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The Flooze's Reviews > Lover Eternal

Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward
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it was ok
bookshelves: paranormal-romance, vanquished_2010, owned, glutton_for_punishment

**2.5**

Lover Eternal frustrated me in much the same way Dark Lover did.

I don't like Ward's depiction of women, nor do I like the whole bonding experience. From the main character Mary to the Scribe Virgin's Chosen, the female characters only find some confidence when a man deems them worthy. Up until then, they're easily cowed damsels who gasp and flutter and lament their unattractiveness. This makes the mating game exasperating. It also makes my teeth itch on general principles.

Mary's self-deprication is over-the-top and embarrassing on her first date with Rhage, with her trying to run for the hills before the man can even introduce himself. Annoying.

Once she accepts him, she gains more strength and courage. It makes her far more bearable--even likable--but it doesn't change the fact that I constantly rolled my eyes at all their drama. Around every bend was another cry of but we can't. Get over yourselves and enjoy life already.

Then I cackled and shook my head every time Mary's core bloomed and she gushed all over the place. Like gysers, these women.

The Chosen. Their entire existence irks me: a group of women bred to serve the Scribe Virgin, feed unmated warriors, and pop out kids. I understand the necessity of their role, but must they spout phrases like, "I have been properly cleansed for your use. You may inspect me, should you wish..."? All said in a mournful tone implying shame at not providing sexual service. It's offensive.

Let's move on to the Brothers themselves. This is where Ward shines and where I wish she'd spend more time. (Seeing as how her women are so meh yet her men so vibrant, maybe she should give up the het and write M/M. I think she'd be better at it.) The Brothers' interactions are great. There's a sense of deep connection between them. They are there for one another no matter the circumstances. (Even the damaged, anti-social Z reaches out in his own way.) V and Butch remain favorites for their easy natures and capable attitudes. Although technically not a Brother, I loved seeing Butch settling into place and his hopes to do more for the BDB.

My one big gripe with the Brothers is the illogical adoption of gangsta culture. All the "straight up" and "you feel me" doesn't ring true for any of them, with perhaps the exception of V. He's the only one who seems relatively consistent with it, while the others pepper their more formal speech with random slang--like kids trying to fit in with the cool crowd. They're hundreds of years old. These aren't speech patterns they grew up with. I oh so dearly wish it would stop.

In the midst of the angst and shitkickers is a mysterious side story. This book introduces John Matthew, a scrawny kid who is destined for more. He's the kind of character who begs speculation, while also adding a thread of desperation and a new corner of the BDB universe to explore.

With John Matthew's arrival and the set-up for Z's story, I can see how this series could easily move to UF. It's a change I'd welcome, since I think Ward needs to beef up her world--in particular, her antagonists.

The lessers are incredibly weak as Big Bads go. Sure, they kidnap civilian vampires. But since Ward never shares their torture techniques or interrogation sessions, the threat feels remote. I know they're supposed to be dangerous slayers, but without more information they merely come off as inept redshirts. The Brothers easily shake them off and take them down. Their leader, Mr. X, does nothing but boss his underlings around and threaten them with the Omega. Who is this Omega? What's his gripe? What's he capable of other than making one dude scream? If he's so powerful and intimidating, why can't he make his forces more capable?

And why do they smell like fricken baby powder?! For God's sake. The Brothers can smell them coming a mile away. Why saddle your forces with an early warning system that alerts the enemy? Madness!

Mr. O is the only villain of substance, and it's because of who he is rather than the organization he's in. He's a creepy, twisted guy with a destructive and defiant streak. He's full of calculated malice and likes getting his hands dirty. The lessers could be very different were he at the helm--they might actually get something done.

Overall, the romance clichés in Lover Eternal were painful. For me, there was no thrill in the chase. Instead there was a lot of eye-rolling and innappropriate laughter. I'd hoped the background story of the Scribe Virgin, the Omega and the lessers would be enough to pick up the slack, but Ward's world has almost zero development outside the Brothers' door.

