Review: Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
Black Dagger Brotherhood #1
393 Pages
Amazon, Goodreads, Author Website

From Goodreads: In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going 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, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes 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...

There are many good things I can say about this series, so I'll try to keep this as brief as possible. This book is the first in The Black Dagger Brotherhood series. It is my new favorite series! The series follows the on going war between the Brotherhood and their enemies the Lessers (humans without a soul). This book focuses on Wrath, he is the King of vampires and is known as the "Blind King" as he is almost completely blind and always has on wrap around sunglasses. He is the last pure-bred vampire left on the planet and does not play the role of King as he should. He prefers to lead the Brotherhood and fight against the Lessers who killed his parents long ago. His "Brother" Darius is killed and Wrath takes his half-breed daughter under his wing as she prepares to transition into a vampire (the transition occurs when they are in their mid 20s). Beth is unaware of her ancestry as she was raised in foster care, but she feels that her life is lacking and that the huge guy with sunglasses is hot... and even hotter in bed. I loved that the attraction is pretty instantaneous, there isn't any sexual angst in this book! Since vampires "bond" with their mate it was believable that things should move quickly between them. I sure wasn't complaining, it gets the story moving and turns might interesting. In this book we are also introduced to many characters including the rest of the Brotherhood and other important characters close to them. Since there are so many story lines that are inter connected and ongoing, reading each book in this series is like watching another episode of your favorite soap opera or TV show. You just never know what is going to happen and there are plot twists and turns when you least expect it. The pacing is great and is never slow, there is action and romance, happiness and sorrow, and so many hot vampires you lose track! Wrath and Beth's story is one of my favorites and is a great start to this amazing series.

I give this book 4.5 Stars!