NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • J. R. Ward returns with an all-new tale of paranormal passion in the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. The Black Dagger Brotherhood continues to train the best of the best to join them in the deadly battle against the Lessening Society. Among the new recruits, Axe proves to be a cunning and vicious fighter—and also a loner isolated because of personal tragedy. … of personal tragedy. When an aristocratic female needs a bodyguard, Axe takes the job, though he’s unprepared for the animal attraction that flares between him and the one he is sworn to protect.
For Elise, who lost her first cousin to a grisly murder, Axe’s dangerous appeal is enticing—and possibly a distraction from her grief. But as they delve deeper into her cousin’s death, and their physical connection grows into so much more, Axe fears that the secrets he keeps and his tortured conscience will tear them apart.
Rhage, the Brother with the biggest heart, knows all about self-punishing, and he wants to help Axe reach his full potential. But when an unexpected arrival threatens Rhage and Mary’s new family, he finds himself back in the trenches again, fighting against a destiny that will destroy all he holds most dear.
As Axe’s past becomes known, and fate seems to be turning against Rhage, both males must reach deep—and pray that love, rather than anger, will be their lantern in the darkness.
Praise for Blood Vow
“Sharp, sexy, and funny.”—New York Journal of Books
“Nonstop action, steamy sexual tension . . . and absorbing characters.”—BookPage
“Packed with quietly gut-wrenching emotions, healing and sacrifice.”—Under the Covers
Praise for J. R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series
“Utterly absorbing.”—Angela Knight
“To die for . . . I love this series!”—Suzanne Brockmann
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O.M.G.!!
Every time I open a new BDB (Black Dagger Brotherhood) book I think that it can’t get any better than the last one, and EVERY TIME I’m proven wrong!
This book has so many layers, as do all the books within the series. This is so much more than your average vampire romance. There’s a life and death war with the lessers, ongoing clashes between the upper echelon in the vampire society and those not born with a silver spoon, and training for the recruits- the civilization’s last hope.
Rhage and Mary are faced with an impossible decision that could rip their new-found family apart, and the stress is felt throughout the King’s household.
Recruit, Axe, is a loner and that’s just how he likes it. Caring means pain, and he wants nothing to do with that monster, but a job opportunity changes everything when he falls for the very woman he’s been hired to protect.
Secrets threaten the connection he’s made with the beautiful Elise and when a near-death experience brings everything to a head, he realizes too late, how much he could lose.
Warning: This is NOT a book you can set down!
I give Blood Vow 5+ Kisses- This is going on my keeper shelf, for sure!
One of the very best series out there!! Highly recommend these well written stories and characters!! JR Ward’s is outstanding at building and blending this incredibly sexy, paranormal world!
Didn’t get enough of Rhage and Mary in the most recent Black Dagger Brotherhood release, The Beast? Well your wish of more has been granted with this latest installment of the Black Dagger Legacy series. The story of Rhage, Mary and little Bitty picks up right before it left off just in time for a heartwarming tale of family BDB-style. And let’s not forget it also keeps us apprised of the Brotherhood’s trainee program spotlighting bad boy Axe and the determined very good girl, Elise.
Axe is a commoner, an orphan, and a life-hardened guy who just wants to survive and make it through the Brother’s trainee program. Life as a warrior who is strong and nobody’s victim has appeal after watching his mother walk out the door chasing riches and his gentle father fade as he yearned for her return before dying in the Raids. Axe tried drugs and then sex, but nothing fulfills him until he catches sight of Elise. She’s way out of his league and so not his type so why can he not stop craving her?
Elise is born of an aristocratic family- a family that has become insular and stuck since the horrendous death of her rebellious cousin. Elise was the good girl to her cousin’s bad, but still her father refuses to allow her her dreams and attempts to smother her under tradition and over-protective actions designed to diminish the scandal to their family her cousin caused. Elise wants to finish school and get her doctorate in psychology so she can become a counselor to her own race just like the humans have. To achieve her goal, she agrees to a compromise with her father and that compromise is a bodyguard in the form of the dark and dangerous Axe who she can’t stop thinking about. There is no way they would work, is there?
Rhage and Mary started the adoption process for Bitty who they see as their daughter and she names them as her parents. Both worry that somehow the elusive uncle will turn up and destroy their dreams of being a family. Their nightmare becomes reality. Their attempt to bring Christmas to the mansion and a happy holiday for Bitty tastes like cinders in their mouths now.
