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and im done... that was as bad as the first book they had together (my least fave along with this and Phurys)..... I love Rhage but Mary is a bit boring making their story just dull.
its a 2 star.... im gunna give it 3 due to Assail and Xcor tho those bits were brilliant... I just dont really think BDB needs a whole book revisiting characters (apart from the king) as well hes the king but Jane and V overtaking Payne and Manny book did my head in too... What happened between Mary and Rhage could have been covered in the background of a more interesting story, it had so much filler.....
Rhev still my fave..... Why couldnt we revisit him instead..... im hoping for new couples where where can revisit the oldies in a few chapters during new books... not going over old characters again and again... i Just hope Cormeia and Phury dont need a second book too..... Really 3 sodding chapters on effing ice cream and sprinkles and Marys consistent inner guilt.... over wanting to stay alive......
FFS
its a 2 star.... im gunna give it 3 due to Assail and Xcor tho those bits were brilliant... I just dont really think BDB needs a whole book revisiting characters (apart from the king) as well hes the king but Jane and V overtaking Payne and Manny book did my head in too... What happened between Mary and Rhage could have been covered in the background of a more interesting story, it had so much filler.....
Rhev still my fave..... Why couldnt we revisit him instead..... im hoping for new couples where where can revisit the oldies in a few chapters during new books... not going over old characters again and again... i Just hope Cormeia and Phury dont need a second book too..... Really 3 sodding chapters on effing ice cream and sprinkles and Marys consistent inner guilt.... over wanting to stay alive......
FFS
A recent reread as I continue on my Rhage obsession. Having just reread Lover Eternal as well, which I absolutely ADORE, I have to say that I think I like this one better. I love the fact that Ms. Ward goes back to revisit older stories. She’s very vocal about the fact that her characters’ lives don’t end just because their book does. We see it when they pop up in other books, how their relationships develop, conflicts that arise. But I love the idea that they are so alive in her mind (and ours) that they deserve another book. It’s kind of like real life. Just because they finally banged it out and got together, it doesn’t necessarily mean that everything goes smoothly from here on out.
And larger-than-life, big hearted Rhage is so deserving of another book. Who doesn’t want more of this male in their life?? I love the fact that this book is hyper focused on Rhage and Mary and the difficulties they are having.
*******SPOILERS************
First fact: Rhage nearly dying about broke my heart. I mean, ripped it out of my chest and stomped on it before shoving the mangled pulp back in the black hole of my ribcage. Good stuff.
Rhage and Mary kind of drifting apart, issues about the ‘not having children’ clause. Then they are able to reconnect and refocus and all is well. And the sex. Did I mention THE SEX. Damn. I didn’t think it could get much hotter than the chain scene in Lover Eternal. But damn. Have I mentioned ALL THE SEX?
And then there is Bitty. She is about the cutest thing ever, and I love how big man-child Rhage is able to connect with her, especially since she is super wary of men due to her abusive father.
One of my favorite things to read about Rhage (in addition to the OBVIOUS) is other people’s (humans) reaction to him when he goes out in public. I’ll have a big smile on my face while reading and my husband will ask me about it. “Rhage is out in public again.” And my hubs just nods his head knowingly.
As always, the side stories were intriguing. And I have to say, when I first read this, I had no desire to read Assail’s book. So I never did. This time through, I find that Assail intrigues me and I plan on reading his book next. Also, the fact that V and Jane are predominant in that book as well is another reason to finally pick it up.
All in all, this is one of my favorite BDB books that I come back to time and again.
And larger-than-life, big hearted Rhage is so deserving of another book. Who doesn’t want more of this male in their life?? I love the fact that this book is hyper focused on Rhage and Mary and the difficulties they are having.
*******SPOILERS************
First fact: Rhage nearly dying about broke my heart. I mean, ripped it out of my chest and stomped on it before shoving the mangled pulp back in the black hole of my ribcage. Good stuff.
Rhage and Mary kind of drifting apart, issues about the ‘not having children’ clause. Then they are able to reconnect and refocus and all is well. And the sex. Did I mention THE SEX. Damn. I didn’t think it could get much hotter than the chain scene in Lover Eternal. But damn. Have I mentioned ALL THE SEX?
And then there is Bitty. She is about the cutest thing ever, and I love how big man-child Rhage is able to connect with her, especially since she is super wary of men due to her abusive father.
