Review: The Chosen By J.R. Ward

Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood Book #15

Format: Ebook

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Borrowed from Library (Overdrive)

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Xcor, leader of the Band of Bastards, convicted of treason against the Blind King, is facing a brutal interrogation and torturous death at the hands of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Yet after a life marked by cruelty and evil deeds, he accepts his soldier’s fate, his sole regret the loss of a sacred female who was never his: the Chosen Layla.

Layla alone knows the truth that will save Xcor’s life. But revealing his sacrifice and his hidden heritage will expose them both and destroy everything Layla holds dear—even her role of mother to her precious young. Torn between love and loyalty, she must summon the courage to stand up against the only family she has for the only man she will ever love. Yet even if Xcor is somehow granted a reprieve, he and Layla would have to confront a graver challenge: bridging the chasm that divides their worlds without paving the way for a future of even greater war, desolation, and death.
As a dangerous old enemy returns to Caldwell, and the identity of a new deity is revealed, nothing is certain or safe in the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, not even true love . . . or destinies that have long seemed set in stone.

Review

I have so many thoughts. And this may come across as a lot of complaints, but I did really enjoy this.

Also: spoilers.

I'm going to talk about what happened throughout the book.

You've been warned.

Coming in I wasn't particularly invested in Xcor and Layla. I don't dislike their story like Sola and Assail, but I've never cared. But now I do. I was hooked and couldn't put this down because I needed to know what happened to them. I just couldn't believe they would ever be able to have a happily ever after.

Then, there were the other storylines/POVs. I couldn't stand the Throe chapters. They were like torture to read and I just skimmed them. I'm cautiously intrigued by the Trez/Terese thing. I want Trez to be happy, but it feels fast to move on. And whether she's Selena reincarnated or not I don't see how it won't be awkward.

And Quihnn was such a douche. I have always been a Blay/Quihnn supporter, but his behavior was too much. The way he spoke to Layla and Blay was pretty unforgivable. And then he just moped about Blay standing up to him. Honestly, I'm not sued I'll ever be able to look at him the same way again. I don't hate him, but I am disappointed in him.

Finally, we have this bullshit with V. I thought we had moved past this. If he cheats on Jane I may be done with this series. They were one of my favorite couples and I can't watch to end.

I have very little interest in the next book because Sola and Assail=😝. But I will read reviews to see what happens to Trez, Jane, and V. If I'm happy with what I see I'll pick it up.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: Blood Fury by J.R. Ward

Series: Black Dagger Legacy Book #3

Format: eBook

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Borrowed from Library (Overdrive)

Genre:Paranormal Romance, Vampires

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

A vampire aristocrat of the Glymera, Peyton is well aware of his duty to his bloodline: mate with an appropriate female of his class and carry on his family’s traditions. And he thought he’d found his perfect match in Paradise—until she fell in love with someone else. When his split-second decision in a battle with the enemy endangers the life of another trainee, Peyton has to face the idea that his future, and his heart, actually lie with another.

Novo, as a female in the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training program, feels like she has to prove herself to everybody—and she has no interest in being distracted by falling in love. But when Peyton proves to be so much more than a rich playboy, she is forced to confront the tragedy that has broken her soul and closed her off from love.

As the two grapple with Novo’s past and Peyton’s present, another couple must contend with an erotic connection that is unparalleled—and potentially scandalous.

Saxton, who has had his heart broken, discovers in himself a deep-seated attraction to Ruhn, a new member of the household. But will the other male explore the connection? Or will he close his mind and his heart to what could be true love . . . and cost Saxton everything?

Review

I'm so glad I was able to get this from Overdrive so quickly. It was my favorite book in this spin-off series. Both romances and all four POVs were well-developed and engaging.

Going in I actually knew very little about this book. I definitely didn't know about Ruhn and Saxton so that was a nice surprise. I'm glad Saxton finally got his HEA. And Ruhn was so different from the alpha males Ms. Ward normally writes. It's great to read someone more calm and simple. I mean simple in a nice way.

