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Listening Length: 11 hours, 9 minutes
In this newest Prison Camp installment, #1 New York Times bestselling author J. R. Ward pens a heart-wrenching tale of love and betrayal in the Black Dagger Brotherhood world…
Framed for the grisly murder of his shellan, Kane is condemned to the notorious prison camp—unaware of the dark truth behind his arranged mating. Centuries later, when he is horribly burned while attempting to save others, he prays he’ll finally be reunited in the Fade with his mate…not knowing what revelations await him.
Nadya is a self-taught nurse who does what she can to ease the suffering of the prisoners. When Kane comes under her care, she cannot help but empathize with his condition for very personal reasons—and as the guards take him away one last time, she fears he is facing a terrible death.
After a daring rescue, Kane is offered a treatment that will change his very nature. Choosing life, for the time being, he goes back for the female who took such good care of him—but his duty to Nadya sets him on a collision course with his own past. When long-buried secrets are exposed, his self-destruction is inevitable…unless true love can save his soul.
In this newest Prison Camp installment, #1 New York Times bestselling author J. R. Ward pens a heart-wrenching tale of love and betrayal in the Black Dagger Brotherhood world…
Framed for the grisly murder of his shellan, Kane is condemned to the notorious prison camp—unaware of the dark truth behind his arranged mating. Centuries later, when he is horribly burned while attempting to save others, he prays he’ll finally be reunited in the Fade with his mate…not knowing what revelations await him.
Nadya is a self-taught nurse who does what she can to ease the suffering of the prisoners. When Kane comes under her care, she cannot help but empathize with his condition for very personal reasons—and as the guards take him away one last time, she fears he is facing a terrible death.
After a daring rescue, Kane is offered a treatment that will change his very nature. Choosing life, for the time being, he goes back for the female who took such good care of him—but his duty to Nadya sets him on a collision course with his own past. When long-buried secrets are exposed, his self-destruction is inevitable…unless true love can save his soul.
12 pages, Audiobook
First published September 20, 2022
676 people are currently reading
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About the author
J.R. Ward
221 books52.5k followersJ.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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 451 reviews
November 9, 2022
Epic!
I love the Black Dagger Brotherhood and the spin off series' that portray the Caldwell 'goings on while delivering a different scenario.
The Prison Camp has introduced new characters and given me more thoughts to chew on... I'm not going to deny that this book has left me with questions and I'm hoping they are going to be answered in coming books!
I love this world, I love the characters and I love J. R. Ward and her creative imagination ❤️
I love the Black Dagger Brotherhood and the spin off series' that portray the Caldwell 'goings on while delivering a different scenario.
The Prison Camp has introduced new characters and given me more thoughts to chew on... I'm not going to deny that this book has left me with questions and I'm hoping they are going to be answered in coming books!
I love this world, I love the characters and I love J. R. Ward and her creative imagination ❤️
October 3, 2022
Originally posted at:
Overall this novel was fantastic but there's one quite big detail that left a bad taste in my mouth. Therefore what should have been a 5 star read is going to be pulled down to 3 stars.
I'll start off with what I liked: Kane and Nadya's stories were heartbreaking. I wanted them to be happy for once in their landmine of a life. No one should have to be put through all that sh*t.
I loved finally seeing the Black Dagger Brotherhood get in on the action. I can already see the possibilities for possible storylines with them in it!
I very much want Apex to get his story! Callum just has to make it through! It was such a sweet start to a possible relationship!
Now onto what I had an issue with: Nadya's transformation. This is going to be spoilery.
Overall this novel was fantastic but there's one quite big detail that left a bad taste in my mouth. Therefore what should have been a 5 star read is going to be pulled down to 3 stars.
I'll start off with what I liked: Kane and Nadya's stories were heartbreaking. I wanted them to be happy for once in their landmine of a life. No one should have to be put through all that sh*t.
I loved finally seeing the Black Dagger Brotherhood get in on the action. I can already see the possibilities for possible storylines with them in it!
I very much want Apex to get his story! Callum just has to make it through! It was such a sweet start to a possible relationship!
Now onto what I had an issue with: Nadya's transformation. This is going to be spoilery.
September 17, 2022
Great story! Ward is a force of nature with her mad writing skills
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have to say ashamedly, I know I have missed a few books in the series. Normally it does not matter as once you have consumed enough of the Black Dagger Brotherhood books, you understand the flow and get to know the characters.
This book is a related series of the Prison Camp that also includes some of the original clans. But I have to say, I was missing more of the focus on the main BDB characters. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed this story and was easily engaged, but I really missed the deeper connection to the Brotherhood.
This book is full of intense connections and emotions. From evil to lightness and love, we get it all. From gross and raw imagery to hot scenes that reek of testosterone, it is hard not to get attached to the story. (small but hot scene w. m-m)
The characters are complex and incredibly detailed. They are interesting and exciting with vampires, wolven, and humans involved. Ward seemingly writes with a paintbrush as she details scenes and truly paints the picture in your head.
The Viper is a story you will not soon forget with its imagery and raw descriptions. It ends with a baby cliffy that leads into whatever is coming next. So Good!
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-viper-by...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have to say ashamedly, I know I have missed a few books in the series. Normally it does not matter as once you have consumed enough of the Black Dagger Brotherhood books, you understand the flow and get to know the characters.
This book is a related series of the Prison Camp that also includes some of the original clans. But I have to say, I was missing more of the focus on the main BDB characters. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed this story and was easily engaged, but I really missed the deeper connection to the Brotherhood.
This book is full of intense connections and emotions. From evil to lightness and love, we get it all. From gross and raw imagery to hot scenes that reek of testosterone, it is hard not to get attached to the story. (small but hot scene w. m-m)
The characters are complex and incredibly detailed. They are interesting and exciting with vampires, wolven, and humans involved. Ward seemingly writes with a paintbrush as she details scenes and truly paints the picture in your head.
The Viper is a story you will not soon forget with its imagery and raw descriptions. It ends with a baby cliffy that leads into whatever is coming next. So Good!
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-viper-by...
September 21, 2022
I keep trying to read random new Ward books but they keep being just slightly entertaining. For some reason V keeps appearing in random unknown characters stories but doesn’t add much, and the romance is never well developed. I think I need to keep my Lassiter expectations really low.
September 30, 2022
3.5 stars. In previous books, Kane and Nadya were interesting side characters. And somehow they still feel like side characters even after reading The Viper. I just couldn't connect with them as individuals and certainly not as a couple. Maybe it was the long break between The Wolf and The Viper, but I didn't have any momentum for their love story. Now Apex and Callum, that's a whole other ball of wax. I wanted more of that plot. In fact, I skimmed stuff dealing with Kane and Nadya to get back to Apex and Callum. I agree with other reviewers, though, who noted Callum's end point in this book is repetitive of prior plotlines and felt unnecessary. I like how Ward is intertwining BDB and Prison Camp and the Wolven books, but I'd like to see some of the other brothers make an appearance. She seems fixated on V. How about a Zsadist cameo? I mean, wouldn't it make sense to take the Brother held in captivity for hundreds of years to help free the prisoners? Or maybe Xcor and his guys since they're pretty good at dealing with harsh conditions? Also, why did Kane's venom kill literally everyone except Nadya? He just hugs her and she's good? Not just good, but healed? I get this is paranormal, but that just seemed like lazy writing. Although maybe I missed it because...skimming. Overall, this book just wasn't great. In fact, I didn't think The Wolf was that great. I am, however, excited for the next book the Wolven series because Claimed felt like old-school Ward with fully formed characters and plot. This felt a bit phoned in, almost like she cut a deal with her publisher for 3 Prison Camp books and had to deliver on a deadline.
