I’ve posted about this series before, but now that I’m further along, I want to talk about it again. I know many of you have probably read at least some of the Black Dagger Brotherhood books by J.R. Ward. And if you haven’t, you’ve probably heard of them. Kait Nolan calls them “crack”. And I really get that now that I’ve been reading them. I’m on book 7 or 8 or something like that.
What’s so special about these books? It’s hard to really explain that. One of the things I like is how she has two or three stories going at once. There’s always the main story, then another side story about one of the other characters, usually whom the next book is about. And there’s always a story about the “enemy”. J.R. Ward makes you care about the characters. And her characters are really, really flawed, especially the Brothers. Each one has his own problem to overcome. Sometimes multiple problems. These books always leave you wanting to read the next one. And that’s good writing. That keeps readers coming back for more. I do have to occasionally read (listen to) something else between some of the books. They are so intense and so sexual that I need a good mystery or detective novel in between.
Are there annoying things about these books? Most definitely. The language can drive me crazy sometimes. A “situation” is always called a “sitch”. That one gets on my nerves a lot. Today, someone “snagged” someone else a glass of water. They couldn’t simply pour a glass of water. Or get a glass of water. Sometimes those little things grate on my nerves, but just for a second. Then I’m back in the story. I know the spelling of the names bother some people, but I listen to the audio books (I love the narrator!), so that isn’t an issue. All authors have things, I suppose, that get on other people’s nerves. But if the story is good, and told well, then we keep reading. I’ll feel so empty when the series is over. I have two more books to read in this series before I’ve read all of the ones written so far. But the books are SO long, and I just listen to them in my car, so it will be awhile before I’m done. 🙂
How about you? Have you read these books? Which is your favorite? Does the language bother you? I’d love to hear about it.
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What I would like to know is how a noble race like this, who had this glorious old world, formal language got to talking like frigging ganstas. That drives me nuts more than anything else. You get over the name thing eventually. But yeah, I’ve often wondered HOW these books so hooked me because I absolutely hate some of the things she does. And yet I can’t stop reading them…although the last book I really wanted to beat the Brother for being an asshat.
I know! That’s just it, these guys have lived so long, so why do they talk like this? And yet, it’s like a drug, you can’t stop reading.
Whose story did you read last? There have been several times I wanted to beat a character. LOL
Tohr’s book. I mean, it was a bad set up for me anyway because I was so pissed off about Wellsie that I couldn’t see him ever REALLY finding another true mate. And then he was just a DICK.
I read the first one and didn’t want to read more. I can’t remember the exact reasons why – I read the first in a couple of similar series, and they’ve all kind of rolled into one in my head – but I have an extremely low tolerance for things like “sitch”. 😀
I was likely disappointed because it’s one of those hyped up series that people always recommend if you say you read urban fantasy. Just not for me. How great is it that there’s so much choice now though? 🙂
I guess the books aren’t for everyone. I find them very addictive. I got REALLY hooked with book 3. I would categorize them more as paranormal romance than urban fantasy, but I think there must be a very fine line between those two genres. I’ve not quite gotten what makes a book urban fantasy. And why aren’t there rural fantasies or suburban fantasies? Hahahahahaha. I have to see this series through. I’m almost scared to read the last one because I know there’s going to be M/M, and I am just not into two guys. I’ve noticed that’s a genre a lot of women are really into, but it makes me shudder.
Argh! I lost my reply. I said something about hating labels and the confusion between what makes something UF is what probably had me disappointed. I’m more interested in the action and lore than the romance, and I generally skim past the romantic stuff.
It’s not that I hate romance, it’s just not that interesting in books for me for some reason. And I love it in films, so I’m just a weirdo. It sucks because the book I’m editing at the moment wanted to be romantic, but I suck at it. Lol.
The first one is actually one of my least favorite of the whole series. I didn’t mind Wrath, but Beth annoyed the pooey out of me. Three is my absolute favorite (I have a thing about the whole healing with the power of lurve paradigm).
Book three was awesome. I love Zsadist (or however the heck you spell his name!).
