The Shadows (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #13) in Audiobook Junkies

Apr 02, 2015 Lupdilup rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Review from Hot Listens

The Shadows Audiobook is the 13th entry to one of my all-time favorite series. And, even though, many haven’t enjoyed the direction the series has taken in the last few installments, I still have enjoyed spending time in Caldwell, NY.

My expectations for this novel weren’t very high. After having lukewarm feelings about The King, I wasn’t nearly as excited about The Shadows; nevertheless, I still looked forward to enjoying another installment.

At first, I had a hard time con ...more

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Apr 08, 2014 Angela Carr rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2015

A fair warning: Death comes in three and there will be three deaths. This book left me in tears and I am okay with that because JR Ward ends it so it is with resolute and peace...just as it should be.

Black Dagger Brotherhood is still at the top of it's genre in every way. ...more

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Mar 30, 2015 Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) added it

Shelves: paranormal-romance, bdb, vampires

I freely admit that I am a JR Ward - Black Dagger Brotherhood junkie. I will devour a book, pick it apart, complain about what did or did not happen, and still go back for more the following year. I preordered The Shadows the day it was available. I cannot stop myself. With that said, this book may be the one that breaks me. I don’t know if I can keep coming back… I guess I’ll find out next year.

Please note, this review is written in mind of those who are familiar with the series and characters, I freely admit that I am a JR Ward - Black Dagger Brotherhood junkie. I will devour a book, pick it apart, complain about what did or did not happen, and still go back for more the following year. I preordered The Shadows the day it was available. I cannot stop myself. With that said, this book may be the one that breaks me. I don’t know if I can keep coming back… I guess I’ll find out next year.

Please note, this review is written in mind of those who are familiar with the series and characters, and may not make much sense to those who’ve never read the books. I plan to make my review as spoiler-free as possible, while explaining how I feel about The Shadows. If you have remained spoiler-free to this point, kudos to you. When I started the book and heard that spoilers were running rampant on social media, I stayed away. However, I did hear that people were very angry about something that happens. I thought, “What could possible happen to get people that worked up about with a JR Ward book? This is the same woman who tells us her characters hate her and made a heroine into a ghost that isn’t a ghost.” Well… I can fully understand now why folks feel the way they do. I can honestly say that Ward did something that she’s never done in any of the BDB books, nor is it something I ever thought I’d see from this series. What was it? Just visit Ward’s own sites or any of the numerous reviews that spill the beans.

The Shadows is one of the better books from Ward in recent years. Filled with product placements, pop culture references, and rap songs, Ward gives readers exactly what we expect. I felt that the story overall was very cohesive and flowed smoothly, which is something that has been missing. She finally got back to spending most of the book focusing on the primary romantic pairing. With the book title, The Shadows, I expected romantic storylines for both Shadow twins, Trez and iAm. While both brothers received page time, the Trez-Selena story ate up probably 75% of the book, whereas iAm’s story was a much smaller percentage. Although it didn’t necessarily bother me during the bulk of the book, in the end I felt Ward should have spent more time on iAm and made the two stories more balanced. Additionally, there are a couple of Assail POVs, one or two Lesser POVs, some Xcor/Layla and Band of Bastards time.

There was also some significant page time for Rhage which I was totally geeked for at first. However, something odd is going on with Rhage and it’s left unresolved by the end of the book, which makes sense since Ward announced at her Q/A session over the weekend that Rhage and Mary would be the focus of next year’s story. But I would have liked it better if there had been less face time for Rhage since he will be getting his own story next time. In addition, Ward spent a decent amount of time introducing us to Paradise, daughter of Wrath’s First Advisor. She is one of the central characters in the BDB spinoff series, coming out later this year. I didn’t mind the page time, however at well over 500 pages in this book, these scenes could have been edited out and it probably would have made for better flow.

