on made sense. He lost the love of his life and I thought that Ward did a good job of not belittling his heartbreak. However, once No’One was introduced as a possible love interest the brother’s attitude did a complete 180 and not for the better. Tohr came off as a user who was willing to throw anyone under the bus in an attempt to save his mate from the Fade. Unfortunately for No’One, she was easy prey because of her past and went along with Tohrment’s ridiculous tirade.One of my main pet peeves about this series is the weak female characters and No’One is the most spineless one to date. I understand that she’s had a tough go at it but you’d think she’d have learned to cope after 200 years. I’m sorry but if I’ve learned one thing in my 30 odd years on this Earth it’s that you can’t rely on anyone but yourself. Yes it’s great to have family and a support system but at the end of the day the only person who can initiate change is you. Funny that I know this but that a centuries old vampire hasn’t figured it out… No, instead she needs a man to save her. Puhlease! Plus, why didn’t anyone else in the house step in or at least try to befriend her? In previous books when a character gets stuck on a destructive path the brotherhood takes action. I wasn’t a big fan of the mid-story name change either. On a few occasions I found myself wondering “where the heck did this Autumn person came from?”The ending flat out pissed me off; if Ward can turn people into ghosts and revive others, why does Welsie even have to move on at all? Especially given what’s revealed about No’One’s situation. Same thing goes for Lassiter, he supposedly makes the ultimate sacrifice yet suffers no consequences? There were just SO many cope-outs made in this book that I don’t even want to go there or I’ll never finish this review. Lover Reborn is worth reading for the Xhex and JM’s side story but other than that, I’m sad to say that I could have done without this book.

Wonderful book. It was quite gentle to start with - still lots going on and continued development of the ongoing storylines, but not high-end action. Then after the half-way point it started to ramp up and built up to a blistering pace by the end with lots of twists and surprises. I think it would have been funny to have Xhex go into her needing - that's something I must see. I am agog for the next book and can't believe the Warden is making us wait until 2013. What sort of a way is that to treat your drooling fans may I ask?? And while I'm asking, I know the next book is Qhuay, but please can we have a bit more of Rhage and his beast too? They haven't had much of a look-in since book 2. Same for Butch and V. Pretty please?

I dreaded reading this one so much it took me a week to start it. I was kinda disappointed that it wasn't going to be about Blay and Quinn. However, I would say it wasn't like I expected; it was a excellent read. Tohrment and Autumns' story was very moving, with Tohr's coming to grip's with the pain of losing Wellsie and Autumns' struggles with her past. I also really liked Lassiter's character, he lightens the sullenness of the story.

As new characters pop up it makes me think this is going to be the never-ending series but all I'm going to say is the next one better be about Blay and Quinn's story and i believe it will be. I hate that Layla is in the middle of their (inevitable) relationship and yeah I agree that she can be annoying at times an oh she's so beautiful.

Glad to here from John Matthew again, one my favorites. And the Band of Bastards were front and center to add little bit of conflict and action.

All in all I would say it was one of the better ones in the series.

It took a couple chapters before I got into the story, but once I did, I finished it in a sitting. I like where the story of John & Xhex went - it's like a touch of "real-life" was added to this fantasy world. A nice change from everything always being perfect once they've found their mates.Tohr is an ass. And the way the conclusion of his story was written didn't change my opinion of him.I like the Band as the new "bad guys" because the lessers have been lame for far too long. These new guys are a real threat to our specific vampires, but not to the race as a whole, which I kinda liked. I wonder where Xcor's story will go in the future... it seems like Ward is leaning toward something with his story, but... I can't see how she can make it work.Nice twist with Lassiter too. I like when there is something "unknown" going on in the background of a story that I'm surprised about when it occurs but when I look, I can see how the threads were there all along.Anyway... overall, this was as good as most of the series - not the best but not near the bottom of the list either. I think if I liked Tohr more, I'd have liked the story better, but I really didn't like him at all, and he was the main point of this book. And I think something was resolved between Blay and Quinn, even though it might not have been explicit. I suppose the next book will fill us in on them.

