The backstory that started it all. I’ve always been interested in Darius’ backstory and Ward did not disappoint. There was a palatable emotions with this one. A true male of worth!

Darius is a vampire, one of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, protector of the race and royal guard to the absent king. Anne is very much human, working a normal job, living a normal human life. The two meet when Darius hits Anne with his car and over the course of just a few nights the two fall deeply in love.

Where do I even start? This book was incredible. J.R. Ward is just an incredible writer, she weaves such intricate plots, juggles so many characters, this world is massive, so it's really no surprise that I loved this one as much as all the rest. Jim Frangione reads all the Black Dagger books and I really couldn't imagine anyone else doing it. He voices the characters so well and manages to get all the emotion across without it being weird, he's a really amazing narrator. The plot was so good! Darius meets Anne after he hits her with his new car and they fall in love. I loved their relationship, the way it developed. At one point they're eating pigs in a blanket and I just swooned, it was ridiculous and probably not meant to be such a sweet scene but it really made me love them. Then the last scene of the book is just so emotional, I almost cried, my heart melted. I just loved it so much, I really wish it was in print, which is why it wasn't 5 stars because a lot of people can't do audiobooks, but aside from that I listened to it in one sitting. If you're a fan of the Black Dagger books, J.R. Ward or just vampires and romance in general than I can't recommend this series enough. These books are spicy, funny, heart wrenching, and so sweet all at once, they're incredible and this one is no exception.

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I quite enjoyed this, though I would have preferred to physically read it. I did really like getting the story of Ann and Darius.

4.25 Stars ⭐️

I was thrilled to be awarded this audio ARC. I am a HUGE long time fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. and have listened to the audio versions of many of the later books in this series. As usual, Jim Frangione does a great job with this book. He has been narrating this series for so long that he has become the voice that I hear in my head when I think of this series.

Now, about this book. I had to REALLY think about the events that were going on at the time this book takes place. This is like a "prequel" prequel. This takes place WAY before we even meet the two main characters in the first book in this series. That book introduced us to Wrath and to Beth - and even - come to think of it - Darius. It's crazy to now know everything we know and then utilizing that knowledge while listening to this book and hearing the "then" regarding certain characters (I'm thinking about Zsadist, heck, even V, or Rage) It's weird seeing them THEN, when we know them NOW. If you have not read any of the books in this series, none of this will make any sense.

Can this book be read/listened to as a stand alone or first? Hmmm???? You know, probably. You could read this first and then start with book one. Actually, the more I think about it, I think it could be read at anytime. Once Wrath and Beth get the Black Dagger Brotherhood (BDB) started on the right path, you can now look back and see the "how" it all became possible.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this audio ARC. The views above are mine and mine alone.

Darius
JR Ward

Long time fans of the BDB series are in for a real treat as the Warden FINALLY gifts her followers the full, good, bad and ugly Darius story a prequel to her unparalleled Black Dagger Brotherhood series. From the beginning series groupies know the story of how Beth and Wrath meet and fall in love but now we also know how Beth came to be as JR recounts the tragic, starcrossed love story of Beth’s parents Darius and Anne. It’s fun going back in time before cell phones and the brothers obsession with rap music, before they all occupied the Mansion and reuniting with the not ready for prime time barbaric bros. As usual Ward’s narrative is gritty in your face, f-bombing and unapologetic And listeners will have the opportunity to go back when the Lessening society was in it’s prime and the brothers were losing the war. Long time fans can skip around a bit but new readers should read/listen in order as they may have trouble connecting all the dots.

Jim Frangione is the voice of The Black Dagger Brotherhood and once again his deep, mesmerizing, penetrating voice will wow listeners with his emotionally charged and impeccable narration.

Darius son of Marklon had a vision ever since The Black Dagger Brotherhood left the old country and arrived on the shores of this new land, a dream of bringing all of his brothers together to live, even going as far as building them a mansion in Caldwell NY to house not only his brothers but their future families too. But he’s got a King who refuses to rule who is his own worse enemy and a band of rebellious fighters who are barely fit for pleasant company. So the very last thing he needs is to find his true love, but as he’s about to learn you don’t always get what you want when you want it and fate can be a real bitch.

Anne is through with lying cheating men so when she literally runs into the path of a car driven by a tall, dark and handsome stranger she thinks maybe, just maybe this time she’ll find her prince charming. But what she gets is kicked in the butt by Karma.

The story was heart breaking and perfect. It gave every bit of information and more that I had wanted after the first book. The narrator did an incredible job as well! I couldn't stop listening until I had to wait for my headphones to recharge.

Make sure you are up to date on all current books before reading! It is backstory but some takes place with the more recent books too!

Oh this was painful... And zero regrets are had, despite that. I was so desperately looking forward to finding out what the hype was all about with this "Darius" character that everyone loved. I was drawn in. I was hurt. I loved it. This audiobook took the story to a deeper level than just the book would have.

This is the only book I have read of this series and it has me thoroughly convinced to grab each and every other one that I can find.

Vampires, war, human/vamp comingling, keeping all of that a secret in a world that is growing smarter every day? The tension was real and the emotions were straight gut wrenching. I don't want to give spoilers, but by gods if this book wasn't divine and set up the perfect premise for the series going forward.


Also, massive kudos to whoever had the foresight to request this particular voice actor because that was ultimate chef's kiss.

The moment I heard that voice, the voice of Darius, I was wrapped into a story I didn't know I needed so badly.

Jim Frangione is the perfect choice to give a voice to Darius, deep, rich, and mesmerizing his talent drew me into a world I've loved for over 15 years.

