The Thief: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood

I've really enjoyed Ward's books, but this one didn't live up to expectations. I was really looking forward to Assail and Sola's story - more so than many of the others, and this book just did not deliver. Their whole love story was anticlimactic and felt phoned-in. The way Sola behaved throughout much of the book felt out of character. Several things in the story bothered me, but the worst was at the end; Sola's way of being an "equal partner" to Assail didn't take the bad taste out of my mouth left by how she had been treated as basically his property for much of the book.

Worse still - I can't stand V. He's been my least favorite character in the entire series, by far. To have a *third* book with him so prominently featured was frustrating. Given what a poor payoff the Sola and Assail story line got, coupled with how much (more than half?) of this book was spend on V and Jane, made this book a disappointment for me.

?️ Another Adventure with the Brothers ?️
I have been a BDB fan for longer than I can remember -
Few can make laugh so hard, or ugly cry the way characters of the BDB does - Just one of those reads that guarantee complete immersion within the pages
This story, as with most of the BDB books, encompasses more than one set of main characters and plot line- with The Thief we get Assail and Sola's story *sigh* these two are such a unique couple I have a soft spot for Assail - he let go of Sola because he loved her - despite his cold and greedy exterior he hides a heart of pure marshmallow goodness
We also get a storyline for one of my favorite characters V and his beloved sheehan Jane and how the changes in their world - from the death of the Scribe to the war with the Lesser's is affecting their lives and their relationship -
Oh and then we get this fabulous twist with a brother long thought "retired" - Not telling - but it was a shocker and I am dying to find out what happens
The many changes also bring us new alliances as well as some new enemies
I am not sure how Ward manages it - But as you journey with the BDB each character is so vivid - their unique personalities and quirks bleed onto the pages - not only in actions but words - It is hard to explain but it is like you know them personally, you are there in the room watching them unwrap a sucker, light up a hand-rolled, flip off a brother - They are family and look forward to the next journey with them

Anyone familiar with the series will be able to tell this is a transition novel. As an urban story/erotica, it’s good. But as a romance... Personally, am quite disappointed with with the way Assail and Sola’s relationship went forward. Their story MIGHT be only one third of the book. This was my favorite simmering couple since Xhex and John Matthew, and it just didn’t quite get there. Every storyline in this installment is skin deep, except for yet another rehash of V and Doc Jane.

The love story between Assail and Sola didntive up to my expectations but other parts were enjoyable such as Vishous and Jane, Lassiter becoming a deity and Murdher being reintroduced. My other complaint is that Wrath had little dialogue and none of the women outside of Jane had any involvement in the story whatsoever. Kind of a letdown because I feel the first few chapters could have transitioned from The Chosen a little better. But overall, very good if a bit short.

Every year I look forward to spring and the latest installment of BDB. Thank u for continuing the series! Thief is great read and love the visit to the brothers’ lives. Even vampires have human issues.

OMG omg omg I can't wait for the next book. This series keep you on the edge of your seat and you can't let go!! Just as 10 questions are answered 15 more pop up and you have to know more and you NEED those answers!

While I am a fan of most of JR Ward's writing, this installment in the Black Dagger Brotherhood world was a miss for me.

SPOILERS AHEAD

The good: Sola and Assail's romance was well written. I liked their scenes, as well as the scenes with Sola's grandmother and Assail's cousins. However, all of the other mixed matings between human and vampire have featured some sort of "fix" to offer a true HEA. Where was this for Sola and Assail? Will Sola just die of old age while Assail watches?

Great swaths of the book were taken up by the Vitoria plot line, which felt tiresome and ultimately served little purpose. Sure, Sola needed some sort of threat to prove she'd needed to be afraid, but did it need to take up so much page time when a more interesting side story (perhaps Marcus and Z or more with Jo Early?) could have taken its place? Wasted page space, particularly considering the ultimate outcome.

But the ultimate failure of this book is the one-sided handling of the V/Jane drama. Ward has always had a weak spot for V. He's arguably her favorite character, stealing page time from other characters in book after book, and even though he and Jane have already had a redo of sorts in Manny and Payne's book, they get another one here, revisiting material that frankly, just isn't fresh. Arrogant, cold, hostile V has decided to cheat. Sets up an affair and enlists Fritz to help him with the details. Gets caught by Jane. Claims he didn't go through with it. And then proceeds to yell at her. Blame the whole thing on her. Because apparently when a slime-ball cheats it's all his wife's fault.

That's right, folks. J.R. Ward doesn't give us a balanced scene where Jane catches V half-naked then justifiably yells at him for cheating. No, the scene that follows is entirely V screaming at Jane for everything under the sun (much of which, frankly seems pretty petty.) Sure, all couples have issues and most relationship problems are two-sided. But to not even have V called on his actions when he's naked just caught with the candles and wine with the female leaving? To have that scene be all about Jane's failings and to have the cheating not brought up at all? It really shows how much V is J.R. Ward's special boy, and that only continues, as other characters yell at Jane for working too hard, and no one calls V on having cheated. Really, it was sickening to read. How can a female author write something so degrading to women?

This will definitely be the LAST J.R. Ward book I will be paying $14.99 for.

Another stellar installment in Ms. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Her world building is second to none and her characters always walk the edge and make you feel. Whether it be feeling emotions like anger, hurt, love...she gets you to feel something and after all, isn't that the mark of a great read?

I'll continue to look forward to every release in this series.

So, like every other BDB fan out there, I have impatiently been waiting for The Thief to be released! A year, we have been waiting for Assail and Sola's story to be told and it is an utter disappointment for me. I'm not one to give spoilers so I will just say that I was upset with the side story of V and Jane, because it seems like in every story they're involved with, they are having marital problems. I hope that Ward lays the issue to rest after this book because there are only so many times we can go through the same thing with the same couple, specially when so many people haven't been satisfied with the couple to begin with.

Anyhoo, Assail and Sola's story had the potential to be pretty awesome and I thought for sure it would be one of my fave couple story within BDB but again, disappointment. The ending of their story is very short, not many details and unsatisfactory. Too many questions remain about how their relationship will work. I feel like this book was a filler to get to the next story and no thought was really put into it. I don't regret reading it because I will still read the next book but I think Ward needs to consider finding a perfect HEA for the series as a whole. The quality is declining and for such a long wait between books, plus the fact the books are $15 for kindle, $20 for Hardback, we should expect more from Ward! Let's hope the next book will have more of everything lacking in The Thief!

I love the BDB series! I have a hard time waiting for each new one. I was glad to see Murdher in this one. He was always a mystery to me and I always wondered about his history. I hope his story comes out more in the next installment. It will be interesting to read about him and Xhex and how JM handles it. If you haven’t read any of the series you are missing great reads! Not to mention the hunky, sexy Brothers!

Absolutely wonderful- stays completely true to all the other books in this amazing series! We get answers to what Mariosal & Assail are up to and what’s up with V & Doc Jane!
A teaser about a new 1/2 Breed- the reappearance of Murhder- hummm.. a love connection?? And a whole new threat to the species!!
And what’s this new info coming to light about ... well... I’m not giving that away!! Lol!

Love the series. The first book was a present which I did not start reading until almost a year after it was given to me. Then, I tried to remember why I waited to read it. In any event, after I breezed through the series I had to wait almost a year for the next installment. My only complaint, apart from wanting them cranked out faster, is why jump so quickly from subject to subject. Sometime I think the author has ADHD.

Ward has done it again! She just has a way of pulling you into this fantastic world! Never am I disappointed. Can two people with dark pasts and secrets get past all that to find love? Read and find out! Love love love this book and series!!!!

Assail, Sola and Vovo finally have their book! Vicious and Jane have the secondary story and Throw is now the new villain. This book reinforces my love of the BDB. AgAin we end with the BIG facing a worrisome enemy, but the love stories are so complete that you end with a HEA.

I still hate the price,but love the material.

Wonderful fun again. Just finished this book and will be looking forward to the next installment..........as another reviewer said: probably involving Muhrder and Jo. Looking forward to it as usual. J.R. Ward doesn't produce these fast enough it seems. I miss the characters when I'm not reading about their latest exploits.

As always the Warden delivers....had me on the fence with vishious and things he has been going through. I have always loved Sola and Assail....and to see how their story plays out ahhh ....but best of all I have waited it seems like three books possibly 4...to find out what the hell happened to Murdher....and I just pray to the Warden please don't make me wait 3 to 4 more to bring it out....that S gonna be epic showdown and I can't wait....

J.R. Ward has done it again. The war with the lessers is dying down but a new war is coming one of the nonhuman variety and one of human variety. Will the vampire race survive? Assail and Sola, Vishous and Jane show that all relationships have kinks to work out, pun intended. Cannot wait for the next book in the Black Bagger Brotherhood saga.

Once again J. R. Ward has captivated me. I love Sola and Assail together. And the threats are turned up in this book. I wonder who is next to find their mate maybe the pre trans gurl?? Anyway definitely looking fwd to the next installment!!!!

