Our devotion to the Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward is a long standing and beautiful thing. We have obsessed, cried and laughed over this series and we wanted to share that with you. What better way than a series guide? And more importantly a fantasy cast of the main characters?
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If there is one thing we can all agree on here at Under the Covers, it’s our love the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. It’s the paranormal romance genre at its finest, with romances that are both passionate, beautiful and occasionally heart breaking. But, it’s not just the romance…you’ve then got the increasingly more complex and compelling story lines, the friendships between the characters and the emotion. Damn, those emotions! Ward’s writing is poetic and evocative and can leave you laughing, crying and sometimes both. So read at your own peril, because once you start it’s hard to stop and you’ll find from that day forward all PNR will be measured against the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
In this series guide we will keep you updated on the increasingly complex reading order, there are quite a few interconnected series now! You will also find a fantasy cast and bio of the main characters in the series. We’ve tried to keep this guide as spoiler free as possible, but, with such a long standing series there are bound to be some spoilers scattered about, especially if you’re completely new to the series.
Black Dagger Brotherhood Series Synopsis
There’s a war going on in the dark alleys of Caldwell, New York, it spans centuries but seems to now be coming to a head. Vampires have been fight the lessers, the henchman and creations of The Omega for a long time and the Black Dagger Brotherhood is a warrior caste, almost a breed apart from normal vampires who have been at the spearhead of the war with the King of the Vampires as their leader. Only now they are scattered and their numbers a few. Until a death changes everything and brings the Brothers back together to reunite in the war against the lessers and bring a stagnant vampire society back to its former glory.
Black Dagger Brotherhood Reading Order
Prepare yourself for a long list! The Black Dagger Brotherhood series alone is over 20 books, but Ward likes to entwine her series. So, this reading order includes the other series that also link to the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Here are the series that have also been included:
Reading Order
Book List
- Darius
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #0.5
- Dark Lover
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #1
- Lover Eternal
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #2
- Lover Awakened
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #3
- Lover Revealed
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #4
- Lover Unbound
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #5
- Lover Enshrined
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #6
- Father Mine
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #6.5
- Lover Avenged
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #7
- Covet
Series: Fallen Angels #1
- Lover Mine
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #8
- Crave
Series: Fallen Angels #2
- Lover Unleashed
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #9
- Envy
Series: Fallen Angels #3
- Lover Reborn
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #10
- Rapture
Series: Fallen Angels #4
- Lover At Last
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #11
- Possession
Series: Fallen Angels #5
- The King
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #12
- Immortals
Series: Fallen Angels #6
- The Shadows
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #13
- Blood Kiss
Series: Black Dagger Legacy #1
- The Beast
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #14
- Blood Vow
Series: Black Dagger Legacy #2
- The Chosen
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #15
- Blood Fury
Series: Black Dagger Legacy #3
- Dearest Ivie
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #15.5
- The Thief
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #16
- Prisoner of the Night
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #16.5
- The Savior
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #17
- Blood Truth
Series: Black Dagger Legacy #4
- Where Winter Finds You
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood # 17.5
- The Sinner
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #18
- A Warm Heart in Winter
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #18.5
- Lover Unveiled
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #19
- Lover Arisen
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #20
- Lassiter
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #21
see our spin off series guide
Black Dagger Legacy Series Guide
Curious about the Black Dagger Legacy series? Well, we have the series guide for you! Find out more about the series and check our our fantasy cast.
Fantasy Cast
What I have learned since putting together this fantasy cast for the Black Dagger Brotherhood is this: all leather clad ginormous, heavily muscled males look like they’re auditioned to be part of an R-rated Village People tribute act. Apart from Jason Momoa. So, although I made the effort to abide by the descriptions given by J.R. Ward in the series, I went with vibes rather than trying to find the exact right hair or eye colour.
I hope you like our casting though! I have given a small bio underneath each casting, including when they first appear in the series and what book there romance culminates in. This is a series that needs to be read in order, so often romances will progress over a few books, especially in the latter stages of the series…so don’t skip anything or you might miss some important progression in the story and in a romance.
I’ve tried to keep this as spoiler free as possible…but some things are unavoidable. So, if you truly don’t want to know anything, look at the pictures and ignore the small bios underneath!
Wrath, The Blind King
Wrath is the King of the Vampires, king by birth right, but chosen by his people. He is known as the Blind King due to his…blindness. Wrath fights alongside his Brothers in the Black Dagger Brotherhood and he is a fierce fighter despite his blindness.