I've always wondered about Beth's parents, wondered how they met and how the fell in love, what tragedy occurred that Beth didn't know her parents.

This book gives you all the answers to those questions, and being the emotional roller coaster it is I would go from crying to laughing to feeling torn to shreds when we relive the loss of Darius.

It is only fitting that his story set the entire brotherhood on the path to being who and what they are today.

Wrath may be the King, but Darius, he was the glue that held them all together, the planner that gave them a home, a meaning, and the ability to see what could be.

This ending was perfection, I'm sitting here thinking more, I need more, but in reality seeing the love between Darius and Anne, seeing what he went through to keep his promise to her, the sacrifice he made to watch over Beth, it is perfection.

I think this is the first time I can say I wouldn't change a single word of this book, it really is a love letter to the male that set the standard for what love between mates should be.

Who knew a battered BMW, tomato soup, and a missing shoe could be the beginning of a love story that crosses life, death, and everything in between.

Thank-you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for providinga copy of this Audio book in exchange for review.

Darius
A Black Dagger Brotherhood Love Story
by J.R. Ward
Narrated by Jim Frangione

I received a digital copy of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is an extension of JR Wards prolific Black Dagger Brotherhood series. While I don’t consider it necessary to have read all the books I do strongly urge you to read the first book in the series. This one is largely a prequel to the first book as the origin story of the heroine in the first book and this book does not have a traditional HEA so the end will be more satisfying and acceptable if one is already invested in the whole story. It ends with an epilogue to the first book.

Read by the usual narrator for this series it has the same flow and feel we are used to. This is a paranormal/supernatural vampire + human insta-love romance with referencing themes of fated mates. Trigger warnings include parent death, death in childbirth, lies of omission, abusive romantic relationships, gaslighting and controlling behavior.

Solid book for this series and great as an audiobook. 5/5

Finally! The book our beautiful Darius DESERVED!!! From the moment I heard the voice of Darius, via the narration of Jim Frangione, I had instant tears. After all these years... after all the Black Dagger Brotherhood has been through... to hear where it all began... well, my aching-pounding heart has been healed. I didn't know how much emotion this would bring. I am still wiping away the tears. A masterful addition that has, in my opinion, made the BDB series whole. Once again proving the skill and endearing passion Ward holds for her creations. Perfection.
~Tanja

I never dreamed J.R. Ward would write Darius’s story. As a long time fan of all her works, but especially the Black Dagger Brotherhood (BDD), this story was beautifully written, and for a fan of the series a very emotional read.

Darius is an original member of the BDD and has tried to create a safe place for his vampire brethren as well as their king, who refuses to take the throne and leads the race. As Darius’s frustrations with his king, the war with the Lessoning Society grow, he starts to believe his dream will never become a reality.

One night Darius almost hits a woman when she runs into the road. Darius survives the car vs. tree incident, but he realizes the woman is hurt. He takes her to the hospital to get checked out learns her name is Anne. Their almost tragic accident begins their vampire/human love story. If you’ve read the series you know what’s coming and if you haven’t I won’t spoil it for you.

For almost 20 years I've waited for Darius's story. It was a complicated desire because of Darius's attachment to John Matthew and the knowledge ahead of time of how this story would end. As usual, JR Ward came through with bringing the story, that started with Dark Lover, full circle while leaving this reader anxious to see the fallout now that Darius had his happily ever after.

Darius, the book, was a welcome foray back to the Brotherhood we met in Dark Lover. Spending that time with Darius, readers get a deeper look at the BDB as they were before Wrath ascended to the throne. Darius's desire to have all of them under one roof, as a true Brotherhood, was heart breaking as he gave up hope for this to happen and saddened knowing only his death would set the move to the mansion in motion.

As usual, Jim Frangione was on point and his narration brought the book to life. With Darius only available as an audio book (it will be released in print in the future) Frangione's take on the characters gets the job done.

Of course, the romance between Darius and Anne is both sweet and heartbreaking. But, for me, it was the relationships between Darius and his Brothers and his connection to Fritz that stood out. These were the moments that I've craved for decades and JR Ward wrote a convincing prequel to Dark Lover that felt true to the original 6 books.

Ok, let’s be real here. We know how Darius’s story ends. We knew this story was going to hurt. But we still wanted it.

I am so very thankful to receive an ARC of this book. As with all JRW books, you think you know what’s going to happen, but then she adds a little magic to the story and then shocks the crud out of you. I’m glad I didn’t have to worry about someone ruining that for me.

Without any spoilers I will say that I like the direction she chose to go with this book. The cameos sprinkled throughout had me smiling. Anne was one strong woman and she had to make some very hard decisions that I’m not sure many would be able to do.

Seeing inside Darius’s head, before the BDB stories we know, was wild. The brothers were the same, and yet different. It makes me wanna reread all the books again.

I finished this story with tears falling down my cheeks. But to be honest, I spent the last 50% of the book reading through glistening eyes. I knew what was coming and my heart wasn’t ready. Man, you’re really never ready for a story like this.

OMG I loved this audiobook. It was totally heartbreaking. Since this is a prequel, I already knew how it was going to end, but that still didn't make it hurt any less. In the end, there were some surprises, and I'm still processing several storyline things. A nice little summer treat for the BDB lover indeed!

This is my first audio of the BDB books and I enjoyed it so much. It was so nice to go back to the beginning of the series with this origin story and to get a peek into how the whole world and house and family got set up by Darius and his dreams of the Brotherhood becoming a family. It was heartbreaking and sweet and steamy just like we have come to expect from Ward and this series.