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The King

(Black Dagger Brotherhood #12)

J.R. Ward (Goodreads Author)

4.36 · Rating details · 49,866 ratings · 4,609 reviews

Long live the King...

After turning his back on the throne for centuries, Wrath, son of Wrath, finally assumed his father’s mantle—with the help of his beloved mate. But the crown sets heavily on his head. As the war with the Lessening Society rages on, and the threat from the Band of Bastards truly hits home, he is forced to make choices that put everything—and everyo ...more

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ebook, 592 pages

Published April 1st 2014 by Penguin Group (USA)

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Average rating 4.36 ·

Rating details

· 49,866 ratings · 4,609 reviews

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Mar 30, 2013 Lora marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: lib-look-for, pr-uf-crossbreed, wishlist

Hey, I just thought of something . . .

WHEN BETH GOES INTO HER NEEDING QHUINN AND BLAY WILL BE GOING AT IT LIKE RABBITS FOR HOURS ON END

*passes out*
________________________________________

Scroll down for exciting news on the future of the BDB series, tidbits about the Fallen Angels series, and info on the next book. But be warned: there are spoilers if you've not finished reading Lover At Last.

>The next book is about Wrath and Beth and is titled The King; it will be about him having an heir.

>We ...more

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Mar 31, 2013 xrysa marked it as to-read

Eeeeeeeeeee we have the cover :D

Wrath looks scary but I love it!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Omg a 12th book???

They are going to try and have a baby!

But we have to wait until 2014.

...more

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Mar 31, 2013 Blacky *Romance Addict* rated it liked it

Shelves: review, sub-genre-edit, read-paranormal, read-2014, 3-stars-for-enjoyment

1. Wrath/Beth - LOVED! Every bit of it!!!!! Made me cry the scene where he shows the picture to everyone <3

2. Assail/Sola - First half of the book was good with them, I liked how he was (view spoiler), but then, in second half Assail turned into a p*ssy (pardon my language) and I didn't like him or Sola.

3. Trez/Selena - I don't give a sh*t about those two.

4. Xcor/Layla - I don't give an even bigger sh*t about those two

5. Jo ...more

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Jun 20, 2013 • Lisa • rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourite-series, love-you-forever-and-ever

FIVE ALL HAIL THE KING STARS.

description

JR Ward has not failed me yet, this series is nothing short of phenomenal and I don't ever want to stop reading about this band of brothers. My fascination with this series started in April 2013 and I can say without hesitation that it has been a consistently fabulous series. 'The King' was received with excitement from myself mainly because since book one I've had a soft spot for Wrath, the Alpha warrior King and as a result you can imagine that I've been impatientl ...more

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Mar 31, 2013 Georgia ♥ rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2014, favourite-cause-it-is-unique, fantasy, vampires-blood-drinking-bunch, abused-hero-or-and-heroine, paranormal-romance, the-sound-of-my-heart-breaking, tattoos-and-piercing

4 Long Live the King Stars

To survive one must not be alone.
And one must have a partner of worth.
Possess that? And you are richer than any King or queen who e'er roamed the earth.

The players we know...
description

But the game is more painful than we could ever imagine...
description

What happens after the HEA? When everyday troubles creep around the corner, family and duties busts your bubble of happiness.

For a normal couple? Counseling.
For the Blind King and his Half-Breed Queen? Hoping to stay together, alive and save ...more

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Mar 31, 2013 Midgetbee rated it it was ok

Shelves: a-ipad, x-2014, mine

If this was fanfiction it'd be good. But as an entry in the series by the actual author, it's bad. Very bad.

The series started off with the typical PNR conventions of insta-love, but ever since Lover Unbound was let down by a number of fans declaring an undying loathing for its heroine, Ward has branched out into a new form of story-telling. Whereas the first four concentrated solely on the main couple and their story, with a few fights in the war and a hint of subsequent couplings, the books af If this was fanfiction it'd be good. But as an entry in the series by the actual author, it's bad. Very bad.