Alright, this was an engaging story that I didn’t want to put down. Both storylines kept my interest. I’m going to startle a few people when I say that I was more curious about Axe and Elise than Rhage and Mary- though sigh…love them so that is saying a lot. Cried and laughed with Hollywood and his girls through their tough situation.
The author wrote an interesting pair of young lovers. So interesting that I felt they needed more page time. Axe is a deep person with pain and issues that keep going. These are mentioned as past tense. He’s already on the mend, but not quite there yet. He had a mother walk out and a dad check out before dying terribly leaving Axe with abandonment issues, survivors guilt, and no support. He is literally barely keeping warm and food in his belly. But he manages to get into the training program and has coped as best he could. Yes, even if his choices were dark ones. He’s getting there even up against the smug attitudes of some of the trainees who see him as trash. I was really rooting for him.
In an ironic twist of fate, he ends up with a psychology major and an aristocrat for his love interest who has no conception of the deprivations and sacrifices he has lived with. Elise is attracted to him and the pair are in full-on lust, but brainy girl keeps going into clinical mode and getting all snotty about it. I was just within a hair of hating her or at the least shaking her until her teeth rattled for her superior and spoiled attitude, but then (grin grin) Axe cut little Miss I-know-better-because-I-have-a-degree and I’ve never done naughty things like you’ off at the knees and called her on her bull. Elise learns, grows, gains insight and compassion, and, most important, girlfriend knows how to tender a deserved apology.
The story ends on a good moment, but I like where it’s going for this passionate pair, the previous pair, and those teasers for the next Legacy couple in line.
Oh, and if having a reprise of Rhage and Mary, holidays with the Brotherhood, and a young love/adventure isn’t enough, there are some interesting hintings for the future tucked inside.
All in all, abso-fab installment that is best read after BDB’s The Beast. The world and the characters are still as amazing as ever.
Original review: https://myshelfbooks.wordpress.com/2020/12/04/review-blood-vow-by-j-r-ward/
Paranormal Romance: This book follows the same schema as the previous one: a love story between two new characters and a meatier story with well-known characters of the main saga. That first couple would be Axe and Elise, while Mary and Rhage have the honor of being the other duet. And, frankly, the one that counts. It follows the story narrated in The Beast, so that book is a must if you want to understand Blood Vow. Do you remember that mysterious uncle that Bitty kept mentioning in that story? Ruhn was real after all and he has a serious claim to get Bitty’s custody. You can expect a little bit of drama in Rhage’s and Mary’s life, but I bet you already know how it is going to end. Zero surprises there.
Bodyguard, ZzZ: On the other side of the ring we have the young contenders: Axe and Elise. Axe looked like your usual bad boy, but once he meets Elise his personality is drained and becomes the male drone that Ward enjoys to write. All grunts and no fun. At least, in most books the author is capable of building a story around that, but this time we don’t even get that. Their scenes are boooring, loooong and uncharismatic. Their dialogs felt like a copy/paste from previous books… Maybe it is even more than a feeling. The bodyguarding part of the plot is underused and Troy easily discarded. In my opinion, something way better could have been built with the materials provided. Zero enjoyment there.
Fumes, Drugs: Until now I thought V was going to be my main nemesis in this saga, but it seems Peyton is jealous and he is upping the game to enhance my disgust. I hate a character that is always drunk and high. It actually blows my mind that someone like him would be considered as a trainee. I don’t think I’m going to be able to stomach his books if Peyton doesn’t change drastically. Zero interest there.
I get her books as soon as they come out! She’s an original.
This was fantastic! There’s a bit of angst, a lot of drama, a good amount of heat, and a lot of love and emotion. I was hooked from the start and kept turning the page. Blood Vow focused on two stories and I loved the flow between the different POVs. I was so excited to find out who I would hear from next and I couldn’t get through this fast enough.
Ward has done it again! Another emotional rollercoaster of a book that you can’t put down.
This book features two couples, Axe and Elise and Mary, Rhage and their foster daughter Bitty. It takes place a few months after the events in The Beast (book 14 in the BDB series). This series is to be read in conjunction with that series otherwise you will not understand what is going on in the world. (Below is the reading order.)
