Black Dagger Brotherhood Books in Order

J. R. Ward's long-running paranormal romance saga about the Black Dagger Brotherhood, an elite band of vampire warriors defending their dwindling race against soulless slayers in modern-day Caldwell, New York. Each main novel centers on a different Brother and his fated mate.

Publication order

In the order the books were originally released.

  1. Cover of Dark Lover

    Dark Lover

    2005 · J. R. Ward

    Wrath, the last purebred vampire and reluctant king of his race, is asked to protect Beth Randall, a half-breed woman undergoing a terrifying…

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  2. Cover of Lover Eternal

    Lover Eternal

    2006 · J. R. Ward

    Rhage, the most beautiful and reckless of the Brotherhood, carries a curse: a savage beast lives inside him, unleashed by rage or desire. When he…

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  3. Lover Awakened

    2006 · J. R. Ward

    Zsadist, a warrior scarred body and soul by years of brutal enslavement, is the most feared and damaged member of the Brotherhood. When he helps…

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  4. Cover of Lover Revealed

    Lover Revealed

    2007 · J. R. Ward

    Butch O'Neal, a tough human ex-cop pulled into the vampires' hidden world, has never fit among the warriors he's come to call brothers. As his…

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  5. Cover of Lover Unbound

    Lover Unbound

    2007 · J. R. Ward

    Vishous, a brilliant, tormented warrior gifted with disturbing powers and haunted by his past, is gravely wounded and placed in the care of Jane…

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  6. Cover of Lover Enshrined

    Lover Enshrined

    2008 · J. R. Ward

    Phury, who sacrificed everything to free his twin from slavery, has become the new Primale, bound to father the next generation with the Chosen. As…

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  7. Cover of Lover Avenged

    Lover Avenged

    2009 · J. R. Ward

    Rehvenge, a powerful nightclub owner hiding a dangerous secret about his true nature, is forced into a deadly bargain with a brutal enemy who could…

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  8. Cover of Lover Mine

    Lover Mine

    2010 · J. R. Ward

    John Matthew, the silent young warrior with a mysterious past, is devastated when his beloved Xhex is abducted by the sadistic enemy Lash. As he…

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  9. Cover of Lover Unleashed

    Lover Unleashed

    2011 · J. R. Ward

    Payne, Vishous's long-lost twin sister and a fierce warrior in her own right, suffers a grave injury that brings the human surgeon Manuel Manello…

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  10. Cover of Lover Reborn

    Lover Reborn

    2012 · J. R. Ward

    Tohrment, shattered by the loss of his mate and unborn child, has returned to the Brotherhood as a hollow shell of the leader he once was. When the…

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  11. Cover of Lover at last

    Lover at last

    2013 · J. R. Ward

    Qhuinn and Blay, two warriors whose deep friendship has long been complicated by unspoken love and painful misunderstandings, finally confront what…

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  12. Cover of The King

    The King

    2014 · J. R. Ward

    Wrath's reign as king faces a serious challenge from the glymera, who exploit an old law requiring the monarch to take a purebred mate, threatening…

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  13. Cover of The Shadows

    The Shadows

    2015 · J. R. Ward

    Trez and iAm, brothers of the mysterious Shadow race, have lived bound to a destiny dictated by their people's traditions. When Trez falls for a…

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  14. Cover of The Beast

    The Beast

    2016 · J. R. Ward

    Rhage and Mary, longing to expand their family but unable to conceive, navigate the strain it places on their bond. When Rhage's old curse and a…

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  15. Cover of The Chosen

    The Chosen

    2017 · J. R. Ward

    Xcor, the leader of a renegade band who once plotted against the throne, is held prisoner by the Brotherhood and visited by Layla, the Chosen who…

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  16. Cover of The Thief

    The Thief

    2018 · J. R. Ward

    Assail, a cunning and dangerous dealer entangled in the drug trade, spirals as addiction and enemies close in around him. When the female he cares…

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  17. Cover of The Savior

    The Savior

    2019 · J. R. Ward

    A scientist investigating a secret research operation uncovers experiments tied to the vampire race, while Murhder, a warrior long thought lost to…

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  18. Cover of The Sinner

    The Sinner

    2020 · J. R. Ward

    Syn, a warrior with a violent, secretive past and a dangerous temper, is drawn to Jo Early, a human journalist who senses she is somehow different…

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  19. Cover of Lover Unveiled

    Lover Unveiled

    2021 · J. R. Ward

    Sahvage, a warrior carrying old guilt, becomes entangled with Mae, a female desperate enough to strike a bargain with a sinister force to bring back…

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  20. Cover of Lover Arisen

    Lover Arisen

    2022 · J. R. Ward

    Balthazar, a former thief turned Brother, crosses paths with Erika, a homicide detective investigating cases that brush against the vampire world. As…

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  21. Cover of Lassiter

    Lassiter

    2023 · J. R. Ward

    Lassiter, the irreverent fallen angel who has long meddled in the Brotherhood's affairs, finally takes center stage as his own complicated past and a…

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Companion & related books

Short-story collections and companion titles in this series.

Frequently asked questions

What order should I read the Black Dagger Brotherhood books in?

Publication order — Recommended by the author, J. R. Ward, on her official website (jrward.com reading-order page) Start with “Dark Lover.”

How many books are in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series?

We list 21 books by J. R. Ward , published between 2005–2023.

Where can I buy the Black Dagger Brotherhood books?

Each title above links to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted an error? We continuously correct the catalog.