The King

A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood

By: J. R. Ward

Narrated by: Jim Frangione

Length: 22 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

J.R. Ward's number-one New York Times best-selling Black Dagger Brotherhood continues as a royal bloodline is compromised by a grave threat to the throne.

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 everyone - at risk.

Beth Randall thought she knew what she was getting into when she mated the last pure blooded vampire on the planet: An easy ride was not it. But when she decides she wants a child, she's unprepared for Wrath's response - or the distance it creates between them.

The question is, will true love win out... or tortured legacy take over?

©2014 J. R. Ward (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"J. R. Ward’s unique band of brothers is to die for. I love this series!” (New York Times best-selling author Suzanne Brockmann)

“Utterly absorbing and deliciously erotic....The Brotherhood is the hottest collection of studs in romance. I can’t wait for the next one!” (New York Times best-selling author Angela Knight)

“Best new series I’ve read in years! Tautly written, wickedly sexy, and just plain fun.” (New York Times best-selling author Lisa Gardner)

loved it

ward gets back to the greatness she had at the start, well done, I enjoyed it and couldn't stop till I was done

Excellent!

I loved this book. from beginning to the end. Wrath and Beth story simply rocks.

Long live the king

Where does The King rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the top 5

What did you like best about this story?

The surprise twists and turns

What does Jim Frangione bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He does each character so well that he doesn't have to tell us who he is speaking for

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laughed, cried, worried and celebrated

Any additional comments?

When you have series of this size, I keep waiting for the ideas to run out or become repetitive. Nope, not with this series. I really believe the Warden must have a real place where the Black Dagger Brotherhood really exist. She may be the real reporter not Beth. Just writing what she witnesses

MAY THIS SERIES NEVER END

Any additional comments?

The BDB series is one of my top three fav's because it's not predictable and each brother has their own unique set of circumstances. The unity of the group, having each others back and the relationships with their "Shellens" is fresh and new for each one. I'll listen to this book again because it ties all the previous ones together. I've listened to the whole series 3 times. Very well done.

MASTERPIECE

Tears. Only the best kind. It doesn't matter how many I read or listen to this book, it's always inspiring and of course sexy.

I liked it!!!

This was a very good book. It was not as good as the others due to the many characters in the book. Still, I’m glad I listened to it. J.R. Ward is awesome.

Addicted

I cant get enough of these books! I dont want them to end! This would make an amazing TV series!!

JR Ward and Jim Frangione the best!

This series is hands down my favorite, the one time I can say I love the books and audio. The King has the usual action, steamy romance and fantastic characters. JR Ward continues to keep the story going and those moments you hold your breathe are still there. Wrath and Beth deserved their own moment in the spotlight. Bravo!
Dear Jim Frangione never stop being her reader. You bring her world to life in my head. Fantastic reader!

Great Story!

Some of my thoughts:

Just wanted to put this out there. While I was first listening to the prologue of this story, I thought it was about the current King Wrath. Which upset me because it was showing him with another woman other than Beth. However, it's actually about his father. It showing the first time his father met his mother, Anha. It was actually a great scene and it shows where the current King Wrath gets his stubborn streak from. He also got his lacks of respect for sticking to tradition and convention from his father, who balked at tradition when he met his Anha. There's more about them throughout the book and I enjoyed getting to know more about Wrath's folks. They seemed like a pair that truly loved and valued each other. There were some sad moments in their parts of the story, but there were also some really happy ones.

Wrath is loosing his cool. Between the Lessers, Beth's needing, his blindness, and everything else going on in his life, he's falling off his rocker a bit. I've always liked Wrath, but he's start to really pi$$ me off. Why couldn't he see what his actions were doing to his Beth and their relationship. I'm glad he found a way to tell her his fears, even if he did have to be in a completely different house to do it. He really is one lucky SoB to have Beth. She's one of a kind. She's loyal and loves him and she shows it in everything she does. I'm glad that destiny stepped in to help them. The ending and what Wrath ultimately decides to do were so unexpected. I understand and agree with his reasoning but, wow, that was something.

Assail is such a bada$$. I love that he is the quinticential badboy. Though, he still has feelings somewhere, especially where they concern Sola. Regardless of those feelings, or maybe because of them, he's certainly not one to screw with. He took matters into his own hands and went after his woman when she was taken or, at least, someone he thinks of as his woman. Benlois was definitely not expecting any of that to come toppling down on his head. Sola is an interesting character. She is not like any of the others. We've had killers, assassins, doctors, counselors and regular ole human women, but no thieves yet. She's the first, and I look forward to seeing what happens with her and Assail. I'm not happy with what happened between the two in this book, but I'm hopeful they find a way back to one another. Only time will tell.

Sola's grandmother is a hoot. She managed to put three harden criminals, three killers, in their place with nothing more than her cocked brow, stubborn streak and sharp tongue. I can't wait to see how she wrangles things next. I hope to see more of her in future books.

Iam and Trez are driving me a little nuts. I like that they are so loyal to each other and those they count as theirs, be it friends or family, but they really needs to get their s$^% together. Trez needs to face facts and stop sleeping his way through Calder. I'm looking forward to seeing if anything will come of Trez and Selena. Also, I hope that Iam will find his own mate. He deserves it with everything he does for others, mainly his brother and Rev. (Side note: Iam's relationship with Boo is comical. I like that he entrusted his secrets to Beth.)

Poor Selena! She's just like Layla. Both of them having feelings, possibly even love, for men that are just beyond their reach. Just have to wait and see if either of them get their heart's desires fulfilled.

Wow! S'Ex is definitely a creepy guy. His visit with Iam was surprising. I wonder how the boys plan to get themselves out of the mess they are currently in. Rather, I wonder how they plan to get Trez out of it. I really want to see him with Selena.

I feel so bad for Saxton now. At first, when he was coming between Blay and Qhuinn, I didn't like him too much. Now, I just feel like he's gotten the raw end of the deal. Granted, he knew going into the relationship that Blay was in love with Q, but he tried to do the right thing in the end and he got hurt doing it. I hope he find his person. He deserves it.

Z is so funny. Talking to Wrath about the pink dress on Nala. It's comcial hearing him interact with Nala and then confessing his like of her in pink. I guess comical isn't the right word. More sweet and adorable.

I loved every seconds of this story, even if it did take a while to ge tthrough it all. I look forward to seeing what's in store for the brotherhood next.

Love the books of the king

Love J. R. Ward Brotherhood Books & Jim Frangione Voice, If another person takes over the voice I'll be done.