I know this is PNR and so the focus is supposed to be on the romance. But if you are going to hand me a passel of warriors and expect me to believe they are Big Strong Males fighting the Good Fight, give them a worthy foe. Give them a society worth saving. Give them a purpose outside of listening to rap, stalking women, and beating up some baby-powdered freaks. The current formula just doesn't do the trick.
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Reading Progress

September 22, 2009 – Shelved
September 24, 2009 – Shelved as: paranormal-romance
February 21, 2010 – Started Reading
February 21, 2010 –
page 17
3.85% "Hear ye, hear ye, Peer Pressure Wenches. It has begun. V in a towel is a nice image to start with."
February 21, 2010 –
page 75
17.01% "Oh for Pete's sake. 'He was coming after her for one and only one reason: to release all that sex in his body. Release it into her.'"
February 21, 2010 –
page 94
21.32% "Mary's self-deprication is irritating as shit. Hot man giving you all his attention, and you keep trying to run? Please."
February 21, 2010 –
page 178
40.36% "Much cackling going on. 'I would feed you now.' Bah ha ha!"
February 21, 2010 –
page 181
41.04% "Bloom!!"
February 21, 2010 –
page 254
57.6% "Man, that Scribe Virgin's a bitch. I'd like to tri-whip her."
February 21, 2010 –
page 284
64.4% "Whoa. Rhage pissed and disappointed is not pretty. And me liking scary Z probably says interesting things about me."
February 21, 2010 –
page 309
70.07% "Awwww..."
February 21, 2010 –
page 374
84.81% "Beastie, beastie. Come out and play."
February 21, 2010 –
page 431
97.73% "Can Z come clean my house?"
February 22, 2010 – Shelved as: vanquished_2010
February 22, 2010 – Finished Reading
March 30, 2010 – Shelved as: owned
January 8, 2011 – Shelved as: glutton_for_punishment

Comments Showing 1-50 of 133 (133 new)


Stav well?


message 2: by The Flooze (last edited Feb 11, 2010 06:49PM) (new) - rated it 2 stars

The Flooze ::mumble:: for fuck's sake ::mumble::

I'm trying to finish the one I'm on but it's taking forever...Deadtown.

And I can't start a new one til I finish that!

Plus, the way this is going, I might read a mystery or a sci-fi next just to clear my mind of the UF cliches.


Stav firm but fair


Stav but you still got to read it soon


The Flooze LOL

I have to read it before the end of the month. Okay, loca?


Stav I'll even bring you my copy next week :)


The Flooze I OWN it already!


message 8: by Mel (new) - rated it 4 stars

Mel Soooooooo, when are you going to read Lover Awakened? *grin*


The Flooze Let's see. How long between this and Dark Lover...

::clickyclicky::

Gimme another 6 mos.

What's that, Lassie? Bella fell down a well? Oh, dear. I'm afraid she's going to have to stay there awhile.

Heh heh heh...


message 10: by Mel (new) - rated it 4 stars

Mel You...you... wench! But seriously Michelle, you'll like it. But I'm going to stop pushing now. Zipping it, throwing away the key.


The Flooze I'm just not a fan of the repeated "I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!" I want to grab all of them and bash their heads in.

Or take them to therapy.

Like that SNL skit:

I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like me!


Sandra Good review and mostly I agree with you, but I like them. Can't figure myself out sometimes :). Don't agree about SK, though! Gah! Argh!


The Flooze Lol. That's why you'll never catch me wenching any PNR titles. Too subjective!


Amelia Excuse you. Kenyon does the exact same thing with her female leads..... in fact a shit ton of books do. So suck on that! :P

I think you will like Lover Awakened a lot more. It has a stronger female lead and a really fucked up and tortured male lead. What's not to love? The series gets better as it goes along. John Matthew's sub-plot grows and adds to the whole thing.


message 15: by Mel (new) - rated it 4 stars

Mel I LOVE JM. And Qhuinn & Blay....*sigh*


Amelia Ditto


Amelia .... my computer is telling me Michelle replied but I don't see anything

::looks around::

Did you delete something?


