Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....
Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.
Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one.
Review:
Let's face it, J.R. Ward is simply brilliant. After I read the first chapter of Dark Lover (#1) I was addicted. Now I've finally got to read Lover At Last (#11), I honestly thought their story was going to come after Lover Mine (#8), but no J.R. Ward definitely made us wait. But now it is finally here and it was AWESOME!!!J.R. Ward has a always managed a great balance of the main story (Blay and Qhuinn), the core story (BDB VS Lessers) and the side stories (which are build ups for the next books). The advantage of this is, we've been following these characters for several books, which makes us understand them better. We can be part of them creating memories and history.
Blay and Qhuinn have come to some kind of impasse. Blay is with Saxton (Qhuinn's cousin) and Qhuinn is having a baby with Layla (even though they aren't really together). These two just keep bumping heads, neither of them willing to give in. Miscommunication and not willing to listen to each other is making it way harder on them than necessary. There were moments I just wanted to slam their heads together for being such idiots.
When these two guys do come together it's explosive, there is nothing sweet and soft going on. It's hard, heavy male on male and if you don't like that then this book is nothing for you. If you don't mind that, then you are definitely in for a treat.
There are some sweet moments. The pure sexual nature is what makes it okay, when soft moments would make it more and Blay claims he's not ready for that. Qhuinn on the other hand is practically starving for intimacy and unconditional love, since it has been denied to him pretty much all his life.
Qhuinn has done a lot of growing in the last year, but still he has trouble coming to terms with himself, about who he is and what he loves. Being an outcast made him rebel and has given him a certain kind of freedom, but still he craves that approval for being good enough and currently that is blocking his happiness.
There are many other crazy unexpected things happening with Blay and Qhuinn and around them, but I can't tell because that would spoil things. You just have to read it and you will fully understand my obsession!
Extra: I'm glad we have more of Wrath than in the previous books. In the last couple of books the focus has been shifting from the core BDB (Wrath, Rhage, Butch,...) to the 'secondary' characters (John, Rehvenge, Payne, Thorment (I know he's core, but he's been absent for a couple of books), Qhuinn and Blay). Sometimes I miss those guys. They are very present in the books, but mostly only when it comes to fights or giving some advice. It feels like LTA (living together apart), they are all living together, but have separate lives. The Sheelans have been even more absent. And now we have Xcor and his Band of Bastards (definitely nothing like Robin Hood and his Merrry Men), Trez and iAm getting more in the picture, shifting the focus even more. But still the core story stays about the BDB VS the Lessers and now VS Xcor. Click here for an overview of all the news revealed at the Cininatti Event of Lover At Last.
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