The Beast (Black Dagger Brotherhood Book 14)

*** 6 Star Review ***I have been a Black Dagger Brotherhood fan since the first book, Dark Lover, released in 2005. I anxiously count down the months, days, and hours for each new release in this series. I have been on pins and needles waiting for The Beast to release because Rhage has always been my favorite brother.Readers met Rhage in the second book, Lover Eternal. He's the brother that carries a curse on his back. He chose to keep his curse when the Scribe Virgin allowed his mate, Mary, to receive the gift of immortality. Rage and Mary were granted a life of love, happiness, and prosperity but there was one thing they would never have. They would never be able to have their own children. At the time it was more than enough for both of them. Their love and commitment to one another fulfilled their needs and wants.Ten books and several years later, Rhage and Mary's relationship has evolved into strong allegiance. They're happy within their marriage and their communication with one another is honest and open. Although they have a formed a very healthy relationship, they have also grown as individuals because of that relationship. Every relationship evolves and as it evolves it takes the individuals to a new level with new expectations, desires, and needs. It doesn't change the main element of the relationship, it makes it grow stronger. Rhage and Mary have reached this point and like most people they are a bit oblivious to the changes until it smacks them in the face and the realities begin to surface.The Beast is Rhage and Mary's next road in their life journey. Their need to take the next step and change their inner family dynamics.****The Beast opens with an action packed scene that places the Brotherhood into an epic battle with the lessers. The outcome of this battle changes the path the Brotherhood is on. It is the game changer in Rhage and Mary's relationship. It is also the beginning of a new direction for the Vampire race. New alliances will be made. The face of the enemy will evolve into several different faces. The dynamics in the mansion will change. It all begins at the abandoned Brownswick School for Girls in an epic battle with the lessers. The Beast has emerged and is destroying everything in sight. It could cost more than the lessers lives, it could cost the brothers some of their own. The one paying the highest price could be Rhage himself...***" I've seen this night.""I want you to go home. Now."***The battle is a game changer for Rhage and Mary...***“I’ve missed you too,” he said in a low tone. “We’ve been….kind of parallel lately. Not apart, but parallel.”I tried to kill myself last night, he said to her in his head. And I have no idea why.Yup, it was official.He’d lost his mind.***“You don’t have anything to worry about. Not now and not ever---- at least not about me. I love you til forever and back, and nothing else matters as long as that is true.”***“I’m serious Mary. Now that I’m thinking about it… now that I’m running the math in my head? No, Life without you is a tragedy. Life without our young? That’s …well, it’s just a different path.”***Life didn’t have to be perfect…for true love to exist in it.***When Mary glanced at Rhage, he cleared his throat. “ I eat people, I mean… the beast. It eats things. That shouldn’t, you know, be eaten.”He was reminding her that the future was unknown and unknowable.So if you had the chance…even if there was no music and no ballgown, no tuxedo or gala… when your true love asked you to dance?It was important to say yes.Like all of the previous books, The Beast has a lot of meat to it. Rhage and Mary are not the only individuals going through changes. The Vampire world has been exposed to the humans. The enemies are increasing. Revelations are brought to the surface that creates new scenarios in the Brotherhoods lives.***She stood up by herself and brushed her slacks off. “ Is it just me or does this feel like a grown up episode of Scooby Doo?”***Six new characters are introduced into the Black Dagger Brotherhood world. I think each of these new characters is going to have quite an impact in the future books.There are some bombs dropped within The Beast that will leave the readers shocked and may change the direction of the series. The only person who knows is the author herself.V and Assail had quite a bit of page play in the Beast. The mysterious Assail is beginning to unravel. It will be interesting to see it all unfold.The Beast was magnificent! The series has come full circle and taken on a new life. Rhage and Mary have found a new happily ever after that trumps their beautiful beginning. I fell even more deeply in love with my favorite brother, Rhage.J. R. Ward brought her A-Game to the table. The writing was flawless. The meticulous scene descriptions brought the world to life. The evolution of all of the characters made them even more dynamic. She added layers to their souls. The thing that made this book shine the most was the beautiful portrayal of how love grows, evolves, and completes an individual.The Beast was an emotional journey for Mary and Rhage. The Beast also delivered a defining moment in the Vampire world. This series is evolving and could go in many directions. Only J. R. Ward's brilliance could create an intricate world that has so many threads of life woven into the layers. As I finished The Beast, I could not predict what was to come next or who would be the next star in the next book. I can't wait to see what comes next.***It was.... magic.It was .... family.It was.. absolutely, positively, everything that mattered and was important.

