The King (Black Dagger Brotherhood #12)

I was originally a little confused as to why Wrath gets another book when there are many new characters but when I listened to it, I completely understood. I loved this book and even more, I love when the laws are changed in the BDB world. I find myself cheering on Wrath & Saxton. This book had a little of everything except the war with the lessers and anything really about the brotherhood. I loved the back story for Wrath\’s parents, it helps explain a lot about who Wrath is. We also got a little from each of the characters from the next few books. This series is has always been a favorite of mine because of JR Wards writing style, each book is written with so many POV & story lines so that it\’s more about the entire BDB world not just the characters from each book. I don\’t know how many times I\’ve read & listened to this series (usually I do a complete re-listen every couple years before the new book releases. Jim Frangione IS the brotherhood to me!!!

As a fan of the whole series I pre-ordered this, then counted the weeks, days, hours and minutes until I could finally listen to this much anticipated story and, although I was half-way through another book (which was good by the way), I stopped it knowing that, for me, a new BDB book was going to be epic….. and I was right. There was the main story of Wrath, his roots, his fears and dreams and Beth\’s all consuming needs as she lost focus for just a short while but came back fighting, then there were so many sub romances, sub plots and new characters that, at times, you think your head\’s going to explode. Beth and Wrath\’s dilemma was so painful, touching and raw, his throne is both a curse and a joy which he eventually found out and he may be blind but he finally gets to see the bigger picture. A lot of very emotional bitter-sweet torment and turmoil because of the ups and downs in all the romances, danger and threats made by old enemies, twists, turns and surprises and various visits through time to the 17th century to hear of the love and plight of the former Vampire King and a lot more was shared about the Shadow brothers and their lives. There were familiar well loved faces as well as new ones….. but always, through everything, The Brotherhood were there ready to support and rejoice in welcoming in the dawning of a new era. Worth a credit? Wicked plans were thwarted, blood was spilled, revenge was sweet and love and bonds were deepened so, at the end of Chapter 76, after 22 hours of listening pleasure as the overall plot-line grew, morphed and moved forward, all I can safely say is YES it was well worth the credit, the sleepless nights and the lost hours in my shortened days.

I found this book such a big disappointment! I have been listening to this series from the beginning with the first book. I\’ve loved thim all. My only complaint up till now had been the long time between each book. Each time the wait was worth it. Not this time. This book seemed to go off in so many directions with so many characters that I had to get a list of all the characters that have been in this or any of the other books to try to help me with the confusion. The book was advertised to be about Wrath and Beth and their desire to have a baby but it was a good half way thru the book before this topic was really delved into. There was just too much jumping around from couple to couple without really having a clear direction for any of them. Wouldn\’t recommend it for any lover of this series.

Why is everyone raving about this book? Was it even written by J.R. Ward?? I am a HUGE fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and Ward, but this one was so immature I could barely get through it. It seemed like Wrath transformed into a mouthy, cussing, insecure and immature teenager. I\’m so sad to say this was a total thumbs down. I\’ve listened and read the whole series a dozen times or more, but I\’ll never listen to this one again. It did not do credit to the series. The only saving grace was the narrator, who was awesome, and made the book bearable.

The main story was good, the other story arcs were juicy…..but I found myself wanting a little.

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