Book Stats:
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Mass Market Paperback: 560 pages
Publisher: Signet
Release date: June 3, 2008
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #6
Source: Personal Shelf
Reviewed by: Tynga
Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository
In this "frighteningly addictive" paranormal romance sage there's a war raging between vampires and their slayers. Here are the stories of a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. And now a dutiful twin must choose between two lives...
Fiercely loyal to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of the race, becoming the male responsible for keeping the Brotherhood's bloodlines alive. As Primale of the Chosen, he is obligated to father the sons and daughters who will ensure that the traditions of the race survive, and that there are warriors to fight those who want all vampires extinguished.
As his first mate, the Chosen Cormia wants to win not only his body, but his heart for herself. She is drawn to the noble responsibility behind the emotionally scarred male. But Phury has never allowed himself to know pleasure or joy. As the war with the Lessening Society grows grim, tragedy looms over the Brotherhood's mansion, and Phury must decide between duty and love....
Phury, Zhadist’s twin brother, as spent his whole life trying to fix what’s broken. Starting with his twin brother being kidnaped, his less than stellar parents, his job in the Brotherhood and his latest hit, sacrificing himself so Vishous could skip out of being the Primale of the race. It all looks very glorious from outside, but on the inside, not so much. How will Phury handle the mess he has gotten himself into?
I actually find it hard to write this review because I have really mixed feelings about this sixth installment in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I love the series, I love the progression in the story this book provided, but I didn’t really enjoy Phury’s story. Let me explain why.
I used to like Phury, he seemed all knight-like in his black leather battle gear, always ready to take a bullet for his Brother or the race, he also sacrificed so much for his twin. On a quick glance, he looks like an overall pretty awesome guy, even though he loves his red smoke. The thing is… it’s all smoke and mirrors. The guy underneath is an empty shell, scarred, half-insane and a low level drug addict. His addiction was really too heavy and too all-encompassing for my enjoyment and while I’m sure it’s pretty similar to what an actual addict lives, it was too much for me. His string of bad decision after bad decision really annoyed me and even when things kind of picks up eventually, well it was too little too late, I had already given up on the guy.
Now that it’s out of the way, there are multiple things I really enjoyed. There is a whole subplot about John Matthew and his two buddies and I loved watching them evolve. They all grow extremely fast due to dire circumstances and it was a pleasure to witness. I truly can’t wait to see more of those three musketeer in the following books. There was a very interesting twist in the ultimate battle between Vampires and Lessers and even though we only see the peek of the iceberg, what’s to come promises to be entertaining! We also get some news of a lost Brother *wiggle eyebrows* which pleased me to no end!
Cormia was a very positive aspect of this book. She is innocent and naive , but she’s not stupid. Her shyness bothered me at first, but once she starts getting out of her shell things gets interesting. We also get a great insight on who Rehvenge really is, along side with Xhex & Trez, and I was happily surprised with what I found out. I wasn’t particularly fond of him before, but I think he has great potential.
When I finished reading the previous book in the series, I was really excited to see how Phury would deal with being the Primale and I ended up being very disappointed in him. I was hoping for excitement, and truthfully it was quite sparse for this aspect of the book. The conclusion somewhat redeemed him, but not quite completely. I’m curious of the consequences his decisions will have onto the world though.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad novel because multiple aspect were great, but Phury definitely stole Butch’s title of least-favorite-of-mine. Which Brother is your least favorite?
I have to agree, Phury is my least favorite brother too. He just seemed so whiny to me. Maybe it was the whole drug addiction thing that made him look like he was wallowing in his problems instead of fighting them like the other brothers.
ReplyDeleteNot the best book of the series for me either!
ReplyDeleteMy least favorite would have to be Phury, too. I like him, but not as much as the other brothers.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I love Phury but didn't care for his book and I was sad about that because I really was excited for this book.
ReplyDeleteI liked this book for the side story. I skimmed a lot of the Phurry stuff b/c it was so ridiculous to me! SO I ended up liking the book! Haha! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with your review. I didn't like the direction that JR Ward took Phury.
ReplyDeleteKendal
Kinx's Book Nook
Yes. I totally agree with you. I keep loving this series for the storyline, the arcs, all the characters, but not necessarily for the romances. I also disliked Phury the drug addict, but Vishous is the one I like the least.
ReplyDeleteStill, there are some good books coming, so keep on reading.
I agree with a few others. I love Phury, his book not so much. That wizard stuff was too much. Lol. Least fav brother for me unfortunately is the Blind King. :-/
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear im not the nly one who didnt like him!
ReplyDeleteThere aren't a lot of people who enjoyed this novel. I think I liked it a lot. The reason for that... I did not like V's book. I was SO disappointed with that one that I am pretty sure whatever came next had to be better. And I thought it was. I do understand where you are coming from though. I just wonder if that was JR Ward's intent.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review.
Sara @ Just Another Story