REVIEW: Lover Arisen by J.R. Ward

In Lover Arisen (Black Dagger Brotherhood #20) by J.R. Ward, Since a freak incident around Christmastime, Balthazar has been possessed by the demon Devina. And he’s been trying to find a way to rid himself of her ever since. The answer seems to be the Book of Spells, which no one can locate. Because the demon takes over while he’s sleeping, Balz is running on no rest and has very little patience for pretty much anything–except homicide detective Erika Saunders. Each time he encounters the human, he feels a pull, a connection to her that he should try to ignore. But as their paths cross again and again, Balz gives in when it’s clear Erika is strong enough to handle his world. At the same time, though, forces work to keep them apart, making him wonder if it will only bring one or both of them harm if they remain together.

‘She was literally overriding her own survival reflex…just to try to save him, a degenerate thief of a vampire. He didn’t even try to stop himself. He pulled her against him and held on to her.’

Erika has long since known that there is true evil in the world, given her horrific past. But she didn’t know that it’s more than just humans who are the cause. When handsome and intimidating thief Balthazar enters the picture, she finds out first hand that there’s a whole other side to Caldwell–and that it explains many of the things Erika has always wondered about. Thankfully she’s not one to back down from a fight. Because that’s exactly what she and Balz must do to not only save themselves, but to save his Brothers when the demon who possesses him decides to throw a hissy fit. And with another dangerous foe in the picture now as well, Erika enters into the mele to work with a race of vampires to overcome the new threat.

‘She’d never felt like all parts of her were accepted before. Right as they were. And the irony was real. All it had taken…was a member of another species.’

Lover Arisen was another wild ride in J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood, filled with sacrifice, epic changes, true love found then potentially lost, and fierce loyalty.

“How can I protect you,” he said into the wind, “when you can’t even know me.”

Trigger warning: View Spoiler »Murder, suicide & suicidal thoughts, sexual assault, drug use. « Hide Spoiler

You probably know by now that any specifics about the actual storyline I try to include will be a spoiler, as with all of the other installments in the BDB books. What I can safely say is that even though there wasn’t a lot of loss in Lover Arisen, there were many heavy, profoundly sad moments. But…there was also hope as well as some good things that happened in their world. And it seemed like after starting on a somber note, as the story meandered and took its time building up, about halfway through everything seemed to happen at once. Which of course made this an exciting page turner at that point.

As for the main characters Ward focused on this time, steel-willed homicide detective Erika and long time member of the Band of Bastards, Balthazar, were the focus. We also got to spend a lot of time with the demon Devina (boo!), Vishous, Nate, Rahvyn, and Lassiter (yay!). And oh the changes Lover Arisen brought to all of their lives. Ward definitely put each of them through their paces, making every victory hard-won and every set back that much more tough to overcome. But this definitely set the stage for Lassiter’s book (finally!) in 2023. I cannot imagine how he’s going to move forward after a life-changing decision Lash had to make towards the end of this story. *sniffle*

QOTD: Do you believe in soul mates? And if so, do you think someone can have more than one in a lifetime?

Book Info:

Publication: Expected publication: April 5th 2022 | Gallery Books | Black Dagger Brotherhood #20

True love brings a deadly threat to the Black Dagger Brotherhood in this sizzling new novel in J.R. Ward’s number one New York Times best-selling series.

Possessed by the demon Devina, Balthazar is once again on the hunt for the Book of Spells — and fighting an undeniable attraction to a woman. As a thief, he has stolen a lot of things…but he never thought his heart would be taken by another. Especially not a human.

As a homicide detective, Erika Saunders knows there is something otherworldly going on in Caldwell, New York. Mutilated bodies that cannot be explained are all over her case list — and then there are her nightmares in which she’s hunted by shadows and captivated by a mysterious man who is both a suspect and a savior.

When Devina’s wish for true love is finally granted, Balthazar and Erika unwittingly become the gateway for the rebirth of an old enemy of the Brothers. Will the very thing that brings them together lead to the ultimate destruction of the Brotherhood? Or will they have to lose everything in order to save the race’s most sacred defenders?