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Finally a Brotherhood book about the Brothers! And finally a book with a reasonable number of POV's! I'll start with the main story…which I was totally blindsided by. I had no idea that the "problem" was going to be the no kids thing. So, for me, this was two books in a row that dealt with infertility issues. Sometimes it sucks when the real world you are dealing with slips into your entertainment. Especially when I think about the fact that I started reading this series 3 years ago to tune out of my own struggle with this. And that this comes up at a point in time when I'm struggling with the same issues again. So yeah…it was a rough read at times that brought up some very real emotions. I wasn't sure if that was going to steer me more into the dislike category or not…but it didn't. I actually really, really enjoyed this book. They way the whole issue was handled/discussed was really on point and I think it made me enjoy it that much more. And tbh I knew when Bitty was first written in that she would end up being their adopted child, but I guess I never thought it would be the main story of a BDB book. Just loved Bitty and how show opened up with Rhage. And when she finally got to the mansion and was meeting everyone, talking to them like she knew them forever. the feels.
now the rest.
Assail. I have never like reading about hime and admittedly skipped/skimmed most of his stuff in the past. But for some reason I enjoyed his part of the book this time around. The struggle he was going through, knowing the path he had gone down had kinda ruined him. Clearly ashamed to let his cousins know what he had become. I liked seeing his turnaround.
V. Hoping this mean he will get another books soon as he had a continuous pov. Just hoping that the whole series doesn't turn into how they all get families. But V does seem concerned about his relationship with Jane. Interesting.
Layla. meh. That's how I feel about her at this point. Happy that she is ok and both the twin survived. But that was really all that came of her story. Obviously except that fact that it was finally revealed to the audience that Xcor and Tohr are brothers…but she is the only one who knows. Let's move that storyline along please. That leads me to…
Xcor. Absolutely nothing advances in this plot. And we don't know even know what happens with him. He literally spend almost the entire time unconscious and he's still just rotting in the Tomb after he wakes up.
And of course since we don't have enough happening or not happening in current story lines we need a new character introduced. Manny has a secret sister, that is probably going to go through her transition soon and end up in the new series. fine. At least it was a small side storyline.
I want to see the Throe/sister identity and Xcor/Tohr storyline moved forward soon. And where the F was Xhex???!! Why was she never out fighting? at any meetings?
The Chosen is next so finally Layla's suffering will finally come to an end ;)
now the rest.
Assail. I have never like reading about hime and admittedly skipped/skimmed most of his stuff in the past. But for some reason I enjoyed his part of the book this time around. The struggle he was going through, knowing the path he had gone down had kinda ruined him. Clearly ashamed to let his cousins know what he had become. I liked seeing his turnaround.
V. Hoping this mean he will get another books soon as he had a continuous pov. Just hoping that the whole series doesn't turn into how they all get families. But V does seem concerned about his relationship with Jane. Interesting.
Layla. meh. That's how I feel about her at this point. Happy that she is ok and both the twin survived. But that was really all that came of her story. Obviously except that fact that it was finally revealed to the audience that Xcor and Tohr are brothers…but she is the only one who knows. Let's move that storyline along please. That leads me to…
Xcor. Absolutely nothing advances in this plot. And we don't know even know what happens with him. He literally spend almost the entire time unconscious and he's still just rotting in the Tomb after he wakes up.
And of course since we don't have enough happening or not happening in current story lines we need a new character introduced. Manny has a secret sister, that is probably going to go through her transition soon and end up in the new series. fine. At least it was a small side storyline.
I want to see the Throe/sister identity and Xcor/Tohr storyline moved forward soon. And where the F was Xhex???!! Why was she never out fighting? at any meetings?
The Chosen is next so finally Layla's suffering will finally come to an end ;)
This is the best book yet of the BDB series.
I’ve only read this far though, it might change.
It is sweet, so many changes, so many breakthroughs. I am in awe and it was exactly what I needed to keep reading a series that was seriously disappointing me.
Mary, Rhage and Bitty= perfection!
I’ve only read this far though, it might change.
It is sweet, so many changes, so many breakthroughs. I am in awe and it was exactly what I needed to keep reading a series that was seriously disappointing me.
Mary, Rhage and Bitty= perfection!
OMG, talk about tears with this one! If I thought the last book was a tear jerker, this one out did itself. Awesome, amazing!
I listened to the audio narration of this book on Audible. Jim Frangione is simply the voice of the Black Dagger Brotherhood for me. I've listened to 99% of the series narrated by him and each and every book narration is excellent.
I love listening to my favorite books as opposed to reading them because the slower listening pace lets me savor the story for as long as possible. I only get to listen an hour or two a day. That lets me live in that fantasy world a little longer.
First, let me say that I love all the BDB books. Of course, I have favorites, as most people do. But there isn't a single one that I don't like.
The Beast was super special for me because we got to interact with all of the original Brothers and their shellans. Those Brothers hold a special place in my heart as I know they do with so many people.