Of course the romances were fast, but it works well here unlike some of the others in these two series. I wanted both couples and to be happy and I would get that anxious feeling in my stomach when things would go badly for them.

Novo especially got to me. Her story made me cry a little. And I loved reading her growth and grieving process.

This reminded me again why I like the BDB books/world. J.R. Ward still has that magic.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: Blood Vow by J.R. Ward

Series: Black Dagger Legacy
Format: Ebook
Rating: 3 Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from Library (Overdrive)
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Ballantine Books

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

The Black Dagger Brotherhood continues to train the best of the best to join them in the deadly battle against the Lessening Society. Among the new recruits, Axe proves to be a cunning and vicious fighter—and also a loner isolated because of personal tragedy. When an aristocratic female needs a bodyguard, Axe takes the job, though he’s unprepared for the animal attraction that flares between him and the one he is sworn to protect.

For Elise, who lost her first cousin to a grisly murder, Axe’s dangerous appeal is enticing—and possibly a distraction from her grief. But as they delve deeper into her cousin’s death, and their physical connection grows into so much more, Axe fears that the secrets he keeps and his tortured conscience will tear them apart.

Rhage, the Brother with the biggest heart, knows all about self-punishing, and he wants to help Axe reach his full potential. But when an unexpected arrival threatens Rhage and Mary’s new family, he finds himself back in the trenches again, fighting against a destiny that will destroy all he holds most dear.

As Axe’s past becomes known, and fate seems to be turning against Rhage, both males must reach deep—and pray that love, rather than anger, will be their lantern in the darkness.

Review

This was a good book, but it let me down a little bit. The romance was rushed-which is normal for these books. I liked the characters-especially Elise. My main problem is that I cared more about the Rhage and Mary storyline than the Axe and Elise one. This should be about Axe and Elsie, in my opinion. The problem is that I've been wrapped up in Rhage and Mary's story for like 10+ books so it isn't hard to feel that way. I wasn't as emotionally invested in the romance between Elise and Axe. I'm glad they're happy and everything but it just didn't quite grip me.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward

Series: The Bourbon Kings book #1
Format: Ebook
Rating: 3 Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from Library/Overdrive
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

 

For generations, the Bradford family has worn the mantle of kings of the bourbon capital of the world. Their sustained wealth has afforded them prestige and privilege—as well as a hard-won division of class on their sprawling estate, Easterly. Upstairs, a dynasty that by all appearances plays by the rules of good fortune and good taste. Downstairs, the staff who work tirelessly to maintain the impeccable Bradford facade. And never the twain shall meet.

For Lizzie King, Easterly’s head gardener, crossing that divide nearly ruined her life. Falling in love with Tulane, the prodigal son of the bourbon dynasty, was nothing that she intended or wanted—and their bitter breakup only served to prove her instincts were right. Now, after two years of staying away, Tulane is finally coming home again, and he is bringing the past with him. No one will be left unmarked: not Tulane’s beautiful and ruthless wife; not his older brother, whose bitterness and bad blood know no bounds; and especially not the ironfisted Bradford patriarch, a man with few morals, fewer scruples, and many, many terrible secrets.

As family tensions—professional and intimately private—ignite, Easterly and all its inhabitants are thrown into the grips of an irrevocable transformation, and only the cunning will survive.

Review

I was very conflicted while reading this and still am. This reminds me a lot of an evening Soap Opera like Dallas and I tend to avoid those. I enjoy some drama, but those kind of things often feel like there's drama to just have drama. And the majority of the characters are super unlikeable. Even the ones that seem normal and sympathetic are being pulled down by others.

All that being said, I struggled to put this down. Sometimes I was hate-reading. Other I times I sincerely cared about the characters and their stories. So, I will keep reading the series.