I really liked Axe once we got to know him. He has been dealt a crappy hand at life and is slowly trying to make himself better. He was sexy, grumpy, and kinky, kinda like V. Elise is part of the glymera but just wants to continue her psychology Ph.D. Her father only will let her continue if she has a bodyguard from the king. Axe takes the job, not only because he can’t stay away from Elise, but because he needs the money. Apparently I love romances about people from different classes falling in love, because I have loved every one I have read in the past year.
Rhage and Mary are loving having Bitty in their life! Bitty calls them mom and father, which is adorable. All the BABUs (Big-Ass Big Uncles) love her and can’t stop from spoiling her. Unfortunately they get a response from her uncle and it’s starting to look like they might lose her.
“There is only one thing that will remain unchanged. And that is my feelings for you. In fact, my love for you is the one thing that will keep me standing at the end of this.” – Rhage to Mary
I cried with Mary and Rhage at the thought they were going to lose their daughter. It was so raw and heartbreaking,especially the scene where they told Bitty that her Uncle arrived. She was so heartbroken and scared. Rhage had to use his dad’s voice just to get through to her (you know the one). So be prepared with tissues if you think you might get emotional with the character.
“You are not defective. You are perfect and smart and a blessing to everyone who knows you. And we will love you forever.” – Rhage to Bitty
Also Lassiter is the fucking best and I can’t get enough of him. He was so supportive during this tumultuous time with Bitty and he kept reminding Rhage and Mary that things will be ok. He just needs to stay away from the chimney.
Overall, this was another amazing book by Ward and I cannot wait to read the next one!
So, I loved it… if they were two separate books. Honestly, both storylines were excellent. But Mary and Rhage and Bitty took up waaay too much of this book. It should have been more Elise and Axe. I feel like they got shafted. Sigh.
Still, I seriously enjoyed both plots even if they had almost nothing to do with each other, except Axe fighting alongside Rhage.
That is why 4 stars.
Loved it, especially Bitty, Mary, and Rhage’s story.
BLOOD VOW : (Book 2 Black Dagger Legacy) : J.R. WARD.
Vampires, Black Dagger Brotherhood, The Legacy Training Group:
Axe, Peyton, Novo, Craeg, Paradise (The Primus), Elise, Mary, Rhage, Rhuin &Bitty, Vishous, Doc Jane, Manny, Lassiter, Havers, The Glymera, B & D Sex Club The Key, Safe Place, The Clinic, The Compound. The Lessing Society & The Omega!
I have read everything but The Bourbon Kings Series from This Incredible Author & there hasn’t been a single book I didn’t thoroughly enjoy if not down right Love, Love Love!
Mrs Ward has a way of writing that grabs you by the short & curlies, hard & holds you tight in place till the book’s read then releases iron her grip & hold on you, but never completely,even once the covers closed your still thinking about the Black Dagger Brotherhood & Co.
What I really loved about this book just like the last once again It’s too more character driven, less about the war & fighting, there was only a little Lesser fights, which I’m starting to miss a bit, I love the fighting!
This Series is all about the New Recruits, their relationships, Mates & forming Friendships & Bonds & having each others back!
We also delve deeper into Mary & Rhage & their want to adopt a young pre -trans teen, who’s mother was murderer in the previous book & reside @ Safe Place. This is about family, suddenly hbeing it, thinking your losing it & being wrong through the wringer mentally & emotionally. And the introduction of young Bitty’s Bloded Uncle Rhuin & wanting his blooded niece.
I think I see the big picture here,
It’s my belief Butch, Marissa, Paradise & Craeg, Elise & Axe, Mary & Rhage, (& possible new unmention characters) will become the Black Dagger Police Department & Some sort of Big Change 4 the Vampire Community & how Females are treated with The Glymera & The Females of The Brothers & The Legacy are going to pave the way for all Females. There seems to be alot of Medical (psychological & physical M.D’s coming thru to fruition of some big group, but I could be wrong!)
It’s been a few years since I read one of J.R.’s Books & boy did I miss the quality writing, a world hiding in the mist & shadows of our very own.
The dynamics of the relationship of a bonded couple the Shellan & her Hellren, or the Banded BD Brothers bought together by training, war & camaraderie & keeping the rest of their species safe from the horrificness of the Lesser Society & their sick wacked out murder, madness & mayhem ways!
