• Lover Awakened

  • Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 3
  • By: J. R. Ward
  • Narrated by: Jim Frangione
  • Length: 15 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (7,395 ratings)

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Lover Awakened  By  cover art

Lover Awakened

By: J. R. Ward
Narrated by: Jim Frangione
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Publisher's summary

Author of the number-one New York Times best-selling Black Dagger Brotherhood novels, J. R. Ward enthralls fans with her erotic urban fantasies.

The third book in the series tells the story of the vampire Zsadist, a former blood slave with a violent past. When he meets Bella, Zsadist thinks her human love could be his path to salvation. Then Bella is kidnapped, and Zsadist will stop at nothing to get her back.

Listen to another Black Dagger Brotherhood chiller.
©2006 Jessica Bird (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"This genre-bending third novel in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series...is a perfect fit for those who like fast-paced urban fantasy rich in both fury and poignancy." ( Booklist)

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What listeners say about Lover Awakened

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

My Favorite!

Hands down, this is one of the most addicting series I've listened to. I'm on a BDB roll these days and I can't get enough. It's like a movie that I don't ever want to end, the books seamlessly transition to the next one, and so far, each one has been enthralling, erotic, funny and for me, emotional. I was so ready to be consumed by book 3 when Bella and Zsadist met in book 2-----I knew his story was going to be a good one, and it totally surpassed my expectations. Loved, Loved, Looooooved this story! Can't wait to hear what happens next!

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24 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

LOVED IT! WAITING FOR BOOK 4

I love this series but am very disappointed that they do not put them out in order! please, hurry with book 4! There are several series books that I have looked at here in Audible but will not purchase them because the whole series is not available. They go from book 1 then my skip to book 6 or 7. Very annoying!

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

FINALLY!!!!!

This is the best book of the series, and it is great that it is finally available on audio.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

5 Lover Awakened Stars

This was the 3rd time I have read this book and I love Zsadist as much if not more this time around.

He has had it the roughest of them all. He was sold as a blood slave and pretty much any kind of torch you can imagine he went through.
His twin not only never stopped trying to find him he helped save him.

Now they are both warriors in this battle against good and evil. Only Z is battling what is in his head. After meeting Bella and having feelings which he doesn't realize are feelings in that way he can't get her out of his head.
When she is taken, he becomes almost obsessed with trying to find her.

Bella was taken by one of the Omega's Lessers. They stink to high heaven of baby powder, as they age they become almost albino like. Only the Lesser that took Bella doesn't want to fade out he wants to stand out so he dyes his hair dark. He thinks Bella is his wife, even if he is impotent and thank god for that.

That being said Bella is a FIGHTER, just as Z is and her fight will blow you away. His fight will break your heart.

This is a love story that will break your heart and mend it back together. I don't want to give much away because you really need to experience it for yourself and I don't want to be the one that ruined it for anyone.

READ THIS BOOK... Swear you will NOT regret it!!

Again, if your not sure about the narration give it another shot I swear it took me a time or two to get used to Jim but once you do I swear you won't think of another narrator who can do BDB as he can.

*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

🌟🌟 5 Stars 🌟🌟

Oh Zhadist, his story is so heartbreaking but he is a tough guy and he pushes though and come out on top! This series is everything! I could listen to it 100X and still love it. JR Ward is amazing at world building without it being over the top. I love how she writes a story about the world and not just the couple. There were so many things I loved about this book. Zhadist, Bella, John Matthew, Tohr and Welsie :( This book made me laugh and cry and was hot and badass too! Cant't wait to re-listened to Butch next!!


Personally I love Jim Frangione but I know some don't, for me he will always BE the brothers in my heart <3

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Adore Zsadist...abhore Jim Frangione

What did you like best about Lover Awakened? What did you like least?

The depth of pain the leads have to overcome makes for a conflicted yet tender storyline.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Zsadist is my favorite brother...definately the character that has the most growth in the series and the most depth.

What didn’t you like about Jim Frangione’s performance?

It was unremarkable, bland even. The Brothers do not have individual voices, even Butch who has a Boston accent, was read in the same tone as Wrath (also suppose to have an accent.) There is such a richness in dialogue, snappy sarcasm and smart ass one-liners, contrasted with sincere, heartfelt depth that the practically monotone reading was just horrible. If you can READ this book, don't listen to it. The AUDIO is a WASTE of an incredible story. I would avoid all books read by this performer, at all costs.

What would have made this romance irresistible?

A better narrator would have sent this over the top. And less time spent with the Lessers, I always just skipped over those parts as I read. They really did not add much depth or more conflict to the story.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow! Most intense and beautiful yet!

I couldn't wait to write this review. Oh my goodness, this one is the best. Grittier, sexier, sweeter, bigger in every way! Zsadist and Bella have a story that moved me to tears, beyond words.

I read the first two and was intrigued to hear Zsadist's story. I never expected this book to have this much depth. I was in tears at the beautiful character that emerged in the end. The story is so much more than just Zsadist and his heroine Bella. This 3rd book of the series opens the door for much more to come. The side stories are not just distractions, but very compelling, Many characters that were meaningless to me before have become very interesting and likeable. Butch and John especially. And Bella... What a wonderful, strong and amazing female character. I adore this couple. But I warn fans that it's a painful journey to find the light at the end of the tunnel! BUT IT IS WELL WORTH IT!

This is a MUST READ. Narrator finally has won me over, and I can't imagine any one else telling the story. I have also become a much more enthusiastic fan of JRWard. I didn't seem to like the first two as mush as everyone else. I liked the second book a lot though. But now that JR Ward has set the stage and introduced us to the world of the brotherhood, I can see why she is so beloved by her fans.

SideNote: I have read reviews that people discussed being uncomfortable with some of the content. I don't agree with the point of view. But want to touch on it. Yes Zsadist and Phury had a difficult story from their past. But I would expect anyone with the open mind to read a fantasy novel would understand that the abuse suffered by the characters past and present is a part of what shapes them. These are vampires. What do you expect? It's not Buffy...
So I just want to warn sensitive readers that there are parts that are uncomfortable, but it's my opinion that it's not gratuitous. It's heart wrenching and intense, not just a light read.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Into the series now!

Lover Awakened is the 3rd Black Dagger Brotherhood books and so far I have to say is my favorite. I couldn't put this one away, walked around with my headphones in my ears for much of my days while I listened. This book started out at a rapid pace and stayed that way. This is mostly about Zsadist and Bella. If you haven't read the first two books I recommend it because I think its a good idea to have an idea of who Zsadist is and where he fits in the brotherhood before starting this book. Have already downloaded Book 4. Really am enjoying this series but its a very unusual take on the whole vampire thing. Be warned these books are highly sexual/erotic reads but I thought of the three so far this one had the most substance in it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful story of overcoming trajedy!!

I love this book...and hearing it on audio was a special treat! J. R. Ward has a way for drawing you in to the lives of her characters...and this story of Zsadist is my favorite of hers. It is a compelling emotional story of victory over enormous abuse. Everyone loves to see the victim rise above the ashes to soar in life. Zadist is that victor!! I loved it!!

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Lover Awakened

I loved this book. The reader did a pretty good job. He was a little flat as a reader, but once I got used to his tone, it worked pretty well. Z has always been my favorite and his book is outstanding. He had so far to come for redemption, it was really well done.

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7 people found this helpful