The Sinner

Black Dagger Brotherhood #18

by J.R. Ward

A sinner’s only hope is true love in this passionate new novel in J.R. Ward’s #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

Syn has kept his side hustle as a mercenary a secret from the Black Dagger Brotherhood. When he takes another hit job, he not only crosses the path of the vampire race’s new enemy, but also that of a half-breed in danger of dying during her transition. Jo Early has no idea what her true nature is, and when a mysterious man appears out of the darkness, she is torn between their erotic connection and the sense that something is very wrong.

Fate anointed Butch O’Neal as the Dhestroyer , the fulfiller of the prophecy that foresees the end of the Omega. As the war with the Lessening Society comes to a head, Butch gets an unexpected ally in Syn. But can he trust the male—or is the warrior with the bad past a deadly complication?

With time running out, Jo gets swept up in the fighting and must join with Syn and the Brotherhood against ultimate evil. In the end, will love true prevail...or was the prophecy wrong all along?

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Vampires, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Audiobook, Urban Fantasy

592 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 24, 2020

About the author

J.R. Ward is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels, including the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. She lives in the South her family.

Reviews

[Sophia Triad · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 waiting for Syn to ejaculate stars ****

I am sorry folks. I am sure it has to do with this COVID19 lockdown or/and my sh!tty mood lately, but I really have no patience lately. I was honestly holding my breath while I was reading Syn's unfruitful efforts. I mean come on, give the man a break. Mercy!
Maybe this is the reason it took me ages to finish the latest book of my favourite series. As I said, my mood did not help.
And I didn't want to skim through pages either. Hello! Favourite series, favourite characters, right?

Anyway... I hope you enjoy it more than me.


BEFORE PUBLICATION
At Cincinnati Q&A event (6 April 2019)
Four books announcement!:
1) 2020 BD : The Sinner (Syn, Jo Early, Butch and Lassiter)
2) December 2019: Where Winter Finds You (Trez/Selena)
3) August 2019: Blood Truth (BDB Legacy - Boone)
4) BDB legacy 2020: The Jackal about Rhage's half brother

In more details:

From J.R. Ward's Facebook page:
The full transcript of the 2019 event for The Savior in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Abbreviations that may be used:
HEA: Happily Ever After
SV: Scribe Virgin

***WARNING***
*Numerous SPOILERS ahead!!!*

Q: What is the next BDB hardcover book?
A: The 2020 hardcover BDB book is………The Sinner, featuring Sin and Jo Early.
*
*
Q: What was the hardest book for you to write?
A: The hardest story was Zsadist. Emotionally, it was tough. I’ve always said that I’d never re-read Zsadist’s book. The other one was Blay and Qhuinn, but because it was a clusterf*ck of what could go wrong, did. Computers broke, files were lost. I had to spend a lot of money on getting an expert to recover the lost files…it just went on, and on.
*
*
Q: What inspired you to write this series?
A: I got fired from my first publisher. I started by thinking, I’d write like Nora Roberts, but the problem is, Nora Roberts writes like Nora Roberts already. So, after I was fired, I had to reinvent myself. Then after two weeks of thinking, I was out of the job I love and would maybe never get to do again, I tried writing some romantic suspense. All of a sudden, there was this huge presence in my head, and he was like, “My name is Wroth….” Which made no sense. Then, there were all these people in my head, and I have no explanation for why they chose me, but, here we are.
*
*
Q: When are we getting Adrian and Eddie (from the Fallen Angels series) back?
A: So, in the last book (of the Fallen Angels series) they were sent off, by Lassiter, and I keep thinking, they’re going to show up. I’ve been waiting for them. But I think it’s going to be in The Sinner.
*
*
Q: Is the Fallen Angels series complete? Is there any chance they’ll be in the BDB series?
A: Yes, they’ll definitely be in the BDB world once Adrian and Eddie come.
*
*
Q: At the end of The Savior, we saw JM and Zsadist eating the apple…is it important that they shared the apple with Nalla?
A: Yes, that is definitely significant, and also a Keep Reading.
*
*
Q: There is a balance in the BDB world. What does Lassiter have to give up to save Sarah?
A: The true answer to that is, Lassiter ain’t giving up sh*t. You know how the SV was all, “There must be balance….” And all that sh*t, but Lassiter doesn’t give a sh*t. He wears leopard print tights, FFS. (general nods and agreement from everyone present.)
*
*
Q: On the back of Phury’s neck, there’s a symbol. What does it look like?
A: I don’t think I can describe, and I don’t have the talent necessary to draw it. Maybe I’ll have to get someone artistic to draw it.
*
*
Q: Does Devina show up in the next book?
(Devina was originally in the Fallen Angels series.)
A: Yes, Devina definitely shows up in The Sinner. We know that the Omega has to end. We know that Butch is the Dhestroyer. Soooooo…..you are not ready for this…she falls in love with Butch. Yes, that’s a big reveal, but I want to make it worth your time to come to this sh*t.
*
*
Q: There’s images of the Old Language, but what does it sound like?
A: Hmmmm. That would be interesting. I’d like to do that for people who are interested in hearing it, but that’s going to take some time….
*
*
Q: I read Prisoner of Night, and I don’t understand. Do the BDB not know the others (at the penal colony) exist?
A: The reason I want to write books like Dearest Ivy and Prisoner of Night is so I can focus the world. I can’t fit it all in the BDB books, so I’m happy to write those e-books so I can write more details outside of the larger BDB books. But, that means that sometimes, the timeline seems disjointed, or like things don’t fit the bigger world.
*
*
Q: Who is talking to Jane and Hannah on the other side of the Ouija board?
A: It was the Scribe Virgin.
*
*
Q: Is Jose de la Cruz (Butch’s police partner) a wolfen?
A: No, he’s just a regular guy, a good Catholic boy. But I’d like to see him back in the BDB world. Wouldn’t you love to see what he thinks of it?
*
*
Q: Have you been approached for a movie or TV? Would you have control over casting?
A: I get approached for movies and specials. But, the writing is it for me. So, as long as I could keep doing the books and the characters, I would do it.
*
*
Q: Will we ever get more of Butch and Manny’s dad?
A: In The Sinner, we will see more of Butch, Manny, and Jo Early’s father, Robert Brook, the douche.
*
*
Q: Will JM ever find out that he was Darius?
A: The Scribe Virgin had an agreement with Darius, that he gave a token of conscience. Even though Lassiter is now in charge, the magic that rules the agreements is still in force. And, that knowledge would destabilize the entire BDB world. So, no, I don’t think so.
*
*
Q: When the Omega was speaking to Butch, and he says, “Find your family” was he talking about Manny and Jo?
A: I don’t think he was talking about Jo, Manny, and Robert Brook. He was trying to get Butch to come over to the dark side, like Darth Vader to Luke in Star Wars.
*
*
Q: Would you ever consider writing Darius’ backstory?
A: I would, but you have to realize, that would only be for fans that are really invested in the world. It wouldn’t appeal to new readers. So, yes, I’d like to but I’m not sure if I’ll get to.
*
*
Q: Will we see more of Assail’s cousins?
A: Yes, I love those ghost-pepper eating *$.
*
*
Q: I’m confused because Phury was asking if someone could imagine Cormia abandoning her child, if she had one. But, didn’t we see them have Ahgony, and Zsadist showed up and sang for the baby?
A: Yeah, but that was a flash-forward about five years. That question would be asked before they had Aghony. The time line just hasn’t caught up yet.
*
*
Q: I cheered out loud when Sarah knew sign language. When Butch was inducted, his name was Dehstroyer on the wall in the BDB cavern. But when JM was inducted, his name, Tehrror, was not on the wall.
A: I think the thing to remember is that the BDB is evolving. When Butch was inducted, that was a million years ago. And, even though Dehstroyer isn’t Butch’s name, that he uses, that was what they did at the time. They used the warrior name. But now, they’ve changed, and JM is also on the wall as Darius. So, it seems like they used JM because that’s who he is.
*
*
Q: Was the raid on the Sanctuary 35 years ago or 75 years ago? (It appears in different books as 35 or 75 years)
A: That was a copy-editing error. There are different places we could go after The Sinner, so, maybe there needs to be a past-cannon, like the Insider’s Guide, so we could clarify this stuff. Things like, the relationship between Darius and Beth’s mom. But, it would be for hardcore readers, and they’d have to understand that that doesn’t end well. But, yes, it was 75 years ago, not 35.
*
*
Q: With Sarah’s background in immunology, could she solve the disease killing the Chosen?
A: Yeah, I think that’s a distinct possibility. And maybe she could solve the blood issue, the one that Havers was never able to solve.
*
*
Q: What’s the hierarchy of the deities?
A: Devina, Lassiter, SV, and the Omega. Two good, two bad. The question for me, since I think the Creator prefers balance, is what role is the Creator playing in the demise of the Omega? With the SV out of it, will he have a hand in the exit of the Omega? What’s interesting to me, is that, at the end of the FA series, Devina was down and out. She’s smart. And, she’s had time to plan. Because remember, time isn’t the same for the deities. It’s going to be interesting to watch.
*
*
Q: Do you know how the penal colony is going to be introduced?
A: There’s going to be another BDB Legacy book, called The Jackal. It will feature Rhage’s half-brother and the penal colony, and will be out in August 2020.
*
*
Q: (This question was hard to hear, but it sounded like they were asking why JR listens to rap vs. other types of music.)
A: The music helps me see the books and the scenes. I’m a runner, and I love rap, and it really helps me focus.
*
*
Q: Do we see Nate or any of the others in future books?
A: Nate, Markcus, and Luchas all get books.
*
*
Q: Why couldn’t Nate tell that Lassiter’s not a vampire? Is there another connection we don’t know about?
A: Yes, and Keep Reading.
*
*
Q: We get references to a lot of the fathers (of the Brothers.) Why don’t we hear about the warriors’ moms?
A: One of the hard things is that the world is so large, it’s challenging to tailor the stories and keep the books tight and focused. I want to keep the focus back on the couple, so it’s not so sprawling. But that also means that other details get sacrificed.
*
*
Q: Why did Devina leave those glowing footprints?
A: The reason why she leaves the footprints, because as Throe gets sucked down into the hole, he gets stripped of all of his energy. Devina needs to follow a trail up. So what was glowing, and then faded, was the residue of the trail she followed up the hole.
*
*
Q: With the scene with the apple, did you plan that it for it all to come full circle? (this references the original scene when Zsadist shares an apple with JM when he’s new to the Brotherhood compound and then the newest scene in The Savior, where they offer the apple to Nalla.)
A: There have been several scenes and details that I didn’t understand the importance of. The damn coffins in the garage. I mean, there’s three John Deeres and some fertilizer and a stack of *&%$ coffins. Vishous kept talking about the chained dogs. That moment when Zsadist was on the bus, and pared that apple. What I know to be true, is that if something keeps showing up, it must be important. As I was getting ready to outline The Savior, I saw JM with a black dagger, peal that apple. And it was crystal clear. I don’t like profound moments, I get tetchy at tender moments. So, I’m watching him pealing this apple, and I’m like, what’s he doing. And then I realized, no, what’s important is who is he giving it to.
*
*
Q: When Vishous got scratched, and realized that the water helps that? Why? Is that important for later?
A: I don’t know.
*
*
Q: I don’t like the ebooks. I prefer a book in my hand. Is there any chance of a collection of those e-books?
A: The thing I’m very cognizant of is the pricing of the books. But, once I write the book, the rest is up to the publisher. I’d like to get things into the hands of the readers, but more hard cover books gets expensive. So, the e-books lets me get the stories into the hands of the reader at a lower cost. But, Simon & Schuster is aware that people would love to have a compendium of those e-books and they’re working with me to make that happen.
*
*
Q: Will there be more firefighters?
A: We’re trying to fit it into the schedule, and we’re hoping to announce something soon, perhaps for 2020.
*
*
Q: Xhex said that JM’s grid is similar to Darius. What does she think about that?
A: There was a part where I felt like she was coaching JM, and I thought he was going to get it, but no, she didn’t get him there.
*
*
Q: I’m confused by the names like Xhex, and s’Ex. I never know how to pronounce them, unless I hear you say them.
A: Yeah, I think we need a pronunciation guide.
*
*
Q: I love that the Brothers aren’t perfect. Are you ever going to stop writing them?
A: Have you ever known a man that was perfect? And, one of the things I was worried about was, what if they stop talking to me. So, as long as they keep talking, I’ll keep writing.
*
*
Q: Who will be the first trainee to be inducted in the Brotherhood?
A: That’s a Keep Reading, because I don’t know yet. We’re going to find out together.
*
*
Q: Are the diamonds Lassiter gave to Mary and Sarah significant?
A: Remember when Lassiter gave the diamonds to Mary, and he said a mother’s tears are precious? He has the ability to turn tears into diamonds. Diamonds are forever, so the diamonds he gave to Sarah were a promise that she would live forever.
*
*
Q: When will we get the hardcovers for the first books re-released?
A: I get a lot of people who ask that. The thing is, there’s a certain threshold that a book has to pass, in sales, for the publisher to consider re-releasing a hardcover book. All folks can do is keep asking. And, I’ll keep telling them folks are asking.
*
*
Q: Pre-trans are able to go out in the light. Do the kids go to school?
A: Not a traditional school. You have to think about how kids were educated in the 1800s. There’s some things about the BDB world that haven’t evolved. So, they don’t attend schools.
*
*
Q: Is Fritz getting a book?
A: No, that just wouldn’t be interesting.
*
*
Q: I want Lassiter to have his own, whole book. (Not just pieces of his story in other books.)
A: He does get a book, but it’s going to be awhile.
*
*
Q: Does your mom read your books? And if so, which is her favorite book?
A: I want you to know, my mom has never had biblical knowledge of a man. I showed up in her mailbox…but she loves the first one, she liked Dark Lover.
*
*
Q: Have you ever considered posters, with models? (So we can really see what the Brothers look like)
A: I have an idea. I’m thinking of commissioning a series of illustrations, of what the Brothers look like.
*
*
Q: (This is another question that was difficult to discern, but it seemed that the questioner was asking why the book covers don’t always match the description of the character.)
A: The publisher has control of the covers, and they can get close, but they can’t get the exact match. Like, hair styles, or tattoos. So they do their best.
*
*
Q: Throughout the books, there’s a theme of the humans being ‘rats without tails’. But, they’re getting together with humans, and the Queen was human. Why are they still being disrespectful of the humans?
A: You know, a lot of people have asked that question. And I just don’t have a good answer.
**********FIN***********