Fantasy Cast: Jason Momoa
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Elizabeth “Beth” Randall
Beth’s mother died at birth and she didn’t know her father, so she was brought up in the foster care system. Little does she know that she’s half vampire, and her father is Darius. She now works as a reporter for the Caldwell Courier Journal, which is where she first met and became friends with Butch O’Neal.
Fantasy Cast: Liv Tyler
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Rhage
Rhage also known by his friends as Hollywood due to how ridiculously good looking he is. He is a member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and despite being cursed he is charming and easy going. The curse was cast on him by the Scribe Virgin; he is to change into a beast form whenever he loses his temper. His beast is about 8 foot tall and will eat anything…including lessers. The only way he can curb his beast is to indulge in sex and fighting.
Fantasy cast: Ken Van Bay
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Mary Madonna Luce
Mary is a human who has no idea that anything paranormal exists. Atleast not until her life entwines with them through her neighbour Bella and her connection to John Matthew. Mary is a leukaemia survivor, but the treatment left her scarred and infertile. Before the leukaemis she was a rehab specialist for autistic children and she now volunteers at a suicide prevention hotline.
Fantasy cast: Phoebe Waller-Bridge
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Zsadist
Zsadist “Z” is a member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and twin brother to Phury. However, although Zsadist and Phury are twins, they didn’t grow up together as Z was kidnapped and eventually sold into blood and sexual slavery. He was enslaved for a century until Phury eventually found and rescued him. His time as a slave has left him damaged. He cannot stand to be touched and the only person he doesn’t hates is Phury.
Fantasy Cast: James McAvoy circa Glass and Split
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Bella
Bella is a vampire and was raised in the glymera; the uppercrust of vampire society. The glymera is conservative and bogged down in tradition and when it was discovered that Bella had sex with a male outside of mating she was shunned. She bought a remote farmhouse to escape, and her closest neighbour and eventual friend is Mary. Her brother is Rehvenge.
Fantasy Cast: Olivia Wilde
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Brian “Butch” O’Neal
Butch is a homicide detective in the Caldwell PD. He was driven to this career by the assault and murder of his beloved sister when he was young. It was especially heartbreaking for him, as his sister was the only member of his large family who loved him. However, unknown to Butch, he is half vampire and comes from Wrath’s bloodline. Once he becomes aware of vampires and the Black Dagger Brotherhood, he becomes close friends with Vishous.
Fantasy Cast: Tom Hardy
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Marissa
Marissa is a vampire and Wrath’s betrothed. She helped him through his transition and has been his almost-mate ever since. Due to the incomplete mating Marissa has with Wrath she is treated cruelly by the glymera who think something must be wrong with her. Marissa breaks ties with Wrath when she finds him with Beth, which leads to her brother, and her only family member, Havers disowning her. But in turn, she rejects the glymera and opens Safe Place, a shelter for females.
Fantasy Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Vishous
Vishous “V” is a member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and a tech genius who can speak several languages. As well as being scary clever, he is known for his “all knowing” talent. V has visions that usually come true; however, he doesn’t necessarily know when they will come to pass. He has reputedly seen a vision of how all the Brothers are going to die. Despite being a dedicated member of the Brotherhood he doesn’t let people get close to him, Butch is the first person he has ever truly befriended. In certain sectors of vampire society he is also a well known Dom.
Fantasy Cast: Goncalo Teixeira
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Dr Jane Whitcomb
Jane is human and works as a trauma surgeon in St Francis hospital. Her supervisor is Manny. She has no living family, her younger sister died when she was a child which is what made Jane want to pursue a career in medicine. After she meets the Black Dagger Brotherhood she runs the medical centre at the Brotherhood mansion. She’s logical and highly intelligent.
Fantasy Cast: Kristen Bell
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Phury
Phury is a member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and known as a gentleman and a noble warrior. His life has been spent either looking for his missing twin brother Zsadist or once found, looking after him. He has given up a lot in his search for Z, including his leg which was destroyed during his rescue of Z from blood slavery. He has developed a red smoke habit and his dealer is Rehvenge. Phury has taken a vow of celibacy.
