The Shadows (Black Dagger Brotherhood #13) [Trez & Selena, iAm & Maichen] by J.R. Ward

I'm quite reluctant to write a review about this book. Firstly because as usual with Ward there are a lot of plots to cover and also because this books is / going to be VERY controversial. There is something that happens in this book that made a lot of fans angry or even feel betrayed. I"m not going to say what it was, but if you are interested I"m sure you can find reviews with spoilers and even the author's explanation for "the did". I personally wasn't impressed with her explanation, yet she is the author and she can do whatever it is she wants! I'll get to that later. 

This book has taken me quite a while to read. I'll admit that I haven't been reading a lot of PNR lately, and furthermore Ward has a very unique way of writing her male character and while I really enjoyed the series in the beginning (and some of the later books in the series) I'm starting to feel a bit saturated with the Brotherhood and their conflicts. So much happens in each book with so many POVs yet the general feeling is nothing actually happens when you look at the bigger picture or even if you look at the side characters (which take quite a lot of page space). So while I'll probably read the next one, I"m kinda glad it's going to be a whole year from now and not right away. 

The King (Black Dagger Brotherhood #12) [Wrath & Beth revisited] by J.R. Ward

Honestly, I don't feel like writing this review. First because I was disappointed.. and second because I have some things I want to refer to that would be a spoiler.. so we'll see how it goes..

While the other books in the series, each portrait a specific couple, this one is a bit different. First because Beth and Wrath aren't a new couple and aren't new to us and second because they don't feel like the main heroes which was FINE BY ME. I don't like both of them. Haven't been their fan from the first book in the series = their book. Wrath is too alpha male for me and Beth, in my eyes, isn't special, there isn't anything attractive in her character and I don't "get" why so many characters in the series consider her a really good friend because while reading it, you read *of* the relationship you don't read it first hand.  

Lover At Last (Black Dagger Brotherhood #11) [Quinn & Blay] by J.R. Ward

Well, well, well... this is my final re-read of the series! I start the re-read in the 25th of February meaning it took me almost 3 months! (I thought it's going to be 2... but I forgot how long these are).

This book has been long awaited by fans. I don't think the Warden actually had Blay and Quinn's book in mind. I know that after the previous one there was a talk of a short novella telling their story because when you think about it, there isn't a lot that could/should happen to bring them together, the both of them are "already there". Blay has been in love with Quinn for years and Quinn just needs to realize that marrying a chosen and having kids with her might be great in theory but it's not what HE wants it's what his parents would have considered "proper" (though they wouldn't have dreamed of that EVER happening to Quinn..). That being said, since this is a full novel, expect a lot of side stories because there's just not enough for the two of them to fill of whole book.

Lover Reborn (Black Dagger Brotherhood #10) [Thor & Autumn] by J.R. Ward

OK, lets just say it, shall we? 

THIS BOOK WAS HORRIBLE!

Now that it's out of my system I can say one last thing before I explain myself and this one is going to be - 

THOR IS A DOUCHE BAG AND DESERVED MUCH MORE PAIN THAN HE GOT!

Lover Unleashed (Black Dagger Brotherhood #9) [Payne & Manny] by J.R. Ward

Well, well, well, I'm nearing the end here! Can't believe it! This is the book of Payne and Manny aka Dr. Manuel Manello or as Payne calls him about half of the book "healer" :) I really liked that she called him that, so old fashioned and respectful. 

Payne FINALLY get to return to real world and leave the sanctuary behind, too bad it's only because she broken her back and needs medical attention that might not even help her, leaving her a prisoner in her own body. From the start, Payne tells V that if the operation doesn't succeed she wants him to kill her (great for V getting to know he has a sister then realizing he might have to kill her in less than a week...). Jane doesn't think she can handle this kind of operation that's why they contact Dr. Manuel Manello her boss but also a good friend from her "living days". 

The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider'es Guide by J. R. Ward

This insider's guide was published after the 6th book in the series - Lover Unbound (V's story) and contains a short novella I read and reviewed separately -"Father Mine". 

Took me long enough to get to this Insider's guide, I had it even before I started re-reading the series I just didn't find the right time to get into it. Thing is, if you read the books a long time ago then some of the things you've forgotten so I'm quite happy I decided to wait to read it after a re-read of the series. 

