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Black Dagger Brotherhood #1 - 2

Dark Lover & Lover Eternal

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Two novels in one hardcover edition.

Dark Lover, Book 1:The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter, Beth, unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.
Lover Eternal, Book 2:Two hundred years: that's how long Rhage must bear the curse born of his reckless inconsideration. Sex and violence are all he once pursued; now they are the only things that keep the beast within at bay. He has little hope for finding peace during this existence, until Mary Luce enters his life. Irresistibly drawn to her light, he's pulled into a struggle with his own demons as well as the real enemies who threaten the vampire world and Mary.

958 pages, Hardcover

First published March 7, 2006

17 people are currently reading
1396 people want to read

About the author

J.R. Ward

221 books52.4k followers
J.R. Ward is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels, including the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. She lives in the South her family.

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5 stars
1,496 (76%)
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338 (17%)
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88 (4%)
2 stars
16 (<1%)
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13 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Sammy Loves Books.
1,137 reviews1,680 followers
October 16, 2014
I just completed my buddy re-read and realized I never wrote a review for the book that started my love affair with paranormal romance. The Black Dagger Brotherhood series is my absolute favorite paranormal series.

Wrath
Wrath

This book focuses on Wrath, the Blind King, and Beth Randal. Beth is the daughter of Darius. Darius asks a favor of Wrath. He wants him to help Beth in her transition from human to vampire when she reaches maturity. Events force Wrath's hand into helping Beth, but he is unprepared for her beauty.

Beth Randal

Beth isn't just beautiful, she is strong willed, loyal, and refuses to be bossed around by Wrath. These two are a perfect match.

I am reminded of why this series was my first love as I laugh out loud at interactions between V, Butch, Hollywood and my absolute favorite brother, Zadist.
The front door swung open, and Zadist strode into the house. Wrath glared. "Nice of you to show up, Z. Busy tonight with the females?"
"How about you get off my dick?"


What a joy this has been, reading about Wrath falling in love again. I look forward to revisiting more of this series as I await the release of Lover at Last.


Review of Lover Eternal

5 Marvelous "Male of Worth Stars"!!!.

He’s a Vampire, a Warrior, and a Dangerous Beast.
His name is Rhage and he will forever own my heart.


Rhage

Rhage
Rhage is the strongest and most beautiful member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. He’s also cursed to share his body with a beast for 200 years. Rhage stifles his beast and prevents it's appearance by fighting until exhaustion and fucking any female that isn't married or fertile.

God he was tired of being stuck inside his body, managing its demands, trying not to fall into brutal oblivion...Hell he couldn’t remember what serenity was like. He couldn’t even remember who he was. The disintegration of himself had started up pretty quick. After only a couple of years into the curse, he’d stopped hoping for any true relief and simply tried to get by without hurting anyone. That was when he’d started to die inside, and now, over a hundred years later, he was ,mostly numb, nothing more than glossy window dressing and empty charm.


Posing

“Yeah, Tohr, can I ask you a favor?”
“Anything, my brother.”
“Could you not...ride me about the females? Because the truth is, I hate it, I really do. I hate the anonymity of it. I hate the way my chest aches afterward. I hate the smells on my body and in my hair when I get home. But most of all, I hate the fact that I’m going to have to do it again because if I don’t, I could end up hurting one of you guys or some innocent bystander.”...”And those two sisters you’re so impressed with? See, here’s the thing. I only pick the ones who don’t give a shit who they’re with, because otherwise it’s not fair. Those two bar chippies checked out my watch and my roll and figured I was a pimp trophy. The fucking was about as intimate as a car accident. And tonight? You’re going home to Wellsie. I’m going home alone. Just like I did yesterday. Just like I’m going to do the day after. The whoring isn’t fun for me, and it’s been killing me for years, so please give it a rest, dig?


Clothes on floor

Rhage longs to have the same woman in his bed every night. But that isn't a possibility with his curse. At least, it wasn't, until he meets Mary. Her voice soothes him, and her scent is clean and refreshing. He's been given direct orders to scrub her memory and remove himself from her life, but he just can't bring himself to do it!

God he'd give anything just to hear her say his real name once. And he wanted...damn, he wanted her naked in his bed, her head on his pillow, her body between his sheets. He wanted to take her in private, just the two of them. No witnesses no half-assed shield of his trench coat. Nothing public, no quickie hallway/bathroom action. He wanted her nails in his back and her tongue in his mouth and her hips rocking under his until he came so hard he saw stars. Then he wanted to sleep with her in his arms afterward. And wake up ad eat and make love again. And talk in the dark about things both stupid and serious-


lollipops

Mary
Mary is a cancer surviver. Leukemia to be exact, and she doesn't have time to waste on a date with a stud god. A man that wreaks of youth and vitality when she is facing certain death. Some saw Mary as weak and insecure. She just had more important things on her mind than entertaining a glorified sex god. Mary was guilty of judging a book by it's cover. When she looked at Rhage, all she saw was a pretty face. All it took was quality time with Rhage, to learn that he was a man of worth.
“I will not fall in love with you.” She said. “I can’t let myself. I won’t.”
“That’s alright. I’ll love you enough for the both of us.”

