J. R. Ward: Blood Kiss

Apparently all that stuff in the Black Dagger Brotherhood is not enough (the books usually have about 400 pages just so you know) and this Ward's universe needs an expansion. I usually don't grab spin-off novels because they are too watered down as compared to the original series or books but this time I made an exception. The wait for a new book in the series was wearing me down since none of my usual go-to authors was publishing anything so I thought why not try this. Ward is an excellent writer after all.

And I wasn't disappointed. Sure, since it is a spin-off it lacks the characteristic action scenes where the brothers kick some serious ass but that doesn't mean that they don't appear in there. New problems arise and our favourites are back to show us that a happy ending needs some help.

But, of course, our well-known characters appear in the background (though as I've already written, the book with 400 or so pages has enough space for all) and the book revolves around a star-crossed lovers. Who and how ... that is up to you to find out.

I think Ward always delivers and you shouldn't be afraid of reading anything from her. Because unlike those frequent sappy romances she actually creates real problems and make people fight for it. The characters have flaws and are very real.

GENRE: this one tilts more toward romance

FANGS OUT: Ward knows how to deliver a story

FANGS RETRACTING: no retraction, this is the best you can get in this genre
TOTAL SCORE:

J. R. Ward: The Shadows

Well, isn't The Black Dagger Brotherhood what caused my bookish sexual awakening back then? Oh, yeah. I discovered Dark Lover and my eyeballs almost popped out of my skull when I was reading some scenes. I wasn't prepared as a teenager for that but now I know what I'm going into and Ward always delivers. 

There have been so many books in the series and they always had the same pattern - one chapter about star-crossed lovers, one chapter about the fight with evil. But there has ever been a happy ending, no worries.

In this book, Ward broke the predictable structure (well, it was a few books before but I'm reviewing this one, so what?!) and even though it is centered on one couple, you get to see some other  well-known couples as well. Plus, I used to be quite skeptic about those unlikely couples having the time of their lives in the previous books and finally Wards gets back to them and shows that they must face some problems. Which makes it more believable. 

There are many books which combine action and romance out there, but I can assure you that BDB is the best. They are detailed and the universe is nicely described. There are many twists and unpredictable things but on the other hand, we read it for the happy endings, so the predictable is there as well.

GENRE: dangerous romance

FANGS OUT: the series is the best in the genre
FANGS RETRACTING: all forgiven, the author grows with each book, so they get better and better
TOTAL SCORE:

Now, something about how I obtained the book. There was a virtual signing at the author's web and I felt like I had to get my signed copy. I'd never had a signed book before and was always envious of people in the countries where the authors live that the fans just can go to some signing event and have it. So, even though it cost me and arm and a leg (the shipping being more expensive than the book!) I ordered it and waited... and waited... and waited some more because of the frickin' customs - I had to pay even more because the book exceeded the tax free limit by a couple of cents. That made me angry but when the book arrived so nicely packed, I was happy. When I opened the book, I was expecting a customized thingy because that's what the order said - a customized signed copy. Annnnnd it wasn't. It was just a Ward's signature... my mom joked she could make me one, too since it looked so easy to copy and she would even include my name on it. 

So, sometimes life sucks. It's better to expect nothing (I counted on the post office to lose my copy somewhere over the ocean) and then be happy for the little things (yay, my first signed book!).