Fantasy Cast: Unknown
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Cormia
Cormia is one of the Chosen, a group of female vampires who live sequestered from society and known for their pure bloodlines. They are bred to serve and are directed by the Scribe Virgin to breed with certain males to create strong bloodlines. Cormia is known for her great beauty and pure blood. But she is curious about life outside the Chosen and doesn’t want just what the Scribe Virgin has planned for her. She becomes good friends with John Matthew.
Fantasy Cast: Nora Arnezeder
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Rehvenge
Rehvenge, also known as The Reverend is king of the symphaths, a species of vampire and is half symphath and half vampire himself. His closest friends are Xhex, iAm and Trez. They help him run his clubs Zero Sum and Iron Mask where they sell drugs and sex. His sister is Bella.
Fantasy Cast: Marco De Silva
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Ehlena
Ehlena works as a nurse at the clinic run by Marissa’s brother Havers. Her family was once part of the glymera, however, they now live in near poverty after her father was betrayed and their wealth was taken
Fantasy Cast: Rose Leslie
first appears in…
romance happens in…
John Matthew
John Matthew was brought up as a human and lived in orphanages and with foster carers growing up. He is actually the reincarnated soul of Darius; however, everyone believes him to be Darius‘ son and thus half brother to Beth. John is mute and speaks using ASL. He made contact with Mary through a rape crisis line and it was discovered he was a pre-trans vampire when Bella saw he had a bracelet that spelt TEHRROR. He was taken in by Tohrment and Wellsie when the Brotherhood first learned of his existence in Lover Eternal. His best friends are Qhuinn and Blaylock and he went through the Brotherhood training programme with them.
Fantasy Cast: Casey Cott
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Xhex
Xhexania, known as Xhex, does not allow anyone to get close her apart from Rehv, Trez and iAm who she considers family. She started the series working as an assassin for Rehv and uses cilices strapped around her thigh to control her symphath side. She hates anything medical related as it reminds her of when she was captured and experimented on by humans before she managed to escape and burn the facility to the ground.
Fantasy Cast: Ruby Rose
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Dr Manuel “Manny” Manello
Manny is Chief of Surgery in St Francis hospital and was Jane’s supervisor when she worked there. He was known to be one of the best…as well as arrogant and aggressive. He has thoroughbred former racing horse named Glory.
Fantasy Cast: Joe Manganiello
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Payne
Payne is a natural warrior, but due to her aggressive nature her mother, the Scribe Virgin, put her in suspended animation for decades until the events in Lover Enshrined. She is the sister to Vishous and she killed the Bloodletter, their father, because of the way he abused him. She is one of the only two female soldiers in the Black Dagger Brotherhood and she has healing abilities.
Fantasy Cast: Lesley-Ann Brandt
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Spoilers ahead for Tohrment and Wellsie
If you don’t want to know what happens to Tohrment and Wellsie, don’t read the bios
Tohrment “Tohr”
Tohrment “Tohr” is the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and known for being level headed and steady. His best friend was Darius. When John Matthew came to the Brothers he and his mate Wellsie took him in and treat him like a son. Wellsie was Tohr’s mate for two centuries before she and his unborn son were murdered by lessers, when he found out he disappeared he went AWOL until Lassiter brought him back.
Fantasy Cast: Michael Thurston
first appears in…
romance happens in…
No’One / Autumn
Autumn is known as No’One and wears a black robe and hood that covers her face. She has been in Sanctuary as a maid to the Chosen as after committing suicide she was not allowed into the Fade. Her daughter is Xhex, she was conceived when she was kidnapped and raped by a symphath. Lassiter is here to help both her and Tohrment.
Fantasy Cast: January Jones
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Wellisandra “Wellsie”
Wellsie is well loved and respected and is Tohr’s beloved mate and is pregnant with their first baby. She befriends and offers advice to Beth when she comes into their lives. She also sees John Matthew as a son and took him into her and Tohr’s home.
*BIG SPOILER*
She dies whilst pregnant but can’t get to the Fade as Tohrment is keeping her In Between. She sends Lassiter to Tohr to help him and to free her and Tohrment II
Fantasy Cast: Karen Gillan
first appears in…
Qhuinn
Qhiunn has been best friends with Blay since they were children and John Matthew become part of their group during their training with the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Qhuinn’s family disowned his due to his genetic “defect” and he lives in the Brotherhood mansion. He’s bisexual and is jealous when Blay and Saxton become a couple. Qhuinn was disowned by his blood family due to him not being “perfect” as he has one green eye and one blue (heterochromia). However, his first cousin is Saxton, who still views Qhuinn as family, his other first cousin is Lash. The situation with his brother Luchus is complicated.
