Science Fiction and Fantasy Association of New Zealand

The King The King:
Black Dagger Brotherhood #12
by J. R. Ward
Piatkus

Purchased from: The Book Depository

Reviewed By: Jan Butterworth

After centuries of ignoring his kingship, Wrath has finally accepted the crown and is ruling the vampire society. The threat from the Band of Bastards is still there though, and has glymera support, as they want a ruler who embraces the old traditions of aristocracy. The war with the lessening society rages on and they need new fighters.

Beth wants Wrath’s young and is unprepared for his response, or the distance it puts between them.

Xcor is the leader of the Band of Bastards and one of the leaders in the plot to take down the King. But he’s fallen for the Chosen Layla, who is pregnant with Qhuinn’s young. Layla has unexplainable feelings for Xcor and has to keep her relationship with him secret.

Trez is trying to get away from his future, which is to be the mate and sex slave of the next Queen of the Shadows. Hiding out with the BDB, he falls for the Chosen Selena and his brother iAm will do anything to help him escape his fate.

Assail feels compelled to help Sola, the burglar who was paid to spy on him.

The plot is very involved, with multiple storylines and recurring characters, and it would help if you’d read the previous in the BDB series. The main story was Wrath and Beth and it was refreshing to read their HEA wasn’t all sunshine and roses and see how they dealt with challenges.

I don’t like Assail and he and Sola seem a bit pointless, I’m not sure why their story is being told. I swing between not liking Xcor and feeling sorry for him, I think Layla’s made a huge mistake though.

I like Trez and Selena and hope they get their HEA, their story is the next book.

I loved when Wrath met his subjects! Hopefully we’ll see more of Paradise in later books. And there are Lassiter scenes!

A must read for BDB fans!

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