The Overtortured Tortured Hero

I love a good tortured hero - I think anyone who visits here with any kind of regularity has been able to figure that out *g*. When I think back on my favourite books and what they might have in common, probably 90% of them feature a hero who has been tortured in one way or another:

• Derek Craven - born of a prostitute, lived a horrid life including many nasty jobs; chimney sweep, resurectionist etc.

• Gabriel St. Croix - sold to a Parisian brothel when he was just a young boy and used by both men and women.

• Johnny Harris - sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit, raped while he was there and before that, beaten by his father and abandoned by his mother.

• Lord Ian MacKenzie - delivered to an insane asylum when he was young and witnessed his father killing his mother, whereupon he underwent horrible abuses.

• Conor's Way - watched his family starve to death in Ireland, he came to America and earned his way as a boxer until he was beaten nearly to death for not throwing a fight.

• Branden Kel Paton who was painfully turned into half machine and forced to live his life watching his every thought and loving a woman from afar.

• And many more.....

EEEK - I had to edit - I remembered another one *smacking my head that I forgot him*

• Nicholas Kenleigh who was captured and tortured and left with terrible scars and a feeling of overwhelming guilt over surviving.
  

I could go on, but you get the picture. So I can't be accused of not liking this kind of hero. But even I, yes I, who loves this kind of hero, have my limits. I've started reading Sherrilyn Kenyon's revised and reissued futuristic series, and after a bit of a rocky start with the first one, and putting it down until the reading mojo came back, I've been enjoying it quite a bit. It's the first Kenyon I've read for a while - I gave up up for a couple of reasons. The first reason is I found way too much sequel bait in her books and the second - the Overtortured Tortured Hero. It got to the point in the Dark Hunter series where I just couldn't take any more reading of the overwhelmingly horrendous things she put her heroes through.

The book I'm reading now; Born of Night, I'm quite enjoying it and will have a review up once I'm done, but My Word, she's thrown everything in but the kitchen sink as far as torture is concerned. Here's just a sample of what she's put the poor guy through

• He wore a leather mask for the first part of his life and he had worn it for so long, it grew into his skin and then it was ripped right off his face.
• He had his finger nails ripped out and as if that weren't enough, they were then dipped in acid so they wouldn't grow back
• His mother threw him away and he spent his formative years in an orphanage
• He had to drink out of a toilet - because the people who looked after him considered him an animal
• He was constantly beaten and had many a bone broken
• He had to wear a 'collar' that could inflict and control pain
• He was thrown into a cell when just a young lad with rapists and pedophiles

And those are just some of the things he's gone through!! When an author writes a hero this tortured, I can't help but think he'd more likely be a sociopathic criminal instead of just a poor misunderstood guy just looking for the right woman to make him a warm and cuddly teddy bear.

As I said, I think Sherrilyn Kenyon is the author who writes the most overtortured tortured heroes. I'm not the only one who has noticed this. Stacy of Stacy's Place on Earth did a recent review of Fantasy Lover and made this comment:

Having already read several books in this series, I've already noticed that Sherrilyn Kenyon tends to make her heroes really suffer. I mean REALLY. Just wait til Zarek, if you haven't read the books.

I couldn't agree more. Only for me, she goes overboard and makes them all too tortured.

But she's not the only author. I think part of the reason I haven't joined the JR Ward train is her overtortured tortured heroes. I read the first one and while Wrath was tortured in Dark Lover, it hadn't been ramped up that much. But then I read Lover Eternal and she did quite a number on poor Rhage. And reading about some of the other brothers, I could tell they were all candidates for the Overtortured Tortured Hero club.

I don't really mean to pick on these two authors, I've loved books by both of them, but they are such obvious examples. They seem to almost revel in The Overtorture.

What about anyone else? Are you a fan of the tortured hero like me? But do you feel a hero can be too tortured? Can you think of any other hero who could be classified as an Overtortured Tortured Hero? Is there an author who you think goes over the line?

Another Lover Enshrined Book Review!

Fellow Island DIKer and wonderful blogger, Christine has just posted her review of Lover Enshrined on her blog: The Happily Ever After

I wonder what she thinks? Does she agree with me? Is she still a Ward crackbaby? Why not go read her review? You know you want to! *G*

Katiebabs (KB)

Lover Enshrined Review

**EXCLUSIVE**

There are quiet a few of us who jokingly call the books in the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by JR Ward, “crack”. And if you are a fan of this series, you definitely know what I mean by that term. There is something about a book or books that become an addiction to the point where you refuse to stop reading (makes for good bathroom reading) because you are so engrossed in this world. And when you are done, you need your next fix much like an addict does.