I've been a fan from the beginning. I've bought every book. No longer. I didn't even recognize Assail and Sola. I've felt strung along the last few books and this sealed the deal. I'll happily re-read some of earlier books - but won't make any further investments. It was great for a long time - thanks for the ride while it lasted, Ms Ward.

so bummed by this book! I am a huge JR Ward fan and have been reading the BDB from the beginning! I have literally been waiting YEARS for Assail and Sola's story, and for some reason it just didn't excite me. I experienced the same feeling when reading Xcor and Layla's story. I think because JR Ward drags out their stories for years, at the end it just seems predictable (not as exciting for example as Zsadist's book- my favorite one!). I also wish the entire book centered around Assail and Sola, so much of it was about V and Jane. Disappointed :(

Ward continues to make her books more and more shallow in their content and in some story lines rushed with no depth. Characters are not well developed and too much of the book is given to a character who is only on the canvas briefly and dies at the end. Her earlier books while flawed are good stories with characters that have been developed thoughtfully and thoroughly. I will be seriously thinking twice before buying anymore of her books going forward, they just aren't worth the money anymore. There are many authors out there at half the price and 4x the talent. Save your money and pass on this book!

First of all, I want my two wasted days back.

Secondly, wow. Okay. So I've had a sneaking suspicion for a while now, but now I'm convinced. J.R. Ward hates women. I don't know why...but she does. Here we have yet another book full of gross slurs and references to how weak women are but simultaneously have to save these broken but noble men, and how women are the cause of all the problems her precious brothers face, and half-assed plots where women are basically broken tea kettles left on the back burner. And frankly, I'm sick of it. When I started this series, I got caught up in Ward's admittedly captivating storytelling -- she's a great world-builder if I'm honest. But somewhere around "The Beast", I began to realize that women are just filler in her books. Less than filler, really.

These "males" go around calling humans, and by extension their mates, rats without tails, nuisances, and trash that make their lives harder. Meanwhile, these women just smile and bat their eyelashes while conveniently rolling over and spreading their legs when it suits their partners. The men in these books have done vile, evil, disgusting things and we're supposed to just...say it's okay because they're flawed? Ward has spent so much time telling us that they're not humans (I'm the son of a deity, anyone?) that it's just not believable anymore. Even the female characters with the potential to be great end up relegated to window dressing with a convenient set of orifices.

Marissa had a book long story-line about standing up to her brother and then she's never heard from again. Beth gave birth and now she's served her purpose so she just sits at Wrath's side and looks pretty. Jane is trash because she isn't emotional enough for Ward's precious V (even though that's why he fell for her in the first place???) so it's her fault V thought about cheating on her but backed out at the last minute? Even though mated males aren't supposed to be able to even think of sleeping with another woman???? Has Ward ever read her own books????? Does Payne exist as anything other than Manny's wife anymore? What about Xhex??? Bitsy? Is Cormia ever going to appear again? Don't even get me started on this Scribe Virgin/Boo plotline.

Then there's Throe. I have no words. That's a lie. I have a lot of words, but none of them are nice. What trash. Instead of leaving well enough alone and letting a perfectly respectable, sleeping series lie, Ward has to do some botched melding of the Fallen Angels series and the BDB, because why not. It doesn't meld with the lore that's already been established but I guess because there was one, sloppy mention of the Brothers in the former series, we're supposed to be okay with a character that's supposed to be dead in this universe, resurfacing? I'm so tired with trying to keep the background straight and I'm pretty sure Ward is too.

I'm done. I'm tired of reading an author who's so wrapped up in her own characters that she can't remember the world she created. I'm done reading about characters with huge, sweeping plots that I'll never hear from again. And I'm done getting the message that women are generally trash, beaten in my subconscious every other line. I'm over it, and I'm over you and your deeply internalized misogyny, J.R. Ward.

I have tried, but I have not finished it. I have skipped a lot. In short, a boring story with a lot of stuffing and poorly developed characters. The characters seem to have undergone a change of personality, a lobotomy. They are behave differently than previous books.

Assail and Sola have never been my favorites, in previous books they have never caught my attention. My opinion has not improved. They matter to me even less now.

The actions of V seem incredible to me. I mean, I can not believe that in book five of the series, Ward sold a perfect, loving couple, with a "fantastic" ending and V did what he did, no matter how much he says there was no consummation (he expresses in another way) in The Thief.

In her books JR Ward have always been mentioned brands, but lately reading a BDB book is like watching a teleserie with advertisements. This is very annoying. I do not need to mention, for example, a well-known brand of nicotine gum to give realism to the story.

Another thing, if the next book is not Murhder's, The Thief will be my last book by Ward. I'm tired of hearing the same thing every year: "Murhder is coming." I am waiting for him to arrive from Lover Mine (#8 BDB, published 2010). To call his appearance in Lover Mine "secondary history" is to be generous. His appearance in The Thief is reduced to... two pages?

I'm being very critical, but I can not believe that Ward has not given a decent ending to this series. Since Lover Mine there have been increasingly disgruntled readers with the course of the series. You just have to see the ratings of the series. I loved the BDB series, and with the publication of each new book I'm afraid I'm not going to read a worthy ending.

Before you read this book, with your heart set on break ups and make ups, remember that The Thief is the nexus of 15 books, 13 years of BDB.

Remember that Sola and Assail have already had the bulk of their stories told throughout other books, and that V and Jane are an established couple entitled to their mated squabbles.

All of that being said, I gave The Thief four stars out of sheer disappointment that we have to wait a whole 'nother year for the series to crest this culmination of events and give us more characters to love and fret over.

I have not been this disappointed in this series until now. It left so much of the plot just hanging, so I have to wait another year? Ok, Sold and Assail are together, Mary and B are together and that's all folks

I found this newest installment of the Black Dagger Brotherhood to be very transitional. It's very much a slow burn sort of story, as a reader I found myself consistently engaged, but missing the intensity of previous books.

Except for a tedious plotline following the sister of Benloise (drug & arms dealer from previous books), I really enjoyed the storylines. V and Jane, who seem to always have something going on, deal with some serious issues that came up in The Chosen. JRW handled this storyline perfectly. She brought a realism to their relationship that I appreciated.

The other plotline focuses on Asail and Sola, who have been apart since The King. What I loved most about their story is the family they establish as they find their way back to each other. Sola's grandmother is delightful and the twins. Ehric & Evale emerge as characters I definitely want to know better.

Amongst all the romance, the Brotherhood's new enemy begins its war against them. Throe's shadows bring an unexpected and crazy twist to the mix that is creepy and fun at the same time.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. Though there are a lot of questions that went unanswered and plotlines I thought would have more page time that didn't.

This series has been steadily declining since The Beast. I don't know if she has given up on the brothers, if she has too many deadlines and engagements to meet, or what. It seems like the author is more hard set to put ideals into the book and fit the story line around it. The Beast was too busy forcing adoption into a book that she didn't try that hard to make it fit. The Chosen seemed like it needed to be about single / co parenting drama that Quinn's reactions to everything were unrealistic. Just a need for him to be dramatic and violent. The Thief stays on the same downward spiral. Sola must be bipolar. One minute she refuses to see Assail when his cousins come to ask her to see him, until her grandmother FORCED her to. Next she is crying to him how she came as soon as she knew, and she suddenly loves him. When she finds out he's a vampire, after sleeping with him for a week, she hates him and is suddenly in fear for her life. From the entire brotherhood hospital....the same people that cared for her. And Assail. And now her grandmother. Suddenly Sola thinks they are all going to kill her. She makes it clear she hates him and is leaving Caldwell. On the way to get her stuff from his house, she suddenly re loves him and has no worries putting herself into a dangerous arms meeting on his behalf to protect him. Seriously?? But she is in fear of her life from Assail? Personally, I can understand how he fell in love with Sola in the first place, but with their own book, Assail could have done better. The Vitoria chapters were boring and pointless. They had zero impact on the book as a whole. Throe was somewhat interesting, but again, didn't really make much sense. He has sex with a book. His shadow things turn vampires into zombies. No reasons were given why V shooting a shadow hurt Throe. The book implied there was a recipe to avoid this, but it turns out the reason V killed a shadow but the civilian didn't, is because SUDDENLY, 15 books later, V has always been making magic bullets from the scribe virgin's fountain? Okaaay... Lassiter hasn't been ruined yet, but I dread when he gets his own book, because I really do like him. It was kind of odd to find out Boo is the scribe virgin. Always was? Who knows. V and Jane was ...ugh as well, but they end up happy together so I guess over all that's kind of a win. Overall, each book is becoming a bigger disappointment than the last. Sadly, if the author can't be bothered to write a decent book consistent with the series she created, I don't know if I can keep bothering to read them. This makes me really sad, because I have loved this series for so long.

First, just for the record, I bought a virtually signed hardcover of this book but purchased the Kindle edition from the store.

I just finished my second reading of The Thief. I loved it and just being back in the BDB world is so wonderful because after so many books these characters are like real people to me. In between books I think damn, they're carrying on their lives and I'm not getting to see it!

The two main story lines - Assail & Sola and Vishous & Jane - are detailed and nuanced. At last these characters are making themselves vulnerable to each other by speaking what is in their hearts. Believe me that is scary but you can't have a true bonding/relationship without honesty and trust. Most especially I think/hope that readers will enjoy the evolution of V & Jane's relationship as much as I did. Back in Lover Unbound they loved each other for sure, but V still couldn't let his feelings out. In fact, he didn't even want to FEEL them - they were his enemy. He's come a long way, baby. I think this major re-examination of how they relate to each other and how successful the vampire/ghost pairing is, which JR has said she didn't cover in sufficient detail in Lover Unbound thus leaving some readers unsatisfied and unhappy, was necessary and right. Assail & Sola's romance isn't completely tied up with a bow but it was good enough for them so it's good enough for me. This is NOT the last book and I love having issues and questions at the end of one book; it just makes me look forward to the next one more.