The series started off with the typical PNR conventions of insta-love, but ever since Lover Unbound was let down by a number of fans declaring an undying loathing for its heroine, Ward has branched out into a new form of story-telling. Whereas the first four concentrated solely on the main couple and their story, with a few fights in the war and a hint of subsequent couplings, the books after that began to assume a different shape. Subplot after subplot began to emerge, one of which gave us Qhuay, the others finally coalescing in the over-arcing plot in which the glymera (nobility) of the vampire race, dissatisfied with the virtual non-reign of King Wrath, seek his overthrow.

Add to this a seeming compulsion of Ward's to introduce at least two new characters and half a dozen subplots into every novel since Lover Unleashed and you discover a real problem; Ward barely has the literary stamina to continue the main plot to its conclusion, let alone six, and she is very easily distracted. Very easily.

As a consequence The King suffers. What could easily have been a plot in which the Queen wants a child and tries to convince her hellren of the merits of such an idea during a time of political upheaval, because of Ward's need to throw herself into three different POVs and showcase a different subplot every chapter, instead we get a sequence of events in which both act--quite frankly--like assholes, storming in and out of rooms screaming at each other and throwing tantrums like children. That events such as these tie into the central premise of the book, the attempt to overthrow Wrath, is disconcerting at best. Both characters are now so unattractive personality wise that it is hard to root for the survival of the race, let alone whether or not they get the baby Beth so desperately thinks will solve all her problems.

At this point in the series there is a definite feel that Ward is taking things somewhere that the characters themselves don't particularly want to go and the books are so formulaic at this stage it's easy to call events before you see them. As a result whereas once an idle daydream of spending an evening in the mansion may have been a pleasant way to pass the time, in order to make the revisits and subplots happen everyone has been made so damned stupid and unpleasant that making your way through a new Brotherhood novel is more of an achievement then entertainment and the pushing forward of her favourites, Assail and Doc Jane in particular, only compounds this.

Assail is an obvious retelling of a still existent character with every single redeeming quality removed in an attempt to make him edgy and while Doc Jane is one of the Brotherhood's two doctors and as such should be featured, the prevalence of medical emergencies in every novel since her introduction in Lover Unbound and the attempt at reworking her relationship with Vishous in Lover Unleashed mean that things have gotten to the point where it's a wonder someone can open a door without shattering their arm, leading to a visit in the clinic with the Spectral Surgeon if only so the hurt character can go into raptures about how lovely and awesome she is. As a result no less then two characters completely unrelated to the Brothers have recently been allowed in the apparently super secret compound the Brothers live in, just so they can be treated by Ward's favourite female.

While this may seem completely innocuous by itself (and reveal my detestation of that character), it highlights Ward's willingness to throw out the rules of her own world-building in order to push forward certain characters or resolve problems with an easy and completely nonsensical solution, which has been achieved so far by making her characters completely and unerringly stupid. Unfortunately such an approach demands that her readers dumb themselves down too, or at least develop the memory capabilities of a goldfish, as she often seeks to rationalise unpopular actions in subsequent novels. An example of this being the new rules about bonding. In the books prior to Lover Reborn we were told that bonding is a permanent attachment and that if a female died, her bonded mate would be so devastated that he he couldn't live without her, an action that rationalised the need to find a way for Mary and Doc Jane's continued presences in the novels and find a way for their HEA.

Unfortunately the events of Lover Reborn and Ward's need to push these events as commonplace completely undermine the central drama of The King. If Tohr, a bonded male, can move on from his shellan's death and find love and happiness with another as a number of others are described as doing in this book, then why can't Wrath? Sure, Beth dying from pregnancy would be bad for him for a while, but with the idea of bonding shorn of all association with the concept of forever, it's hard to think that Wrath wouldn't find someone else he likes just as much a few books later. Coupled with the realisation that with the exception of Wellsie every female has found a way to come back even if the worst has happened, the tension disappears completely.

