The King

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

✫✫ 5 Stars ✫✫

I was originally a little confused as to why Wrath gets another book when there are many new characters but when I listened to it, I completely understood. I loved this book and even more, I love when the laws are changed in the BDB world. I find myself cheering on Wrath & Saxton. This book had a little of everything except the war with the lessers and anything really about the brotherhood. I loved the back story for Wrath's parents, it helps explain a lot about who Wrath is. We also got a little from each of the characters from the next few books. This series is has always been a favorite of mine because of JR Wards writing style, each book is written with so many POV & story lines so that it's more about the entire BDB world not just the characters from each book. I don't know how many times I've read & listened to this series (usually I do a complete re-listen every couple years before the new book releases.

Jim Frangione IS the brotherhood to me!!!

11 of 11 people found this review helpful

LONG LIVE THE KING.... & THE BDB

As a fan of the whole series I pre-ordered this, then counted the weeks, days, hours and minutes until I could finally listen to this much anticipated story and, although I was half-way through another book (which was good by the way), I stopped it knowing that, for me, a new BDB book was going to be epic..... and I was right.

There was the main story of Wrath, his roots, his fears and dreams and Beth's all consuming needs as she lost focus for just a short while but came back fighting, then there were so many sub romances, sub plots and new characters that, at times, you think your head's going to explode. Beth and Wrath's dilemma was so painful, touching and raw, his throne is both a curse and a joy which he eventually found out and he may be blind but he finally gets to see the bigger picture.

A lot of very emotional bitter-sweet torment and turmoil because of the ups and downs in all the romances, danger and threats made by old enemies, twists, turns and surprises and various visits through time to the 17th century to hear of the love and plight of the former Vampire King and a lot more was shared about the Shadow brothers and their lives. There were familiar well loved faces as well as new ones..... but always, through everything, The Brotherhood were there ready to support and rejoice in welcoming in the dawning of a new era.

Worth a credit? Wicked plans were thwarted, blood was spilled, revenge was sweet and love and bonds were deepened so, at the end of Chapter 76, after 22 hours of listening pleasure as the overall plot-line grew, morphed and moved forward, all I can safely say is YES it was well worth the credit, the sleepless nights and the lost hours in my shortened days.

30 of 37 people found this review helpful

Such a disappointment

I found this book such a big disappointment! I have been listening to this series from the beginning with the first book. I've loved thim all. My only complaint up till now had been the long time between each book. Each time the wait was worth it. Not this time. This book seemed to go off in so many directions with so many characters that I had to get a list of all the characters that have been in this or any of the other books to try to help me with the confusion. The book was advertised to be about Wrath and Beth and their desire to have a baby but it was a good half way thru the book before this topic was really delved into. There was just too much jumping around from couple to couple without really having a clear direction for any of them. Wouldn't recommend it for any lover of this series.

22 of 28 people found this review helpful

The King

It’s been a while since I read the Black Dagger Brotherhood series (last one I read was Tohr’s). So when Susan started listening to them, I figured it was a good time to finally catch up on the series and then tackle the few I still hadn’t read. One of the reasons I didn’t read The King is because Beth and Wrath are my least favorite couple. I don’t know why but I just don’t like Beth as a female and Wrath is just average on my scale of brothers who I love/hate. He may be the king but he’s not memorable or even lust-worry, IMO, which is why it took me so long to get to this one.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect much. More of the “I don’t want to be king” and the “we need to kill the band of bastards” situations that were in previous books. But when I started to listen to this one, I was drawn in and I really got into the story. Whether that’s because I was listening to a book I haven’t read before (up until now, I’ve only listened to books I’ve previously read) or whether the story was just that good, I have no idea but I really, really. enjoyed this one.

I liked the little twists throughout the story such as how the issue of Beth’s human half was finally brought forth and how it related to having kids. How the band of bastards make an astonishing move, how the Brothers scramble to find a solution and how, beyond all else, things change so dramatically that I’m still wondering if these things really happened! I don’t want to go into too many details because I feel like so much happens that are best discovered by reading than by getting spoilers (although I admit I begged Susan for spoilers while we were listening lol). But I will say one thing – the ending MADE this story. I was shocked but so pleased with how it ended and it made me like Beth and Wrath a little more. So sweet!

I enjoyed this book a lot compared to the last few in the series but it wasn’t without its issues. For one, I found it unrealistic and inconsistent that anyone on the glymeria could vote to dethrone Wrath but only the eldest of families were able to vote to seclude females. I found it absolutely ridiculous that they didn’t have the same pull in voting. Dethroning a king should have more stipulations around it when it comes to voting than mere FEMALES. Like come on!

