The Chosen (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #15) by J.R. Ward

The Chosen (J.R. Ward)

SUMMARY

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.

MY REVIEW

Xcor and Layla

“I’m not going to apologize for who I love. In fact, I’m grateful this destiny is mine. If I had fallen for another, I wouldn’t have been forced to be this strong – and there is nothing wrong in this world or the next in finding out your own power.”

After I finished "The Chosen", the initial thought that crossed my mind was this one:

This is clearly NOT a book about the Chosen, is it?

More precisely, this is a book that talks about everyone else except about the Chosen, Layla.
Because Layla in fact knew what she wants and needs for a few books now. She wants Xcor and she wants her children.

**spoilers**

Layla and Xcor are already in love when the book starts. They will not deny it. They will not stumble on their decisions. They will not be sorry about them. They will not ask forgiveness from the others. They are ready to die for each other.
In fact they could have been already dead. Nothing matters for them anymore.

This is clearly a book about the Brothers, their mates, their friends, Lassiter, the Band of Bastards. And about the READERS. Isn’t it?

It is a book that talks about how all these individuals perceive the implications of the relationship between Layla and Xcor. How they feel about it, when they learn the news. How they finally accept it.

It talks about their negative feelings, their remorse about what Layla had done. About her treachery. About the fact that she slept with the enemy. About the fact that she endangered her unborn children.

Layla just basically waits in the whole book. She is just waiting for the others to come into terms with her actions. And this is what she gets.

Of course Xcor and Layla will live in their love bubble for us to watch. They will finally have sex. They will finally exchange words of love, faith and commitment. But they could just as easy not say anything.
Because THEY KNOW. THEY FEEL.
The words and their sacrifices are only to convince the others. The outsiders. Even us the readers. Because as I said before, they are already where they want to be. And they absolutely know what they want.

“Layla should still be able to see those kids on the regular. They need their mahmen, and whether you like it or not, she should be in their lives.”
“What are you saying, that she and Xcor take them to McDonald’s for fucking fries and a Coke?”

Well, apparently yes. That is exactly what Layla wants.

Unfortunately the understanding of Layla and Xcor’s true love and the knowledge of their strong relationship have made a few couples with thorns in their own relationships to face their own insecurities:

… Vishous’ insecurity about his love and commitment, about the time Doc Jane spends with him. About how much really Jane cares for him. About how much really V cares for her.
… Tohr’s still ongoing issues about his dead wife. Poor Autumn. How can you fight with a ghost for the love of your man?
... Blay’s insecurity about being a real father to Qhuinn’s children.
… Qhuinn’s insecurity that he is not the only one important for his children. Blay is important, too. Layla is important too. And Qhuinn almost destroys his relationship with Blay. And Qhuinn ends up hating Layla.

I have actually talked to a few fans who are not happy with Qhuinn’s behavior and they do not understand it.
Well, I totally do understand it! This is just Qhuinn… Emotions run hot with this boy.
Let’s not forget that he is just a 30 something years old boy. He is still too young. Just a few years ago, he was getting wasted in the clubs having group sex at the toilets without caring for love and commitment but only for fun and good times.
It is not easy for him to be mated and to be a parent.
(I still laugh when I remember him a few books ago when he left his keys on his Hammer and someone stole it. It kind of reminds me Qhuinn being locked up in the Cave in this book. Another one of his goofy moments...)

Only the story of Trez looks a bit disconnected with the main story, but I have a feeling that the obvious resurrection of Selena is a result of his intense prayer and of Lassiter (the new scribe virgin hahaha) finally losing it and granding Trez’s wish.

“I just want her back. I just … I only want Selena back. Please … if there’s anyone up there,
help me. Return her to me. I don’t care what form she’s in … I just can’t do this anymore. I can’t live like this for one more fucking night.”

(I am sure that all the readers that have read “The Shadows” were also praying with him!)

I have a feeling that the situation with Layla has influenced even Lassiter. Lassiter will confess to Layla about how lost he is now. How much confused he is with his new job.

Secondary stories:
1. We are running out of bad guys. An old one is gaining more strength and he is rising.
(Hint: No, not the Omega, Lessers are out of fashion).
2. The Brother’s mansion will be more crowded. Thank God there are enough rooms.
3. The humans keep wondering and searching for the supernatural and for vampires.

I am happy with this book. It did not blow my mind, but it was a worthy addition to the series. It did not leave me dissatisfied or angry or sad. It opened doors for many more stories for the series to go stronger. And I have fallen in love with the blind king all over again. I love you Wrath!

By the end of the book, I totally respected Layla and her decisions and her determination –almost as much as she started respecting herself:

Yet she was still alive and she was here. Looking herself in the mirror.
And for the first time in her life, she respected what she saw.
Bowing to her reflection, she said softly, “Pleased to meet you.”

P.S. Thank you so much J.R.Ward :) You rock!