The King (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 12)

Rating system:1 star = did not like2 star = it was okay3 star = liked it4 star = really liked it5 star = it was amazingThere's a lot going on this book, as per usual. Many couple stories are in progress, whether they be continuing or just starting out.Beth and Wrath are the primary focus. It's nice to see more of Beth again after seeing little to none of her since volume one. Their main issues for the book are the argument of whether or not to have a baby, and dealing with all the political garbage that goes with being the king.Assail and Sola's story continues, though I'm pretty sure it's not finished in this book.Trez and Selena's story begins in earnest in preparation for volume thirteen, which I think focuses on them.Xcor and Layla's story has yet to truly begin, but their complicated Romeo & Juliet type relationship gets a small amount of coverage.All of that is great, but the focus of the series for so long, the battle against the lessers, has been absent. I get that they are trying to rebuilt their funding because their leadership is currently a mess, but it was such a huge part of the story starting off, and the past few books have just kind of dropped it. I read the series because I adore the characters, but it feels like something important is missing without that part of the story.Also, something that has been bugging me about the past few books. The descriptions of the odor of lessers keeps getting farther and farther away from the initial baby powder that was used in the first several books. Before, they were heavily implied to smell like baby powder to the point of making jokes that they smell like sissies or very strange people, but now it's like the odor is akin to that of a corpse. That's a pretty drastic change in my opinion.

We loved Beth and Wrath's story it was so emotional with getting to revisit Wrath's past the death of his parents the emotional stress of having to shoulder the responsibility for the brotherhood and the entire vampire race. Understanding his feeling about carrying that burden but, now that he has his Leelan he is not about to do it alone anymore. Their love story is beautiful but, not without its ups and downs.Just loved Beth she is just a sweetheart and good for Wrath as well as his brothers. Love Wrath just as much along with his constant companion. Got to love and see a man like Wrath change right before your eyes now that he has found his mate he melts and becomes softer just in her presence but, don't let that deceive you even the Blind King is deadly and a force to be reckoned with.One thing we love most about this series is the amazing characters it has and how they all interact with one another.Most of all we loved how the couple were willing to sacrifice in order for the vampire race without sacrificing their love for one another. Loved it!