Back to the primary focus… the Shadows. I really liked Trez and iAm’s intertwining story and how the complications of Trez’s forced mating with the Princess all played out. I adored Selena and Trez’s love story. It was one of the best romances from BDB in a very long time. Selena is a heroine I could get behind. She didn’t take any crap, and although she’s got a horrible disease, she refuses to let it control her life. She loves Trez with everything she’s got, and she won’t let him love her back without the same ferocity. And Trez completely changes because of his love for Selena and her love for him. It was pretty much near perfect.

So why the hate? Without spoilers, I will tell you that the ending of this book, the ultimate resolution, was so egregious in my mind and heart, that it left me unsettled and speechless. I honestly enjoyed so much of the book and was pleased with the direction Ward took with several of the parts. But the way the story ends is unacceptable within the parameters and personal expectations I have for the series.

Now what? I don’t know how to rate The Shadows. I’d say for the first 80% of the book, I was ready to give the story a B+ or A-. The last 20% … I just don’t know. The thing is, the writing was pretty good even in that last 20%, and I kept reading, waiting for something, anything to make me feel better about what happened, but it never came. I don’t feel the book deserves a failing grade, yet the ending failed me. So for the first time since I started reviewing, I am leaving a book without a rating.

My Rating: No rating ...more

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Apr 06, 2014 Darcy rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-book, listened-to-at-work, 2015, pnr, vampires

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. It's really hard to talk about this book without talking about the big issue in it, which really spoils the whole thing. So please don't read any further unless you have read the book or mind learning what happens.

With this series we're used to lots of drama with the couple. There are times they don't like each other, there are times that one or both of them is in peril, but we always, eventually get our HEA. And that is my big issue with this book. Really...you let Selena die, WTF!! Mary got a It's really hard to talk about this book without talking about the big issue in it, which really spoils the whole thing. So please don't read any further unless you have read the book or mind learning what happens.

With this series we're used to lots of drama with the couple. There are times they don't like each other, there are times that one or both of them is in peril, but we always, eventually get our HEA. And that is my big issue with this book. Really...you let Selena die, WTF!! Mary got a pass, Jane got to come back as a ghost, but Selena dies, so not happy!!

I had hope for a HEA when Trez died and saw Selena in the Fade and while I hated that both died, I would have been ok with things as they would be together and happy. Instead Selena sending Trez back seemed so wrong. I can only hope that this story line is like many of the others, that will have long reaching effects that don't come to fruition until later because that is all that will save it.

When we first learned of Selena's illness I was stunned. What a horrible thing to happen to the Chosen, a horrible way for them to suffer and die. It didn't seem right that the Virgin Scribe would let something like that happen to those she views as her children. I also hated how this illness was so secret, the dirty little secret of the Chosen.

I did like the relationship between Selena and Trez, loved how Trez gave whatever he could to Selena, even as he hated some things. It was great to see the rest of the females in the BDB gather Selena into their fold and give her what they could, friendship, advice and belonging. When they all gathered as Selena died I felt for them all, for what they were loosing, but did like that everyone had others to lean on.

With all books in this series, or at least the latter ones, there were so many story lines going on. I really liked what was going on with iAm and the Shadow Princess. I liked that they at least got their HEA and that the Princess revolutionized the Shadows.

Things seemed off with Asil too. I didn't get how he would work with the Lessors, when they are the enemy of the race. It was a bit funny to see Wrath give him a talk to and an ultimatum. I find myself not trusting him anymore, even with the head of the Fore Lessor and the location of all the rest.

Layla is starting to get on my nerves. I sort of want her to be with Xcor, but at some point she needs to man up and admit what she was doing. Until she does that nothing can happen. I do like the news that there are twins, that is great.

The highlight of the book for me was the mad drive that Fritz took Selena and Trez on. I loved how calm he was during the whole thing and how he ended it because he needed to be back at the mansion to help get things ready for last meal. Oh, the reasoning. lol

So while I wasn't happy with this book for so many reasons I'll still keep reading because this just can't be the end of Selena. ...more

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Mar 26, 2015 Liza rated it really liked it · review of another edition

***4.5 out of 5 stars***

I'm a huge fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood books by JR Ward. I was lucky enough to get a review copy of the audiobook for The Shadows. I am an equally big fan of listening to audiobooks, so I was super excited to get started with The Shadows.