[Jessica's Totally Over The Top Book Obsession · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 killer stars



********************SPOILERS***********************



The last few books in the BDB world were not as good for me. I still love this series with all my heart, but this one was another ok read for me. Let me start by saying that I read the Fallen Angels Series and I didn't like it. Devina never impressed me. So I wasn't really excited to see she was coming to the BDB world. Still I was willing to see it play out. So going into this book, I knew that Syn was a straight up psychopath that killed when he got a itch. So for him to fall instantly in love with Jo and become a puppy dog in the course of the book was hard to accept.



I think I would have enjoy their romance more if there would a been a bit more of a build up over time. Like Xcor or Z's books. Still I did like Syn. I also like Jo. Their relationship was just not as deep as I like them to be. It lacked any real depth. I enjoyed all the parts with Butch and V, but I would have like them to take up a bit less of the book. Also I always skip the lesser parts. The lessers and all the inner monologues of the lessers bore the piss out of me. They are throw away characters and I don't give two shit about them. It takes pages away that could be given to the couple of the book. I have always skipped their parts and I always will.



I wish the Warden would have giving us readers some Z, bella and Nala. I have had enough of V's ass. I still haven't forgiven his ass for almost cheating on Jane. The Dhestroyer prophecy and the Omega/lesser war happened in this book, but it was lame. Years of build up and Devina's ass jumps in and saves the day. Totally Meh. I loved the part with Wrath and The Scribe Virgin. Overall I this book was okay read for me. I enjoyed parts of it, but it could have been better.

[Kat valentine ( Katsbookcornerreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous entry in the black dagger brotherhood series!!! I have adored Syn from the beginning even when it looked like he was way past redemption,so when Jr announced that Sinner would be his book I was on pins and needles!! I wanted this dark and dangerous vampire warrior to prove that he was indeed a hero even if he walked a thin line between good and bad. We learn what made him the way he was and I have to say that all he endured at the hands of his father,who was a total monster I might add it's a wonder that he didn't become one too. Being one of the band of bastards and partner's with the black dagger brotherhood and their war against the omega and the lessers isn't enough to keep his talhman, his evil side at bay so he does jobs on the side not for money but to feed his violent side by taking care of evil pieces of shit and it's worked pretty good until a mob boss sends him to kill reporter Jo early. The only problem is not only is she a female,but his fated mate! To a man who thought he would never find or want a mate this sends him spinning . With all that life has thrown at him and what he has become how can he hope to bond with this beautiful and strong woman who is half human and vampire! And once she finds out his secret and see's the monster that he tries so hard to keep hidden from the world will she still love him or will he walk into the fade forever. Jr Ward is a f**king fabulous storyteller and her black dagger brotherhood world is one of my favorite series of all time with characters that are multi layered with flaws and scars just like so many of us. I can honestly say that I've identified more then once with this cast of characters. I love where this is headed and can't wait for my next fix!!! Loved devIne she is one bad ass bitch ! Can't wait to see more of her. Their was the hot smoking chemistry and even hotter sex,because you know, that no one does hot like a vampire warrior!!! Lord I need one or maybe more then one of these guys!!!! And the humor,and snarky one liners are all hallmarks of a Jr ward book,but so are the tender and thought provoking moments when the walls come down and it's just the relationships and camaraderie between friends,lovers and family!!! Can't wait to step back into this world once again! Tru that! Until next time Luv's💕💋


He was hers to command, and if she wished to take his life here and now, he would willingly give his mortal coil unto her. No matter how much it hurt or what his suffering was, it would be a good death, one he had long deserved. Because this female, who captivated his black soul as surely as if she held his beating heart in her palm, would be the one killing him.
- Syn-

[Jilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg, quarantine sucks!
I always thought I would be fine if I was in solitary confinement or jail because of all the reading-time potential. Oh how wrong I was! And, I have my whole family with me. Three adult children who are hilarious and my hubs, from whom they got their hilariousness. I'm still bored as hell. How many people are going to go on massive killing sprees from being stir-crazy before this is over? I mean, along with me, of course. So, start on 2 when you're counting.

The only bright spot is the weekly grocery shopping. The whole fucking family wants to go now, just to get out of the house. We have to take 2 cars. It's like the world's saddest parade. And then all too soon, it's back to:


Okay, the bitching about real life part of my review is over (until my next review, because I WILL be complaining for the first parts of my reviews until this is done. I am all about sharing.)
On to the book!

There were a few books in the middle of this series that were pretty bad. I almost stopped reading even, but they got their mojo back in recent years. I really liked the couple in this one. And, there was a ton of change that happened in the overall world. Things that have been going on since the beginning of the series came to a head. It was awesome.


We finally get to see the whole picture.

The other awesome part of this book is that close to half of it is focused on the bromance of Butch and V. So, all of you shippers get that little treat. And, yes, I agree that they totally should have been a couple because their wives have the personalities of tree stumps. And, not even interesting tree stumps. So, it was great that the focus was on the two guys with barely a wife-scene involved.

Vishous: "Where are you? And if you say not important I'm going to punch this angel because he's the closest thing to me."

Butch: "Not important..."

Over the connection, there was a muffled OW! What the FUCK, V!

"God, that was satisfying," V murmured. "Thank you."

Butch: "You're welcome."

The angel is, of course, my favorite: Lassiter. He isn't around as much as I would have liked, but he definitely makes an impression when he is.

(As the Big Bad looks out over the city, preparing to kill and destroy)
But there was something on the bridge. Standing with feet planted and body braced.

... It was a male. Dressed in... were those hot pink zebra tights? And what was that shirt? Was that... Barney?

Always interesting is Lassiter. The guy definitely knows how to leave an impression.

So, if you haven't read the series, you will be completely lost on this one. But, if you're a fan, even if you lost that loving feeling somewhere along the line, you will probably love this one. The magic is back for sure.

[♥ℳelody · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a little more enjoyable than The Savior, but not by much. A lot of the stuff I was expecting would happen did happen. I did have mixed feelings over this one and initially wanted to give this a 3 star but while writing out my review this still sounds like a 2 star read. I was going to also include a short list of the stuff I did enjoy but my review-rant is already long enough so let's get right to it.

What didn't work.....


