Comments on: REVIEW: The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider’s Guide by J.R. Ward

By: Pocahontas

Pocahontas — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:27:50 +0000

I read the insider’s guide and was very disappointed. i have read all of the previous books in the series and was really looking forward to the guide. i’d give it a C+ because the only good part (to me) was the novella about Bella & Z. i was hoping for more info or novellas on the other brothers. i did not want to read pages and pages of how to become a writer. i think the cost of the book was too much for what i got, but i read it entirely because i don’t want to miss anything in the series. i can’t wait for rhevenge’s book to come out. i agree with one of the others, in that i could have found out all of this info by jumping on jr ward’s website and reading the boards. any-hoo, just wanted to give my two cents and to state that if you don’t get this book your are not really missing anything.

By: Keesha

Keesha — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:24:53 +0000

I’m new to the series but totally in love with all the characters. But I saw this book in Borders and ALMOST bought it, but after thumbing through it, I didn’t feel it was worth the money. I was hoping to find Father Mine and Rhevenge’s story online on JR Ward’s website,but no luck.. I’ll either pop a seat at Border’s and read it for free or be like Gwen and wait til someone sells it on amazon..

By: Sybil

Sybil — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:51:32 +0000

gwen, gwen, gwen, just borrow mine…

By: Gwen

Gwen — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:09:39 +0000

I think it’s a difficult thing to grade a “reference” book. You’re not grading story arcs and character development. You’re grading usefulness. Usefulness has a different definition for a fangrrl than it does for a casual reader. I’d say that this book is an A to a fangrrl, but a C or even C- for a casual reader.

And I’m not sure if it could be called a “reference” book. Perhaps if there were more about the world building and mythos, it would be. But as a compilation of detritus from the message boards? Not so much.

I’ll wait until someone is selling it used on Amazon.com’s marketplace before I sink money into it. I’ll get it for a song then.

By: Jill D.

Jill D. — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:34:43 +0000

I have read all the books in the series and I love the series. I have never been to Ward’s message board though. I hate the idea of having to scroll through a bunch of stuff trying to weed through all the bullsh*t to get to the good stuff. After Lover Enshrined came out and I heard through the grapevine that there was information on her boards that explained some of the new characters in the book, I was ticked. I didn’t want to have to go to the message boards to be able to follow along in the series. So because of that I am really glad that what is on the message boards is in this book.

By: Georganna

Georganna — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:10:41 +0000

I haven’t read through the entire compendium yet. I’ve been bouncing around and reading the parts that interest me the most. I loved “Father Mine”! Z is one of my 2 favorite characters so far and it is good to read of his development.
I, for one, HATE the boards, so I was very happy to have the mini ‘stories’ from there published in the book. The boards are just too full of ‘chatter’ and I don’t have the time or patience to wade through it.
I’d agree with a B rating simply because of all the recycled material.
I think books in general are over-priced, but I still buy way too many each month. So I didn’t bat an eye at the the $15 price ($13 something with my B&N discount card).
I am anxiously awaiting Rhevenge’s book next year. I am happy about the switch to hardback. I love the look and feel of them. This is one author that I would not mind the extra cost. (I can’t say that about many.)

By: Sybil

Sybil — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:32:21 +0000

Really? I was thinking if you picked up the next book, you could read this and catch up fast.

of course I am a spoiler whore and wouldn’t mind being spoiled to hell and would then prolly go back and read them…

By: LauraD

LauraD — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:27:53 +0000

Sybil, I think that if you haven’t already read some of the books, the guide is useless. So, a no for newbies.
Casual fans, I’d suggest buying the novella online and hitting Ward’s website/message board for the material available there; or hoping to find this one at the UBS.
For the hardcore, it’s a must have-because Ward wrote it. lol

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:31:07 +0000

I know I will probably be in the minority, but no I don’t think the compendium is worth the $15.00. I think if you are a fan of the brotherhood buying the short story is worth it. As for the rest you can find all that information on her website or in interviews. There was really no new and interesting facts about the world she created. I will say that the excerpt on Rehvenge’s book got my interest. I don’t know if I will be shelling out the money for that hardcover yet. I will wait for the reviews on it and not by fangirls that would read her grocery list either.

By: Sybil

Sybil — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:16:32 +0000

I would prolly grade it more of a B or B+.

But was thinking it almost needs two grades. I myself am a Khool-Aid drinker but with my attention span and lack of fangrrlness (I know shocking eh?) I don’t really ‘get’ the message board.

And honestly, I could get lost there (and scared) so I don’t go over there that much. It is also a total time suck, which I have many of already. Soooo if you don’t go over there much or at all this is rather a nifty thing.

AT THE SAME TIME… here is a question for you I have been pondering (and was asked about on twitter – the ultimate time suck) do you think it is worth the price? And is that yes/no for the fangrrl/khool-aid drinker, the average reader or first time caller?

That question isn’t just to LauraD but anyone who has read this.