Fantasy Cast: Stephen James
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Blaylock “Blay”
Blaylock “Blay” is best friends with John Matthew and Qhuinn. He met John Matthew through the Brotherhood’s training programme, but grew up with Qhuinn. Blay has always known he was gay and that he was in love with his best friend Qhuinn. However, his first male lover is Saxton, who he has a serious relationship with. Blay is loyal and kind, as well as a fierce fighter.
Fantasy Cast: Unknown
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Trez
Trez Latimer is the twin of brother of iAm, they are known as the Moors. However, he sees Xhex and Rehvenge as family and is fiercely loyal to them. He is a sex addict. Little is known about the Moor’s past and who they were and what they were running from before they met Rehv.
Fantasy Cast: Michael B Jordan
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Selena
Selena is part of the Chosen and views the other females as her sisters. She has a very rare disease that only affects the Chosen. The disease will stiffen her body, freezing her into place like a statue. She is known to be kind and gentle and, although she is trained as an ehros she’s a virgin.
Fantasy Cast: Denise Vasi
first appears in…
romance happens in…
iAm
iAm Latimer is the twin brother of Trez. iAm is quiet, calm and observant. He is a fantastic cook and is the chef and owner at the Italian restaurant Salvatore’s. Apart from Trez, he is closest to Xhex and Rehvenge and views them as family. He has never been with a female.
Fantasy Cast: Unknown
first appears in…
romance happens in…
maichen
Catra vin SuLaneh etl MuLanen DeH FonLerahn otherwise known as maichen. Current ruler of the Shadows alongside s’Ex. She and Trez were promised to each other by their parents since they were children. She serves as a maichen in her mother, the Queens household.
Fantasy Cast: Nikayla Sheron
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Xcor
Xcor was raised in the Bloodletters brutal training camps with no compassion or kindness. Especially as he has a cleft palette and no imperfection is tolerated by vampire society. He has been told that the Bloodletter is his father. This has made him into a a merciless and deadly warrior. Within the camps he was part of an elite group called the Band of Bastards. The Bloodletter was the Bastards leader until his murder, then Xcor took over. They then travelled the Old Country killing lessers. They have come to Caldwell to avenge the death of the Bloodletter and to overthrow the king.
Fantasy Cast: David Bautista
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Layla
Layla is one of the Chosen. She is eager to please but shy. Layla feeds Rhage, V, Qhuinn, Saxton and Blay as they are unable to feed from their mates. However, she has always had a huge crush on Qhuinn.
Fantasy Cast: Belle Rousse
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Silas
Montasilas’ “Silas” family is part of the glymera. However, he is the only one left in his family after his father died of a rare disease. He is a savvy businessman and has amassed a huge fortune by investing in the right things such as Amazon and Bitcoin.
Fantasy Cast: Zayn
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Ivie
Ivie has a large loving family who live in the country and are protective of her. She is particularly close to her cousin Rubia. Ivie works as a nurse in Haver’s Clinic. She is well respected and known to be down to earth and sensible.
Fantasy Cast: Zoe Kazan
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Assail
Assail has turned his back on the glymera despite being on the Council and is instead a drug kingpin with an addiction to cocaine. He is hugely wealthy and lives in a glass house that is both sun proof and bullet proof. His twin cousins Ehric and Evale work and live with him.
Fantasy Cast: Aaron Taylor Johnson
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Sola
Marisol “Sola” Morte is a human, whose only living family is her grandmother, who she would do anything to protect. She is a professional thief and a survivor who doesn’t like to rely on anyone. The only person who has ever looked out for her is her grandmother.
Fantasy Cast: Erica Cerra
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Murhder
Murhder is the best friend of Darius and Tohrment. He is also the former partner of Xhex, but he went mad when he thought he was saving her from a symphath colony. He was tortured and his mind broken by symphaths. Because of his insanity he was kicked out of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. He has been hiding in a small guest house in South Carolina and has become the legend of Eliahu Rathboone who is rumoured to haunt the place.
Fantasy Cast: Pedro Perestrello
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Dr Sarah Watkins
Sarah is a scientist who works as a molecular geneticist working on curing cancer using the body’s immune system. She is well known and respected in her field. She had a fiancee who died very suddenly who was also a very successful scientist. With no family left after her mother died of cancer and only distant friends Sarah’s life is her work.
