Smut Fanatics: Laura’s Review of Blood Kiss (Black Dagger Legacy, #1) by J.R. Ward

Synopsis

The legacy of the Black Dagger Brotherhood continues in a spin-off series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author…

Paradise, blooded daughter of the king’s First Advisor, is ready to break free from the restrictive life of an aristocratic female. Her strategy? Join the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training center program and learn to fight for herself, think for herself…be herself. It’s a good plan, until everything goes wrong. The schooling is unfathomably difficult, the other recruits feel more like enemies than allies, and it’s very clear that the Brother in charge, Butch O’Neal, a.k.a. the Dhestroyer, is having serious problems in his own life.

And that’s before she falls in love with a fellow classmate. Craeg, a common civilian, is nothing her father would ever want for her, but everything she could ask for in a male. As an act of violence threatens to tear apart the entire program, and the erotic pull between them grows irresistible, Paradise is tested in ways she never anticipated—and left wondering whether she’s strong enough to claim her own power…on the field, and off.

Paradise

What I Loved

Craeg

Each time I begin a Black Dagger book I realize how much I miss and love these characters and this book was no different. I cannot get enough of these dudes and the more I get the more I want! It’s so great to see a new generation of vampires getting into the fight against the Omega and the Lessers while at the same time still getting the originals thrown into the mix.

It was so wonderful to see Butch and Marissa making a life for themselves and visit their relationship again. Marissa’s story captivated me from the very first book and I immediately wanted her to have a happy ending so it was great to see her love for Butch grow into a relationship. Meeting these two again farther down the road made this story all the more endearing.

Butch

Also, I love that we get to see this new generation of fighters being introduced and them having their own stories and lives. Paradise was someone I liked from the Black Dagger Brotherhood series so it was great for her story to be the first one in this spin off series. Craeg and Paradise’s chemistry was evident the very first time they lay eyes on each other and I loved watching them fall in love. I especially loved that Paradise was the strong female in this situation who stepped in physically as well as emotionally when everyone around her didn’t think she would succeed.

Not So Much

Marissa

I really have no complaints about this book, J.R. Ward does such an amazing job at painting this fantasy world filled with love, families and traditions. All of those details and back stories just add more and more to the story rather than take away from it. My only complaint is that I need to find out what is going to happen with Assail and Marisol. I need more Assail in my life and he isn’t in this story at all.

To Sum It All Up!

Overall J.R. Ward has created another beautiful story while at the same time introducing us to a new generation of fighters. Paradise is a character that is easy to relate to even if she’s a vampire and part of the aristocracy. The challenges thrown at her she faces each with bravery and strength and that’s what I admired most about her. She proves over and over again why she is a force to be reckon with and I can’t wait to see how she blossoms in this new role in her life. Craeg is an intriguing character from the very beginning and it was cute to watch him stumble through his feelings for this new female in his life. I love that Paradise was the one to put him in his place and stood up to him time and time again. Of course he is the knight in shining armor at the end which just made me love him even more. The chemistry between these two sizzles and the underneath the sheets scenes were pretty hot and steamy which I loved.

Also it was wonderful to see Marissa and Butch re-establish their relationship coming out at the end stronger from where they started. Like I said before I really liked Marissa from the very beginning so to see her become stronger and find her place in this world makes her experiences all the more appealing. I love that it’s not just Paradise who took on a strong female lead, Marissa does as well. The love between Butch and Marissa is apparent from the very beginning and it just grows as the story moves along. I can’t wait for The Beast which is the next book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and for whatever story comes out next in this series. The brotherhood has a special place in my heart and each book just solidifies that for me more and more.

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