The Thief

A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood

By: J. R. Ward

Narrated by: Jim Frangione

Length: 14 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's Summary

Number-one New York Times best-seller. 

New enemies rise and desire burns in the latest thrilling novel of the paranormal romance series the Black Dagger Brotherhood.    

Sola Morte, former cat burglar and safecracker, has given up her old life on the wrong side of the law. On the run from a drug lord’s family, she is lying low far from Caldwell, keeping her nose clean and her beloved grandmother safe. Her heart, though, is back up North, with the only man who has ever gotten through her defenses: Assail, son of Assail, who never meant to fall in love - and certainly not with a human woman. But they have no future, and not just because she doesn’t know he is a vampire, but because he is not about to stop dealing arms to the Black Dagger Brotherhood. 

Fate, however, has other plans for them. When Assail falls into a coma and lingers on the verge of death, his cousins seek out Sola and beg her to give him a reason to live. The last thing she wants is a return to her past, but how can she leave him to die? 

As a lethal new enemy of the vampires shows its face and the Brotherhood needs Assail back on his feet, Sola finds herself not only a target, but a mission-critical force in a war she doesn’t understand. And when Assail’s truth comes out, will she run from the horror...or follow her heart into the arms of the male who loves her more than life itself? 

©2018 J. R. Ward (P)2018 Random House Audio

Good stuff

Not quite a 5 but almost. She left tails as she's apt to do but not huge ones more like teases for the next books. I've always like Asail and Marisal. Also very fond of Marisal's Vovo and the cousins. Parts of this felt like set up but it was still interesting enough to not make it feel boring. All in all I liked it quite a bit.

Nice to see V and Doc Jane as well.

Also there was one scene with the brothers that made me laugh so hard I had tears. OMG those men are such a hoot some times.

As always with this series, Jim Frangione is so good I'd be upset if I had to read a copy and couldn't listen. He really enhances the story.

HIGHLY ANTICIPATED AND SO WORTH THE WAIT!!!!

Finally, finally, finally, Assail and Sola reunite!!!! I completely adore these two and couldn't wait for this book to be released. From several preceeding books I loved the fierceness of Sola and the dynamic between she and Assail was palpable to say the least. Seeing them finally get together gave me all the feels!

The beginning was slower but it ramped up toward the last couple hours. I laughed and cried a little, swooned, and did some fist pumping too. As usual, the narration was superb, I could listen to Jim Frangione for days and never have enough. In terms of the storyline it seems that a new threat has emerged, and I have not a clue how the BDB is going to handle it, which is perfect because that just means that this series will continue for many years to come. Truth be told, I gave 4 stars as opposed to my usual 5 for BDB books; this particular book is a little low on action and maybe lower on the hot sex end as well, in comparison to some of the other books but I still count it as one of my favorites and would highly recommend it! I cannot wait to see what happens next.

The Thief

I am kind of disappointed in this book.
Assail and Sola get there HEA but I found it to be a little unreal. Here Assail was at death's door and then poof all of a sudden he has something or someone to live for.

We do find out more about the Scribe Virgin and who takes her place. That was ok but then Lassiter says something that confuses me to no end. He was talking to V and says you will guild us to the end, the end of what the war? I thought that was the Destroyer prophecy?

V and Jane go through so really big ups and downs. I was a little peeved at V if I am being honest like what the heck dude.
Though I am glad they see what taking care of the brothers night after night can do to someone and that they are going to bring on more staff it really is much needed.

Jane and V needed to reconnect for sure, but I also feel like we didn’t get a lot of the other brothers in this book and I miss them.

I want to know what is going on with the Omega and the Lessers. But also what does this book and Throe has to do with anything. Is that the End Lassiter was talking about?

I am just left with more questions.

Love my brothers but miss the action

Love my brothers but miss the action. A little slower than the other books have been. Love Jim F. No one else will do when it comes to reading the BBD series. J.R. Ward is still one of the best with her details and humor. I've laughed during each book and usually play parts back for others to hear.

Jane Gotta Go

This is my 3rd all-the-way-through listen of the series and I've made an executive decision: Jane has to go. There's always some whiny issue with her and logic always makes me take Vishous's side. She knew who she married, so she should have manned up. Also... SHE'S A GHOST. SHE'S DEAD. IT'S WEIRD. We can find another doctor, it's not that hard. And I somehow would love to see V with a kid.
That is all.

So GOOD!!!

I LOVE VOVO!!! Another absolute winner from JR Ward!! I just can't get enough. When is the next book coming?

Not sure why I keep going?

Not my favorite book especially since this was about two of my least favorite couples, I debated reading this book because of who it was about. First, we have Asail and Sola, I barely remember their previous story, it was so mediocre, this story line was okay, the best part was the grandmother. But who I really can’t stand is V, so many reasons why I dislike him, he is such a baby. Which is another reason I didn’t want to listen to this, but I wanted to listen to Murder’s story, and I hate to read things out of order. Plus, how many times do we have to hear the same story, I thought they got over his notion of cheating in a previous book. And then V states that trust is more important than love, but he was the one to break Jane’s trust with cheating, and whether or not he went through with it doesn’t count is bullshit, he still actively planned it. I also thought that once a brother bonds they can’t cheat, JR Ward is slipping on her details. The Victoria story line seemed like filler; I would have been happy to have skipped that part completely. It did not add value to the story. While I have complained about the characters, I did not hate the story, I just know that I will never listen to it again. I’m sure I spelled their names wrong, but I don’t care anymore. Narrator was awesome as usual.

Plot and character development missing

Enjoying the books. Read the entire series and all but 2 of the spin off novellas since a friend introduced the BDB to me a couple of months ago. Still having fun BUT, as Ward pumps them out in quick succession, she dispenses with plot and character development, and makes lazy storyline decisions. Maybe to meet publisher's deadlines? Maybe she's getting bored with the Brotherhood? Relationship drama with Doc Jane and Vicious is out of character for both and kind of silly. Uninteresting. Victoria wrap up felt like "Oh, yeah! I forgot I'm supposed to do something with this situation." Assail and Sola line was so formulaic I predicted it to the letter, and had to laugh. When Murhder popped up, I thought "Here comes a novella!" And wouldn't you know....
Oh, yeah; I forgot! The entire reason for reading the books is the sex - ok, and the romance. On a hiatus in this book. WTH???
I'll keep reading because the books are fun BUT this kind of "pump it out" laziness is exactly why I left Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake and, back in the day, Anne Rice's vampires.

Storyline doesn't progress enough

This was a story to get Assail and Sola back together, V and Jane back on track, and to plug a lot of products for various advertisers. All the brand namedropping is really annoying, to the point I think parts are specifically written to advertise a product, not adding much to the overall story. That being said, Throe has a new weapon causing havoc on the Brothers, with a long plan to unseat the King. Unfortunately, long plan is what it will most likely end up, as its like reading a soap opera, where lots get said, but nothing ever gets accomplished.

Plot died...

This book was good until the plot ended in a love story. I wanted to see what happened with the newest enemy and that storyline dropped abruptly.