Lover Arisen continues the Black Dagger Brotherhood series with another great installment! Balthazar is such a fascinating character! He is possessed by the demon Devina so things aren't exactly easy for him. And then there is human cop, Erika.

The story is totally action packed. It gave me the old school BDB vibes that I really loved. But, I am not gonna lie-this book ends in a not satisfying way so be forewarned. Do I think it is the set up for more? Sure. But this ending hurt like a bitch.

Lover Arisen really represented some progression in the story. I know some readers had walked away from the series, but I feel that this book really gets back to why readers loved the BDB! If you haven't kept up with the series, you really can't just jump in here. You need to be up to date on everything if you are going to keep up with all the threads that get pulled in Lover Arisen.

I've been a big fan of this series, but I had a hard time feeling the connection between the main characters. Devina didn't disappoint and at times she had me laughing with her outlandish behavior. I am looking forward to reading Lassiter's book next year. I'm also excited for the short story about Darius as well.

Lover Arisen was exciting and intense and I really enjoyed the overall storyline as Balthazar and Erika came together and more unfolded in the Black Dagger Brotherhood world. There was a lot happening and some seriously unexpected things brought into the mix that had me turning the page. I'm looking forward to where it all will go.

I really liked Balthazar and Erika. That push and pull between them was great. I liked Balthazar’s fight within himself to keep Erika safe and her pursuit of the truth. I loved them coming together and her learning who he truly was. As with previous books, I really enjoyed how the story is set up with multiple POVs. I always looked forward to who I was going to hear from next and loved the build as everything was pieced together culminating in an awesome ending. Not only is there the romance between Balz and Erika happening, but there's also major development happening for the world itself. There's a lot of drama and action, a good amount of emotion, and some really intense scenes.

I have a love-hate relationship with Devina because of the diabolic chaos she creates but she makes for a fantastic villain. I also enjoyed her almost playful relationship with the book, it's a life force of its own. The prologue had me excited about a new evil, which was great, but by the time it was officially out in the world, it felt slightly anticlimactic. I liked Nate’s storyline as well as Rahvyn’s, I love what was being set up for her. I absolutely loved getting more Lassiter and seeing a different side of him, he’s always been a bit of a wild card and I am very much looking forward to his story.

It was everything all together that had me hooked and filled with a sense of urgency to read as fast as possible. I loved all that was learned and what the new evil will bring to the series. I really liked Balthazar and Erika and am happy for their HEA. They aren’t my favorite couple but they had a great story I enjoyed. I did think the front half was a little drawn out as everything was laid out. However, it's the foundation of those details that helped make for a great build. This is definitely a great addition to the series for sure. As a long-time fan, I cannot wait for more. Bring on Lassiter!

Lover Arisen by J R Ward is the 20th book in The Black Dagger Brotherhood series taking place in Caldwell, a hotspot for the paranormal.  Balthazar, one of the brothers, is searching for the Book of Spells to help rid himself of a  demon named Davina.  The search puts him on the radar of a homicide detective named Erika Saunders. Erika is also searching for the book and him as part of an investigation. She knows she's losing time and he has something to do with it. Her dreams spur her on as fate pushes them together. The demon  Davina continues stalking Balthazar in his dreams. Her search for true love drives her. When she discovers his feelings for Erika it leads to an act of vengeance and one of great sacrifice. As all this is going on, a boy named Nate searches out Rahvyn. Going to a club they have a night ending in loss as well. The brotherhood is left reeling and worried about what is to come. 

Ward is amazing at world-building, each of her books expanding and introducing new aspects to the evil-fighting vampire society that lives under the noses of humans.   I loved the characters in this story. Balthazar has many sides that come forward to control the situation he's in. He is tough when situations call for violence. He is kind and tender when gentleness is called for. Erika is tough and resilient, defined by her past yet ready to shut the door on it thanks to Balthazar. Davina is the Marilyn Monroe of Demons lethal and self entitled while demanding true love. The villain you love to hate. Ward is a master at combining the good and the bad, the light and dark. She combines dark situations of despair with renewal and steamy love scenes that provide hope!

>7thDespite Balthazar and Erika being the main characters, there were a lot of other stories going on as well. I felt there wasn't as much focus on the couple as there could have been, the result was their relationship felt rushed. It felt almost like this book was more of a setup for stories to come as so many characters were left with cliffhangers. 

I would give this book 5 out of 5 starts for the exciting plot and well written world and characters. Ward does not disappoint by combining steamy romance with dark paranormal themes.

