Publisher: NAL
Release Date: April 4, 2017
Format: ebook (Kindle)
Pages: 544
Source: Amazon
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Review Date: June 12, 2017
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Synopsis: Xcor, leader of the Band of Bastards, convicted of treason against the Blind King, is facing a brutal interrogation and torturous death at the hands of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Yet after a life marked by cruelty and evil deeds, he accepts his soldier’s fate, his sole regret the loss of a sacred female who was never his: the Chosen Layla.
Layla alone knows the truth that will save Xcor’s life. But revealing his sacrifice and his hidden heritage will expose them both and destroy everything Layla holds dear—even her role of mother to her precious young. Torn between love and loyalty, she must summon the courage to stand up against the only family she has for the only man she will ever love. Yet even if Xcor is somehow granted a reprieve, he and Layla would have to confront a graver challenge: bridging the chasm that divides their worlds without paving the way for a future of even greater war, desolation, and death.
As a dangerous old enemy returns to Caldwell, and the identity of a new deity is revealed, nothing is certain or safe in the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, not even true love . . . or destinies that have long seemed set in stone.
Release Date: April 4, 2017
Format: ebook (Kindle)
Pages: 544
Source: Amazon
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Review Date: June 12, 2017
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Synopsis: Xcor, leader of the Band of Bastards, convicted of treason against the Blind King, is facing a brutal interrogation and torturous death at the hands of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Yet after a life marked by cruelty and evil deeds, he accepts his soldier’s fate, his sole regret the loss of a sacred female who was never his: the Chosen Layla.
Layla alone knows the truth that will save Xcor’s life. But revealing his sacrifice and his hidden heritage will expose them both and destroy everything Layla holds dear—even her role of mother to her precious young. Torn between love and loyalty, she must summon the courage to stand up against the only family she has for the only man she will ever love. Yet even if Xcor is somehow granted a reprieve, he and Layla would have to confront a graver challenge: bridging the chasm that divides their worlds without paving the way for a future of even greater war, desolation, and death.
As a dangerous old enemy returns to Caldwell, and the identity of a new deity is revealed, nothing is certain or safe in the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, not even true love . . . or destinies that have long seemed set in stone.
I'm still enjoying this series, despite the three bookmark rating. When I first closed the book, I was at a four, but since then, I've had time to think about it and settle into my thoughts on The Chosen and my issues with the book which decreased my rating to a three.
Not many series can go on for this long and the author still manage to consistently deliver books that the fans love to argue over. Ward has done it. Her BDB fans stay interested and waiting for the next book year after year. The series is still strong and I'm all in. I just wish a few things were different in The Chosen. This story picks up exactly where The Beast ends. This installment centers around Layla and Xcor most, and to be brutally honest, I don't love them together. I don't really even like either of their characters, but I still enjoyed this book because of everyone else in the story. Blay and Qhuinn have a very substantiation part in this book. Not to forget Lassiter, Throe, Torhment, Vishous, and the King. They all have prominent parts in this installment and they added lots to the book. Without them, I fear I would find Layla and Xcor too boring.
Not many series can go on for this long and the author still manage to consistently deliver books that the fans love to argue over. Ward has done it. Her BDB fans stay interested and waiting for the next book year after year. The series is still strong and I'm all in. I just wish a few things were different in The Chosen. This story picks up exactly where The Beast ends. This installment centers around Layla and Xcor most, and to be brutally honest, I don't love them together. I don't really even like either of their characters, but I still enjoyed this book because of everyone else in the story. Blay and Qhuinn have a very substantiation part in this book. Not to forget Lassiter, Throe, Torhment, Vishous, and the King. They all have prominent parts in this installment and they added lots to the book. Without them, I fear I would find Layla and Xcor too boring.
Even when I like a book, I read it with a critical eye so I have to share what I like as well as what I don't. I want a true bad guy, a serious villain. I don't like when the villain suddenly isn't one anymore. Or when the author goes through extraordinary measures to suddenly make the reader like him or feel sorry for him. That's what Ward did with Xcor. This was my main issue with this installment. Xcor was a bad guy, treat him as such.
Speaking of the bad guy, this series hasn't seen a big bad in a while. I miss that. I'm hoping with the transformation we start to see to Throe's character, we'll get that "Big Bad" back again in the next installment. Conflict (outside of relationship woes) are a big part of this world, and I'd like to see the series get back to that a bit more.
Since I'm on the topic of relationship woes, I'm leery about what's on the horizon for Jane and Vishous. Ward has set up a typical situation between a couples that could go competently against how mated couples work in her world. I'm crossing my fingers that what I think may happen, won't happen. Even Qhuinn had a few moments of madness. He did some things that I never expected. He's an emotional man, but jeez - he went a little nuts. I have to mention that Trez is now in a unique situation as well relationship-wise. Will he reunited with Selena's essence in an unexpected way? I won't spoil it for you, but he's met someone new and there is a strange connection there.
This wasn't my favorite in the series by far, but it was still a strong installment. The characters are really changing and there are lots of plot transitions happening. It sets us up nicely for the next major story arch. If you're a BDB fan, then go ahead and read The Chosen. You'll need to know what happens next. Plus all of my cryptic statements in this review will make sense. If you're new to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, then you must start with book one. This is not the type of series where you can just jump in anywhere. You'll be sucked into this world and you won't want to leave.
Speaking of the bad guy, this series hasn't seen a big bad in a while. I miss that. I'm hoping with the transformation we start to see to Throe's character, we'll get that "Big Bad" back again in the next installment. Conflict (outside of relationship woes) are a big part of this world, and I'd like to see the series get back to that a bit more.
Since I'm on the topic of relationship woes, I'm leery about what's on the horizon for Jane and Vishous. Ward has set up a typical situation between a couples that could go competently against how mated couples work in her world. I'm crossing my fingers that what I think may happen, won't happen. Even Qhuinn had a few moments of madness. He did some things that I never expected. He's an emotional man, but jeez - he went a little nuts. I have to mention that Trez is now in a unique situation as well relationship-wise. Will he reunited with Selena's essence in an unexpected way? I won't spoil it for you, but he's met someone new and there is a strange connection there.
This wasn't my favorite in the series by far, but it was still a strong installment. The characters are really changing and there are lots of plot transitions happening. It sets us up nicely for the next major story arch. If you're a BDB fan, then go ahead and read The Chosen. You'll need to know what happens next. Plus all of my cryptic statements in this review will make sense. If you're new to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, then you must start with book one. This is not the type of series where you can just jump in anywhere. You'll be sucked into this world and you won't want to leave.
Get the Kindle version here: 
