LOVER AVENGED
by J.R. Ward
Published by Signet Eclipse
April 2009

J.R. WARD’S BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD novels have introduced readers to a “different, creative, dark, violent, and flat-out amazing”* world.

Now, as the vampire warriors defend their race against their slayers, one male’s loyalty to the Brotherhood will be tested- and his dangerous mixed blood revealed.

*All About Romance

Caldwell, NY, has long been the battleground for the battleground for the vampires and their enemies, the Lessening Society. It’s also where Rehvenge has staked out his turf as a drug lord and notorious nightclub that caters to the rich and heavily armed. His shadowy reputation is exactly why he’s approached to kill Wrath, the Blind King, and leader of the Brotherhood. Rehvenge has always kept his distance from the Brotherhood, even though his sister is married to a member. Because he’s a sympath, his identity is a deadly secret- the revelation of which will result in his banishment to a colony for sociopaths. And as plots within and outside the Brotherhood take their toll against Rehvenge, he turns to the only source of light in a darkening world- Elhena, a vampire untouched by the corruption that has its hold on him- and the only thing standing between him and eternal destruction.

http://www.jrward.com

My man Rehvenge certainly has some good phone skills! He can call me anytime

I never like Rhev until this book. I just couldn't relate to him at all but now, I understand him so much better and gained an appreciation that carries through to the next book. He did try to do right by his Mahem and Bella didn't he.

Rev... His story is one of my faves! He was always such a mystery before. There was this presence, but also a lot of ?'s about him.

I adore Ehlena. Introduced as an unamed female nurse in Haver's clinic during LEn, her character, strength, sense of responsibility & sexiness makes her one of my fave shellan's of the BDB series.

I wasn't quite sure why Rev did allow Trez, iAm, Xhex help take out the Princess? Also, would you say that Rev was attracted to the Princess? I couldn't quite understand their encounters. If he knew that he would be poisoned, and was being blackmailed, why would he play her games. He had almost w/a murderous hate for her. It was a relationship that I can't get my head aroudn.

There is sometimes a strong sexual connection between hate and passion. I think Rhev hated the princess and the fuel of that hatred was so strong that it was a turn on. I totally get the blackmail because there was so much at stake with his mother's role in the Glymera. I mean really, what would they think if they knew her son was part sympath...

Sympath...I am still unclear about that. Just started V, does J R go into it more???

Yes; there's a little more in V's story, and definitely more in Rev's book, (Lover Avenged).

I had a hard time wrapping my head around the sympath/vamp part of Rev's being. Why didn't he let his vamp side lead w/the relationship he shared w/Ehlena? He seemed OK in having his bonding scent on her. Why wouldn't he want to let himself go in that case? Did he feel that this would make it too difficult? I mean, I thought he was happy that they could be a couple. I know that he felt he was being considerate obliterating her # from her cell phone; however, she called him I thought that he was all about having her a part of his live. Why not make this a part of their relationship?

[quote="Chickie]..... Also, would you say that Rev was attracted to the Princess? I couldn't quite understand their encounters. If he knew that he would be poisoned, and was being blackmailed, why would he play her games. He had almost w/a murderous hate for her. It was a relationship that I can't get my head aroudn. [/quote]

I guess I looked at the reason he played her games was that he wanted to "win" He kept saying that Sympaths rely on mental not physical strenth. So I took it that he kept going along with her games to try and beat her.. think of the time he threw the bag of jewels (or was it gold) and it fell on the floor.. how they each tried to force the other to pick up that bag. It was important for both that the other be the one that finally picked it up.
I also think that he felt stuck.. his Uncle was in charge of the colony, the Princess had all that information on him.. not just about his being a sympath but also about his father.. he wanted to keep his mother and his sister safe and keep Xhex and himself out of the colony. The Princess had a lot of dirt about him.

I can't quite picture what a sympath looks like. I keep trying to picture 3 knuckled fingers and the mesh body suit thing she wore.

Chickie, I don't think he could just choose which side of his heritage to pay attention to, it wasn't something he could just choose. They were both equally strong parts of him and both sides struggled for domination. He couldn't just turn off the Sympath side and more than we can change our race or eye color.

But, can't he be both w/Ehlena?

Well, he can but the Sympath side is very manipulative and I don't think he wants to be that way with her. I think they all see Sympath's as evil and she brings out the parts of him that want to be good. IMO

But, @ the end, he is going to stay w/her. Is it bc he has sees taht bc of being in love w/Ehlena has his vamp side win, or be the strong side ~ that he can control his sympath part?

Also, will Rev still have to take Dopamine?

In reading the BDB books, I find that all the characters have very attractive qualities; some a little bit more than others. Z is mine...I mean my favorite. But Rev, he is a very close second. His nature is quite giving, caring, generous, and so humble.

I like to think that she can help him learn to control the Sympth side but it will always be a part of him.

Just finished this book, and yep like the others I couldn't put it down.

So many changes in his body took place because of Elhena. He got an erection and was able to have ann orgasm with her, unless I am wrong, he didn't think that was possible. Also, at one point Rev was able to see clearly, not red, because he was with her.
I think Elhena will be able to help him control, without the Dopamine, his Sympath side. Much like Mary does the Dragon.

Also, this books goes in Wrath's blindness a lot.
I was thinking, maybe it a mental problem, because what he saw the lessers do to his parents, something subconscious that he his doing to himself?
When he started fighting again, lying to Beth and his Brothers, it became more pronounced again. Could it be a guilt thing, because W has a hard time forgiving himself?