The BeastBy JR WardNarrated by: Jim FrangioneNothing 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...It’s no secret that I live for this series. The Brothers captured my heart many years ago and have held me a willing prisoner. Rhage, one of my favorite Brothers is at odds with an inner turmoil that brings him to the brink of death, but Mary proves herself a true saint capable of not just taming a dragon but by breathing new life into him. They also receive a very precious gift one that will have room to grow into another story. Xcor is captured by Vishous and brought into near contact with Layla; her sense of him brings her to do something dangerous that places not just her life but the lives of her unborn in peril. Her quest leads her to discover a deep secret that will change things for the Brotherhood, but was it worth the risk? Blay and Q, share a special moments with her, albeit terrifying as they battle to save her and the twins together as a new family. As a nurse in my real life it’s disheartening when the lack of research shows, happily the Warden delivers expert medical situations. The surprise for me was Assail; all I have to say is OMG! Not what I expected! I never expected him to lean into being a Male of worth or be an erotic sexual a creature, true 007 moments for me. Lassiter and the Scribe Virgin are very astonishing; all I can say is there is a bright future for Lassiter that will deliver many WTF moments in the future. Her sense of humor is evident as she delivers the typical Brotherized one liners including Channing Tatum and Zoolander. Not to mention “ocean” theme gags played on a very unsuspecting Rhage. Needless to say, The Little Mermaid will never be the same for BDB Fans. As usual she leaves me laughing and at other times shouting WTH! No secret that I shed many tears and laughed countless times. I happily ride the rollercoaster that is the life of the Brotherhood.Jim Frangione was another unexpected treat. I am a great fan of total immersion, so I read and listen at the same time to many books. The secret to audio is a good narrator. Jim was not that for me. My first audio BDB purchases led to many nodding off moments, shameful on my part considering the content he was narrating. His prior performances were very “stiff” in comparison to the marvelous narrator he has become. I noticed the change in him with Lover at Last and it’s been an amazing metamorphous. He even made sound effects! So whether you choose to read or listen you will not be disappointed.

Perfection.

It was nice to know what has happened to Mary and Rhage after all these years and watching them together. Fighting for their HEA-

Having read the first 3 books in the Black Dagger Legacy series I was interested in following up Rhage, Mary and Bitty’s back history. Clearly I will have to read further back. This book deals with Bitty’s history from her mother’s death to her adoption by Rhage and Mary. A good read, and as usual, multiple cross stories building new paths for future books. Book 2 of the Legacy series takes up the next chapter in Bitty’s adoption when her long lost uncle arrives. More good reading.

Such a good read. J.R. Ward rarely disappoints, but this was one of the tops! Very much like the books from the beginning of the series. Read it two days. Some new characters introduced and more from other loved characters. No spoilers! Can't wait for the next one.

Mir hat die Story total gut gefallen und ich empfinde sie als MUSS für eingefleischte Black Dagger Fans.Ich mochte Rhage schon immer sehr und hier darf man nochmal innig bei ihm und Mary dabei sein.Der nicht erfüllte Kinderwunsch macht ihnen zu schaffen.Sehr amüsant ist, wie das Thema auch auf andere überschwappt und manchmal war es wirklich lustig, besonders weil der verrückte Engel wieder mitmischte.Auch dieses Mal gab es Nebenhandlungen, die aber irgendwie besser mit dem Hauptstrang verknüpft waren bzw. nicht so störend waren, wie bei den letzten Büchern. Assail ist wieder/noch dabei und nun auf des Königs Seite und in seinem Auftrag unterwegs - dadurch auch in Kontakt mit Throe dem Abtrünnigen aus Xcors Truppe.Xcor und Layla sind dabei und die Schwangerschaft findet ihr Ende - aber mehr verrate ich nicht. Leider geht es mit der "Beziehung" der beiden nicht weiter.Dann gibt es noch einen neuen Handlungsstrang mit einer jungen Frau, die entdeckt hat, dass es Vampire gibt und sich Hilfe von einem Journalist holt, der ähnliches vermutet...hier bleibt das Ende offen und wird gewiss im nächsten Buch gelöst.Ansonsten gab es Rhage pur und ich fand die Story und ihr Ende für das tolle Paar einfach ganz toll. :-)