The question you are probably asking is if Lover Enshrined delivers? And do I still have those cravings for the next book? The answer is both yes and no. The addict comparison I use is so perfect for a book like Lover Enshrined because it is the perfect description of what Phury has become.

JR Ward is an incredible storyteller. She has invented an amazing world and her dedication to her series and her fans are very strong. Lover Enshrined has thrills, shocks and more WTF moments than the past five books combined. (You thought Jane’s outcome in Lover Unbound was the ultimate WTF moment? Think again) This is a book with some weaknesses, which mainly involves the love story between Phury and Cormia. This is well known to be Phury’s story and assumed that this is a romance first and foremost. I hate to disappoint you, but if you were looking for an incredible and sexy love story like the past ones, look somewhere else. The romance here is more of a subplot if anything else and Phury and Cormia’s relationship is the weakest storyline. I have lead myself to believe that Ward is slowly moving away from the romance umbrella and moving toward the Urban Fantasy genre, with romantic undertones. Ward is now at a crossroads with her series and with Lover Enshrined her readers have a decision to make. Her hardcore fans will most likely stick to the very end. The other circle of readers will become casualties because after Lover Enshrined, some will not want to continue on.

There are three main storylines that caught my attention out of six possible ones that occur during this book. First and foremost is the one about Phury.

At the end of Lover Unbound, Phury became the Primale to the forty Chosen, women who were born and bred for the sole purpose of being impregnated and giving birth to future warriors or brothers to ensure their race’s survival in the fight against the evil that is the Omega. Phury took over this responsibility from his brother in arms, Vishous, who found his soul mate, Jane. Phury, knowing this responsibility would likely destroy Vishous, volunteered for the job. Phury was also given a First Mate from one of the Chosen, Cormia. She resides in the mansion with Phury and his brothers, waiting anxiously for Phury to mate with her. She is ready and willing to open her legs for The Primale and be whatever he wants of her. But Phury is in a very bad place. He is a full blown drug addict and has a demon on his shoulder called the Wizard who whispers seeds of doubt into his ear. To escape, Phury smokes to the point of being numb, and he has even moved on to injecting needles with even more deadly drugs with the help of his dealer, Rehvenge.

Phury and Cormia suffer, as both cannot reach each other because they are very much strangers and products of their making. Some readers are going to be on the fence about Cormia much like they were about Marissa in Lover Revealed. But keep this in mind; Cormia is who she is because of her environment.

And, you think their HEA is going to be easy one? Think again.

The one group of characters that truly shined was Blaylock, John Matthew and Qhuinn. These three musketeers are so dedicated to each other that you will get a good idea of what the future holds for them. The one character who made this book and changes the whole vampire society and Brotherhood as we have known it is Qhuinn. There is quite a cause and effect that happens and because of Qhuinn’s reaction to a certain situation and the way he acts, he starts a domino effect that will enable the Omega to have more power then ever and the possibility of destroying the vampire community in Caldwell. (Some may be shocked by these turn of events, but for once my spec-u-meter was right) Because of Qhuinn, his “brotherhood” with Blaylock and John Matthew becomes stronger than ever. One of my favorite scenes, which was quite beautiful, is the one between Blaylock and Qhuinn. These two have such an incredible friendship filled with love and they must decide where they are headed and what road they should take with each other. JR Ward can write some of the best relationships between men that I have ever read and with this scene she has done wonders.

Rehvenge is also very prominent and we find out why he is being blackmailed and what he must do to keep his blackmailer happy. I have always thought of Rehvenge as an anti-hero and he is such a big presence whenever he appears. Well, I can happily say Rehvenge is a true hero in every sense of the word, as worthy as any of the other Brothers. You thought Zsadist was tortured? Sorry, what Rehvenge goes through puts all these men to shame. Again, it is all about sacrifice, and Rehv has made a lot of them He and Phury are alike in many ways.

So, where does this leave me and my final impressions of Lover Enshrined? I was very much hooked from the first page of the Prologue to the very last word. Ward gives us quiet a shocker in the Prologue and doesn’t let up for the next 500 plus pages. This is a very dark and intense book filled with more bloodshed and deaths than any other before. There are many victims and the strongest ones realize they may not be able to save everyone and maybe even themselves.