There is some truth to reader complaints that Benloise's sister Vitoria's story line is, to put it diplomatically, not the best use of space. I admit I skipped over most of her chapters except toward the end during my second reading but I did read every word during my first reading. It's also true that the book is not as long as some others in the series but I'm not going to open up that can of worms. I'm happy just to have this book and get the most out of it that I can. Vitoria's raison d'etre comes at the end of the book and although it was a lot of words to make a point, so be it.

We have a new threat to replace the supposedly extinct Lessers (I thought they had all been destroyed at the warehouse battle yet one showed up in The Thief) and Throe is proving an admirable villain. The most disgusting thing - literally - any character does in this book, or any other book I have read for that matter, is done by him. You'll know it when you read it, believe me. The male is without any redeeming social value, and may be heading toward insanity if he isn't already there. A good case can certainly be made for the latter.

Speaking of insanity, Murhder reappears thus opening up a whole host of possibilities. And then we have Jo Early who's getting close to her transition which she can't even begin to suspect is what's happening to her. Her reappearance in the next book is certain and feeds into other story lines, e.g. a common sire with Manny and Butch which will have all sorts of interesting repercussions and open up more inter-relationships.

Finally, I can't complete this review without referring to the author's Dedication in this book. It's at the end of the book rather than the beginning which I don't recall her ever doing before, and it's ambiguous which she HAS done before. Look at the Dedication in Lover Unbound which, coincidentally, is also about V & Jane: I think I know who she's referring to in that one. Her Dedication in The Chosen is also ambiguous; I'm sure it's to Xcor, others think it's Layla. Oh well, they're The Warden's books after all, her babies. Read the Dedications and see what you think. I know I teared up when I read the one to an unnamed couple (she never puts in names) at the end of The Thief and I'm certain I know who it is to, but there are two couples in the book.

The Warden is my favorite paranormal author because the world she has built is so creative and yet concrete and can expand organically, and I adore her characters. I have to say I'm not happy to learn that, having finished The Bourbon Kings trilogy, she is starting another non-BDB related series. I hate to have any time taken away from the Brothers and the Legacy series but again, I'm not driving the bus. Please don't miss The Thief. It's essential reading for fans of the Brotherhood and those in their world.

Sixteenth in the The Black Dagger Brotherhood paranormal romance series based in Caldwell, New York, and revolving around the vampires of the King’s Guard and their race. The focus is on two couples: Vishous and Doc Jane and Sola Morte and Assail. I think it’s been a year since The King, 12, that Sola up and left Caldwell.

My Take
In spite of a lot happening in here, this was rather dull, partially because Ward had the Brothers mostly on the sidelines. That, and she went on and on and on. Oy.

There were two storylines in here with a sideline from Assail’s past. One story erupted with anger and jealousy as Vishous and Doc Jane’s issues blew up while the second has Sola tangoing hot and cold with Assail. The Brotherhood was definitely on the fringes in this. Yeah, they showed up here and there, so Ward could introduce the next big-bad raining down on the race, but not enough presence to make me happy.

It’s pretty basic theme-wise with a lack of communication leading to abandonment issues, the fear of losing loved ones, and that fear of being disappointed. And the power of love.

Ward did a nice job of demonstrating the separation dividing Doc Jane and V, making it quite clear how such a divide can occur in any relationship by using third person omniscient point-of-view, which gives us entrée into everyone’s heads, so we “hear” their thoughts and feelings. Sigh, it was a bumpy ride with metaphysical aspects, yet it was applicable to any couple as well. Y'know, not vampire-specific *grin* As for Assail, his initial enthusiasm about life is fading, as he wonders what will keep him vital and alive.

I do enjoy the popular culture that Ward brings in — her sense of humor ROFL — as well as her portrayal of the Brothers, that Rhage and his lollipops, lol. Her description of Assail’s withdrawal were vivid. As for her action scenes, more ROFL:
”As the Brotherhood and the Bastards went Wimbledon on the situation, all heads swinging back to Lassiter as if they were waiting for a line-drive response to that lob…”
That Vitoria is a nasty piece of work. I totally sympathize with her frustration with her culture’s overbearing machismo, but she’s letting all her anger out in all the wrong ways. Ward totally makes fun of her:
”The past couple of days, however, had been a trial. She had to unpack her own clothing…there had been no one to draw her bath…”
It’s pretty amazing what being near death can do to your levels of appreciation. Even better is the appreciation Jane and V come to share. The “negatives” that they adore about each other. And yeah, Manny was right about Jane needing that intervention, especially with the fears that Jane has.

We get some back history on Sola’s childhood. Geez. I’ll say it again…parents should be licensed before they can have children.

Ward is setting us up for future stories, what with Murhder's inheritance, the changes coming to Jo Early, Throe with his shadows, and the scariness of that Book!

The Story
There’s nothing more Doc Jane can do for Assail. It’s time. And Ehric and Evale have their own plans for his demise.

Throe also has plans, plans to summon a new army engineered by a force more dangerous and evil than the Omega, and the Brotherhood's fight against their enemies has escalated, forcing the Brothers to face tests at home and on the battlefield.

The Characters
Sola Morte, properly known as Marisol Maria Rafaela Carvalho, is/was a thief wanted by both good and bad ( Lover at Last, 11; The King ) — most particularly the Benloises. Mrs Carvalho is her beloved grandmother, her vovó, who loves to cook and take care of people.

Assail had been a bad man, dealing drugs and weaponry. It became even worse when he became overaddicted to that cocaine ( Lover at Last ; The King ; The Shadows, 13; The Beast, 14). Ehric and Evale are twins and Assail’s quiet and capable cousins. Markcus is the blood slave they freed in The Beast .

Vitoria Benloise is the sister based in Colombia. Ricardo and Eduardo Benloise are her brothers and used Benloise Art Gallery as cover for their drug-running and black market interests ( The King ). Margot (Forest) Fortescue has been running the gallery while the Benloises have been gone. Jonathan may have been Margot’s boyfriend. That woman is not right. Michael Streeter, Two-Tone, and Jimmy are security guards at the gallery; Jimmy has a brother on the Caldwell PD.

The Black Dagger Brotherhood is…
…a unit of HUGE, as in tall and very well muscled men, er, vampires who prefer black leather and an armory’s worth of weapons stashed all over their bodies. Wrath is the Blind King mated to Beth ( Dark Lover, 1; The King ) who has a black cat (whom I assume is not named Beth, but Boo). George is Wrath's seeing eye dog. Lassiter is a fallen angel who is a rolling-the-eyes pain in everyone’s tush.

The focus is on their trauma surgeon, Doc Jane, a woman who is actually a ghost but can solidify into a body (thanks to the Scribe Virgin). She’s mated to Vishous, a.k.a., “V”, who is the Brothers’ techno genius, the son of the Scribe Virgin, and way deep into bondage and discipline ( Lover Unbound, 5). (Hannah had been the young sister of Jane’s who had died.) Payne is V's sister mated to Manny ( Lover Unleashed, 9). V and Doc Jane live with Butch O’Neal, a former police detective, and Marissa Havers ( Lover Revealed, 4) in the Pit, a guesthouse that is part of the Brotherhood estate.

Dr Manny Manello is human, alive, and Doc Jane’s partner in the clinic. Ehlena is the nurse; she’s mated to Rehvenge ( Lover Avenged, 7). Rhage, a.k.a., Hollywood, turns into a dragon when he gets mad ( Lover Eternal, 2). He also has a love for tootsie pops, and he and his shellan, Mary, have adopted Bitty ( The Beast). Ruhn is Bitty’s uncle and mated to Saxton, Wrath’s solicitor ( Blood Fury, 15.5). John Matthew is a new Brother who happens to be mute and had been the son of Darius. He’s mated to Xhex ( Lover Mine, 8). Qhuinn is another new Brother; he’s mated to yet another newbie, Blaylock ( Lover at Last). Some of the other Brothers mentioned include Zsadist “Z” and Phury and Cormia ( Lover Enshrined, 6) who live with other Chosen at Rehvenge’s Great Camp up in the Adirondacks on Lake George. The house sounds gorgeous inside!

Fritz is their butler extraordinaire who sees to running the households. There are of course other doggen, servants. Dr Havers is the primary physician for the race; he’s also an arrogant SOB and Marissa’s brother. Ghisele is a Chosen. Aarone (Whinnig??), son of Stanalas, was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He’d been Uncle Groshe’s heir; Naasha, Throe’s meal ticket ( The Beast ; The Chosen, 15), had been Groshe's second shellan. The crazy Murhder is the next heir and Xhex’s ex.

The Band of Bastards had been…
…the Brotherhood’s enemy, but they have now allied with them and are living at the BDB mansion. Xcor was/still is their leader, and he’s mated to Layla, a Chosen ( The Chosen, 15). His men include Zypher.

Caldwell PD
Detective José de la Cruz is with Homicide and no fool.

Throe, the forsaken son of Throe had been Xcor’s second-in-command in the Band of Bastards, but went rogue. A very bad boy who feels oh-so entitled to Wrath’s throne. The Book is sentient.

A shellan is a wife; hellrens are husbands. Mahmen is mother. The glymera are the upper class. The Fade is their heaven; Dhunhd is their hell. The Scribe Virgin was a goddess who created the race; she was served by the Chosen think Vestal Virgins. She had lived in the Sanctuary which is now looked after by Amalya, the Directrix.