September 20, 2022
The Viper was amazing! There was an incredible build as the story unfolded, histories were learned, and details came to life. I loved all the drama and action and the truly remarkable characters. It was intense and entertaining all rolled into one. Exceptional read!
Kane and Nadya were fantastic. I loved the bond they had and how their connection grew into so much more. My heart hurt for them as I learned their history and all they had endured. Kane was wonderful and I loved his transformation over the course of the story. Nadya was a force and so much stronger than she seemed, I loved her. These two had a sweet, slow-burn romance happening under extreme conditions and I loved the development as they came together. I also loved how the title of the book came into play, all that was revealed, and what that meant for Kane and for Nadya as well.
I loved the story happening with Apex. He seemed to be this hard vampire and I loved seeing who he truly was and what secrets he had. I’m digging Mayhem, he's still a bit of a mystery to me and I am hoping he gets his own story somewhere in the BDB world. I was thrilled that Lucan had a good part in this and more of his story was shared as well. There were so many great moments with so many different characters, it filled me up. From the prison camp to new characters, to ones I already loved, it was just super fulfilling for me. In true J. R. Ward style, there were several stories happening with multiple POVs and I thought it flowed well. I was always looking forward to who I would hear from next.
There was so much happening the entire time and I was excited while reading. It was thrilling! I loved learning all the meaty details of the backstories, different connections, and how everything was woven together. There were twists and turns along the way and revelations that made this a totally addicting read. There was so much drama and action throughout, I was loving the fight scenes and intensity and having it all build into a stellar ending, which was everything I could have wanted.
I am really hoping there will be more books in the Prison Camp series and I am eagerly awaiting to see what will be next. There was definite closure in The Viper for Kane and Nadya and there’s everything that transpired at the end, but there is still a lot to look forward to with other characters with the way certain things were left as well as what’s happening with the prison camp, the possibilities are endless. Bring on Apex, bring on Mayhem. I need more!
Complimentary copy received.
Kane and Nadya were fantastic. I loved the bond they had and how their connection grew into so much more. My heart hurt for them as I learned their history and all they had endured. Kane was wonderful and I loved his transformation over the course of the story. Nadya was a force and so much stronger than she seemed, I loved her. These two had a sweet, slow-burn romance happening under extreme conditions and I loved the development as they came together. I also loved how the title of the book came into play, all that was revealed, and what that meant for Kane and for Nadya as well.
I loved the story happening with Apex. He seemed to be this hard vampire and I loved seeing who he truly was and what secrets he had. I’m digging Mayhem, he's still a bit of a mystery to me and I am hoping he gets his own story somewhere in the BDB world. I was thrilled that Lucan had a good part in this and more of his story was shared as well. There were so many great moments with so many different characters, it filled me up. From the prison camp to new characters, to ones I already loved, it was just super fulfilling for me. In true J. R. Ward style, there were several stories happening with multiple POVs and I thought it flowed well. I was always looking forward to who I would hear from next.
There was so much happening the entire time and I was excited while reading. It was thrilling! I loved learning all the meaty details of the backstories, different connections, and how everything was woven together. There were twists and turns along the way and revelations that made this a totally addicting read. There was so much drama and action throughout, I was loving the fight scenes and intensity and having it all build into a stellar ending, which was everything I could have wanted.
I am really hoping there will be more books in the Prison Camp series and I am eagerly awaiting to see what will be next. There was definite closure in The Viper for Kane and Nadya and there’s everything that transpired at the end, but there is still a lot to look forward to with other characters with the way certain things were left as well as what’s happening with the prison camp, the possibilities are endless. Bring on Apex, bring on Mayhem. I need more!
Complimentary copy received.
October 1, 2022
Listen. I’ve been an OG JR Ward fan. I discovered her back in like 2005 when the only books published were Dark Lover and Lover Eternal. It’s not that I’ve loved everything she’s ever written. There have been books that haven’t been to my liking. Lover Unleashed fell short for me, the Shadows ending really pissed me off, couldn’t really connect to the main characters of The Thief, and the last 3 novels of the fallen angels were rough to read. But lately it feels like the BDB books are being overtaken by the world building and there’s not enough characters. I feel like this happened in Lover Unveiled and Arisen. Same as for all the Prison Camp books. Kane and Nadya have no chemistry, and Nadya has no personality. The only reason I’m giving this two stars instead of one is for Apex and Callum. Who probably had more page space and legit chemistry than the actual main characters. It just feels like the Warden is more focused on the world building and has lost sight of the couples and the romance, which is the reason I read her books in the first place. For her character driven stories, but she seems to have lost that and I don’t like it.
September 20, 2022
MEDIOCRE
February 6, 2023
Loved this addition to the Prison Camp spinoff! There was a really short bit of dialogue that made me legit LOL. Not the main characters, but a snippet with Rhage (I love seeing OG characters) where he asks V if he's watched Mr. Beast on YouTube and for some reason it hit so funny. I have a kid who watches that channel and for Rhage to say it was SO on brand for him. I really, really LOVE the scenes in V's POV as well. This book kicked ass!
July 9, 2023
4 Estrellitas. Una sorpresita de novela, lo cierto es que la Ward se está currando la serie del Campamento de Prisioneros.
En ésta tercera entrega tenemos la historia de Kane y Nadya. Mientras Kane fue herido de gravedad en The Jackal, para que éste y Nix pudieran escapar, Kane quedó totalmente quemado y moribundo, más muerto que vivo. Ninguno de sus compañeros, Lucan, Apex o Mayhem lo dejaron atrás.
Una vez desarticulada la prisión de la glymera, los líderes de la prisión crearon un laboratorio y venta de drogas en las ruinas de un hospital de tuberculosos. Allí es donde se desarrolló el segundo libro, The Wolf, y donde conocimos a Nadya, una misteriosa enfermera vampira que oculta su cuerpo, rostro y cojera bajo una túnica. Pero fue la paciencia y perseverancia de Nadya, lo que hizo que Kane nunca olvidara a su enfermera.
Cuando por fin el grupo de amigos puede escapar de la prisión, se llevan a un moribundo Kane con ellos. Llegarán al campamento de lobos, parientes de Lucan, y allí una mística llamada el Lobo Gris, le ofrecerá un trato a Kane, lo dejará descansar para siempre o lo convertirá en otra cosa, dándole una segunda vida. Kane está dispuesto a descansar eternamente, solo hay un problema, y es que no puede dejar atrás a Nadya, en ése nido de odio e infamia en que se convirtió el Campamento de Prisioneros.