This could've been countered with a compelling installment of the plot to overthrow Wrath, now including newish characters the Band of Bastards, and while the book does contain a degree of uncertainty on that issue for most of its span, the ending is so completely, utterly, and unfailingly stupid that I felt insulted as a reader. It couldn't be more obvious that Ward couldn't plot a political storyline if her life depended on it and as such we are expected to deal with a few scenes of utter bullshit at the end that if thought about for more then a moment, actually creates more problems for their society then it solves. But Ward wanted it wrapped up in order to concentrate on other things. With a seeming conclusion of the Wrath and Beth storyline on a personal front, the political had to be finished up too. It's just a shame there was less time dedicated to an apparent major societal shift then there was to Sola's time thinking how about kind Doc Jane was. Even if it did leave everything exactly the same.

And therein lies the problem. Whereas the first four books concentrated in the personal, when something outside of the couple happened, you had the feeling it mattered and that things had changed. Now, no matter what happens everything always ends the same. There may be a new couple or a new baby, but the same people are in the same places--unless they've moved into the mansion-- and everyone's a little less appealing as a result. ...more

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Apr 13, 2017 Jessica's Totally Over The Top Book Obsession rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: my-favorites, reread-worthy, own-book, read-in-2017, paranormal-romance, favorite-authors

5 “Long live the King.” Stars

Spoilers

First read 2014
Reread 4/13/2017

“I’m goin’ nowhere, leelan. You don’t worry about a goddamn thing. Understand me?” Beth wanted to believe him. Needed to. But she feared it was a promise far harder to keep than speak. “Beth?” “Make love to me.” It was the only truth she could put out there that wouldn’t burst the bubble. “Please.” He kissed her once. Twice. And then started to move again. “Always, leelan. Always.”-Wrath and Beth

I loved The King! It was so ...more

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Mar 31, 2014 Exina rated it liked it

Shelves: vampires, violence, torture, hyped, erotica, m-f, series, abduction, emotional, pregnancy

April 5, 2014

Sometimes, you didn’t get what you wanted.
But if you had all you needed?

2.5 stars

The King is one of the most anticipated books of the year, book 12 of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

Book 11, Lover at Last was a huge disappointment, so I had no intention of reading further books of the series, but I’ve read it anyway.

Why?

Well, I realized this series is more and more like... no, actually it IS a soap opera. You don’t really want to watch, or read it anymore, b ...more

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Jun 16, 2013 Christy rated it it was amazing

5 Blind King stars!

photo 604d25c2-3648-4c8a-b417-80d7a846f473_zpsb9f110d8.jpg

I’ve been waiting all year for this book. The 12th book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood. I am obsessed with this series, can’t get enough of my boys. This author could write dozens more books and I would keep on reading. I loved the idea of going back to the beginning- to an original brother. I may have been a little concerned since we’ve already had a Wrath book, but I shouldn’t have been. It was fantastic!

I find these books incredibly difficult to review. In each book, ...more

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Nov 11, 2019 Ꮗ€♫◗☿ ❤️ ilikebooksbest.com ❤️ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: erotic-romance, vampires, paranormal

In chess, the Queen protects the King.

If you like the Black Dagger Brotherhood, you can’t help but like Wrath and feel for him. I mean he is the toughest of all the BDB warriors, he never wanted to be the King, all he really wants to do is fight against their enemies, but the fact that he lost his sight prevents him from going out on patrol with his brothers like he wants. Even though he can fight as good as anyone despite his blindness, he gets stuck in his office doing paperwork.

So many thing ...more

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Mar 30, 2013 Stacia (the 2010 club) rated it liked it

Shelves: angels-nephilim-and-demons, paranormal-romance, vampires, adult, made-me-laugh, multiple-pov

I finally finished the book! My first in April, actually. Yes, it's the 14th. It's called real life, bitches. Sometimes books take a backseat.

By now, most of the die-hard fans who were going to read this have already done so. I've seen the complaints. I share a few of the complaints.

But it's Ward. She's like this comfort-food writer for me. Even when it's bad, I always know that I'll laugh a few times, and will get at the very least a few moments of good sexual tension. So I keep reading.

