The Beast Review

The Beast by J. R Ward

SPOILERS FOR DAYZ

“Nothing is as it used to be for the Black Dagger Brotherhood. After avoiding war with the Shadows, alliances have shifted and lines have been drawn. The slayers of the Lessening Society are stronger than ever, preying on human weakness to acquire more money, more weapons, more power. But as the Brotherhood readies for an all-out attack on them, one of their own fights a battle within himself…

For Rhage, the Brother with the biggest appetites, but also the biggest heart, life was supposed to be perfect—or at the very least, perfectly enjoyable. Mary, his beloved shellan, is by his side and his King and his brothers are thriving. But Rhage can’t understand—or control—the panic and insecurity that plague him…

And that terrifies him—as well as distances him from his mate. After suffering mortal injury in battle, Rhage must reassess his priorities—and the answer, when it comes to him, rocks his world…and Mary’s. But Mary is on a journey of her own, one that will either bring them closer together or cause a split that neither will recover from…”

Completely blown away by this book!!!! Loved everything about it!!

First off, Mary and Rhage’s story has always been my favorite–heartbreaking because of Mary’s cancer and her inability to have children and Rhage… well Rhage is Rhage haha! Charming, adorable, and “Brad Pitt and Channing Tatum’s lovechild” all bundled into a teal eyed package. The struggles they go through with this book is heartbreaking and relatable. To love someone and be unable to open up about a topic that you are aware will hurt them, is an obstacle all couples face and Ward handled it wonderfully.

It was great seeing all the Brothers in all their glory. Vicious dealing with his mommy issues and wondering if he should try having children with Doc Jane, Tohr struggling with the birth and almost death of Layla’s twins, Zsadist(poor guy) having to deal with his horrific past once again with the rescue of the blood slave Markcus, and all of their shenanigans.

It was sad though watching Assail deny his cociaine addiction and his cousins, who speak up more and are more active in this book, showing concern for their cousin. Maybe after that “I love you” phone call with Marisol, Marisol might take a trip back up to New York… (wishful thinking). I have started to like Assail as a character and especially after this book with him breaking away from drug dealing to help the Brotherhood. Hopefully, there will be a happy ending with that.

Layla. Ugh. I don’t know how I feel about her obsession with Xcor, but I found it interesting that he woke from his coma as soon as she went into labor. There relationship is pretty impossible; Xcor having planned to dethrone Wrath and having wanted to kill him and all that treason. I cannot wait to see what Ward’s plans are for them in the future.

I found it kind of… rushed with the whole adopting Bitty thing. Of course, Mary and Rhage will make the best parents in the world but I felt like that part of the book could have been expanded. I sill got teary eyed though whenever Rhage got all Daddy( how can you not?!) and cute.

Overall, LOVED IT. The beginning of the novel throws us into an epic war and wraps up with a happy ending that brought me to tears!

Still curious how things will transpire without the Scribe Virgin and the Omega probably planning to go apeshit with Lash, but guess I will have to wait another year 😦