This isn't a straight up romance and I don't know if it's being marketed as one. I see it as more of a family saga with mystery and romance. The story of multiple characters are blended together very well. But that isn't much of a surprise if you've read J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood books.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: The Shadows by J.R. Ward

Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood Book #13
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 590
Rating: 4 Stars 
How I Got It: Borrowed from the library
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Vampires
Publisher: Signet

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

 

Trez “Latimer” doesn’t really exist. And not just because the identity was created so that a Shadow could function in the underbelly of the human world. Sold by his parents to the Queen of the S’Hsibe as a child, Trez escaped the Territory and has been a pimp and an enforcer in Caldwell, NY for years- all the while on the run from a destiny of sexual servitude. He’s never had anyone he could totally rely on... except for his brother, iAm.

iAm’s sole goal has always been to keep his brother from self-destructing- and he knows he’s failed. It’s not until the Chosen Serena enters Trez’s life that the male begins to turn things around... but by then it’s too late. The pledge to mate the Queen’s daughter comes due and there is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and no negotiating.

Trapped between his heart and a fate he never volunteered for, Trez must decide whether to endanger himself and others- or forever leave behind the female he’s in love with. But then an unimaginable tragedy strikes and changes everything. Staring out over an emotional abyss, Trez must find a reason to go on or risk losing himself and his soul forever. And iAm, in the name of brotherly love, is faced with making the ultimate sacrifice...

Review

I knew how I was going to rate this until the last 100 pages. Then, I was thrown for a loop.

My thing about this and the previous couple of books is how many storylines there are. It gets confusing and then some seem to disappear. It also felt like a lot of set-up for The Beast and Blood Kiss.

About half-way in I started to really enjoy it. I got very invested in Trez and iAm. And Paradise-I'm very excited to read her story.

Trez and iAm have always interested in me. They've been kind of mysterious figures so it was great to get into their heads. It would be easy to compare them to the other brothers-Z and Phury. They do have some similarities, but this is a different story.

There were definitely some serious romantic relationships going on here. And I was actually invested in all of them. Which was actually a writing accomplishment. Without spoilers let me say this: it was one hell of a roller-coaster.

I felt like these books were getting a little boring, but I'm now fully invested again. I need the next book ASAP and wanted to go in for a re-read of the earlier books especially Rhage and Mary's book.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward

Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood Book #2
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 441
Rating: 5 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Signet

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Within the brotherhood, Rhage is the vampire with the strongest appetites. He's the best fighter, the quickest to act on his impulses, and the most voracious lover-for inside him burns a ferocious curse cast by the Scribe Virgin. Owned by this dark side, Rhage fears the time when his inner dragon is unleashed, making him a danger to everyone around him.

Mary Luce, a survivor of many hardships is unwittingly thrown into the vampire world and reliant on Rhage's protection. With a life-threatening curse of her own, Mary is not looking for love. She lost her faith in miracles years ago. But when Rhage's intense animal attraction turns into something more emotional, he knows that he must make Mary his alone. And while their enemies close in, Mary fights desperately to gain life eternal with the one she loves... 

Review

After reading some of the more recent books J.R. Ward books I was feeling like a re-read. Especially after The Beast I wanted to go back to the beginning of Rhage and Mary's relationship. Now, to be honest, whenever I re-read these I typically skip the Lesser sections. I'm here for the inter-personal relationships.

I actually forgot a lot about this book. Mary is a really great heroine who has to go through a lot. But she truly cares about other people and it's nice to see how intrinsic that is to her character. Definitely, an alpha who is super-protective, but that's expected in this world.

Reading this made me want to re-read Lover Awakened, too. First, there's just something so beautiful about these early books and the relationships between the Brotherhood. Plus, the chemistry between Zsadist and Bella is so strong.

I freaking love these books.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: The Beast by J.R. Ward

Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood Book #14
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 508
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from Library
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: NAL

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Nothing is as it used to be for the Black Dagger Brotherhood. After avoiding war with the Shadows, alliances have shifted and lines have been drawn. The slayers of the Lessening Society are stronger than ever, preying on human weakness to acquire more money, more weapons, more power. But as the Brotherhood readies for an all-out attack on them, one of their own fights a battle within himself…

For Rhage, the Brother with the biggest appetites, but also the biggest heart, life was supposed to be perfect—or at the very least, perfectly enjoyable. Mary, his beloved shellan, is by his side and his King and his brothers are thriving. But Rhage can’t understand—or control—the panic and insecurity that plague him…

And that terrifies him—as well as distances him from his mate. After suffering mortal injury in battle, Rhage must reassess his priorities—and the answer, when it comes to him, rocks his world...and Mary’s. But Mary is on a journey of her own, one that will either bring them closer together or cause a split that neither will recover from... 

