Jen

I read this book years ago. But recently decided to re-read it when I came across the audio version. I had stopped reading the series around book 8 mostly because of the violence level, but had been looking at the books on my shelf thinking that I should try the series again. Since it's been so many years since I read them, I wanted to start fresh.

Dark Lover is the start of this series and therefore there is a lot of set up going on. We have to learn about these vampires and their world, who the Lessers and Black Dagger Brotherhood are, and start the story arc. Ms Ward starts her series by telling the love story of the king of the Vampires, Wrath. It's not the most detailed of romances because of all the set up happening, but my emotions were engaged enough that I didn't care.

Ultimately, I think what holds this book back from being a 5 star read is the violence. I don't mind a little violence in a paranormal book... it's almost expected. But it was just a little too graphic for my taste. I could have done with a little less of those descriptions and a touch more on the romance between Wrath and Beth.

But in the end, it's a very solid start to a very popular and interesting series.