But de ...more

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Mar 24, 2014 Alex is The Romance Fox rated it really liked it

Shelves: vampire-shapeshifters, paranormal, romance, urban-fantasy, authors-p-z, series, erotic-romance

3,5 stars
Do I like The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series???? No, I MORE THAN LIKE IT………………

I have a secret to tell..….I was absolutely shattered after Lover at Last….. photo wnoy5_zps6vkuydj5.gif

…yes I did. I lost my all-time favorite boyfriend… photo 58149773fb8f3eee55d2c5550a8a61df_zps0d57f9b6.jpg

…yes, Qhuinn left me for someone else!!!!!
Anyway, I have moved on…..and what better way than…..yay….more about Wrath & Beth….i adore the King & Queen of all Vampires….
photo BannerBooksBlackDaggerBrotherhoo-26_zps68eb84cd.jpg

photo BannerBooksBlackDaggerBrotherhoo-26_zps68eb84cd.jpg

So, I get THE KING the day it comes out…I am so excited, over the moon…..
photo 351af7d0-a0c4-4e29-8e49-2d00896c1134_zpsf5de6702.png

And by page 116….I give up…impossi ...more

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Jan 24, 2014 UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own-have-read

photo e857035b-2e93-4977-a3af-466994976b3f_zps336c0bae.jpg

If you loved the earlier stories which were filled with passion and romance and happily ever afters obtained through faith, trust, honor, dignity, soul cleansing pain, and making compromises for the one you love because you love them above all else... you'll be happy to know that The King has all of these things, and more!

And that quote up there... "Let yourself go and I shall catch you..." applies to so many people and situations in this story - trust, faith, hope... beautiful things.

Full r ...more

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Jul 27, 2013 Erica Ravenclaw rated it it was ok

☆ ☆

No spoilers and and definitely colorful language abound!

Sigh.

The King was set upon us, and as a loyal, albeit disgruntled fan, I proceeded with caution. Despite the arduous and at times hysterical journey, I have triumphed.

It was exactly 3% that I realized the error of my ways. I like many of you awaited the publication of what I hoped to be Wards return to her former glory, to reconnect with the characters who started it all. With a looming sense of dread I started The King, and let my b ☆ ☆

No spoilers and and definitely colorful language abound!

Sigh.

The King was set upon us, and as a loyal, albeit disgruntled fan, I proceeded with caution. Despite the arduous and at times hysterical journey, I have triumphed.

It was exactly 3% that I realized the error of my ways. I like many of you awaited the publication of what I hoped to be Wards return to her former glory, to reconnect with the characters who started it all. With a looming sense of dread I started The King, and let my buoyant optimism overshadow the fact that the last two books were a disastrous blunder.

photo tumblr_inline_mnijcpINDA1qz4rgp_zps01e3a981.gif

The Death Rattle of a Dying Series Recipe Card

   Ingredients

4 parts Miley Cyrus references ( added points with the mention of "twerking")
2 dashes of the word "defo" ( added points with the use of "abso" and "jel", use accordingly)
9 mentions of the iPhone ( added points with the mention of Apple, Siri, or the opposer Blackberry)
1 reference to Facebook relationship status updates (It's complicated)
1 nod to Nike's Just Do It
117 uses of the word "sex"
2435 scenes featuring characters no one gives a fuck about
1 epic hose down of jizz
17 excerpts from fanfiction to save time
1 adult temper tantrum with the required use of tranquilizers
1 scene of the "good ole days" just to keep the reader hanging on, use sparingly!

   Directions

Take all your social references and sift together to remove any lumps.
Measure "sex" and pour in slowly, while mixing by hand.
Add "characters no one gives a fuck about" and "excerpts from fanfiction" blend to fully incorporate.
Whip "epic hose down of jizz" until you have white fluffy peaks, fold into batter gently.
Grease your 9x10 pan with the softened adult tantrum.
Bake for 13 months at a low 250.
Let cool and garnish with 1 scene featuring past favorite characters

Plate and serve to your editor.

