THE CHOSEN (The Black Dagger Brotherhood #15) by J.R.Ward-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release date April 4, 2017

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.

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REVIEW: THE CHOSEN is the fifteenth installment in J.R.Ward’s contemporary, adult THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD paranormal, romance series focusing on an elite group of vampire warriors and their King. This is Xcor, leader of the Band of Bastards and an enemy of the King, and Layla, one of the Chosen whose duty it is to ‘feed’ and nurture the vampire warriors. THE CHOSEN can be read as a stand alone but for backstory and cohesion I recommend reading the series in order especially the last few installments.

NOTE: If you have not read the last couple of installments in the series my review of THE CHOSEN may contain some spoilers.

Told from several third person points of view, including Xcor’s memories of the past, THE CHOSEN, as per Ward’s style of writing, focuses on a number of relationships including the building but forbidden love between Xcor and Layla. Months earlier Xcor unsuccessfully attempted to assassinate Wrath, the King of the vampires, in the hopes of usurping the throne in the name of the Band of Bastards. With a price upon his head, Xcor finds himself targeted by the Black Dagger Brotherhood, and in short order, becomes both their patient and their prisoner until death (or execution) comes to call. The only thing that keeps him alive is the knowledge that the woman that calls to his heart, Layla, is near by but a woman who is off limits to a man like Xcor. What ensues is the breakdown of family, friendship and the BDB in the face of Layla’s revelations about her feelings and relationship with the man convicted of treason against the vampire King.

Once again, as per JR Ward’s writing style, there are several ongoing and developing stories:

LAYLA and XCOR: a forbidden relationship doomed by Xcor’s attempted assassination of the King, Layla and Xcor are drawn to one another without hope for a future-a future that could see Layla alone; ostracized by the Brotherhood; and fighting for custody of the children she loves .

LAYLA and QHUINN: With the revelation of Layla’s friendship and love for the man convicted of treason against the King, Qhuinn becomes a pr*ck of unmentionable and frightening behavior. Not only does Layla suffer at the hands of the man who sired her children, Rhamp and Lyric, but our heroine finds herself on the outside looking in when the BDB take action against her treasonous behavior.

QHUINN and BLAY: Following the revelations about Layla and Xcor, and the subsequent damage by Qhuinn’s ongoing behavior Blay finds himself the target of Qhuinn’s anger and pain so much so that Blay must walk away without looking back. The damage to their relationship comes at a cost; the scars may take years to heal.

VISHOUS and JANE: *sigh * V and Jane’s relationship struggles in the face of professional commitments and V’s ongoing need for suffering and pain. These two are but ships in the night, and any interaction results in little communication and one man’s introspective thoughts about his future and the woman he is supposed to love.

THROE: Once a friend and member of the Band of Bastards, Throe is determined to destroy the King of the Vampires, at any cost. Throe believes himself to be the next King, and ensures he will be victorious through a dark and demented form of magic.

LASSITER: Our beautiful fallen angel’s future has been revealed but he too struggles with the incoming demands and potential fall out of an approaching war.

TOHR and AUTUMN: Tohr and Autumn’s relationship continues to flounder in the face of Tohr’s inability to let go of the past. Two years since the murder of his beloved Wellsie and their unborn son, Tohr’s apparent lack of emotional depth for his mate is compounded by Autumn’s acceptance of her heartbreaking role in Tohr’s life. Autumn’s acquiescence of Tohr’s less than affectionate and compelling behavior is a self-fulfilling prophetic nod to the name she once caller herself-No One.

TREZ and THERESE (Selena): In the book THE SHADOWS Trez lost his mate and in the ensuing time is unable to move forward but our beloved Shadow prays to the deity that governs all things vampire and the supernatural begging for the return of his love-you had better want what you pray for.

ASSAIL: Poor Assail. The once powerful and elegant vampire finds himself a virtual prisoner; a patient in the BDB medical wing trying to detox from years of addiction and drug abuse. Assail and Sola’s story is next in THE THIEF.

Most of the previous couples and Brothers plays secondary and supporting roles if only by way of mention. Vishous, Tohr, Qhuinn and Blay struggle with their roles including Blay’s relationship with the man that he loves. Tohr and Qhuinn are determined to destroy Xcor in the face of their own treasonous acts; and Vishous goes in search of the person hoping to reveal the existence of demons and vampires.

THE CHOSEN is an emotional and heartbreaking story line. Xcor’s survival against the odds proves he is worthy of a second chance; his love for the Chosen is another challenging and courageous step towards a future lined with passion and danger. JR Ward’s THE CHOSEN creates an alliance between the Black Dagger Brotherhood and the Band of Bastards as war approaches with a familiar enemy in the fight for the throne and the crown.

Copy supplied for review/own a copy

Reviewed by Sandy