Sandy M’s review of The Beast (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 16) by J.R. Ward
Paranormal Romance published by NAL 05 Apr 16
Though I’ve not kept up with every book in this series, I’m enjoying these updated looks at the Brothers and their mates who began the series so many years ago. This time it’s Rhage and Mary who are going through a bit of a difficult time amid the continuing war with Lessers and a few surprise curve balls that could lead the series in a totally different direction. In the meantime, though, there’s also a lot more going on with traitors, babies, and more surprises.
With a vision from Vishous that the upcoming battle will see his death, Rhage ignores his brother’s warning and races headlong into that death before anyone can blink. From the very beginning J.R. Ward gives the reader plenty of things to think over about Rhage’s desire to die that makes no sense – he has everything to live for. Or so it seems. When Mary brings him back by engaging with his beast, we’re given another dynamic that this couple’s life together may really be at an end. Even though Mary has promised to meet Rhage in the Fade, she has a number of things needing completed first before she can do so. Suddenly they are wanting different things after their years together.
When we meet Bitty, a young and frightened pre-trans female, it begins to make sense why Mary wants more time in her life. Then Bitty’s mother dies, and Mary takes on some guilt for that, wanting more than ever to help Bitty grieve and move on. It’s not until the wonderful scene when Beth places her child in Rhage’s arms that we begin to see where his deep-seated issues stem from. Rhage wants children, he wants to be a father. His shellan, however, is unable to give him that one thing. She’s pretty much come to terms with that part of her life, and Rhage is doing his best to live with it too – now that he’s been given a second chance.
Amid their ongoing story we have a lot of other situations happening. Layla is on bed rest awaiting the delivery of Qhuinn’s twins, but Xcor is still on her mind, and when he’s brought in injured and near death, she has to know what happened, thus putting her babies in danger. She’s kept quiet about her perceived betrayal, so it is going to be interesting to see how Ms. Ward handles their book when the time comes. Then there’s Assail, who, it looks like, is going to be a redeemed hero, and eventually Marisol will be back for that story when it’s time. Assail is infiltrating the glymera to help the brotherhood discover who’s behind the earlier and any future attacks on Wrath. His redemption should be long and arduous, and even with the help of Marisol, I hope it’s not curtailed much because he has a lot to atone for. The huge surprise that comes late in the book is the Scribe Virgin checks out. Literally. A successor will be chosen – when and who, no one knows, of course. Interesting concept since that changes the balance that’s always talked about. What will happen with the Omega now? I’m really looking forward to that little story line.
Back to Rhage and Mary. I love the scenes with Rhage and Bitty. When she asks questions about his beloved car, you can just see the excitement and happiness that transforms him to have someone take an interest in his hobby. There’s numerous scenes like that and also with the three of them, so you definitely know what’s going to happen to make everyone happy. But it’s fun and heartwarming getting to that point. Of course, Rhage and Mary have to talk things through, getting to the bottom of each other’s present fears so they can finally move forward.
I hope Ms. Ward continues with these looks into the brothers’ lives. Give us books featuring those who still need their stories told, but keep showing us how our favorites of all these years are now getting along and living their lives. Yes, there will be readers out there who don’t like that idea, but there are plenty like me who do. They can get over it while the rest of us spend more time with the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
Grade: A
Summary:
Nothing is as it used to be for the Black Dagger Brotherhood. After avoiding war with the Shadows, alliances have shifted and lines have been drawn. The slayers of the Lessening Society are stronger than ever, preying on human weakness to acquire more money, more weapons, more power. But as the Brotherhood readies for an all-out attack on them, one of their own fights a battle within himself…
For Rhage, the Brother with the biggest appetites, but also the biggest heart, life was supposed to be perfect—or at the very least, perfectly enjoyable. Mary, his beloved shellan, is by his side and his King and his brothers are thriving. But Rhage can’t understand—or control—the panic and insecurity that plague him…
And that terrifies him—as well as distances him from his mate. After suffering mortal injury in battle, Rhage must reassess his priorities—and the answer, when it comes to him, rocks his world…and Mary’s. But Mary is on a journey of her own, one that will either bring them closer together or cause a split that neither will recover from…
No excerpt available.
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