Review: Crown of War and Shadow by J.R. Ward

Crown of War and Shadow is a brand new, sweeping, slow-burn romantasy from #1 New York Times bestseller J. R. Ward, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, and Jennifer Armentrout!

Crown of War and Shadow is the first book in the Kingdoms of the Compass series.

Crown of War and Shadow has

*Forced proximity/Only one bed

*Chosen mates

*Dark mercenary

*Who did this to you?

*Touch her and die

*I'll die for you

*Hidden magic

About the Book

An outcast burdened with a curse. A mercenary out for himself. A kingdom that must be saved.

In the deep, dark, dead of night, passions rise, and empires fall…

The Fulcrum is failing, and demons are slipping into the mortal world.

No one is safe.

Especially not Sorrel. An orphan and an outcast within the walls of her small village because of her mystical abilities. She wants to survive…and find somewhere she can call her true home. But Fate has other plans.

Sorrel has been chosen. Cursed.

She must cross the Badlands to return the Queen's crown and convince the fearsome female to save their world from destruction.

Well aware she’s no brave hero, Sorrel makes a dangerous deal with Merc, a brooding, commanding mercenary known only by his unscrupulous profession.

The deal? A night in his bed that she will never forget, in exchange for her safe passage.

But Merc has secrets of his own, and even though desire runs hot between them, adventure, danger, and betrayal lurk around every corner.

My Review

J.R. Ward brings a fresh voice to the romantasy genre in this epic tale of intrigue and prophecy.

I had some trepidation before picking up the book. I am a huge J.R. Ward fan and I absolutely LOVE her Black Dagger Brotherhood series and many of her other books, but some of her forays into other genres have not been as enjoyable so I wasn’t sure what to expect. 

Will this be a new story we haven’t heard of with an amazing plot and creative world building, or will it be a bandwagon book based on the current popularity of romantasy? 

I am thrilled to report that Crown of War and Shadow is that of the former!

I was immediately swept into the story as I learned of Sorrel’s hardships as an outcast trying to survive the harsh life of a poor orphan. But Sorrel’s got secrets. Big secrets. Forbidden secrets. Juicy secrets. 

One day a mercenary comes into town and takes an unnerving interest in Sorrel. Could he be her savior or her executioner? 

An attack on a couple of village children ignites a chain of events that rock Sorrel’s foundation to the core. The villagers blame Sorrel for the attack and despite the miracles she’s worked through her magic helping many families in the village, everyone’s out for her blood. Everyone except a mercenary with secret machinations of his own. 

Sorrel is shoved into a destiny she doesn’t understand and a responsibility too heavy to shoulder. With the help of her ruggedly handsome mercenary, Sorrel sets off to find the answers she seeks. The road ahead is full of danger and countless adversaries. Sorrel must learn to stop doubting herself and trust her instincts. 

What Fate has planned for Sorrel is far more dastardly than ever imagined. Safety is an illusion. Trust is deceptive. Victory is fleeting. And love is the biggest ass kicker of them all.

The mystery and suspense of the storyline had me on the edge of my seat! I spent my nights reading early into the morning hours because I couldn’t put the book down. When a secret was revealed, the story would bend Inception-style and completely shatter my reading experience with jaw-dropping precision! 

Crown of War and Shadow is an exciting read with a tenacious heroine, vibrant landscapes, and a meticulously crafted storyline that’ll leave readers breathless! 

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

DELUXE EDITION―featuring gorgeous stenciled edges, a foil case stamp, a detailed map, and designed endpapers!

Purchase Links*

Hardcover | eBook | Audiobook

About the Author

J.R. Ward is the author of over thirty novels, including those in her #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling series, The Black Dagger Brotherhood. There are more than 15 million copies of Ward’s novels in print worldwide and they have been published in 25 different countries around the world. Learn more at jrward.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: The Black Dagger Brotherhood: 20th Anniversary Insider's Guide by J.R. Ward

J.R. Ward's 2nd Black Dagger Brotherhood Insider's Guide is LIVE!

It's packed full of goodies and a special novella!

Get your copy today from Blue Box Press!

