Exina's Reviews > Lover Unbound

Well, Vishous has issues. Always had. He was brutally tortured and abused as a little child, sexually assaulted as a young man. He has allegoric premonitions of the future, but he can’t do anything to prevent certain things, because he doesn’t know the exact time of these events.

Lately, he is plagued by a nightmare about his own death so he dreads to fall asleep. His abilities are in ruins: he loses his mind-reading ability, as well as seeing the future.

He is attracted to his best friend, Butch, but as Butch had found his mate, Marissa, in the previous book, Lover Revealed, the unthinkable has become impossible for Vishous.

And if this isn’t enough, his mother reveals herself for him, but it is not a happy reunion. Her mother forces him to be the Primale of the Chosens, a duty has to be done on behalf of his race.

On the chessboard of his godforsaken life, the pieces were lined up, the play preordained. Man, so many times in life you didn't get to pick your path because the way you went was decided for you.
Free will was such bullshit.

Therefore the fact that Vishous is a practically immortal vampire and Jane is a human is not the only obstacle between them.

Jane’s childhood was without warmth, kindness, and understanding. “Frozen perfection” on the surface, dead and incomprehensible rigidity inside. Yet, she has become an empathetic, tolerant, strong-willed woman. I adore her wit and intelligence, but sadly you get not much of her personality, as in this book Vishous is the main character, not her. Her portrayal is not equally detailed as his.

“Carving?”
“Your name. My back. I can’t fucking wait.”
Jane whistled under her breath. “Do I get to do it?”
He barked a laugh. “No!”
“Come on. I’m a surgeon, I’m good with knives.”

Secondary storylines
Phury and Cormia’s book is not only prepared, but actually starts in Lover Unbound.

I loved John’s appearances: his friendship with Blay, Qhuinn, and Zsadist is heartwarming. He finally finds acceptance and understanding, and goes through his transition.

It was also wonderful to see Zsadist’s newfound wisdom and empathy, as well as talking, joking, eating, teaching, being worried, in short just living just like anyone else.

The story
The focus is on Vishous and Jane. Not much action takes place, the Lessening Society doesn’t show up. Instead of them, Vishous has to face an unexpected enemy.
The way Ward prepares and runs the story of a character is outstanding. It's a reread, so now I understand and enjoy all those little hints which have a strong significance regarding to the following books. The maze of links created between the characters is truly amazing.

The ending
The HEA of Vishous and Jane is unsatisfying: forced and a little bit creepy.

All in all
Lover Unbound is a great installment of the series. Even though I'm not fully satisfied with the romance, the story is heartbreaking and highly erotic. Besides, the side characters' storylines are really engaging.



My favorite quotes.