Así es como Kane se convertirá en la Víbora, recuperará su cuerpo y partirá de nuevo hacia el hospital abandonado, para rescatar a Nadya.
El libro ha tenido todo lo que me gusta de Ward, una buena relación, sus buenas dosis de acción, y unas historias secundarias que no se han hecho pesadas. Ésta vez, hasta nos ha dejado ver un poquito el principio de un romance homosexual entre uno de los vampiros y uno de los lobos.
Por supuesto, también habrá capítulos de la Hermandad, protagonizados enteramente por Vishous, en su búsqueda por hallar el Campamento de Prisioneros, el último resquicio de poder de la glymera.
El romance me ha gustado y mucho, Kane y Nadya se conocen en sus peores circunstancias y nada los impide enamorarse el uno del otro, incluso con todas sus imperfecciones. Y aunque no es un libro largo y tampoco ha profundizado demasiado en el romance principal, me ha resultado de lo más convincente, y me alegro de que la autora les haya dado una historia preciosa. Ambos personajes estaban muy heridos y necesitaban su oportunidad.
Me ha gustado mucho y me ha dejado con las ganas de conocer los siguientes libros de esta serie, y su unión con la Hermandad de la Daga Negra. De momento, seguiré leyendo hasta llegar a Lassiter, libro del que tengo unas expectativas muy altas.
En ésta tercera entrega tenemos la historia de Kane y Nadya. Mientras Kane fue herido de gravedad en The Jackal, para que éste y Nix pudieran escapar, Kane quedó totalmente quemado y moribundo, más muerto que vivo. Ninguno de sus compañeros, Lucan, Apex o Mayhem lo dejaron atrás.
Una vez desarticulada la prisión de la glymera, los líderes de la prisión crearon un laboratorio y venta de drogas en las ruinas de un hospital de tuberculosos. Allí es donde se desarrolló el segundo libro, The Wolf, y donde conocimos a Nadya, una misteriosa enfermera vampira que oculta su cuerpo, rostro y cojera bajo una túnica. Pero fue la paciencia y perseverancia de Nadya, lo que hizo que Kane nunca olvidara a su enfermera.
Cuando por fin el grupo de amigos puede escapar de la prisión, se llevan a un moribundo Kane con ellos. Llegarán al campamento de lobos, parientes de Lucan, y allí una mística llamada el Lobo Gris, le ofrecerá un trato a Kane, lo dejará descansar para siempre o lo convertirá en otra cosa, dándole una segunda vida. Kane está dispuesto a descansar eternamente, solo hay un problema, y es que no puede dejar atrás a Nadya, en ése nido de odio e infamia en que se convirtió el Campamento de Prisioneros.
Así es como Kane se convertirá en la Víbora, recuperará su cuerpo y partirá de nuevo hacia el hospital abandonado, para rescatar a Nadya.
El libro ha tenido todo lo que me gusta de Ward, una buena relación, sus buenas dosis de acción, y unas historias secundarias que no se han hecho pesadas. Ésta vez, hasta nos ha dejado ver un poquito el principio de un romance homosexual entre uno de los vampiros y uno de los lobos.
Por supuesto, también habrá capítulos de la Hermandad, protagonizados enteramente por Vishous, en su búsqueda por hallar el Campamento de Prisioneros, el último resquicio de poder de la glymera.
El romance me ha gustado y mucho, Kane y Nadya se conocen en sus peores circunstancias y nada los impide enamorarse el uno del otro, incluso con todas sus imperfecciones. Y aunque no es un libro largo y tampoco ha profundizado demasiado en el romance principal, me ha resultado de lo más convincente, y me alegro de que la autora les haya dado una historia preciosa. Ambos personajes estaban muy heridos y necesitaban su oportunidad.
Me ha gustado mucho y me ha dejado con las ganas de conocer los siguientes libros de esta serie, y su unión con la Hermandad de la Daga Negra. De momento, seguiré leyendo hasta llegar a Lassiter, libro del que tengo unas expectativas muy altas.
November 12, 2022
Review provided by The Hope Chest Reviews
"4.5 stars" The Viper is the third book in J. R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood: Prison Camp series, a spin-off of the main BDB series that follows the inhabitants of a prison that was formed by the glymera centuries ago. Many of the prisoners were sent there unjustly for crimes they didn’t commit or were given harsh sentences for minor infractions that were offensive to the glymera. This latest book is about Kane who I thought was probably dead after he took off his explosive collar and detonated it in an effort to allow The Jackal time to escape in the first book. However, we found out near the end of the previous book that he had indeed survived but was so badly burned that he likely wouldn’t live. In this story, his buddies Apex and Mayhem escape with Kane and end up in wolven territory, where Kane is offered a new lease on life by a mystical female known only as the Gray Wolf. A part of Kane simply wants to go unto the Fade to join his beloved shellan who preceded him in death, but he can’t quite forget the female nurse who was so kind to him in the prison camp’s infirmary. Nadya was a beacon of light to him through the horrible pain of his injuries. He can’t quite bring himself to leave her there unprotected, so he agrees to accept the Gray Wolf’s gift in order to save her. The new powers he receives allow him to return to the camp and successfully get Nadya out, and as they hide out from the prison guards, they start to grow closer. However, because of this new part of himself that he doesn’t fully understand yet, he accidentally poisons Nadya when he tries to feed her, leading him on a quest back up the mountain in search of the Gray Wolf, hoping the female will be able to heal her. But when the prison guards track them, the lives of all the prison escapees and their new wolven allies are endangered, and even if they can survive the attack, Kane still feels it’s his duty to ahvenge his dead shellan’s murder, which could put a damper on his burgeoning relationship with Nadya.
Kane was an aristocrat who agreed to an arranged mating to a female he’d never met. He fell in love with his new shellan at first sight and reveled in how well he thought everything was going between them, never really questioning his good fortune. Then one night, he was drugged and awakened to find his shellan brutally murdered. He was accused of the crime by her family and sent to the prison camp where he’s been for the past two hundred years. Like I mentioned before, I thought Kane had died at the end of The Jackal, which made me sad, as he was one of my favorite characters in that book. When I found out at the end of The Wolf that he was still alive, I was excited, hoping that he would survive his injuries so that I could learn more about him and see where his story might lead. When The Viper opens, he’s still mortally wounded and near death’s door when his friends break him out of prison. After meeting up with Lucan and Rio and some of Lucan’s wolven kin, they all end up on the mountain the wolven inhabit where it appears Kane’s only hope of survival is the mysterious Gray Wolf. Mostly he just wants to die so that he’ll be out of his misery and reunited with his beloved shellan in the Fade, but he can’t stop thinking about Nadya, the kind nurse who sat by his bedside caring for him after he was brought to the new prison camp location. She eased his suffering and he feels guilty leaving her behind in that hellhole, so at the eleventh hour, he accepts the Gray Wolf’s gift and is transformed into something more powerful than any other vampire we’ve seen yet. He uses these newfound powers to rescue Nadya, but not knowing that his blood is now tainted, he accidentally poisons her while feeding her and must return to the Gray Wolf seeking another miracle. But even though he’s falling in love with Nadya, he knows it’s his duty to find his shellan’s real murderer and bring them to justice. I really liked Kane. After the sacrifice he made for The Jackal and Nix, I knew he had the heart of a romantic and that plays out here. The author found a really nice balance to his characterization between the gentlemale he once was as an aristocrat and the newfound warrior powers he now embodies.
