Buy:  Kindle Ebook

Review

2.5 underwhelming stars

As a mad fan of all things BDB, I was so excited to dive into this novella – well, it’s a novella for J.R. Ward, at 310 pages, for most other authors it’s a novel, but I digress. The book is labelled #16.5 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series but it actually isn’t a part of the ongoing storyline. It’s a complete standalone that just happens to be set in the same world, featuring newly introduced characters and no interaction with the Brotherhood at all (except for a vague mention of Wrath).

This is the story of Duran and Ahmare. Duran is a prisoner of a psychopathic vampire after being viciously betrayed by his equally sadistic father. For 20 years he has existed in a dungeon and subjected to frequent torture, dreaming only of escape and vengeance against those who have wronged him. Ahmare’s brother has been abducted by the same vampire that holds Duran, and she’s willing to do anything to get him back. She is sent on a mission to retrieve the captor’s beloved in exchange for her brother’s life, and Duran is sent along to guide and protect her along the way.

It’s no great surprise where the story is going to go but – it pains me to say this – I found this book to be really dull. The characters are just OK, the chemistry wasn’t really there, the love story moves way too fast, and the actual storyline was pretty blah. It all happens over two days and there’s no time for anything to develop before they’re having underwhelming sex and declaring undying love. I really didn’t care about the characters or the mission they were on, the bad guys were OTT crazy, the action is minimal and it all finishes up sugary sweet. *sigh*

The book is missing the grit and intensity that I am used to from this author and I just didn’t feel it.

2.5 stars. It was just ok.

Check out our Black Dagger Brotherhood page for more info on the series.