Suggestion: If you find that all those dated and unnecessary social references are mucking up your batter, plow forward. You definitely need those, they are not jarring at all.

So there we have it. Yet another disappointing and bizarre installment of the BDB. I will never do this to myself again.

photo cover_tumblr_mf2vs7su4i1rccyxzo1_500_zps8dff0ae7.gif

BAHAHAHAHAHAHA. YEAH RIGHT.

Like a true dementia patient, I will read the next one. I will wait for it's publication. I will speculate on who will appear and what will happen. Perhaps a bit on my favorite brothers? I will get excited at the prospect of more time with Rehv or V. I will read every book of this series until she puts it to rest.

And so it begins again.

...more

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Sep 18, 2013 readtoomuch rated it it was ok

Shelves: expected-better

PSA: Gifapalooza

My internal reactions a few pages into the prologue went something like this

description

and this

Ward, you almost had me going there for a sec. Unfortunately, my feels didn't get much better as I read on.

description

I was expecting the usual entertaining story, fun banter, cheesy lines, and a lot of kick-some-lesser-flatassery between the brothers.

description

Instead, I spent much of this 76 chapter book humming the theme song to Scooby-Doo, because the brothers of the Black Dagger Brotherhood were almost nonexisten ...more

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Apr 02, 2014 P rated it it was amazing

Shelves: paranormal-romance, favorites-2014

“Wrath - Beth x Overnight = Psycho-hose Beast”

I was so pleased that I had a chance to read Wrath and Beth's story again. The King was my favorite book of 2014. Although I reread it again this year, I still insist this is as good as the first book of the series where all the stories begins. Wrath overcame his blindness and live happily ever after with his shellan, Beth, in the last books. Yet in The King, Wrath has to face a new challenge when his Beth wants to have a child, that's not easy ...more

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Jun 19, 2013 Danielle The Book Huntress (Back to the Books) rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: PNR readers

Shelves: favorite-or-autobuy-author, favorites, 2014-challenge-factory-challenge, scary-sexy-cool-dangerous-hero, dangerous-hero-challenge-2014, tortured-hero, 2014-cover-to-cover-challenge, paranormal-romance, urban-fantasy-with-sexual-content, royalty

I am not overstating to say that the release of the new Black Dagger Brotherhood series book is a highlight of my spring, and I view it as JR Ward's present to me for my birthday! That said, let's get to my review:

**Disclaimer: This review is as spoiler-free as I could make it!

Wrath, Son of Wrath and Beth Randall have come a long way since Dark Lover, and it's been my pleasure to accompany them on the ride!

When I first read Dark Lover (about eight years ago), I will be honest in saying that my b ...more

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Jun 20, 2013 Anna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: official-stalking-has-begun, drop-everything-when-book-is-here

WHAT DOING ???. Answered prayers !!! YES !!! Wrath ❤❤❤

Need
Want
DYING TO READ
YOU FEEL ME???

NEVER IGNORE A SUMMONS FROM THE KING ❤❤❤❤ ...more

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Jun 19, 2013 Aestas Book Blog marked it as to-read

Shelves: not-yet-released

OMGOMGOMGOMGGGG IT'S WRATH'S BOOK!!!!!

Ward said this will be about Wrath and Beth. They're going to try and have a baby!

March 25, 2014 ...more

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Mar 30, 2013 ❤️ Dorsey aka Wrath Lover Reviews ❤️ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audio_books, jr_ward, favorites

January 15, 2018~ (Audiobook) Reread

It’s been awhile since I’ve read this, I was getting twitchy and needed a Wrath fix. I’m still completely and throughly devoted to Wrath!!

photo smitten_zps82ef75c9-1_zps3c608306.gif

5 Fantastic Royal Stars!!

We start this book with an introduction of Wrath’s parents, Wrath and Anha, I loved the insight into Wrath's parents. Their introduction, their mating, and the love they find and share. We also, learn of the incidents that turned the former docile King into a Warrior which we f ...more

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Aug 21, 2015 Sophia Triad rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 1paranormal-lovestories, vampires, fangywarriorteams

Wrath, Beth and LW ( (view spoiler)[Little Wrath! (hide spoiler)])

It is time for Wrath

1. to fall in love again (And for us to fall in love with him again):

“I can smell you,” he groaned against her ear as he ran his fangs up her throat. “The most beautiful thing in the world—except for your taste.”

