The King (Black Dagger Brotherhood #12)

The King follows the story of Wrath, the last purebred vampire and the king of the vampire race. He is struggling to come to terms with the fact that he is going blind and that he may not be able to protect his people as he once did. At the same time, he is dealing with the loss of his beloved mate, Beth, who died giving birth to their son.

The book opens with Wrath being summoned to the throne room by his mother, the Scribe Virgin. She informs him that his half-brother, Xcor, is planning a coup to overthrow him and take the throne. Xcor is the leader of a group of rebels known as the Band of Bastards, who are half-breed vampires and are considered to be inferior by the purebloods.

Wrath is torn between his duty as king and his loyalty to his friends, who include some of the members of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. He knows that if he goes to war with Xcor, many of his people will die, and he may lose the throne. On the other hand, if he does nothing, he will be seen as weak and may lose the respect of his people.

Meanwhile, Beth’s best friend, Selena, is struggling to come to terms with her own loss. She is a half-breed vampire and has always felt like an outsider in the vampire world. She is also dealing with the fact that she is in love with Wrath, even though she knows that he will never love her back.

As the story progresses, we see the various characters dealing with their own personal struggles. Wrath is trying to come to terms with his blindness and his grief over Beth’s death. Selena is struggling with her feelings for Wrath and her own sense of identity. Xcor is torn between his loyalty to his fellow rebels and his growing feelings for a pureblood vampire named Layla.

The audiobook is narrated by Jim Frangione, who has narrated all of the Black Dagger Brotherhood books. He does an excellent job of bringing the characters to life and conveying their emotions. His voice is deep and gravelly, which suits the dark and brooding tone of the book.

One of the strengths of The King is the way that J.R. Ward weaves together multiple storylines and characters. The book is not just about Wrath and Selena; it also follows the stories of Xcor, Layla, and several members of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. This gives the book a rich and complex feel, and it keeps the reader engaged throughout.

Another strength of the book is the way that J.R. Ward explores the themes of loyalty, duty, and sacrifice. The characters are all faced with difficult choices, and they must decide whether to put their own needs and desires first or to do what is best for their people. This creates a sense of tension and drama that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

The King also has some weaknesses. One of the main criticisms of the book is that it is too long and too slow-paced. There are many scenes that could have been cut or shortened without affecting the overall story. This can make the book feel tedious at times, especially during the middle section.

Another weakness of the book is the way that J.R. Ward handles the romance between Selena and Wrath. While it is clear that Selena is in love with Wrath, it is not clear why he would be attracted to her. She is portrayed as being plain and unremarkable, and there is no real chemistry between the two characters. This can make the romance feel forced and unconvincing.

Overall, The King is a solid addition to the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. It has its strengths and weaknesses, but it is an engaging and entertaining read. Jim Frangione’s narration is excellent, and he brings the characters to life in a way that is both compelling and believable. If you are a fan of the series, then The King is definitely worth checking out.