Katie(babs), Kristie(j)’s co-blogger over at Ramblings on Romance, Etc…posted an Exclusive review of Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward today.
The last book I read in this series was Butch’s, and I decided from there I was done. Although I think Ward’s writing style is wonderful, I’m extremely anal about an author staying true to her world and the rules she set up for it. In my opinion, Ward failed to do that. She set up certain rules and then broke them, giving contrived – and often ridiculous – reasons for doing so. Although I may be the minority, things like that drive me insane and I found I couldn’t continue with the series.
However, I did find it fascinating that KB said:
The romance here is more of a subplot if anything else and Phury and Cormia‘s relationship is the weakest storyline. I have lead myself to believe that Ward is slowly moving away from the romance umbrella and moving toward the Urban Fantasy genre, with romantic undertones. Ward is now at a crossroads with her series and with Lover Enshrined her readers have a decision to make. Her hardcore fans will most likely stick to the very end. The other circle of readers will become casualties because after Lover Enshrined, some will not want to continue on.
In any case, you can read the full review here. I have no idea what the spoiler content is as KB didn’t mention it in her review and I haven’t read the book. I do know, however, that it was no secret that Cormia and Phury were mated, as JRW posted the mating ceremony on her message board several months ago.
This book is available from Signet June 3, 2008. You can pre-order it here.
Holly, my understanding is that there are virtually no spoilers in katie(babs) review–I asked, ’cause I’m one of those souls who breaks into hives from spoilage 😀
I will get Lover Enshrined, because I want to know what happens next, but once she moves to hardcover I’ll wait until the paperback–if I am still reading, that is–because as much as I enjoy the crack, it’s not worth hardcover price to me.
And like you, I’m curious what will happen with the die-hard romance fans portion of Ward’s Brotherhood readers.
I’m with AL. I’m only getting it to know what happens next but I don’t really care about Phury and Cormia.
I agree with you Holly, about how crucial it is for authors to stick to the rules of their world–especially in paranormal romance or urban fantasy. But this series is so damn addictive, I can’t help but want to keep reading it. I guess I’m already way too emotionally vested in the characters and their world to ever give it up.
There is something that happens in the prologue of Lover Enshrined that made me go “What?!! Since when could that happen?!!” Whatever. Maybe its not such a big deal as far as its impact to the plot (I’m still reading) but yeah… it irks me. I’ll be curious to hear what other readers think of that…
I think it’s more that you never got truly addicted, Rowena 😉
I’m getting cured fast, though, because for the internal consistency is paramount. What Christine just posted about a prologue wherein world rules are broken is just speeding the process up (which started with LU–and not even the V/Jane BS)
I commented over at Ramblings that because the series started out romantic, I can’t see continuing with the series myself if the romance is drowned out. I’ll keep comparing the books to the priors ones and find them lacking. Sad for me. Another auto-buy author hits the skids.
CindyS
I’m not so sure if its a world rule that got broken or just a rule that was never established before. But if it was already in existence, I’m surprised it wasn’t used before BOOK SIX! :s
AL, thanks for clearing that up. I didn’t want to say it was spoiler free if it wasn’t. 🙂
Christine,
I really can’t stand it when an author doesn’t stay true to her world, and if it happened in the PROLOGUE?? The book would have been ruined for me right from the get go.
Ween,
I’m so with you, girl. ;0)
You know, I stopped reading this series after Z’s book and I’m not at all sorry that I did so…nothing I’ve read of the books after Z’s has made me even remotely curious to read on so I guess I already made my decision, huh?
Thanks for the shot out Holly 🙂 You guys are too nice for words.
I think you meant Lover Unbound not Lover Revealed about Jane and V.
And just wait till you read the Prologue in Lover Enshrined. Heh heh heh.
Oh, yeah, I meant one of those “Lover” books. LOL
Well, honestly, I doubt I’ll read it. I’ll just wait until someone I know has read it *hinthint* and then make them tell me the entire thing so I don’t have to bother.
Do you have my email address, KB? Just curious…LOL
Holly:
Here a special tidbit of info I didn’t mention in my review:
Boo the cat is around a lot.