2. To renew his vows to Beth:

“You have given me something ... I didn't even know I needed. It's the greatest gift I will ever receive--it's, like, completing me already in places I
...more

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Mar 31, 2013 MsMiz (Tina) rated it liked it

Mayhap this was the worst book in the series- well no - the desecration of Qhuinn and Blay's story sucked really bad. Ah shit, no Tohr's book was bad....god, have they all recently gotten bad and we are just glutton's for this stuff? Verily JR Ward has gotten ridiculous with the slang, hip hop references, and the uneven old world language. With alacrity this may be the last book I read in the series. Mayhap...not sure.....Okay I lied - I would read Lassiter, Murhder, I'am, I may even be happy ab ...more

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Apr 03, 2013 Kelena rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: All Alpha Vampire Beasts Shippers | Immortal After Dark | Dark Hunters

Shelves: black-dagger-brotherhood, fangs, paranormal, fall-head-over-heels, alpha-man, 2014

Review Posted on 4th April, 2014
---------------------------------------
4.2 "LONG LIVE THE KING" Stars

When you were without your husband, perfectly safe was relative.

description

Storyline:
Multiple Characters POV's, So there's not just one tale to get along with. An extremely hard task to keep the spirit of book and JR did an amazing job with that,
though it annoyed me sometimes.

Characters Development:
Wrath (King of Wrath I) & Anha
flash back of Wrath's father's life, how he married to Anha and ruled ...more

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Apr 02, 2016 Beverly rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I’ll be honest I was not looking forward to this one, it actually took me a year to finally pick it up and read it. Mainly because I desperately wanted a book for other characters and was disappointed this book was going to be about a character who already had their story.

Well I was wrong, way wrong. I actually loved this one. I felt such a connection to Beth and was able to understand her desires. I felt like this story was so much more than the usual lesser slaying and loved how the story rea ...more

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Mar 30, 2013 Annie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: drinks-on-me, 2014-favorites, my-hottie-harem, author-j-r-ward, series-black-dagger-brotherhood, favorites, ebooks, covers-to-covet, read-in-2014, keep-a-spare-pair-of-knickers

Describe The King in three words

Angela: Satisfying. Emotional. Blissful.

Francesca: Sad. Emotional. Heart-warming.

Suzanne: I Love Wrath

Annie: LONG LIVE THE KING (Yeah yeah, I cheated.)

Did reality of The King live up to the hype?

Angela: Yes! He certainly proved his worth and then some. It’s not a surprise who the people will pick.

Francesca: It certainly did, and in a way that I was not expecting. But Ward is so great at that. This book was magical.

Suzanne: For me…yes it did, in fact it exceede ...more

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Apr 02, 2013 Mona rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, dying-to-read

**4.3 Long Live The King Stars**
"Why are you dong this?"
There was only one answer. For tonight...
and evermore:
"Because I love you more than anything else."
description

Review to come... ...more

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Dec 01, 2013 Auntee rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Fans of the series

Shelves: paranormal-romance, 2014_reads, part-of-a-series, jr-ward-jessica-bird

I think I've been saying (or thinking) this a lot about the last 5 or so books in the series--"It wasn't my favorite, but I liked it a lot."

There's nothing that can compare (to me) to the first 5 or so books in this series--they were simply outstanding and sooo addicting. That's not to say that there weren't some pretty good books to follow--I remember loving Rehv's book (Lover Avenged and loving the one with Payne and Manny (Lover Unleashed), and Tohr's book (Lover Reborn, and okay I loved JM's ...more

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Mar 30, 2013 Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2014

So we all know this is "suppose to be" Beth and Wrath's book and about them wanting/having a baby and while it's certainly that, it's just so much more!