-Syn and his insta-boner. Yeah insta-lust strikes again and it didn’t make a lick of sense considering Syn’s 300 years worth of trauma and the fact that he could never ejaculate. The fated to be mated theme doesn’t excuse it for me here. Ward used to be better with her romantic arcs even with the overall theme being applied. Nothing felt rushed in the OG books. We used to get gradual build up through several books and even when couples acted on their attraction quickly the couples still had internal conflict and struggling with their feelings for each other through most of the story. Especially the ones with a lot of trauma. The heroes used to have to work for it. None of that really happened here. While Syn does war with himself on fighting his tahlmum he doesn’t really have an issue with acting on his attraction to Jo quickly. Which really doesn’t make sense because it doesn’t fit with his dark backstory. He should have been freaked out and fighting his attraction to Jo, not all "gimme". The progression of his relationship with Jo felt very clumsy at best and not the primary focus of the book which didn't make much sense.

Ward kept comparing Syn to Zsadist and saying this would be "old school feel" but there wasn't much of anything old school to this, this guy was not acting like someone who carried centuries worth of trauma IMO. Syn had so much potential to be another Z or Rehv cause he's an anti-hero but his development was treated with kiddy gloves and rushed through. His transition from being a cold, blood thirsty, unfeeling mercenary assassin to not wanting to fight anymore cause he's in love felt underwhelming and rushed. Ward said she was almost going to put out a disclaimer for this book because of how dark it gets and her difficulty writing a particular scene and honestly I’m kinda scratching my head thinking why? While flashbacks to Syn's childhood were heartbreaking, Zsadist, V and Xcor's backstories were much more horrific and blood curdling. This wasn't all that dark and gory as what was promised. This felt extremely tame in comparison.

-Jo Early. I miss the BDB days where the heroines were distinctly different in looks, attitude, personality, beliefs, etc. Remember when a Chosen was a heroine? Remember when a heroine started off fragile with serious trauma/heartache like Marissa, Cormia or Autumn? A heroine who had to develop into their strength, find their own voice and work through things....you know that thing called growth? Or the tough as nails heroine who reached their breaking point like Xhex? I miss the diversity. I miss the different voices and how every character looked, sounded, felt different. I didn't hate Jo Early or dislike her but I really struggled to connect with her. She was introduced 5 books ago but she still felt like a virtual stranger to me in her own freaking book.

It just took too long for me to warm up to her or care about her. I just didn’t feel like she was fully fleshed out for more than half of the story and that’s a huge 🚩 for me. Jo just felt very deja vu, nothing new or intriguing about her and that's the problem I've been having with a lot of Ward's heroines lately. I just felt like her "voice" and personality could be mistaken for Sarah, Helenia, Sola or heck even Anne from the Firefighter series. All the heroines are blurring together and sounding interchangeable now and I don't like it. (And the same could be said about the new BDB heroes unfortunately 😕)

And P.S., how come she was turning into a chick? Real women didn’t wait for Prince Charmings to come along and give their lonely, spinster existences meaning. Chicks did, though. They got doe-eyed in the wake of departures and they finished their dinners by their lonesome in mourning and they waited to be called.

This whole “real women don’t cry, chicks do” shtick while well-intentioned, really doesn’t work for me. I'm sorry but it's fucking stupid. Ward has always written independent heroines for the most part and I've loved that but nonsense passages like that ☝️ are becoming more frequent now and more heavy handed and it just makes my eye twitch. It’s not realistic to me especially when all of the ladies are sounding the same at this point, vampire or human which makes it even more ridiculous cause it makes no sense. And I really don’t get Ward’s hang up over heroines having parental issues and sticking their nose up in the air over their own silver-spooned upbringing. All those 1950's housewives digs I don't find charming. Like....what's your problem Bitter Betty? It just does the opposite of what Ward is trying to convey. It just comes off very preachy, unfeeling and self-righteous and I don’t care for it. Jo kept acting like she was better than her rich adoptive parents all because they have money and perfectionist freaks and I didn't get it. Like omg, your father has a whole folder on you in his office full of all your accomplishments?! The unfeeling bastard! 😱 RME. Please stop. She said it herself, Ward doesn’t know how to write for women.

-The Omega send off. I’m usually all for a big twist but this one really came off weak and WTH. And it’s not really because of who killed him but how the scene played out that really raised my hackles. Devina kills the Omega to save Butch. Then this lovely little interlude follows:

“Holy shit… Lacroix,” Butch stammered.
She paused and twisted around. “My jacket?”
“That’s Christian Lacroix, isn’t it. Vintage. From the nineties.”
The demon smiled so widely she became resplendent. “You know your fashion. And yes, I bought it new thirty years ago. Isn’t it just stunning?”
“Absolutely beautiful. A real showstopper.”
“You say the sweetest things.”

........



😶

An entire culmination of 18 books & 15 freaking years worth of waiting for payoff and this was it? THIS?! Thank you's and coquettish flattery? Just....so STUPID. Why the hell is Devina saving the day? And for that matter why in the world would she save anyone? DEVINA? That's not her MO. She's known Butch all of a few days and she's already wanting to save him? Nah. Bullshit. This whole scene just seemed like a wasted opportunity on both fronts. I'm irked to high heaven that attention was completely taken off Butch's shining moment for wasted page time of these two casually passing compliments and lowkey flirting like the whole thing was just one big hilarious joke. Who is supposed to find this funny? Ward’s "biffle"? Ward really has a problem with writing grand finale climactic scenes. The slow build up & meticulous plotting is all there but the final showdowns never deliver. She blundered the whole political war with Wrath vs Xcor, the final BoB vs BDB face off and now this. It’s almost like she second guesses herself in how to wrap things up, keeps dragging it out until she has to force her own hand and just freaks out and comes up with something half-assed last minute thinking fans won’t notice. I’m not sure why anyone would want to read about Butch cooing over a demon’s fancy Lacroix vintage jacket and how high her heels are after NEARLY DYING AND WIPING OUT THE BROTHERHOOD. This ain’t it. Not everything needs to be Haha funny. She managed to make him look so foolish here. Why in the fuck is he thanking a murdering demon?! I never felt like slapping Butch more which is unfair but dammit was this stupid.

-Devina. I didn’t love her “grand introduction” to the Brotherhood. So weak. I've been waiting for this moment since Ward teased that Devina would be crossing over to the BDB series ages ago. So when the moment finally came for her to reveal herself it just felt lacking and underwhelming. Nobody is there except Butch. I don’t know, I was expecting something bigger and more dramatic. Her infiltrating the mansion and catching the household off guard just to introduce herself and taunt the Brothers with a warning and then poofing away as a dramatic cliffhanger was the recurring fanfic in my head. Something along those lines feels more like Devina. Not this forlorn lovesick demon wandering Caldwell streets alone still moping over Jim Herron and saving a vampire she’s crushing on as a “freebie”. Ward always liked to humanize Devina in the FA series and it always made my teeth grind and here I really don’t care to see it again. And the reasoning given for why the creator has let her roam free this time is all kinds of absurd. All because an angel broke her heart means she gets a get out of jail free card??? That’s not even close to a fair trade. Excuse me but unrequited love is not a fucking "cruel self prison" Warden. GMAB. Yes because the thousandths of innocent lives Devina has brutally tortured and murdered over centuries equates to 1 broken heart. Makes total sense. Not.

-Transition constipation. Jo’s transition didn’t happen till the very end. Surprised? Nope. It was pretty much treated like an afterthought. I would have liked to see her transition sooner and brought into the BDB household sooner, see her create ties with her blooded relations in real time which again used to happen through several books and more gradually. Now the important moments are all shoved in at the very end. Because of this all the "we're family" moments felt very hallow and contrived for me. I wasn't buying or feeling any of it. And the Brotherhood knew Jo Early was a half breed who is nearing her transition for 5 fucking books yet they acted this whole time like she was just an annoying bug they had to get rid of by wiping her memory every time they ran into her. Um....why??? She's one of yours. Shouldn't ya'll have been taking her under your wing this whole time? You guys had no problem swooping in to pick up John Matthew off the streets when he was a pre trans the minute you heard about him and he wasn't even near his transition but this 1 woman running willy nilly all over Caldwell snooping into your existence cause she just wants answers is a nuisance to you?! Why because she's a half-breed? WARD THIS DIDN'T MAKE ANY DAMN SENSE.

And why on earth was it such a big debate if Jo could stay with the BDB if she transitioned or not?????? Um again, that was never a problem for JM or Butch to live with the brothers and that was way before the Brothers even found out about their familial ties or transitions happened. Plus, she's Wrath's cousin. I can't put enough emphasis on that since everybody was acting conveniently dumb over this important fact. Is the Warden even reading the stuff she's writing now? You can’t create rules then break it whenever it suits your plot point just to create forced conflict. It made the guys look like sanctimonious hypocritical bumbling idiots. V especially. She's the freaking King's relation, the question and debate should have ended right there. Butch got the royal treatment and red carpet rolled out but Jo couldn't? Wrath knowing he has a blood relation who is near transition yet sending her back out in the human world to her home by herself was just absurd and waaaaay OOC for him. My man would never do that. I don’t understand how Ward has a "continuity editor” who doesn’t catch important stuff like this?

-Xcor: Where was he in this? He's Syn's former leader but he had no part in this. Except for that 1 cameo in the beginning he was a ghost in this who didn't seem to care one way or another what Syn did. The fact that Vishous was all over this book yet the leader of the BoB wasn't anywhere in this says enough and the major problem here. And Zypher suddenly walking around with a missing eyeball with no explanation? Do these guys no longer have the ability to regenerate body parts or.....? Remember the no salt thing? *See comment above about ignoring world building rules* Does anyone in Ward's camp read the fucking books? Is her editor sleeping on the job?


Loser of the book:
Mr. F the forlesser. What was the point of him? He literally had none. There has been no reason to keep giving these lessers POV after Mr. O. None. His filler pages could have been given to Jo and Syn and help flesh them out more. SMH.

So yeah at this point, I don’t think I can label these books as “series I go rabid over” anymore. The excitement has officially worn off for me and that really makes me sad because I still think this author’s writing and what she’s capable of is still there but she bungles it. Everything has now become lazy, predictable and cheap short cuts. The moments I do enjoy now are few and far in between. I can’t believe we went from The Beast a few books ago to….this. Which is exactly why I'd rather read revisits at this point because those have been way more successful.

J.R. Ward knows how to write for her old characters but she fumbles when it comes to writing for new characters. The shining moments should be for the lead couple, not a 1 minute scene with Rehv or Wrath. And telling readers a new "brother" who we've never even heard of before is getting a whole book next but we're "going back old school" sounds like an oxymoron. It just really sounds like another repetitive cycle of underwhelming, forced, off-canon mess. You can't keep throwing out random new characters like this and expect readers to care about them when you aren't even trying to flesh out the handful of new characters you already have on canvas that are just left twisting in the wind. Jo Early could have been another Beth Randall in her own right but she didn't even touch the surface. Stop fucking rushing everything like you are writing one-shot novellas, Ward.

