The King by J.R. Ward

JRWard-KingAfter not enjoying the last two novels as much as I would have liked, I was hesitant about reading The King by J. R. Ward. I’m here to tell you, I worried for nothing! I could not put this down! I might have become possessed with the need to get to the last page. Course now I’m all sad that it’s over. Don’t you just hate that?

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?

In my reviews for the last two novels (here and here) I mention how I didn’t really care about what was going on outside the main characters storyline. The side plots never seemed relevant nor were they as enthralling as they usually are.  I am happy to say, all the interweaving of storyline that Ward is known for, worked like magic in The King. Almost every story came right back to Wrath and Beth, so woohoo for that. Also, they weren’t boring or seemingly unimportant. I don’t know, maybe I was just in a weird mood during Lover Reborn and Lover at Last, and so I didn’t appreciate them like I should have. All I can say is that the misdirection and the multiple storylines wrapped around the main story, that is usual in the Black Dagger Brotherhood, was perfection this go round.

Course this may have to do with it being about Wrath who, next to Zadist and Rhage, is like my favorite and best. I have missed him dearly since Dark Lover. Even though he’s been in every novel since, it just hasn’t been the same, ya know? I’ve been dying to see more of his duties as King and see how Beth is handling this new lifestyle. Turns out, it’s been super tough on them and as we go along, it gets even worse. If you’ve read the other novels before this one, you know what I’m talking about. If not, I refuse to spoil the surprise. Anyway, I love how Beth never backs down to Wrath and his, well wrath, har har, instead she gives it right back to him. I loved how they each had their own way of fighting the problem(s), and how in the end, it wasn’t just one of them that won; they both did. Watching them come to terms with what it means to be royalty, with all the laws and fine print, made me love this match even more. They truly are a team, and a force to be reckoned with. Although Wrath wasn’t in any kind of physical combat against an enemy – miss seeing him in action-  the man still kicks some ass nonetheless.

The Band of Bastards was as popular as ever, though, again they weren’t as lethal and scary as they started out to be. I no longer find this super annoying, but I do think they were set up to be far more menacing then they turned out to be. Or maybe they are just biding their time and a giant shebang is coming? Either way, they are kinda, sorta growing on me. I can’t say I like the two new comers Assail and Sola, any more than I did in Lover at Last. Although of all the fighting scenes in The King (though not many), Sola kicking ass was by far the most lethal and was scary as hell. Maybe once we see how they connect to the BDB, I’ll like them, but for now I’m still on the fence. Two other characters that have been around for a while but are now more regular are Trez and iAm. While the other characters didn’t spark my interest, these two sure have. I’m looking forward to finding out what their story is. Oh and something else, I especially loved the flashbacks chapters with Wrath’s parents; I only wish we’d seen a few extras since I kind of fell in love with them too. Makes me a little sad knowing they don’t have their own book.

You know, it’s nice to say I don’t have a complaint this time around. Well, other than not having the next installment in my hands, ahem. I was afraid my love of J.R. Ward and the BDB series was starting to dwindle, but thanks to The King, that is not the case. Everything was exactly what I have grown to love and expect from Ward. I didn’t have a moment of boredom, and like I said I could not put it.  This novel has renewed my affection for the brotherhood, tenfold.

Read Order:
Dark Lover
Lover Eternal
Lover Awakened
Lover Revealed
Lover Unbound
Lover Enshrined
Father Mine: Zsadist and Bella’s Story
Lover Avenged
Lover Mine
Lover Unleashed
Lover Reborn
Lover at Last
The King
The Shadows (Apr 7, 2015)

About Nikki R 120 Articles
SAHM of 2, happily married bookworm, blogger and aspiring author. If I could read/write all day, every day, I would. Luckily I have a very understanding, and patient, husband who lets me get away with it as much as possible. Now if only the kids would understand my obsession, and the house would clean itself, then I'd be all set.