This is one series that I hope never ends. I like to think of it as similar to those never ending soap operas that some of us grew up with and are still playing for our children to grow up with. There are so many amazing characters. Old characters, new characters, old plots with new twists as well as new challenges. Reading one of these is like going to my favorite vacation spot. Gloriously good.
I love listening to my favorite books as opposed to reading them because the slower listening pace lets me savor the story for as long as possible. I only get to listen an hour or two a day. That lets me live in that fantasy world a little longer.
First, let me say that I love all the BDB books. Of course, I have favorites, as most people do. But there isn't a single one that I don't like.
The Beast was super special for me because we got to interact with all of the original Brothers and their shellans. Those Brothers hold a special place in my heart as I know they do with so many people.
This is one series that I hope never ends. I like to think of it as similar to those never ending soap operas that some of us grew up with and are still playing for our children to grow up with. There are so many amazing characters. Old characters, new characters, old plots with new twists as well as new challenges. Reading one of these is like going to my favorite vacation spot. Gloriously good.
Okay, so half a star was removed for the price. On kindle this is $17 and while it's over 500 pages I just cannot justify that as a purchase, you know? BUT you can get it for $15 on book depository so it's not TOO horrendous. So it's not really half a star off more like a quarter or something. Whatever. Shh.
But then it HAD to go down to four stars because I have a serious hate for the way this serious is literally a big fucking advertisement space. I don't think the guys (besides maybe Z, and some others at times) are all that different personality wise because they all TALK the same.
I DO however love that even in the paranormal, urban fantasy world that is BDB, there's still very human issues. This book tackled a lot of them to be honest, and so much happened. There's loss, major depression and multiple near suicides, seduction, the uncovering of a glymera member with a blood slave, the possibility of child loss, some uncovering of two characters connected to bloodlines of Brothers and a whole lot of shit.
A lot of the time I was weary of how they talked about adopting Bitty. They get very wrapped up in the idea of it without really (at first, for a very long time) going over the fact Bitty and her choices and feelings should be the main focus. Mary and Rhage kept getting tangled in the idea that she was the perfect daughter for them and it made me very wary.
There's also the issue with The Beast in this, he seems the title. I think with Rhage's depression, the Beast may have been too, because he was a little out of control (but not really as he came out twice the whole damn book, hello!) and I'll admit, when Bitty sees the 'dragon' it's adorable. I loved seeing her meet the brothers, especially Z.
Now, on my last note, I swear, if I don't get Layla and Xcor next I'm going to probably beat the shit out of somebody. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING is lined up in this book. Xcor can atone for his sins by defeating the douche nozzle, and with the uncovering of his family ties to the brotherhood, there will be issues considering who he's connected to and how they feel about him. God. Just give it to me. And more of the new kids because that shit was good. I like the younger people.
But then it HAD to go down to four stars because I have a serious hate for the way this serious is literally a big fucking advertisement space. I don't think the guys (besides maybe Z, and some others at times) are all that different personality wise because they all TALK the same.
I DO however love that even in the paranormal, urban fantasy world that is BDB, there's still very human issues. This book tackled a lot of them to be honest, and so much happened. There's loss, major depression and multiple near suicides, seduction, the uncovering of a glymera member with a blood slave, the possibility of child loss, some uncovering of two characters connected to bloodlines of Brothers and a whole lot of shit.
A lot of the time I was weary of how they talked about adopting Bitty. They get very wrapped up in the idea of it without really (at first, for a very long time) going over the fact Bitty and her choices and feelings should be the main focus. Mary and Rhage kept getting tangled in the idea that she was the perfect daughter for them and it made me very wary.
There's also the issue with The Beast in this, he seems the title. I think with Rhage's depression, the Beast may have been too, because he was a little out of control (but not really as he came out twice the whole damn book, hello!) and I'll admit, when Bitty sees the 'dragon' it's adorable. I loved seeing her meet the brothers, especially Z.
Now, on my last note, I swear, if I don't get Layla and Xcor next I'm going to probably beat the shit out of somebody. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING is lined up in this book. Xcor can atone for his sins by defeating the douche nozzle, and with the uncovering of his family ties to the brotherhood, there will be issues considering who he's connected to and how they feel about him. God. Just give it to me. And more of the new kids because that shit was good. I like the younger people.
I wasn't sure how I was going to feel returning to Mary and Rhage, especially as I worried this story was going to suddenly have them at odds with each other for some sort of over-inflated conflict. I don't know why I worried. I should have just known J.R. Ward would just plain have this. I put off reading this book for an eon for no reason.
This story does feel a little like a pause though. The only real battle with the lessers takes place right at the beginning of the story, and sure it's a doozy, but after that everyone gets some breathing room. Which of course means all the other little things in life can work there way in. And for Mary and Rhage that's coming to terms with what it means for them that Mary can't have children. All while she's also dealing with Bitty, the child she's been working with at the women's shelter, having her world come crashing down around her. I adored watching Rhage and Bitty get to know each other and discover how much they truly were happy interacting. It felt inevitable where this story was going to go, but each moment of the ride was lovely.