I would recommend this book to science fiction lovers, fantasy fans, and romance enthusiasts. There is profanity,  violence, and detailed sex scenes that make this book appropriate for adults. I highly recommend reading the other books from the series since there is a lot of backstory missing and much detail about the world and characters built in the series.

I received an ARC copy in return for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley, Galley Books, and publisher Simon and Schuster.

Thank you Net galley and the publisher for giving me a free ARC in exchange for a honest review.

While I have not read all the books in this series yet I still very much enjoyed this book. The story was well thought out and easy to follow for me. I enjoyed the plot and characters throughout the entirety of this book. I am looking forward to reading and finishing all the books in this series!

Rating: 4.5

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars

As with any Black Dagger Brotherhood book, I was drawn in from the very first page even though I haven't read several of the previous books. I was lost on a few characters, but it did not hinder the story in any way.

The story started out fast and had a few slow parts, but you needed them to catch your breath for the next fast-paced part.

As Balthazar hunts for the Book of Spells, he still tries to fight off the demon Devina. While he is drawn to homicide detective Erika Saunders, a human. She wonders what is going on in Caldwell, things can't be explained, and then there are her nightmares that seem so real.

What will Erika do when she realizes what Balthazar is? Can she accept him and his way of life? Will he ever be rid of the demon Devina?

I have been a fan of this series for many years but have not followed it as closely as I should have. This story is all-consuming as any of the Black Dagger Brotherhood books are, you have to finish them as quickly as you can, they are that good, and author J.R. Ward knows how to make the Brotherhood something we, as readers, want more of. I can't wait for more and I will go back and catch up on the ones I have missed.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars

J.R. Ward does an excellent job of world building having created a hidden-in-plain-sight world where vampires live side by side with humans. Only the humans have no idea that vampires really exist and there are things that cannot be explained, so they are chalked up to the supernatural.

In Lover Arisen, the reader is taken on a journey involving Balthazar and his quest to find the Book of Spells. The Brothers as well as the Band of Bastards believe the book was destroyed but Balz knows differently. How else could the hated demon Devina have entered his body?

The police detective Erika Saunders is investigating several unsolved murders and can’t help but believe she’s missing something. However, she is beginning to believe that she is losing her mind with the perpetual headaches and things she cannot recall. The latest murder scene has her reliving her own painful past.

As Devina seeks true love from the Book of Spells, she bargains both with the book and with the fallen angel, Lassiter. True love comes, but what it brings with it is something that she, nor the Brothers, ever expected.

There are many plots interwoven in Balz and Erika’s story that further the world building and leaves the reader wanting answers.

An old enemy is back and seemingly in full power and looking for trouble. A female is lost to time, once more taking the Book of Spells with her; however, we are left to wonder if a fallen angel will follow her.

A few elements of this book seem to be out of place, even for the Black Dagger Brotherhood world, and it took me out of the story for a bit. The romance of Balz and Erika seemed a bit rushed, but there was a lot going on during the days this book covered.

Will I read the next book in the series? Yes, I can’t wait to see what the Brothers are now up against after a brief reprieve from the war with the Lessers. I also wonder if we will see the Scribe Virgin in the next book.


Erica – ☆☆☆
LOVER ARISEN is the 20th installment in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. You absolutely must be current with the series and read in series order, as there was a shift in the series, the world building changing from the first half of the installments, which would lead to confusion for the reader.

To be honest, I'm a fan of Ward's but no longer a die-hard fan of the series itself. I will continue to reread the first 10 books or so, knowing them like the back of my hand. The latter books in the series are a one and done, and sometimes a struggle to wade through at that. Read purely out of nostalgia, and in Lover Arisen's case, it was just that. Nostalgic.

Now on to the review.

Full Stop. There were just too many threads being woven together, too many plots, to the point they all got lost in the wash, so to speak. None of them were fully explored, the knots not necessarily tying together without holes. It was a struggle for me to get through, because with the more going on, the less time I have to connect with the characters and the story.

I liked the homicide detective just fine but that was about it, as I truly didn't know much about Erika. Just surface level emotions, shallow. The same for Balthazar, liked him just fine, what I read about him. There wasn't much there, either in their backstories or their present, with the thinnest of ties in their romance. As what they receive as "their book" was more like a quarter of the pages, if that.

