Lover Avenged is the seventh book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R.Ward and, at 719 pages, its almost a brick. However, Ward manages to capture the imagination of the reader with this fascinating world of vampires and slayers she has created. In this instalment, nightclub owner and drug dealer, Rehvenge makes a move towards the female of worth he is attracted to, a nurse at Havers clinic Ehlena. Of course he knows he cant ever be worthy of her: after all, as well as the business aspect of his life, hes half sympath. Ehlena and her schizophrenic father are down-at-heel used-to-be glymera, so she feels shes out of Rehvs class. Rehvs security chief, Xhex, and his Shadow lieutenants iAm and Trez have greater roles in this book. Rehv has a lot on his plate, what with the sympath Princess blackmailing him, the glymera wanting his to murder the king, and someone systematically wiping out his drug dealers. Tohr may be back with the Brothers, but hes not out of the woods yet. Events have John Matthew hardening his heart. Wrath is under a death threat, but ultimately suffers a different but still devastating fate. Lash proves himself to be even more evil that he ever seemed. While all the Brothers and their mates feature, Wrath and Beth take centre stage; John Matthew, Rehv, Ehlena and Xhex are involved in most of the action. Ward manages to build a plot with plenty of twists, suspense, intrigue, humour, gorgeous males and hot sex; her characters have depth and the banter between the Brothers is always fun. This one has an exciting climax too.