Reviewed by Susan65
Title: Lover at Last
Author: J.R. Ward
Narrator: Jim Frangione
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #11
Heroes: Qhuinn/Blay
Genre: MF Paranormal
Length: 22 Hours, 22 Minutes
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Release Date: March 26, 2013
Available at: Amazon and Audible
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another….
Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.
Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions… but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together… finally become one.
Review – Book: First off let me just say…ABOUT DAMN TIME! Blay and Qhuinn’s relationship and their story took freaking forever. About damn time they finally got their book and about damn time they finally got together as a couple, for real…both took way too freaking long. I was hoping once I had the book in hand I would finally see some love between these two. Hopefully Qhay will get a part two, because I really do feel a little cheated. Maybe it’s the gayness that threw off the author, but this is one relationship that needed a lot more, but got shafted.
I know this sounds more like a negative review, and maybe in a way it is, but I blame myself for setting my expectations so high, but getting a story half full of Assail/Sola and too many other side stories, I just wanted to scream…and skim. I think I would have been happier with a Lover at Last Qhuay-only novella.
I have to admit I thought of skimming the Lesser, Assail, and Band of Bastard scenes, but I didn’t. I knew that they would eventually tie into other books, so I trudged my way through, hoping that the next tidbit of Qhuay was next. Isn’t that sad? But I did love Xcor. Not in my first reading of this book, but the subsequent audio book. I felt his pain of always being less than, and ugly, and unloved. I am really looking forward to his book . I am interested in how the not-so-pure-Layla will eventually end up with Xcor. I admit I’m a sucker for the underdog so Xcor is my latest crush. I loved the car scene. That boy is hurting from all his years, all his life, of being an outcast reject…Quinn thought he had it bad? Qhuinn meet Xcor…the man you might be sharing daddy duties with in the future.
What I hated about the not-so-pure-Layla? These vamps live for hundreds of years, Quinn is what? 28? Let the guy live a little before he becomes a father, let him have a chance with his true mate, and you find your own. What’s the big rush? and why start a family with a guy YOU KNOW is in love with someone else and YOU are crushing on someone else. I HATED that Qhuinn’s first thought throughout the entire fricking book was Layla…always…and I HATED THAT!!!
And yes, Quinn did have it bad. I was so mad at Blay for doing a complete one-eighty on me. I understand he didn’t want to get hurt anymore but come on…you lied man! So many times Blay could have ended the miscommunication breakdown, but chose not too. He knew Qhuinn’s history, he loved him for it, but he lied over and over again.
Some of my favorite parts were:
♥ The band of bastards orgy, holy moley that was hot!
♥ Qhuinn flying a plane with an injured Zsadist
♥ The induction ceremony *
♥ The Signet ring: Blay giving Qhuinn his signet ring…oh man, he completely redeemed himself with that slick move…you get him, Tiger!
♥ And Qhuinn’s brother Luchas being returned
♥ Trez and Iam were blasé side characters in earlier books, but I know that the Shadows knocked my socks off and can’t wait to listen to that one next.
* What I loved most was the Induction ceremony…but did I miss something? Wasn’t the Scribe Virgin supposed to show up and wave her magic wand and whatever? And I loved that every Brother backed Qhuinn for the Induction…he finally belongs somewhere. ~wipes my tears~ BUT, then at the party…Blay ruins it AGAIN. Seriously, I love the guy but you know how Qhuinn feels about Saxton and you just couldn’t let him enjoy his special day. Blay seriously needed an ass kicking in this book. So Qhuinn hurt you, we get it, but come on, man.
Now what is going on with Luchas? That is the question. Kinda hard to be hating on the guy in his current situation. Ouch! And I kind of believe he felt trapped by his asshole parents too, but I would have a hard time trusting him. And Trez and iAm moving into the mansion? Hmmmmm, I’m sure slut-puppy Trez will cause all sorts of issues.
AND WHAT IS WITH ALL THE DRUGS in this series? Heavy use of drugs, smoking, sex addictions? These Vamps needs an intervention.
So, in closing: I had a whip-lash, love-hate relationship with this book. At times, a rare 5 stars, at others a 2 or 3 star…but mostly a 4, so that’s where I settled.
Review – Audio book: Not sure what happened, but the narration felt a little off. The voice was same, but at times I couldn’t tell which character was speaking. I also needed to speed it up to 1.25 or 1.50 because the words were so drawn out. Maybe it was just this edition, and the rest of the series rocked so I will chalk this up to an anomaly.
Overall Impression: I really liked it
*I purchased my own, personal copy of this book for review.*
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