One of my favorite things to read about Rhage (in addition to the OBVIOUS) is other people’s (humans) reaction to him when he goes out in public. I’ll have a big smile on my face while reading and my husband will ask me about it. “Rhage is out in public again.” And my hubs just nods his head knowingly.
As always, the side stories were intriguing. And I have to say, when I first read this, I had no desire to read Assail’s book. So I never did. This time through, I find that Assail intrigues me and I plan on reading his book next. Also, the fact that V and Jane are predominant in that book as well is another reason to finally pick it up.
All in all, this is one of my favorite BDB books that I come back to time and again.
This was on par with the earlier BDB books--awesome, heartfelt, exciting, and deliciously hot. Rhage is just so excellent.
Another home run for J. R. Ward. I love the new connections made in this book. I'm sooo happy that Assail is detoxing! Hurray for Rhage and Mary becoming parents! Also, Qhuinn and Layla! And I can't wait until the Brotherhood finds out about Jo! And what about the Scribe Virgin??? I can't believe that I have to wait until next year to find out!!!
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Audiobook (Libby) - what a great continuation of Rhage and Mary’s story. This book has less side storylines making it more about the mc’s instead of then being another side story. Hea endings are the best for sure and having more young in the kings mansion is slowly changing the brotherhood as a whole.
Tear
This was a good one poor bitty and all the little babies. I love when the shellans have babies even though they say they can't!
This was a good one poor bitty and all the little babies. I love when the shellans have babies even though they say they can't!
- Main Couple: Rhage(vampire/dragon shifter)/Mary(immortal human)
- POVs Included: Rhage/Mary, Assail, Vishous, Jane (a couple), Xcor/Layla, Jo Early (Manny’s sister?), Beth (a couple), Zypher (one), Throe (a couple), Qhuinn (a couple)
- Book Playlist (Black Dagger Brotherhood Series Playlist)
Oh wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. I cannot tell you how impressed I am with this book. It’s EASILY one of my favorites in the series so far (first fav being Z and Bella’s book). But this one was so special and great. I loved it so much!
There is just so much to talk about here. First let’s talk about the main couple of the book, Rhage and Mary.
I wasn’t a huge fan of Rhage and Mary in their first book (Lover Eternal) mainly because both of them were VERY self loathing and the constant self pity was very grating. However, in this book both Rhage and Mary totally and completely won me over. I’m sold. They are so much more secure in their relationship and more confident. Overall they are just fabulous people. Especially Rhage. Poor sweet Rhage who realizes he wants children but doesn’t want to hurt his Mary’s heart by telling her (since she can’t have children). Their story towards adopting (or fostering for now) Bitty was absolutely endearing and sweet and heartwarming. I adored every moment of it.
And Bitty! Goodness she is so sweet. She has been through quite a bit and starts off rather sad and depressed (for good reasons). But with Mary and (especially) Rhage’s help she opens up and becomes such a sweet little girl. It was so cute when Bitty met everyone in the mansion! I am not one to tear up during books but I totally did here! Just awwww!!
One of my favorite things about this book was how much interaction we got with our favorite characters. One of Ward’s STRONGEST attributes as a writer is her ability to create such rich and vibrant characters that you not only love, but don’t want to let go of. You don’t want (most of) them to fade into the background. And Ward doesn’t disappoint. Unlike a lot of paranormal romances where previous couples fade into the background of future books, Ward continually allows her existing characters page time and it makes the whole universe she has made here just feel like family and home. After getting this far in the series it has such a familiar atmosphere to it and I adore these characters beyond measure.
I loved all the time around the mansion we got in this one. Getting to see everyone at meals, the banter between them, when they all barged in on Rhage and Mary because of the jacuzzi water, the pranks and joking around! Geez, priceless moments all around. I’m loving it!
Speaking of previous characters, I loved Vishous so much. I’m so glad that he got some good page time in this one too. Some of the other guys did too, but he’s such a fun character to read about. Just hope him and Jane are okay? Some of their interactions were strange in this one. Still wish he ended up with Butch, but I do like Jane still (can’t say the same about Marissa).
Another character that I’m loving even more is Assail! Wow he really stepped up to the plate in this book and I’m so much more interested in his character now. Looking forward to his book. Curious too about his trying to seduce Throe? Is he bi? Hot! Would love some more of that going on in the series!