The Flooze Hmn. It told me I'd double-posted, so I deleted one. Apparently, it was a phantom double and I deleted the real comment!


Amelia Son of a beast! What was the post about?

You know I was thinking on how you think the whole "blooming" talk is ridiculous... but it's pretty much in every book.

I mean they can't just pull a Lil Wayne and say "Pop that pussay!". Not romantical at all.


The Flooze What? That's not sessy?

Wellll...it would certainly be gritty!

Or just gross.

There are other phrases that convey heightened sexual interest. I just don't like her particular flowery (literally and figuratively) language when it comes to bauchickabaubau.

It's not just Ward. I'm not good when it comes to that sort of thing in general--which is why I'll never be a true romance fan!

As for my deleted comment...I've no idea what I'd written! It was probably some drivel about Kenyon's women being fiesty.


Amelia Exactly. It would be offensive.... though it works for Lil Wayne in the rap world. I love that foo! lol

You just need to get over it. I really don't think she actually uses the flowery so much as the series goes along. It gets a lot darker, therefore less room for blooming.

Kenyon's characters, fiesty? ..... LMAO my ass. More like dry toast.


The Flooze Poh poh poh...


Amelia :P


message 24: by Jen (new) - rated it 3 stars

Jen Ifer's Inklings Is it bad to say that I want to read more about Mr. O?


The Flooze Not at all, Jen! Like I said above, he's the only villain of substance in the piece. He's one creepy bastard and actually has some personality to him. If she had built him up to the point where he was leading the Lessers, I think his twisted mindset would be enough to make them much more worthy as antagonists. The only time I paid attention to the Evil Side was when we were in his head. He has the potential for real darkness, yet still has a side of him that you empathise with against your will. More of the Mr. O Freakshow would be a good thing in its badness.


message 26: by Cathy (new) - added it

Cathy Spot on review.


The Flooze Thanks!


Amelia Have you started #3 yet?


Amelia Is that a no?


The Flooze That is most certainly a NO!

I don't think I'll be trying any more of them. Sowwy!


Amelia Fuck your couch! You can't stop after the 2nd! You'll miss Z's!


The Flooze And am I all right with that?

::pondering::

Yes. Yes, I am.

:p


message 34: by Amelia (last edited Aug 09, 2010 03:29AM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Amelia Cunt Nugget!!!

That's right! I said it!


The Flooze You. Are going. Down. Bitch.


Amelia Bring it!

::Shakes fists::


The Flooze It's ON, baby! Lemme get my razor.

Seriously though...do you want to torture me so? What if I demanded you read Kenyon! Lots and LOTS of Kenyon!


Amelia ........ You honestly can't compare Ward to Kenyon.

BLASPHEMER!!!!!

So random fun tidbit of the day..... I love how one of the rare occasions that I happen to be drunk as a skunk while out dancing, my manager is dancing right next to me at the club. FML


The Flooze Ha! Awesome! Maybe he'll give you a raise after seeing you shake yer rump.


Amelia No, he went and told some of my co-workers. Greaaaaat. lol

He secretly liked it though!


The Flooze If he was telling your co-workers, I think he publicly liked it!

Go, Amelia! Go, Amelia!


Amelia Yea. Damn hoe! lol

At least I wasn't drunk enough to ride the bull, unlike my coworker last Friday. lol


The Flooze There's a mechanical bull?!

Or is that supposed to be a euphemism...


Amelia Oh no. There is an honest to God mechanical bull. LMAO


message 45: by Mel (new) - rated it 4 stars

Mel The Flooze (Michelle M.) wrote: "That is most certainly a NO!

I don't think I'll be trying any more of them. Sowwy!"


*GASP*

Michelle! Nooohoo! You promised!


Amelia I know. She's going back on her word. HMPF!


The Flooze Where is this so-called promise!


The Flooze Lol, Marcia. I'm psychic like that.

I'm glad I'm not alone!


Amelia HMPF!


message 50: by Mel (last edited Nov 22, 2010 08:12AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Mel Double HMPF!


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