Jo Early ( The Beast) works for Bill’s newspaper, the Caldwell Courier Journal, as an online content editor and had had a total fascination for all things vampires. She has no idea that she’s half-vampire about to undergo the change. Lydia is Bill’s wife. Tony works next to Jo. Her roommates are stoners and include Dougie. Chance and Phillie Early had been her adoptive parents.

The Lessening Society has been the enemy of the Brotherhood and led by the Omega, an evil entity whom I think is the Scribe Virgin’s brother. Bishop Donnelly is the priest whom grandmother wants Assail to meet.

The Cover and Title
The cover is dark and dreary in its black, gray, and white, the rain pelting sideways against a briefly lit, ancient warehouse in the dark of night. Assail is in three-quarter profile, the right side of his face in shadow, stubble on his upper lip and jaw, his white shirt open to his breastbone, and wearing a black suit jacket. The author’s name and title are embossed with the first in a metallic red outlined in silver while the title is in the reverse; both are in the lower two-thirds of the cover. White is the choice for an info blurb, which is next to Ward's initials, while the series information is at the bottom.

The title focuses on destiny and Sola, The Thief.

4.25 stars-THE THIEF is the sixteenth full-length instalment in J.R. Ward’s contemporary, adult BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD paranormal, romance series focusing on an elite group of vampire warriors and their King. This is businessman, former drug dealer and vampire Assail, son of Assail, and human thief Marisol ‘Sola’ Carvalho’s story line. THE THIEF should not be read as a stand-alone; I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion, especially the last two to three instalments.

NOTE: If you have not read the last few instalments in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, there may be some spoilers in my review.

SOME BACKGROUND: One year earlier, Assail destroyed the men who attacked and brutalized the female he loved. Marisol (along with her grandmother) moved to Florida in order to escape the past, and her attraction to Assail, never knowing the extent of Assail’s addiction, his detox, his love or his deteriorating mental health.

Told from several third person points of view including Sola and Assail THE THIEF follows in the aftermath of Assail’s drug detox, and the subsequent psychosis leaving our hero a shell of his former self. Believing death was inevitable, Doc Jane and Assail’s cousins Evale and Ehric make final preparations including contacting the woman with whom Assail had fallen in love. Enter Marisol ‘Sola’ Carvalho, Assail’s mate, and the female who would jump start Assail on his road to recovery. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Assail and Sola, and the potential fall-out when Assail and Doc Jane reveal the truth about what he is, and the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

Meanwhile, a new threat has risen in Caldwell, a threat with no corporeal body but a threat more deadly than anyone could have imagined. Throe, a former warrior with the Band of Bastards, seeks revenge against the King, in the hopes of ascending to the throne, revenge that comes from secrets of the past.

The ongoing struggles in Vishous and Jane’s relationship come to a head when Jane discovers V’s path towards infidelity. A distinct lack of communication between our couple, with the added hindrance and misfortune of an overworked physician, and the Brotherhood’s battle with a new enemy find Jane and Vishous on the verge of ‘consciously uncoupling’ in a not so friendly manner. Ward’s ongoing fascination and supposed dislike for V resurfaces with his immature attitude, child-like tantrums, and treatment of the female he claims to love. Forced time off has Jane refocusing on her relationship, her work, and the future with the male she loves.

The Black Dagger Brotherhood is a character driven series but in previous instalments Ward’s need to amass and gather all of the Brothers often detracts from the story line premise(s) but in the case of The Thief the author reigns in some of the unnecessary drama that would otherwise divert attention in too many directions. THE THIEF follows a number of paths that intersect at several junctures but unlike in previous episodes the collection of side stories is limited. A sister scorned by the disappearance and death of her beloved brothers seeks revenge as Detective Jose De La Cruz begins an investigation into the series of murders linking back to the recent appearance of ‘said scorned sister’. A last minute cameo appearance by Murhder sets the stage for book seventeen THE SAVIOR, as well as a hybrid vampire’s transition that is about to go down. The individual Black Dagger Brothers have limited page time with the exception of Rhage, and of course our friendly ethereal angel Lassiter, whose new role is confirmed as Vishous is about to lose the woman he loves.

THE THIEF is a story of addiction and recovery; heartbreak, communication and love; vengeance, betrayal and supernatural powers. J. R. Ward’s THE THIEF is an engaging and intoxicating look at vampires, the females they love, and the threats meant to destroy them all. The premise is dramatic and compelling; the romance is passionate and fated; the characters are spirited, sassy, energetic and intense.

Sola Morte is living safely in Miami with her beloved grandmother, always looking over her shoulder for a threat that she’s sure will come. Assail is still in Caldwell but in a coma as his withdrawal from his drug addiction is not going well. Desperate to save him, his cousins find Sola and appeal for her help, using a slight bit of duplicity as she agrees to return to be at his side. Meanwhile, Vishous and Jane are experiencing some turmoil in their relationship as the Brotherhood is facing a new and ominous threat in the war against the Lessers...or are they the true enemy this time?

This was true, vintage BDB with its multiple storylines but it’s Sola and Assail at the forefront. Theirs is the story I’ve waited for and while there wasn’t a lot of drama, it was just what I wanted. Her grandmother Vovo added lots of comic relief and the tension built as Assail dragged his feet in telling Sola his true nature. Their journey was fun and sensual.

At first I was horrified that V and Jane were going down this dangerous path in their relationship and resented that it was even happening. However, it was important to the the Brotherhood and the connected events regarding the new threat. You’ll have to read it for yourself to understand the outcomes.

I’m still enjoying Jim Frangione’s brand of storytelling. He was brilliant in delivering Vovo’s dialogue, making me laugh out loud. There are so many bright moments (think pink pj bottoms) to balance the very real dangers and threats in the war. This was such a fun and interesting ride this time. I guess it’ll hold me until the next release.

(I received an advance copy from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review)

Ward continues to defy the traditional rules for the romance genre -- whatever flavor that genre takes, from historical to paranormal -- by threading through the narratives of various characters, giving several precedence rather than focusing solely on the evolving love story of a principal couple. With a storyline as complex as the BDB has become, that's VERY WELCOME. Not only are we eager to follow the principle romance, we're hooked into the meta-story: the Big Picture problems that tie the whole world of Caldwell together. And we also need never wonder what is happening to old favorites who have fallen behind in the story's rear-view mirror: their relationships also continue to evolve. And occasionally we trust that one of the prior couples will get another dedicated novel, and it will be anything BUT Ward's self-indulgence/pandering to the readers (example: The Beast, which revisits Rhage and Mary to see how they grow). In The Thief, we get a prolonged update on V and Doc Jane. At times you'll want to take V and Jane by the heads and knock them together -- but their story is still compulsive reading, and we'll never doubt them again. (Note to Ward: Nurse Ehlena, who spends endless hours in the trenches helping patch together traumatic injuries, needs revisiting. As does her incredible Symphath-king of a husband, Rhevenge. True?)

We've been waiting for thief-extraordinare Marisol ("Sola") to return to Caldwell for Assail, who hit the wall with his drug dealing and addiction in a prior novel, and The Thief doesn't just disappoint (and yup! the title character is definitely Sola). Can they survive the vengeance coming down upon Assail, after his major past disagreement with the Benloise family? What do you think? Will they be able to make a happy, blended family with Assail's cousins, their extended houseguest (if you haven't read the last few novels, I'm avoiding a happy spoiler), and Sola's obsessively-cooking grandmother? Well, of course: at its heart, in spite of all the violence and horror in the BDB/Legacy series, it IS a romance. But seeing how they get there is well worth the ride.

And because the BDB's traditional enemy was becoming a yawn, we have a new threat that revives the power to creep readers out while building a new, deep mystery. And it's a pleasure to see that Ward still has the power to continue breaking new ground in this now-venerable series.

One last bit of advice: DO NOT SKIP The Black Dagger Legacy novels. They dovetail with the BDB series, carrying through on major narrative lines. Be sure to read them all in order of publication date. You won't be sorry.

Unease held me in its grip when I approached this book after all that had gone before it in The Chosen. That book had been something of a rough ride for me and I was dreading the outcome of one of the plot threads. However, if there's is one thing I've learned about myself dread is only one aspect of anticipation and I was definitely wholeheartedly anticipating this book. I had to know, right? Oh, and this was my first audio encounter with the series and I had high expectations that only the first few minutes told me that I can add my voice of praise to the chorus for Jim Frangione's narration work.

The Thief is book sixteen in the Black Dagger Brotherhood paranormal romance series that reads more like Urban Fantasy for this exciting and spectacular vampire world. Like urban fantasy, these books do not work well out of order or standalone as a series arc and many plot threads feed through all these book.

First things first. I liked it- loved several parts. I was not sure I would because the last book was a weird emotional one on one part and almost flat on another. But, yes, whatever hoodoo hit the last book for me had vanished for this one. Things were back to normal and providing some closure, but moving along other fascinating plot threads.

Well, let's get to the elephant in the room for me. That ending ominous note on The Chosen (POSSIBLE SPOILER next)

in which Vishous contemplates cheating on Jane. Yep, he was planning it out when the story ended and the guy had all sorts of messed up going on in his head while Jane blithely kept doing her workhaholic routine and misses all the signs. That was what had me agitated beyond the sincere wish that the crazy dramatics that Qhinn and Tohr were engaging in would chill. Seriously, take a deep breath boys.

