I really loved Lover Enthroned and ended up finding any and all excuses to procrastinate on everything else in my life just so I could read this book.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This post contains affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links.

What is Lover Enthroned about?

With Lover Enthroned, J.R. Ward continues her Black Dagger Brotherhood story with the next generation of fighters standing as the only line of defense between the Lessening Society and the end of the vampire race.

Allhan is the adopted son that Black Dagger warrior Vishous and his shellan, Jane, never knew they wanted. A genius with computers just like V, Allhan has quickly and quietly found his footing among some of V’s top tech guys. But Allhan has been keeping a secret from Vishous and Jane, one that he knows will destroy the family that has welcomed him and made him one of their own. But when fate steps in and introduces Allhan to Dennesha, the Princess of the Shadows and iAm and Queen Catra’s daughter, both Allhan and Denne are left daring to defy their predestined roles in life for a chance at true love.

Allhan’s secret and what it does to Vishous

I really loved Lover Enthroned and ended up finding any and all excuses to procrastinate on everything else in my life just so I could read this book. I know a lot of that has to do with my love for Vishous. While V might not have any idea of the secret Allhan has been keeping, we as readers discover a lot more about Allhan’s past fairly early on. We haven’t really learned much about Allhan since he was first introduced, and, as it turns out, it was with good reason. And the secret Allhan has been keeping from Vishous and Jane? It sort of destroyed me. Not because of the secret itself, but because of how I knew it would affect V when he eventually found out. It’s a testament to how far V has come emotionally over the course of this series that everyone could still get their happily ever after even after Allhan unveiled his truth. The Vishous from earlier in this series would have slammed the door to his head and his heart and never looked back, so I’m glad this story waited until now to be told.

iAm, Queen Catra, and the daughter caught in a prophecy

I also really loved getting to catch up with iAm and Queen Catra. Of the two Moors, I’ve always sympathized with iAm more and I love every glimpse into his mated life. Catra and iAm’s daughter, Dennesha, is all grown up now, stuck in a rut and left feeling like she has no choice but to commit to a loveless mating all because of an astrological alignment from her birth. But prophesies come into question when Denne meets Allhan and suddenly their hearts are on the line. I appreciated that both main characters were running from the roles they thought they had no choice but to play. But like in the two previous next-gen BDB books, a common theme throughout Lover Enthroned is escaping the shadows of the parents’ legacy. For Allhan, that meant not risking people he cares about all to make up for his family’s mistakes. For Denne, that meant questioning things she’s been told her entire life. But accepting the paths that had been laid out for them would mean both Denne and Allhan would jeopardize the ones they love most.

The ending of Lover Enthroned, with no spoilers

I was actually very happy with the ending of this book. Not only do our main characters get their traditional HEA, but the big, bad threat that was teased the entire story ended up getting flipped on its head. I definitely did not see the reveal at the end coming, and it was really refreshing to step away from the habitual Lessening Society boss fight for a minute.

Where Lover Enthroned fits in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series

Lover Enthroned is book 24 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. It follows Lover Forbidden (Lyric and Devlin) as we go through the brothers’ children books and putting them in the middle of the war. This is the next generation of fighting from the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Lover Enthroned still gives us a glimpse of the parents’ legacy, even reaching to the Shadows.

If you haven’t started the series and need some guidance, check out the full Black Dagger Brotherhood reading order or find out where to start with J.R. Ward.

Tropes in Lover Enthroned

You can find the following: fated mates, band of warriors, hidden/secret identity, beta hero, plot twist, vampires, set in New York.

Who should read Lover Enthroned

Lover Enthroned is definitely a recommended read whether you’ve been reading BDB for years, or are just picking up the series for the first time. Ward breathes new life into the war against the Lessening Society in unexpected ways while also giving readers some much needed love for some older characters. I loved these new main characters, but also really loved the roles both Vishous and iAm played in this story. Lover Enthroned gives long-time fans a little break from the normal problems the Brotherhood faces, while also keeping the larger issues at the forefront of our minds. I know we’ll only be making up for the lack of Lessers in the next book, but this was the perfect story for both Allhan and Denne.

Is Lover Enthroned by J.R. Ward spicy?

Like any standard Black Dagger Brotherhood book, Lover Enthroned is spicy. I would say a 4 out of 5 on the spice scale.

Final Thoughts on Lover Enthroned

This is a book about two people trying to outrun what they were told they had to be. But also, and maybe more importantly, it gives Vishous the emotional payoff that twenty-odd books have been building.

And once you’re all caught up with the series, we have a list of what to read after the Black Dagger Brotherhood to keep you satisfied with paranormal bands of brothers and warriors.

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