Sound Bytes

Posted by Susan in Sound Bytes with SusanAshlea | 7 comments

Hello all, SusanAshlea here. I’m coming forward as a self-proclaimed Black Dagger Brotherhood enthusiast, and general J.R. Ward fan. I’m also going to admit that I might possibly be the only BDB/J.R. Ward fan who is not looking forward to Lover Mine.

Why? That’s easy. I can tell you why in one word:

Xhex.

I just finished reading Covet by the aforementioned amazing writer, J.R. Ward.  I loved the book. I didn’t think I would, but it pulled me in from page 1.  The book had me entranced pretty much all weekend (I’m a slow reader), and I was determined to finish it tonight.  So, with the Olympics playing on the TV in the background, I finished up those last 70 pages.  It’s true that I wasn’t too wild about the way the book ended, but overall I liked the book.  Then, after finishing, I turned the page to get to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow – the tiny excerpt from Lover Mine.

I wanted to cry.  And I’ll tell you why, but there are spoilers ahead.  So, if you haven’t read through Lover Avenged, you probably shouldn’t read on further. Unless you’re a spoiler fanatic like Megsly. In that case, knock yourself out and keep on reading.

I love John Matthew.  I have loved him ever since we first met him at Mary’s farmhouse in Lover Eternal, which was 6 books ago.  I really felt like we got to see him “grow up,” even though we all know he’s really a whalker and has “grown up” once before.  His personal struggle was heartbreaking and his anguish at losing Thor and Wellsie is one of the storylines that makes me tear up just to think about it.  John Matthew is the epitome of a good kid with a heart of gold, and his transformation into a full-fledged vamp made me smile with joy and breathe a sigh of relief at the same time. I couldn’t wait to find out what kind of amazing female he would be paired with as the time for his very own book drew ever closer.

Well, we’re almost there, and who does he get?

Freakin’ Xhex.

I honestly don’t care that she’s masculine.  I don’t care that she’s half-sympath.  I dont even care that she was a bitch when she first met John Matthew.  However, I do care that she was an all out, absolute, bitch to him when he was the most vulnerable.  She totally used him, knowing that he was vulnerable.  Then she walked away.  Don’t get me wrong, I feel bad that she has gone missing and stuff, but at this point I really don’t think she is deserving of the lengths John Matthew will go to find her.

And now, he’s got her name tattooed on him?!

Ugh.

I get that the whole finding a mate thing is very different in the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.  I get that his feelings for her are there and they are not going anywhere.  That’s obvious, since he used ink laced with saltwater for the tattoo.  I know J.R. Ward has a plan for her story, and that she often goes places the reader doesn’t like for the greater good of the plot.  I just wish she would have given Xhex her own storyline without involving young, sweet, impressionable, vulnerable John Matthew.  Xhex, as a character, is very intriguing and I’m interested in her backstory.  But just this once, I wish the author would have done something different.  I wish she would have give John Matthew one of the equally sweet and newly independent Chosen, and gone about Xhex’s story a different way.

Granted, I’m just speculating since all I’ve read of the book is the 8 page teaser at the back of Covet.  It’s highly likely I will love the book by the time I’ve finished it.  I already know it’s getting pre-ordered, but I’m not sure how excited I am to read it.  I’m nervous that I’m going to hate Xhex even more, and that John Matthew will come out on the losing end.  But, I guess I’ll just have to wait and see right?

Oh well, it’s going to be a long 2 months, isn’t it?