So much time had past since his shellan had been taken away from him that Tohrment never expected to get over it. Even after Lassiter (the angel) found him and brought him back to the Brothers, Tohr did not want to move on. Until No'One arrived, reminded him of their shared past and convinced him to try. Discovering what was happening to his shellan and son spurred him on to try new things. Not sure what would be enough to help Tohr and Lassiter, they all just did their best with what they knew. All while John and Xhex tried to work out their differences, Blaylock, Qhuinn and Layla tread lightly around each other and everyone looks for a way to keep the Band of Bastards from taking over the leadership of the species, or assassinating Wrath (their King and Brother).Book 10 ..... The long awaited book for Tohrment. While it went the way I expected it to go, for the most part, I did not find it as good as I wanted it to be. Not sure if it was just too much going on at one time and so it didn't give any of the many story lines a good chance at being great or the story just couldn't live up to the expectations everyone (ok, I) had. I still found the book a great addition to the BDB series, as usual I love the seeing so many of the characters continuing stories, but this may have been too much in such a short amount of time. Tohr has finally gotten his story, now I hope that Blay, Qhuinn and Layla's story can live up to the expectations I (and so many others) have for it. Really looking forward to finding out with "Lover At Last" in March 2013.

The tenth book in J. R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Fifteen months after the murder of his shellan and unborn child at the hands of the lessers, Tohrment is still a heartbroken shadow of his former vampire. He is haunted by dreams of Wellesandra and his child trapped in an in-between world. Are his dreams for real and, if so, can the smart-mouthed angel, Lassiter, be of any help? As the war with the lessers rages on another threat is revealed as a new clan of vampires, the Band of Bastards, set their ambitions on the Blind King’s throne. There are four main storylines being explored in the book: Tohr & No'One; John & Xhex; John & Tohr, and the Band of Bastards. Then of course the other mini-plots keep things interesting with Blaylock, Qhuinn & Layla and Lassiter, whose real character is starting to evolve. The book takes us back into a familiar fantasy world. Once again, I really enjoyed visiting again and reading about the latest developments. It was good to see Tohr moving through his grief cycle, which had major setbacks along the way. A reliably great title from a fantastic series and a talented author.

How can I write a review that will do "Lover Reborn" justice? I just can't. If you are new to the Black Dagger Brotherhood series I can't stress how wonderful it is. Trust me when I say go buy the first book "Dark Lover" right now! If you aren't new to this series then you likely know what a quality series J.R. Ward has created."Lover Reborn" is the 10th book in the series. There is some criticism that Ward has taken the series from a paranormal romance focus to an urban fantasy focus. Personally I am an urban fantasy reader myself and I occasionally indulge in a few select, extremely well written paranormal romance series. I have not noticed this `shift' myself. There have always been multiple points of view and different storylines in each installment. Yes, as more characters have been introduced and the world has grown more complex, there have been more and more going on in each book. But the center of each novel is still the romance."Lover Reborn" is a difficult book to read. I have cried during several of Ward's books but this one had me a sobbing mess. Why? Because Ward captures beautifully the pain of loss. The story focuses on Tohr's grief for his lost wife and unborn son. After some time he is attracted to another woman and that brings guilt into the mix as well. As complicated and painful as all this is, Tohr has another complication. Lassiter informs him that Wellsie and the baby are unable to move into the Fade because Tohr's grief is keeping them in the in-between. If something doesn't happen soon, they will just disappear, and never have a chance to reach their final reward. The Tohr story is at its best when dealing with his grief, especially when he includes John Matthew in on his decisions concerning Wellsie. As always the `bromance' aspect really is the heart and soul in BDB and there is an absolutely beautiful scene where all the Brothers come together for Tohr towards the end of the book. (Cue tear flow!) My only complaint is that I never really liked No'One. She wasn't a bad character but I just couldn't understand why she was special enough to be the one to pull him back into the living world, and into a relationship. I do like that No'One is very different from Wellsie and I love the scenes between No'One and Xhex. There was chemistry between the mother and daughter that was much stronger than the one between our hero and his lover.Other points:I liked the John/Xhex storyline. Yes, they were bonded but that doesn't make everything perfect. Couples have troubles. Couples who are in love find ways to compromise and overcome those troubles."BOB"- Band of B.......s. I'm glad to see a new area of conflict besides the lesser. I am also intrigued by the fact that these guys are multi-dimensional. They don't seem to be all good or all bad. I'm very curious to see where the storyline will go. "Lover Reborn" put some things into action but the results of those things are still unknown. I think I might like Throe and I don't know if I should.Blay, Qhinn, and Layla? This storyline certainly took on a twist. I should've seen it coming but I am still not sure how I like the Layla part of the equation. I did like her more this book than I have previously. Blay and Qhinn are my favorite characters and I am thrilled 2013 will bring Blay and Qhinn's book in Hardcover. I can only hope this will be the big payoff I have been wishing for!

