Challenge Corner discussion

In this powerful audio exclusive, #1 New York Times bestseller J.R. Ward shares the star-crossed love story of reader favorite, and original member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Darius.

Darius, son of Marklon, isn’t looking for love the night destiny comes to claim him. He’s also not interested in crashing his new car. But when a human woman runs out into the road and he must swerve to avoid killing her...everything goes off course.

Disillusioned by his King’s lack of leadership and the losses in the war against the Lessening Society, Darius finds purpose in protecting a woman he cannot make his own. Love finds a way, however—until the truth of what he is comes out and she leaves him in horror.

Unbeknownst to them both, Anne is carrying his young, a female who is destined to be Queen—and after a tragic reunion, he vows to protect their daughter. Resigned to perpetual sadness, he is determined to serve the memory of his beloved no matter the cost...unless by some miracle, fate sees fit to once again bring them together.

Yay thanks Jamie!

I'm hoping to start the next one shortly

Ok, so I decided to go with the next one up for me. I'm going to try and read Darius after that.

Chapters 1-15 => (view spoiler)[ For some reason, I thought I was going to be reading about Tohr, but was pleasantly surprised this was Rehvenge's book. I forgot pretty much everything I think from this book.

We also see lot's of Xhex in this one. She's an interesting character lol (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 16-30 => (view spoiler)[I forgot a lot of this stuff with Lash. Ugh, I really hate that guy. I can't wait until they realize he's still alive.

I like seeing the relationship growing between Rehvenge and Ehlena. Same with Xhex and John. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 31-45 => (view spoiler)[I can't wait for Rehv to finally tell Ehlena who and what he is. I forget how she reacts to him though.

I really hate Lash. His head is getting a little too big. I can't wait for him to get what's coming to him, lol. (hide spoiler)]

Okay, starting book #1 before my afternoon meetings start because why not?!?!


Prologue: (view spoiler)[Well, it has been a very long time since I've read this book and only this book within this series. I will probably not remember anything. Let's go. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 46-60 => (view spoiler)[I forgot that Wrath goes blind in this one.

I'm a little irritated with how Ehlena reacted when she found out Rehv was a sympath. I completely forgot how this all ends lol (hide spoiler)]

Ch 1-10: (view spoiler)[Oof. Going from being sexually assaulted (right? I heard that right?) to being turned on by Wrath and then some was something. I can't remember, he and Beth are like mates, right? Or something like that? He just doesn't realize it, I guess? Or maybe I'm reading into things... but it escalated quite quickly between them. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 11-21: (view spoiler)[HA! I had a feeling they were mates. Glad I was right on that part. Okay, so her dad is a vampire. Or was? Yeah, I'm pretty sure they said he was dead... but I could've imagined that part. (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 11-21: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Her dad is Darius. He's the one who blew up in the car in the first chapter. He was trying to get Wrath to watch her so he could help her with her transition if she transitioned :) (hide spoiler)]

Jamie wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Ch 11-21: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Yeeeees

Chapters 61-74 (end) => (view spoiler)[ok, Ehlena redeemed herself there at the end.

I'm glad Bella knows everything.

I also forgot that Lash kidnapped Xhex from the fight. This is the storyline for the next book with John Matthew and Xhex. I do love John Matthew. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 22-30: (view spoiler)[A lot has happened, my goodness. I like that she's starting to meet the guys, though I would've shat my pants if I woke up to someone standing over me. I also feel bad for Marissa since Wrath released her from their engagement... I just feel like the girl needs to heal and find someone else. Or start a new hobby? Idk. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 31-41: (view spoiler)[The romance definitely picked up between these two. A little surprised that they moved to marriage so quickly but when you know... you know (I guess?). I'm also happy for Butch and Marissa, but then he was questions and assumes things about her and I felt bad for her all over again. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 42-50: (view spoiler)[Oof. That fight. Scary how Mr. X took Beth so easily. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 51-Finish: (view spoiler)[Not surprised with how much I didn't remember since I last read this in 2018 lol. It was still good and I'm excited to jump into the next book of this series. (hide spoiler)]

I'll be coming back to this soon!

Same - I keep getting distracted by ARCs

keeping alive...

keeping this alive :)

keeping alive...

Audible is lighting a small flame under my butt because now books 2-6 are available until 7/15. so I'll be jumping into the next book ASAP!

I can't wait to see what you think! I'm waiting on my audio for book 8. Crossing fingers it's soon!

keeping alive...