Everything that happens grabs you by the throat and won’t let go; other than Phury’s story and the very one-dimensional love he has with Cormia. Their courtship was my main pet peeve. Phury has become a martyr for no reason and I really wanted to smack some sense into him. But his brother does that job for me. There is this great scene between Phury and his brother Zsadist where Phury confronts him. Phury is angry because Zsadist never thanked him for rescuing him. Zsadist is fed up and they have a knock down fight where Zsadist tells Phury, in not so many words, what I was thinking –

“…get off the cross, someone else needs the wood.”

There is so much more that happens within these pages that I can’t mention, because you do need some surprises and to learn them would ruin your enjoyment. But, one tidbit I will give you is that there is a new character introduced that gives something special back to the Brothers and brings even more life into this series. (If you are a member of JR Ward’s message boards you can probably figure out who I am talking about)

Lover Enshrined may not be my favorite title from JR Ward but I find myself still in awe of her world building, characters and her ability to write such books that can not be compared to any other. To figure out what grade to give is a hard one. Overall, I did enjoy the crack... oops, I mean Lover Enshrined even though the love story was a bit too stale for my tastes.

So, what grade should I give this book that reeled me in but left me a bit unsatisfied because of the romance?

3 ½ stars out of 5

Katiebabs (KB)

And as always comments are always welcome **ducks away from the fruit**

And the Penguin Gods Were Very Kind

They gave me this...
So I give you all this:

First Line:
"The Wizard was back."

...review to come soon...

Katiebabs

Recent Read

Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward

Since this series is the hottest thing going, I thought I would do a different kind of review this time. Rosario has done it before and I really enjoyed it. I’ve resisted reading these books – just to be stubborn, but I’m finally giving in. If so many people love them (and I’m counting the normal readers – not the rabid kind who tattoo themselves and visit popular blogs and post stupid, defensive posts) then there has to be something to them. I read Dark Lover and enjoyed it but that was a while ago and I’m not normally fond of vampire romance.

I started this one when it first came out and could only read the beginning before putting it down. But I decided to give it another shot. I’ll give my thoughts as I read along until I take a break.

Page 75: Mary seems like a rather bland heroine to me. She’s described as average in looks and she comes across as a bit to nicey nice for me. Rhage is an asshole. I don’t care if he does make Brad Pitt seem average in his looks. He’s a jerk and a user. He has just ordered Bella (whom he doesn’t even deign to call by name – he just calls her female) to get Mary to meet him. I don’t like the way he uses Bella. The whole group, while I can understand, need to get John Mathew since he is at a crucial part in his life, are jerks. Yes, I understand they are the warriors, but I don’t really like the collective arrogance they have.

I like Bella. I like John Mathew. Butch seems out of his league and a Brotherhood wannabe groupie and almost pet.

Mr. X and Mr. O give me a severe case of the creeps and I may have to skip the parts they are in.

I’m really disliking all the branding that’s going on.

Now – back to the book.

Page 112: OK – Rhage is beginning to grow on me a little bit after the date he had with Mary and after his confession to Thor.

Page 182: – I’m starting to feel Rhage now. He’s stuck at Mary’s and he is feeding her (food that is). Mary is still a bit to bland to warm up to yet though. I haven’t seen Bella again yet and I suppose Butch is gaining his place.

Page 235: All right – he’s really back in my bad book now. BIG TIME. He’s just gotten back to Mary after his night of screwing other women. I don’t give a rat’s ass how guilty and bad he feels. He loves Mary and he cheated on her! I’m starting to like Mary more now and I hope she makes him SUFFER! This is a biggie for me – when the hero is already emotionally committed to the heroine and he goes after someone else. I know he’s suffering and scared of the dragon – but he done her wrong!!! One thing going for it so far though is – no blood drinking. And these aren’t dead vampires – just another kind of race.

Page 331: Oh, all right. I’ve mostly forgiven him. He was very remorseful and he did feel real bad. And he did go through that ritual thing when all the brothers did their thing to him. I felt bad for Zsadist. I really hate the Scribe Virgin though. I don’t think I’m going to like her at all in this series. I just got past the first “feeding” with Rhage, Mary and Layla and it wasn’t that bad. And of note – I put down that I read this book in my spreadsheet. While not done yet, it’s a sign that this will be not a DNF book.