Awesome as always. I highly recommend every single book of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.

Addicting! I could not put this book down, even though they are far from my favorite BDB couple. I just had trouble identifying with either one of them. But I still loved the book somehow.

Read for Fun!Overall Rating: 3.50Story Rating Pt1,2: 2.5Story Rating Pt3: 5.0Character Rating: 4.0Audio Rating (not part of the overall rating): 4.0First Thought when Finished: The last 1/3 of the book is what saved this one for me!What I Loved: First let me admit that I am in the minority where this book is concerned. Almost every one I know LOVED and I mean LURVEEEEEEED Lover Reborn. I LOVED the last 1/3! If I was just rating how I felt at the end this would have been a solid 5. The last 1/3 will make you cry, cheer, and go WTF! In other words, it has all the elements you really want in a Black Dagger story.What I Liked: Thank you for finally giving her a name because I am about to state below that bugged me to no end! Any part that Lassiter was in also was pretty much greatness! He is just one of my favorite characters and never ceases to make me smile!What made me go HUH? I had zero feeling for Tohr/No'one as a couple. Part of that had to do with her name. I kept flashing back to Buffy Season 3 and that first episode down in Hell where they would say "I am No One, I am Nothing". For 2/3 of the book she read like such a doormat to whatever Tohr was feeling that I wanted to scream. The biggest part of my feeling came from Tohr himself--he would say she was a woman of worth and at times treat her the exact opposite. He was pretty screwed up in the head and at times I couldn't stand him. Also, I am just going to say it---too much John/Xhex. They are my least favorite couple (I LOVE JM, I DISLIKE Xhex) so when approximately 1/3 of the book was them....yeah I wasn't happy.What I am looking forward too: On the other hand, I seemed to like the part of the book that most people have a problem with: Band of Bastards! They are far more interesting than The Lessers ever were and I'm kind of excited to see where she takes their story!Final Thought: You do have to read Lover Reborn if you are a BDB fan. I imagine you will like it far more than I did.

When Tohr lost Wellsie, and the Brothers almost lost Tohr. Back in black leathers and fighting, if not fighting fit, the Brother has a death wish that has him taking suicidal chances. Meanwhile, Xhex's mother No'One has settled uneasily into the Brother's mansion, carving out a menial role for herself much to the dismay of the doggen, and generally living like a shadow in her enveloping robe.Caught in the In Between, Wellsie and her unborn young continue to grey out, fading not into the light of the Fade, but into oblivion - and the angel Lassiter, sent to save them all (and himself) is at the end of his rope.Unlike the previous few books, Ward doesn't stray far from Tohr and No'One. The lessor threat is real, but not a focus, although the Band of Bastards has a new and more ominous role to play. A few, brief vignettes toss attention back to John Matthew and Xhex, Quinn and Blay, and the Chosen Layla and her starcrossed, heartbreaker of a connection with Xcor, but for the better part of 550+ pages, it's the Tohr and No'One show. I couldn't put it down, but ultimately didn't find the ride quite as emotionally wrenching as Lover Mine or Lover Eternal. Still, a great read - and hopefully we'll get a few more before the series winds down.

I'm slightly torn on this book. I've loved most of Ward's BDB books. There were a few that slid down a notch a little due to character investment not being high, like Payne and Rhevenge, but overall I love the series. I love the interaction between the characters, the brother's interactions. I don't read these books for the sex, I read them for the emotions and struggles each brother goes through, for the laugh out loud male to male friendships, the biting of lips when a brother gets injured. These males are what makes this series what it is. Now, Tohr was always a favorite of mine and I ached for him when his Shellan died. I was looking forward to this book because I knew it dealt with Tohr. I also knew it had to be about him letting go of his body bending grief because of the title, so I went into it with some hesitation. Tohr love someone else? It seemed impossible. Which is where I am torn. I think Ward did a great job with Tohr's emotional grid and the writing is still great, but I guess I'm just a little dissatisfied with how it turned out. I can't even say exactly why. Perhaps because I have never had to lose someone that important to me I can't understand the recovery. I thought it would take more than what No'One/Autumn did, which wasn't much of anything, to help Tohr through his grief. Despite the slight dissatisfied feeling, I am glad it worked out for Tohr. I enjoyed the subplots of John & Xhex, and Qhuinn & Layla. The former I was expecting, the latter was a surprise although maybe it shouldn't have been. I'm still waiting for Qhuinn and Blay's story to come to a head; next time? *hopeful face*. I read somewhere that after this tenth book, the series is going to take a turn. I don't know what Ward has planned for us, but I'll be back next spring for her next book. Still a big fan :)

