It's about time!!! I got suckered in to read this series and I'm glad I gave in to peer pressure. LOLI like it, even though it's flawed in so many ways (ok just one, still not impressed with J.R Ward) I do however like how her writing is all about the dark, horrific, violent and smutty. I'm guessing that each book is centered on each brothers? (Did not read any reviews to avoid checking what to expect) This book is centered on Wrath, the king of all Vampires, the last one that carries the pure blood of their race and the halfling named Beth Randall, daughter of his late brother (frat sense) Darius. I have learned that their enemy is called the Lessening Society, whose members are psycho humans who sold themselves to the Omega (devil or you know the evil sonuvavich) so that they would have the agility, and inhuman strength sothey would have at least a fighting chance of surviving / fighting or whatever the heck it is that they think was necessary to eliminate the BDBs and their civilians. Wrath is the leader of Black Dagger Brotherhood - Natural born lethal weapons who would not hesistant to kill anybody obstructing their way of annihilating their enemy. (supposedly... until Beth happened to Wrath - the scene wherein Wrath decided not to kill Butch)So I think Wrath is freakin amazing, yes eventhough he could probably crush me and scared me at no end. It was an intrigue when I found out that he is going blind, or was her already blind? sorry I did not wallow on that part but that adds to his mysterious nature. But anyway, he and Beth is meant for each other, Beth neutralizes the bad ass in him and is really very sweet, I like that part where she gave Rhage the water and helped him calm down. it's a wonderful thing a woman does to a man. LOL. Stereotyping, but I love it when a guy is so evil, acting like an ass and is all high and mighty but when the right womn comes along they are the most incredible person in the universe. These vampires are not like the Cullens, Oliver from Morganville Vampires will cower in the corner if he ever cross them, Damon and Stefan are wuss compared to this guys (I already think Stefan's a wuss anyways), or Quinn would probably accept Riley's nature fully when one of the BDB request it from him. In short these vamps are not so much the ones you swoon about so don't expect the typical "awwww that's so sweet" moments. ( )

excellent fun! ( )

Brother Wrath's story begins with a favor to his recently deceased brother, Darius, to protect his only daughter, Beth. Beth being half-human, half-vampire, makes her one of a kind... and her body makes her desirable to even Wrath's cold heart. Being the Brotherhood leader, Wrath knows he must protect her and wait for her change. While protecting Beth and the outside world from the "Lessers" he grows feelings for Beth and she cannot seem to stay away from him.

Typical paranormal romance, but it was a new twist to vampires than what I am used to, so I thoroughly enjoyed it. ( )

Wow! ( )

So to be honest. It took me a little while to start the book. I had read the first chapter and then put it down. I had my doubts but after a couple months, decided to give it another shot. It tooke a few chapters to really grab my attention. But you get to understand and learn about all the "Brothers" and Beth's history/story, it quikly grabed my full attention. I fell hard core in love with the book and couldnt put it down. Its a wonderful story, just the right about of action and love/sex in the book. LOVED IT! ( )

Loved it! This first book is primarily about the vampire Wrath and his relationship with the Black Dagger brotherhood, his finding and pairing with Beth, and with his acceptance of his destiny.

Also introduced are the Lessers, or slayers, who are the enemies of the vampires.

Ward has created a fascinating world of vampires and I look forward to reading the rest of the series! ( )

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 their enemies more than Wrath, the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood... The only purebred vampire left on the planet, 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 - orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate - Wrath must usher the beautiful female into the world of the undead... Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn't there before, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of brotherhood and blood frighten her. But his touch ignites a dawning hunger that threatens to consume them both...

An AWESOME novel,AWESOME author(J.R. Ward) featuring a *HOT* cast of characters who are the strength of the vampire race. After reading Dark Lover i can't say Wrath was my favorite character, But i drawn to the relationship between Wrath and Beth. J.R. Ward is really modern, the vampires listen to rap and go "clubing". I'm obsessed with this series.

Dark Lover is fast pace. I was hooked after i read the first page. I really enjoyed this book.Wrath and Beth are total opposites. Wrath is a bad a$$, who is the last pure blood vampire, while Beth is the beautiful half vampire who wants to be a journalist. It's not just about the romance(*HOT*), Wrath and the other brother are like the "ghost busters" but they kill Lesseners(they are the biggest threat) the lessener's parts are sometimes boring but they all connect to the story.

