Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward

Title: Lover Enshrined
Author: J.R. Ward
Info: Website | Facebook
Release Date: June 3rd, 2008
Publisher: Signet
Pages: 534
Format: Paperback
Acquired: Bought
Interest: Series
Others in the Series: Dark Lover, Lover Eternal, Lover Awakened, Lover Revealed, & Lover Unbound
Age Group: Adult

Fiercely loyal to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of the race, becoming the male responsible for keeping the Brotherhood's bloodlines alive. As Primale of the Chosen, he is obligated to father the sons and daughters who will ensure that the traditions of the race survive, and that there are warriors to fight those who want all vampires extinguished.

As his first mate, the Chosen Cormia wants to win not only his body, but his heart for herself. She is drawn to the noble responsibility behind the emotionally scarred male. But Phury has never allowed himself to know pleasure or joy. As the war with the Lessening Society grows grim, tragedy looms over the Brotherhood's mansion, and Phury must decide between duty and love..

I am really not sure how I feel about this book or even if the rating should be as it is. I have become emotionally invested into this series at this point and I find myself close to each and every Brother. Most I know their secrets - even those that aren't the center point to the story - and I understand where they come from.

Phury, I think, was probably the most emotionally scarred that I have ever come across. He takes on such responsibility on his shoulders that its no wonder he turns to drugs repeatedly throughout the book series. I can't even imagine why he would do such a thing to himself, but when getting into his head, one sees this internal battle that's fought. His brother had been taken from his family, he was accused of being a curse, his family completely fell apart, and the list snowballs out of control from there. And there's that little voice that commands his every action; I am shocked he hadn't lost his mind. 

I wanted to cry in the moment when Phury and Z had a heart-to-heart. When one works so hard to keep life as clean as possible for the other, when one gives and gives, and suddenly they see themselves at the edge of a cliff. Phury gives and gives, and now he has left nothing for himself. 

At first I was angry at Ward's fate for Phury, but not as angry as I should have been because I think it was a sign that most people were dodging up until it came up. 

And like the rest of Ward's books, this one has multiple story lines. Lash's true self has been revealed, John and his friend's have their own drama, which in turn has a lot of drama for the elite vampire society, which has another drama and on and on it goes. The story has truly become complex and to some extent I was feeling like I was reading more about the others than I was about Phury. I mean, Ward, I love to see what you have planned for future books, but can we focus on the one that this one was intended for, please? 

Ward has stated that she doesn't know how many books will come out of this series, so as we get more and more dramas popping out you can for sure count on each minor character in those tales getting their own book...eventually. 

And I don't want to give out any spoilers, but something big takes place. Well, several something bigs, but one of them I think fans of the series will really like.