I guess I'm in the minority, but I've waited for the story of Tohr to come full circle since Lassiter found him in the woods. He is so important to all the Brothers, and with his spirit being broken, they are all a little incomplete. I know it is hard for fans to move on from Wellsie, but it had to happen and I think it makes for an excellent story and JR Ward did a great job. Tohr is often a jackass to No'One, but she always defends herself, how can that not be respected? They are both hurting and punishing themselves. Everything that happened in this story, needed to happen, and the outcome was worth it. No'One has her own journey to take and it is so important to Tohr's, Lassiter's, and to Xhex's future. I think the sub-plot of John and Xhex is so important and true to their characters. Xhex may have choosen to follow her heart with John by mating him in Lover Mine, but she still had to find her place in the Brotherhood that fits her. Xhex and No'One also had to develope their relationship and find how they fit together- they each offered the other unconditional acceptance and love. It is actually the most beautiful part of the book. I have to say, I love Lassiter and Layla and always have. Lover Reborn gives us a different view of them (for different reasons), and they both grow in depth and direction and offer a lot to the story. There is a lot going on in this book, and it is all important to keep the story going in the future. The writing is tight and organized. I for one am not ready for the series to end, so the changes and introduction of new characters are important to the longevity of the story; and I like them and look forward to seeing how it all plays out. Now here's my rant- we are ten books into a series that features several complicated long term plot lines, many players, and a whole city built by JR Wards imagination. I'm tired of the reviews complaining that none of the books have been the same since book five. Duh!! How could they be? The first five served as world building, singular romances-featuring one hero and his HEA, but the series could not continue from that point focusing on only one male and female and ignore the previous characters, and the world of Caldwell that was ever more complicated. Ward always shows a great amount of passion and love for her characters, some get a little more nurturing than others (what writer doesn't do the same?) What the heck people? If you want only the standard contemporary romance formula, look elsewhere, and stop sucking the enjoyment of this series from the rest of us.

I'M SORRY THIS IS MORE OF A RANT THAN A REVIEW----------I APOLOGIZE---------------->Borrow from LibraryI agree with those that said this book left a bitter taste in my mouth. It not only did that but guaranteed that if there is another series with the BOB (Band of Bastards)I won't be buying it. I doubt if I'll even be getting it from the library . At this point, if they want fans they(the publisher) may as well offer the first book in Kindle form free or really, really cheap!To force Tohr through these machinations was just cruel. To have No'One treated in this manner was cruel also...yes it worked out, but at what psychological debt? The author can do what she pleases and she has with this book. All the Brothers have found their HEA's none as exciting, well written or as dramatic as in the first 4 or 5 books, but hey, we kept reading and buying, so I guess we approved.To possibly start a new series based on players that want the King dead and Glymera Vampires that are massive drug dealers/murders may be a stretch for fans. Add in what looks to be the set up for the next series with possibly Layla and the head of the BOB and it sure will bring a very dark, bleak side to the new books. With this series being no longer speculative romance, but dark urban fantasy; will the old fans that have invested so much time in this series be able to deal?The one good thing I can say about this book is that at least it read LESS like a series of short stories and more like a book that was concentrating on a main character... unfortunately it ( Tohrs story) was ruined a bit by the side stories of Quinn and John Matthew, both who aren't really part of the Brotherhood.This book took me well over 8 hours to read since it was so easy to put it aside and do my chores...CHORES??? Since when should a book I've been panting about for almost 7 years be so poorly written that I could put it aside? I have read, re-read and re-re-read the first 5 or so books; but from there I've been losing my fervor for this series and had really really high hopes for this one.It was so long coming and so highly anticipated to be such a let down.