The first time I picked up Dark Lover and started reading it – 2 years ago now – I hated it, thought the names were stupid. Several months later I was in need of something to read and decided to try it again. I don’t know what the difference was but I finished Dark Lover and devoured the rest of the series that was out at that time. Sometimes the acronyms and language annoy me but I love my Brothers. Favorites are Rhage, Butch and V, John Matthew and Zadist. I’m not sure what it is about this series that is so addictive, I have reread/listened to the entire series at least 6 times and each time never tire of it.
Hi Renee! I didn’t like the first book until about halfway through. I was thinking, “Why does everyone like this series?” But I started being drawn in halfway through. Book one is probably my least favorite. I love book three. I’m not sure if it’s my favorite or not be because they all have their good points. I don’t know if I think their names are stupid as much as the spelling of them. Wrath’s name is actually spelled right, though. LOL.
I don’t know if I could read them 6 times. Although, that’s about how many times I’ve watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 🙂
Well you know what I think about this series. 😉 I really get into the characters. So much so that I even got involved in one of the fanpages on Facebook. It’s like having an every day dose of the books while waiting on the next so I feel even more like I know these characters inside and out. The page I follow is very true to the books. Some of the others go off on the “what if” scenarios.
I agree with Kait on how it is that the characters (the brothers) talk like they do. My opinion on that is they just got bored being around for hundreds of years and they are such “outcasts” from the Glymera society that they figured they might as well live down to expectations I guess. It all stems from their King acting that way I am sure.
Ward does have a writing style that pulls you in though and keeps you wanting more. Even in certain situations that you may not feel comfortable with. You still want to know what happens.
My favorite book in this series? Hmmmm….that’s a hard one. I love them all. They each have their own special quality that sets them apart from the others. If I went on characters and their particular story lines that run throughout the series though? I would have to say that Vishous’ story grabs my heart the most. He has such a tortured soul that makes me want to crawl inside the books and help him.
Anyway, after all of that, I am chomping at the bit until next Tuesday gets here and the newest book releases. I preordered it long ago and just waiting for it to show up on my Kindle. 🙂
Fangirl much? LOL. I know you love the books even more than I do. I would never get involved in a FB group like that. But I know you have fun with it. 🙂
You know how I feel about this latest book coming out. But, like I said to Claire, I’ll probably have to see the series through, even if I have to cringe while listening to it.
I haven’t read this series but I hear people talking about it all the time.
I can’t remember the last time I listened to an audio book. It was definitely a cassette tape, though. 🙂
A cassette tape? Yeah, I guess it’s been awhile. LOL. Speaking of that. When I first started buying books from Audible, I thought I had to listen to them on CD. So I bought all these blank CD’s and burned them. Then I realized I could just listen on my iPad. But the sound was terrible, especially while trying to listen in the car. But then someone mentioned the little tiny hole in my dash that I could plug stuff into. Now I plug my iPad or iPhone into my car speakers, and I have good sound again! See how far things have come since cassettes? LOL
Hmmmm, I need to get out more. I haven’t heard of these books, or if I had I quickly forgot about them (the later being the more plausable of the two).
And I’ve never tried an audio-book. Which just goes to show that I really do lead a sheltered life.
Wow, Chris, you’ve never listened to an audio book? I would get so bored driving if I didn’t.
You need to add some excitement to your life. 🙂
I’ve not read this series, but what with mentions of M/M and gangsta chat I may not bother. 😀 Although the likening it to ‘crack’ addiction made me think it might be worthy of a read… Umm! X
There was a little of the M/M in the current book I’m reading, nothing serious, mostly feelings expressed. But I think it’s leading up to the book that’s coming out next week. She usually does sex scenes in a very tasteful manner, but I’m still cringing a little thinking of the M/M. It just isn’t something I enjoy reading at all. But the books are just so good, I can’t imagine skipping one of them. 😦
I’ve never read them. The genre and stories are just not my cup of tea. 😀
You pointed out a good reason why an author can put stuff in that will annoy readers but be able to keep them hooked by the way he/she tells the tale. Who says a compelling writing voice can’t trump a multitude of annoyances? hehe
The only thing that bothers me REALLY badly is the cursing. The language is pretty bad. I talked about the way the brothers talked but didn’t mentioned there was a lot of cursing. I’m not around much of that in real life, so it really bothers me. Mostly the taking of God’s name in vain. The other cursing I can handle.