Lassiter (The Blackdagger Brotherhood 21) by JR Ward-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 11, 2023

Lassiter, the fallen angel, is too good at the savior business. In his new role overseeing the fates of all vampires, he’s influenced outcomes he shouldn’t have- so the Creator is calling him home. But the angel has a reason to stay in Caldwell. He’s bonded with a mysterious female who’s seemed to appear from out of nowhere… and has powers that defy all reason.

Rahvyn is well aware that she doesn’t belong in the present. And she never intended to stay, for her true place is in the past. Lassiter proves to be undeniable, however, and she lets herself fall for the angel- until a secret he’s been keeping comes out and she fears that for him, it’s not about love, but duty.

As the Omega’s son reestablishes the Lessening Society, and the Brotherhood must resume the deadly war- an unfathomable tragedy occurs. In the aftermath, Rahvyn has to decide whether to stay and help- or save herself from an immortal heartbreak she knows will crush her very soul…

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REVIEW: LASSITER is the twenty-first instalment in JR Ward’s contemporary, adult BLACKDAGGER BROTHERHOOD paranormal/fantasy romance series focusing on a group of warrior vampires known as the Blackdagger Brotherhood. This is fallen angel/ Scribe Virgin Lassiter, and Rahvyn’s story line. LASSITER should not be read as a stand alone. I recommend reading book twenty LOVER ARISEN for back story and cohesion-the current timeline has been building for most of the series.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

**If you have not read any of the previous, recent instalments, there may be spoilers in my review.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives LASSITER follows several paths including the building relationship between fallen angel turned Scribe Virgin Lassiter, and Rahvyn. At the end of LOVER ARISEN Lassiter had sacrificed his soul to save the Band of B&stards warrior Balthazar, and in doing so, felt himself unworthy of love, especially the female that called to his heart but something or someone was pushing our story line couple together, a push that would end with the possible destruction or savior of the BDB.

Meanwhile, the Lessening Society has returned with a new Omega. Lash, the son of the previous Omega, was desperate for power and control but found himself falling for Devina, the demon, who using the ancient Book of Spells, called Lash back from extinction. As Lash considered his journey towards the ultimate battle for power, he never considered someone else or something else has been marked into play.

Nate, the adopted son of Muhrder and Sarah returns as he continues to pine for our story line heroine. Nate, whose life once hung in the balance between life and the Fade, has returned, his immortality no longer in question but his future questionable in the face of the return of the Lessening Society. The Lessers are growing in numbers with the return of the Omega but someone else Is building their own army of Lessers, Lessers who are now of the female persuasion.

Like most of JR Ward’s recent story lines, there are many plot lines and characters called into play. As to the numerous pathways, several events begin to unfold but not all of the Brothers are present or accounted for. By way of mention, some return in the wake of the near destruction of the vampire society, while Lassiter’s mating brings together the love and support of many of the Blackdagger Brotherhood. Two fallen angels have returned to reclaim our story line hero but Lassiter continues to have business on Earth, he refuses to abide by the Creator’s demands.

Now to the numerous unanswered questions and concerns. Is LASSITER the end of the series, or the current series ARC? Does the author have plans for a spin off? -she already attempted with the Blackdagger Legacy. The epilogue advances the series thirty-three years, where we are witness to a few of the next generation. The thirty-three year time jump leaves many unanswered questions yet reveals a couple of surprising twists: More Needings? More Young? More Brothers? More Mates? More Angels and the purpose of more fallen angels? What happened to the Lessening Society? The Lessers? Davina and Lash? And of course, the reformation of the Glymera and its’ need to rule with discrimination and power? Or with the return of the fallen angels-Adrian Vogel and Eddie Blackhawk, and of course the demon Devina (originally from the Fallen Angels series)-does the author have more stories planned for her Fallen Angels?

As to some of these questions, when an author recalibrates a series that may be struggling, they inevitably return to what was once popular and strong: the Lessers, the Omega; the Glymera for example-all part of the original BDB series and wars. Ward is not the first, nor the last, to try a recharge using previous premise and plot lines but it often screams of desperation. Long time readers and fans know when a series is struggling and bringing back what was, is not necessarily, the way to go.

The anticipatory factor surrounding the story for certain characters is always fierce and strong but there is often a let down due to the excitement and build up of a beloved character(s). I have seen this happen before in this series, and with many other authors and their own series, and the results have always been the same. Yes, there are those diehard readers and fans that will accept everything and anything but a critical eye will see what is missing; what is not there-satisfaction, realization and accomplishment. Lassiter and Rahvyn were not the primary focus of the story but Lash, Devina and the return of the Lessers, as well as Nate and the future of the BDB. LASSITER felt like an introductory story to the next chapter/arc of the series, and in doing so, lost much of the momentum that is our Fallen Angel Lassiter. Lassiter’s free spirit, sassiness and innocence is missing.

LASSITER is a detailed and complex story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, acceptance and love, secrets and lies. The premise is impassioned; the characters are numerous, animated and brooding; the romance is seductive but struggles in the face of secrets and the unknown.

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

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J.R. Ward is the author of over thirty novels, including those in her #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling series, The Black Dagger Brotherhood. There are more than 15 million copies of Ward’s novels in print worldwide and they have been published in 25 different countries around the world.

After graduating from law school, Ward began working in healthcare in Boston and spent many years as Chief of Staff of one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation. She lives in the south with her incredibly supportive husband and her beloved golden retriever. Writing has always been her passion and her idea of heaven is a whole day of nothing but her computer, her dog and her coffee pot.

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