Vishous: a walk on the dark side

Lover Unbound
(Black Dagger Brotherhood #5)

by J.R. Ward

Vishous, I like this guy! What’s there not to love! This sexy, eccentric, “techno geek” alpha totally captivated me! Vishous is uber fascinating, totally intriguing and irresistible! Just Fabulous!

Sarcastic and funny! Vishous is direct, says what he thinks, and damn the consequences. This Grey-Goose-drinking-turkish-cig-chain-smoking-BDSM is unapologetic about his passions and his addictions. Layered with complex emotional turmoil, replete with contradictory intricacies, dilemmas, and conflict, V is a seductive study of the tortured hero. He’s arrogant, sarcastic, moody, cunning, introspective, intelligent, distant, enigmatic; coupled with a troubled past and self-destructive behavior.

Having the savage Bloodletter as a father, the pernicious Scribe Virgin as your mother, living with a virulent cursed hand, sporting intimidating facial tattoos, with eerie eyes that see into the future, well, this could create bizarre behavior in anyone! LOL! Let’s not forget that the bisexual Vishous represses his attraction toward his best friend, Butch, discovers his predestination to be the Primale, loses his ability to prognosticate, and dreams about his impending death in a recurring nightmare.

Unbelievable!

We first meet Vishous in Dark Lover when he threatens Butch’s life. His bravery totally impresses Vishous, and immediately, Vishous and Butch make an indelible, undefinable connection, especially when they both realize that they are Red Sox fanatics! Yes, both are true die-hard fans! Who Knew! The bond deepens, and no one truly understands the complex relationship. Butch and Vishous, or “Vutch” refer to each other as roommates, yet everyone knows that there is much more, there is a profound affectionate love. Their relationship is dynamic, constantly changing. Is it sexual, platonic, or a combination? WTH? Who cares! Everybody, (including Butch) recognizes and accepts the undercurrent Vishous’s sexual attraction for Butch. Vishous knows that Butch is heterosexual, “off limits”; and interestingly, Butch quietly acknowledges Vishous’s personal emotions, desires, and yearnings. Vishous’s BDSM exploits distract, alleviate his “edginess”. What Vishous needs and inwardly craves is intimacy, tenderness, warmth, affection, and reciprocal love.

Then Vishous meets Jane, Dr. Jane Whitcomb...

 In a battle with lessers, V suffers a critical, a near fatal injury, and “meets” Dr. Jane Whitcomb, a brilliant trauma surgeon, who operates and saves Vishous’s life. Surprisingly, V has an unexpected reaction toward Jane, as his irrational bonding and possessive impulse surges and overcomes him. Vishous knows (from his visions) that he must have her. She’s his.  “She. Comes. With. Me!”

Okaaay! Thugs are kidnapping her! Oh wait, they’re vampires! Jane has just entered the Twilight Zone.

Independent, smart, spunky, she absolutely refuses to believe that vampires exist, or that “humans” have a six-chambered heart, or they possess fangs; however, she cannot deny what the science tells her. Logic dictates. Her medical expertise and professional oath impels Jane to care for her patient, as Vishous’s recovery is her utmost priority. Vishous comes first, whatever he is!

Predictably, Jane and V intrigue, captivate each other. They are so similar; both have controlling personalities, and share a propensity to engage in witty, sarcastic banter. Cautiously, they learn to trust each other; slowly, openly and honestly, they disclose their harrowing childhood experiences, their emotional disconnections, and painful dark secrets. Yes, it’s Vishous’s intellect, sexual magnetism, emotional vulnerability and horrific life story that seduces Jane. Both she and  Butch understand and patiently embrace his multilayered passions and  needs.

BTW, there’s been plenty of discussion about the ending of Lover Unbound. It’s just that...Vishous deserves better... Here’s a thought, laden with such painful baggage, (emotional, physical, and mental), V is entitled to a HEA upgrade. Lover Unbound has steamy “hott” romantic and kinky sex scenes...and tenderness. The epilogue is touching as it shows V as gentle and insightful. In addition, we reconnect with Phury, John Matthews, Z, Blay, Quinn, Rehvenge, Xhex, and Cormia. 

 Overall, Lover Unbound is a great read! Remarkably, we watch Vishous, this profoundly complex character; complete with abstractions, contradictions, sarcasm, and humor, transform into “a male of worth”. 

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