Mrs Ward has created a one of a kind world, which is hidden within our very own from us ‘Rats without Tails’.
It’s so unique, there will never be a duplication of her world, her characters, or wonderful unique writing style.
It’s always eventful, has you on tenterhooks, is fast past & delivers action like a blockbuster movie in each & every book!
This would make an absolutely Awesome TV Series!
This talented Author has such a way with words and writes the greatest sex scenes with ease, at times it seems very masculine like, but it comes both from a woman’s & a man’s perspective but using terminology that usually wants too make me gag when I read it, but Ms Ward has a way of writing that is not crude or distasteful, I’m no prude, but I thank her for her tasteful sex scenes that are completely different to human sex scenes & why I think it works in this respect & world but not in many other authors worlds or written dialect.
Yes it’s different, And Yes it’s amazing, but it’s never too vulgar or crass and it never makes me feel sick to read it or makes me want to gag on the words like many romance novels do.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you,
J.R. from the bottom of my heart & especially my stomach!
I RATE BLOOD VOW 5 OUT OF 5 !
I Borrowed This Paperback From My Local Library & This Is My Fair, Honest & Impartial Review
Reviewed By : Jewlzped
From the
(Bye Love From The Crazy Australian BookWorm)!
This book is AMAZING! It’s exciting and entertaining and emotionally heart wrenching and left me happy…and sad. Happy, because I get to read another book in my favorite series! Sad, because it’s over and we have to wait until April for the next book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood world!
Where to begin? At the beginning of course! J.R. Ward shoves us right up in to an underground sex club where anonymity is key, literally and figuratively. No lube or anything, just straight up high-how-are-ya 🙂 I blushed several shades of red just in reading the first page!
Axe has a troubled past and, like many of the damaged warriors, soothes his demons with hardcore sexual deviance. He’s a commoner, poor and alone. No family, and no one to give a sh*t about him. Axe passed all obstacles to be admitted into a soldier training program run by the Black Dagger Brotherhood; to train warriors to help in their war against the Lessening Society (the bad guys). Axe has earned his place as a valued member, but he still can’t shake his feelings of worthlessness.
Elise is a female of the glymera—the “upper crust” of the vampire race, so to speak—and has been sneaking out in order to get her PhD. She wants more for herself than to be somebody’s mate. Elise has dreams to be a counselor and to help people but she’s trapped by the confines of her station. Women in the glymera are supposed to be sheltered and are not allowed the privileges like the males have. It doesn’t matter that it’s 2016, the males of the race STILL think women are property and not people.
Elise enlists the help of her cousin Peyton (a member of the soldier trainees) and Paradise (a female member of the soldier trainees) in order to get her father to see reason. He does eventually, but hires a bodyguard to make sure she’s safe…and to spy on her. And Axe just so happens to be the male for the job! Who wouldn’t want a dangerously sexy, tattooed male with piercing pale golden eyes “protecting” their body?
Wow, wow WOW! I absolutely LOVED this book! Elise is courageous, yet a bit pretentious. She doesn’t like being lied to, but she sneaks out to get her degree while lying to her father. She’s also a little judgmental and while she tries hard not to be, it still comes out in some ways and was ultimately her downfall in other ways. And I can’t go into details because I’ll spoil it and I’m trying really hard not to!
Axe is hot, sexy, strong, sexy and a bit touchy about the rich folks and their views towards the commoners. He definitely has reason to be that way, but it’s his Achilles heel and always the fuel for his constant fights with Peyton, a fellow trainee and a rich and favored male in the glymera. Axe and Elise pair very well together. Their chemistry was off the charts and their opposites attract vibe was perfectly executed. I loved them together and apart.
Rhage and Mary have a large secondary storyline in the book as well. It is the continuation of what happened in THE BEAST. Rhage and Mary are fostering a thirteen-year-old girl named Bitty and happier than they’ve ever been. But they can’t fully adopt Bitty until a six-month waiting period in case any family step up to claim her. Their worst fears are realized when someone does. You can only image the pain and suffering everyone goes through during this time. It was monumentally heartbreaking.
Lassiter is also in the book and is settling into his new job nicely. Still, no one knows who he actually is but J.R. Ward has mentioned it in her previous signings/Q&A’s. I love that he is still the same old wacky Lassiter but I love the subtly of his new position. I really loved him in this book. He’s the comic relief when you need it but he’s also the glimmer of hope when all seems lost. Brilliant!