First of all, I believe this is some of Jim Frangione's best work with the audiobooks in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. The names were all pronounced as I've heard Ward pronounce them at her Q&A sessions each year. He pulled ***4.5 out of 5 stars***

I'm a huge fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood books by JR Ward. I was lucky enough to get a review copy of the audiobook for The Shadows. I am an equally big fan of listening to audiobooks, so I was super excited to get started with The Shadows.

First of all, I believe this is some of Jim Frangione's best work with the audiobooks in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. The names were all pronounced as I've heard Ward pronounce them at her Q&A sessions each year. He pulled every single emotion from me as I listened to him read The Shadows.

I honestly liked The Shadows better than the last few books. I openly admit the Black Dagger Brotherhood books are like crack to me and even when I have issues with them, I won't give them up. That being said, I loved that with The Shadows Ward went back to her earlier format of the story. Yes there are multiple story lines in The Shadows, but unlike in The King, I didn't feel like I had ADD trying to keep up with 500 different point-of-views.

I loved that Ward included the romance for both Trez and iAm in one book. As I've always kind of seen the 2 characters as a team, it only made sense to me that they would share a book. Trez and Selena are one of the sweetest couples in the series. Yes there is much drama surrounding their relationship, but I sighed so many times when they were together. They also had some pretty hot sex scenes along the way. Selena showed me she was one of the strongest characters in this series during this book. I won't even lie and say this isn't an emotional read. I cried so hard at one point I had to turn off the audio as I couldn't pay attention to what was being said. However, the emotions The Shadows wrung out of me are part of the reason it was such an amazing story. I also felt like Ward gave enough "it's fate" clues to make it easier to handle what happens, and I completely agree with how she wrote the story.

iAm's romance while not as emotional for me as Trez and Selena's was every bit as satisfying. Since iAm has always been the more in the background of the two brothers, I was glad he had the focus on him finally. I really loved his mate once we really got to know her and loved how hard she worked to right a wrong in the s'Hisbe.

There was some Layla, Qhuinn and Blaylock time in The Shadows. I still love how this group of characters have become their own little family. We also got to spend time with Layla and Xcor, though she is still keeping their time together a secret. I will be interested to see what happens between Layla and Xcor after she gives birth.

We also got to spend time with the Band of Bastards and even got to know a little bit more about the dynamics with that group. I have to say the Band of Bastards story line, Assail's story line, and Abalone's daugther's Paradise's story lines added rather than detracted from the current book. I'm especially excited to get Paradise's story with Blood Kiss, the first book in the Black Dagger Legacy books in December. Things are shaking up in Caldwell and we see it with various events in The Shadows.

While I enjoyed the romances in The Shadows, I have to say part of what made it such a great book was the time we were able to spend with the original brothers. That's right, we had time with the brothers and it was like the books from the beginning of the series. I honestly think that dynamic is what has been missing from the last several books and I hope Ward continues to give us time with the brothers in the future Black Dagger Brotherhood books. The brothers are the reason I love this series and continue to read the books.

The Shadows renewed my faith in this series and has me chomping at the bit for the next Black Dagger Brotherhood book. Sadly we will have to wait a year for it, but are lucky enough to have a Black Dagger Legacy book to help get us through until the next release.

...more

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Apr 03, 2020 Linda (un)Conventional Bookworms rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2015-releases, fave-author, fave-series, adult, paranormal-adult, kindle, pre-ordered, urban-fantasy, vampires, read-in-2020

4.5 stars
There was definitely a lot going on in The Shadows, and I think the one reason why I didn't go for five stars is that there were so many sub-stories and sub-plots that it took away from the two main characters - Trez and iAm - which was really too bad. Those two have been so mysterious in prior BDB books, and so I wanted to focus solely on them, you know?
The story is very solid, though, and the over-arching plot is still going very strong.
...more

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Oct 08, 2014 Melanie added it · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance, z-2015, z-2015-audiobooks

#Listening

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Sep 29, 2016 Darlene rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, books-i-own, bought, paranormal-romance, read-in-2016

This book was a very bittersweet addition to the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I had a few reservations about this one going in, because I wasn’t sure how much I was going to enjoy a book that centralized around Trez and iAm. We did not know much about the brothers, except that they were loyal to Rehvenge and Xhex. Of the two brothers, I preferred the quiet one, iAm. I wasn’t too crazy about Trez and his promiscuity.

