Review: Dark Lover by J.D. Ward

Title: Dark Lover

Author: J.D. Ward

Publication: Penguin Group

Release Date: Sept. 6th, 2005

Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #1

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.

The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.

 My review

          I really don’t remember why I started reading this series other than the fact that everybody in the writing world was raving about it but once I met Wrath and the brothers and felt their energy, magnetism, and overall sexiness (Alpha traits), I realized I was well and truly hooked by a bunch of blood sucking vampires.  It didn't hurt that they would fight to the death for their shllean/mate.

            But as I continued on Wrath’s journey with Beth, I could tell that these vampires were no run of the mill nightwalkers.  First of all, they did not suck the blood and kill every one they came across like society portrays.  The brotherhood lives alone, and they only kill the enemy which to them are the lessening society; a group of dead-but breathing-pale humans who are out to kill every last vampire that exists.

            Wrath has been asked to look after a half vamp who is kin to one of his brothers that gets killed early on in the story( but has a resurrection later on in the series).  Wrath does not want the responsibility just like he doesn't want his future, and his future is to be the king of the vamps.

            I loved reading his fight between his duty and his conscience.   And when Wrath finally meets Beth, the sparks fly!  But not like the sparks between Zsadist and his mate.  In my opinion.

            I truly fell in love with this series from the first chapter and know believe Vampires could really exist among us.  Tongue in cheek.