Blood Fury
Author: J.R. Ward
Reviewer: Una
Rating: A
What I’m Talking About:
The latest offering in the Black Dagger Legacy series, Blood Fury is, suffice to say, awesome. The twin love stories combined with the on-going background original story lines is gripping, especially as the romantic journey of the couples is the stronger focal point.
Originally the Black Dagger Brotherhood was one of my most favorite dark urban fantasy romance series. However, as the series has progressed, the romance portion/drive has diminished. Thankfully J.R. Ward has given us the Black Dagger Legacy series that truly is a spin-off that is back to the “old school.” This series works as a way to revisit the original characters as well as introducing new characters to the series. Though it is called a spin-off, this series is truly a companion to the main series. I cannot see reading either series as a solely… they do need to be read together as characters and plots overlap between them. Case in point, in Blood Fury, we are finally given Saxton’s happily-ever-after.
What I loved about this book is the fact that Saxton, Blay’s ex-lover finally finds his happiness. Though the book blurb focuses on Petyon and Novo…the novel gives equal page time to both Saxton and Ruhn’s romance as it does to Petyon and Novo’s. I really enjoyed each of their journeys as well as seeing previous characters make cameos. Each couple has their own romantic challenges to overcome. This focus is what makes this series feel more akin to what I loved when the original Black Dagger Brotherhood series started.
Though Peyton had quite of bit of maturing to do, he truly ends the story on the road to responsibility. This was greatly lacking in his character in the previous novels. However, just as Peyton was lost, Novo was equally lost. She had found her solace in fighting and training while Peyton found his in recreational drug and alcohol consumption. But through each of their own soul searching (and facing of their growing attraction and attachment) they help each other heal and find a new path.
Similarly, Saxton and Ruhr have their own growth and soul searching to do. Saxton, the King’s lawyer and advisor, begins the novel as an empty shell. Since Blay, his former lover, chose to be with Qhuinn, Saxton has not been able to move on with his life. It is slowly suffocating him. He seems stuck in the grief the ending of the relationship has caused. However, he keeps finding himself intrigued by a new member of the mansion’s household, Bitty’s Uncle Ruhn. But no matter how tempting Ruhn is, Saxton is reluctant to find himself in another relationship where his love is unrequited. Much to Saxton’s surprise, his attentions awaken something in Ruhn he wasn’t fully aware of. Watching as they work together on an assignment for the King, I was utterly lost in Ruhn’s awakening as well as Saxton’s healing.
For a long time fan that was getting a bit frustrated with the latter novels in the Black Dagger Brotherhood, this new spin-off is a welcomed respite. I love having the romance central to the storyline while the war and politics are pushed more to the background (and other series). I am back being a full fan but only as I will continue to read both series in tandem. Though there are hints about the upcoming Black Dagger Brotherhood novel, The Thief, I’m more eager for the next Black Dagger Legacy novel.
My Rating: A, Loved It
About the Book:
A vampire aristocrat, Peyton is well aware of his duty to his bloodline: mate with an appropriate female of his class and carry on his family’s traditions. And he thought he’d found his perfect match—until she fell in love with someone else. Yet when his split-second decision in a battle with the enemy endangers the life of another trainee, Peyton has to face the idea that his future, and his heart, actually lie with another.
Novo, as a female in the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training program, feels like she has to prove herself to everybody—and she has no interest in being distracted by falling in love. But when Peyton proves to be so much more than a rich playboy, she is forced to confront the tragedy that has broken her soul and closed her off from love.
As the two grapple with Novo’s past and Peyton’s present, another couple must contend with an erotic connection that is unparalleled—and potentially scandalous. Saxton, who has had his heart broken, discovers in himself a deep-seated attraction to Ruhn, a new member of the household. But will the other male explore the connection? Or will he close his mind and his heart to what could be true love . . . and cost Saxton everything?
Release Date: January 9, 2018
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Series: Black Dagger Legacy #3
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Hardcover (432 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: Publisher
Purchase Info:
Amazon
Reviews in the Series:
Lover Mine by J.R. Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood #8)
Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood #9)
Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood #10)
Lover at Last by J.R. Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood #11)
The King by J.R. Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood #12)
The Shadows by J.R. Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood #13)
The Beast by J.R. Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood #14)
The Chosen by J.R. Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood #15)
Blood Kiss by J.R. Ward (Black Dagger Legacy #1)
Blood Vow by J.R. Ward (Black Dagger Legacy #2)