The Savior by J.R. Ward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Savior progressed slowly following Dr. Sarah Watkins, a biomedical research scientist. However, when it came to the ex-brother Murhder, I could not get enough! I couldn't put the book down. His name screams Old World when names were stereotypical of the warrior, like Wrath, Tohrment, Vicious, Rhage, you get the point. Murhder loses his mind after being tortured in a Symphath colony and is no longer accepted as a member of the Brotherhood. It is a long story but Xhex used to be his lover. He is the only one who has ever been kicked out of the Black Dagger Brotherhood too. We learn later that he was misunderstood and judged unfairly. He spent 20 years in isolation because of it. From reading the book I didn't get the impression he was crazy either. I did sense the other brothers' anger towards him which I didn't think was right. They weren't being very nice to him especially Tohr and V. The only one who believed Murhder should come back and fight as a brother again was John Matthew who Murhder incidentally thought was Darius. I guess they always had a good relationship. I am so happy about how everything turned out for these two. Back to the story... Murhder is on a mission to save a female vampire and find and return her son who was taken away from her. Meanwhile, her son Natelum is being tested in a human lab and is on the verge of his transition into an adult vampire. He will die if he doesn't get the proper treatment from a chosen. Dr. Sarah Watkins is appauled over the secrets and torture treatments being done in the biomedical firm. After her fiancee dies unexpectedly, she sneaks into the facility and plans to take the young boy away from there. She is the first to rescue him before Murhder John and Xhex unexpectedly arrive to save the day. Sarah just gets swept away down a rabbit hole. When one thing leads to another, doing the right thing means that Murhder has to wipe Sarah's memories of everything she knows about the Vampire world, even if it means losing her. As an independent male and free from the rules of the BDB, he asserts himself on occasion but I am still not convinced he is crazy cause he doesn't act it. He seems like he has his shit together when it comes to Sarah Watkins. I guess she brings out the good in him *shrugs Her accepting attitude of the existence of vampires make her job easier and she quickly assumes her role as doctor and works with Manny. Ehlena and Dr. Jane to help them find a cure for a blood anomaly. When John Matthew is bitten by a dark shadow thing, her research prompts her to test out a new theory that might help save him from dying. Murhder volunteers to try it first. It works! Nate has successfully transitioned but his role is not defined fully so he is swept under the rug until further notice :p I am extremely satisfied for reading about my favourite vampires in The Savior.

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It has been a long while since I read a BDB book, and I remember why, J.R. Ward likes to jump around in her plots; so many things going on that it makes for an exhausting read. It was enjoyable, but don’t expect to be able sit back and relax and enjoy an easy read. This one was intense, SO much was going on, the passion was good, the action was strong, and it was nice seeing all the characters again. V is on a bad path in this one and shame on him for not being happy with Jane and their relationship. From reviews of the next one, The Thief, that I have read, I have heard it is a lot about them and V’s possible choices he decides to make. Not sure I’m ready for it. Layla and Quinn and Blay have a lot to deal with in this one and I did really enjoy their scenes. There are also a few shocking, but good, surprises in this installment. Overall, not my favorite in the franchise, but not the worst either. It is a good read. If you have been following along with the BDB series, this is a good one and you shouldn't be disappointed--just go into it expecting all of the different plots. If you haven’t, I do recommend giving it a try if you like high intensity vampire romances, just prepare yourself for Wards writing style-too many plots going on at the same time. Blay and Quinn's book is still my absolute favorite in the series.

Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 17

I Picked Up This Book Because: Major fan of the series

The Characters:

Murhder:
Sarah Watkins:
John Matthew:
Xhex:
Tor, Beth, Nate

The Story:

Sooo much to say. I’m going to try and keep it short for a variety of reasons. Fist thing I’m so happy to see so much of John Matthew in this book. I knew the book was about Murhder but had not gone any further because I knew I would read it no matter who it was about. Murhder was not a character I really cared about when the book started but I love him now and I’m glad he has rejoined the fold. There is so much more gushing I could do because this story was excellent but quite frankly I’m too lazy. If you’re a fan of the series you’ll love it.

The Random Thoughts:



The Score Card:



4 Stars

I don't know what to say other than I enjoyed the book and I impatiently await the next installment.

This was so sweet. I am so impressed that being novella length it was able tell a complete and satisfying story. So emotional. Great addition to series.