Nadya was born a commoner, but wanting more for her than they had, her parents arranged a mating for her with an aristocrat who didn’t want her. To get out of the betrothal, he attacked her, leaving her severely scarred and lame in one leg. Her parents took her to a kind, old nurse who aided her recovery, but not wanting anyone else to see her in the state she was now, she allowed them to think she was dead. The old nurse worked at the prison camp, and covered from head to toe in robes, Nadya went with her and learned the healing arts, finding a new purpose in life by helping others who were suffering. Eventually her parents were killed in the raids and the old nurse passed as well, leaving Nadya nowhere else to go except the prison camp, where she’s lived ever since. When Kane was brought into her infirmary, a connection began to form between them as she tenderly cared for his wounds, and she learned a great deal about him through his pain-induced ramblings. But as much as she was falling for him, she knew someone like Kane would never want a scarred female like her. Then he defied all reason by escaping, finding healing, and returning just to save her. However, knowing that his honor demands that he ahvenge his murdered shellan, she still doesn’t think there can be a future with him, even if she survives the accidental poisoning. Nadya is a sweet, kind soul who didn’t deserve the lot life handed her. She’s always taking care of others and nursing the sick and wounded back to health as best she can with her rudimentary supplies and training, but she definitely shows promise as a talented healer.
Besides Kane and Nadya, we get a few other POVs. Apex was someone who caught my eye in the previous book because of how devoted he was to Kane, never leaving his bedside. I honestly thought that maybe something might transpire between the two of them or maybe some deeper connection might be revealed. We learn, not surprisingly, that Apex fancies himself in love with Kane. After helping him escape and meeting Lucan’s cousin, Callum, though, Apex finds such a powerful attraction to the wolven, that although still loyal to the vampire male, his thing for Kane is all but forgotten. I am very interested to find out more about Apex’s intriguing extra powers. Callum is another secondary POV character. Although part of the group of family members who did Lucan wrong, he makes amends with his cousin in this book and becomes allies with the escaped prisoners. His attraction to Apex is instant and visceral. Callum is a charmer and consummate flirt who oozes sex appeal. Unfortunately some very bad things happen to him in this book before Apex can come to his rescue. I’d be shocked if these two aren’t the next focus couple in this series, because their storyline was set up perfectly. If they aren’t, I might have to burn something down.;-) These two males are smokin’ hot together and practically stole the show, and after the way things end for Callum, he and Apex deserve their happy ending. We briefly get Lucan’s perspective, but I think it was only a scene or two. Then the final POV character is Vishous as he continues to help with the Brotherhood’s efforts to locate and shut down the prison camp.
Overall, I was pretty happy with The Viper. When I found out that Kane was going to be the hero, I was very much looking forward to it and hoping that The Warden would be back on her game to do right by him. I always like her books, but the last few have been a little shaky and not quite as good as her earlier work, IMHO. Although not perfect, this one was quite enjoyable. Kane and Nadya are both very likable characters who fit together well. It was nice seeing them find healing together and coming into a new sense of themselves. Lately Ms. Ward seems to be leaning more on the insta-love trope, which isn’t a personal favorite, so a little more relationship development for Kane and Nadya certainly wouldn’t have gone amiss. There was enough, though, that I could definitely feel a connection and knew by the end that they have a solid future ahead of them. My other small critique would be that I wish the Gray Wolf’s part in the story had been a little better defined, instead of her simply being a mystical being who works her magic. I almost wondered if she is, or is related to, Ravyn, but if so, nothing of that nature was specified. I have to admit, though, that the powers she imbued Kane with are quite interesting and not quite like anything I’ve seen before in paranormal romance, which was a plus. After her being absent from the canvas for so long, it was great to see Payne again as she goes on a little fact-finding mission with her brother, Vishous. I liked how the Brotherhood’s part in this side world played out and it will be interesting to see where things go from here for the prison camp residents. Most of all, though, I love Apex and Callum together and will be clamoring for their story, which I probably won’t see for another year at least, but it will give me something to look forward to. I just hope it’s equally as good as this one or even better.
"4.5 stars" The Viper is the third book in J. R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood: Prison Camp series, a spin-off of the main BDB series that follows the inhabitants of a prison that was formed by the glymera centuries ago. Many of the prisoners were sent there unjustly for crimes they didn’t commit or were given harsh sentences for minor infractions that were offensive to the glymera. This latest book is about Kane who I thought was probably dead after he took off his explosive collar and detonated it in an effort to allow The Jackal time to escape in the first book. However, we found out near the end of the previous book that he had indeed survived but was so badly burned that he likely wouldn’t live. In this story, his buddies Apex and Mayhem escape with Kane and end up in wolven territory, where Kane is offered a new lease on life by a mystical female known only as the Gray Wolf. A part of Kane simply wants to go unto the Fade to join his beloved shellan who preceded him in death, but he can’t quite forget the female nurse who was so kind to him in the prison camp’s infirmary. Nadya was a beacon of light to him through the horrible pain of his injuries. He can’t quite bring himself to leave her there unprotected, so he agrees to accept the Gray Wolf’s gift in order to save her. The new powers he receives allow him to return to the camp and successfully get Nadya out, and as they hide out from the prison guards, they start to grow closer. However, because of this new part of himself that he doesn’t fully understand yet, he accidentally poisons Nadya when he tries to feed her, leading him on a quest back up the mountain in search of the Gray Wolf, hoping the female will be able to heal her. But when the prison guards track them, the lives of all the prison escapees and their new wolven allies are endangered, and even if they can survive the attack, Kane still feels it’s his duty to ahvenge his dead shellan’s murder, which could put a damper on his burgeoning relationship with Nadya.
Kane was an aristocrat who agreed to an arranged mating to a female he’d never met. He fell in love with his new shellan at first sight and reveled in how well he thought everything was going between them, never really questioning his good fortune. Then one night, he was drugged and awakened to find his shellan brutally murdered. He was accused of the crime by her family and sent to the prison camp where he’s been for the past two hundred years. Like I mentioned before, I thought Kane had died at the end of The Jackal, which made me sad, as he was one of my favorite characters in that book. When I found out at the end of The Wolf that he was still alive, I was excited, hoping that he would survive his injuries so that I could learn more about him and see where his story might lead. When The Viper opens, he’s still mortally wounded and near death’s door when his friends break him out of prison. After meeting up with Lucan and Rio and some of Lucan’s wolven kin, they all end up on the mountain the wolven inhabit where it appears Kane’s only hope of survival is the mysterious Gray Wolf. Mostly he just wants to die so that he’ll be out of his misery and reunited with his beloved shellan in the Fade, but he can’t stop thinking about Nadya, the kind nurse who sat by his bedside caring for him after he was brought to the new prison camp location. She eased his suffering and he feels guilty leaving her behind in that hellhole, so at the eleventh hour, he accepts the Gray Wolf’s gift and is transformed into something more powerful than any other vampire we’ve seen yet. He uses these newfound powers to rescue Nadya, but not knowing that his blood is now tainted, he accidentally poisons her while feeding her and must return to the Gray Wolf seeking another miracle. But even though he’s falling in love with Nadya, he knows it’s his duty to find his shellan’s real murderer and bring them to justice. I really liked Kane. After the sacrifice he made for The Jackal and Nix, I knew he had the heart of a romantic and that plays out here. The author found a really nice balance to his characterization between the gentlemale he once was as an aristocrat and the newfound warrior powers he now embodies.
