To say that the Black Dagger Brotherhood series is one of my favorites is an understatement. When The Beloved hit my Kindle, I dropped everything to read it - and inhaled it! After the ending of Lassister, this was just what I needed. I loved the characters, the drama, and the evolution of the world!
The Beloved (Black Dagger Brotherhood #22) by J. R. Ward
Nalla, the blooded daughter of Zsadist, has led a sheltered life. Protected by her father and the Brotherhood, kept away from the deadly war with the Lessening Society, she is chafing against the walls of the very safety that has ensured her survival. One night, she gives in to her restlessness…and finds herself face-to-face with a male whose inner darkness rivals even that of her sire’s horrific origins.
Nate is a fighter with nothing to lose—and nothing to live for. Tortured in a human lab as a young, then cursed with immortality, he is all vengeance and no purpose because he cares for no one—not even himself. The Brotherhood knows this all too well and following Nate’s deliberate violation of the cardinal rule in the war, they declare him a dangerous liability that must be dealt with.
When Nalla and Nate find themselves fighting side by side, daggers aren’t the only things that fly. A sizzling attraction is ignited, though Nalla knows her sire will never accept him—and on his side, Nate has made a secret bargain to end his own immortality. As the enemy closes in, and Nalla realizes she must choose between her mate and her sire, what starts with such passion may well end with eternal sorrow and no chance of a reunion—even in the Fade.
5 out of 5 stars
The Beloved was phenomenal! This was the story I
needed it to be and I loved every second. The emotion, the healing, the
drama, and the humor were exceptional. After the ending of Lassiter,
this was the perfect follow-up. I loved the characters and the evolution of the
world, and I’m thrilled about what’s been set up for future stories. This was a
fantastic story in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.
I loved Nate and Nalla and their journey of coming together.
I felt so much for Nate, the pain he was in, and what he was working through.
This male was fierce, gone was the young person I knew from before. I loved
Bella, she’s a badass in her own right. I felt for her and where she was at with her relationship with her parents because of how protective Zsadist was. Nate and Nalla
have their ups and downs and there are obstacles in their way, making for an intense
ride getting to their HEA but it was so worth it.
Wrath is back and every time there was a scene with him, I
swear I got choked up. There were so many incredible moments that made my
heart feel full. I loved Zsadist and seeing how much he’s grown. He’s so
strong yet scarred from his past. His love for his daughter is immense and like
any parent, he has a hard time letting go. I adored a heart-to-heart he had
with Vishous and I am delighted about what has been set up there. There was a
large cast of characters and I loved all the mentions of Brothers and fighters.
I loved meeting the kids who are now all grown up and getting glimpses of their
personalities. I appreciated the time jump because seeing them as adults felt
normal. I loved getting to know Bitty and who she might possibly be paired up
with. There were some really funny moments as well. The banter between LW and
Shuli had me cracking up, reminding me of the Brothers back in the day. It was
priceless!
In true J. R. Ward fashion, several storylines and POVs are happening and I loved watching them build and develop, I was always looking
forward to who I was going to hear from next. I loved the connections and
interactions, all the building layers and working parts and I couldn’t wait for
things to intersect. There were action-packed moments that had me holding my
breath and emotional ones too, I found it all exciting!
This book consumed me and there was never a time I wanted
to put it down. Times have changed, it's been 33 years, the world has
changed, the kids have grown, and the original characters have grown too. Plus,
there is the war and Lessening Society adding chaos. It all worked for me and I
loved the new dynamics. I am beyond excited for more stories and to see how
this world will continue to grow. I loved it all!
Complimentary copy received from Gallery Books.
"Thrilling read filled with action, humor, and emotion!" - About That Story
Thank you Gallery Books for the advanced copy of The Beloved.
Connect with J. R. Ward
Lover at Last (#11) - Amazon | My Review | Favorite Read of 2019
The Savior (#17) - Amazon | My Review | Favorite Read of 2020
Black Dagger Brotherhood World
If you've read the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, do you have a favorite Brother? If not, who is your favorite vampire, and from what book? Let me know!