My greatest disappointment in this book has to be the lack of Xcor and Layla interactions. Xcor is basically in a coma the whole book and Layla is in later stages of pregnancy and on bed rest. So these two didn’t get together on page and that was a bummer since they’re one of my favorite couples (or future couples rather)! But I know their book is next so I’m not TOO upset. The rest of the book was so good that it more than made up for it.
Overall though, this book is honestly Ward at her finest. Like I said before, her strongest attribute as a writer is her rich and dynamic characters that are so easy to picture and fall in love with. And this book is ALL ABOUT the characters that we know and love. Which is why I adored this book immensely. She really knocked it out of the park with this one!
- POVs Included: Rhage/Mary, Assail, Vishous, Jane (a couple), Xcor/Layla, Jo Early (Manny’s sister?), Beth (a couple), Zypher (one), Throe (a couple), Qhuinn (a couple)
- Book Playlist (Black Dagger Brotherhood Series Playlist)
Oh wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. I cannot tell you how impressed I am with this book. It’s EASILY one of my favorites in the series so far (first fav being Z and Bella’s book). But this one was so special and great. I loved it so much!
There is just so much to talk about here. First let’s talk about the main couple of the book, Rhage and Mary.
I wasn’t a huge fan of Rhage and Mary in their first book (Lover Eternal) mainly because both of them were VERY self loathing and the constant self pity was very grating. However, in this book both Rhage and Mary totally and completely won me over. I’m sold. They are so much more secure in their relationship and more confident. Overall they are just fabulous people. Especially Rhage. Poor sweet Rhage who realizes he wants children but doesn’t want to hurt his Mary’s heart by telling her (since she can’t have children). Their story towards adopting (or fostering for now) Bitty was absolutely endearing and sweet and heartwarming. I adored every moment of it.
And Bitty! Goodness she is so sweet. She has been through quite a bit and starts off rather sad and depressed (for good reasons). But with Mary and (especially) Rhage’s help she opens up and becomes such a sweet little girl. It was so cute when Bitty met everyone in the mansion! I am not one to tear up during books but I totally did here! Just awwww!!
One of my favorite things about this book was how much interaction we got with our favorite characters. One of Ward’s STRONGEST attributes as a writer is her ability to create such rich and vibrant characters that you not only love, but don’t want to let go of. You don’t want (most of) them to fade into the background. And Ward doesn’t disappoint. Unlike a lot of paranormal romances where previous couples fade into the background of future books, Ward continually allows her existing characters page time and it makes the whole universe she has made here just feel like family and home. After getting this far in the series it has such a familiar atmosphere to it and I adore these characters beyond measure.
I loved all the time around the mansion we got in this one. Getting to see everyone at meals, the banter between them, when they all barged in on Rhage and Mary because of the jacuzzi water, the pranks and joking around! Geez, priceless moments all around. I’m loving it!
Speaking of previous characters, I loved Vishous so much. I’m so glad that he got some good page time in this one too. Some of the other guys did too, but he’s such a fun character to read about. Just hope him and Jane are okay? Some of their interactions were strange in this one. Still wish he ended up with Butch, but I do like Jane still (can’t say the same about Marissa).
Another character that I’m loving even more is Assail! Wow he really stepped up to the plate in this book and I’m so much more interested in his character now. Looking forward to his book. Curious too about his trying to seduce Throe? Is he bi? Hot! Would love some more of that going on in the series!
My greatest disappointment in this book has to be the lack of Xcor and Layla interactions. Xcor is basically in a coma the whole book and Layla is in later stages of pregnancy and on bed rest. So these two didn’t get together on page and that was a bummer since they’re one of my favorite couples (or future couples rather)! But I know their book is next so I’m not TOO upset. The rest of the book was so good that it more than made up for it.
Overall though, this book is honestly Ward at her finest. Like I said before, her strongest attribute as a writer is her rich and dynamic characters that are so easy to picture and fall in love with. And this book is ALL ABOUT the characters that we know and love. Which is why I adored this book immensely. She really knocked it out of the park with this one!
emotional
fast-paced
JR Ward got her mojo back with this book, damn it was so good I loved it
Good book. I enjoyed revisiting Rhage and Mary, although it was a little obvious what was going to happen with Bitty. It will be interesting to see where the series goes now.