Review

I love Rhage and Mary. They are my second favorite couple in the series, so I was super excited about this book. But I was a teeny bit let down. It was kind of slow and had too many unresolved things for me.

Even though this was slow, I liked how parenthood is explored. There is definitely baby fever running through the mansion. Seeing Rhage and Mary work through their inability to have kids is one of the best parts of the story. But Ms. Ward also explored a couple who doesn't want children and was showed as a valid life choice.

The relationship between Bitty and Rhage was so adorable. I hope this series continues for years just to see her turn into a teenage girl.

I'm actually getting really into the Layla/Xcor story line. I read the next book will be about them and I'm curious to see how this progresses. I'm also finally liking Assail. I have not idea what will happen with him, but I'm curious to find out.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: The Blood Kiss by J.R. Ward

Series: Black Dagger Legacy Book #1
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 397
Rating: 4 stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from Library
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Signet

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Paradise, blooded daughter of the king’s First Advisor, is ready to break free from the restrictive life of an aristocratic female. Her strategy? Join the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training center program and learn to fight for herself, think for herself…be herself. It’s a good plan, until everything goes wrong. The schooling is unfathomably difficult, the other recruits feel more like enemies than allies, and it’s very clear that the Brother in charge, Butch O’Neal, a.k.a. the Dhestroyer, is having serious problems in his own life.

And that’s before she falls in love with a fellow classmate. Craeg, a common civilian, is nothing her father would ever want for her, but everything she could ask for in a male. As an act of violence threatens to tear apart the entire program, and the erotic pull between them grows irresistible, Paradise is tested in ways she never anticipated—and left wondering whether she’s strong enough to claim her own power…on the field, and off.

 
Review

This actually reminded me a lot of the early Black Dagger Brotherhood books. I don't know what the spin is, but I wouldn't read this without reading the first BDB books.There's the obvious spoilers, but I actually don't think those are that bad. I think you would need more backstory on the world than this provides.

There are three kind of overlapping plots--it's kind of like a three-circle Venn Diagram. The most minor is a murder-mystery. It was kind of just thrown together and was very predictable.

I actually kind of liked the Butch/Marissa story line. They have never been my favorite couple, but this kind of raised their stock. And they faced some very real relationship struggles. Ms. Ward seems to be doing this more which I liked. It makes the couples feel more developed.

Then, there's the Paradise/Craeg romance. This is what I actually came for and probably is my favorite. It's definitely insta-lovey, but that's how these vampires actually work. The chemistry was spot-on. And Paradise is great. She has a physical strength which is built on a strong mental will. And she has so much generosity. Her  relationship with her dad also melts my heart. Craeg is also interesting, but she just overshadows him.

I'm very excited about the potential of this series. There is so much groundwork for this to turn into another found-family series. I love those and nothing would make me happier than to see that happen.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

August Wrap-Up (2016)

August really flew by. I think a huge part of that is that work was busy. This is already our busy season and this is the worst I've seen it in my five years there. So, I've been working a lot of overtime. This cuts into a lot of free time including reading.

I have to prioritize other things like sleep. Especially when I have to be 100% at work.

So, I read six books. It could've been better, but I'm not disappointed. Probably doesn't hurt that I finally read a few books by two of my favorite authors. And all but one of them (which was a re-read) were library books.

Below are the books I read and their ratings.

The Shadows-4 Stars

Blood Kiss-4 Stars

The Beast-4 Stars

Lover Eternal-5 Stars

Brown-Eyed Girl-4 Stars

Fortune's Pawn-4 Stars

Thanks for reading!
Holly