Nadya was born a commoner, but wanting more for her than they had, her parents arranged a mating for her with an aristocrat who didn’t want her. To get out of the betrothal, he attacked her, leaving her severely scarred and lame in one leg. Her parents took her to a kind, old nurse who aided her recovery, but not wanting anyone else to see her in the state she was now, she allowed them to think she was dead. The old nurse worked at the prison camp, and covered from head to toe in robes, Nadya went with her and learned the healing arts, finding a new purpose in life by helping others who were suffering. Eventually her parents were killed in the raids and the old nurse passed as well, leaving Nadya nowhere else to go except the prison camp, where she’s lived ever since. When Kane was brought into her infirmary, a connection began to form between them as she tenderly cared for his wounds, and she learned a great deal about him through his pain-induced ramblings. But as much as she was falling for him, she knew someone like Kane would never want a scarred female like her. Then he defied all reason by escaping, finding healing, and returning just to save her. However, knowing that his honor demands that he ahvenge his murdered shellan, she still doesn’t think there can be a future with him, even if she survives the accidental poisoning. Nadya is a sweet, kind soul who didn’t deserve the lot life handed her. She’s always taking care of others and nursing the sick and wounded back to health as best she can with her rudimentary supplies and training, but she definitely shows promise as a talented healer.
Besides Kane and Nadya, we get a few other POVs. Apex was someone who caught my eye in the previous book because of how devoted he was to Kane, never leaving his bedside. I honestly thought that maybe something might transpire between the two of them or maybe some deeper connection might be revealed. We learn, not surprisingly, that Apex fancies himself in love with Kane. After helping him escape and meeting Lucan’s cousin, Callum, though, Apex finds such a powerful attraction to the wolven, that although still loyal to the vampire male, his thing for Kane is all but forgotten. I am very interested to find out more about Apex’s intriguing extra powers. Callum is another secondary POV character. Although part of the group of family members who did Lucan wrong, he makes amends with his cousin in this book and becomes allies with the escaped prisoners. His attraction to Apex is instant and visceral. Callum is a charmer and consummate flirt who oozes sex appeal. Unfortunately some very bad things happen to him in this book before Apex can come to his rescue. I’d be shocked if these two aren’t the next focus couple in this series, because their storyline was set up perfectly. If they aren’t, I might have to burn something down.;-) These two males are smokin’ hot together and practically stole the show, and after the way things end for Callum, he and Apex deserve their happy ending. We briefly get Lucan’s perspective, but I think it was only a scene or two. Then the final POV character is Vishous as he continues to help with the Brotherhood’s efforts to locate and shut down the prison camp.
Overall, I was pretty happy with The Viper. When I found out that Kane was going to be the hero, I was very much looking forward to it and hoping that The Warden would be back on her game to do right by him. I always like her books, but the last few have been a little shaky and not quite as good as her earlier work, IMHO. Although not perfect, this one was quite enjoyable. Kane and Nadya are both very likable characters who fit together well. It was nice seeing them find healing together and coming into a new sense of themselves. Lately Ms. Ward seems to be leaning more on the insta-love trope, which isn’t a personal favorite, so a little more relationship development for Kane and Nadya certainly wouldn’t have gone amiss. There was enough, though, that I could definitely feel a connection and knew by the end that they have a solid future ahead of them. My other small critique would be that I wish the Gray Wolf’s part in the story had been a little better defined, instead of her simply being a mystical being who works her magic. I almost wondered if she is, or is related to, Ravyn, but if so, nothing of that nature was specified. I have to admit, though, that the powers she imbued Kane with are quite interesting and not quite like anything I’ve seen before in paranormal romance, which was a plus. After her being absent from the canvas for so long, it was great to see Payne again as she goes on a little fact-finding mission with her brother, Vishous. I liked how the Brotherhood’s part in this side world played out and it will be interesting to see where things go from here for the prison camp residents. Most of all, though, I love Apex and Callum together and will be clamoring for their story, which I probably won’t see for another year at least, but it will give me something to look forward to. I just hope it’s equally as good as this one or even better.
September 26, 2022
Probably the worst JR Ward book I've read.
One of my most anticipated releases of the year, Kane was my favorite in the other books and I was so excited for this book but it was so disappointing.
It was exasperating in the worst way, didn't even felt like I was reading a romance since it was so poorly developed and I cared more about Callum and Apex than him and Nadya.
Too many POV changes and the miscommunication as the 3rd act drama was just too much 🙄 and the repetitive sexual assault is getting boring.
One of my most anticipated releases of the year, Kane was my favorite in the other books and I was so excited for this book but it was so disappointing.
It was exasperating in the worst way, didn't even felt like I was reading a romance since it was so poorly developed and I cared more about Callum and Apex than him and Nadya.
Too many POV changes and the miscommunication as the 3rd act drama was just too much 🙄 and the repetitive sexual assault is getting boring.
December 23, 2024
2.5 stars rounded up.
This seemed an awful lot like the author wanted Kane and Apex to be a couple, and then shifted course between installments. I've already read Callum and Apex's book so I am inclined to be charitable about that aspect. What is awful is the introduction of more and more magic elements when the world is already a damned mess. There is already so much resurrection and major healing magic that you have to 'forget' certain characters exist just to engage in the story. There are now too many unexplored paranormal species and magics. I would like an explanation of any one of these before the introduction of mermaids or whatever, please.
This seemed an awful lot like the author wanted Kane and Apex to be a couple, and then shifted course between installments. I've already read Callum and Apex's book so I am inclined to be charitable about that aspect. What is awful is the introduction of more and more magic elements when the world is already a damned mess. There is already so much resurrection and major healing magic that you have to 'forget' certain characters exist just to engage in the story. There are now too many unexplored paranormal species and magics. I would like an explanation of any one of these before the introduction of mermaids or whatever, please.
Read
September 22, 2022Review to come!
September 18, 2022
Book three of J.R. Ward’s Prison Camp series hits all the marks for this reader! The Viper fulfills all the promises of the series that we first saw in book one, The Jackal. Ward’s cast of characters easily carry the series with little help from the Black Dagger Brotherhood and I’m perfectly okay with that.
