Narrated by Jim Frangione
The King by J.R. Ward, twelfth book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood (BDB), circles back to Beth and Wrath—the couple who launched this addictive series of dark tortured heroes who hunger for their mates.
If you haven’t heard of the BDB, I’m glad you’re finally out of that rock you’ve been living under. Very briefly: In the dark underbelly of Caldwell, New York, a war between vampires and their slayers plays out unnoticed by the humans around them. BDB are a secret band of leather-clad, shit-kicking vampire warriors. (They literally wear shit-kickers.) They are the last line of defense for their race against the evil Lessening Society.
We first met Wrath, the blind leader of the BDB and reluctant King of the vampires, and half-breed Beth in Dark Lover. As first in the series, Dark Lover introduced the world of the BDB, and by the end, Wrath assumes his throne, mates Beth, and makes her his Queen.
By The King, Wrath and Beth have been married for two years. King Wrath, son of Wrath, struggles with the weight of his father’s mantle and legacy. Instead of fighting, Wrath is desk-bound, writing laws in braille, dealing with power struggles with the glymera, grave threats from the Lessers and Band of Bastards.
Meanwhile, Beth decides she wants a baby. When she discovers Wrath is not onboard with this—he fears Beth will die in childbirth and is reluctant to pass his burden to an heir—this couple’s HEA is seriously challenged.
Saying more will get this review into spoiler territory. And, I have no desire to get my head chopped off by the obsessive fanatics who follow the BDB soap opera. Although I think they’ll go for a vein.
I confess to being one of those who lost my compulsion in the series around book 6 or 7, but The King has reignited my interest. To me, it’s the BDB that’s addicting, not the characters marginally associated with them. The King nicely rounds out the Brothers’ stories and concludes Wrath and Beth’s story in particular. It was very satisfying to see Wrath’s evolution from blind, tortured, reluctant King to proud father and leader of his race who fully appreciates his helpmate in Beth. Beth herself is fierce and truly a woman of worth.
As with the more recent BDB entries, Wrath and Beth are not the only focus in The King. There’s the storylines of Assail and Sola, the Chosen Layla and Xcor of the Band of Bastards, Trez and Selena, and the flashbacks to Wrath’s father (also named Wrath) and his Anha. The love scenes are Ward-trademark steaming H.O.T. (especially that Assail and Sola). And for those that dread it, be assured, the Scribe Virgin makes no appearance.
Narrator Jim Frangione owns this series. If you are a BDB fan and haven’t gotten this in audio, give it a listen. His masterful performances enhance the written novels. He even cusses like a brother!
Mr. Frangione has that baritone that immediately conveys alpha male. He also gives each of the characters a clear identity, by varying his pitch, pacing, and other vocal tricks. He has a wonderful storytelling cadence, with that edge hinting at shadows in the night. You’ll get how awesome Mr. Frangione is as you follow this series in audio. His vocal changes from one character to another are so natural that you forget he’s the sole narrator!
Megan
Narration: A (the narrator grade is really for the series)
Book Content: B+
Steam Factor: For your burning ears only
Violence: Fighting
Genre: Paranormal Romance (vampires)
Publisher: Penguin Audio
The King was provided to AudioGals for review by Penguin Audio.
Megan, because I am one of those BDB fans that also lost steam (hard to believe in these books) around book 6 or 7, your review gives me hope! I also haven’t listened to any of the audio versions, so if Jim Frangione reignited your passion, then I will have to try it! Thanks for the great review.
I listened to this book, too, my first time for this series, and am now hooked on Jim Frangione. My only quibble is his mispronunciation of Xcor’s name. It threw me for a bit but I got over it. Otherwise, he just nailed the Brothers and the story. I’ll be listening to future books.