[Ronda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing!

I love this series, I love the spin offs too and I love every surprise that this series throws my way.

I never tire of these characters and as the story has progressed over the years, the characters have developed and those that are still with us just continue to go from strength to strength.

What I am ecstatic about is that I have read (and loved) the Fallen Angel series. I had no idea that it would end up playing a huge role going forward! Don't get me wrong, I am sure you would be able to read The Sinner without having read the Fallen Angel series, but because I have read it, I know the background and 'wow'!


Amazing ... absolutely amazing!!

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going with a generous 3 stars because the parts with Jo and Syn, the little we got, were really good. The rest, not so much. There was so little interaction between Jo and Syn, given that this was a fairly long book, it really left the relationship building lacking and anti-climatic. Sadly there was SO much other crapola wedged in instead it was ridiculous! 🤦‍♀️

We got, ad nauseum:
Butch (which I shouldn't mind because I adore Butch but this is NOT his book dammit!)
Butch and V
A Fallen Angels crossover
Mr F
The Omega
The lessors
The human mafia/mob
The CCJ newspaper boss
Devina
And on, and on, and on.

And the final nail in the coffin - the last chapter wasn't even about Jo and Syn, ooooh no! Instead we get more Devina, Lovely .... not! 🙄

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Syn is one of the Band of Bastards now joined with the Brotherhood, though it’s an uneasy alliance. He’s wired very differently, coming from a brutal past that still haunts and drives him. Unknown to the rest of them, Syn is secretly working as an enforcer for a local mobster. It’s an outlet for his own need to bring hurt and during one of his stints with them that he runs into Jo Early, the reporter for the Caldwell Courier Journal who’s also Manny’s sister, unbeknownst to her. She sees something she shouldn’t (of course, Syn takes care of that) and both are strongly drawn to each other. Poor Jo is pre-transition and has absolutely no understanding of why she’s experiencing these physical issues.

I’ve made no secret of my inexplicable addiction to this series so being back here in the world of the Brotherhood is akin to nirvana for me, especially listening to the fabulous Jim Frangione narrate the story. Before this book, I knew virtually nothing about Syn beyond him being one of the Bastards so getting his backstory was just heartbreaking and fascinating at the same time. I’ve also been intrigued about Jo since the discovery of her connection to Manny and longed for her to be put at the forefront. I liked how her relationship with Syn developed and their miscommunication wasn’t too drawn out to be problematic. Her eventual confrontation with the Brotherhood had all the drama I hoped for.

As with all of these books there are multiple plot lines to keep you hopelessly engaged and this one was explosive. Butch (Dhestroyer) has center stage as the clash with the Omega and the Lessers reach a climax. It was exciting and nerve wracking, introducing a new “element” for future stories. There’s also an unbelievable (really good thing) moment involving Wrath at the end of the book that I never saw coming, didn’t anticipate and was unprepared for emotionally. It was a wonderful payoff to a really good story. There’s another surprise, too, that kept everyone off balance in this book, including me. Always a good time in Caldwell!

Posted on Blue Mood Café

(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)

[Scholar inArmor · Rating 3 out of 5]

AFTER READING:
SPOILERS AHEAD, BE WARNED!



It finally came to an end. The war with Omega. Everything.



I did not expect Devina to be Omega's undoing. Honestly, I didn't. So she is the new enemy in Caldwell. I can't wait for it. Especially her storyline, it's so good. If she is back that means that Eddie and Adrian, from the Fallen Angels series, are here around the corner.

I liked scenes with the Scribe Virgin and Omega. It was nice to see their dynamic and Omega's statement that he would never harm Vishous even though he knew that Vishous presents a great danger for him. I just hope that Scribe Virgin remembers that and tries to help and/or redeem Lash.

The scene with SV, Wrath, Beth, and LW was, also, very emotional. SV even stated that she was with his Queen from the beginning. And if you think about, she herself said that she does not know the future, so she couldn't know that Beth will become the Queen. But she knew that her father was Darius, and she respected him a lot. It is a nice homage to their friendship.

It's revealed that Devina is SV's and Omega's sister, which means that she is by extent an aunt to Lash. I remember Ward saying during one of the signings that they are going to become a pair. Uhm, how is that going to work?

The main characters, Syn and Jo were interesting but at the same time, they felt like a secondary character. At this point, I am sick of Butch and V and Rhage even. Rhage was not featured a lot but still, he got the first book, then the second one, and then the continuation of the second one in the Legacy series, and now his half-brother is getting a book with The Jackal. Don't even get me started on Butch and V... I just hope that their storylines are over for good. On the other hand, I am okay with Qhuinn, Blay, Xcor, Layla, John Matthew, and Xhex being featured a lot.

Syn's talhman problem got resolved like it was nothing, which I didn't like. It could be explained a little. The parentage of Jo, Butch and Manny finally got explained. They all have the same father and it is Robert Bluff (he is dead) and different mothers so that basically makes all of them half-siblings and at the same time - Wrath's cousins.

A side character who shined the brightest in this book was definitely Balthazar. He is nice. Regarding the next book, I honestly don't know. I hope that it will be about Phury x Cormia having little Ahgony and it can be called The Primale. Let's be honest, that is probably not happening.



In the end, I want to address just one more thing. I read some questions which were answered by Ward herself about Ehric and Evale sharing a mate. I have read about polyamorous relationships between 2 guys and 1 girl, and to be honest, I did not have any complaints about it. They are Cristina Rosales x Mark Blackthorn X Kieren from The Dark Artifices series by Cassandra Clare. What is worth mentioning, none of them are related. Ehric and Evale are fucking twins. The idea of them sharing a mate, just because they are fucking twins is abhorrent. I adore Ward, I really do. She is one of the most consistent authors in this genre IMO, but this I just can't fathom. I hope that she/or her Rice Krispies change her mind.



BEFORE RELEASE:

Jo Early & Syn from the Band of Bastards...




Black Dagger Brotherhood, Black Dagger Legacy & Fallen Angels series reading order:

- novella
+ Fallen Angels book
= Black Dagger Legacy book


Dark Lover (BDB #1) [Wrath & Beth Pt. 1]
Lover Eternal (BDB #2) [Rhage & Mary Pt. 1]
Lover Awakened (BDB #3) [Zsadist & Bella Pt. 1, Butch & Marissa Pt. 1]
Lover Revealed (BDB #4) [Butch & Marissa Pt. 2, Vishous Pt. 1]
Lover Unbound (BDB #5) [Vishous & Jane Pt. 1]
Lover Enshrined (BDB #6) [Phury & Cormia; Qhuinn & Blay Pt. 1]
- Father Mine (BDB #6.5) [Zsadist & Bella Pt. 2]
- The Story of Son (BDB #6.6)
Lover Avenged (BDB #7) [Rehvenge & Ehlena; Wrath]
+ Covet (Fallen Angels #1)
Lover Mine (BDB #8) [John Matthew & Xhex Pt. 1; Tohrment & No'One Pt. 1]
+ Crave (Fallen Angels #2)
Lover Unleashed (BDB #9) [Payne & Manny; Visous & Jane Pt. 2; Xcor]
+ Envy (Fallen Angels #3)
Lover Reborn (BDB #10) [Tohrment & No'One/Autumn Pt 2; John Matthew & Xhex Pt. 2; Qhuinn & Blay Pt. 2; Xcor & Layla Pt. 1]
+ Rapture (Fallen Angels #4)
Lover at Last (BDB #11) [Qhuinn & Blay Pt. 3; Xcor & Layla Pt. 2; Trez & Selena Pt. 1; Assail & Sola Pt. 1]
+ Possession (Fallen Angels #5)
The King (BDB #12) [Wrath & Beth Pt. 2; Trez & Selena Pt. 2; Xcor & Layla Pt. 3; Assail & Sola Pt. 2]
+ Immortal (Fallen Angels #6)
The Shadows (BDB #13) [iAm & Catra; Trez & Selena Pt. 3; Xcor & Layla Pt. 4; Assail Pt. 1]
= Blood Kiss (Legacy #1) [Paradise & Craeg; Butch & Marissa Pt. 3]
The Beast (BDB #14) [Rhage & Mary Pt. 2; Xcor & Layla Pt. 5; Assail Pt. 2; Jo Pt. 1]
= Blood Vow (Legacy #2) [Axe & Elise; Rhage & Mary Pt. 3]
The Chosen (BDB #15) [Xcor & Layla Pt. 6; Qhuinn & Blay Pt. 4; Trez & Tres/Selena Pt. 4; Vishous Pt. 2]
= Blood Fury (Legacy #3) [Peyton & Novo; Saxton & Ruhn]
- Dearest Ivie (BDB# 15.5)
The Thief (BDB #16) [Assail & Sola Pt. 3; Vishous & Jane Pt. 3, Jo Pt. 2]
- Prisoner of Night (BDB 16.5)
The Savior (BDB #17) [Murhder & Sarah; JM & Xhex Pt. 3]
= Blood Truth (Legacy #4) [Boone & Helania; Syn; Butch]
- Where Winter Finds You: A Caldwell Christmas (BDB #17.5) [Trez & Tres/Selena Pt. 5]
The Sinner (BDB #18) [Jo & Syn]

[TeeBee · Rating 1 out of 5]

What to say, what to say....on god I'm so upset with this series. *screams and pulls hair out*

Like it started off so good!! So good! We had flawed heroes who were capable of terrible things and great depths of love that it sometimes gave us whiplash how fast they could go from zero to killer. Zadist didn't just wake up and he was over his abuse. He's still dealing with it. John Matthew took like 6 books to come to grips with his crap. But Muhrder, who were told was bat shit crazy and in that state for 25 years just ups and gets cured in a single book. Syn, the nastiest of the bastards just fixes himself in a chapter. Not even Xcor just switched lanes that fast. He shot Wrath and was that track for at least 5 books.

And where the hell is Assail?! *posts 'Missing Posters' around the interwebs*

And please for the love of the Creator don't get me started on the Band of Bastards! They are literally called bastards, but a watermelon jolly rancher is Siphon's undoing?!!!! They've slept in hollowed out tree trunks during the day with nothing but their daggers and wits but they are wholly and totally domesticated in a single tap of the keyboard.