I have a love/hate relationship with JRW's writing and I think the deeper she gets in this series, the worse it is. In certain chapters, she was bouncing all over the place and it was a hot mess. But... it also allows her to give us many more stories and I do love that.

However, it did take till about 20-30% for me to really get into the book ...more

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Mar 30, 2013 * Meli Mel * rated it really liked it

Shelves: drama-rama-bo-bama, fav-book-boyfriend, hells-yeah-alphas, multiple-pov, favorites, super-steamy, uber-sweet, vampires, paranormal

♥♥♥ 4.25 "All Hail The King" STARS ♥♥♥

What a story. It was quite the long read with SO many things going on but I really enjoyed this one.

I'm sensing a new pattern with this series since the previous book. The books from now on will seem to no longer just be about the main characters they are suppose to be about, now we will be getting the story lines of so many others as well. I will admit that this was the reason I didn't love Lover at Last as I might have liked to. But in this one, I guess I ...more

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Mar 31, 2013 Jen rated it really liked it

Shelves: damaged-hero-heroine, favorites, paranormal-romance, kindle-own, april-reads, vampires, buddy-read-with-books-n-buddies

Where to begin with this one?? For starters, I will say that I was so looking forward to this book. I swear that once a year just is not enough for the BDB series. I was nervous about this book because my expectations were through the roof, and whenever I have high expectations; I am usually let down in some way. Unfortunately, in some ways I was let down; however the story certainly wasn't drastically bad. My biggest complaint was that I just didn't get enough of my wonderful origional brothers Where to begin with this one?? For starters, I will say that I was so looking forward to this book. I swear that once a year just is not enough for the BDB series. I was nervous about this book because my expectations were through the roof, and whenever I have high expectations; I am usually let down in some way. Unfortunately, in some ways I was let down; however the story certainly wasn't drastically bad. My biggest complaint was that I just didn't get enough of my wonderful origional brothers. In fact, most of this book was about couples that haven't been a part of the BDB clan from the beginning. This really disappointed me, as I was expecting that everything was going to come full circle, and there would be some closure on some major issues that have been stewing since very close to the beginning.

In Book #12, we get the storyline for not only Wrath and Beth, but of the past King and Queen. This is Wrath's mom and dad, and we get flashbacks that fill in some blanks about their history and how they met. At first it is confusing about who JR Ward is writing about; but once I figured out that it was Wrath's parents then I settled into learning a bit about their past. Considering that this book is called "The King," we don't get a very big storyline with Wrath and Beth. I felt somewhat cheated about that; but I will say that the parts with them were very emotional and intense. This made up for the fact that I didn't get to see them much. When the pages were about them, I was captivated, and I fully embraced the magic that has always surrounded this couple.

As far as the rest of the book goes, it is about a few other couples. The problem for me was that some of these couples I was never emotionally attached to in the first place. This made it so that the parts in the story that were about these characters, often became boring and flat out frustrating. There was Sola and Assail, who I will admit did grow on me. Then there was Treyz and his Chosen Selena. Yes, Xcor and Layla were a part of this story; but surprisingly enough not near as much as I thought they would be. This leads me to my next thought about this book.

I was under the impression that this was the last BDB book in the series, and then JR Ward was moving on to write about the BOB's? Without me revealing any spoilers all I can say regarding this is there was no HEA's for these couples. Things were left hanging, which means there must be another book coming out?

So now we have another year to wait for answers that we were hoping to get in this book. Let's hope that when the next book comes out, our curiousity will be fulfilled and that it will be a book that will hold our attention! I miss the days of the first six BDB books. Those books held true magic between the covers, and I find that the newer installments don't have the same spark. I still enjoy Ms. Ward's humor and writing style, I just wish there was more of it and less chaos. All in all, she must be doing something right though, as I still wait each year until I can catch a glimpse of my favorite Brothers again. For some reason, for me it feels like I am coming back home to my own family...and I wouldn't have it any other way! ...more

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About J.R. Ward

J.R. Ward

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J.R. Ward is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels, including the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. She lives in the South her family.