Veronica S. (snowkitty) -
Helpful Score: 1
There were a few not very good reviews on this book, but I really couldn't find anything wrong with it. I'm not sure where Ward will go from here, but I hope it hasn't ended. That would be disappointing.
Basically this book was a continuance of Wrath and Beth, with other side stories. The other stories didn't seem to come to any conclusion, but then again the book was over 600 pages, and that was paperback. I could have missed something or more than one something. A solid 4 stars.
Basically this book was a continuance of Wrath and Beth, with other side stories. The other stories didn't seem to come to any conclusion, but then again the book was over 600 pages, and that was paperback. I could have missed something or more than one something. A solid 4 stars.
Robin M. (robinmy) -
The blind king, Wrath, and his queen, Beth, are front and center in this book. The couple have been together for two years, but the stress of the monarchy is taking its toll on their relationship. Wrath is spending hours and hours trying to retain his throne from the constant pressures of the Glymera, and questioning if he is the right man for the job. But one thing he is sure of is the fact that he doesn't want a child. This is a big sticking point with Beth since becoming a mother is her number one wish.
I love that Ward takes an established couple and goes beyond the Happily-Ever-After and into the relationship ups and downs. Their story keeps evolving and I was happy with how everything turned out. Along with Beth and Wrath's story, we are treated to flashbacks of Wrath's parents and how their relationship paralleled Wrath and Beths.
We also have the story of iAm, Trez and Selena. The Shadows are getting more and more interesting. I can't wait to get the next book to see where this story is going. I also like Selena. She isn't naive and fragile, like some of the other chosen. She seems to know what she wants (Trez) and is not afraid to go for it.
One story I was looking forward to was Assail and Sola. The story picks up where the last book left off. I liked the first half of their story, but lost interest in the second half of the book. I keep questioning where they fit into the overall story arc.
Along with some humorous scenes between Beth & iAm at the doctor's office, and xCor shopping for clothes at the mall, one of my favorite parts of this book is the story of xCor and Layla. They don't take up very many pages, but they definitely left an impression. I certainly hope they are featured in an upcoming book in the future.
Overall, this book is a winner. My only problem is some of the heroes tendencies to believe they are "not good enough" for their heroines (ie. Assail, Trez, and even xCor). I don't mind that in one hero, but I think it is being over-used in this case. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
I love that Ward takes an established couple and goes beyond the Happily-Ever-After and into the relationship ups and downs. Their story keeps evolving and I was happy with how everything turned out. Along with Beth and Wrath's story, we are treated to flashbacks of Wrath's parents and how their relationship paralleled Wrath and Beths.
We also have the story of iAm, Trez and Selena. The Shadows are getting more and more interesting. I can't wait to get the next book to see where this story is going. I also like Selena. She isn't naive and fragile, like some of the other chosen. She seems to know what she wants (Trez) and is not afraid to go for it.
One story I was looking forward to was Assail and Sola. The story picks up where the last book left off. I liked the first half of their story, but lost interest in the second half of the book. I keep questioning where they fit into the overall story arc.
Along with some humorous scenes between Beth & iAm at the doctor's office, and xCor shopping for clothes at the mall, one of my favorite parts of this book is the story of xCor and Layla. They don't take up very many pages, but they definitely left an impression. I certainly hope they are featured in an upcoming book in the future.
Overall, this book is a winner. My only problem is some of the heroes tendencies to believe they are "not good enough" for their heroines (ie. Assail, Trez, and even xCor). I don't mind that in one hero, but I think it is being over-used in this case. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
Shannon G. (shannongresh77) reviewed The King (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Bk 12) on + 5 more book reviews
We had been waiting and waiting for this book, I devoured it in 2 days. I loved the plots, the depth that she put into the Band of Bastards, and the emphasis on Beth and Wrath. The emotions given off were so sureal and you couldn't help but cheer for some of the bad guys. I can't wait for the next one.
