Shelf Addiction
  • Home
  • The Podcast
  • Blog
  • Monthly Read-Alongs
  • About Shelf Addiction
    • Media Kit
    • Advertising
    • Privacy Policy
  • Support Us
  • Shop
  • Tee Public Merch Store
  • Book Club Guide
  • Giveaways
Sign up for the FREE Shelf Addiction Newsletter!

Book Review | The Chosen (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #15), by J.R. Ward

6/12/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
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.


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.
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.

Get the Kindle version here:

Picture
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Gain access to exclusive content!
    Picture
    Click for Shelf Addiction merch!
    Follow on Bloglovin

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Get ONE month FREE!

    ​Rating Scale: 

    Picture
    Wonderful! Loved it! Add it to your shelf!
    Picture
    ​Very good read! It's bookshelf worthy.
    Picture
    ​I liked it. Borrow it from the library or a friend.
    Picture
    I got through it...barely! If you must read it, borrow it.
    Picture
    Don't waste your time.

    Picture

    Currently Reading

    Somebody I Used to Know
    Hidden Bodies

    Follow on Bloglovin

    Read the Printed Word!
    Picture

    DISCLAIMER 
    All affiliate links used on this site are links which I will receive a small commission if you purchase using them. A percent of all monies earned goes to help pay for this website and giveaways hosted by me .
    Click here to read the 
    Privacy Policy for Shelf Addiction


    Categories

    All
    1 Bookmark
    2 Bookmarks
    3 Bookmarks
    4 Bookmarks
    5 Bookmarks
    Aa Fiction
    Armchair Bea
    Audiobook
    Author Features
    Autobiography
    Biography
    Blog Tours
    Book Conventions
    Book Haul Tuesday
    Bookish Bargains
    Bookish News
    Bookish Pod Chat
    Book To Movie Adaptations
    Book To TV Adaptations
    BookTube Weekly
    Buddy Reads
    Chick Lit
    Christian Fiction
    Contemporary Fiction
    Contemporary Romance
    Cover Reveal
    Dystopian
    Erotica
    Fantasy
    Fantasy Series
    Feature & Follow Friday
    General Fiction
    Giveaways
    Guest Posts
    Historical Fiction
    Horror
    Inspirational
    Literacy Events
    Memoir
    Movie Reviews
    Mystery
    Narrator Interviews
    New Adult
    Non Fiction
    Paranormal
    Paranormal Romance
    Pop Culture Sunday
    Read Along
    Read A Thon
    Romance
    Romantic Suspense
    RTU
    Sa-book-club
    Saturday Book Chat
    Science Fiction
    Seasonal Reading
    Shelf Byte
    Short Stories
    Steampunk
    Summer Of Indie
    Suspense
    TBR Jar
    The Book Exchange
    The Recap!
    Thriller
    Throwback Thursday
    TPCP
    Tv Show Reviews
    Urban Fantasy
    Why I Love Wednesdays
    Womens Fiction
    Ya Dystopian
    Ya Fantasy
    Ya Fiction
    Ya Historical Fantasy
    Ya Historical Fiction
    Ya Mystery
    Ya Paranormal
    Ya Retelling
    Ya Romance
    Ya Science Fiction
    Ya Steampunk
    Ya Thriller
    Ya Urban Fantasy

    Reviews Published

    Sponsor Love

    Picture
    Advertise on 
    ​Shelf Addiction!

    Picture
    Picture
    We can't do this without you!! Support this podcast! Use the referral links, leave a review on your platform of choice, donate a coffee or checkout the merch store. Even show your support on Patreon!

    Podcast Book Chats, Bookish Topics, Book Reviews, Audiobook Reviews, Author and Narrator Interviews, Online Book Club

© 2012-2023 shelfaddiction.com. All rights reserved.