We are also treated to scenes with Vishous, Zsadist, Bella with Nalla, and Marissa. A few other people are mentioned and others not at all. We may have to wait for THE CHOSEN to see them. And of course all the trainees, Paradise, Craeg, Peyton, Novo and Boone are present as well!
OH! And I cannot tell you how awesome this is!!! Towards the end of the book, I think someone’s HEA is introduced. I can’t name names or give anything away, I just know I girlie squealed when I read it and I cannot wait for that HEA!!!! And I say “think” because I’m not a 100% sure but I hope all will be revealed soon and maybe J.R. Ward will do a Q&A online or something for the book!
I loved the book and I’m so excited about the direction of the Legacy series. I love that it includes new characters as well as the original Brothers. It’s amazing and awesome and I love, love, LOVE it! I just wish I could get in there and live right alongside the characters.
BLOOD VOW can easily be read as a standalone but I would highly recommend the whole series with every book and novella because this world is so magical. You’re not going to want to read just one!
***Advanced copy provided by the publisher in December 2016 in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***
I love the BDB boys and have been following this series for years. In the official fan book, JR. talks about how the characters are so real they speak to her and I believe it. I almost find myself jumping at the smell of baby powder in the night, looking for Lessers in the shadows. This is a true story of stepping up to the plate for a younger generation. Love it and looking forward to more.
Blood Vow is the 2nd novel in the Black Dagger Legacy series, and like the first book in this series it stars two couples. Axe and Elise and Mary, Rhage with their daughter Bitty. This book picks up a few months after The Beast the 14th book in The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series(BDB). Black Dagger Legacy(BDL) is a spin off of the Black Dagger brotherhood that tie together and from what I have seen on fan sites for J.R. Ward and Wiki are to be read in order of release date.
I really loved Blood Vow. Axe was all broody and sexy. Hard with a past full of pain and abandonment . Into kink like a mini V. Axe is all alone in the world his mom walked out on him and his father when he was 10 because she wanted the nicer things in life and his father was a common laborer. His father having been a bonded male without his female was a shell of himself until he was killed in the raids two years ago. Axe lived only to join the war against the Lessening Society until he met Elise. Elise a daughter in the Glymera was raised to look pretty, mate, and breed, but Elise had other plans for her life. She was working on her education in Psychology. She wants to have a private counseling practice for the vampire race specializing in PTSD. Elise was very outspoken and had an inner fire. I loved how up front she was she would tell you anything you wanted to know. She was also smart, sweet, and brave. With Elise coming from a rich family, being part of the Glymera, and having an education, Axe felt he wasn’t good enough for her. He was poor, common, an ex drug addict, into sex kink and just a soldier. Elise saw the good in him, the worth. Axe and Elise had an undeniable connection from the moment they laid eyes on each other. They were a perfect couple with lots of passion. I really loved them together.
I loved getting more of Rhage, Mary, and Bitty. I just wish Mary and Rhage didn’t have to hurt so much. In this book Bitty’s uncle Ruhn showed up looking for his niece. It was heart wrenching watching Rhage and Mary think they were going to lose their daughter after just getting her. My feels. There was this one part that just ripped my soul out and had me tearing up.
I loved how great Lassiter was in this book. He really shined. I was laughing my butt off when Rhage’s beast came out trashing everything and Lassiter did this whole here have a snickers your not you when your hungry crap. He is just so out there and crazy how could anyone not love Lassiter. He was so sweet and supportive of Mary, Rhage and Bitty in this book. I also loved how close Z and Bitty were. Z is my fav so I eat up anything with him in it but to have him be all sweet to little Bitty was totally swoon worthy. I thought I would hate Bitty’s uncle Ruhn but I really liked him. I also liked the hints of the budding interest from Saxton. I hope Ruhn and Sax get together they would make a great book and Sax so deserves his HEA. The next book in the reading order is The Chosen and I can’t wait for Layla and Xcor!!!!! And the next book in this series (BDL) and the one to come out after The Chosen is Blood Fury which is Peyton and Novo’s book. I love Novo and although I didn’t really like Peyton at first he has grown on me and now I can’t wait to get my hands on their book.
great series
LOVE jr wards black dagger brotherhood- definitely recommended- I preorder ever new book in this series