Tohr was the respectable, steady brother. The unofficial leader of the Brothers, next to Wrath. Tragedy took his Shellen Wellsie and his unborn son from him, causing the stoic Tohr to become locked in despair. No'One was brutally raped in her youth and trapped into bearing a half-breed daughter, Xehx. In reaction to her suffering she killed herself after the birth of her daughter, only to be refused entrance into the Fade. Instead of eternal peace No'One retained her physical form and became a servant of the Chosen, until finally finding the courage to seek out her now adult daughter and try to forge some type of relationship with her. Xehx and John Matthew, still newly mated, struggle with Xehs's role within the brotherhood and John's protective instincts as a bonded male. Layla and Quinn, lonely and adrift strike a bargain in hopes of finding something that will give their lives permanence and meaning, despite their feelings of unrequited love that they have for others. And lastly Lassiter, the fallen angle, struggles to fit the pieces of all that has happened together, in hopes of saving not only Tohr, Wellsie and No'One, but possibly even himself.While Lover Reborn is Tohr's story, a lot of other characters are given prominent sub-plots. Fans will be happy at some of the more humorous scenes that are reminiscent of the earlier books. However the main thrust of the story is about confronting painful past histories and moving on. And in this universe there are a lot of characters with unresolved issues that need working out. While Tohr and No'One (aka Autumn) story ends on a positive note, it is hard to believe that these two won't continue to have issues in future books. It also seems that the author may finally be giving up on the Lessers to an extent as the series bad guys and instead is building up the males who make up the Band of Bastards. With the leader of the BOB Xcore and the glyhmerra out to overthrow the King, Wrath rules uneasily from his throne. Now that all of the original Brothers have finally had their stories told, it looks like the series will be focusing more on the BOB instead.

i LOOOOOOOVED this book!! it really took me by surprise to be honest. my emotions were all over the place constantly and i just NEEEEEEEED xcor and laylas book

I am so a fan of Ward and this book just goes to further cement my feelings. Her BDB series is like a vampire soap opera if there was such a thing. I love the multiple story lines, the characters and the world they inhabit. I can go on and swoon some more, but it has long been said, in numerous ways, by others. Therefore, I will not bore folks with unnecessary commentary. Just one final word, I am looking forward to reading more and seeing where Ward is going to take these characters.

2.5
That's what it was for me for more than half the book, suffering. I just couldn't like Tohr. I hated the way he treated the female. His suffering was spilling over into me and left me unhappy while reading it. I read to be in a better place, I want more light. The bits of the other brothers stories and the B.o.B's was what keep me going. The last 10 % of the book made it worth struggling through. It was just not the story for me. I finished it so I can move on the the next book and another Brother.

I am not saying it was a bad book. It just wasn't good for me.

I loved this book, it's probably a tie with Zsadist's book for my favorite of the series. The journey that we had to witness Tohr go through to get to the end of this book was heartbreaking, but in the end we see true growth and acceptance on his part. I also loved the side story with John Matthew and Xhex. I love that couple! I'm looking forward to learning more about Quinn in the next book, as well as what happens with the BoB. This installment was complex and deep and a VERY good read.

Wow, I have lots of feelings and thoughts about this book.

First of all, I have been waiting for Blay and Qhuinn story so I was a bit disappointed when I realised this is mostly about Torhment and No'One. Especially that I had no idea who is No'One. I completely can't remember her from the previous books.

Than, there is a huge part of this story that is devoted to John and Xhex, the couple that I really liked. But unfortunately, they are unhappy and hurt each other most of the time. Which is sad. Plus, I feel like Xhex is not doing enough to keep their relationship .

Finally, this is a really long story. With many different issues. And lots of angst. And I have mixed feelings about Xcor and his crew. I hope they will eventually work out some solution that will turn them into good guys.

Now, I'm thinking about reading the next book instantly because I know it will be about Blay and Qhuinn. I hope I won't be disappointed.

Love is worth living for and dying for; it is the center of it all and the reason why we live for lifegiving happiness and joy. Beginning and the end, love brings the circle of life in a full round. It is worth every step taken, and pain endures. The life of the couple shows how adversity can be overcome when both minds meet together and fight with every of their will in a consistent struggle for Survivor. Most of it all their help bring them all the more ever closer and growing more in love.

