THE SINNER by J.R. Ward

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Fresh Fiction for August Is Here

Cowboys, castles, and shifters—this month has it all.

THE SINNER
J.R. Ward

Reviewed by Miranda Owen
Posted April 23, 2020

THE SINNER is the eighteenth book in J.R. Ward’s “Black Dagger Brotherhood” series. Transformation is a major theme in this story – both on a smaller and more personal level for the heroine, and for the battle between good and evil on an epic scale. The vampire Syn is the antihero in THE SINNER, and Jo Early is a struggling reporter and the – unknowingly – human transitioning to vampire heroine. Syn and Jo have a very unconventional introduction to each other and an inauspicious romance. There are so many things that Syn keeps secret from Jo as he’s getting to know her and fall in love. Chiefly, the fact that he later finds out she is the target he was assigned to kill, and the knowledge about what he is and what she is.

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The primary story in THE SINNER is the romance between Syn and Jo. The secondary story is the evolving battle between good and evil and the prophecy involving Butch. Because this book is a pivotal story that ties previous books together, I don’t recommend this as a standalone book. Readers need to have read several of the previous books in this series to get proper context. Although Syn is a character that has is edgy and is wrapped in an aura of danger – particularly in past books – true to form for this series, once he is gobsmacked by love, he is all about protecting and sexing up his woman. J.R. Ward peppers THE SINNER with flashback snippets from Syn’s past in order to give readers a better insight into what makes him tick. I like that Jo is an intelligent and independent woman. Each character, in this novel, struggles in some way to build connections with others or to feel comfortable in their own skin. I enjoyed reading about each character’s journey and path to self-discovery. The romance acts as a nice counterpoint to the good vs evil intensity of other scenes. The obstacles to this romance involve trust and the characters’ internal debate about whether they can trust what they are feeling, and whether Jo can trust Syn.

THE SINNER is both a character-driven romance and an epic and riveting paranormal tale of good versus evil. This romance may be unusual, but it definitely grabs your attention and is super steamy. As always, I’m loving Lassiter and his contributions and cameo appearances are well-placed. I look forward to J.R. Ward’s next paranormal romance.

SUMMARY

A sinner’s only hope is true love in this passionate new novel in J.R. Ward’s #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

Syn has kept his side hustle as a mercenary a secret from the Black Dagger Brotherhood. When he takes another hit job, he not only crosses the path of the vampire race’s new enemy, but also that of a half-breed in danger of dying during her transition. Jo Early has no idea what her true nature is, and when a mysterious man appears out of the darkness, she is torn between their erotic connection and the sense that something is very wrong.

Fate anointed Butch O’Neal as the Dhestroyer, the fulfiller of the prophecy that foresees the end of the Omega. As the war with the Lessening Society comes to a head, Butch gets an unexpected ally in Syn. But can he trust the male—or is the warrior with the bad past a deadly complication?

With time running out, Jo gets swept up in the fighting and must join with Syn and the Brotherhood against true evil. In the end, will love true prevail...or was the prophecy wrong all along?