THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD: An Insider's Guide

Author: J.R. Ward ISBN: 9780451225009 10/2008 PARANORMAL Publisher: NAL

This is a book no Black Dagger Brotherhood fan should miss—an insider’s guide that will seduce readers as powerfully as the sexy band of Brothers and the world they live in. And also included is an original short story about stars Zsadist and Bella! This comprehensive guide features insider information on the Brotherhood, their dossiers, stats, and special gifts. Readers will savor interviews with their favorite characters, deleted scenes, exciting material from the J.R. Ward message board and the answers to their burning questions. They’ll learn what it’s like for J.R. Ward to write each installment of the series, and in a fascinating twist, read an interview with the author—conducted by the Brothers. Plus readers will get a sneak peek at the much anticipated next book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Lover Avenged.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

When I think of a guide, I think of secrets that should not necessarily be revealed, but are because others demand it. That is not what this guide is (thank you very much), but that was my fear. Why? Because I never want Ward to bow down to anyone other than the story in her head. I do not want her to apologize or do anything differently than what her muse demands. I do not want this series to be tailored for the fans, and by that I mean for myself or anyone other than the Brothers, even when I don't like it. I never want these stories to become commercial, old, stale, or predictable. I'm sure this isn't coming out right, but these are the reasons why I continually bypassed the book on my nightstand in favor of something else.

I love The Black Dagger Brotherhood. Not "I'm dressing in leathers and wearing fake fangs" love, but "This sh*t is crazy, groundbreaking, destined to never be forgotten" love. With all the vampire stories floating around out there—most of which I swear I have read— you would think I would be immune and sick of anything with teeth. Quite the contrary. There is nothing, NOTHING like these. If the series ever turns into some pansy-for-the-fans read or loses its edge (think Nip/Tuck), I will absolutely have a meltdown.

So, I admit my skepticism, my lack of faith in J.R., and my fear that reading this guide would ruin the mystique that surrounds the Brotherhood. There are just some things I do not want to know, perhaps shouldn't know, and are quite frankly afraid to know. I suppose I should have kept the faith—even V would probably take Ward's side in this one (especially since I don't like his book all that much)—because the guide is not a betrayal of anything. It's not even an explanation, really. It's just a straightforward compilation of how some things came to be and are. I still won't visit Ward's blogging boards, though. I'd rather wait for the hard-copy.

Shannon Johnson