Wow. I was pretty skeptical about handling Tohr's story after Wellsie. But I really think it was well done. The book spanned a year, and at 600 or so pages, it makes it not seem rushed. Also, I really liked No'One. Her character is part of what made it work, to me. I love me a traumatized heroine who is struggling with self-doubt and insecurity and she is very much that. Except rather than struggling, she is accepting of it. Her path to healing was beautiful to read and heartbreaking. I was a little saddened by the stress in JM and Xhex's relationship - I kinda like my HEAs in romance even if it is unrealistic (hell, probably because it is unrealistic - yay for escapism). It took up a fair portion of the book, too. But I really was surprised at the way the gender stuff was handled between them - Ward's writing sometimes strikes me as somewhat disdainful towards women in general, so I was a bit impressed with the progressive way the conflict between JM and Xhex was portrayed. I am pretty excited to see Xcor's book, and of course BRING ON QHUINN AND BLAY'S STORY ALREADY!!!! Overall, this was great, lots of good angst but really, I can't give it a full four only because it made me cry a bit, hitting too close to home. Really, that makes it a better book, but I really, really hate being sad. (3.5 stars)

Wonderful book. It was quite gentle to start with - still lots going on and continued development of the ongoing storylines, but not high-end action. Then after the half-way point it started to ramp up and built up to a blistering pace by the end with lots of twists and surprises. I think it would have been funny to have Xhex go into her needing - that's something I must see. I am agog for the next book and can't believe the Warden is making us wait until 2013. What sort of a way is that to treat your drooling fans may I ask?? And while I'm asking, I know the next book is Qhuay, but please can we have a bit more of Rhage and his beast too? They haven't had much of a look-in since book 2. Same for Butch and V. Pretty please?

I LOVE Brotherhood books!!

This was a sweet story, though not my fav. I'm glad Tohr got his happy ending, but the back and forth between him and Autumn was almost too much. Can't hate tho... the book was great.

First off, I want to say, I thought Ms. Ward only put the featured couple in the book in the bedroom. I mean...isn't that the reason we had to miss out some steam in previous books? I mean, I love JM and Xhex but...I wanted more action from Thor and No'One. Just something I was thinking about. Anyway...

I wish Xhex would stop fighter how she feels about JM. They are mated now, she doesn't need to prove anything to anyone about being tough and being in love, it's allowed. That whole sub-plot sort of annoyed me. I did like the sensual scenes between them though, they were some of the hottest in the book.

Thor...Thor...Thor...Thor. Everytime he did something stupid I wanted to punch him in the head. I think his grief was handled correctly though, many people lash out at others when they are feeling pain from a loss. I love the way Wellsy was handled in the book and I am glad Thor finally got to move on.

I loved reading about the Fade ceremony, it was interesting and new to me, I think...I don't remember reading one before. As for the next book....QHUAY!!!!!!! Get ready!

I really wanted to give this a 2 star instead of 3, but it's JR Ward Brotherhood series. I didn't like most of the story. It's was dark and sad. The writing was still great though. I wasn't sure at one point if there would be a happy ending or even a true romance. The author did a great job on showing how a character can grow/change over time. I do think it's time to end the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. There are so many authors that continue a series past the point they should. All the main Brotherhood characters have mates. It's time to start a new series in her vampire world in a different town.

Not my favorite out of the series...so far.These books are campy, cheesy, adventurous, and original. I hate that I love reading these.It reminds me of when I go to the grocery and buy something like fiery hot Cheetos, or bacon flavored SPAM. Or even those cheap pot pies in the frozen section, or a bag of pork rinds. I have to shop produce first because then I can...or ONE can hide them under the healthy food. You don't want people to know that you love those things but you can't stop buying them from time to time, or in this case, reading them. So I've heard....