See, this is why I enjoyed the first half of the series more. The main characters were the focus, the continuing threads were secondary. Unless they're a main character across an arc of novels (like Lassiter's love triangle), characters like Erika and Balthazar, their romances are insta-love, forced proximity with no true connection, where a couple is tossed together, a couple that wouldn't be together, never having anything in common, and never balancing each other out. But they're never given the page-time to make that connection, shortchanging both characters and the reader's experience. Erika and Balthazar were no different, they're together because Ward told us so. They're just there, being driven over by the rest of the story for the added romance.

Overshadowing the connection between the main characters – to the point where they aren't truly the main characters, were they? – are two predominant plots. Sure, it all connects, but the main characters are only the passengers. Main characters are supposed to drive, right?

Lassiter is our new Scribe Virgin, which is awesome. Who doesn't love Lassiter? I've enjoyed him since he first stepped onto the pages many, many books ago. I enjoyed his plot. See, that's the thing. Lassiter outshined the meh main characters. Not hard to do when you quite literally shine. So why not just focus on Lassiter, right?

Well, because Lassiter's book is next. Okay. Great. But instead of feeding the next novel, how about we concentrate on Erika and Balthazar then? Sure, we want more Lassiter, but don't outshine. Just makes it feel like filler, padding the excitement for the next novel, totally shortchanging the current couple. Just saying...

Many scene-stealing characters, none of them the supposed main characters. Rahvyn, a power unto herself. Nate. The demon, Devina, is a force to be reckoned with, an enjoyable villainess – a unique and interesting character who spawned the reemergence of a character who I wished was long gone, to the point I doubt I will continue reading the series onward, sticking to my tried and true favorites.

We got rid of this heinous character. There are villains, entertaining villains and bad villains and redeemable villains, and then there is this character of pure evil. I'm not interested to discover if he is reformed or made even more evil, because in my opinion, I was just thankful to never see his name on the pages. Nothing is as creepy as a demon who wants to "love" this creep. Frankly, it triggers me on an emotional level, even seeing his name. This is a line-crosser for me, so I'm outie!

No doubt readers are wishing to know if any of the main brothers are on-scene. Several cameos offering classic Black Dagger Brotherhood banter. V. My man, V gets some page-time. To be honest, we needed more of this humor-laden entertainment, because the mood of the novel was dark. The romance was not strong enough to lighten it. The novel was sorely lacking the usual levity. The WARDen's voice is so distinct, a voice I miss and long to hear more. The spin of the words, making me chuckle unexpectedly, thoroughly entertained, but I felt this novel was missing that spark.

Bottom line: the world building is addictive and original. Many characters are intriguing, but those characters just so happen to NOT be Erika or Balthazar. The romance is ho-hum, the smexy meh, because the romance is just there to cushion what could have turned the novel into more horror than paranormal romance.

J.R. Ward is back with another brilliantly written Black Daggar Brotherhood read. I have been a huge fan of this series since the beginning, and this one gave me all the entertainment that I knew it would. Each character and scenarios were well thought out, and they brought the book to life. Every book in this series just keeps getting better.

Lover Arisen is billed as the twentieth book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, and that isn't counting all the side stories, novella and spin-off series. This world just continues to expand and change. Lover Arisen is a transformational book that takes the reader farther from the original BDB brothers into a world where things are definitely changing. That being said, it's all good. I was immediately engaged in this book.

The main characters in this book are Balthazar, who is searching for a book of spells and Erika, a homicide detective. Both characters were introduced in the previous book in the series. There's the usual back-and-forth, push-and-pull with these two, including the need to protect from Balthazar and the search for truth from Erika. I did like these two together, and as main characters, they were not as strong as some of the couples in the first books in the series. And to be honest, that's a high bar to reach. There's more attention to the action taking place around them, than the romance between Balthazar and Erika. I've learned to expect this in the later books in this series.

There is a new evil in town for the Brothers to deal with in the form of Devina the demon. She really does make a good villain and again, some of her actions reminded me of the early days of the series with some of the horrific actions on the Lesser side. And there's the re-emergence of a character that is sure to have readers in a kerfluffle!

The original Brothers do have some cameos and that is always welcome in this world. They bring relief from the darker, heavier material in this story, and that's a very good thing. They are the heart and soul of this series, and I sit up and take notice when they appear on the pages. Fan favorite Lassiter contributes to this story as well.

I would recommend reading the previous books in the series before tackling this one for maximum enjoyment of the storylines, but there is quite a bit of rehashing and reviewing if you are behind in the series. You can easily catch on to what is going on if you are familiar with the world.