And the love stories? In the beginning they had to be earned. Wrath showed his entire sculpted ass before he and Beth got together, and in the The King he showed his royal ass like he was a damned young. The couples went through hell with and for each other. It took Butch 3 books to get Marissa. John Matthew had to wait like 5 books before he got Xhex, and we aren't going to talk about the crap we had to go through with Qhuinn, Blay and Sexton.

Now? Oh meet on page 2, sex on page 3 and bonding in the prologue. Wham bam, thank you ma'am.

Where is the effort? Where's the uncertainty?

And for 18 damn books we've seen the decimation the lessers have had on the vampire community. We shed tears when Wellsie was shot, I sobbed for days after the raids, and then we get this lame ass RL Stein ending for the Omega?! Are you kidding me? Please tell me you're kidding. That's it!! That's all you give us?!! Pontificating in an alley and them wham the Omega is gone?!

And as I've read these books one thing has become clear to me. Ward really does a huge problem with women and their freedom of sexuality. These males for centuries have been free to nail anything that moves and a few that weren't moving and everything was hunky dory, but let a female want to do the same thing and she gets the disgusting whore treatment. When Naasha was alive and Assail and the BoB were using her she was whore this, whore that, terrible shellan this, but those males could use her for blood and sex and it was ok. Assail made sure that Sola could see him having sex with Naasha and it was Naasha that still got the shame!! Why is this still happening?!!! And a woman writer doing this just cranks my shit out (to borrow a phrase from Vishous)

The only good thing I can find in this book was the little meeting with Wrath and the Scribe Virgin. Thank the Creator she got the hell over herself and removed the stick from her rear-end but damnit I'm tired of all the deus ex machina happening for everyone else and Wrath can't get his limited sight back and Tohr couldn't get Wellsie back because lets face it Autumn is a throw away character who has literally been mentioned twice since her damn book. And I'm still pissed V and Butch didn't end up together. V and Jane together are about as exciting as oil and water and neither of them seem to even like each other. Other than their 1st book and then Payne's book they've been in the same room with each other twice, and one of those was an OR when Layla was giving birth.

I can tots understand why Vishous doesn't like Ward.

[Sheyla ✎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Syn and Jo but also of Butch O’Neal as the Destroyer and the end of the war with the Omega.

Syn has enjoyed killing evil people for centuries. He enjoys it until he is asked to kill a news reporter by the name of Jo Every.

When Syn meets Jo, he immediately can sense she is a half-vampire. He feels a connection with Jo and he will fight anyone in order to prevent anything bad from happening to her.

Jo knows something is going on in Caldwell but the more she investigates the supernatural the more she develops memory losses. Something is going on with her health too. When she meets Syn she wants to trust him but she knows he is hiding something.

The Sinner was a success! I liked the main characters and wanted them to survive the battle with the Omega. It warms my heart to see the Brotherhood and the Band of Bastards fighting together and the way their families keep on expanding.

I sense the addition of a demon will cause trouble to the gang one way or the other.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

[Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

And this is where it ends for me and the BDB. The Omega/lesser war storyline comes to an end here after 19+ stories, and it was definitely with a whimper and not a bang. Seriously. Turns out the BDB wasn't even necessary at that fight. There will likely be spoilers below, but I'll do my best to tag them.

First off Jo and Syn. Jo was a pretty good character, but the two had no chemistry. More of the same instant attraction (which is fine in the circumstances), "I am not worthy", I will change, with the twist of Jo being on the verge of her transition. I had zero interest in the relationship or Syn as a character; he was broody and dull. I don't even know if his ejaculation issue was magically cured because I skipped all the sex scenes I had more empathy for new fore-lesser Mr F. And I'm pretty sure JRW quoted a scene from Twilight almost word-for-word, but hey, at this point I think I would have been happier re-reading Twilight.

More interesting than Syn is his cousin Balthazaar who has stood by him from the beginning and has an actual personality. Since the Dhestoryer is a big part of the end, this also got us lots of teasing of the Butch and V relationship she "wanted to write but couldn't". That's where the chemistry was in this book. The bond between Butch and V still works, but now is just a tease. It almost felt like she was mocking it during an early scene with Devina, but that could be just my general disgust with the whole thing coloring it. I will give credit to a very touching, and unexpected scene for Wrath at the end that had me choked up and,really made for a lovely ending to the series for me.

The biggest disappointment was the final battle between the BDB and the Omega. The war against the Omega has been a plot point since book one, and the Dhestroyer prophecy has always been touted as the end to the Omega. The Omega has basically been a non-entity recently, his power drained and his army all but decimated. With the BDB ready to finally take on that last step and end the war, the disappointment I was hoping against struck. Due to some shenanigans between the Scribe Virgin and the Omega - which were enjoyable - the Omega winds up getting all of his power back. Just as all seems to be lost, the BDB literally out for the count, possibly dead, Devina steps in an takes care of everything. Devina, a cross-over character from another series. Anti-climactic as fuck and a set up for the coming storyline, crossover angels stuff. This was not the battle that 19 books have led up to and it felt like a huge cheat. And oh yeah, surprise! she's the sister of the Omega and Scribe Virgin BTW

Aside from all of the above, I think I've just outgrown the writing, the storytelling and the series as a whole. Reading the early books was magical, but that magic has been lost to me for a while now and I've found myself skimming through a lot of the books. Especially paragraphs of descriptions of clothes and rooms and nonsensical thinking. I would still wholeheartedly recommend those books, but at some point enough needs to be enough. Maybe if the original series had ended and a new series started it would be different, but 19 in on the main series, a lame spinoff, another spinoff coming and the integration of the Angels series (which I only read the first book of) has pushed this reader away. The pop-culture references, the way the characters think and talk, the timeline inconsistencies and the numerous characters that pop up out of nowhere while other characters never seem to get their closure has worn me down. The stories and the heroes have all become cookie-cutter versions of the previous ones and I just can't anymore.

It's been a ride but I am out.

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book and story!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the story of Syn and Jo. It’s also a story of war and despair. And a story of hope and love.

It’s hard to dive into the review and only tell you bits and pieces of the story. So let me just say that this is yet one more piece of the entire series that makes it so freaking addictive!

Syn is a soft hearted guy deep down. He has not always been a good person and he recognizes his faults. But when he and Jo meet, he recognizes something inside. Some thing pure and wholesome that makes him look at the world differently. Yearning for something more he doesn’t believe he deserves.

I don’t want to spoil this awesome read for you. What I will say is that Ward has an amazing imagination and a talent beyond anyone in this genre.

The Sinner is gruesome but very bad ass at the same time. Full of love and appreciation for each other, these characters are just a perfect example of true friendship. They truly are brothers and a wonderful blend of family.

An amazing story of caring, compassion, and a deep connected love. An explosive story you simply cannot miss!!

5 Fabulous Hot Stars!

* copy received for review consideration
full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-sinner-b...

[Sammy Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Yeah!! I Needed some Syn!!



*Loved Syn and Joe but wanted more of them and less of Mr. F.

*Loved all the V and Butch time and their hand holding cry scene was FUCKING BEAUTIFUL!!!

*The Omega makes the ultimate chess move and I freakin LOVED IT!!! I also wondered why no-one thought to get rid of all that ammo a long ass time ago!!

*Final Battle scene was NOT what I expected!! Anyone with a little sister knows how they can totally jack things up at the worse possible time!! Thanks for that curve ball Warden!

*Wrath getting to see his son, wife, and dog....Tear Jerker Moment!!


I've watched this series rise and fall like a rollercoaster and it has been one hell of a ride. Syn, along with the Band of Bastards were intriguing and I couldn't wait for more from them when they entered the scene. I lost interest though when XCor's love affair got drug out over the span of so many books that I lost count and stopped caring.

But Syn was gonna be the redemption and might could have been except he got so little time with Joe. There was so much going on everywhere else. I hated that Syn couldn't cum/ejaculate/orgasm and was hopping his first time with Joe would be an eye opening experience for his one eyed monster. But sadly we had to endure his painful blue balls until the end of the book. Grrrrrr. Talk about feeling frustrated.

I was beyond excited to find out Joe's story and how she was gonna connect to the brothers. I could not have imagined her past was gonna collide with the brothers in this way! The Warden always keeps me on my toes.

The war with the lessening society was crazy and the final battle scene was beyond awesome. I just HATED following Mr. F, who I lovingly referred to as Mr. FuckNuts, because his story was a total waste of time and took away from all the awesomeness this book could have been.

Mixed Emotions on this one because this is my all time favorite PNR series and JR Ward created a world that I have loved for so long! This book kinda felt like it could be the end of this series...

[(the.darkandmoody.reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 - OK I didn’t hate this book but I still haven’t received make up sex for the last two bombs...BDB is somewhat on the path to recovery, hopefully? This would have been a 4-star rating but I can’t excuse the final scene with Butch and Vishous.

P.S. this book should have been called The Dhestroyer because, prophecy.

You’d think that with book being so pivotal to the series, the Dhestroyer Prophecy manifested, that I don’t know the actual storyline would HEAVILY focus on the prophecy? And maybe Butch — being the Dhestroyer, literally his warrior name and who is for the war, would have had A LOT MORE PAGE TIME.

Words and phrases that need to be retired:

⚡️”Hello” ...Just stop. It’s not a good look.

⚡️“Well what do you know” this was over used in Blood Truth and it’s even more annoying now.

⚡️”R8” ...Just say “your car” after it’s established that Butch is driving V’s car. Furthermore, why is Butch driving V’s car? He has at least 2 of his own. And what happened to the Escalade? Fritz finally couldn’t get all the cum stains out? We get JRW loves cars but I mean when does it stop?

💥💥Spoilers below, I’m not hiding my review. 💥💥

First off, a message to every single reader that continues to complain about Butch and Vishous claiming the storyline in every book.

1. That is not true. Neither of them were in The Savior but for V written as an unprovoked asshole for like four sentences. And Butch was referred to as “the stocky one next to V”

2. Butch had a limited role in Blood Truth. But let’s not forget he’s in charge of the Training Program and Black Dagger Legacy books are completely focused on the trainees.

