Title: The Beast
Author: J R Ward
Published by Piatkus, 2016

This is Book 15 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series

Okay so there has been a bit of a break since I read the last book in this series, there has also been a little spin off in between with a book for the Black Dagger Legacy Series, but I really missed these characters.

I had forgotten how completely captivating this world is and how much I love these characters. It is amazing how ‘normal’ each character seems, you know despite being not human and about as far from ‘normal’ as you could possibly qualify. They are all individual and you can completely read them as individuals. I feel like I know them now too. So when I read that this was going to be Rhage’s story I was really excited!

I completely didn’t see that coming though. What a way to start a book, there’s no holding back and no hiding behind the covers for this one! Straight in and on the point, this is action from the beginning, right through to the end. Not only do we see what is going on with Rhage, but a check in with some of the other couples; V, Layla and what is happening with the Band of Bastards.

I love Rhage! We see the playboy in his first book, so so long ago, falling in love and changing his ways, but what a way he has come. This has some serious teary moments in, for someone not massively emotional, that is saying something! The emotion in here is intense in places and it draws you into the story, into the hearts and minds of our characters.

Another amazing story from J R Ward that has got me wanting to go back to the beginning and read them all again. Really looking forward to seeing where this is going to go next!

Blurb

Nothing is as it used to be for the Black Dagger Brotherhood. After avoiding war with the Shadows, alliances have shifted and lines have been drawn. The slayers of the Lessening Society are stronger than ever, preying on human weakness to acquire more money, more weapons, more power. But as the Brotherhood readies for an all-out attack on them, one of their own fights a battle within himself . . .

For Rhage, the Brother with the biggest appetites, but also the biggest heart, life was supposed to be perfect – or at the very least, perfectly enjoyable. Mary, his beloved shellan, is by his side and his King and his brothers are thriving. But Rhage can’t understand – or control – the panic and insecurity that plague him . . .

And that terrifies him – as well as distances him from his mate. After suffering mortal injury in battle, Rhage must reassess his priorities – and the answer, when it comes to him, rocks his world . . . and Mary’s. But Mary is on a journey of her own, one that will either bring them closer together or cause a split that neither will recover from . . .