There are so many stories and things happening in this book that I'm going to have to divide it into chunks. So...this is Tohrment's book. And that's about all I am going to say outside of the spoiler tag!TOHRMENTOkay, I am going to be honest here and say that I don't think that Tohr was ready for his own book and romance. He's still seriously grieving for Wellsie and has been since she was killed. I think he needed a few more books to cool his jets and maybe start to see that he's still alive before throwing him into a romance. But...that didn't happen, much like I think that Z needed a lot more time before his own romance. Whatever.I liked the character of Tohr, mostly, throughout the series, but damn, this book made me hate him. More on that below. But I did like to see that he's finally, finally, trying to act like a father to JM again, because that boy needs it.TOHRMENT/AUTUMN (NO'ONE)/WELLSIEYeah, it was a total threesome, because Wellsie was present for most of it, at least in Tohr's tormented (ha) brain.Tohr basically starts getting involved with Autumn (more on that below) because he discovers that Wellsie is trapped in the In Between, a place that sounds a lot like the Christian purgatory, because he just can't let go of her. At this point, and for most of the book, Tohr just feels like an incredible user - and Autumn allows this, because in her mind, she's just around to be used. Tohr even admits to as much toward the end of the book, which almost made me want to throw my Kindle across the room. I just don't believe the romance between Autumn and Tohr, and I found myself liking Tohr less and less as it progressed.I don't like that Tohr names Autumn, even though she gives him permission to do so. No.I don't like that Tohr is aware that Autumn is falling in love with him and does nothing to spare her feelings or shield her, but keeps using her for his own needs.I just don't like Tohr anymore. Thanks a lot, Ward, because he was one of my favorites until this book. Damn it.TOHRMENT/WELLSIEOkay, I get that he loves her. And I get that he would do anything for her. But does that really mean that he starts using another woman, who has a seriously fucked up and traumatized past which TOHR KNOWS ABOUT BECAUSE HE SAW THE AFTERMATH A LONG TIME AGO, so he can spring Wellsie? The whole damned scenario felt skeevy as hell to me. And then, in the end, we discover that there hasn't even been a Fade ceremony performed yet for Wellsie! Her ashes have been in V's closet this entire time! WHAT THE FUCK! Does anyone think that maybe, maybe, MAYBE that is why she hasn't entered the Fade yet? But Tohr doesn't seem to even consider THIS possibility. We know from Throe, who is a member of the Band of Bastards, that a Fade ceremony needs to be performed so everything can be settled - that's why he's so desperate to get his sister's remains from Xcor. Dude. Come on. Do the Fade ceremony already before you start sleeping with someone else to prove that you're over your mate (which you aren't). Stupid.JOHN MATTHEW/XHEXI can totally see them butting heads and having problems, because the Brotherhood is dripping with testosterone and the "must protect the females because they are weak" mentality, and Xhex is the biggest badass in the books. A little disappointed that JM would cop that attitude with her, but in the end, he learns his lesson. They remain one of my favorite couples (the other being Z/Bella)I WOULD BE XHEX'S BITCH ANY DAY OF THE WEEKUmm, just thought that I would put that out there. :DI love that she called the Brotherhood on their misogyny. I just wish that some of the other female characters had backed her up in that. Particularly Payne, who used to be a badass but is now just a Chosen slightly more backbone and fighting skills. The rest of the female characters seem content to be coddled and protected and basically treated as china dolls rather than people after they are mated, and that just pisses me off. Even characters who had a backbone pre-mating (Bella, for example), tend to lose all character and become two-dimensional post-mating. Dislike, Ward. Dislike.BAND OF BASTARDS AND XCORIt was kind of meh until Xcor gutted Throe. Suddenly I liked Xcor and his angst a lot more, and Throe became his own character.XCOR AND LAYLAI like it. So shoot me.QHUINN/BLAYYummmm delicious angst. I know the next book is theirs, so I am so looking forward to it. Except bad timing on Qhuinn's part, having just knocked up a Chosen.QHUINN/LAYLAHold the phone, why did this even happen? I mean, seriously. I know that they are both in bad places mentally, but I don't see how bringing a child into the mess, especially when they aren't even a couple, is going to solve anything. Children do not solve life problems, guys.

Ok, this couple was also meh for me, near the end I found myself skipping their drama to see what was going on with the rest.

Good thing: Quinn-Blay are next!
I also liked Layla's development, at least until the sudden I-am-so-alone-and-you-too-so-let's-make-a-kid. WTF!? The Xchor thing was so perfect, especially because I like the B.o.B. but then we get this...we knew it was coming but...way to be smooth about it! And just after that heat of the moment stupid decision Quinn finally decides to man up? Great. Well, more drama for them and maybe something good for Layla. I guess we'll get stories about the B.o.B members now that they became so interesting :). Can't wait for the next one.

At first I didn't want to read Thor's story, I am so glad I did. Ward has stepped it up. In this book she grabs us emotionally with all the characters. Sometimes you want to slap them, other times you want to cry with them and still others you want to laugh. Who thought I could hate Thor, well in parts of this book I did only for him to creep back into my good graces. I loved the Xhex and John story line as well. To say anymore would be to give away the plot. So just check it out for yourself. Onto the next..