With that said, the whole Sola/Assail situation was going absolutely nowhere. Yes, it was a tad entertaining and I did slowly warm up to Sola (and freaking loved her grandmother) but I found Assail horrid. I hate druggies and that is exactly what he is now. I can’t imagine liking him even though he’s sort of a gentleman. Aside from that, I ADORED Xcor but I fucking HATE Layla. I wish that Xcor would find someone else to obsess over!

As far as the audio itself, I like Jim Frangione as a narrator. He has a deep, soothing voice that made me actually want to pay attention but didn’t lull me into a trance or disinterest me. He doesn’t exactly do a good feminine voice but he really got into parts that needed the little extra umph and he does an amazing job of voicing the brothers. I can’t imagine anyone else narrating this series and I’ll definitely be looking into any other books he may have narrated.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I'm confused...

Why is everyone raving about this book? Was it even written by J.R. Ward?? I am a HUGE fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and Ward, but this one was so immature I could barely get through it. It seemed like Wrath transformed into a mouthy, cussing, insecure and immature teenager. I'm so sad to say this was a total thumbs down. I've listened and read the whole series a dozen times or more, but I'll never listen to this one again. It did not do credit to the series. The only saving grace was the narrator, who was awesome, and made the book bearable.

11 of 14 people found this review helpful

Excellent as Usual!!

This installment of the BDB, like most, has a LOT going on. The main focus is on Wrath and Beth and a back story of the elder Wrath and his queen. The laws and paperwork required to lead the race, Wrath's role in doing so, his desire to do so and his continuing growth as a male, a mate and as king are all part of the story, and there is not as much action movie material as some of the others, but there are also the continuing sagas of Assail/Sola, Xscore/Layla and Tres/Selena. Wrath and Beth also have struggles with each other and with those who want Wrath out because of his choice in queen.

I've seen some negative reviews, and the complaints seem pretty superficial. If you are one of those people who 1- don't care about any new characters other than the brothers or 2- like to complain about about the few (true and funny) pop culture references and/or 3- have nothing better to do than denigrate the hard work of an author who has provided you and others with a large quantity of great entertainment, pick up Pride and Prejudice, re-read it often, and have a nice life.

Those who love the series will not be disappointed in this one. Absolutely worth a credit or the cash.

28 of 38 people found this review helpful

Very disappointed

This book just didn't keep my interest and was all over the place. Just when I started getting into it, things switched to a completely different story. It was my least favorite of the series.

8 of 11 people found this review helpful

Long Live The King!

The Warden does it again! A great installment to the BDB. I tried to hold out in reading this because I didn't want it to end (True?). I couldn't give it a 5 star because I felt that ending did not do justice to the story itself. There was so much I was hoping for (do not want to put spoilers in this, so we will leave it at), but all in all another awesome BDB!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Expected better

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Everything! This is not the JRW book I'm used to. It was dull compared to the rest of the BDB. I didn't like where she took Wrath and Beth. None of it was what I've come to expect from her.

Would you recommend The King to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes, only to keep up on the story tho...if you've already invested in the rest of the series, you may as well finish it.

Which character – as performed by Jim Frangione – was your favorite?

IDK, I liked his narrating period.

Was The King worth the listening time?

Eh, not really, but I'm still glad I finished the series.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

LONG LIVE THE KING!!!

I'll make this review quick; I LOVED this story! Loved the WARDenisms - the slang, the brand name dropping, the unique style of writing that draws me in and keeps me coming back for more. Loved it all! Even the side stories drew me in, connecting me with the couples and their struggles...

But best of all? Seeing our beloved Wrath and Beth up close and personal. Revisiting them, in depth, as they deal with the Band of Bastards, the Glymera, and everything else life is throwing at them. THE KING is the perfect visit with the Brotherhood!

But the audio - just okay. Jim Frangione has a great voice, but too often I felt like he was reading the story rather than performing it - or living it. I didn't get the feel that he was into it, at all. And the mispronunciations of names and words? After 12 books, that is completely unacceptable! Finally, at about 30% in I stopped listening and just read the Kindle version, and enjoyed much more. (Giving the audio a 2.5 of 5.)

The bottom line:

I can't even put into words how painful and beautiful and sexy this story is. Listen to the audio sample and decide for yourself. Clearly, I'm in the minority when it comes to my thoughts on his narrative skills.

5 of 7 people found this review helpful