Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 3) (utgåvan 2006)

Can I rate this 10 stars?? ( )

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Getting a little annoyed with the tragic hero saved by the flawed yet perfect woman. Yet I find I'm invested in some of the characters and want to know more. Hoping, like LKH, the writing will improve as the series ages. ( )

The books are getting more serious and the plot gets more gruel. I think too many of the characters died or disappeared in this book but I totally loved the ending. I think that was the best ending in all the three books. ( )

Content warning: Going into this one, I knew it was going to be a rough book. I think it could be very triggering for anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault or even a kidnapping. This series sometimes dates itself with the views on homosexuality and masculinity. I’m hoping that more recent books have improved upon this.

This one didn’t have me sobbing like the previous one, but I think I know why. Rhage has such a big personality, while Mary is so sweet. Because of that, seeing them go through pain was very hard. With Zsadist and Bella, I already knew the pain was coming, so I was more prepared and was able to steel myself up first. What I wasn’t prepared for was Z’s relationship with Phury and what Phury did for him, both in the past and the present.

Bella is so strong. She went through hell, but when she sees Zsadist suffering, she doesn’t hesitate to help him. It’s not that she puts aside her pain to help a man; instead, she’s able to shoulder them both. She knows when to give into her pain and seek help, and she knows how to offer that same comfort.

I love how Zsadist makes the conscious decision to work on improving himself and it’s not just that Bella magically heals him. And that epilogue did have me tearing up. Nalla.

O is one of the most terrifying types villains because he’s frighteningly realistic. He’s basically an incel, being a lesser. And he’s an abuser. He’s a misogynist and a manipulator. He’s the man women are taught to be afraid of but often find themselves irrevocably tied to.

I like how Ward sets up other character’s stories ahead of their books, even though I sometimes want to just rush through those parts to get back to the main plotline. But I know that those other parts are very important for the overall series. It’s very well done.

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