Fantasy Cast: Elizabeth Debicki
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Syn
Syn is part of the Band of Bastards and loyal to Xcor. His cousins are Balthazar and Syphon. Due to childhood abuse and trauma Syn suffered brain damage that causes blackout rages, called talhmans. He targets criminals, such as murderers and thieves and kills them; the fear he causes his victims arouses him.
Fantasy Cast: Jai Courtney
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Jo Early
Jo is a human who works as an editor at the Caldwell Courier Journal. She is obsessed with vampires and has created a blog documenting her investigations and findings about them. During the course of her investigations she finds out that her father was a vampire and that Manny and Butch are her brothers.
Fantasy Cast: Inessa Rain
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Lassiter
Lassiter is a fallen angel; however, has won back his guardian angel status by helping Tohrment and Wellsie. He has a quirky sense of humour and loves to wind up the Brothers, especially V. Is known for his ridiculous outfits and antics within the Brotherhood mansion. However, he has taken a bullet for Wrath and has been a source of comfort and help for many in the mansion
Fantasy Cast: Unknown
first appears in…
romance happens in…
Darius
Darius is well known for his class and style as well as being a deadly warrior. His best friend is Tohrment and although he never met Beth, his daughter, he watched out for her from the shadows. His dearest wish was for the Brotherhood to unite under one roof and put up a united front.
Fantasy Cast: Colby Lefebvre
first appears in…
see our spin off series guide
Black Dagger Legacy Series Guide
Curious about the Black Dagger Legacy series? Well, we have the series guide for you! Find out more about the series and check our our fantasy cast.
Pin it for Later!
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- Black Dagger Brotherhood Series Guide - April 9, 2023
I LOVE THIS SOOOOOOO HARD! Thank you for this. It is awesome. I love your choices, too. Any list that includes Tommy and Idris? Hell yes.
Love it! So cool to get back into the earlier stories and see your fantasy cast and bios.
This is absolutely amazing! Thank you for putting this together!
I haven’t started this series yet – I’ve been meaning to!
WOW! This is so extensive it’s awesome!!!
Fabulous friggin breakdown of characters and couples!!! I love everyone one of these characters!!! Jr ward Is Simply AWESOME!!! This Series Is My Absolute Favorite Series!!! I Have Cried,laughed ,pumped My Fist In Victory And HAve Been Completely Wiped Out After Reading Each And Every Book!! Their Is No Better Writer Out Their And Im A Total Jr WArd Whore And Proud Of It!!! Shared On All MY Socials!
Great post
Awesome post! Thanks for all the info and thanks for the giveaway!
Great list
Love it! So cool to get back into the earlier stories and see your fantasy cast and bios.
I haven’t started this series yet – I’ve been meaning to!
Fabulous friggin breakdown of characters and couples!!! I love everyone one of these characters!!! Jr ward Is Simply AWESOME!!! This Series Is My Absolute Favorite Series!!! I Have Cried,laughed ,pumped My Fist In Victory And HAve Been Completely Wiped Out After Reading Each And Every Book!! Their Is No Better Writer Out Their And Im A Total Jr WArd Whore And Proud Of It!!! Shared On All MY Socials!
Awesome post! Thanks for all the info and thanks for the giveaway!
Great post
WOW! This is so extensive it’s awesome!!!
This is absolutely amazing! Thank you for putting this together!
I LOVE THIS SOOOOOOO HARD! Thank you for this. It is awesome. I love your choices, too. Any list that includes Tommy and Idris? Hell yes.
Great list
Im on the thief. Have i missed where they definitely know john Matthew is Darius?
No one knows D’s soul is in JM yet
Great post but Ruhn is havely muscled not slagtly and he has dark skin.
I am doing a re-read which book did Assail meet Sola when she was spying on him with the skis and then she was kidnapped. I need to finish that book, please. Thank you.
I wanna say it is “The Shadows” book number 13.
I feel like I am so far behind in getting into this series but I can’t seem to put it down. I am almost finished with Lover Reborn and have a question, I know I am getting close to when the legacy series start, so I need to stop at any point with the BDB to res the legacy books? Also I know there is character crossever into the fallen angels, do I need to read them at some point during this series as well? I have this page bookmarked on all of my devices because I come back to… Read more »
The first book, you have the character wrong. It’s Beth Randall…..