In a nutshell, bad-boy Trez meets The Chosen Selena and falls for her. She’s This book was a very bittersweet addition to the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I had a few reservations about this one going in, because I wasn’t sure how much I was going to enjoy a book that centralized around Trez and iAm. We did not know much about the brothers, except that they were loyal to Rehvenge and Xhex. Of the two brothers, I preferred the quiet one, iAm. I wasn’t too crazy about Trez and his promiscuity.

In a nutshell, bad-boy Trez meets The Chosen Selena and falls for her. She’s too good for him, but he gets her anyway. Is he worthy of her? I struggled with this one!! I really wanted to swoon over their relationship, but I can’t help feeling that Selena would have made a better partner for iAm! A part of me feels that Trez was not 100% deserving of Selena and his “happily ever after,” so I am actually satisfied with where Ward went with their story.

(view spoiler)

I loved learning more about The Shadows and their history, and with the Shadow Queen wanting to get her hands on Trez and get him back into the Shadow Territory to be mated to the princess. I am very happy that iAm gets the “happily ever after” that he so richly deserves! He has spent his lifetime putting Trez first, so it is nice to see him so happy and in love.

I was thrilled that Ward brought my favourite brother, Rhage, more into the forefront with this installment. He clearly is wrestling with his emotions. Is it just his guilt over being given a second chance with Mary while Trez loses his one true love, or is it something more? I guess time will tell.

Layla and Xcor are still on that see-saw, where they seem to be going in opposite directions. Now that Layla is actually expressing an interest in their relationship and taking it to the next level, Xcor is freaking out and pulling away and trying to get her out of his mind!

We are introduced to Abalone’s daughter, Paradise, who will be featured in the first installment of the spin-off BDB series, Black Dagger Legacy. I like her! She was trained in the Glymera ways of propriety, and she gives her poor father a near heart-attack when she tells him that she wants to learn to fight in the BDB’s training centre now that females are entitled to apply. She is another strong female, and she wants more to her life than just to be mated to her best friend, Peyton, who is the one she is unofficially berothed to. I am looking forward to reading more about her. We also meet Craeg, who is a hunky stranger who attends at Wrath’s mansion to pick up an application form. Paradise is a little star-struck when she meets him, and it looks like there will be a love triangle between Paradise, Craeg, and Peyton.

I have never had anything but high praise for Jim Frangione, who has been the only narrator of the BDB series. However, there are multiple inconsistencies in pronunciation in this installment. I counted five: Xhex (now "Hex" instead of "Zhex"), s’Ex, Xcor (now "Cor" instead of "Scor"), Havers (now with a short “a” vowel sound), and Primale (now "Pruh-MAH-lee" instead of "PRI-male"). I assumed that since the last 12 books were all consistent in these pronunciations that he is incorrect in this particular narration. Not so, at least not according to this interview with Jim Frangione. I really dislike narration inconsistencies! If the change in pronunciation was due to Ms. Ward's wishes, shouldn't that have been changed long before now?? Why was this not caught sooner? My opinion is that he should have been permitted to continue to pronounce the names as he has in the previous 12 books, or the previous narrations should be edited for consistency!

This review was posted on my blog. ...more

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Apr 06, 2014 Mariana Bezerra rated it really liked it

Shelves: bought2015, kindle, read-in-2016, paranormal

A new year and I decided to read The Shadows. It's a big book, but the story became too strange for me. When the book was released last year the reviews made me a little confused. I likes Trez, but did not understood why people hated so much the plot.

Now I can honestly say that I finally get it. It's not the best ending for this series and it hás definitely left me mad, but sometimes things happen for a reason and I really believe the author will find a way to make everything good in the followi ...more

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