The series is similar to Kresley Cole's book's, The Immortal's After dark series.. It tells a different story about another character.Ultimately the story was awesome. Now i have get the next one.... ( )

When I first started reading this book, I admit I thought it was a little corny...with vampires named Wrath, Rhage, Viscious, ect., but soon I found myself very drawn in to the story line. In my opinion Ward mixes just the right amount of romance along with action for a terrific story. This has quickly become one of my most favorite parnormal series. ( )

This book is about a singular race of vampire warriors and the daily fight they go through to keep their people alive against the soul-less humans known as lessers. Beth comes into the picture, the daughter of one of the brothers, and turns everything upside down.

This is one my favorite books of all time. I absolutely adore this book, the characters, the humor, the wit, and the twist Ward gives her vampires. Seeing as this is a romance there is some adult content and it is incredibly steamy. The plot is strong and you don't feel like you are reading a romance but more like a paranormal thriller, there is such depth and planning to the whole book, its great. Beth and Wrath have such a great charisma, I laugh, cry, and love everything through out this whole book.

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This book blew me away. Huge fan of the series. ( )

Wonderful book, the first in JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. For full review, please see our Web site.
http://vampsrus.blogspot.com/2009/05/... ( )

I have put off reading this series for a really long time. I figured it was another romance series like Lynsay Sand's or Kerrelyn Sparks. I think those books are good in their own right, but I prefer a little less romance and a little more grit in my paranormal stories. Since I was convinced the book would be 100% generic vampire love, I was blown away by how much meat was on this story. The romance plot is strong; it involves a human who is about to undergo her vampire transformation. Wrath, the leader of a clan of vampire warriors falls in love with her and swears to help her through the change. Add into the story several other vampire warriors with their own quirks and personalities, a great human side character, and an evil souless group eager to bring about the end of the vampires, and Ward has an intriguing and different mix. What stood out most in the book, is not Warth and Beth's relationship, but the multilevel relationship the 'brothers' share with each other. I also enjoyed the action scenes, and how much time was spent fleshing out all parts of the story. I'd guess about 1/3 of the story was good, solid romance. The other 2/3 set up the characters and the ongoing good vs. evil story arc. The book was well written and probably stood out most in my eyes for its magic characterization. I took off one star just because Wrath lost all his 'warrior' when he was with Beth and I thought he because too over the top mushy a time or two. This departed too much from the character we met in the rest of the story. Still a very good book. I have ordered the next several already if that says anything. If you are a paranormal fan, pick up this series. ( )

Dark Lover is the first book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. It tells the story of Wrath - the last purebred vampire. Wrath lives only to fight in an endless war with the soulless vampire slayers, Lessers, who brutally murdered his parents centuries ago. As leader of the Brotherhood, his only solace is in fighting, not looking to the past or future, shunning his duties as King.
This is a great book. A story of a man who is changed for the better by love. However he is still the imtimating man he was before, but now he has a reason to live. ( )

http://allbookedup-elena.blogspot.com... ( )

This is the first in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. If you are a paranormal (vampire) fan then this is a must read! Wrath is the main character and he is fierce. He is asked to take care of a friends half human half vampire daughter. Well that soon becomes a problem as the two of them get quite attracted to each other. I know these books are real popular right now so that is the reason I decided to try one out. Well I am hooked. I like the way J. R. Ward writes, the storyline and how this will continue with the other books. I personally liked the book and can't wait to read the second one in the series. I may have another favorite author here . . . we will see after I read the next book. Recommended for a good paranormal read. ( )

Wrath is a vampire who prefers to be alone, and work alone. When his good friend Darius asks for Wrath's help with his daughter he is turned down by Wrath. Knowing going into the request it would probably be a negative answer he still attempts to reach Wrath's softer side. Darius's daughter is half human and she is getting ready to change over but will need the help of a strong vampire male. Wrath thinks he has been able to walk away from that commitment and responsibility but then Darius is killed. Now he must look over his friend's daughter. Too bad the human, Beth speaks to the long buried part of him he thought dead. Will he be able to walk away from her after her transition?

Beth has been noticing changes in her body but has been largely ignoring them as she goes about her business as writer for a local newspaper. But one night she thinks she dreams about a dark, large man who has fangs and it scares her. When she realizes it was not a dream but reality she at first wants to freak out...but then she also can't get over how sexy he is. When she finds out the truth about herself and Wrath will Beth be willing to accept what fate has in store or will the Lessers get to her first? ( )

Dark Lover was my first paranormal romance. I had a LOT of reservations and I was positive there was no way vampires could in any sense of the word be sexy or romantic. In fact, my mother had read all the books and loved them. But I stuck to my case, no way was I going to like this book. Well, I can say with no shame, that J.R. Ward proved me wrong. I loved it and can't wait to read the other 5.