Introduction: (view spoiler)[Okay, I'm intrigued. The Fade is the afterlife and one can only hope his wife is there, right? RIGHT? Or could she also be reborn? Idk. I have lots of questions and it has been way too long since I've read the first book. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 1-15 => (view spoiler)[I'm happy to be back in this world!! I forget how John finds Xhex. It's been so long since I've read these first ones, I've definitely forgot the details.

This is the one where we realize that Blay wants Qhuinn. I love these two, but damn I forgot how angsty their relationship was for a couple of books. This is the start of it all... (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 16-30 => (view spoiler)[I forget, but I think that these flashbacks with Darius have something to do with Xhex.

I didn't really care for Xhex much in the prior books, but I do like her some in this one. I really can't remember if she delays getting with John or not. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 31-45 => (view spoiler)[And they finally admit their feelings!!! John and Xhex really are perfect for each other.

I hate that Blay and Qhuinn go through all this tension. It's painstaking at times, lol (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 46-60 => (view spoiler)[ I forgot that we finally meet Payne in this one. Oh and we also No'One (gotta love these names) (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 61-end => (view spoiler)[Finally, Lash is gone!! God, I hated that guy. He always thought more of himself than anyone else. His own greed started to take him out anyway.

I love that V finally met his sister. This one definitely sets up No'One and Tohr for their book. I do love this series. (hide spoiler)]

Okay, jumping back into Darius :)

Ch 1-6: (view spoiler)[Darius saying he's Anne's fairy godmother while scaring the living shit out of Bruce was top tier. I love that. Which is why it makes me so sad he's dead. UGH! How am I supposed to get through this book knowing that?!?!

Other than that, Bruce being a con guy and lying about everything to Anne was not on my bingo card (just yet). My goodness, he's such a bad guy. I hope we don't see him anymore. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 7-12: (view spoiler)[Oof, the vision of his death. So scary that he is now aware of how he will die... just not when. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 13-18: (view spoiler)[I did not think he was going to be stabbed at that moment in time... but at least we knew he was going to be fine, right? It's not his time to die. Though, I am surprised Bruce is a vampire already. And he was quick to say he killed Charlie. Interesting. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 19-Finish: (view spoiler)[Aw, he's with Anne again. That makes me happy. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 1-11: (view spoiler)[Oh, Butch. I have missed you. He's hilarious. John's visions—do you think this is because of Darius being him? Right? He was John? Or am I mixing characters up!?! I feel like I need more coffee right now. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 12-21: (view spoiler)[That guy is THIRSTY. "You look like water" Either that's adorable, a great line, or the guy just needs blood. I'm thinking he's going to be the cure for her in some way... which seems completely obvious. I'll be mad if he isn't. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 22-31: (view spoiler)[I'm surprised he held back for this long. Had a feeling things would heat up and pretty quickly. (hide spoiler)]

I love Butch!! And (view spoiler)[I do think that's what is up with John's visions. It's because he's really Darius. (hide spoiler)]

Jamie wrote: "I love Butch!! And [spoilers removed]"

YES (view spoiler)[because at the end of Darius, he's back to John, right? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 32-41: (view spoiler)[Maybe I read things out of order, lol. Darius should've been read way later? Idk! I feel bad for Mary sometimes because of how reserved Rhage can be from time to time. BUT he makes up for it too. Also, is Mr. O a good guy or a bad guy? It's is driving me nuts.

OH AND BELLA AND ZSADIST? WHAT BOOK IS THAT? IS IT THE NEXT ONE? (hide spoiler)]

Yes it's the next one. That is one of my favorites!!! (view spoiler)[Zadist's story is so sad, but damn his character growth is so damn good! It's one of my favorite books of the series so far! He's so misunderstood! (hide spoiler)]

Ch 42-Finished: (view spoiler)[OMMMMMMMG THAT ENDING? Okay, I need the next book now! (hide spoiler)]

Right?!?!?!? That ending puts you on the edge of your seat!

Ch 1-10: (view spoiler)[Oh, Mr. O. I need that lady to escape. I'm still not sure if I can trust him or not. I just don't understand him or Mr. X. Obviously, they have different plans or whatever. Or on different paths and such. I just... don't know who to trust. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 11-20: (view spoiler)[Aw Z and Bella. I really need him to think he's enough for her. No, I want him to know. It's obvious she chose him; just accept it and make it worth her while. MAKE HER YOUR QUEEN. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 21-32: (view spoiler)[EEEEEEEEEEEK I'm so happy that they are getting closer. BUT AT THE SAME TIME I AM SO SAD FOR Z MY GOD. (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 21-32: [spoilers removed]"

😭