Overall, Lover Arisen is what I expected -- a tense, thrilling ride in the Black Dagger Brotherhood world of Caldwell New York. There were some slow spots at the start but there were also moments of nail biting and excitement in the second half. Told from multiple points of view, the story in this installment just makes this world richer and more interesting as the book progresses. I enjoyed this story and I was very happy to spend time in this world.

I can't get enough of the Brotherhood! I was here for this newest installment to the BDB. Devina is a piece of work. We all know this but man! this book showed more of what she was up to. And let's just say, it's no good! I was completely sucked into this book and didn't want to put it down! I loved the interactions between Erika and Balthazar. Erika had not had an easy life. She was focused on her career. Not relationships. And the chemistry between her and Balz was palpable! I found myself gasping as I read this book. Little surprises kept coming up and I simply ADORED this book. Grab your copy today!

As a long time fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series we all have books that we love and ones that we don't. We know that no matter what we can always count on JR Ward to write a phenomenal story. Lover Arisen is no different. I will admit I was not a fan of the Fallen Angels series, but I can see how the story lines connect. The worst part of this book? Enemies from the past are back, it seems when the Brothers win the war it comes back with a vengeance. I keep waiting for them to catch a break, but it doesn't seem to happen. As new characters are introduced I always wonder if I am going to like them, but JR Ward never disappoints. I really enjoyed Balthazar and Erika's story and I cannot wait to see what the Warden has in store for us next.

Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and ARC provided by Gallery Books for this eArc! You will find my unbiased review below.

Lover Arisen by J.R. Ward is Paranormal Romance and the next book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series. Definitely recommend reading the previous book - Lover Unveiled- before reading this one.

After the scene with our old friend, the Omega, I found the first 30% of the book hard to get excited about. And WOW wasn’t expecting the Omega to do what he did! It is definitely dark with our leading female character, Erika. I was reading those moments just to get to when our main characters meet. But her traumatic background is very dark and we see her still struggle with the memories. However, she is finding that in the most recent events of her life, her memories aren’t adding. Which she does what any detective would do- retrace her steps and look through evidence that may have a hint to what she’s missing.

We have Balthazar, who is possessed with the demon Devina and responsible for Erika’s me memory loss. He wants The demon out of his body and to protect Erika but being around Erika just puts her in danger. Devina is obsessed with finding her true love to the point where she doesn’t care if the other party feels the same way. Not to mention she has the ole powerful book in her possession. Devina is a character we are supposed to hate and I’m truly disgusted with what she forces men to do with her but…there was some moments where I couldn’t help but laugh at something she thought or did. They were always very small details.

I think the characters that drew my attention the most was Rahven and Lassiter. Starcrossed lovers? Bittersweet? I just need their book and hoping it is in the works. Most of the time I read this book I kept wanting their POVs more than the main characters. My heart went out to Lassiter so I’m really hoping he gets a better future.

Rating: 3

I will be positing my review on Goodreads, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and my Instagram - ARC Mini Reviews

4.5 stars--LOVER ARISEN is the twentieth instalment in JR Ward’s contemporary, adult BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD paranormal, romance series focusing on the elite group of vampire warriors known as the Black Dagger Brotherhood. This is Band of B&stards warrior Balthazar, son of Hanst, and Caldwell New York homicide detective Erika Saunders’ story line. LOVER ARISEN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order or the previous book Lover Unveiled where Balz and Erika’s story begins. As per JR Ward’s style of writing, LOVER ARISEN follows several intersecting paths including the beginning or ending for another story line couple.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise including memories of violence and death, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers. If you have not read book 19, Lover Unveiled, there may be spoilers in my review.

Told from numerous third person perspectives including Balthazar and Erika, following several paths, LOVER ARISEN continues to focus on the take down of the demon Devina, and the search for the location of an ancient tome, the Book of Spells. Balthazar is desperate to rid himself of the demon known as Devina, a demon who has taken possession of our story line hero in the wake of our hero’s last robbery and theft. Balthazar is desperate to locate the Book of Spells in the hopes of uncovering the how and why of his current predicament but a trip to a local bookstore has Balthazar, once again, coming face to face with the woman that calls to his heart, a woman who has seen more than anyone could have ever imagined. Enter Caldwell homicide detective Erika Saunders, and the woman/female with whom Balthazar will fall in love but not before Balz sacrifices himself to stop the insanity of Devina’s possession. What ensues is the building relationship between Balthazar and Erika; the return of an old enemy 2.0; and the relinquishment of love and a happily ever after for someone else.

