The King
Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book #12
By J.R. Ward
ISBN# 9780451417053
Author’s Website: http://www.jrward.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi
*Beware of Spoilers*
Ahhh nothing like the feel of a good book hangover!
The King is the 12th entry into the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, and it proved that Ward has NOT lost her touch! I was worried when I first saw the complete change on the title …. all the others had ‘lover’ in the title, Dark Lover, Lover Eternal, etc., etc. So seeing there was no “lover’ in this title I was worried that it meant it was a finale like so many of my other series that I’ve read that have ended this year. I’m extremely happy to report that is not the case with BDB. You can continue on reading this book without fear of it being the last!
Now onto this book …
Beth and Wrath have been at odds over the having children issue, and it plays a big role in this book as Beth still longs to have a child and a piece of Wrath in case anything would ever happen to take him from her. But he is filled with fear of losing his beloved leelan during a difficult vampire delivery. After months of Beth hanging out with Layla, in hopes of setting off her need, what will happen when push comes to shove and her time comes? Can Wrath get past his fear and give her what she wants or will he end up breaking her heart and possibly their relationship?
“Beth’s not on that train?”
“Nope. She’s not even in that station, that town, or that part of whatever country your metaphor lives in.”
During all of this, plots to remove Wrath as king are coming to a head as Xcor and the glymera finally make their move. But will it be enough to end Wrath’s reign?
I absolutely loved this book, and there was really nothing I would change about it. It’s a little different in the fact that it didn’t really focus on one couple, like all the previous books did. Instead, it was more of a hodgepodge of different relationships. Beth and Wrath (book 2), which was probably even better than their first book. We also get to go back in time and see the love between Wrath’s parents and the devotion his father had for his mother, it was quite the treat, and I really enjoyed it. Then there was glimpses of Trez and Selena. Up to ten thousand women though, Trez? I have a hard time buying that … you aren’t that old. Exactly how many at a time? A day? To get that number?
“So, yeah, his people wouldn’t have just frowned on his sex life; they would have handled him only with barbecue tongs while wearing a Hazmat suit and a welding mask”
We also saw Xcor and Layla, which is by no means a romance … yet.
“Knock her dead, my man.”
“Oh no.” Xcor shook his head.”That shan’t be necessary. This one I like.”
But I think my favorite of the little romances we got to see, which surprised me more than you can know, was that of Sola and Assail. There is just something about them in this book that I ate up with a silver spoon and I am still dying for seconds and thirds. And that shower scene? I think it was the hottest sex scene in the entire book! Well until the end with his weird way of marking her … Assail is another bad guy, and I don’t know, I think I’d like him to stay a bad guy even with the influence of a good woman, even though her reputation is far from pristine. I think it makes them the perfect duo. We’ve seen others reform for love, I don’t want that for them:) He can still love her and keep some of his other interests, just not other women!
Speaking of Sola, I really liked her grandmother too, especially how quickly Assail and his cousins took to her, and she to them. It was kind of cute when she was trying to get Sola to stay. I wish their book was next …
The lessers were almost non-existent in this book, which was fine by me considering all the other stuff going on. And, let’s face it how many more shellans can they kidnap? Their actions get a bit repetitious.
And, of course the big part of this story; Wrath. I loved it. Seeing their struggles both within their relationship and their efforts to keep Wrath on the throne. The outcome in both, could not have been better. Skip this next quote if you don’t want to see a big spoiler!
“You have given me something … I didn’t even know I needed. It’s the greatest gift I will ever receive–it’s, like, completing me already in places I wasn’t aware were empty. And yet … in spite of all that? I don’t love you one bit more. You are as important to me as you’ve always been.” He curled down and pressed a kiss to the loose shirt she was wearing–it was one of his, actually, and wasn’t that great. “I was wholly bonded to you before this, and will be after this–and forevermore.”
“You’re going to make me cry again.”
“So cry. And let me take care of you. I got this.”
I was holding out hope that by some miracle, Wrath would get his sight back though. But it was not to be. Maybe in the future if the Scribe Virgin ever returns? *Shoulder shrug* We shall wait and see. Maybe in the final book of the series that I’m nowhere near ready for, and hopefully Ward isn’t either!!
And, it sounds like the connection between John Matthew and Darius is going to be discovered by all the characters soon!!
Oh and did I mention my favorite fallen angel made a spectacle of an appearance as well? I freaking love him! One of these days I’m going to read the Fallen Angels series, but until then I’ll enjoy the snippets I get of him in the BDB books!
“Rhage raised his hand ” Pastor Ass-hat, I have a question.”
“Yes my son, you are going to hell”
This was an amazing edition to the series and one that every Black Dagger Brotherhood fan should run out and buy because you will want to read it again and again! True? My only complaint was that I couldn’t devour this book as quickly as I wanted to, life kept getting in the way when all I wanted to do was … Read. This. Book!
“Holy shit.” Rehv shook his head and muttered, “Now we know what the zombie apocalypse looks like.”
And just for fun … I’ll leave you with a little piece of eye candy … a possible visual for Wrath!
