I loved this book! There I said it. I thought it felt like the books of old when the original brothers were getting together, and I’m kinda partial to the originals. But blurb first, let’s follow the rules!
Nothing is as it used to be for the Black Dagger Brotherhood. After avoiding war with the Shadows, alliances have shifted and lines have been drawn. The slayers of the Lessening Society are stronger than ever, preying on human weakness to acquire more money, more weapons, more power. But as the Brotherhood readies for an all-out attack on them, one of their own fights a battle within himself…
For Rhage, the Brother with the biggest appetites, but also the biggest heart, life was supposed to be perfect—or at the very least, perfectly enjoyable. Mary, his beloved shellan, is by his side and his King and his brothers are thriving. But Rhage can’t understand—or control—the panic and insecurity that plague him…
And that terrifies him—as well as distances him from his mate. After suffering mortal injury in battle, Rhage must reassess his priorities—and the answer, when it comes to him, rocks his world…and Mary’s. But Mary is on a journey of her own, one that will either bring them closer together or cause a split that neither will recover from…
This book delivered as a good read. But for me it was more than that. The more I read this the more I realized that there were two other reasons that this book was so good. (1) I like Mary and Rhage. It makes a difference because I haven’t really liked the couples pretty much since books 9, I didn’t like Tohr/Autumn, Payne/Manny, Qhuinn/Blay love the boys just not my thing, and I despised Selena sooo yeah. Found the princess weak and pointless. Yeah I guess it’s nice to read about people I like. Problem I see in the future? I love Assail (and he is AMAZING in this book!!!) but his chick?? Eh I could take her or leave her. In fact I never really saw what the big deal was about Assail, then take that chick away and Bamn! he became interesting! But put them back together in a book? More boringville for me. Oh and don’t even get me started on Layla….seriously guys I don’t think I can read a book about her if Ward writes one I dislike her that much. (2) Things actually happened in this book, the plots carried and some story lines actually got completed. Lately I’ve been feeling like new stuff been added but nothing is getting resolved. Finally this fixes some(not all but that’s okay) of those loose ends.
All and all it felt the Warden of old and I LOVED EVERY BIT OF IT!
So in my opinion if you have read part of this series or all of this series go and get it, you’ll like this one. If you’ve never read any of the BDB and you’re a PNR fan or someday want to grow up to be a PNR author just remember this when deciding if you should pick it up. The USA Today said about JR Ward “J.R. Ward’s urban fantasy romance series is so popular I don’t think there’s a reader today who hasn’t at least heard of the Black Dagger Brotherhood” just get the book.
The first book in this series is Dark Lover if you want to begin at the beginning:
Geek Sneak Peek 
I feel like such a pathetic loser because not only am I not done with this book, I haven’t even started. 😭😭😭😭 Ward is one of my all time favorite writers and normally I finish her books on release day. Having a 2 month old makes reading time difficult. I did download it on audible but then decided it would be weird to listen to the dirty parts out loud (I assume ward delivered in this area lol) even if my son can’t understand. Decided that since today is payday I’m going to buy a physical copy, force hubby into taking care of baby the whole weekend under the guise of it being a “push present” and drink atleast one entire bottle of wine by myself in utter BDB bliss. Thanks for the review!
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Enjoy it! And yes the dirty parts out loud would have been…ummmm..yeah. Let’s just says she delivers 🙂
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Love the review Karen! I am about half-way through the book and I agree–this is reminding me of the earlier books that I love so much. The last couple of books have disappointed me for one reason or another and I was unsure about getting The Beast even though I love Rhage and Mary. But–I am glad so far that I did!!
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Thank you Debra! Enjoy the rest of the book!!
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Oooh, this is a good thing to hear. Mary and Rhage are my FAVORITE couple. I still re-read that book and cry!
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Ugh I know!! I’m so relieved this was a good one 🙂
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I stopped reading after…the one Phury has a big part in. I didn’t particularly like him as a character, so I wasn’t eager to pick the next book, and then just sort of never picked them up again.
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I totally understand. Those first few…magic.
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Completely. She really crafted something special there. I think part of what I didn’t really get into, also, was Xhex/John Mathew.
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I liked Rehv’s right after that but that’s the last couple I was excited about. And even that one I got from the library. Hey no shame in that right? I thought The King was good cause it’s a Wrath/Beth book but I liked this way better. Rhage is a great character, no doubt about it!
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