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79 of 94 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Both Amazing and Frustrating, October 9, 2007
Lover Unbound garnered an instant impression from me on ending it. It was a hard journey, probably the hardest book to read of the series for me. I thought Ward had wrung out of me all the rough emotions I could possibly feel with Zsadist's book (Lover Awakened), but oh, how wrong I was. My first impression? Well, it was a mixed bag actually: disappointment, utter joy, a bit of a depression in regards to some characters, smiles for certain scenes, heartfelt sighs for others...and a definite piqued interest for continuing with the series. A mixed bag to say the least--more like a salad in which some ingredients were found exceptionally tasty and snatched up, others a bit wilted and set aside for pondering.
Vichous, resident IT geek and live wire (think the hand). He's had it tough the last several months. He's got some conflicting emotions to work through regarding his roommate, Butch, feelings he hates himself for. Meanwhile, the war with the Lessers isn't going away, but turning a corner instead into newer, possibly deadlier territory. Like all of the brothers, his life hasn't come without a price, and memories of his father's warrior camp impede his ability to heal on the inside. His way of dealing is to indulge some darker sexual preferences, but is it helping? When a Lesser roundup goes bad, V finds himself hospitalized, but in a human one where the brotherhood is in danger of exposure. There he meets Dr. Jane Whitcomb, a self-assured surgeon...his savior. If not for her, he'd most likely have died, so why not kidnap the brilliant doc to make sure the healing continues? There's something about her that sparks the "mine" instinct and V's not having it any other way. Only problem is there's this tiny little job he's got to handle for the SV and it may mean an end to what V wants and a beginning to what's best for the vampire race as a whole. Can V step down from what he wants? Is it really in a warrior's nature? Jane may have been more than he bargained for too, more than he can sacrifice this time. And for a brother that's made incredible sacrifices in the past, it just might be time to take a stand.
First off, I agree with some of the professional reviews--this is not the book to enter the series on. If anyone starts off with it, they're doing themselves and the books a disservice. This series is worth reading in order from book one. Vishous has had quite the interesting development in the last four books (in order: Dark Lover, Lover Eternal, Lover Awakened and Lover Revealed). It's probably safe to say that many readers developed some expectations--who wouldn't with these vamps? They're exceptionally developed, larger than life (in our minds) and full of some very engaging emotions. I realized though, that in doing so I was putting myself and the characters in a corner. Realizing this didn't make me appreciate the ending any more, which is different. Hard hitting, heavy and raw. This book WAS raw, gritty and in-your-face. It's the BDB though, that's what we've been getting. The author has stayed true to the roots of the series in that regard. Did I wish it could have been different for the main characters by book's end? Big yes. Jane felt too rushed, but the circumstances in which she entered the series were rushed too, so it could be explained that way. Regardless, I wished for more from/for her, and I suppose that is why the ending disappointed me. To me, the ending left a lot of questions; ones I hope will be answered in later books. She seems to still have an important role by the ending, so that gives me hope. The romance was a bit understated compared to previous books--there's a lot of detail about John Matthew and his friends included, a great set-up for Phury's book (next in the series titled Lover Enshrined, June 2008). Secondary characters do play a bigger role in this one and those parts were stellar. Even Zsadist continues to develop beautifully--Ward's not done with the individual characterizations! This book explored some deep emotions and a new take on the way romance can be written. While the ending left me feeling unsatisfied, I'm still convinced this is one bold, gutsy and talented author, which only lead me to wanting one thing in the end--Phury's book. We meet his possible mate and what we find out about her and the culture she arrives from is not to be missed. Lover Unbound is going to sure-fire please fans, or put them in reserve and on guard. Oddly enough, it did both for me. Sounds like a success to me.
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23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Unsatisfying and Unfulfilling , September 25, 2007
I found this book to be a huge disappointment. Ward did so much to build V up as this compelling force of a personality and then did everything possible in what was supposed to be his moment to take the spotlight off of him. I find myself wondering if she was under some amount of pressure while writing this story. It was hugely disjointed when taken in accordance with the other books. I have felt with each of the other stories that it was completely necessary to read the other books to have a good idea what was going on. It seemed to me as if this book was made to stand alone some.
Now on to V's "HEA", all I can say is wow what a totally lame way to achieve that. I didn't feel any satisfaction upon completion of this story. I was just confused and bitter. I also have serious doubts as to what direction this series is headed in. I don't like Phury's mate so far, I don't like what seems to be JM's mate, I just wonder if the world is escaping Ward now that she's working on another series.
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31 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
At a loss ..., September 26, 2007
As something of a closeted fan, yet an ardent one nonetheless, I anticipated this installment of the BDB enormously. By comparison of the previous four however, what a disallusioning, and eerily hollow follow-up. From the outset of LU, the pace, direction, texture and teeth of the book seemed flat, forced - like Ward was writing it under/off the influence of what had previously inspired her other books. Her imaginative creativity was conspicuously in evidence - especially within the realm of medicine and all its entailing jargon - though off-putting and more than a few times downright creepy (S&M, bondage aside).
Ward herself is unquestionably adept as a writer and gifted at drawing readers into her world of words. But this book in no way reflected that. I can only surmise that in trying to balance multiple plots and the inevitable conclusion of the series, depth and main character magic evaporated under such weight.
This novel was an incongruous mis-step in what might otherwise have been a `worthy` series. Will not pine for the next.
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