The Thief did indeed bring things to a crisis moment for Vishous and Jane. Like all the books since The King, it seems, the older established couples are all getting their turns at a revisit. After listening to this one, I've decided that I actually like these little established relationship hiccoughs because it makes those romances feel more real and in the end, I am a sap to get the renewed romance and affirmation of what Vee and Jane are to each other. Confession time, years ago when I read their original book, I wasn't completely sold on their romance. I thought Vee and Butch's friendship had more chemistry- and it did and still does. But this book, really made this pair shine for me.

Next, The Thief brings resolution for Assail and Marisol and offered a spin off plot on their romance with a woman set out on a family vendetta. This pair were one tempestuous ride. Assail was overcoming his drug addiction and had to tell Sola he is a vampire. Sola had to get past her daddy issues and stop transferring all this on Assail. Here's the thing, I moderately enjoyed this storyline to a certain extent, but Sola will never be a favorite or even close. I'm aware she had issues and was in serious denial, but in the opening pages of this book when she was under the impression that Assail was dying of cancer and his relations came to her just to come be with him, her first reply was telling and it set me against her. She breezily tells his cousins, "Oh, that's too bad. I can't come. How about a phone call." Yep! He saved her life, took care of the threats, protected her and her grandmother after Sola got her own butt into danger, and he gets a 'um no, but tell him I'm thinking of him.'. It was only her grandmother forcing her to take them to Caldwell and not her own choice that even saw her at Assail's bedside where she does this switcheroo and suddenly feels undying love for him well, at least for the time he has left. I feel like her love was easy because he was dying and if he'd been healthy she would have never acknowledged it. This opinion was softened when it seemed she got her head out of her butt, but no, she dexterously managed that feat a few more times when he tries to tell her about his struggles with drugs and then going clean, going clean with the business, and then he went full disclosure on the vamp side when he could have wiped her memories and walked away. The poor male hoped so hard that by telling her that she would not reject him or might give it a chance when she got over her shock. Oh no, see, this gave Miss High on her Horse a chance to berate him well and good because, you know, she's got every right to use him for a whipping post (she's a thief- a criminal- and is in hiding b/c of it). She said some pretty awful stuff to him and laid all her dad's sins on him and he took it. When she got her epiphany moment, she never once retracted all that and apologized. So... good for Assail, not really, but I felt sorry for him rather than rooted for that to happen. I felt this romance was more distracting than anything else. Sola's Vovo (grandmother) was the only bright spot for me in that storyline aside from seeing Assail happy.

There was progress on the Jo Early thread. She's no longer blogging about and hunting vampires and has a regular news job, but she's getting sick and right on the cusp of going through her vampire transition as a half-breed. I hope to see what comes next for her. Like a few others in this series, she is the off-spring of Murhder who has a gift for siring half-breeds. The former, thought to be insane Brother also might get a bigger role in future books after the surprise twist in this one. I am definitely staying tuned.

And, the new threat to the race that is stepping up with Throe and his enthralling spell book, is pretty good stuff. The shadow army he's raising and the affect on people that comes from being stung by them is bigger than the Lessers ever were. Throe thinks this attempt on the vampire throne is all his idea, but that creepy book is something else. And, I am now right along with the Brothers in wondering who sneaked up to the Sanctuary and stole the spell book. Traitor in the midst????

Well let's talk narration work. Just wow. Jim Frangione deserves all those effusive words that I kept seeing on his work as the series narrator. Pace, timing, voicing genders and a large cast, emotions, and being in tune with the writing was all spot on. I think he was particularly great on catching the camaraderie between all the Brothers. I definitely want to pick up more of this series on audio and catch more of his work.

All in all, this was a solid installment that has me excited for what is to come and with no idea who will be the main focus next. I was meh on Assail and Sola and Vittoria's vendetta, but the rest of the plot threads were riveting for me. I feel like its a given that these are highly recommended, particularly to vampire romance fans. For those who are caught up on the series, I now join you in trying to be patient until the next installment.

I'm not sure where this series is going anymore. I started having major problems with this series with The Chosen. I was hoping that this book would remedy the problem, or at least start helping. I've cherished the BDB from the first book, and I'm sorry to say that I'm loosing my interest in them now and I'm so sad about that. It seems that we are going to continue to have the Brothers doing the exact opposite of what their code has "always been" before. How can you have them say that they love their mates more than anything else in the world, then treat them the way they have been in the last two books. I have to say, that I will give this series one more book, if things aren't explained, or fixed, I am horrified to say that I will not be reading my beloved series any longer.

Assail and Sola, V and Doc Jane, and the addition of an entirely new enemy? Or is it, perhaps, an old enemy newly manifested? Either way, two out of three of the themes in the latest riveting and revered installment of the BDB, The Thief, can only spell bad news for Black Dagger fans. The Throe situation gets even more complicated, an old ally makes a concerning reappearance, and a new human is thrown into the mix making for a brilliant reconnection, an important resolution, an unexpected obstacle, uncertainty all around, and a story that is just as complicated, fun, and utterly consuming as all the last.

Sometimes we all need a good smack in the face to convince us we need to change the way we do things or to reevaluate our priorities. Sometimes it takes the extreme to convince us to change our ways and in V and Jane's case, it doesn't get much more drastic than their situation In any case, while it has been hinted at that this relationship was headed for choppy waters, I'm not sure I was quite prepared for the heights to which things have actually reached. As with the last few Black Dagger Brotherhood books, I am thrilled with the return to the original brothers' stories, and while I can't say the return to my man, Vishous's story is for even remotely happy circumstances, I am elated to be in his presence, and more importantly, in his head once again.

As for Vishous and any question as to will he, or won't he end up with the relationship, the closure, and the future he deserves, have no doubt, what many a Black Dagger fan would respectfully refer to as our very own deity, The Warden, has us covered. Of course, our man V gets, maybe not what he may want, but definitely what he deserves and what he needs in the end. Our unemotional, thoroughly analytical, seemingly impenetrable tough guy shows us his soft side once more and the sensitivity and vulnerability is sure to make a V lover out of even the biggest hold out. At times V is softer than ever this go round as his vulnerabilities about all sorts of things come to light and I can't say I've ever found this favorite brother of mine so intelligent, so sexy, or so endearing.

And don't even get me started on Lassiter. That angel has always been good for a laugh, enigmatic, and utterly fascinating, but now, forget about it. We are all in for a wild ride with that one!

While it wasn't easy for Assail and Sola's story to play out and, to be honest, I'm not sure they were really given adequate billing in this one, I am delighted with the way in which it did turn out and in such a fitting manner, V made me proud exposing himself so freely (in more ways than one) in this book, and the new enemy is sure to keep us glued to the pages of many a coming book. As always, The Thief is fun, sexy, and absolutely enchanting. It's books like this that only serve to reinforce why I am obsessed with this series and simply cannot get enough Brotherhood action.

It always feels so good to jump back into JR Ward’s world. This is book sixteen, with so many spinoffs and novellas intertwined, so I feel like I can’t say much, but this is just a series I will always love. Basically, in the Black Dagger Brotherhood we follow a bunch of powerful vampires, that are in an elite group that protects humans, vampires, angels, and a bunch of other paranormal entities, and they all live in this big mansion, and they all are one big family that’s just saving the world.

But The Thief surrounds mostly four different storylines, even though we get to see most of the brothers, new and old, and their partners. And to make this easy, I’m just going to break down each of them.

“She missed the man she shouldn’t have ever had as if he were a piece of her soul, left behind.”

➽ Assail and Sola - *swoons forever* I’ve been waiting for these two to finally have their book for a long while. And it was so worth the wait. Sola’s number one priority will always be taking care of her grandmother, so she is still on the run and in hiding with her. Assail is not doing so great after trying to detox the drugs from his body while in rehab in the brotherhood’s hospital. But his cousins go searching for the one thing that might bring him out of his endless sleep. I loved the dynamic between Assail and Sola and I pray that we get more of them in future books. Also, I loved Sola’s grandmother so much, and I can’t speak on the Latnix rep, but the Catholic grandmother rep was so on point!

➽ Victoria - I’ll be honest, I hated her point of view. Victoria is in town, looking to find out what happened to her brothers, and to maybe get revenge for them. Honestly, I get why she had a point of view, and it obviously tied everything up in the end, but it still just felt pointless.

➽ Vishous and Doc Jane - A lot of people were very scared, because JR Ward said that these two had a little bit of a rocky road ahead of them. And even though there is no cheating in this book, there is a close call. But seeing these two reconnect was honestly something that I wasn’t expecting to love as much as I did. And it really put into perspective how important it is to make time for yourself and for your partner. Vishous also deals with his parentage and learns a few new things that will probably start to change the mansion forever.

➽ Throe - Xcor’s former second in command has taken quite the turn. He is now a villain that I don’t think even I was prepared for. And the book sex scene was… something I don’t really have words for. But I enjoyed how he used his new-found power, and I thought it was pretty scary and really made for a page turner. And it is going to be very interesting to see how the Omega feels about all of this.

Overall, I just will never get enough from this world, these brothers, or this author. Every single time I open up one of these book, it feels like pure joy. I know that nostalgia factors in a little, because I’ve been reading this series for what feels like my whole life, but I also think this series is some of the best PNR out there still. And I absolutely cannot wait to finally actually meet Murhder. I have a feeling the wait is going to be very worth it.

What do you get when you cross Pretty Woman, Norman Reedus and JR Ward? A pretty amazing book if you ask me. There was a mention of Norman that had me smiling and then she went and quoted my favorite movie in this book. I died a few times. LOL

“I see you, he thought. And you are beautiful to me."