Dark Lover is about a woman who is about to go through her transisition and the sexy vampire who is going to help her through it. There is a lot of action as far as the Brotherhood having to protect there species. There is a lot of steamy scenes that will probably knock your socks off too. If you have any reservations about reading this book, just give the first book a try. It may change your mind. ( )

A great read-a-like with very similar plot/storyline/mythos to Christine Feehan's Carpathian series. Ward's universe has a bit darker feel.
A good read-a-like author for Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series. Ward doesn't have the general mythology, but shares the level of noir, but more in a more reality/urban based setting. The two vampire organizations have more of the same feeling than like the Carpathians.

Wrath (AKA Blind King) marries Elizabeth Randall, Darius' daughter and a vampire who transitions during the story.
Tohrment (AKA Mr. Normal) is married to the pregnant Wellsie. Because he is the most stable, he is the new leader of the Brotherhood.
Phury (AKA Rapunzel) has a prosthetic foot, and is celibate for reasons having some connection to Zsadist having been a tortured blood slave.
Zsadist is scarred and "soulless", but has a beautiful tenor voice. He and Phury are twins.
Rhage (AKA Hollywood) is perfectly gorgeous and is cursed by having a dragon/beast inside him which takes over when he looses his temper. He is the best fighter.
Vishous is a computer/electronics expert who can see the future. His left hand kills, perhaps dissolves.
Butch (AKA Brian O'Neil) is a human in love with Marissa, Wrath's former female -- but not lover. ( )

The first is a series called The Black Dagger Brotherhood. Developed by Ward, this series takes on urban, contemporary and supernatural elements. ( )

I agree with those who say this is an interesting take on the vampire legend, but the story was predictable, the characters were a little shallow and in all honesty, I would not recommend reading this book. ( )

Loved the characters and the tie-in to future books in the sequel. This was a romance but was also so much more...action, fantasy, adventure, etc. ( )

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

The only purebred vampire left on the planet, 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- orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate - Wrath must usher the beautiful female into the world of the undead…

Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn't there before, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of brotherhood and blood frighten her. But his touch ignites a dawning hunger that threatens to consume them both…

( )

This is the first book in the series. It should be savored and read carefully, because it sets the tone for the rest of the books that follow. Great series. Mesmerizing and addicting. ( )

The male vamps are a little too godlike (Wrath's the most fearsome vampire around! No wait, it's Zsadist! No wait, it's Rhage!), the women are a little too beautiful, and the names -- dear heavens, the names. Reading about guys with names like "Tohrment" and "Vishous" makes me think of my first-grade daughter, which is not what I want top of mind while I'm reading a paranormal romance, thankyouverymuch. But Ward has an interesting take on the vampire legend, she has an eye for making her fictional world seem realistic, and the characters are intriguing. I've already read the sequel as I type this, and I'm going to rate that one four stars. And then maybe wander over to the bookstore in a few days to look for book three..... ( )

I discovered this author from one of the members at Shelfari. I checked it out from the library twice, but never read it. It always seemed to be that when I was in the mood to read it, I didn’t have it. To put an end to the back and forth with the library, I purchased a copy.

For me, the book didn’t live up to my expectations. I mean, friends were saying “If you never read another book, read this one.” I did and in all likelihood, I won’t read another. Here’s why. The Mr. X never set well with me. Sure there has to be a villain in the story, but this guy didn’t blend into the story, but stuck out like a wart. Each scene with him was awkward and I found myself wanting to skim the pages.

About three-quarters of the way through, I didn’t feel the author stayed true to Wrath’s character. I understand mentally the changes in him, but it was too quick for me to catch up emotionally. It was too rushed. To remedy the problem, the Marissa & Butch could have been cut way down. I stopped reading parts with them in it. The attraction with them (Marissa & Butch) was way too rushed and should have been saved for another book.

It felt two people wrote the book. The first writer wrote the first half and a completely different writer wrote the second half. Even the dialogue felt off towards the end. It’s a real shame as the book did have potential for me, but too many mishaps and I can’t see continuing on with this series.

http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/... ( )