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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A Bloom in Winter by J.R. Ward caught me off guard in the best way. It was announced as The Black Dagger Brotherhood #22.5, so I thought I knew what to expect… but surprise… it’s actually part of the Prison Camp series.
I didn’t know the main characters at all, yet their journey pulled me in, a mix of resilience, quiet strength, and that fragile hope that somehow blooms even in the harshest seasons. And the cherry on top? Cameos from Thor, V, Qhuinn, and Wrath ❤️ that made my BDB-loving heart so happy.
Now I’m left completely curious about Apex, Callum, and Mayhem! I need to know their stories next!!!
I didn’t know the main characters at all, yet their journey pulled me in, a mix of resilience, quiet strength, and that fragile hope that somehow blooms even in the harshest seasons. And the cherry on top? Cameos from Thor, V, Qhuinn, and Wrath ❤️ that made my BDB-loving heart so happy.
Now I’m left completely curious about Apex, Callum, and Mayhem! I need to know their stories next!!!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Classism
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
this was a really fun read! it felt somewhat like if ali hazelwood wrote the black jewels trilogy. i came into this not realizing that it was an off-branch of a larger series, but the world was easy to acclimate to.
having three interwoven plot lines was interesting, although i’ll admit i was definitely more invested in mayhem than some of the other mc’s. apex felt really relatable and i enjoyed his characterization way more than i expected to from the outset.
i do wish this book had been longer. some of the storylines felt rushed (particularly with Callum and Apex) and i would have liked to see them fleshed out a little more. i’ll have to look into their earlier story to know whether or not this was the right way to end their story, but i have a feeling it wasn’t quite right. that’s the only issue keeping this from a four star rating for me.
having three interwoven plot lines was interesting, although i’ll admit i was definitely more invested in mayhem than some of the other mc’s. apex felt really relatable and i enjoyed his characterization way more than i expected to from the outset.
i do wish this book had been longer. some of the storylines felt rushed (particularly with Callum and Apex) and i would have liked to see them fleshed out a little more. i’ll have to look into their earlier story to know whether or not this was the right way to end their story, but i have a feeling it wasn’t quite right. that’s the only issue keeping this from a four star rating for me.