THE KING is the twelfth instalment in JR Ward’s The Black Dagger Brotherhood series focusing on an elite group of vampire warriors and their King. Like most of the previous storylines JR focuses on more than one developing relationship and story as well as the continued war with the Lessening Society (not so much) and the Glymera (vampire ruling council). This is Beth and Wrath’s continuing story as Beth enters her needing and Wrath refuses his mate’s desire for a family.The book focuses on several storylines as per Ward’s style and each may or may not overlap at some point in The King. Like all of her previous books, The King is not a stand alone novel as developing relationships and backstories continue throughout each instalment. The storyline fast forwards the series several months up to approximately one year.Beth and Wrath: Beth wants a baby and Wrath’s continued reluctance will pit the mates against one another. Wrath’s tortured family past and the vampire’s history of birth and death are major obstacles that Wrath is unable to overcome. Beth and Wrath’s relationship will enter a difficult period, one where words will be exchanged and Wrath’s emotional stability will be questioned by the Brothers and his friends. Much of the ruling vampire history is revealed through flashbacks and memory at various storyline intervals. Iam and Trez and Selena: This particular part of the storyline focuses on Trez’s relationship with the Chosen Selena but also on his destination as the Shadow Queen’s daughter’s consort. When an ultimatum is handed down, Trez makes a deal with the devil-one that will exact revenge for a wrong brought down on Trez but places Trez in a precarious position of losing everything and everyone that he loves. His future as the Queen’s daughter’s mate is still a question that will be addressed in the next storyline. We learn a little more about the why and the how of family betrayal against a once-beloved son.Xcor and Layla: The continuing battle for the throne finds Xcor aligned with the Glymera and torn between his need for Layla and what he believes is his inherent right to the crown. When an offer is made that he cannot refuse Xcor loses sight of the reason he and the Band of Bastards returned-Layla is now the recipient of his desires. Xcor and Layla’s story will be difficult to accept for many readers. I do not feel the love or the attraction between the couple and I wonder how JR will redeem Xcor in the eyes of the Brothers and the reader. There was some definite drag in the story as it pertained to this couple.Assail and Sola: Assail’s need for the human female Sola will pit the vampire against Caldwell’s drug lord and his minions. At the end of Lover at Last, Sola is kidnapped and her whereabouts is unknown. The reader is pulled into a nightmare where Sola fears for not only her life but her sanity and Assail fears he is too late to save the woman with whom he has fallen in love. This particular part of the novel also dragged in spots but JR is still building their story. To be honest, this particular premise feels disconnected to the main series. I am not sure of this couple’s purpose in the grand scheme of the BDB but hopefully JR Ward has something planned for this couple.JM aka John Matthew: John’s seizures have returned with a vengeance. We all know John’s connection to Darius, Beth and the Brothers but the closer he and Beth become his seizures occur more often and more violently. Once John entered his post-trans phase his seizures were a thing of the past but the re-appearance come with flashbacks and memories that cannot be explained as post-seizure hallucinations. Will JM’s true identity finally be revealed?The Brothers are secondary characters at this point and make a cameo appearance if only in thought or mention. In this, if you are looking for any Blay and Quinn relationship updates etc, there are none to be had. In fact, the focus of The King is The King and his struggle to retain the crown. There is little to no reconnection with most of the previous couples-Ward centres on the upcoming battles and, the building and dissecting of future storyline arcs. The world building continues with each instalment but is shying away from the ‘lessers’ and that particular series arc. There are definite moments of highs and lows; a few slow spots where you want to fast forward in the story; and others spots where you wish JR had revealed a little more information. I miss the Brotherhood banter and their one on one time with each other. JR Ward is no longer focused on the Brotherhood but on the introduction of new characters, new vampires and new directions.Saxton’s connection to the Glymera is revealed as well as the family betrayal that is emotional and heartbreaking. You have to wonder why one continues to acknowledge those who destroy your heart and your soul. Saxton’s mate will have to be strong although Saxton himself is a male of worth.THE KING is an emotional storyline as it pertains to Beth and Wrath. When history begins to repeat itself Wrath is lost in a world of what-ifs. Will he survive without the crown? Without his mate? Without the Brothers? He is a man who has lost so much and yet has everything he has always dreamed (of).Lassiter makes a reappearance and in true Lassiter fashion-all I can say is-The King is alive and well and living in Caldwell, New York. Every story needs a little humor to offset the dark and emotional ups and downs. I can’t wait for Lassiter’s story. It will take an amazing woman to keep up with the manically hyper Angel.Speaking of humor Ward interjects several contemporary and humorous moments that give the storyline familiarity and a modern feel. Although in future, the points may date the series to particular period in time e.g Miley Cyrus, twerking etc.Overall, THE KING is a necessary storyline that brings Wrath’s family history full circle: the Glymera reap what they sow: and a look to the future ruling King. My only hope is that JR comes back to the Brothers but it doesn’t look like anytime soon with the Shadows-Iam and Trez-getting their story next.

The King, the much anticipated book by J.R. Ward did not disappoint! Bringing a long-running plot to what looks like a final close, we get to witness Wrath's battle for the throne and all the emotions that go with it, as loyalties and allegiances are made, broken or reinforced. There will be times when it's impossible to put the book down as you experience the emotional turmoil faced by characters you've grown to know and love, throughout what is truly the master of all paranormal romance series.And with three sub-plots running effortlessly alongside the main story, not to mention a trip back in time to meet Wrath's parents, fans of the Black Dagger Brotherhood can remain calm in the knowledge that Ms Ward obviously has plans to keep going. Because there are loose ends left fluttering in the wake of this book for Trez and Selena, Assail and Marisol, and of course Xcor and Layla ... not to mention the fact that of course we want to witness the birth of a new era for Wrath and the BDB. As well as be there for the bith of Layla and Quinn's young, especially when it comes to Layla's impending birth of the child she conceived with Quinn.600+ pages will undoubtedly fly by for fans of this series. However, if you are new to BDB ... well, you need to read them all in order first so you can truly enjoy this book. And you'll be awfully glad you did.