There are a lot of other great side stories in this one that tease of things to come, Layla and Xchor (still don't know how I feel about those two...), Assail is growing on me, and now he's got an interesting story in his house. So much going on and this story definitely has me back on the BDB train.
This story does feel a little like a pause though. The only real battle with the lessers takes place right at the beginning of the story, and sure it's a doozy, but after that everyone gets some breathing room. Which of course means all the other little things in life can work there way in. And for Mary and Rhage that's coming to terms with what it means for them that Mary can't have children. All while she's also dealing with Bitty, the child she's been working with at the women's shelter, having her world come crashing down around her. I adored watching Rhage and Bitty get to know each other and discover how much they truly were happy interacting. It felt inevitable where this story was going to go, but each moment of the ride was lovely.
There are a lot of other great side stories in this one that tease of things to come, Layla and Xchor (still don't know how I feel about those two...), Assail is growing on me, and now he's got an interesting story in his house. So much going on and this story definitely has me back on the BDB train.
This series is my guilty pleasure. It has been awhile since I have visited with the Brothers and I thought made I had outgrown them...no way. Rhage's story is a good one. Bring on Xcor and Layla.
Quotes:
Time was way too finite:no matter how much of it you had with someone you loved, when the end came you always want more.
You're proving worth the skin you walk
Grief...is a sacred way of honoring those we love
Funny how sometimes the best time could be had just sitting back and watching your kid have a good time.
Quotes:
Time was way too finite:no matter how much of it you had with someone you loved, when the end came you always want more.
You're proving worth the skin you walk
Grief...is a sacred way of honoring those we love
Funny how sometimes the best time could be had just sitting back and watching your kid have a good time.
Miss Ward is back in town!!!
I am so indefinably happy about this new-old twist in the BDB world. Ward definitely got her groove back for this installment contains all the elements that got me addicted to the series in the first place and so much more.
First of all, it is about Rhage, my favorite brother. What's not to love about a roudy, hot as sin,
funny mountain of man that has a purple semi-domesticated dragon caged inside?
The book begins with an explosion of action that pulled me right in the brotherhood world and it didn't let me go until the very end. I believe one of the strong suits of this installment is that is more focused on the main couple and that many aspects of their relationship are explored, always without dismissing some kick ass action and Brothers dynamic.
One of the side stories belongs to Assail, another favorite of mine, which really develops in this period. and, we also have news with Layla, maybe hinting at the approaching of her book...?
Anyway, the whole situation with Mary, Rhage and Bitty made me cry, laugh, hold my breath and sigh. You know which kind of sigh I'm talking about. The one when you see your crush at the mall strolling by and you rest your cheek on your palm kind of sigh. The scenes between Rhage and Bitty were the real deal-maker here, hands off. They added some lighthearted fun and good feelings to a series that was threatening to go into a serious deficit of both of them.
In conclusion, if you gave up the series after [b:Lover at Last|13570854|Lover at Last (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #11)|J.R. Ward|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339084717s/13570854.jpg|19151084] or the [b:The Shadows|21849362|The Shadows (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #13)|J.R. Ward|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1404479585s/21849362.jpg|41120683] like I know many if you did, you need to read the Beast. This book contains the very essence of the Brotherhood, of what makes this series so special, an all-time favorite and an absolute re-read.
I am so indefinably happy about this new-old twist in the BDB world. Ward definitely got her groove back for this installment contains all the elements that got me addicted to the series in the first place and so much more.
First of all, it is about Rhage, my favorite brother. What's not to love about a roudy, hot as sin,
funny mountain of man that has a purple semi-domesticated dragon caged inside?
The book begins with an explosion of action that pulled me right in the brotherhood world and it didn't let me go until the very end. I believe one of the strong suits of this installment is that is more focused on the main couple and that many aspects of their relationship are explored, always without dismissing some kick ass action and Brothers dynamic.
One of the side stories belongs to Assail, another favorite of mine, which really develops in this period. and, we also have news with Layla, maybe hinting at the approaching of her book...?
Anyway, the whole situation with Mary, Rhage and Bitty made me cry, laugh, hold my breath and sigh. You know which kind of sigh I'm talking about. The one when you see your crush at the mall strolling by and you rest your cheek on your palm kind of sigh. The scenes between Rhage and Bitty were the real deal-maker here, hands off. They added some lighthearted fun and good feelings to a series that was threatening to go into a serious deficit of both of them.
In conclusion, if you gave up the series after [b:Lover at Last|13570854|Lover at Last (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #11)|J.R. Ward|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339084717s/13570854.jpg|19151084] or the [b:The Shadows|21849362|The Shadows (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #13)|J.R. Ward|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1404479585s/21849362.jpg|41120683] like I know many if you did, you need to read the Beast. This book contains the very essence of the Brotherhood, of what makes this series so special, an all-time favorite and an absolute re-read.
I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars! As a 6 year fanatic of The Brotherhood and considering Rhage is my Dude, this is my ALL TIME FAVORITE Black Dagger Brotherhood book. The very best in the series. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger, either. Way to go Warden!