Chelsea S. (PengQueen) reviewed on 5/19/2010 + 114 more book reviews

I've been a fan of this series from the start, and while admitedly it's had some highs and lows I still anticipate each one as a special treat. This one was no different, because although I really didn't care for Xhex (the female lead) I was a huge fan of John Matthew.

The plot covers a lot, and to really understand it you need to have read the other books. But the central point of it is, Xhex is captured, raped, and abused by John Matthews most hated enemy Lash. Xhex struggles to get free and then to seek revenge, even as John believes that he is the one entitled to kill Lash since he has "bonded" with Xhex. The relationship between John and Xhex is surprisingly complex and emotional, riddled with problems stemming from their dark pasts. But theres a lot more to this book then just that. There are subplots involving John's best friends, Blay and Quinn (who struggle with complex feelings for one another, Xhex's ex-lover who was thought to have died or decended deep into madness, and Payne the daughter of the Scribe Virgin.

There are so many positive things to say about this book. I ended up loving John Matthew even more--he is incredibly strong and self-sacrificing and surprisingly wise. And I found myself unexpectedly liking Xhex. She showed softness and vulnerability, and ultimately caring. Previous books lead me to think she wasn't capable of tenderness, so this was really a shocker. She still stays a tough fighter though, and I enjoyed that a lot. I loved the central plot and the flashbacks showing Darius and Tohrment. And for the most part the side stories were adequately entertaining if distracting. I would also like to say that of Wardens books so far, this one wins for best villain--Lash creeped me out in a new and intense way.

Now the negatives. The jumping around has always bugged me just a bit, because I would really prefer to stay focused on one story. But thats part of the suspence building process, so I can deal with it. And as always, I can understand some people being bothered by the wierd text speak slang and the way its mixed with old world phrases--if you've read any of Wards work then you know what I mean. Even I, generally a fan, cringe at the cheesieness now and then. This book is full of it, so if that bothers you a lot then you might want to skip it. I should also note that this book took the series even more out of the realm of romance and into urban fantasy, so if your expecting a lot of romance you might be disapointed.

If you are a fan of the series and the direction it's been headed in for the last several books, you'll like Lover Mine just fine. A 4.5 star urban fantasy and a real page-turner.

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