Pleasantly, happily surprised is how to best sum up The King. I started this opus of a book annoyed by the amount of ink wasted on side characters who had no impact on the main story and about whom I did not care. I honestly just skimmed much of it trying to decide how much time to invest in these characters. Spending more time with Wrath and Beth? Worth every second. The King addresses stories of FIVE different couples Wrath and Beth, Xcor and Layla, Trez and Selena, Assail and Sola, and Wrath's father and mother, Wrath and Anha. Much was revealed about where the vampire monarchy came from, and the side stories began developing future books.
Where The King really delivered was in the story of Wrath and Beth and the realities of living as the monarch of their race. There was real strain in their relationship and legitimate obstacles to their happiness. The parallel story of Wrath and Anha helped demonstrate both Wrath's perspective and also his folly. While it was disappointing that the multiple side stories were not about Brothers we already know and love, seeing glimpses into their lives was still sweet.
The side stories are a distraction, it's true, and especially the story of Assail and Sola seemed pointless since the characters never once (in my skimming) interacted or intersected with any of the main characters or plot. If you're reading to skim, that's a place I would skip entirely. Trez has such a gross life, it's not particularly fun or sexy to read about him, but seeing how he's changing and finding a way to become a better person is a step in the right direction. I didn't think I cared too much about Xcor, even though his story had the most relevance to the main plot, but once Ward finally put him and Layla in the same space, things got more interesting. I can't help but wish more time had been spent on developing a future love story for Saxton but one can only hope he'll get his due someday.
I read this book assuming it would be my last BDB. But the ending of The King is not just the face of another unresolved saga, it wound up being really powerful and I actually got teared up, something I haven't experienced since the first few books. And now I think I will probably read the next and the next, because she got me hooked on a couple of side characters, and got me wondering what is next for people who aren't even members of the Brotherhood. Well done JR Ward, well done.
If for some reason you are considering reading this book without having read other books in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, STOP, and at least read Dark Lover, which is the first book in the series and the beginning of the relationship of the two main characters in this story. The interest and drama of this book would be lost on someone who hasn't read at least part of the series.
Where The King really delivered was in the story of Wrath and Beth and the realities of living as the monarch of their race. There was real strain in their relationship and legitimate obstacles to their happiness. The parallel story of Wrath and Anha helped demonstrate both Wrath's perspective and also his folly. While it was disappointing that the multiple side stories were not about Brothers we already know and love, seeing glimpses into their lives was still sweet.
The side stories are a distraction, it's true, and especially the story of Assail and Sola seemed pointless since the characters never once (in my skimming) interacted or intersected with any of the main characters or plot. If you're reading to skim, that's a place I would skip entirely. Trez has such a gross life, it's not particularly fun or sexy to read about him, but seeing how he's changing and finding a way to become a better person is a step in the right direction. I didn't think I cared too much about Xcor, even though his story had the most relevance to the main plot, but once Ward finally put him and Layla in the same space, things got more interesting. I can't help but wish more time had been spent on developing a future love story for Saxton but one can only hope he'll get his due someday.
I read this book assuming it would be my last BDB. But the ending of The King is not just the face of another unresolved saga, it wound up being really powerful and I actually got teared up, something I haven't experienced since the first few books. And now I think I will probably read the next and the next, because she got me hooked on a couple of side characters, and got me wondering what is next for people who aren't even members of the Brotherhood. Well done JR Ward, well done.
If for some reason you are considering reading this book without having read other books in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, STOP, and at least read Dark Lover, which is the first book in the series and the beginning of the relationship of the two main characters in this story. The interest and drama of this book would be lost on someone who hasn't read at least part of the series.
Nancy D. (miz-firefly) -
I'm a little angry at myself for finishing this book. I haven't read a Brotherhood book since "Lover Mine"
The King seduced me back. And completely failed to pay off.
Annnnnnnnd now I remember why I quit reading these books. They are too friggin big. Then there is the relationship - messed up for no good reason. The problem - don't know what it is yet, but it sure eats up a lot of pages. The subplot, another subplot, and an-other subplot. Lets add another subplot. Are there enough subplots yet? No!
So this isn't an utter bitch-fest I'll say some nice stuff first.
What Worked For Me:
The Brothers - (when they were there) were everything I loved about them. Brash, rowdy, and always at each other's back.
