Review: Blood Truth by J.R. Ward

Blood Truth by J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Legacy #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 13th 2019
Links: EbookHardcoverAudibleGoodreads
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Savior brings you the next sizzling and passionate paranormal romance in the Black Dagger Legacy series.

As a trainee in the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s program, Boone has triumphed as a soldier and now fights side by side with the Brothers. Following his sire’s unexpected death, he is taken off rotation against his protests—and he finds himself working with Butch O’Neal, former homicide cop, to catch a serial killer: Someone is targeting females of the species at a live action role play club. When the Brotherhood is called in to help, Boone insists on being a part of the effort—and the last thing he expects is to meet an enticing, mysterious female…who changes his life forever.

Ever since her sister was murdered at the club, Helaine has been committed to finding the killer, no matter the danger she faces. When she crosses paths with Boone, she doesn’t know whether to trust him or not—and then she has no choice. As she herself becomes a target, and someone close to the Brotherhood is identified as the prime suspect, the two must work to together to solve the mystery…before it’s too late. Will a madman come between the lovers or will true love and goodness triumph over a very mortal evil?

If you know me, then you know that I adore the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and couldn’t be happier about a spinoff series called Black Dagger Legacy. The BDB series was one of the first PNR books that I’d ever read about seven years ago, and it’s still going strong – the series and my love for it – today. We’re up to seventeen books in the BDB series and four books now in the BDL series. I’ve enjoyed the previous three books in this spinoff series and while I can’t say that Blood Truth is my new favorite, it was amazing being back in this addicting world of alphas and vampires.

In Blood Truth, we get Boone’s happily ever after. Boone is one of the mentees in the Black Dagger training program run by the original BDB boys. I liked Boone but never really connected with his story nor his heroine, Helaine. Their romance unfortunately didn’t shine for me like the previous romances did in the series. I was intrigued enough by the plot about mysterious murders that Boone and Helaine are involved in to keep reading, but I was more looking forward to glimpses of Vishious and Butch. V is one of my favorite original brothers, so of course I’d love anything related to him.

I feel if parts of Blood Truth had been cut down, making this a shorter book, the romance could have worked better. Unfortunately, the main characters fell too fast and the book was too long, which equals a dragging story. Still, I love JR Ward’s particular style of writing and don’t think I’ll get tired of it yet. I am very much looking forward to the next BDB book, which is about Syn, who we get to know a little about in this book, and well as the next BDL book, which is about Rhage’s half-brother!


lacey

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.


Reading Order: Black Dagger Legacy series

  

#1 ~ Blood Kiss: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#2 ~ Blood Vow: Ebook • HardcoverPaperback • AudibleGoodreads
#3 ~ Blood Fury: My Review • Ebook • HardcoverAudibleGoodreads
#4 ~ Blood Truth: EbookHardcoverAudibleGoodreads
#5 ~ The Jackal: Goodreads (Aug. 2020)

Don’t miss the original series.

Reading Order: Black Dagger Brotherhood series

    
    
    
   

#1 ~ Dark Lover: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#2 ~ Lover Eternal: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#3 ~ Lover Awakened: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#4 ~ Lover Revealed: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#5 ~ Lover Unbound: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#6 ~ Lover Enshrined: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#7 ~ Lover Avenged: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#8 ~ Lover Mine: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#9 ~ Lover Unleashed: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#10 ~ Lover Reborn: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#11 ~ Lover at Last: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#12 ~ The King: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#13 ~ The Shadows: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#14 ~ The Beast: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#15 ~ The Chosen: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#15.5 ~ Dearest Ivie: EbookGoodreads
#16 ~ The Thief: EbookHardcover • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#16.5 ~ Prisoner of Night: My ReviewEbook • Audible • Goodreads
#17 ~ The Savior: EbookHardcoverAudibleGoodreads
#18 ~ The Sinner: EbookHardcoverGoodreads (March 24, 2020)


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Review: Blood Fury by J.R. Ward

Blood Fury by J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Legacy #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: January 9th 2018
Links: Ebook • HardcoverAudibleGoodreads
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

In this sexy paranormal romance novel set in the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, #1 New York Times bestselling author J. R. Ward tells the story of two couples—both fighting to find love in the midst of the war with the Lessening Society.