Homicide detective Erika Saunders knows there is something else going on in Caldwell New York, something ‘other’, something not easily explained or understood, and meeting Balthazar our heroine knows immediately he is the answer to her questions. Falling for Balthazar means being pulled into a life she knows nothing about but a life that has experienced the devastation and horrific atrocities of monsters and demons. Hoping to eradicate the demon Devina from his life and his mind, Balthazar goes on a quest to uncover the truth but desperation calls for a violent end, an end to the possibility of his own future and love.

Nate, the adopted son of Muhrder and Sarah has fallen for the young vampire female Rahvyn but a night on the town ends in disaster, and Nate hangs between the precipice of life and the Fade. Female vampire Rahvyn aka Elyn, struggles with her powers, powers that are beyond that of anyone who has come before but with her powers comes the control between life and death, and in this, Rahvyn battles between head and heart knowing to use her powers, means someone else’s choice has been taken away. Nate isn’t the only being to have fallen in love with Rahvyn but to save someone means to sacrifice someone else.

The relationship between Balthazar and Erika begins in Lover Unveiled where Balthazar has had to wipe the memories of our story line heroine. Erika is struggling to remember recent events, a black void where several hours has gone missing. Literally running into Balthazar triggers something within Erika Saunders, a trigger wherein she knows Balthazar has something to do with the missing time. Balthazar knows that Erika is his mate but his life is no longer under his control.In an effort to protect the people he loves, Balz finds solace with our story line heroine, a solace that may be short lived in the face of his position with the Black Dagger Brotherhood. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Several of the Brothers make cameo appearances including Wrath, V, Butch, Rhage, and Tohr, while others by mention or recall; Jane, Manny, BDB doggen Fritz; and our beloved Fallen Angel aka Scribe Virgin Lassiter. We are introduced to Erika’s partner Detective Treyvon Abscott. Lassiter’s story line is next….yay !

LOVER ARISEN is the beginning of a new series arc for the Black Dagger Brotherhood. It is the story of family and relationships, betrayal and vengeance, love and acceptance, sacrifice and hope. The character driven premise is detailed, complex and captivating; the romance is fated and seductive; the characters are energetic, powerful and engaging.



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As a long time reader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, this newest addition did not disappoint! My favorite thing about JR Ward is that we get amazing plot AND spice 🤤🤤. Even 20plus books deep, the story has never felt stale and I love being introduced to new characters. I will admit I must have missed a book because there were certain things that I felt I should know but I didn’t so double check that you’re all caught up! But even with that, I was able to follow the story.

My fave part of this book was actually Balthazar! I think he might be my favorite of them all! I love how he was so willing to just move out the mansion and he wasn’t afraid to say how he felt to Erika. The Black Dagger Brotherhood has been a consistent favorite of mine throughout the years and Lover Arisen did not disappoint.

4.5 stars

Lover Arisen is book TWENTY of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, yup Twenty and it embodied everything that I love in a J.R Ward book- twists and turns, the bonds of the brotherhood, supernatural powers, a completely gone for the heroine vampire and at least one danger bang.

Lover Arisen gave me OG BDB vibes in the return of a much hated character, the balance of good and evil, a strong heroine in police detective with a tragic past, Erika, and possessed by a demon, Balthazar. While they try to find the Book that could have a spell to free Balthazar they fight the shadow forces of demon Devina, almost die, Lassiter saves the day and they fall in love.

Lover Arisen started off with a cringey moment that made sense later, meandered around for a bit, took a turn I did not see coming and then ran full speed to end making me curse the Warden for making me wait until 2023 for the next book. While Balthazar and Erika are the main characters, the other plots of the love triangle between Nate/ Rahvyn/ Lassiter play a huge role here, as well as Devina, the return of the ultimate baddie and the Book.

I really loved Erika and Balthazar’s love story. Erika has such a horrible tragedy when she was sixteen, it changed her and Balthazar allowed her to see it with a different lens giving her a bit of peace. His story of thieving to help others, his obsession with Erika and willingness to compromise to have her in his life was completely swoon worthy.

I loved the cameos of our other Brothers, Butch, V, Wrath, even Manny and Fritz. The way that Ward weaved the storylines together kept me locked in wondering what could happen next. She keeps me coming back for more! It’s definitely setting up for Lassiter’s book in 2023 and I can’t wait, especially after everything he went thru here. He is always sacrificing himself for the brothers, the species and this one was especially heartbreaking.