It’s the, if I may, brotherhood between the five prisoners that we met in book one that make this series so strong. The Jackal, Lucan, Kane, Apex, and Mayhem have an enviable camaraderie that is as strong as the one shared by the Brothers. In many ways, I think they’re closer due to the way they met and how their relationships developed. Their concern for each other highlighted the book and left me confident that these five would die for the each other.
Speaking of dying for each other, Kane sacrificed himself for The Jackal and Nyx at the end of The Jackal and, frankly, I didn’t think he’d survived. But survive he did with help from the mysterious nurse Nadya. The romance between these two felt organic despite the paranormal setting. They were both hiding from the world and as they shared this their feelings grew and when they’re separated at the end of The Wolf, their romance is kickstarted. I loved the tenderness Kane shows Nadya while respecting the heck out of Nadya’s determination to be independent. She’s a female to be admired, to say the least. And, Kane…well, keep reading!
Some notes:
• Why, yes, that is a Payne sighting!!
• There are a number of narrators (including Apex and his possible HEA) but the story flowed nicely and I didn’t have any “hey, why did you change narrator” moments.
• I would have liked more information about The Viper, I feel like there’s way more to that story.
• I really, really, really appreciate that The Viper was more of the promise we got with The Jackal rather than the BDB-laden story that was The Wolf. These characters are strong and can easily carry the story without help from the Brothers.
It’s the, if I may, brotherhood between the five prisoners that we met in book one that make this series so strong. The Jackal, Lucan, Kane, Apex, and Mayhem have an enviable camaraderie that is as strong as the one shared by the Brothers. In many ways, I think they’re closer due to the way they met and how their relationships developed. Their concern for each other highlighted the book and left me confident that these five would die for the each other.
Speaking of dying for each other, Kane sacrificed himself for The Jackal and Nyx at the end of The Jackal and, frankly, I didn’t think he’d survived. But survive he did with help from the mysterious nurse Nadya. The romance between these two felt organic despite the paranormal setting. They were both hiding from the world and as they shared this their feelings grew and when they’re separated at the end of The Wolf, their romance is kickstarted. I loved the tenderness Kane shows Nadya while respecting the heck out of Nadya’s determination to be independent. She’s a female to be admired, to say the least. And, Kane…well, keep reading!
Some notes:
• Why, yes, that is a Payne sighting!!
• There are a number of narrators (including Apex and his possible HEA) but the story flowed nicely and I didn’t have any “hey, why did you change narrator” moments.
• I would have liked more information about The Viper, I feel like there’s way more to that story.
• I really, really, really appreciate that The Viper was more of the promise we got with The Jackal rather than the BDB-laden story that was The Wolf. These characters are strong and can easily carry the story without help from the Brothers.
July 20, 2023
3.5/5 🌟
I would have loved to read more about the cool new fantasy elements that were introduced in this third book, like the viper transformation, the "old woman" no one seems to know anything about, the supernatural abilities of Apex and Paynes gift (the scene with the guy in the apothecary was so heartwarming!), the Wolven community... I really think that these elements were the most interesting aspects of this book but they fell short in comparison to the romance and action. Or should I say romances? I did not like any of the relationships unfortunately, but it is nice to have more than one romance in one book for a change.
Plotwise, I did not really care about the prison and its inmates anymore. The scenes from Nadyas pov inside the prison were interesting and I always like stories about medical topics, but as soon as she was spending time with Kane, I could not stand her anymore. The miscommunication between the two was too much for me. Speaking of Kane, I loved him. The snippets from his past and his transformation scene were one of the best parts of the book! It gets quite graphic at times and almost feels like a solid horror book.
However, at some point the story just focuses on the relationship(s) and the action and we never get any answers to any of the aforementioned fantastical elements. There was so much potential! I guess they will be explored more in future books but this just did not feel as exciting and satisfying as the other books in the universe typically do, which is why I would have wished for more details on all the new stuff. It is still a great book, do not get me wrong. It is just that the last third of the book did not go in the direction that I was hoping for.
I would have loved to read more about the cool new fantasy elements that were introduced in this third book, like the viper transformation, the "old woman" no one seems to know anything about, the supernatural abilities of Apex and Paynes gift (the scene with the guy in the apothecary was so heartwarming!), the Wolven community... I really think that these elements were the most interesting aspects of this book but they fell short in comparison to the romance and action. Or should I say romances? I did not like any of the relationships unfortunately, but it is nice to have more than one romance in one book for a change.
Plotwise, I did not really care about the prison and its inmates anymore. The scenes from Nadyas pov inside the prison were interesting and I always like stories about medical topics, but as soon as she was spending time with Kane, I could not stand her anymore. The miscommunication between the two was too much for me. Speaking of Kane, I loved him. The snippets from his past and his transformation scene were one of the best parts of the book! It gets quite graphic at times and almost feels like a solid horror book.
However, at some point the story just focuses on the relationship(s) and the action and we never get any answers to any of the aforementioned fantastical elements. There was so much potential! I guess they will be explored more in future books but this just did not feel as exciting and satisfying as the other books in the universe typically do, which is why I would have wished for more details on all the new stuff. It is still a great book, do not get me wrong. It is just that the last third of the book did not go in the direction that I was hoping for.
October 10, 2022
4.5 stars.
FULL REVIEW HERE:
https://aishasbookworld.wordpress.com...
Overall, this is the best book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood: Prison Camp spin-off, in my opinion. Kane and Nadya are an exquisite couple with sad backstories and linked in an unexpected way.
On the other hand, and as is Ms. Ward’s way, this book has several points of view, apart from the main characters, running some stories at the same time. Apex and Callum are a couple to keep an eye on. Not only is their chemistry is simply spectacular, the bold, shameless flirtation between the two males is exciting to watch. And all this, without overshadowing Kane and Nadya, the main characters.
A story that has you on the edge of your seat from the first page with lots of action, drama and unexpected twists that leaves the reader eager to see what happens next. I particularly hope for Apex and Callum’s story to come soon…
FULL REVIEW HERE:
https://aishasbookworld.wordpress.com...
Overall, this is the best book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood: Prison Camp spin-off, in my opinion. Kane and Nadya are an exquisite couple with sad backstories and linked in an unexpected way.
On the other hand, and as is Ms. Ward’s way, this book has several points of view, apart from the main characters, running some stories at the same time. Apex and Callum are a couple to keep an eye on. Not only is their chemistry is simply spectacular, the bold, shameless flirtation between the two males is exciting to watch. And all this, without overshadowing Kane and Nadya, the main characters.
A story that has you on the edge of your seat from the first page with lots of action, drama and unexpected twists that leaves the reader eager to see what happens next. I particularly hope for Apex and Callum’s story to come soon…
October 12, 2022
So, I'm still just not feeling the Prison Camp books. :/ Like, they're objectively not bad books, it's just about a new group of vamps that I don't really have any connection too and have a hard time getting into the story. I will give Ward that this is a unique story for sure, definitely a refreshing change to her usual prose, but it just didn't click with me for whatever reason. I like the familiarity of the Brothers. This was a nice expansion of the world and pushes the title of urban fantasy for sure.