The writing - Ward can put words together like very few can. She is constantly coming up with descriptions that stop me cold, so unique, so creative.
The dialogue - Always in your face, and never dull.
From pg 341 "Let me make myself perfectly clear. You touch iAm and I will find you. Your last breath will be mine and your heart will still be warm when I take it out of your chest and eat it raw."
"You know, it's a wonder we don't get along better."
The names - iAm, sEx? Where does she get these? I thought Kenyon held the corner on Awesome names. Looks like she gets to share that title with Ward now.
Chapter 51 and parts of 67 made up for a lot my disappointment
What Didn't Work For Me:
Practically everything else - starting with the plot
The Main conflict
Beth wants a child and Wrath goes all Alpha-Neanderthal. Hell NO. End of Discussion.
Beth responds by channeling her inner Gothic Romance Heroine
The Secondary conflict
The Band of Bastards. (HAH! Buncha' blithering Blow-Hards more like!) stage the Lamest Coup Ever. And are shut down just as lamely
The book may be called "The King, but there was precious little Wrath to be seen or heard from. There was No ass-kicking. No lessening Society. Aside from V the important characters are all but absent. What actual drama there was takes place with the secondary characters, and did very little to advance the plot.
The subplot-apaloza drove me nuts. I now know way more about iAm, Trez & whats-her-name, Saxon, Assail & Sola. (who the hell IS Assail anyway?!) than I care to. Altho iAm gets points for naming the cat goddamm. AAAAAND despite going out of her way to drop more fishhooks about John Matthew she still hasn't spilled the beans. I know in my heart she isn't going to drop that nugget till the last book. Probably not till the bitter end of the story.
So, as much as I love the Brothers I'm done with this series. If I ever say I'm going to try again someone shot me.
The King seduced me back. And completely failed to pay off.
Annnnnnnnd now I remember why I quit reading these books. They are too friggin big. Then there is the relationship - messed up for no good reason. The problem - don't know what it is yet, but it sure eats up a lot of pages. The subplot, another subplot, and an-other subplot. Lets add another subplot. Are there enough subplots yet? No!
So this isn't an utter bitch-fest I'll say some nice stuff first.
What Worked For Me:
The Brothers - (when they were there) were everything I loved about them. Brash, rowdy, and always at each other's back.
The writing - Ward can put words together like very few can. She is constantly coming up with descriptions that stop me cold, so unique, so creative.
The dialogue - Always in your face, and never dull.
From pg 341 "Let me make myself perfectly clear. You touch iAm and I will find you. Your last breath will be mine and your heart will still be warm when I take it out of your chest and eat it raw."
"You know, it's a wonder we don't get along better."
The names - iAm, sEx? Where does she get these? I thought Kenyon held the corner on Awesome names. Looks like she gets to share that title with Ward now.
Chapter 51 and parts of 67 made up for a lot my disappointment
What Didn't Work For Me:
Practically everything else - starting with the plot
The Main conflict
Beth wants a child and Wrath goes all Alpha-Neanderthal. Hell NO. End of Discussion.
Beth responds by channeling her inner Gothic Romance Heroine
The Secondary conflict
The Band of Bastards. (HAH! Buncha' blithering Blow-Hards more like!) stage the Lamest Coup Ever. And are shut down just as lamely
The book may be called "The King, but there was precious little Wrath to be seen or heard from. There was No ass-kicking. No lessening Society. Aside from V the important characters are all but absent. What actual drama there was takes place with the secondary characters, and did very little to advance the plot.
The subplot-apaloza drove me nuts. I now know way more about iAm, Trez & whats-her-name, Saxon, Assail & Sola. (who the hell IS Assail anyway?!) than I care to. Altho iAm gets points for naming the cat goddamm. AAAAAND despite going out of her way to drop more fishhooks about John Matthew she still hasn't spilled the beans. I know in my heart she isn't going to drop that nugget till the last book. Probably not till the bitter end of the story.
So, as much as I love the Brothers I'm done with this series. If I ever say I'm going to try again someone shot me.