First off I would just like to say that this is one of my favourite series of books. Saying that I wait with much anticipation for the next book like most BDB fans do. I was how ever left feeling very disappointed with this book. In my honest opinion it just did not deliver.The reason I love these books are the great story lines that so far seem to have all fit and connected. I love each vampire who has had his story line. The Lessers are a major part of these books as they are the main enemy and that brings me to another great reason and that is, the action in the books. You have a great set of books with hot vampires, great leading ladies, all out fight scene and some really great erotic scenes to tie it all together to make a great book.The king just did not fit the bill. Where was the fights, where was the interaction with the other brothers and even the sex scenes in this book were lame compared to the others. Where is the lessoning society. Only mentioned a few times in the book as a dead one was found and Butch needed calling. I appreciate where this book was heading but to me it is going to far off the beaten track that its loosing the feel of the brotherhood. You now have so many loose ends that she has left open for other books that I feel have no relevance to the BDB. The whole point of the series I thought was the good and bad - You have Omega (bad) not even in the book and the Scribe virgin (good) not even in the book. We all waited for the last book for Blay and Qhuinn story and it so delivered because of the build up for so many books. Now this book had no build up and totally left me feeling flat and not even in the slightest wanting to read the next book which I believe is about Iam.

So far I have really enjoyed reading the Brotherhood but I found the King tedious. Too much going on. Admittedly it must have been hard to write, can't be easy to keep up with so many different stories going on at the same time. Usually I read these books within two sittings or three at most. This is the longest it has taken me to read any of these books. Did not feel so enthusiastic about picking up again as I did not know which character would be next. I really don't have much else to say, apart that the cost is about £3.00 cheaper than when I preordered. The question now is "is it worth preordering"? I order two books a month on average. I am now thinking about the savings too. I have just received a couple of my other preorders and will make sure to check cost when I review and if they are cheaper, no more preorders. A couple of weeks waiting won't hurt as I have always enough reading material. Why is it always that faithful and regulars who pay the price? I know I have gone off topic but appropriate in view of the cost of this book. Not much more to say. Disappointment all round.

As usual with JR Ward and the Black Dagger Brotherhood books this was totally gripping from beginning to end and I have been reading it every spare chance that I have had - but what a humongous book! This book is such a thick tome and totally crammed with not just Wrath and Beth's storyline but also other side characters too such as the Shadow brothers iAm and Trez, Sola and Assail, Xcor and Layla and even has flash backs to Wrath's father Wrath.As with the last few books this mix of not just the main storyline but other side storylines is obviously to set up these characters main stories which will no doubt feature in future books. The next book which is due out in March 2015 is apparently going to be entitled The Shadows and feature Trez and iAm and I have already pre-ordered it. A lot of other reviewers are not happy that the books are not just about one set of characters anymore as with the first few in the series but as JR Ward is introducing non BDB characters into the series then I think that this mix of stories in one book is probably the only way she can really do this. I personally still love the series and don't mind the mix of stories as these generally will include some sort of update albeit sometimes small about the previous BDB characters such as this book gave a little update on Beth and Z. Still a fantastic series and I can't wait for the next installment and hopefully some further information on s'Ex as he seems like a very interesting character for future............

I am a big fan of the brotherhood books, I discovered them when there were 6 books in the series and read them all in less than a week.But despite hoping the books would stay with the winning format of a fantastic love story focusing on one couple with an amazing back plot and wonderful characters, i am sorry to say the books changed and in my opinion not for the better, they became wannabe novels with a love story as the sub plot. Far to many sub plots now, no magical moments like When butch becomes a brother, when Rhage goes on his blind date with Mary. when Butch becomes a vampire, when Zsadist nurses Beth back to health to name but a few.Classic moments i can read over and over. they have lost the spark for me, i have kept hoping they will go back to how they were, but i don;t think i will be buying any more of this series sad to say, as i so look forward to the publishing date only to be disappointed by the book. And what the hell happened to the scribe virgin!!! and her brother The Omega!!!