December 7, 2022
3 Stars…Better but not great…Oh yeh.. there are spoilers on the way…trigger warnings for male sexual assault.
I have said it before and I will say it again… JRW is losing a step with her work. I think its because she has already written as far as she knows and has started regurgitating her work. Her characters are not just flawed, they are unlikeable. Normally, with hard characters, you find a kernel of something that is redeemable. This novel revolves around Kane and Nadya, Apex and Callum.
Kane was a shell, a burned husk that should have been dead due to his sacrifice to help the Jackal get free. Brokenly dying, Apex thought he was in love with Kane and was determined to break him out. Mayhem assisted with a show up by Lucian and Rio. Getting free, Lucian’s wolven family appear in regret to offer apologies for their old BS. They go one step further by taking Kane to the Grey Wolf who gives Kane a snake spirit, A Viper…
Then Kane turns into a real sh*t. He starts ordering people around, making demands. His aristocratic manners and good conscience are gone in a flash because he has to get the nurse out of the prison camp. Suddenly, its all about Nadya. Apex agrees and so does Callum. The rest of his story is a rocking roller coaster of icky. The truth of why he was sent to the prison camp. He had a wife who he was blamed in killing…
Nadya the nurse is coming off in an Autumn/ Hex’s mother kind of broken. She was deformed thanks to a forced fiancé who threw acid and salt at her to get out of the marriage. Nadya wanted to be of use so she worked at the prison camp to help the suffering. Like Autumn did at sanctuary.. Autumn/Tohr then Hex/John Matthew now Kane/Nadya… ugh…
The only reason I keep reading was due to Apex and Callum… Apex is a vicious killer, people were scared of him… But he found himself chasing after a wolf… a white wolf named Callum… who wanted him right back.. Until the guards found them on the Wolf Mountain.. Callum was captured, violated and sank into a coma… Apex refused to leave him…. Ugh…
I want to read Apex and Callum in the next book in one of the series.. You have a wolven series that doesn’t have the Prison camp characters in it. You have a prison camp series with a brushing of Brothers… Has anyone seen the Legacy characters? Are they all dead now or just floating around for someone to pick them up?
I have said it before and I will say it again… JRW is losing a step with her work. I think its because she has already written as far as she knows and has started regurgitating her work. Her characters are not just flawed, they are unlikeable. Normally, with hard characters, you find a kernel of something that is redeemable. This novel revolves around Kane and Nadya, Apex and Callum.
Kane was a shell, a burned husk that should have been dead due to his sacrifice to help the Jackal get free. Brokenly dying, Apex thought he was in love with Kane and was determined to break him out. Mayhem assisted with a show up by Lucian and Rio. Getting free, Lucian’s wolven family appear in regret to offer apologies for their old BS. They go one step further by taking Kane to the Grey Wolf who gives Kane a snake spirit, A Viper…
Then Kane turns into a real sh*t. He starts ordering people around, making demands. His aristocratic manners and good conscience are gone in a flash because he has to get the nurse out of the prison camp. Suddenly, its all about Nadya. Apex agrees and so does Callum. The rest of his story is a rocking roller coaster of icky. The truth of why he was sent to the prison camp. He had a wife who he was blamed in killing…
Nadya the nurse is coming off in an Autumn/ Hex’s mother kind of broken. She was deformed thanks to a forced fiancé who threw acid and salt at her to get out of the marriage. Nadya wanted to be of use so she worked at the prison camp to help the suffering. Like Autumn did at sanctuary.. Autumn/Tohr then Hex/John Matthew now Kane/Nadya… ugh…
The only reason I keep reading was due to Apex and Callum… Apex is a vicious killer, people were scared of him… But he found himself chasing after a wolf… a white wolf named Callum… who wanted him right back.. Until the guards found them on the Wolf Mountain.. Callum was captured, violated and sank into a coma… Apex refused to leave him…. Ugh…
I want to read Apex and Callum in the next book in one of the series.. You have a wolven series that doesn’t have the Prison camp characters in it. You have a prison camp series with a brushing of Brothers… Has anyone seen the Legacy characters? Are they all dead now or just floating around for someone to pick them up?
October 30, 2022
First of all I love JR Ward, I love The Black Dagger Brotherhood books! The spin off Prison Camp book are entertaining and interesting to read, especially when the Brothers show up in the books!
I highly recommend them!
I highly recommend them!
September 30, 2022
This was probably my least favorite of the Prison Camp series so far, which was a bummer because I liked Kane a lot in prior installments. But when my favorite romance plot in the book is not actually the one between the designated hero/heroine...that's not great. (Side bar: Apex and Callum, my babies, please come back with your own storyline. I need more) Nadya was a strong character by herself but I just really struggled to connect with her and Kane together. And omg the miscommunication trope in the third act had me rolling my eyes so hard, if only because I know JR can do so much better.
Plot-wise, everything in the book felt kind of disjointed. It was so action packed that I felt like we were hurtling through and not getting enough info at any point. I have no clue how the Viper magic works and apparently it's on a need-to-know basis because the Gray Wolf doesn't tell Kane anything about it, and when Kane does figure it out, it's off-screen, so to speak, so we still don't get to know. I just feel like this book was short enough, we could have spared a half a chapter to break down a little bit of lore for the people.
And seriously what is with the sexual assault in this series lately?? It's not a comfortable thing to read about at any point but I feel like if you're going to put it in, it should warrant more than a little blurp thrown in at the end. JR, you can and have done better in the past. It comes off like it's been added completely for shock value and to add a little trauma spice to any future installments for Callum, and I don't think he needed it given what we already got about his past earlier in this book. There was plenty to work with that wasn't that.
Not to be a Vishous hater, because I am not, but why is he the only Brother who seems concerned with the Prison Camp? I know he's been in the Brotherhood a long time, but I don't understand why he is consistently the only one who can supposedly save the day. I feel like all of the Brothers have been proven to be more than capable heroes in their own rights as the series has progressed, so why are we only seeing V, Rhage, and Butch show up as cameos in this spin-off? I want to say hi to all my babies at some point, but everywhere I turn it's just V again. I was cool seeing Payne again, because I think her little plot point is meant to be tying into Lassiter's book, which comes out next year. I guess we'll have to wait and see. I thought for a second that we were going to compare/contrast her life-based regeneration powers and the Viper's so-called death regeneration powers but no such luck. Because again, we don't get to learn about the Viper's powers. Boo.
The biggest issue is just that the tone of this series is not on par with the main series, likely because we just aren't given as much time to focus on the characters themselves; it's very much driven by action, and the characters are just kind of along for the ride the same as us as readers. It just doesn't make for a super satisfying reading experience. And again, it's a letdown because I know she can do better, even in a spin-off. Take Claimed for example; it was fantastic, and not just because I got to see my girl Xhex and JM, but because I felt like the plot was genuinely well paced and the ending left me dying to know more. To have that series rolling out at the same time as this one just feels so jarring because the quality difference seems glaringly obvious to me.