A vampire aristocrat, Peyton is well aware of his duty to his bloodline: mate with an appropriate female of his class and carry on his family’s traditions. And he thought he’d found his perfect match—until she fell in love with someone else. Yet when his split-second decision in a battle with the enemy endangers the life of another trainee, Peyton has to face the idea that his future, and his heart, actually lie with another.

Novo, as a female in the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training program, feels like she has to prove herself to everybody—and she has no interest in being distracted by falling in love. But when Peyton proves to be so much more than a rich playboy, she is forced to confront the tragedy that has broken her soul and closed her off from love.

As the two grapple with Novo’s past and Peyton’s present, another couple must contend with a connection that is unparalleled—and potentially scandalous. Saxton, who has had his heart broken, discovers in himself a deep-seated attraction to Ruhn, a new member of the household. But will the other male explore the connection? Or will he close his mind and his heart to what could be true love . . . and cost Saxton everything?

The Black Dagger Brotherhood world is one of my favorite PNR worlds out there. If J.R. Ward writes anything even remotely related to the BDB, I will read it. This Black Dagger Legacy is a spinoff of the original series, but it’s got all the goodness from the original (meaning all the OG BDB boys still play a part!), plus a little extra. These books are funny, kickass, sexy, and it’s got its own brand of uniqueness that makes it completely different from any other vampire romance series. I highly recommend you read the BDB and BDL series if you love anything PNR!

I’ve been waiting for the story in Blood Fury ever since I read Lover at Last – because SAXTON! The poor guy got the short end of the stick in LaL, but we finally get his story and HEA in Blood Fury. Alongside his romance, we get the trainees Peyton and Novo’s, which we all saw coming from a mile away, right? I do love the fact that we get a bit of s 2-in-1 in this spinoff series in terms of storylines and romances, because I can never get enough of these vampires!

Peyton is part of an aristocratic bloodline, and he is everything that Novo despises – rich, arrogant, beautiful, and did I mention aristocratic? But despite him being her total opposite, she can’t help but want him. Too bad he’s in love with another trainee in their group… or is he?

Now that Paradise has found her mate, Peyton has lost his best friend and confidante and is in limbo. The only thing that makes sense in his life anymore is his desire for Novo. To say the two of them clash would be an understatement. The chemistry between Novo and Peyton is on fire – they are constantly going head to head with each other, and their lust builds with every fight and banter.

I loved Novo and Peyton together. They were the perfect case of opposites-attract – she is the tough, badass mofo in leathers, while Peyton is always slick in his suits outside of training. But the two of them worked together perfectly. They each had their own individual personal problems to overcome, and when they finally learned to lean on each other, it was magic.

Staring at her in his arms, he knew that he would lay his life down for hers without regret. He would slay dragons and move mountains for her. He would conquer whole worlds at her command and starve to skin and bones just to ensure she had food. She was not his sun or moon, but his galaxy.
“I love you, too,” he said by her ear. “Forever and always.”

And of course, the second romance that parallels Novo and Peyton’s is Saxton and Ruhn’s. I freaking ADORED these two men. They make the sweetest, loveliest couple – there’s a special kind of tenderness with Saxton guiding Ruhn to explore his newfound sexuality. It’s a slow, innocent, and heart-warming kind of M/M romance that I couldn’t be happier about!

Blood Fury is another excellent addition to the BDB world. You don’t need to read the BDB series in order to read the BDL books, though I’d still highly recommend you do. Many of the original cast still play a part in the spinoff series, and there are so many characters you might get a little lost if you’re not familiar with them. If you have read BDB but haven’t gotten to experience the spinoff series yet, you really should, because I can guarantee that your favorite Brother will be in the books! And iff you’re a fan of PNR but haven’t read J.R. Ward yet… what are you waiting for!?


lacey


Reading Order: Black Dagger Legacy series

  

#1 ~ Blood Kiss: Ebook • Paperback • AudibleGoodreads
#2 ~ Blood Vow: Ebook • HardcoverPaperback • AudibleGoodreads
#3 ~ Blood Fury: Ebook • HardcoverAudibleGoodreads


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