For me this series never gets old. I feel like Lover Arisen left me with so many questions! How powerful is Rahvyn? What can actually kill Devina? Does she really deserve love or can she just die??? With the return of He Who Won’t Be Named is that a pivot? Poor Nate, how is he going to fit in here?????

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own. Lover Arisen publishes April 5, 2022.

I was so excited when I got approved on Netgalley for an eArc of the new book in one of my favorite series. I'm in love with the sexy vampires of The Black Dagger Brotherhood, and I can't get enough of them.

This is book #20 in the series, and unfortunately it cannot be read as a standalone. As a long-time reader of this series, I love the backstory woven in, and I love getting to see my favorite characters again. The first books in the series are my favorite, but I'm still enjoying the series overall.

The book ends on a cliffhanger, so I'm excited to know there's more Black Dagger Brotherhood in my future!

Balthazar is still searching for the Book of Spells and along the way he has found himself attracted to a women. The woman in question is not only human but a detective as well. He never thought he would have this type of feeling for anyone but here is and not quite sure what to do about the situation. Erika Saunders is the woman in question. She finds herself investigating bodies that have been mutilated. Erika knows that something supernatural mist be responsible for her new case but needs to find a starting point in figuring out what's going on. During the investigation Balthazar and Erika are brought together. Now they must go on a journey to try and save the Brotherhood but will it take everything they are to do so? I love this series and it has only gotten better with each new read. The author brings her world to life with just a few words and draws you in immediately. I look forward to seeing what adventure she takes me on next.

I recently binged two spin off books from the BDB world in order to catch up for Lover Arisen. I had a hard time settling into those books, but remembered instantly why the BDB series books are just so good. This story of Balthazar and Erika was page turning and right in the middle of all of the regular main BDB action. It was the full on regular series story that I needed in my life. The continuing battle between good and evil, light and dark was easy to sink back into. ( I am not a fan of the Devina plot arc, but am interested to see where it goes) The twists and turns with new and returning characters are what keeps me coming back for more and when we get that Lassiter book, I think it will take all of our hearts.

Hilarious and pensive and smoking hot! My intro to this (new-to-me) vampire world was a wild and rollicking ride!

Jumping into the middle of a series like this without reading all the books that have come before it is like suddenly being invited to the party with all cool kids. You may not know all backstories yet, but the party is fun because the characters are interesting and introduce themselves and invite you to come along with everything they have.

Erika and Balthasar are #couplegoals. These two are everything you want them to be and more.

4 stars - It was really good

Balthazar has been possessed by the demon Devina and is determined to find her Book of Spells in the hopes it will save him. What he doesn’t expect is to find himself falling for a homicide detective.

I really enjoyed Balthazar’s story. He may be a thief but he does have a moral code he lives by. Erika Saunder’s is a good homicide detective who has used her painful past to push her to help others. She was a tough woman who struggles to let anyone in or allow herself to become comfortable anywhere. These two were total opposites but worked wonderfully together. I really enjoyed their relationship, especially how Balthazar helped Erika overcome the trauma of her family’s death and her body image.

Devina unleashes an old enemy in this one in the hopes of finding her true love. I am really glad I reread the Fallen Angel series before reading this book, even if I didn’t love it, because it gave me a better understanding of Devina. She definitely is the embodiment of evil and I am really interested in seeing what is going to happen with her in the next book.

Lassiter also plays a pretty big role in this book, even if he doesn’t get a lot of page time. Lassiter is my absolute favorite character in this series and I love the character development he has had. I was very heartbroken for him in this though when you realize what he sacrifices. I do hope we get a whole book dedicated to him in the future.

Rahvyn is a relatively new character and I am fascinated by her abilities. I am very interested in seeing what she does in the future, especially after her actions in this book. V is the other main brother in this story. I liked that he seems to have figured his shit out and is more stable now compared to previous books. I also enjoyed the brief glimpses we get of the other brothers in this, even if they were pretty brief.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. After twenty books I really thought this series couldn’t get more exciting but this book really brings a whole new danger to the world. I can’t wait to see how this storyline goes.

Trigger Warnings: Heroines family was brutally murdered by her ex. Graphic deaths described.

J. R. Ward. Need I say more?
I'm just kidding.
I have loved the Black Dagger Brotherhood series since I was a freshman in college and, to this day, am utterly mesmerized at how well the author is able to flush out her characters so flawlessly. The romance in this book was HOT. The action scenes were beautifully portrayed and being able to see old characters again was a definite plus. 10/10 would recommend!