Review: The Shadows by J.R. Ward

Description:
Two brothers bound by more than blood fight to change a brutal destiny in the heart-wrenching new novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood by #1 New York Times bestselling author J. R. Ward.

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...


My Thoughts:
There are understandably some mixed thoughts on this one. I had a hard time writing this review.  This book is heartbreaking. There are some lighter moments. We get some Rhage POV and see him with his Mary, which is sweet. One of my favorite scenes in the book is the females together having some girl time, Xhex included. It's fun and awkward at the same time.
It was a typical BDB book with fighting and lots of different storylines going on with different characters. I loved that we found out more about the shadows. My favorite line from the book is from iAm's POV: "It appeared, after decades of being without a tribe, that he and his brother had found theirs."
I have loved this series from the beginning and that hasn't changed. This is a series that you need to start from book 1 but you will be hooked. Fans of the series will want to read this one, just grab a box of tissues first.


My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !!!!
*Notes: Language

My Source: purchased



Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes


Where to find the author:

Website | Facebook | Goodreads

The King by J.R. Ward - Review

Description:
J.R. Ward's # 1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood continues as a royal bloodline is compromised by a grave threat to the throne.

Long live the King…

After turning his back on the throne for centuries, Wrath, son of Wrath, finally assumed his father’s mantle--with the help of his beloved mate. But the crown sets heavily on his head. As the war with the Lessening Society rages on, and the threat from the Band of Bastards truly hits home, he is forced to make choices that put everything--and everyone--at risk.

Beth Randall thought she knew what she was getting into when she mated the last pure blooded vampire on the planet: An easy ride was not it. But when she decides she wants a child, she’s unprepared for Wrath’s response--or the distance it creates between them.

The question is, will true love win out... or tortured legacy take over?

My Thoughts:
I love to see a strong, testosterone-filled warrior brought to his knees by his woman. This is the twelfth book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. These need to be read in order. Wrath and Beth were the first book and have always been my favorite BDB couple. We've seen bits and pieces of them in the other books, but I was glad they got another book. A lot has happened since then. This was so good. In addition to Wrath and Beth's issues with the throne and potential children, we also get to see more of Assail and Sola, Trez and Selena, and Xcor and Layla. I normally start to get tired of a series after 10 books or so, but after 12 books, I still can't wait for the next. This series just does not get old.


My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !!!!
*Notes: Language

My Source: purchased

Where to get it:
Amazon | B&N | iTunes

Where to find the author:
Website | Goodreads

Review: Lover Reborn (BDB #10)

Lover Reborn: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward

Description: 
Ever since the death of his shellan, Tohrment is a heartbroken shadow of the vampire leader he once was. Brought back to the Brotherhood by a self-serving fallen angel, he fights again with ruthless vengeance- and is unprepared for a new tragedy. Seeing his beloved in dreams—trapped in a cold, desolate netherworld—he turns to the angel to save his former mate, only to despair at the path he himself must take to set her free. As war with the lessers rages, and a new clan of vampires vies for the Blind King’s throne, Tohr struggles between an unforgettable past, and a future that he doesn’t know he can live with… but can’t seem to turn away from.


My Thoughts: 
I love this series so much. J.R. Ward knows how to put you through an emotional ringer. Every single book it  seems like there is no way things will work out, but they do, at least for the main couple. If you have not read a BDB book, you really should start at the beginning with Dark Lover . The books are very interconnected.

This book deals with how someone can recover from losing a love. Tissues are needed.  I always liked Tohrment and I'm glad he can finally move on and be happy. It is not easy, though. He acts like a jerk and I wanted to punch him a few times, but he is hurting. We get more of Lassiter, too, although we still don't know much about him. 


J.R. Ward recently announced on her Facebook page that the next book will be Quinn and Blay! They deserve a HEA, so I am happy to hear that. If anyone has a problem with the fact that they are both males, then they shouldn't read it. 

My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !!!!
*Note: Not for those with delicate sensibilities.