Review: Lover at Last (The Black Dagger Brotherhood #11) by J.R.Ward

Title: Lover at Last
Author: J.R.Ward
Series: The Black Dagger Brotherhood
Book #: 11
Pages: 591
Reading Level: Adult
Book Rating: 
Goodreads Rating: 4.34
Published: March 26st, 2013

Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....

Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.

Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one.

Taschima's POV:

If you read this review, well, just know that there will be maybe some mild spoilers, but nothing too drastic. You have been warned, so no comments on how I should have warned you.

I think now I've had enough distance from the book (and the overly emotional response I would have posted if I had reviewed this book once I finished it) to coherently say to you guys how this book really was.

It was...

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG I CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT IT, Quinn, BLAY, Wrath, Beth, Layla, EVEN XCOR!! I just can't contain my emotions any longer. All the reviews I've read are either crusifying this book or putting it high up on a pedestal, and you know what I can understand both stands. While I mostly disagree with some of the critiques thrown at Lover at Last there are some things that bothered me about it which I shall discuss here. But... I am firmly in the "I HEARTS IT DEEPLY" camp. It was a good story that has been in development for 3-4 books now, and a story that is far from finished. I expect to see a lot more of Quinn/Blay in the near future.

Issue #1: Damn, the Warden is trying to suffocate us with subplots yo!

I agree, too many subplots, and if they had been about the brothers, or hell even about John Matthew, I would have been okay with it. Bring me MORE subplots I say. But, they were about new people, and I couldn't have given more of a crap about them. Assail and Sosa, while entertaining in their game of cat and mouse I really didn't see why I should care about them in this very second, same goes for Trez and Selena (we really didn't learn anything about Selena to make me root for the girl, she is just what you would expect a Chosen to be). I could have done without them, and more on the Brothers. Specially John Matthew! I thought I was going to get more of him SINCE Quinn and Blay are kind of his best friends, they are the three musketeers, but NOTHING! No reaction, no nothing. Disappointed about this. On the other hand I really enjoyed the sub plot involving the brotherhood/BOB/the Glymera. See? This is a sub plot that makes SENSE. It is connected not only to our boys but to the entire future of the fucking race. This sub plot I approve of, not the other two Trez/Selena and Assail/Sosa (I also approve of the Xcor/Layla sub plot).

On the upside she did give me some chapters of Wrath, so I guess I can forgive, but never forget. You owe me US John Matthew.

Issue #2: All about sex, none of the romance.

I would have to disagree. Sure there weren't any flowers or chocolates, and no one took anyone on a date, but there was tenderness between Quinn and Blay. You just got to understand that Blay is fucking pissed, so he might keep his heart locked under lock and key, and the whole book was about Quinn trying to slowly, but surely, get Blay to let him in again. There wasn't any looking at each others eyes during sex either, but come the fuck on, seriously? HOW? The sex was hot, and it is clear these two kids are crazy for each other. There will be more scenes with them in the future books, and maybe we will see even MORE "romance".

Issue #3: No lube?

Don't give a fuck. Not really, the brothers are notorious for finding their own ways to have tremendously over the top, man-that-is-going-to-hurt-in-the-morning, sex. If the Shellans are able to have sex again and again and again without some kind of lubrication for their poor vajaijais then I don't see how it needs to be any different for the boys. I am able to suspend my belief when it comes to this, because it is just so freaking hot.

Issue #4: Blay, is that you?

Yes, that is Blay, it is just another side of him. There were a lot of scenes of him being tender and compassionate, but there are also a lot of scenes of him being, again, pissed as hell because he has been down this road before and it never ended well. I found it kind of hot. Blay being the Alpha was definitely well deserved. At the end of the day however you can tell he is still a sweetheart at heart.

Issue #5: Layla pregnant.

A lot of people don't see the point of this Chosen being pregnant, but I do. It's a way for Quinn to have the family he always wanted. Blay, and his 'lil old kid. Quinn wants/needs a family, he always has. Don't know how that is going to work when Xcor joins the picture (awkward family dinners for sure...) but they will work it out and everybody will get what they wanted.

Overall sure there were some bumps along the way. It wasn't PERFECT (I could have done without some of the subplots and more of the brothers themselves) but I think Lover at Last marks a new style for J.R.Ward, as in she won't end everything with a pretty bow from now on like in past books. As many of you know the next book is titled The King (Holy CRAAAP YESSSSSSSS) which will feature Wrath and Beth as the main couple. This is the first time she has ever done this. It's a new age. It's not called Lover "place another word here" and it will feature an old couple. She will return to Quinn and Blay, they will have more scenes, and they shall truly solve their issues as time goes by. Lover at Last was 591 pages. It was a long ass book, and in those pages it managed to put the seeds for future books, and also to finally bring our favorite two boys together. Just as they should have been all along.

5 star, because even though it had some problems I still enjoyed it as if it it didn't have any issues at all.