THE THIEF (Black Dagger Brotherhood #16) by J.R. Ward-Review and Giveaway

THE THIEF
The Black Dagger Brotherhood #16
by J.R. Ward
Release Date: April 10, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal, vampire, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 10, 2018

New enemies rise from the shadows in the next novel of the New York Times bestselling paranormal romance series the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

Sola Morte, former cat burglar and safecracker, has given up her old life on the wrong side of the law. On the run from a drug lord’s family, she is lying low far from Caldwell, keeping her nose clean and her beloved grandmother safe. Her heart, though, is back up north, with the only man who has ever gotten through her defenses: Assail, son of Assail, who never meant to fall in love—and certainly not with a human woman. But they have no future, and not just because she doesn’t know he is a vampire, but because he is not about to stop dealing arms to the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Fate, however, has other plans for them. When Assail falls into a coma and lingers on the verge of death, his cousins seek out Sola and beg her to give him a reason to live. The last thing she wants is a return to her past, but how can she leave him to die?

As a lethal new enemy of the vampires shows its face, and the Brotherhood needs Assail back on his feet, Sola finds herself not only a target, but a mission-critical force in a war she doesn’t understand. And when Assail’s truth comes out, will she run from the horror . . . or follow her heart into the arms of the male who loves her more than life itself?

•••••••••

REVIEW: THE THIEF is the sixteenth full-length instalment in J.R. Ward’s contemporary, adult BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD paranormal, romance series focusing on an elite group of vampire warriors and their King. This is businessman, former drug dealer and vampire Assail, son of Assail, and human thief Marisol ‘Sola’ Carvalho’s story line. THE THIEF should not be read as a stand-alone; I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion, especially the last two to three instalments.

NOTE: If you have not read the last few instalments in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, there may be some spoilers in my review.

SOME BACKGROUND: One year earlier, Assail destroyed the men who attacked and brutalized the female he loved. Marisol (along with her grandmother) moved to Florida in order to escape the past, and her attraction to Assail, never knowing the extent of Assail’s addiction, his detox, his love or his deteriorating mental health.

Told from several third person points of view including Sola and Assail THE THIEF follows in the aftermath of Assail’s drug detox, and the subsequent psychosis leaving our hero a shell of his former self. Believing death was inevitable, Doc Jane and Assail’s cousins Evale and Ehric make final preparations including contacting the woman with whom Assail had fallen in love. Enter Marisol ‘Sola’ Carvalho, Assail’s mate, and the female who would jump start Assail on his road to recovery. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Assail and Sola, and the potential fall-out when Assail and Doc Jane reveal the truth about what he is, and the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

Meanwhile, a new threat has risen in Caldwell, a threat with no corporeal body but a threat more deadly than anyone could have imagined. Throe, a former warrior with the Band of Bastards, seeks revenge against the King, in the hopes of ascending to the throne, revenge that comes from secrets of the past.

The ongoing struggles in Vishous and Jane’s relationship come to a head when Jane discovers V’s path towards infidelity. A distinct lack of communication between our couple, with the added hindrance and misfortune of an overworked physician, and the Brotherhood’s battle with a new enemy find Jane and Vishous on the verge of ‘consciously uncoupling’ in a not so friendly manner. Ward’s ongoing fascination and supposed dislike for V resurfaces with his immature attitude, child-like tantrums, and treatment of the female he claims to love. Forced time off has Jane refocusing on her relationship, her work, and the future with the male she loves.

The Black Dagger Brotherhood is a character driven series but in previous instalments Ward’s need to amass and gather all of the Brothers often detracts from the story line premise(s) but in the case of The Thief the author reigns in some of the unnecessary drama that would otherwise divert attention in too many directions. THE THIEF follows a number of paths that intersect at several junctures but unlike in previous episodes the collection of side stories is limited. A sister scorned by the disappearance and death of her beloved brothers seeks revenge as Detective Jose De La Cruz begins an investigation into the series of murders linking back to the recent appearance of ‘said scorned sister’. A last minute cameo appearance by Murhder sets the stage for book seventeen THE SAVIOR, as well as a hybrid vampire’s transition that is about to go down. The individual Black Dagger Brothers have limited page time with the exception of Rhage, and of course our friendly ethereal angel Lassiter, whose new role is confirmed as Vishous is about to lose the woman he loves.

THE THIEF is a story of addiction and recovery; heartbreak, communication and love; vengeance, betrayal and supernatural powers. J. R. Ward’s THE THIEF is an engaging and intoxicating look at vampires, the females they love, and the threats meant to destroy them all. The premise is dramatic and compelling; the romance is passionate and fated; the characters are spirited, sassy, energetic and intense.

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

The Reading Cafe and J.R. Ward’s publisher are offering a hard cover copy of THE THIEF to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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