About the Book

Vampire warriors in black leather and tattoos.
Passionate love stories that pierce the heart.
Dark nights filled with drama, chaos, and epic battles in the shadows of Caldwell, NY…

And then there are the unicorn pajamas. And the Tootsie Pops.

Welcome back to the world of the iconic, #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series. With millions of devoted readers across the globe, these unforgettable books have redefined paranormal romance. Now, to celebrate two decades of the Brothers, author J.R. Ward opens the door to their world once more.

Inside this all-new 20th Anniversary Insider’s Guide, Ward reflects on the journey—sharing behind-the-scenes moments, heartfelt memories, candid writing advice, and insight into the challenges and triumphs of her long and legendary career. She also brings back the original Brothers in a mix of classic content and never-before-seen material, including:

• A brand-new novella, Happy Anniversary– Revisit Wrath and Beth as they reclaim the time lost between them. Tender, erotic, and emotional, this story returns to the couple who started it all—and proves that happily ever after doesn’t always come easy.

• Brotherhood updates, as J.R. interviews the Brothers to reveal where they are now

• Fan-favorite features like Ask a Brother, Vishous’s Agony Aunt Column, Kitchen Corner with Fritz, and Bella’s Books

• Quotes, playlists, Lassiter’s journalistic takeovers, monthly horoscopes, and more

• Q&A with J.R. Ward, filled with new insight and revelations

This keepsake collection is more than just an insider’s look—it’s a love letter to the fans, the world, and the unforgettable characters that have made the Black Dagger Brotherhood a genre-defining phenomenon. Whether you’ve been here from the beginning or are just now feeling the pull… this book is for you.

My Review

J.R. Ward beautifully pens a love letter to readers in this second installment of the Black Dagger Brotherhood Insider’s Guide as shares her eternal gratitude for and to her readers throughout the past 20 years. 

Things get personal as J.R. shares her writing process and her fears as an author in today's publishing landscape and her concerns and her relevance in the current reading climate where the new romantasy genre has exploded and new voices have emerged. 

The Insider’s Guide is full of a tremendous amount of heartfelt gratitude and is very personable. There are lots of surprise revelations, lots of laughs, lots of tears, and a lot of spoilers if you aren't caught up on the series.

Though J.R. only likens herself as a secretary dictating the stories of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, she is a master craftswoman at her art.

I really love how self-aware J.R. Ward is. In the book, she owns her social awkwardness as she dons her pearls, striking black dresses, heels, and bad-bitch confidence. She’s just a weird girl with a potty mouth that puts sailors to shame and loves books just like all of us. I kinda feel like we’re kindred spirits. Weird Girls Unite!

I know J.R. has received a lot of criticism over the years when a new book comes out that is not well received or if she makes a huge faux pas and breaks the hearts of many *cough* Wellsie *cough* The Shadows *cough* Lassiter *cough.* But I would rather she–or any author–write the story organically than try to force a narrative that doesn't exist, or shouldn't.

I tried and failed to fight back the tears as I reminisced right alongside J.R. during each Brother's interview and the very special story at the end of the book.

As an OG BDB fan, this has been a wild and crazy 20 year journey. With lots of laughs, gasps, blushes, fanned faces, grief, tears, anger, rage, joy, and empathy. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

I like to think that Wrath, the Brothers and their mates and everyone else in Caldwell, NY are alive and kicking somewhere in an alternate reality. 

Some people think it’s hokey or stupid to wax poetic about “fictional characters” and I say verily unto them, Fuck.Off. 

Thank you J.R. Ward for giving us these Brothers and their stories. These books have been lifesavers many times over the past 20 years and I am just so damn grateful. They are the stories of my heart, my love language, and they are the medicine that will cure what ails you! 

Wishing you 20 more years!

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by Blue Box Press via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

Purchase Links

Blue Box Press | J.R. Ward Website

About the Author

J.R. Ward is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over sixty novels. There are more than twenty million copies of her books in print worldwide, and they have been published in twenty-seven different countries. She lives in the south with her family.

Visit the JRWard Facebook Page for more on the Brotherhood or email her at her contact page. 

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.