Wednesday, February 17, 2016

WoWwA ~ Dark Lover

Where audiobooks are used as an enticing reward for getting on the dreadmill.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.


*Book source ~ Purchased on Audible
Title ~ Dark Lover
Author ~ J.R. Ward
Narrator ~ Jim Frangione
Publisher ~ Recorded Books
Published ~ 22 January 2009
Genre ~ Paranormal | Romance
Length ~ 13 hrs 35 min

My Rating ~ 3 bites and a nibble
Narration ~ 3 bites

Darius has been keeping an eye on his half-breed daughter her whole life. Now that she’s getting ready to go through the change which most half-breeds don’t survive, he’s worried about her. Since they live in dangerous times he asks Wrath, the last pure bred vampire and their vampire king, to see to her if anything happens to him. Then he gets blown up by their enemies and Wrath feels he must honor Darius’s last request. Beth has no clue what she is and Wrath doesn’t want anything to do with her. Is this a match made in heaven? Maybe.

After having this series swooned over by many of my friends I expected to fall headlong for it. Unfortunately, I didn’t. What made it worse was the long boring parts that had me gnashing my teeth was exacerbated by listening to the audio and thus not able to skim over those parts. I think Beth is a moron and Wrath is unlikeable. I do enjoy the secondary characters, most especially Butch. He seems to be the most fleshed out character, but I could do without his dumbassedness around Marissa. Pu-lease! Check and see if you still have balls, Butch. Because I’m thinking you don’t. Fritz, the butler, is probably my favorite character. I love that guy.

The writing is unbelievably repetitive. Omfg, I think I got the point the first dozen times. Also, I was confused the entire book about who the fuck were vampires, lessers and whatnot. It is not explained well at all and I was constantly floundering. Maybe if the author had spent more time detailing the history of these people instead of telling me a million fucking times how badass the brothers are then I might like it better. And can someone please tell me why Wrath is damn near totally blind and yet he can see juice dripping down Beth’s chin. And he can see emotions in eyes and a bunch of other shit that shouldn’t be possible. I call bullshit and I’m annoyed. Beth’s change is completely glossed over and the big fight in the end is not very fighty. It’s more limp dickish. Not impressed.

I give this a 3.5 because I do love the secondary guys and what little of the world I can figure out. When I cut out all the unnecessary shit it’s not too bad of a story. However, when I do continue on with the series, which I’m sure I’ll do some day, I’m going to read it so I’m not stuck listening to all the crap I could be skipping. Also, the narrator isn’t the best I’ve ever heard.

12 comments:

  1. Oh boy, what a review!! I haven't started the series yet...

    http://thebestbasicblogger.blogspot.com/2016/02/wishlist-winning-wednesday-states-theme.html

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    1. I'm in the minority with this book. Nearly all of my book friends have loved it and the whole series. Oh, well. lol

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  2. I'm in the same camp as you with this series. I read book 3, and while I admittedly loved the hero and a few side characters, there was so much excess and way too many POVs.

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    1. I don't mind the multiple POVs, but the repetitve nature just made me grind my teeth. I really enjoyed the 1st book of her Fallen Angels series. I thought this one would be as good, but it wasn't. Oh, well. I do want to read more in the series because I want to see the brothers get their stories, but no audios. Print only so I can skip at will. lol

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  3. It has been so long since I read this book or listened to it. I can't remember how much there was with the repetitiveness in this book. I do know that I liked some of the later books better. The second book is my favorite, because Rhage is my favorite brother. I'm also a huge fan of Z and V's books. I'm also a big fan of the narration. I think Jim Frangione is perfect fit for the brothers. Great review.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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    1. I haven't decided yet who my favorite brother is. I really like Butch though he's not technically a brother. Yet.

      Maybe the narrator gets better as he goes along. I know James Marsters improved greatly with each Dresden book.

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  4. It's gotten a lot of love by people but I am on the fence about it. Not sure if I want to try it or not. I tried one J.R. Ward book and didn't like it so now I am hesitant. :)

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    1. I'll eventually read the books, but no more audios for this series since I don't know if the writing gets better. Since it was pubbed in 2005 I would certainly hope the writing gets better.

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  5. Ha, I tried the narration and stopped and read it instead. I wasn't at all confused and enjoyed the heck out of this. Sorry it was a rough go for you Carol.

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  6. Hello! I work with your son at the hospital, and he directed me to your blog! I can't wait to read more of your reviews, but this one made me laugh. I'm interested to see if you read any of the other books after this and if you enjoyed any of the other characters. I was hit and miss, but read them all until we got past the initial group and the series seemed to drag out. I loved the stories about Vishous and Zsadist but completely agree with you about butch and Marissa! 😆

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    1. Oh, hey! Welcome! *quickly dusts off a chair* Always glad to make someone laugh. I have not read any of the other books in the series. At this point, I may not ever read them. So many books, so little time. :) I hope you enjoy my other reviews. I think they're hit or miss actually. Sometimes I crack myself up. Others, I can't think of anything to write I haven't said a million other times. Ah, well. LOL

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