A race of elite warrior vampires exists, fighting against the Lessening Society and the ultimate evil... the Omega. Phury is one of those elite warriors, a member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. 

Phury is in a dilemma. He assumed the role of the Primale, the male willing to father children with the Chosen females, in order to help Vishous. Cormia is his First Mate and yet Phury finds himself reluctant, perhaps even unable, to go forward in the role of Primale. Is Cormia with him willingly or only as the rules of the Chosen dictate? Phury isn't sure he's willing to mate with anyone other than Cormia and yet the future of the entire race is at stake. Meanwhile, his addiction is threatening everything that Phury holds dear.... while the war with the Lessening Society takes a deadly, potentially disastrous turn.

OH MY GOODNESS! LOVER ENSHRINED is a book that requires you to stop everything, no matter what, and read it immediately. Without a doubt, this is the sort of book you must call in sick to work if necessary, just to finish it and see where it goes. I admit, I'm one of those folks who tend to peek at endings but the storyline is so complex that peeking just doesn't work! 

LOVER ENSHRINED is the sixth book in this phenomenal series. It is not a stand alone story as there are numerous threads running throughout the series that only by reading the books in order, will it all make sense.

One of the beautiful things about any J R Ward story is the sheer complexity of the relationships. Her characters never have an easy road ahead of them and surprises, even painful ones, are sometimes in store for them. LOVER ENSHRINED has so many twists and turns that it is impossible to even hint at what is going on without revealing major spoilers but let's just say that on page 262, my heart practically stopped. Numerous characters face obstacles in LOVER ENSHRINED that seem insurmountable but never fear, J R Ward doesn't let down her readers and every single emotional, gut wrenching moment is truly worth it as the thoroughly satisfying ending is reached.

Phury is a character I was worried about as far as his storyline. Vishous' story had ventured into areas that made me a bit uncomfortable and Phury hadn't yet dealt with all that happened to his twin, Zsadist. Add to this Phury’s growing addiction, and I was a bit nervous when starting LOVER ENSHRINED. J R Ward handled it marvelously, however, as Phury's story is perhaps the best I've ever read with an addict as the main character. J R Ward's sensitivity coupled with a good dose of realism, made Phury's story quite powerful and the conclusion ever so redeeming.

Reviewed by Debbie

Rating:

Posted June 2008