I”ve been excited for Assail’s book since was introduced. He was one that caught my eye and I was craving to know more and get inside his head. Sola was a lot more then I planned on though. She was fearless and knew who she was and didn’t take crap from anyone. She was so amazing and so perfect for him. I loved every minute of their story.

Jane and Vishous. That was rough and I wasn’t expecting all of that. I am loving that we get to revisit these guys and see their relationships evolve and change but man – it hurts sometimes. I did enjoy this visit with one the originals more than some of the others. Maybe because I always loved Vishous or maybe because this catch up felt a little more real compared to the others. I’m not sure but I liked it a lot. The part that gutted me the most was Lassiter’s involvement in this. You’ll see when you read it, so full of heartbreak there.

"But sometimes that was all you could do-just pour your hope and love into your partner because they needed the support, even though it arguably wasn’t going to change or improve what was really going on.”

The new “enemy” and the new “Scribe Virgin” – I can’t wait for more of this. It’s exciting and so much win I am on the edge of my seat. Especially the replacement for the SV, I am dying to know more about that. Oh and that thing that Vishous finds out – I KNEW IT!! The build up for the next book was fantastic and had me hooked right away. Yes, this is book 16 but I am just as hooked as I was in the beginning. I hope you are reading this series and if you are not then tsk tsk. Get on it!

“Just so you know, I wish I had never treated you back at St Francis. I wish I had been off that night when you came in.”

Holy Plot Twists, Batman!

The Thief is so much more than just the typical BDB star-crossed lovers romance. The dark undertones and revelations of all things bad and forth coming really set this book off to be the beginning of something major in the next book, which has already revealed to be about Throe and his little seductive book of bad shit.

Let’s start off with Assail and Sola. My reference above to them being star-crossed lovers is about as close as you can get to perfection in regards of describing their relationship. Assail is an addict, and Sola is a human on the run from her past with her grandmother in tow. Their romance is a slow burn that turns into a raging inferno of lies and passion. The HEA to their story couldn’t have been any better despite the little flames of drama popping up between them.

Next, V and Jane. Now this side story is what held my attention the most as I read this behemoth of a book. The near the beginning twist had me tossing my kindle in rage at V’s actions. You could almost hear the pain between these two characters as they had to tread dangerous and particularly damning waters to find themselves back where they needed to me. All relationships hit those low points, and it was refreshing to see that Ward was willing to add a real-life twist to her very fictional and very demanding BDB’s men.

Now the final piece, Throe and his book. A clear set-up for what’s to come in the next book. It will be a dark and dangerous path that I am so excited to read. Will Throe be redeemed or will be follow his book to place he can never return from?

2019 needs to hurry up so we can find out!

This is my guilty pleasure series about butt-kicking vampires and this installment was on par with most of the other novels in the series. I was happy to see Sola and Assail’s story finally featured, especially. But, I made the mistake of listening to the audio book. I’ve not previously listened to any of these novels in this format. Apparently, Jim Frangione is the go-to narrator for this series of audio books. I bet he’s not bad for many of the novels in the series but this novel was largely told from the perspective of female characters and he’s just not the right person to be doing it. Additionally, his voice is usually presented as if he is giving a movie teaser narration for an action movie. I’m sure he’d be great at that, and he was awesome during the few action scenes in the novel, but this is not the voice I want to hear narrating an entire novel. It’s exhausting, inappropriate, and doesn’t allow for much in way of voice acting. I was always very conscious that a narrator was reading the novel. There were a couple short segments where he didn’t turn the narrator voice on (for some odd reason?) and I could really tell the difference in his vocal tone and actually relaxed a little into the story until the movie voice came back. So, while he didn’t have a saliva problem and his action scene narration was good, I have to give him a C- because he definitely took away from my enjoyment of the story.

I am a long time fan of the Warden and the BDB universe. Unfortunately I stopped reading the books after Quinn and Blay's book because I felt that the series was going way off the mark and becoming to feel too much like a vampire Soap Opera and the cheesy factor of the way they started coming across as characters from the movie Belly versus the loveable harda$$'s that we all fell in love with.

With that said, I picked this book up because i enjoyed Assail in Lover MIne. I went into this book blind since I don't know what changes happened in the war, but after reading The Thief I am going to go back and get caught up! Some reviews complain about unresolved issues but by now we should know that the Warden uses those loose ends to bulk up her next installments, and so I don't mind them as long as they don't affect the main plot lines.

One thing that I didn't care for in this book - which is why I only gave it four stars - is that it felt like two novellas (Assail/Sola and V/Jane) crammed with peripheral views of the BDB world. Don't get me wrong, I love to read about my favorite characters but I feel like she should have written more into Assail and Sola's plot and focused on plumping up their story instead of doing a drive-by on their love. If the book were longer to incorporate more to the main story then that would have resolved the feeling of this feeling like a novella. Hopefully this book is a way for her to establish new characters like Jo Early, Marcus and Murhder.

The Thief (Black Dagger Brotherhood)

4.75 stars
Genres; Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Suspense.
Negatives & Positives
Loved it, but felt pulled in too many directions at once. It would have been better if this been Assail & Sola's story without the addition V & Jane's addition. That needed to be in a novella or something. Or, better yet, a book like she did with Rhage & Mary in The Beast.
My problem with it being in this story was it just added too much for me with everything else going on in the book.
I have waited a long time for Assail & Sola's story!
V & Jane added layers but, when you get pulled in two very different directions and both are so full of angst.....It made the reading/flow off just a bit.
I understand there were elements they brought to the story that needed to be addressed, but it was a problem for me.
Other than that I thought it was a great story and I love the BDB series. There is a lot to love in this one too. The suspense and adult romance is plentiful and well written.
I will definitely be waiting with great anticipation for the next book in this series.
I don't remember seeing any typos/editing errors.
bookshelves: j-r-ward, adult, paranormal, suspense, romance, 1-dig-lib, 0-review-share

Anyone who has ever read any books in this series knows that it is the best in paranormal romance. Forget the sparkling vampires, the brothers of the Black Dagger Brotherhood are like the Sons of Anarchy, but on the side of good. That being said, there wasn't a whole lot of the action of the brothers fighting on the streets against the enemy.
This is Sola and Assail's story with a good dose of Vishous and Jane. We get to "see" many of the characters of this world Ms. Ward has created but so many we don't. There will be "a new girl in town". Murhder makes a reappearance and will be in the next book called The Savior. It really took a long time for his character to come around again. I love being in this world and the books are just never long enough. Time to reread the series. As always we get our HEA. Still, there are big problems to be solved.
I loooove Sola's grandmother. I love the family dynamic with the cousins, Ehric and Evale. I hope that some of the "magic", as Assail puts it, that worked for Mary and Jane has a chance to work out for Sola too.
There are a whole lot of other reviews on Goodreads that pretty much say what I feel so I won't rehash them. You can read them for yourself. And if you aren't a member of Goodreads, you should be.

Today, I started and finished The Thief. The Thief (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #16) by J.R. Ward Although it is 14 1/2 hours on audio, I couldn't stop listening. I thought that it was great.

I thought that Ward was on her game with this book. It was nice to see certain characters who haven't had a lot of presence play a role in this novel.

There are a couple of stories within this novel. Sola and Assail are the main characters, Vischous and Jane are another storyline, and the new "entity" is the third.

A side note on the Assail/Marisol (Sola) story is one about Victoria, who is the sister of the bad guys whom Sola worked for to spy on Assail.

I found the characters rather raw and emotionally real. The flow of the story was easy to follow. (I listened on audio).

I really do wonder what the product endorsement fees are because there are a lot of them. I don't care if there is a lot of trademarked name dropping, but I do know that it is a concern for some people.

Spoilerish for The Thief......

There are a couple of characters, (with short chapters), who have been a mystery throughout the past few books and because of their mentions, I think that they will be in the next book.
All in all, I had a great time reading this. I would give it 4- 4 1/2*s.
It hit all of my urban fantasy buttons, a romance, a couple of good fights, vengeance and characters willing to fight for and protect their "families".

I must admit to being somewhat disappointed. Assail's story has been hanging unfinished for several books. He had been revealed originally as ruthless, self centered, powerful, very smart, and passionate. His attraction and commitment to Sola, and her finally leaving him was a strong, powerful story, and for several books all we read about him was the sound of his agonized screaming as he shook off his addition to cocaine. I think we all, certainly I, were eager for his story to resume. But this Assail is too nice, too weak and kind of a simp. Sola returns, he gets better, Sola and her grandmother move into his house and declare their love. But the sexy, hot, bad boy Assail is missing. On the other hand, V and Jane's relationship was clearly cooling and that was tragic. This book brought their increasingly separate lives to a climax satisfactorily and believably, (assuming you accepted the parameters of the BDB, which I do.) Lassiter takes on a new dimension, inevitable and interesting. I always hate to close these books; by now when I am engaged with one of them, they are family, and I am relieved we have a new Big Bad to deal with and another tendril to tempt us with the story line of Jo Early, guaranteeing there will be more BDB.