Okay, now that I have sufficiently ripped into this book, I do want to add that I am going in so hard on this because of how much love I have for JR Ward's work as a whole. I love the main cast and series so much, I just find it hard to let it slide when the standard that she has set previously isn't met. This book was not a total wash. We got some world building out of it if nothing else, and I did genuinely like Apex and Callum's parts and I think Nadya's growth as an individual character was good. I'm not sure if we're getting more in this series or not, as it kind of seemed resolved by the end, but if there is more I will definitely give it a go. Ward has more than earned my loyalty as a reader, I just hope she can remind me why a little more often moving forward.
Plot-wise, everything in the book felt kind of disjointed. It was so action packed that I felt like we were hurtling through and not getting enough info at any point. I have no clue how the Viper magic works and apparently it's on a need-to-know basis because the Gray Wolf doesn't tell Kane anything about it, and when Kane does figure it out, it's off-screen, so to speak, so we still don't get to know. I just feel like this book was short enough, we could have spared a half a chapter to break down a little bit of lore for the people.
And seriously what is with the sexual assault in this series lately?? It's not a comfortable thing to read about at any point but I feel like if you're going to put it in, it should warrant more than a little blurp thrown in at the end. JR, you can and have done better in the past. It comes off like it's been added completely for shock value and to add a little trauma spice to any future installments for Callum, and I don't think he needed it given what we already got about his past earlier in this book. There was plenty to work with that wasn't that.
Not to be a Vishous hater, because I am not, but why is he the only Brother who seems concerned with the Prison Camp? I know he's been in the Brotherhood a long time, but I don't understand why he is consistently the only one who can supposedly save the day. I feel like all of the Brothers have been proven to be more than capable heroes in their own rights as the series has progressed, so why are we only seeing V, Rhage, and Butch show up as cameos in this spin-off? I want to say hi to all my babies at some point, but everywhere I turn it's just V again. I was cool seeing Payne again, because I think her little plot point is meant to be tying into Lassiter's book, which comes out next year. I guess we'll have to wait and see. I thought for a second that we were going to compare/contrast her life-based regeneration powers and the Viper's so-called death regeneration powers but no such luck. Because again, we don't get to learn about the Viper's powers. Boo.
The biggest issue is just that the tone of this series is not on par with the main series, likely because we just aren't given as much time to focus on the characters themselves; it's very much driven by action, and the characters are just kind of along for the ride the same as us as readers. It just doesn't make for a super satisfying reading experience. And again, it's a letdown because I know she can do better, even in a spin-off. Take Claimed for example; it was fantastic, and not just because I got to see my girl Xhex and JM, but because I felt like the plot was genuinely well paced and the ending left me dying to know more. To have that series rolling out at the same time as this one just feels so jarring because the quality difference seems glaringly obvious to me.
Okay, now that I have sufficiently ripped into this book, I do want to add that I am going in so hard on this because of how much love I have for JR Ward's work as a whole. I love the main cast and series so much, I just find it hard to let it slide when the standard that she has set previously isn't met. This book was not a total wash. We got some world building out of it if nothing else, and I did genuinely like Apex and Callum's parts and I think Nadya's growth as an individual character was good. I'm not sure if we're getting more in this series or not, as it kind of seemed resolved by the end, but if there is more I will definitely give it a go. Ward has more than earned my loyalty as a reader, I just hope she can remind me why a little more often moving forward.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2022
4 1/2 "Wicked Web" Stars!
I am so happy to report I loved it! Loved the story, loved the main characters, loved the action. I especially love the whole viper aspect. Not feeling like reviewing, and I'm sure there will be some good reviews coming soon. Happy reading!
I am so happy to report I loved it! Loved the story, loved the main characters, loved the action. I especially love the whole viper aspect. Not feeling like reviewing, and I'm sure there will be some good reviews coming soon. Happy reading!
April 21, 2023
It's not the best book by Ward and really IMO, it's been awhile since one of those was released. This one took me a bit to get into. However, I wanted to read it because I like the nurse prisoner trope thing going on here, although, in this book we didn't really see much of that. I skimmed through the book before this and it doesn't seem we got much there either.
The Viper thing was cool and I loved how he killed the head of the guard. She deserved it after what she did to Callum.
I just wasn't wowed by the story like her previous books.
Sweet love story that she was enough for him all scarred and didn't need her beauty back. He loved her as she was. However, there really wasn't any kind of explanation as to HOW he healed her.
Anyway, any enjoyable book but definitely not Wards best work.
The Viper thing was cool and I loved how he killed the head of the guard. She deserved it after what she did to Callum.
I just wasn't wowed by the story like her previous books.
Sweet love story that she was enough for him all scarred and didn't need her beauty back. He loved her as she was. However, there really wasn't any kind of explanation as to HOW he healed her.
Anyway, any enjoyable book but definitely not Wards best work.
June 23, 2023
Dude. I couldn’t put this book down! I loved every moment. I need to let my emotions settle before coming back with my full review.
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THIS book! It was a little creepy (I won't lie) but it was AMAZING! There is a LOT of action in this book and I was on the edge of my seat often, but I was completely consumed by this read. I loved the friendships and families in this one. This book had some twists I didn't see coming! This story was heavily focused on the actual prison camp and the terror behind it. Kane and Nadya are thrown together because of the camp and a bond is formed. This book is intense, there's evil, there is goodness. It's all about the balance. And you need it in your life! And if you haven't read the other 2 books in the prison camp series, I do recommend doing that.
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THIS book! It was a little creepy (I won't lie) but it was AMAZING! There is a LOT of action in this book and I was on the edge of my seat often, but I was completely consumed by this read. I loved the friendships and families in this one. This book had some twists I didn't see coming! This story was heavily focused on the actual prison camp and the terror behind it. Kane and Nadya are thrown together because of the camp and a bond is formed. This book is intense, there's evil, there is goodness. It's all about the balance. And you need it in your life! And if you haven't read the other 2 books in the prison camp series, I do recommend doing that.
February 27, 2023
Definitely liked this one more than the last.
Full review to come.
*Edit*
Well, that was fun. These spin off books are quicker to read and still feature some of the OG brothers, which I like.
“You were never an illusion to me. You were always real.”
This book also had quite a few, “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot,” moments. Like, I had to flip back and reread a few times just trying to understand what I just read. What a wild ride.
The Viper is going to be a very good addition to the BDB world. I have a feeling the brothers are just gonna love him.
Full review to come.
*Edit*
Well, that was fun. These spin off books are quicker to read and still feature some of the OG brothers, which I like.
“You were never an illusion to me. You were always real.”
This book also had quite a few, “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot,” moments. Like, I had to flip back and reread a few times just trying to understand what I just read. What a wild ride.
The Viper is going to be a very good addition to the BDB world. I have a feeling the brothers are just gonna love him.
October 27, 2022
It’s supposed to be kane and nadya’s book but callum and apex’s side story was much more in the book. It was lacking any romance between nadya and kane. I didn’t liked it
September 22, 2022
Too many POV changes, plot points became "torture porn", there was little to no romance, I'm sick of all the sexual assault in the recent books.
November 9, 2022
I hope Callum and Apex story is next
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