Review: The King (Black Dagger Brotherhood #12) – J.R. Ward

Posted 7 April, 2014 by Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms in Reviews / 17 Comments

Review: The King (Black Dagger Brotherhood #12) – J.R. WardThe King by J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #12
Published by Penguin on 1 April 2014
Genres: Adult, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 352
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Purchase

4 Stars

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?

I have been anticipating The King ever since I knew there was going to be a second book about Wrath, son of Wrath. I fell in love with these urban vampires with the first book in the series, and I have loved more or less every single installment so far. The King however was a little disappointing to me. There were too many side-stories, and although I was interested in Marisol and Assail, they took far too much time away from Wrath and the brotherhood in my opinion. And also, what the hey was up with all the Miley bashing? At least three times, there was a mention of Miley, and truly bashing her, and that just wasn’t necessary at all! It brought nothing at all to the story.

Of course, it is always a pleasure to delve into the world and politics of the brotherhood, and I actually really appreciated that there were some flash-backs to Wrath’s parents. The intricate way the glymera was trying to get Wrath away from the throne and rather put someone else up there with all the power over their people. The intrigues between Xcor and the glymera at one side, and Wrath with the Brotherhood on the other were truly well done, though, and I never really knew what to expect next. And those parts were satisfying to me. There is also a lot of hotness to be appreciated in The King.

However, getting to know a lot more about Assail and Sola, as well as more back story for Trez and IAm at the same time made the story a little convoluted, and really took away some of my enjoyment. I wanted it to be more about Wrath and Beth, the brothers and the fight to hold on to the throne. But, since those parts were so well done, I’m not taking off more than one star – even if The King would have been a solid five star read for me if there hadn’t been so many distractions.

The character development for both Wrath and Beth was pretty amazing in The King, I really enjoyed how both of them had to learn to be better at seeing things from each other’s point of view. And especially Beth grew a lot in this story, she matured and was able to better understand a lot of things about vampire politics that she didn’t really seem to consider before. I have always had a soft spot for John Matthews, and I really hope there will be another story about him as well, it seems he is starting to remember some things that he really shouldn’t and I’m very curious to see if that will play out in any way.

If you’re a fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy The King as well, but you might also share my frustrations a little bit. If you haven’t read this series yet, you should really get your hands on Dark Lover and possibly even Lover Eternal, because I don’t think you’ll be able to stop after just one story 😉

Yet here she was, head over heels with a straight-up killer who had a trucker’s vocabulary, a royal bloodline as long as his arm, and enough attitude to make Kanye West look like a self-esteem reject.

And shit knew he felt sick: His chest was aching, his head was pounding, and his skin felt too small for his bones. Clearly a case of asshole-itis. And it was probably terminal.

As Beth put her arm out, she had a moment of total, stunned disbelief. Was it possible that all that sex had worked? Like, for its true biological function?

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Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.

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17 responses to “Review: The King (Black Dagger Brotherhood #12) – J.R. Ward

  1. Excellent review, Lexxie! I’m sorry The King was a tad bit disappointing but I’m glad you liked it overall. I happen to love Wrath and Beth too, so I’m excited to read this installment. Of course, that means I have a few others in the series to read first since I’m behind…so behind. 🙂

    Happy Monday, my friend!! Is this the week we get to chat?!? LOL I hope your week starts off well. And that you’ve gotten papers turned in and exams done…at least for the week. 😉 **BIG HUGS**

    Bookworm Brandee recently posted: **Bought, Borrowed, & Bagged ~ #14**
    • Wrath and Beth are both awesome! But there were so many other things happening!

      I hope this is the week we’ll get to chat 🙂 I miss you! And I’m still busy, but I hope to be able to finish my last papers on Thursday 😀

      *BIG HUGS*

    • Oh, you’re in for a real treat, Melliane, especially if you have more than the first book ready and waiting for you! This series is hot, and a lot of fun, too.

      Thanks for stopping by.

    • LOL, the paperback might be a good choice. This is one of the series I have on pre-order for my kindle each year, and I’m glad I got it and read it 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by, Jessica.

    • LOL, yeah, no love for Miley – but those comments just seemed so out of place to me! No need at all to diss anyone real, you know?

      Thanks for stopping by, Carmel, I’ll be looking for your (ranty?) review.

  2. Didn’t like the side stories at all. I wish those were novellas instead and if there’s a story I want side by side with Wrath in this book, it’ll be XCor’s. His plan was foiled and his thingy with Layla is getting more and more interesting.

    Miley Cyrus: I guess Ward saw the VMA’s last year and maybe watched the Wrecking Ball video? I’m surprised she knows who the Housewives are, I thought she’d be above that common pop culture thing LOL

    Loved WRath and Beth’s but I do miss the banter and all the fight scenes.

    Braine Talk Supe recently posted: Liked It: Attack The Geek by Michael R. Underwood
    • Yeah, those should have definitely been novellas. You’re right, Xcor and Layla did belong, but I was still kind of wanting more about them – Xcor didn’t seem completely himself in this one.

      Fight scenes were definitely missing, too.

      But even if she did see the VMA video and doesn’t like Miley, I don’t get why she felt the need to mention her several times. It kind of made me roll my eyes.

      Thanks for stopping by, Braine!

    • This series is really great, though, and if you haven’t read it, but you enjoy PNR, you really should get to it 😉

      Thanks for stopping by, Ellie 🙂

  3. I felt the exact same way Lexxie! I loved Wrath and Beth’s story but thought the Assail/Sola and The Shadows’ story lines were just too much. I’m looking forward to their books, but I would have been just as happy getting all their story lines in those books instead of The King.

    Traci @ Mad Hatter Reads recently posted: Coffee Shop Talks, #48
    • Yah, too much going on with all those other characters, it took the spotlight away from the King! I think Braine had a great idea, The Shadows, and Assail/Sola should get some longer novellas 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by, Traci 🙂

    • All books can’t be for all readers, Brandi. I’m sure you’ve found other books to enjoy instead 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by.

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