4 Stars... I enjoyed diving back into this series and reconnecting with some of the primary characters and their stories... The main focus of this book was the relationship between Marisol and Assail, which I was really looking forward to based on past reads... Unfortunately, I found the story to be predictable and slightly boring... The most interesting aspect to their journey was Marisol's vovo who is spirited and challenging but loving at the same time... For me, she carried their story and gave it personality... I was more consumed with the relationship between Vishous and Doc Jane and overcoming their turmoil (I appreciate the Ward revisits these characters and shows them overcoming obstacles and recommitting to their love... Eternity with someone should not be easy!), but also the segue into the new enemy of the Brotherhood as well as Vishous' role in the "End"; very intriguing... Overall, I enjoyed the read and look forward to Murhder's story:)

I won this book in a giveaway and was thrilled to give the Brotherhood another chance. I was a huge fan from the first book and anxiously awaited each new release, but then after book 9 I gave up because so many of my beloved characters acted either against character or they were killed off. Somehow the series just fell flat for me. Focusing on J.R. Ward's other series instead. I figured I would just cherish the books that I loved and moved on. However enter "The Thief" and it reawakened some of my love for the series. I liked Assail and his cousins and especially Sola's grandmother, and Sola came around in the end, but then V got a storyline that nearly broke my heart again, that almost spoiled it for me again. Luckily things turned around in the end.
Overall great read with lots of action, suspense and some steamy romance, and I plan to check out some of the books I have missed and catch up on the series again, and for the first time in awhile I can't wait to see what will happen next.

>Book review – The Thief
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 16th book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and ends in an HEA, yet the plot continues. This book has a lot of different story lines, the main ones being the romance between Assail and Sola and the marriage issues between Vicious and Doc Jane. Even though the V/Jane storyline is dark and sad, there were scenes of real humor, especially when V got dressed in Jane’s My Little Pony pj bottoms on accident.
>Assail, his twin cousins, Sola and her VoVo each play major parts in the story line. VoVo is especially funny as she takes charge and orders the extremely dangerous vampires about. Sola falls for Assail, not knowing he is a vampire. She is with him for quite some time, so I found it a bit hard to believe she never noticed the whole ‘going out at night only’ thing.
>This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this story 5 stars. A new threat is introduced, in the form of killer shadows and a missing book. This series and each book in the series really get more and more interesting.

I am so happy that Sola and Assail where given a book.  The way they left things, no way could that have been all with their story.  Well of course not, Ward wouldn’t do that to us.  

The best and most unusual character out of this book turned out to be Sola’s Grandmother.  She was hilarious.  I could visualize a little old woman whipping a houseful of enormous vampire men into shape and her being none the wiser.  I hope this won’t be the last time we are graced with her in this world.

The secondary story revolved around V and Jane.  I knew this was coming.  They’ve been having issues, and they needed a kick to get their relationship back on track.  Ward gave them that kick.

The Thief was a great addition to the BDB world, and I am looking forward to seeing what she does with Murhder.  I am hoping that is the next story.  But we will see.  Ward has given herself so many options for the next book and has kept this long-running series fresh, exciting and full of surprises. 

A STUNNING display of tear inducing drama, heart-in-your-throat action, and soul crashing romance, J.R. Ward won't be defeated with her latest Black Dagger Brotherhood novel, The Thief!

In The Thief we find a new threat blooming and it leaves us readers speechless and things that were once unclear become crystal clear and it leaves us in so much awe. There is only one author that continues to surprise me again and again with her amazing ability to weave a story with twists and a love so great, it leaves one feeling honored and completely smitten! I devoured this book in a few days and FLOVED every second of it along with every feeling it brought on to me. I NEVER tire of reading these BDB novels because Miss Ward's characters are unforgettable and the stories never cease to surprise and delight me. This is the kind of drama I come to crave and I am already anxious for the next one.

The Thief gets a BEST OF THE BEST FIVE SHOOTING STARS!

For me, this is the weakest book in the series. It seemed like it was full of fluff and filler and didn't give a full storyline to what should have been the main characters of this book as implied by its title, "The Thief". For me, the grandmother was unrealistic and annoying. V and Jane got top billing in this story and it wasn't necessary. They already had their book and their roles in this one were ridiculous, unnecessary and not up to par with the BDB universe. The parts of the book revolving around the Mafia sister who came into town were just boring. Not the author's best at all.

I enjoyed this installment of the BDB. Although the story was about Assail and Sola, there was a concurrent story about Vishous (V) and Jane and guest appearances by the others in the compound to keep me sated for now. I can't wait to read more about Lassiter's new job, Boo, as the Scribe Virgin, in the mix and how it will play out with the new threat to the Brotherhood by Throe.

As always, JR delivered on the stories and gave us a good blend of all the others. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more on the Assail, Sola, the twins, Marcus and the Sola's Grandmother story-line. I feel that since this was their book, there would more on their day to night interactions; a more in-depth look on their lives together and seeing how they get on as this new family unit. But, maybe the next install will give more, hopefully.

Another good install, looking forward to The Savior next.

spoiler alert ?????

I loved the book the only thing I had issues with was getting into Assails and Sola's story line. I liked the conflict between V and Jane and how they finally got their crap together and started talking about their issues with each other. Throe and the books creepy ass relationship was interesting. they way she brought Muhder in was an interesting way I did not see coming. all I have to say is hanger alert because J.R Ward leaves you hanging like a closet full of clothes. can not wait for what happens next.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It is great that there are a couple of stories-lines running through this book. I find it keeps it interesting and keeps the series characters fresh in your mind.

This book is mostly about Assaill, who wakes from fighting his addiction and Marisol, a wonderful strong feisty character. I loved Marisol's grandmother, who is small in stature but huge in character, the way she orders everybody around is hilarious.

So,So,So happy that V and Jane's story continues.

I still find the story-line fresh and interesting, even after reading so many books in the series. The new threat is evolving and there is the typical banter amongst the brothers.

Absolutely worth a read for the avid fans!

I’m breaking down my review as usual to cover everything going on here....

V and Jane
I know a lot of fans want V and Butch together....not this girl. I love V and Jane together regardless of JRW’s recent revelations. Why? Why, would she say such bullshit and shatter my faith in her? Fans don't like this couple for some reason, that reason being Jane. They want a V and Butch HEA....Um yeah, not happening, Butch is totally in love and dedicated to Marissa....and has been since his first glimpse of her in Dark Lover. I've always loved V and Jane together, and now I feel betrayed by JRW, I wish she would have keep her secrets. Anywho, their book was favorite so knowing there was trouble ahead for them gutted me, and honest to God I was dreading reading this book, but, I’ve always trusted JRW and where she took the series, so I’ll continued to follow my instincts.

JRW did NOT disappoint! V and Jane faced marital problem, she didn’t sugarcoat the problem, and honestly I felt for both of them. They are meant for one another, despite some fans and JRW’s opinions. Their mating was definitely on shakey grounds, but, when V is attacked and wounded Jane can’t turn her back on him and not just because she’s a physician, he’s her mate, and finally once again V’s eyes opened to what he can lose and he was jolted by it, and I couldn't be happier with their outcome!!!

Sola and Assail
As for Sola and Assail, I really like them but I don’t feel invested in them as a couple for some reason. Assail is being cared for in the brotherhood medical center, his body is shutting down on him and he's allowing it. His devoted cousins, who have pretty prominent roles, make the decision to go to Sola, she is their last ditch effort, only she can bring him back and she does. But, they are still in trouble, Sola doesn’t know Vampires exist. We also, get some more of Sola’s beloved, bossy, and enduring Vovò.

All the other stuff.....
We get some Phury, which I LOVE! Like many of us, I love the original brothers and it's always a treat when we get to see more of them in the new books. Rhage and Butch both have a role here, I really loved their roles but, regardless of their roles JRW didn’t lose focus on the main couples and issues.

We also get a mention of the reporter Jo, the half breed is very close to her transition, looking forward to seeing where that storyline goes!!! And finally MURHDER'S BACK!!! Yikes, I’m excited and nervous at the same time, I can’t wait to see where that storyline will go!!! Throe is back with his army of shadows....holy crap!! I'm intrigued yet scared for the Brotherhood. I was hoping for more of Trez and Therese, but, we’re going to have to wait for more of them. We also treated to a bit of Saxton and Ruhn.

Lastly, Lassiter, holy heck he is right in the thick of things and not doing a very good job. I have a feeling he’s responsible (totally by mistake, if I’m right) for the newfound power Throe has. All-in-all I throughly enjoyed this installment and can't wait to see what's next!

Wow. What a snooze. Sola and Assail's story was boring and cheesy. Assail came out of his psychosis at the sound of Sola's voice. Oh brother I'm rolling my eyes over here. I think Sola's grandmother was more entertaining. And when Sola finally found out he's a vampire she was insulting to the point that I didn't want Assail to take her back when she finally came around.

I was hoping at least V and Jane would provide the angst I was hoping for but no he didn't cheat (come on you know he wasn't going to) and he and Jane were working things out by ten percent.

The only thing I liked was the glimpse of Murhder we got and the possibility of more of a storyline with him.

Worst BDB book imo. Very disappointing.

*Purchased through Audible*

I checked The Thief, book 16 of the Black Daggar Brotherhood series, out from my local library. Yeah, okay what happened to the fast-pacing and edge-of-my-seat tension? And what's with the title? The thief, Sola's, profession doesn't really have all that much to do with the story (unless we are talking about "the book"). There was some interesting forward progression of the overall story lines, but I have to say I'm disappointed in the story itself. Not the quality or complexity I've come to expect from this author...and let's not talk about the typos (esp. referring to Sola as Assail's male, rather than mate, on a couple occasions).

Now, don't get me wrong i love the BDB world, but what and where is J R Ward going with it all. I never really cared for the Assail and Sola story at all, or the side story. However; i did enjoy visiting with V and Jane, even tho their story has been done a few times. there are other brothers i would like to see. side stories on. the shadow stuff seems done before. i'm not a fan. this Throe thing is a silly story line. (in my opinion) not sure where this Murhder story line will go or why. Overall this book was disappointing for me, but, there were parts i like and enjoyed.