3. In The Sinner, the newest book, in this lukewarm version of BDB (thanks a bunch Gallery Books!), Butch and Vishous are maybe 30% of the storyline. The rest of the book is 50% Syn & Jo; 14% the Omega; 5% Devina; and, 1% the Dhestroyer Prophecy *manifested*

So why are Butch and V part of the subplot? Well this book was supposed to be DHESTROYER PROPHECY MANIFESTED. Butch is the DHESTROYER. Vishous is Butch’s HEALER. Remember Light and Dark/ Savior and Sinner?? Go back and reread Lover Revealed. This wasn’t just another Butch and Vishous book. And don’t worry if you hate them, they won’t be around for a while, if ever again. JRW writes what the majority wants and there be a lot of V haters out there —

This should have been Butch’s book or better yet, this should have been the 900 page BDB book (Don’t try and tell me, JRW, it is the price point... Nopers many books are that long and the price stays the same. And all your loyal readers that are still following through the molasses of vague romances and ghostwritten submissions would all pay more for a brick!)...

Readers have been waiting 12 years for this showdown between Butch and the Omega. We have been waiting at least 5 years for Jo to come around and finally learn how she, Butch, and Manny are all related. All of it fell flat. There was no tension, besides Vishous being told to take a seat and drink orange juice because he is as important as Butch for the war.

The Fallen Angels/ BDB crossover has been teased for 6 years. Devina does show up. But why?

>>> Here’s what’s crackin with this book:

First and foremost this was a missed opportunity of magnanimous proportions. At least it reads like JRW actually wrote the book and gave the ghostwriters some time off. But honestly, the readers deserved way better. This was a series. Each book built upon the next. Everything was interconnected. Now we are in the generation of standalone editions. They fit with the series but, meh, you don’t have to be a real fan to know what’s going. I love info-dumps for the new readers 😑

Syn and Jo. Was this insta-love? It was the slowest one if it was... but who cares! This is PARANORMAL ROMANCE! Mating bonds are a trope! That’s why they are insta-loves and why I love them. Had this been a true insta-love we would have had way more development between them. Remember the OG BDB days when couples were really fleshed out in one book? It’s because they got together fast. Syn and Jo spend ALOT of time doing the same things over and over:

Run from the police. Eat. Have vague random sex. Keep secrets. It was tedious. They don’t even “bond” for real until she transitions which was a hot mess. She goes full on change in the middle of the street. Then Syn fucks her in the back of the mobile clinic while Manny drives!

Also. Did we need an almost verbatim Twilight scene? “Say it” ... “Vampire” I was waiting for Syn to sparkle.

Jo. This bitch doesn’t find out she’s a half vamp until page 380/500!!! She doesn’t transition until page 450/500!!!

Syn: Ok here we go again... The Curious Case of Murhder, this time it’s Syn. JRW kept telling the fans how she needed a trigger warning for this book. Syn had such a horrible life and it was awful to write. Really? Did you accidentally delete that whole part of the story and forget? Just like the timeline is forgotten and Lyft’s are a thing even though it’s 2011?? in BDB land...

Ok so yeah Syn’s tiny flashbacks were weak. We were told his backstory was worse than Z and Vishous. Nope. It’s like JRW chickened out AGAIN. She did it with V and his kink, Murhder and his crazy, and Syn and his we-dont-know-why-his-eyes-glow-red. Syn even tried to tell V that he had a horrible father growing up.

🌟All the damn stars to Vishous🌟. He straight up tells Syn “Bloodletter, try again.”

One last WTH with Syn. Homeboy can’t get off but as soon as Jo becomes vamp he can blow his load? That’s like the virgin heroine rockin her mans world the first time she has sex.

Butch and Manny. They’ve known that they are brothers for at least two years more like three. They don’t act like they are really friends. But they are both HYPER ASS PROTECTIVE of Jo after meeting her for like five minutes?? Okkkkk. And after all this waiting to find out who their dad is we are told he died 10 years ago?!!!! WHAT?

Butch and Vishous. Butch has this “bad feeling” that V is the one the Omega wants to kill so V is forced to stay on lockdown at the mansion. Like he’s in time out with the babies. He’s not even allowed to go out for the final showdown when Butch has to take on the Omega. What?!

Scribe Virgin and Omega. What the hell are we even doing? Now they are twins? Like real brother and sister? First we are told that she will die when the Omega does, wrong. Then the Omega says “well V is my blood and your children were never to be harmed, I’m not that evil.” Ergo, V didn’t need to be on lockdown.

Devina. She started off good ol’ Devina. Violent and beautiful. Props for getting to Butch the way she did. But at the end of the book... WTF Ward?! The prophecy wasn’t fulfilled IMO. Remember that riddle we’ve all had to read over and over and scratch our head about, clearly it was a red herring. The Demon Queen became a soft marshmallow by the time she intervened. And that stupid ending with her and Lassiter. Whatever.

Wrath. Such a cornball scene. Just give the dude his eyesight back all ready.

SEX: sex in BDB isn’t the same. It’s vague. We were given graphic sex scenes back in the day. We know what each of the OG Brothers dicks looks, feels, and tastes like. Now we get more info about Jo’s socks than what Syn is doing to her. Smut is reduced to a lot of oral sex and finger banging but my definition is far more explicit than the acts in the books. Again, thank you Gallery Books.

Butch and Marissa had a perfect opportunity for a great blow job scene yet it was fade to black.

I know I’m missing some other stuff that bugged me. I was at least entertained with this book. Prob had to do with Butch and V having page time. Although I am pissed that JRW promised a shower scene, again nope. It’s so obvious Butch wants a piece of V. He’s constantly referring to his roommate at home and brings up V’s kinks whenever he can.

I will say I think Ward is shitting on her OG fans with her next HERO... Sahvage. WHY?! A forgotten Brother NO ONE HAS EVER SPOKE OF EVER IN ALL 24 books (including BDL). Why do we care? Why should we? There are so many others already in the world doing jack shit. Idk give Phury a real book and lets pop out Ahgony??? A time jump is ok. Maybe catch up to the out of place pop culture references?

[❤️ Dorsey aka Wrath Lover Reviews ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⚔️ 4 Hitman Stars!! ⚔️



This book is really reminiscent of JRW’s early BDB books and I couldn’t be more thrilled!! JRW said several times this book was pivotal to the series and it definitely is!

Syn is a fighter and assassin with the Band of Bastards who falls for pre-trans newspaper reporter Jo Early (who we’ve gotten snippets of in the last few books). Syn likes his job as a assassin and when he takes a hit job, his victim is none other than Jo who is investigating the gruesome death of a crime family member. Syn scents Jo as a pre trans and he spares her, now he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her. For the first time in his long life he feels something for a female.

Be Prepared for:

🖤 The Destroyer prophecy coming to it’s end with the Omega. There was a twist that totally caught me off guard....just wow! The ending sets up what’s to come in the next book Lover Unveiled (coming March 2021) in which JRW revealed she will be introducing a new female vampire!

🖤 The Scribe Virgin returns and we definitely see a different side to her!! Don’t despair our favorite fallen angel Lassiter still has his job.

🖤 The Brothers now have a new enemy.....Davina!! Those of you who read JRW’s Fallen Angels series know who she is. We get a shocking revelation about Davina....again wow!

🖤 Jo has familial ties within the BDB, which really is no big surprise if you’ve been reading the series.

We get plenty of V, Butch, Marissa, and naturally Lassiter (LOVE him!) it’s always nice catching up with some of our favorites and enjoying their banter. Their characters definitely have a pivotal role here. For those of you dislike multiple storylines you’ll be happy to know this book centers around Syn & Jo and the Destroyer & Omega finale...and that’s it! Two storylines!



I totally want to say more about the battle, Davina, The Scribe Virgin, and The Omega but I can’t without major spoilers! The Sinner is a great addition to the series, I throughly enjoyed my read.....now the countdown begins as we wait a whole year for the next BDB book.

However; don’t dispare we’ll be getting book one for her new spin-off series Black Dagger Brotherhood: Prison Camp. The first book is The Jackal featuring Rhage’s unknown to him half-brother this coming August!

Reread Dates:
3/14/2023

[Penny Well Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars.

I do love this series, but I miss what it was or what it could be.

The end of the war was very disappointing and anticlimactic. After so many books, I can't believe it ended so lamely. I am shocked and underwhelmed.

Very little romance time. I liked both main characters, Jo and Syn, but their relationship was kind of instant-love like and underdeveloped.
Syn's change was unwarranted, or at least not deep or substantiated enough. His backstory had potencial (although it felt a bit too reminiscent of past characters), but in the end his trauma was basically pointless regarding its effect on how their romantic relationship "evolved". Syn's character had previously hinted to darkness to come, perhaps more so than past characters' dark arcs, however that promised was left unfulfilled here, which to me, is a failure. More so since it was put together with Jo, a character that has appear several times in previos books, and as such, had unavoidable expectations build up for her future story. After so many books waiting to see what's her deal, we finally get her story, her own book, and yet Jo's arc tuns out being very plane and unremarkable, more like a line really, no arch whatsoever. In my opinion, as characters in the series go, she is going to be diluted in the whole, just like some other female characters that had no real oomph or notability had been. Also, since the time she was introduced many books back, I had trouble understanding the BDB general behavior towards her in comparison to how John's similar situation was handled (or even Butch's and Manello's). It seems not coherent to me, if not discriminatory.
Overall, the love story was nice enough but very superficial, brief and tame. Definitely, not enough time was put on the romance or main characters development, which was very disappointing.

Too many descriptions and other people's POVs. I liked V's and Butch's relationship bits, but Butch's screen-time took up way too much of the story, more than the main characters and romance, and after the last few books with so much Butch (I am including the BD Legacy series too), it has gotten tiresome. There are so many other characters in this universe that I miss and would love to hear more of, yet we seem to be circulating between the same few ones over and over again.

The Lesser's POV was pointless and boring. I get that it was the last ever, but the meat in it was not good or interesting enough to justify his prominence in the story, it was like an annoying filler to me, I admit I ended up skipping some of it. As good-byes go, it was a lackluster.

I never liked the Fallen Angel series, so I am worried about how this new Devina tie-in is going to work for the BDB series. Specially after seeing how she has being portrait in this book. I admit, in previos installments, as an entity within a magical dark book, she was really mysterious, intriguing and potentially exciting. Now, she feels unremarkable as the new main antagonist in the series. Lets hope it recovers some forcefulness in the future.

I am exited about the "wolven" word being thrown in there. Are we going to get a new series with werewolf in this universe at some point? Yes, please!

Overall, this book didn't quite work for me as a whole, however I am still a fan of this series, I do enjoy reading about the BDB characters, so I will continue to look forward to every new installment that comes out, only with less enthusiasm than before.

P.S: This series has to be read in order.

