The Chosen (Black Dagger Brotherhood #15)
SPOILERS FOR DAYS
RATING:
Goodreads Synopsis:
A scorching forbidden love threatens to tear a rift through the Black Dagger Brotherhood in J. R. Ward’s newest novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.
Xcor, leader of the Band of Bastards, convicted of treason against the Blind King, is facing a brutal interrogation and torturous death at the hands of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Yet after a life marked by cruelty and evil deeds, he accepts his soldier’s fate, his sole regret the loss of a sacred female who was never his: the Chosen Layla.
Layla alone knows the truth that will save Xcor’s life. But revealing his sacrifice and his hidden heritage will expose them both and destroy everything Layla holds dear—even her role of mother to her precious young. Torn between love and loyalty, she must summon the courage to stand up against the only family she has for the only man she will ever love. Yet even if Xcor is somehow granted a reprieve, he and Layla would have to confront a graver challenge: bridging the chasm that divides their worlds without paving the way for a future of even greater war, desolation, and death.
As a dangerous old enemy returns to Caldwell, and the identity of a new deity is revealed, nothing is certain or safe in the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, not even true love . . . or destinies that have long seemed set in stone.
15 books and I’m still heavily/obsessively engrossed?! This latest installment was filled with such tension and drama that I am a little stressed out from it.
Layla-Uhhhh
Sigh, I have never liked Layla and it is sad to say, after her being the main female protagonist, i was moved by her actions but I once again, have failed to like her. So even after Xcor “rejects” her, she is left broken and people believe she is suffering from post part depression. I have to constantly remind myself this is a work of fiction and to remember about the vampire world and the whole shellan/ bonding thing because at one point, I was getting a little disappointed with her. Of course she is upset, she just gave birth and her mate is about to be tortured but I guess after reading about her for these 15 books, I just have a already predisposed dislike for her. Okay, let me stop being negative and focus on the positive!
Layla is strong, I do give her that. I LOVED when Layla turned into his lioness to protect her cubs. So fierce, I FELT for her when it came to whether or not she would lose custody over her kids. that was UTTERLY heartbreaking and when Qhuinn called her an “incubator” my feminist fury started raging. And what annoyed me the most was how all the brothers TURN ON HER.I get it, the treason aspect is awful but UGH, the males turned on Layla real quick. I wanted to deck V and Tohr in their beautiful faces at one point. Luckily, all the women stick up for Layla and it was great to see all the women bound together.
Xcor-Breached Birth Life
As expected, Xcor’s upbringing was not pleasant. His sire Hharm, and we later learn he is also Tohr’s as well, is the biggest misogynistic asshole in the world, well second to the Bloodletter. Xcor’s little breached butt was not accepted by his father because of his “deformity” and his mother abandons him because of it. Growing up, Xcor’s life is even more depressing until the Bloodletter adopts him. How sad is that your life is so dreary until the Bloodletter accepts you. But through all this, Xcor at the end of the day is a decent guy and relearns how to be decent through his love of Layla. Throughout the trajectory of his presence in the novels, his progress did start with Layla. I loved how in the beginning of their relationship, he went to the mall and got dressed up for her. Xcor is a sweet guy and I loved how he treated Layla in the novel but I wish I could have gotten more time in his head.
Layla and Xcor= Sexy Time at the Wrong Time
Honestly, the sex was HOT and the emotional stuff between them is a tear-jerker but with all the drama in the book, it seemed almost disrespectful. There is a child custody war, Thore is being a creep, Tohr is going nuclear, misogyny is a-FLOWING, and Lassiter is pretty much a god, and with this all going on, sex is the first thing on your mind when your alone and he is no longer on Death’s door? I get it, with drama flowing, emotions and hormones going crazy but I mean COME ON.
Qhuinn Goes Batshit and Misogyny
Ohhhh Qhuinn. I of course understand his rage. The female who carried your children put herself in danger and consorted with the enemy but goddamn that boy has to hold on to his anger. I loved the drama and I could not put the book down with the showdown between him and Layla and even that battle-royal with Xcor but I guess Qhuinn has grown so much but he needs Blay to not only keep his sane but to help him continue to mature.
Qhuinn and Blay
I love their relationship so much! This is the only M/M romance I read and actually really loved so they have a special place in my heart and it hurt because they were having problems. The Qhuinn went Batshit, he said that because Blay is not biological bound to the twins, he does not get a stay in the custody battle. POW! Blay was reasonably HURT by this. Luckily, Blay knows that Qhuinn is a constant work in progress and knows how to keep him in place.
Tohr-Mr. F*************ed Up
This guy has had it rough. All of this drama happens around the anniversary of Wellsie’s death so I honestly cannot hold him up to his actions. Yeah, he acts like a complete ass and says such horrible things but at the end, he learns he does have family and does accept Xcor as his brother. So heartwarming. Two men who have lost everything, find solstice in each other.
Some other things I am still confused about:
The New Scribe Virgin is Lassister? And What’s Up with Throe?
-WHOA
-The Sanctuary is about to be FUN
Trey and Therese aka the Reincarnated Selena?
-WHOA
Bastards accepted into the Brotherhood?
-Do I hear more HEA’s????
Assail
-My poor baby Assail needs his HEA ahora!
Mecca-Amirah Jackson 