Page 376: Run Bella Run!!! Now I’ve seen more of Bella and Zsadist and *sigh* I’m glad I have the next one. And I’m won back over again. I loved what Rhage did with the cherry stem.

Page 441: The end

OK – I get it now. She’s converted me. I’m still not getting a tattoo and I still have no intention of joining the message board and becoming a “Cellie” And I will NEVER call her The Warden, but she managed to hook me and hook me good.

And I’m hoping that Chapters, which has 48 copies of Lover Revealed is still open ‘cause that’s where I’m headed

Grade 5 out of 5

'til later

****ETA****

They were and I did.

Recent Reads - Part 2

As I said, I've been reading quite a bit lately. This is the second batch though- which is really the first batch since I read them first.




The Power of Two by Patti O’Shea
Even though I’ve read this one before, I’m going to cheat a little and consider it part of the Keishon’s paranormal challenge for October. This is the third book in the 2176 series started by Susan Grant with The Legend of Banzai McGuire. Cai and Jake, both members of a special forces team, have a special relationship. Something to do with her being a receptor and having nanodes in both their brains and advising him on missions. I didn’t really understand it but I just went with it anyway. Jake thinks all along he has been mind talking to a computer but when Cai gets information on her parents mysterious disappearance, she goes to Jake to ask him for his help. He is stunned to realize all along that rather than a computer, his closest friend is a young woman. He manages to get over it and together along with the rest of the team, they travel to the raft cities to locate Banzai McGuire and her lover, UCE Commander, and Navy SEAL, Tyler Armstrong. She is also hoping to find her parents as she has reason to suspect they are being held against their will be a megalomaniac billionaire.
Obviously, since this is a reread, I quite enjoyed the book. I love both the characters of Jake and Cai. Even though Jake feels betrayed when he first realizes who Cai is, he get’s over it and becomes very protective of her. The sexual tension is great as they are both attracted to the other, but both fighting it. I really enjoyed this whole series and this was a great entry.
Grade: 4 out of 5




Mac’s Law by Sarah McCarty
This one was my first foray into romantica and while I had some issues with parts of it, this won’t be my last. Now – to discuss those issues without getting spammed is a challenge and just for the heck of it, I decided to give it a whirl. As I expected, there is sex and a lot of it in this book. However, one aspect was new to me and that was the amount of alternate entry – um – usage. I’d never read this before and decided very quickly that nope, no sir, never tried it, never will. And that’s probably even TMI. I had a bit of a head scratching while I was reading this book as to whether I was reading something cutting edge or I was just a dirty old lady. If I was 10 to 15 years younger there wouldn't have been any question. Anyway, on to the story. Mac Hollister is local law as well as a rancher. He has advertised for a cook and Jessie or J.C. Sterns is the one who has accepted the job. Mac has been thinking J.C. to be a guy and now way, now how, is he going to take on a woman for the job. Well, she finally talks him into letting her stay on a trial basis and before long they give in to their mutual attraction – again and again and again. In addition to the..um… alternate entry scenes, there was also some laying on of the hand to the lower portion of the heroine which is located behind her, which is also something I’d never read before. And a third party viewing scene which was also new to me. It looks like they are smaller that printed books too which doesn’t leave as much time for character development – but then the same can be said for Harlequins and anthologies. I think I would have liked this one better without some of the alternate scenes, but overall I liked it – I think
Grade: 31/2 out of 5




Master of the Moon by Angela Knight
This was another paranormal for Keishon’s challenge. Unfortunately this was a DNF. I loved Jane’s Warlord and if she ever goes back and revisits that universe, I’m there. But this one creeped me out with its evil elves and satanic theme. I don’t mind violence – as I liked Jane’s Warlord – but this really wasn’t for me.




Dark Lover by JR Ward
I decided to read this one based on Sybil’s DIK review and the fact that this is one the books that everyone else is reading and I didn’t want to miss the reading party. Normally, as I’ve said before, I don’t do vampire books, but decided to make an exception. And I must confess I’m quite glad I did. I like this one. A lot. As most everyone has either read or is planning on reading this one, reviews are all over the place so I don’t need to really add my 2 cents – other than to say everyone is right. This is a good book and I will again break my vampire ban when the next one comes out.
Grade 41/2 out of 5