***

Black Dagger Brotherhood Series
BDB #0: Darius —> 3 stars ————— Darius
BDB #1: Dark Lover —> 4.5 stars ————— Wrath
BDB #2: Lover Eternal —> 4 stars ————— Rhage
BDB #3: Lover Awakened —> 5 stars ————— Zsadist
BDB #4: Lover Revealed —> 4 stars ————— Butch
BDB #5: Lover Unbound —> 4 stars ————— Vishous
BDB #6: Lover Enshrined —> 4 stars ————— Phury
BDB #6.5: Father Mine —> 3 stars ————— Zsadist
BDB #7: Lover Avenged —> 4 stars ————— Rehvenge
BDB #8: Lover Mine —> 5 stars ————— John
BDB #9: Lover Unleashed —> 3 stars ————— Payne
BDB #10: Lover Reborn —> 4 stars ————— Tohrment
BDB #11: Lover at Last —> 5 stars ————— Qhuinn & Blay
BDB #12: The King —> 3 stars ————— Wrath
BDB #13: The Shadows —> 4.5 stars ————— iAm/Trez
BDB #14: The Beast —> 4.5 stars ————— Rhage
BDB #15: The Chosen —> 4 stars ————— Xcor
BDB #15.5: Dearest Ivie —> 2 stars ————— Ivie & Silas
BDB #16: The Thief - 3 stars.
BDB #16.5: Prisoner of Night —> 3 stars ————— Ahmare & Duran
BDB #17: The Savior —> 4 stars ————— Murhder
BDB #17.5: Where Winter Finds You —> 3 stars ————— Trez
BDB #18: The Sinner —> 3.5 stars ————— Syn
BDB #18.5: A Warm Heart in Winter —> 3 Stars ————— Blay & Qhuinn
BDB #19: Lover Unveiled —> 2 Stars ————— Sahvage
BDB #20: Lover Arisen —> 1 Star ————— Balthazar
BDB #21: Lassiter —> 3 stars ————— Lassiter
BDB #22: The Beloved —> 3.5 Stars ————— Nalla & Nate

Black Dagger Legacy Series
Blood Kiss (Legacy #1) - 4 stars
Blood Vow (Legacy #2) - 4 stars
Blood Fury (Legacy #3)- 4 stars
Blood Truth (Legacy #4) - 3 stars

BDB: Prison Camp Series
The Jackal (Prison Camp #1) - 3.5 star.
The Wolf (Prison Camp #2) - 1 star.
The Viper (Prison Camp #3) - 3 stars.

Lair of the Wolves Series
Claimed (Lair of the Wolves #1) - 3.5 stars
Forever (Lair of the Wolves #2) - 1 star
Mine (Lair of the Wolves #3) - 1 star

[Hot Mess Sommelière ~ Caro · Rating 2 out of 5]

After 19 books, the Dhestroyer prophesy really should not have ended like this. And wow, the way Syn and Jo were interrupted every single chapter with Butch chapters, Devina chapters, lesser chapters, Omega chapters ... I mean c'mon. Really??? That way I was bound to just not give a shit anymore once I was half-way through.

Embarrassingly, the newly introduced Lesser, Mr. F, was the most sympathetic and well-developed character in the book.

[Olga Lis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am sorry but I absolutely hated this book with all myself.
This is not what I have been looking for at all. It was horrible the way she wrote Syn; him not caring about the other Bastards but Balthazar?? Where is his loyalty to Xcor?? Where is the Band of Bastards I so much loved? They were not mentioned at all, except in few moments but other than that? It's always about the love couple V+B and the other things around them.
I felt so terribly disappointed of how the storyline went, nothing mentioned about the BoB, but always about the same people. And at the end the fact that he doesnt give his loyalty anymore to Xcor?? Wtf is that??? Wtf is him leaving the only family he had and that was the BAND OF BASTARDS??? And Xcor not caring and not saying much about him leaving??? Are you f*cking kidding me???! This is not the Bastards I loved! This is not the Bastards I want to read! I am so damn angry at all this sh*t that I couldn't really focus on this stupid Destroyer story because honestly, I dont care! I don't care anymore if they all die or not honestly. I am over with the Bdb. Those were the mostly wasted money in my life.
And I loved this series. I loved it with all my heart. But of course Warden and her editors had to ruin it. Had to make in incoherent with the behaviours of the characters I loved, especially Xcor and the Bastards. It was amazing the fact that the Bastards had their loyalty to Xcor, but now with this book everything had to be changed OF COURSE. Because the hungry fanatics want always the same people around! : Wrath, V and Butch!

[Reads & Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's always something a little magical when I crack open a new book in JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Recently we've been blessed with extra little peeks into Caldwell and the BDB with the Legacy books and a sweet bonus book at Christmas. But there's nothing better than 500 pages of solid BDB time.

Anyone that's stayed current knows that The Sinner is the book where the war with the Omega and the Lessening Society comes to a head. It’s also brings to the forefront one of the Band of Bastards, Syn, and a character that’s been on the periphery for quite a while, Jo Early. Jo’s family history has been the source of endless conversations between BDB fans and the payoff in The Sinner for them is one of the things that I loved about the book. We also know that Butch-The Dhestroyer-is the key to taking down the Omega. And, in case you’re thinking the title is self-explanatory, you’ll find that it’s much bigger than one character, with a handful of people taking center stage, making the book (for me) more an Urban Fantasy novel rather than pure paranormal romance-which I’ve always loved about this series.

Butch's story arc has been racing towards its end for a while. He's been around a lot lately, featuring prominently in a couple of the Legacy books. He's my favorite character, so no complaints from me. I loved his banter with V and, more importantly, how easy it was for him to express how much he loves his BFF. That really stood out in The Sinner because Butch, who knows he’s vital to destroying the Omega, is in the dark on how his confrontation with the with the Scribe Virgin’s evil twin will play out. I loved seeing him so emotionally vulnerable as it's such a contradiction when compared with his strong, warrior persona.

Jo Early barged right in and became my favorite female character. It's so weird when we consider that chronologically Jo is just a few years younger than Beth. With their shared background-given away at birth, journalism, isolation from most people-you’d think they’d be so similar. But Ward introduced us to Beth over 15 years ago and, naturally, she's a representation of that time. Since then, women have really risen up and confronted the misogyny that we face day to day. Jo is written with that in mind, in a subtle way, leaving me cheering for her on every time she took a male to task. She’s strong, funny, and sure of herself. I loved everything about her.

Then, we have Syn. We last saw him in Blood Truth and he scared the bejesus out of lots of people. I didn't find him as scary in The Sinner, which is good because he’s meant to be the romantic "hero". We get a brief look into his formative years (compared to others like Xcor and Zsadist whose backstory filled the pages of their books), and some understanding of who Syn is. While Jo was wonderfully written, Syn felt a little underdeveloped for me. There are things about him that didn't feel fully explained, which left me with questions. That said, I loved his romance with Jo and how his love for her made him take a hard look at how he was living his life.

Sharing the pages of The Sinner are two other characters: the woman who lured Throe into the “book” in The Savior (I won’t give her name in case you don’t know) and Mr. F, a newly inducted Lesser. Surprisingly, Mr. F’s POV stands out as a unique voice compared to the other Lessers we’ve heard from in the past. He shows readers what it’s like to be a new inductee, unsure of his role after the abusive initiation ceremony. I thought that was a brilliant way to end wrap up the Lessers role in the series. As for the “woman”, she’s a welcome new adversary, bringing a touch of humanity and vulnerability to her evilness.


As for the overall story it's a welcome addition to the series and a turning point. The romance arc was much sweeter than I expected and totally realistic in the BDB world (quick bonding, etc.). There's an incredibly slow build up of the overall plot - which I think is Ward’s signature - but it doesn’t work as well in The Sinner compared to other books in the series. There were parts of the story that dragged and while I didn’t skip over anything, it frequently took me out of the book. Questions we've all had for a while are answered without too much fanfare and, the like many of the recent books in the series, the ending is explosive and, for me, quite surprising. I loved getting to know the Band of Bastards a little more and I’m definitely stoked to see where the series goes from here.

Thank you to Gallery Books for an advanced copy in exchange for honest feedback.

[Alba Turunen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Estrellitas. ¡Vaya sorpresita ha traído éste libro! Ha tardado en aparecer, pero las 4 estrellitas van por el giro que se ha hecho Ward en la trama.

Digamos que éste libro cierra una parte de la serie para abrir otra, y no, no era como me esperaba. Creí que ésa parte se cerró en el libro de Xcor, pero Ward nos ha traído otras sorpresitas en las siguientes novelas.

En éste caso, "The Sinner" nos trae la historia de Syn, miembro de la Banda de Bastardos de Xcor, un macho oscuro, solitario y antisocial. Su protagonista femenina será Jo Early, la periodista humana, amante de lo paranormal, que ha estado acercándose muy mucho al mundo de la Hermandad en los últimos libros, debido a que en realidad es mestiza y próxima a su transición.

Syn no solo cumple su deber luchando contra los restrictores, si no que también acepta trabajos propios de mercenarios en el mundo humano. Cuando una banda mafiosa tiene a Jo en su punto de mira y estos le mandan eliminarla, Syn irá presto a cumplir su encargo, pero conocer a la hembra que resulta ser su compañera, hará que todo en lo que piensa o cree Syn se tambalee.

Jo lleva un tiempo sintiéndose enferma, pero no puede dejar que su malestar le impida hacer su trabajo, y menos la aparición de un hombre increíblemente sexy que la hace sentir querida y protegida. Jo no sólo tiene su trabajo, si no una misión, encontrar a sus padres verdaderos y conocer al que parece ser su hermano: Manuel Manello.

Vale, hasta aquí la trama general del libro, que ha sido muy, muy interesante. Pero si le bajo la estrellita es porque Ward no se ha centrado al 100% en la pareja principal, y sí ha traído de nuevo aburridos capítulos de los restrictores.

En éste libro, Ward dará una vuelta de tuerca a la trama general de la serie, tendremos en el punto de mira al Omega y la Virgen Escribana, nos resucitará también a la odiosa demonio Devina (eso sí que no te lo perdono Ward, pese a que no sé muy bien lo que tramas con ella), el papel de Butch será fundamental en la trama y Lassiter pasará a tener mayor protagonismo en el futuro.

Como otras veces, Ward ha condensado los mejores capítulos y escenas al final del libro, hasta el punto de que te enganchas a leer y no puedes parar. Cuando quiere, Ward lo hace muy bien. El romance de Jo y Syn me ha gustado mucho, muy del estilo de todas las historias románticas de Ward, y me encanta, realmente me encanta cómo ha acabado todo.