This Insider's guide have a lot of fun and games, interviews of the Warden (As she is often called) with the brother, a summary of what she has to say about the writing of each book, her experience as a writer, funny quotes from the books, few deleted scenes and "slices of life" (Which are small entries she posted in message boards relating to day-to-day with the brothers).

Lover Mine (Black Dagger Brotherhood #8) [John Matthew & Xhexania] by J.R. Ward

We're here! John Matthew and Xhex's book! I think for most BDB fans this is absolutely one of the favorites, favorite book and absolutely favorite character. But for me, you know, he can only be third best after Z and Rehv.

The previous book ended with Lash capturing Xhex and it starts with JM being obsessed with finding her though in his heart he doesn't believe she is still alive and even if she is, it's obvious to him that they can't / won't be a mated couple. Xhex IS alive, captured in a special invisible "holding cell" by Lash. Lash, the fucked up guy that he is naturally falls in love with her (with tormenting her and torturing her as well), reminds us a little bit of David (Mr O) from Bella and Z's book only 10 times worse for Xhex than it was with Bella. 

Lover Avenged (Black Dagger Brotherhood #7) [Rehvenge & Ehlena] by J.R. Ward

I'm having a really hard time thinking who is my favorite character.. Zsadist or Rehvenge.. and also which one of the books is my absolute favorite - this one or Lover Awakened. It's a close call and each day I might change my mind.. but anyhow both of them are excellent also when considering the side plots. 

In the first books, Rhevenge is mainly portrayed as a "drug lord". We know he is the owner of "Zero Sum" a club in which there are gambling being made, whores and drugs to be bought. But we also started getting a little bit more from him in the previous book, when we see he "has a soul" so to speak. He is willing to stop selling drugs to Phury when Z asks him to, we know that though he is a tough brother to Bella he truly cares about her and in his eyes he is not only her big brother but somehow her father. Bella doesn't remember her father and what it was like growing up with him because thankfully he killed him after he beaten their mother one time too many.. (he was also harsh on Bella but she doesn't remember as it seems..). Rehv will do anything, anything at all, to keep his mother and sister safe and since he and his family has been through a lot he is quite obsessive and aggressive when it comes to them and also to his close friends - iAm, Trez and Xhex which are mostly "partners in crime" but also friends he values as his family.

Father Mine (Black Dagger Brotherhood #6.5) [Zsadist, Bella & Nalla] by J.R. Ward

I'm "returning to myself" this week, returning to my reading. I had SUCH intense two weeks all I did was work and sleep and then this weekend I became sick.. So this week I promised myself less work, more relaxation which naturally means more time to read. 

I have one more review to write before I do my March Recap and to tell you the truth I read maybe half of what I planned on reading.. so I really hope April will be better in this sense. 

Zsadist is my absolute favorite character in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and it's quite obvious why, he is the ultimate tormented warrior but he is also a lot more than that. He has a tender side that probably Bella is the only one who sees on a regular basis. But we saw him display his tenderness to a few other characters during the the series like with JM and we also saw that though he always behaves as though he is a soulless bastard - that he is surely not! As he was wrongly accused of accepting Havers offer to off Wrath. Even when he refuses to thank his brother for saving his life he is there for him when his addiction is getting worse, he may not say the "proper" words but he knows what to say to his brother. Yes, he mistreated Phury when he asked him over and over again to beat him but I think it's obvious that he was in a very dark place at the time. 

Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood #6) [Phury & Cormia] by J.R. Ward

I think it's kinda obvious what I thought of this one.. I REALLY disliked it! You know what, there were a few good parts that I wouldn't have wanted to miss out (if I chose to skip this one) and there are a few parts that are important for the understanding of the future plot. This is the story of Phury and Cormia finding their HEA together but luckily it has a lot to it then just the two of them.

There are a lot of scenes with JM, Quinn and Blay. There are revaluations on all sides, some we knew but other characters didn't and some are new. There is a lot about Quinn's family and why he is the way he is. It's heart breaking but he is a man about it. You see his hurt and his struggle but he deals with the cards he got the best he can. He has a lot to go through till he gets his "happily ever after" (on the 10th book). Blay is a sweetheart. He doesn't deserve the heartache he gets in this book and in the following ones but sometimes you need to wait for the one you love to come to grips. JM is having a hard time as well, his past, his present at the training center with Lash and missing his father - Thor. He also continues to be interested in Xhex. 

Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood #5) [Vishous & Jane] by J.R. Ward

This is the 5th book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood telling us the story of Vishous. V was never one of my favorites. The is something slightly annoying in fact that he is better than all the other brothers. It makes him feel "too ..", too what I don't really know, but somehow when it's him it's too dark, too sorrowful, too powerful, too naughty, too smart etc. There are SO many things V is in charge of it seems if he was king, we probably wouldn't need the series with all the brothers, he would just do everything.. I think I read somewhere that he is Ward's favorite character. Well, it shows.. and having a favorite son is an OK concept if it's kept somewhat secret ;) like Tyrion being Martin's favorite (in A Song of Ice and Fire). 

That being said I did love the book. This one feels a bit longer than the previous ones and we had in my eyes a more substantial part with other POVs though luckily we didn't have any lesser POVs. Actually as I've said before I don't "get" the Lessening Society part in the series. There is nothing to them and when something DOES happen it's so, well, annoying. So I was REALLY happy that there were no lessers around in this book though I thought that one of the probably 2 encounters with the lessers was a little TOO predictable. I thought it would have been better if it was played in a different way. 

Lover Revealed (Black Dagger Brotherhood #4) [Butch & Marissa] by J.R. Ward

I enjoyed re-listening to this one, even though as I've wrote ןn the previous reviews I'm noא into the audio version. I think the narrator is doing a very poor job. You can't distinguish any character from one another (maybe except for Fritz..) but the book is GOOD and so worth reading!

I'll start by saying that guys like Butch and gals like Marissa "aren't my type". He was never one of my favorites. He is too "rough around the edges" in a way I don't find appealing. He had a tough life, his family practically hating him and blaming him for his sister's murder even though he was just a kid and there is no logic in blaming him at all. His father beat him up, his other siblings forgetting him once he was gone. He was a cop and they all call him that but I wonder why he even was into that considering his substance abuse.. But as the main hero in this book I really loved him and learned to appreciate him as a male of worth which he is.

Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood #3) [Zsadist & Bella] by J.R. Ward

Awwww Reading this one is always a joy, though it is sorrow as well, depends on which chapter you're on.. I've read and re-read this book so many times! or at least certain scenes that leave me just breathless. I love Zsadist, I love Bella and their relationship though it took it quite a long time to build is absolutely beautiful.

This book is the amazing love story between Bella and Zsadist. On the first book of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Z is mainly considered to be soulless bastard, on the second book we have a little more glimpses into who he is and we understand that he is mostly a broken guy who went through hell and back and didn't really return. Even though the surrounding aren't of hell he took hell into him and he lived this way for many years. Phury sums it up nicely when he tells Bella on the previous book -

"   My twin's not broken. He's ruined. Do you understand the difference? With broken, maybe you can fix things. Ruined? All you can do is wait to bury him   "

Lover Eternal (Black Dagger Brotherhood #2) [Rhage & Mary ] by J.R. Ward

Oh my, oh my, I forgot how much I loved this one! I forgot how amazing Rhage is! 

I don't know why Mary is one of the least appreciated females of the bunch, I really loved her, who she is, what she's been through and also her struggle with herself at surrendering to loving Rhage with all that he is.

This book tells the story of Rhage also known as Hollywood for his over-the-top good looks and "obsession" with having as many women as he can - and he can! Even the brothers don't see past the act. Yes, he has as many women as he can but they serve only the purpose of giving release to his inner monster. and when I say monster I mean a literal monster living inside of him, sharing one body suit. Rhage needs either sexual release or hard core fighting to "feed" the beast, enough that he wouldn't lose control. Because when he does, all hell breaks loose and the casualties are shredded to little pieces.

Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1) [Wrath & Beth] by J.R. Ward

Since April is coming fast and with it "The King" Book 12 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood will be out, I've decided to listen to the Audio Books of the series from start to finish. I think I originally read the first 10 about 2 years ago. Back then I just got my Kindle and I didn't really interact with anyone but a good friend who recommended books to me. She started with Sookie Stackhouse and when she saw I loved it, offered I read this one. So as it goes with most of what she recommends - I sat down to read and wasn't disappointed :)

The first book is about Wrath who is actually the King of the race though he refuses to act as one.

He only runs the brotherhood and fights along side them. The Black Dagger Brotherhood, an order of Vampires who protects their kind mostly from the Lessening Society, a group of soul-less humans (actually they USED to be humans before they gave their soul to become Lessers). He is very distant from most of the Warriors and doesn't interact with them often.