A scorching forbidden love threatens to tear a rift through the Black Dagger Brotherhood in J. R. Ward's newest novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.
Xcor, leader of the Band of Bastards, convicted of treason against the Blind King, is facing a brutal interrogation and torturous death at the hands of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Yet after a life marked by cruelty and evil deeds, he accepts his soldier's fate, his sole regret the loss of a sacred female who was never his: the Chosen Layla.
Layla alone knows the truth that will save Xcor's life. But revealing his sacrifice and his hidden heritage will expose them both and destroy everything Layla holds dear - even her role of mother to her precious young. Torn between love and loyalty, she must summon the courage to stand up against the only family she has for the only man she will ever love. Yet even if Xcor is somehow granted a reprieve, he and Layla would have to confront a graver challenge: bridging the chasm that divides their worlds without paving the way for a future of even greater war, desolation and death.
As a dangerous old enemy returns to Caldwell, and the identity of a new deity is revealed, nothing is certain or safe in the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, not even true love . . . or destinies that have long seemed set in stone.
- ISBN10 0349409161
- ISBN13 9780349409160
- Publish Date 4 April 2017
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 5 March 2021
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
- Imprint Piatkus Books
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 544
- Language English
Reviews
Cocktails and Books
I walked into this book dreading it. I wasn't a huge Xcor fan and Layla had made too many stupid choices (in my opinion) to make it back into my good graces. I figured I read it to move along with the storyline and that was it. Well....JR Ward waved her magic wand and somehow redeemed Xcor with me. The male was almost as heartbreaking as Zsadist and that right there made me forgive everything else he had done. He was doing as he was conditioned by a sadistic bastard after he had already been beaten down by those that should have loved him. It was easy to forgive.
Forgiveness seemed to be a theme in this book. Sometimes it was much harder to give that forgiveness to say Tohr and Qhuinn. Other times, it was easier to give. The brotherhood proved they truly were a brotherhood and that, in the end, they could forgive their brothers and have their backs when needed.
A lot happens in this book. Pay attention. What happens here is going to change things.