Hi there! Perhaps you have noticed the Black Dagger Brotherhood series? That erotic vampire-lovefest written by author/juggernaut JR Ward?

I got THE KING last weekend–which partially explains my recent insomnia.

This is the twelfth book in the series, and it’s main story centers around Wrath, naturally. He is, after all, the king.

About the book:

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?

My Review:
At this point in the series there are many plot lines that are in various degrees of conflict/convergence. The book centers on the ousting of Wrath as King by the glymera, the aristocracy of vampirekind. See they have another person in mind–Ichan, a distant cousin of Wrath’s and through him the warrior Xcor plans to rule. The legal mumbo-jumbo of long forgotten vamp lore states that kings must be of pure blood–and any progeny of Wrath and his Queen, Beth, would be 1/4 human.

Wrath is more than willing to not be King. He’s tired of the constant pressure. And now he’s terrified that Beth is planning to bring on her own needing, or time of fertility. Wrath abhors the idea of risking Beth’s life in pregnancy. It sparks such a rift that Beth actually walks out.

Now, Wrath has to figure out how to deal, and he’s gotta get it handled quickly because there’s a lotta hormones in the air. That’s right. Beth needs, and Wrath caves. It’s all good, though. And Wrath tears out his hair in worry–about his wife and unborn, as well as the throne. At least, he doesn’t have to worry about the kingship for long, he’s deposed by the usurper. For roughly a day. Won’t tell you how he got his crown back but it was NEARLY bloodless. Funny how someone taking away what one didn’t want makes a person want it all the more.

80’s hair-band Cinderella had a song about it….

Fear not! The HEA is freaking stupendous. So much love for Wrath, even if he was kinda King Prick for a few chapters.

Side plots: Assail is punch-drunk in love with the cat burglar Marisol. So much so that he destroys a good bit of his drug pipeline to recover her from the deadly possession of Benloise. Their connection is fierce, and needy. It is rough watching their unfinished business. Will be seeing more of them, for sure–not only because Assail’s using Lessers to sell his drugs on the street.

Via flashback, we get a lot of Wrath’s father’s story in this one. I really enjoyed learning more about that short-lived reign–and gaining a possible reason for Wrath’s blindness–an in utero injury. Fascinating how the intrigues of that court played out in Wrath’s own timeline.

Let’s not forget the Chosen Layla and Xcor have a serious attraction. Will she commit treason to be with him? Or, are her overtures the key to peace between the Black Dagger Brotherhood and the rival Band of Bastards? Let’s say this: I’m looking forward to Xcor getting his. Next book, maybe.

And finally, Trez still hasn’t submitted to the s’Hibhe to take his place as stud to the Queen’s daughter. He’s over the nameless sex–focused, unfortunately, on the Chosen Selena. Selena returns his interest, but at what price? His impurity will not keep him from being extracted, and iAm can only keep the executioner at bay so long. In typical Trez fashion, he sweet-talks and sexes his way out of the most dire parts of his predicament. For now.

Still a lot of plot to build the next episode on. And, we had virtually NO Lesser involvement in this book. Would not expect that trend to bear out much longer.

It’s a satisfying read for BDB fans. Some excellent romance mixed in with the political intrigue and harrowing captures. Plot moves on the trademark Ward pace: fast. If only her next books came out as quickly… 🙂

Interested? You can find THE KING at Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or any bookshop or library in creation probably. I saw it on the shelves at Target…so, access is easy.

You’ll need to have read the other eleven books in the series for this to make sense, obviously. If you haven’t read any JR Ward, allow me to pique your interest in the first book in the series: Dark Lover. This is the tale of how Beth and Wrath first met, and mated. “Hot” does not begin to describe it!

Thanks for popping in. Don’t forget to get in on the TWO giveaways my blog is running this week. LOVE, LEX and CAPTURED.

Couldn’t end this post without an homage to a movie from my childhood–a Bruce Campbell cult classic guaranteed to make boys titter and gals roll their eyes…ARMY OF DARKNESS.

Hail to the king, baby!

As always, keep reading my friends!