Finalizando ésta crítica, diré que Ward ha terminado aquí una era de ésta serie, para abrir otra que presiento, traerá muchas sorpresas. Realmente he quedado encantada y espero no tardar en seguir leyéndola.

[Cássia Bezerra Santos · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was very tedious. After 18 years I expected a great battle, something unexpected to end this phase ... but in the end it was very predictable and boring.

And the romance ... It's always the same story: violent and sad male meets young lady, they fall in love in 1 day, they have sex, she finds out something bad about him, they fight, she finds out the truth, they make up, happy ending.

This is LITERALLY the plot of the series, except for some books.

I love the author, but I already know how the novel will be written and I honestly lost interest in the series.

[Bok · Rating 1 out of 5]

Based on the title and the synopsis you thought that this book was about Syn and Jo?
Well you're wrong...

Syn and Jo are indeed the couple of the story but there is no character development. We don't spend enough time with them for that. And because of that, I also wasn't able to get attached to them. They weren't bad but I just didn't care. I also didn't feel their chemistry.

For me the real couple of this book were Vishous and Butch. You can really feel the frustation of the author that she wasn't able to make them a couple in their books. They have a lot of scenes in this book and in every one of them you have a reminder of how much they love each other, they are a part of each other, they need each other...This is pointless. If she really want them to end up together OK but she is not gonna do that so it really felt like a waste of time.

The ending was really disappointing. I really think this is storytelling 101. Don't bring a new character (Devina) that ends a war that has been going on for 20 books. I know some of the readers know her but I didn't read the other series so I really felt it was a lack of respect for all the fans of this series.

I was a fan of these books so I tried to hang on to it but the last few books were disappointing for me, or just forgettable.

[Rachael*Caribbean*girl*bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

spoilers ahead, 3.5*


Huh it was ok I guess? To be honest I've lost my enthusiasm for this series and I'm only holding on till the end
We get a new big bad in the form of Devina who seems more powerful than the Omega
Jo and Syn were ok but it actually took till almost the end of the book for them to officially get together and then it was a rush to I love you and Jo's transition
Where was Xcor in this? Isn't Syn one of his? I'd expected more interaction between him and his leader
I love Butch's reaction to who he thought was Mel! Completely loyal to his shellan!
The V/Butch bromance continues to be a hit

All in all not a favorite but even a bad Ward is usually pretty ok so I'll take it as a win

[Book Nerd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly I wasn't expecting much given the last few books in this series have disappointed me. In the end the book was decent but nothing special.

The romance: As usual with Ward lately it was just insta-love. She had the opportunity to do a real slow burn with these characters especially when they literally just met in this book, but no, despite Syn's evilness he falls head over heels in love with Jo the second he meets her. I'm not going to lie, the romance was cute at times but not what I expected. Is someone who spent hundreds of years killing females really going to magically fall in love two seconds after meeting someone?

The characters: I swear I can't differentiate between her characters anymore, they all speak exactly the same. The Bastards always spoke in an old-fashioned dialect, not anymore they don't, they now sound exactly like the Brothers. Her characters are just copies of one another at this point. Jo was likeable if not particularly memorable. I actually found her really annoying in The Beast, so I'm happy to say I liked her here. As for Syn, he's supposed to be this evil, messed up guy but the second he meets Jo, he turns into a pussycat. What the hell? Where was the character development? The redemption arc? The characters seemed so one-dimensional. Remember Xcor and Z? Huge effort was put into their character development. She didn't even bother here, she just did a complete 180 and contradicted the way she previously built up his character.

The backstory: So Syn is supposed to have had this really tragic past, but J R Ward basically glossed over all of it. It was alluded to at best. Again, compared to Z, V, Xcor, there was no effort put into it at all. I know Ward was talking about using trigger warnings. I really wish she had instead of watering it down. I expected to get some explanation on how Syn ended up evil or how he ended up in the war camp, no such luck. Virtually no scenes of his past at all.

The villain: I think the Dhestroyer Prophecy tied up too neatly and easily. It didn't need to be dragged out for so long. We waited 18 books for this and in the end it fell completely flat. The way Ward wrote the plot, the whole concept of the Dhestroyer Prophecy was made redundant. Seriously, it was pointless. If you're expecting loads of fighting and battles with the Brotherhood against the Lessers and for Butch to complete the Prophecy, you're going to be sorely disappointed. It couldn't have been more anti-climatic if she tried. I think the way the Omega was dealt with made absolutely no sense and was completely contrived. I actually found the scenes at the end of this book with Devina really cheesy. She comes across as some kind of cartoon villain rather than someone I can take seriously. Her interaction with Butch and Lassiter was just ridiculous. I expected a lot more input from other Brothers and the Bastards when it came to the end result and we really didn't get that. It became too centred on Butch and V as usual. Not enough urban fantasy aspects in my eyes.

The other characters: Just the usual Butch, V and the odd appearance from Tohr and Qhuinn. Other characters like Z and Phury never seem to get a look in anymore. As for the Bastards, she's completely ruined them for me. They're supposed to be these badass warriors, now they just come across as cheesy and like some sort of big boy's club. I actually feel like she's castrated all her males. Like I said earlier, they sound nothing like the Bastards, their way of speaking having been completely changed out of the blue. I was also expecting to see Xcor in this book and more interaction between Syn and the others which we didn't get. Jo is also the only female character in this book with any real role which is kind of sad.

The whole thing just came across as cheesy. Syn can't ejaculate but guess what? As soon as he's with Jo, he can. Apparently his body was subconsciously waiting for his mate before he could cum. Like I said, very cheesy. She manages to give the guy a personality transplant. Evil to good in the blink of an eye. Again, no explanation. What is Syn? Why do his eyes glow red? What's his real name? None of these questions were answered. The book felt pretty half-arsed and the overall series plot seems to be virtually non-existent these days.

Also, I'm sick and tired of all the continuity errors lately. Ward specifically said, I believe in The King, that L.W. would have vivid green eyes, in this book his eyes are ice green. We were told in Blood Truth that Syn developed his issues because of physical trauma from his father hitting him. In this book she basically tells us that Syn's behaviour is genetic, his father behaved the same way. Which is it Ward? And what is his father? Syn's also gone from having black eyes to having pale irises.

Look, it's a decent book if you just want a cutesy love story. If you want a book with some depth to it, look elsewhere. She had the opportunity for some amazing character development and a really tragic backstory and like with the previous book The Savior, she chickened out of it. Her stories feel really shallow lately. Too much filler and not enough story. No build-up for the next books either, it's seriously like reading a bunch of standalones at this point. I'm sure the next book will be more of the same: flat characters and insta-love. I don't think she has a clue where the story is headed lately and she can't even get basic facts about her characters right anymore. If you've read one you've read them all.

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐'s

“You make me want to be a hero, not a sinner.”

Being an up-to-date reader of the BDB series, I always have that feeling of jumping right into things and not missing a beat. I love that and this book is no exception.

Since Jo came on the scene, I've been interested in her and curious to see if she will make the transition. She really reminds me of Beth...and that's a good thing.

I really didn't know too much about Syn besides he was from the Band of Bastards. I was happily surprised that his character fits into one of my favorite molds, the smitten lover...and boy, is he smitten.

It was a bit hard (as it always is) to read what he went through. What is it with these warrior types being so abused? It's almost a prerequisite! Syn's story takes things to the next level as he has a talhman to deal with.

Unfortunately, Syn and Jo's story is not the only thing going on. We have the whole Lesser saga still rolling along although this time, things have really degenerated. I was as shocked about the Lessers as I was the Omega.

There's also a new person involved. And...you probably have a good idea if you read the last book and read some of the Fallen Angel books. I didn't have a problem with the person being in the story as I was prepared and maybe because I didn't finish all the Fallen Angel books? Either way, I am more curious about this person and even ~sort of~ liked this person in the book. It certainly does help fill the now void. (And the scene at the end was especially yummy!)

I was happy to have a lot of the characters make brief appearances although I (as always) miss JM. (And whatever in the hell happened with Lash?)

We do get quite a lot of Butch which was understandable and I (again - as always) love the scenes with him and V. The Sweet Caroline scene was awesome!

The tearjerker scene goes to Wrath. OMG - how could you not at least tear up? That was amazing!! All the heartstrings!

Not everything was perfect but I think J.R. Ward pulled a good one out of her hat with this one. Next up is Lover Unveiled, Sahvage's book (no release date yet but probably Aprilish 2021)...and again, I have no clue. He wasn't even mentioned in this book! But OMG - I soooo want a book for Balthazar!!

[Mamacita aka MawMaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

On rereading, I loved it but it didn't leave the 1st impression. I loved the ending tho. Especially between the SV & Wrath along with Lassiter & Devina! Those were priceless. That scene with Butch & V was still Priceless!

Original review... Wow. Wow. Wow!





As far as reveals go...



Man, OH, Man! By the way some things were wrapped up in this book were very unexpected. We have a *New~ish character.





There were some very tender moments... Between Marissa & Butch, between Syn & Jo.



Ms. Ward stated that she wanted this book to get back to old school BDB. Well, I wouldn't go that far, but this book was a fabulous start back & is definitely closer back than she's been for awhile! So I say,







Don't Miss This One!!!

[Laura Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

First 30 % boring. Lots of lessor parts which I hate. Also have crossover from angels series which I read first book of and hated. It picked up then and Syn and Jo parts were ok but not great. This felt written by a ghostwriter again. Not worth the 14$. The Butch destroyer ending was anticlimactic and now looks like the demon Devina is either getting a redemption arc or is our new villain. Who knows 🤷‍♀️

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 "Balance" Stars!

This was good. Surprisingly sentimental. Can't wait to see what's next with the series. Happy reading!

[crίѕтίŋα•●Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ●• · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

“It was never healthy to want someone so badly that you forgot they were a stranger.”
- Josephine Early

* * *
“I am a protector.”
- Syn

* * *
“You haven’t looked into the eyes of someone who is going to kill you solely because you are not like them. Because you do not believe the same things they do. Because you are living a different kind of life. Wartime is not the same as peacetime.”
- Syn

* * *
“You’re worthy of love. You deserve to be respected and cherished, and to get that, you don’t need to be anything different than you are. You have been created for a reason. You’re here for a reason. You have a purpose, and you have to believe that you’ll find someone who will help you in that purpose. And until that happens? All you really need to know is that you don’t have to be validated by anybody but yourself. You are enough.”
- Butch

* * *
“What I do is not for sport. It is my nature to destroy.”
- Omega