Not Ward's best BDB book. Victoria had too many pages about her story in the book. She wasn't a character worth reading about. She should have went with the new half breed girl (Jo) who was about to turn. Throe's storyline was whack too. And...unfortunately...I bet she will try to finish it in the next book in this series and I don't want to waste time reading it. But...I guess there has to be some type of danger facing the BDB since the Scribe Virgin and Omega have sort of disappeared. Again...not her best book in the series; but it was not bad enough to discourage me from wanting to read the next.

I thought my heart was going to break in to pieces twice in this one. Two of my very favorite characters find out that being together isn’t as easy as just living someone - it takes hard work and real commitment. And when they forget that and drift apart I’m going “No no no! Don’t you dare!” And then two characters that had parted in the past appear again. Oh and did I mention that now the Lessers aren’t the only things threatening our beloved Brotherhood? Oh I loved this one as always. No one quite like our J. R.

Wow! This book started out a lil slow but it picked up steam. Sola and Assail, V and Jane love was truly in the air. I so love Lassiter. He is what a perfect Angel should be. Compassionate! So underestimated. Yes he is.

As always J R leaves a whole lot of questions to be answered in the next book but darn that's what keeps me coming back. So awaiting the next book because I want to know about Murhdur. Is Wrath going to see him? So many questions.

??? these books!

This was a book I could not wait to get. I had always wanted a resolution to Assail's story. And this book did not disappoint. Also with the other characters included in the book is was like getting to see old friends. It is clearly evident that Vicious is her favorite character in this book and it makes me love him more. But the character that I truly fell in love with again is the grandmother Vovo. I actually met a woman who is very much like her and grandmothers are very important people. What a great roller coaster ride again.

This installment in BDB was ok. Assail had "let it go" with Marisol - but cousin enlisted her aide with his drug rehab & recovery. Not sure if I like this relationship/mating issues with each book. All the brothers got issues - true - but ?? I like that V finally found out Scribe Virgin's replacement.

I loved this. Independent women are awesome!! Not every woman needs to be guarded like they are porcelain. Sola definitely doesn’t. I’m excited to see what comes next. Since Assail & Sola are both out of the illegal businesses, will we see more of them? I personally would love that. I’d like to see more of the twins & Markus as well. I’d also like to know more civilians. I need more Del la Cruse especially in connection with Butch!!

Thank-You!!

The Thief is one heck of a thrill ride that is complete with what we've all come to love about the Black Dagger Brotherhood. The chemistry between Assail and Sola as well as one of our other favorite couples; Doc Jane and Vishous is off the charts and will definitely have the reader heading for a cold shower; hawt hawt hawt!!! There are chills as well and some laughs. This is a must-read! My hat is off to JR Ward and her Black Dagger Series.

JR Ward's books are amazing and a MUST read I have read every one of her bdb books and while I have found some slow to start they make up for it 100%. Every book has that hard start but you have to keep going and not give up, I see one-star reviews and wonder why they are reading paranormal books if that's the case. I loved the story and so happy that they found a way to work out the problems in the relationship.

JR Ward graces us with another winner of The Black Dagger Brotherhood. I listened to the audible version and found myself biting my nails, laughing my ass off and sighing with contentment. Now I'm just impatient for the next!

So I was expecting boredom and a less exciting installment to the series now that the lessers are less.
I was disappointed. NOT boring VERY exciting read
New and interesting threat for our BDB. Actually two. Or maybe three. I cannot wait until the next book.
VERY much liked this story of Sola and Assail. Vicious and Jane's drama was ok.

spoilers**Possible spoilers** I rarely write reviews and never thought I'd be writing this type of review about this author and series. JR Ward has been my favorite author within the context of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series bar none. I'm always sad when the ending of her books come, even the not so good ones with the exception of The Beast and The Chosen (boring). Assail and Sola were one of my most awaited couple storylines. I was annoyed that other weaker stories (The Chosen) came first. I could never have guessed that their story could be this bad of a disappointment to me. Who the heck were these people. Assail was a wimp instead of the strong A type personality I loved. He was a bad ass in a suit that inspired fear and took no prisoners. I get that he'd been sick for a while but that doesn't justify his being led by the nose by Sola in such an emasculating way once he got better. Then there's Sola, whose dignified strength turned to just being annoying, pushy and inconsiderate. Vovo was the only redeeming character in that storyline. I also liked the twins.
This book in essence was the story of how Vicious almost (or did he) cheated on Doc Jane and their ridiculous and easy ignoring the whole possible cheating and then making up overnight. I felt no true passion between them, they feel more like roommates. I guess I've never really been into their relationship and I felt he was out of character as well. At least the brothers teasing each other added some levity at times although not often enough.
The things that saved the book for me were the bridge to the upcoming storylines: the Shadows and who's behind the new threat, I thought it might've been a pissed off Scribe Virgin, not so. Who's the traitor who stole the book, Muhrders return and what that'll mean to Xhex and John and the Brotherhood overall, the fallen angel finally having something to do other than watch soaps and annoy the brothers, Vicious being a large part of the "end" (whatever end that is) and hopefully something on the half breed female reporter. I have loved this series from day one, always an auto buy regardless of the disappointments that have come before this book. Unfortunately, I will have to wait for reviews on the next book and possibly even wait until the price drops as they usually do because the material doesn't justify the price and the books are slowly creeping down in number of pages as well. Maybe JR is tiring of these characters or just plain running out of ideas. Whatever the reason it makes me sad because I have been unable to find another paranormal series to compare to this one. I'll have nothing to replace it with. She just put out a new series about firefighters outside of the BDB world, yesterday I think, but after this experience I'm going to have to pass on that as well.
P.S. JUST FOUND OUT the next BDB book is called "The Savior" and it's about Muhrder. Straight from the horses mouth on her facebook page.

The Black Dagger Brotherhood Novels are excellent reads. They will satisfy the most discriminating reader. In the most recent story we find a new foe in Caldwell. Vishous is faced with the task of discovering its secrets. Meanwhile, Assail has a problem of his own. These novels are truly addictive! I wait patiently for each one and am never disappointed

Another good book from Ms. Ward. I'm glad that Marisol and Assail's story is back. Not only has their story evolved but Vishous and Jane are a big part of it. A few characters are introduced and/or explained some more giving us the reader something to look forward to in Ward's future BDB novels.

Another good book in the series. The plot is good and loose ends are tied up. More insight into the Scribe Virgin and V's life, which is great to know. The action sequences and overall story arc are still on point. And if course the all consuming love stories are awesome!

“Well, hello, beautiful … You are a sight for sore eyes.”

I'm going to be brutally honest here. I wasn't looking forward for 'Assail and Sola' story. I don't know. The only thing I know know is that I absolutely love their story and their love.

I loved The Thief! I'm happy about Sola and Assail getting theirs. I guess I'm okay with V and Jane working it out, although I would of liked to have and addition to their relationship. I absolutely love Vovo, she's great! Can't wait for the next book! Thank you JR Ward!

This is another fantastic story of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. The thing a like most about J.R. Ward’s books is you always get a secondary and sometimes a third story in one book, and all are really good.

Of course the snarky humor is a plus!

I had been waiting for Sola and Assail's story but like other readers - this was more of Jane and V's story. Sola and Assail were secondary characters and for that I was disappointed-but still enjoyed.

This book was terrible. I've read every book since dark lover. I used to preorder the BDB books. I wanted to go thru the book again just to summarize how bad it is, but I can't open the book again... I just can't. The only reason I'm still reading them is for the destroyer prophesy. After the omega dies I'm done. I need an end to the story. I really don't care about the new 'villain'.

Reconnected us with characters we'd been wondering about--while checking back in with core characters (V, Jane, etc). And the story was coherent, cohesive and consistently entrenched in the Caldwell world. Enjoy!

As this series has gone on there have been some good and not so good novels. I am happy to say this is one of the good ones.
I was glad they finished this couple's story. I liked Sola and Assail before and this didn't disappoint.

All I can say is I LOVE Sola’s Vovo! ? ?

Fine, time to bring out the big guns, Sola thought.
“He’s not Catholic.” ~ Sola
“He will convert.” ~ Mrs. Carvalho
pg 60 #TheThief

I have the entire collection so far!M y hubby surprised me with this latest update on the BDB! I absolutely LOVE THIS! Already itching to read what happens Next! A year is so long to wait! ?❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

I love and have read all her books in this series. They are a fun read. Her characters are engaging and real. It is a little annoying that while this is a stand-alone book, she leaves just enough in other story lines to reel you in and keep you jinxing for the next book.

I love the audible versions of all of these. This was the best ever!!. Like I said in my last review I am not sure of the dark place Ms. Ward was in, in the beginning of the original series but she has come through and these stories are the best, This one I, and I have read them all is the best ever. I listened to it twice and could not put down. Keep Jim Frangione. Absolutely amazing, I can't wait for the next one.

Yet another favorite for me! This book stays true to the BDB world and told the story of Soland Assail wonderfully!!!

A fabulous read!!!

For the people complaining about the price, this is NOT the forum for that. Take your complaints elsewhere.

I just couldn’t stand listening to a man talking the parts of the female characters. I kept laughing and couldn’t concentrate on the story itself. They need to offer a female voice as an option as well. Glad I received this for free or I would have wasted my money. Going to cancel the Audio plan on here. What a disappointment