Mary is stronger and more secure than most readers giver her credit for. Yes, she knew she wasn't 'hot', but she wasn't insecure in her own skin. She stood up to Zadist and Vishious. And when the time came, she was willing to go head to head with Rhage's Beast!

description
“I love you, Rhage. I love you something fierce.”
Those heavy arms wrapped around her and he buried his head in her neck. “I didn’t think you ever would.”
“Am I that hardheaded?”
“No. I’m that undeserving.”
Mary pulled back and glared at him. “ I don’t want to hear you say that again. You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Rhage and Mary

I love Mary and Rhage together! He was willing to walk away from the brotherhood for her. And he made the ultimate sacrifice in order to keep her safe. Mary calmed Rhage's inner beast and provided him with comfort when he had lost hope in ever having peace!
Profile Image for Tannaz.
732 reviews52 followers
Read
March 4, 2020
didn't like it, ok, I know they r Alfa males! but I don't like them , I had to read these kinda books, bcf corona!!!! I finished all my new books, I can't leave house! I can"t buy newer ones! I have to read brother hood!!!!!
Profile Image for Sarah.
2,132 reviews30 followers
March 29, 2020
Black Dagger Brotherhood
Book 1
Omg. Everyone u every talk to raves about this series. I now totally understand. Story is amazing the world the writer creates is amazing and u can't help but be sucked in the life of the characters. Their are things I struggle with like names of characters and words in old language used. I STRONGLY advise to read quick glossary first before u jump into it. I did quick read or even skip bit to do with the baddy just because he creep me out so much. Totally worth more stars. Great story and amazing HEA LOVED IT.

Book 2
When u first meet Rhage he's a slut and a brawler. He looks like brad Pitt and sleeps around like on a pornstar set. U only see glimpse of the guy under all that every now n then. After he meets Mary after bringing John into the brotherhood homes. He become infatuated with her and they begin a very complicated and a little weird relationship. Rhage story made my heart clench and break at times through book especially when Scribe Virgin got involved because she alway wants a sacrifice and its alway a soul destroying type. Loved the new side of Zsadist and his budding possible romance with Bella. Great HEA
Profile Image for Mindy.
1,641 reviews
March 12, 2017
02/03/17 I just finished reading DL for the second time and it was as amazing as the first time. Although it was somewhat easier to follow seeing as I already know a lot of the story. Amazing characters and world development. Writing is awesome and the story plot is unique and intriguing. Love it! Off to read book 2 now.

02/06/17 This was my second time reading Lover Eternal and I love this book and the whole series. Rhage and Mary are an amazing pair and I can't wait to read what J. R. brings us next in the BDB world.
Profile Image for Amara.
2,388 reviews80 followers
October 17, 2017
Like I said, I don't really do PNR, but I gave this a try and liked it more than I expected. I guess I'll read the next one.
I have a theory you could read these books without reading the lesser POV scenes. I'll try that on the next one, because I absolutely hate those.

Off to read Zsadist now. Well, not now, but maybe next month....
Profile Image for Emily.
325 reviews
December 28, 2024
Best series i read this Driven. loved all the chactors.
Profile Image for Angel Padillo.
1,296 reviews10 followers
January 9, 2017
I love this series! Deciding to reread it was one of the best choices I've ever made.

***Reread Review**


I forgot how much I love Wrath, and how many details we learn about him in his original story. To go back to the beginning and to see how far he has come is awesome. Wrath and Beth's story will always be one of my favorites.


I also forgot how much I love Hal, I mean Rhage. As of the time I am writing this The Beast is the latest book in the BDB with The Chosen coming out in April. So to go back to where Rhage and Mary started, and to relive the emotional roller coaster that was their beginning? I loved it and I hated it all at the same time. I forgot that Rhage was such a man whore. Or would that be male whore?

I would go back and re reread these books again. No questions asked.
Profile Image for Krystea.
3 reviews1 follower
April 19, 2015
ooooooooooooo this series is soooo amazing and if you want a roller coaster of a read BE MY GUEST AND READ THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHER HOOD BECAUSE IT SUCKS SO GOOD. i have never had my heart split in so many ways good and bad and the point of view from each book is different, my friend and i have been buddy reading this series and right after the second one we had to stop because of FEELS. its been a month and we still are not ready for book number 3. thats all i will say. its well written, well i feel less intrigued by the bad guys in the books then the brotherhood it self bc i have fallen for them and could care less for Mr. X and O and D and their plans least until i can get myself to read the next book!
7 reviews
May 25, 2012
While this is strictly for adults, this series is amazing. It's very sexy and yet the stories are also really great reads. I have recommended this series to a few friends who have read it and just love it. It does involve vampires and their realm, but if you don't mind the sci-fi/fantasy aspect you'll love these books.
Profile Image for Pandora Richardson.
Author 6 books27 followers
June 28, 2012
On cloud 9! truly a wonderful love story. I'm so glad I read it. I was hooked after the first book, now I'm committed to the series . There's so much I want to say about this story but I don't want to spoil it. Know that if you love romantic stories that just happen to have vampires in them this is the story for you.
Profile Image for Holly Mitchell-brooker.
4 reviews3 followers
September 23, 2012
Am really enjoying this series. The first one took me a little to get into, but then once I did, it was good. The next two are amazing. Love these warriors and their mates. They are filled with escapism, strong characters, action, suspense, romance, sex, (did I mention romance & sex?)
Profile Image for Jodi Kuehl.
29 reviews
June 22, 2013
I have just finished book one of this series. I am not into fantasy romance but I read this at the urging of a friend. I did enjoy Wrath and Beth's story. I am interested to see what happens to the other Vamps.
Profile Image for Linda "Lilybug's Library".
369 reviews
April 13, 2015
I love the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. The characters are engaging and the stories are well written. I just finished re-reading them and they are just as good the second time through. There is a fair bit of violence and sexuality, but it is well written and moves the story along.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
3 reviews
October 9, 2013
I'm a fan of the BDB I cold read the books over and over and never get tired and would always find something new and unique the deeper I delve! Can't wait for the king and queens book in 2014!
Profile Image for Beth.
1,290 reviews1 follower
December 27, 2015
Love this series!! Reading them again.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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