The “Black Dagger Brotherhood” series by J.R. Ward has garnered a dedicated readership due to its compelling blend of paranormal romance and dynamic character relationships. Set in a world of vampires, the series consistently delivers engaging plots and memorable character interactions.
If you’ve enjoyed the “Black Dagger Brotherhood” and are seeking books with a similar feel, this article is tailored for you. We’ve compiled a list of books that, while distinct in their own narratives, offer elements reminiscent of Ward’s series. These books focus on the paranormal romance genre, providing readers with captivating storylines and well-developed characters. Eager to explore more titles that can provide the excitement and engagement you found in the “Black Dagger Brotherhood”? Look no further, as this article introduces you to a selection of worthy reads.
See also: Fallen Angels Series in Order by J. R. Ward.
Books Like Black Dagger Brotherhood
Kresley Cole
A Hunger Like No Other
In the book "A Hunger Like No Other" by Kresley Cole, a strong werewolf and a captivating vampire find themselves unexpectedly drawn to each other. Lachlain MacRieve, leader of the Lykae Clan, has endured years of torment from vampires, so he is furious to discover that his long-awaited soul mate is a vampire herself. Emmaline Troy, a delicate half Valkyrie/half vampire, somehow manages to calm the anger within him. As Emmaline sets out to uncover the truth about her parents, she is claimed by a powerful Lykae and taken to his Scottish castle. Despite her initial fear, she finds herself drawn to him and begins to explore her own dark desires. However, when a dangerous enemy from her past resurfaces, their connection will be tested, and they must decide if their love can overcome any obstacle.
Jeaniene Frost
Halfway to the Grave
"Halfway to the Grave" is the first book in the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost. The story follows Catherine Crawfield, a half-vampire who is on a mission to find her father, the one who ruined her mother's life. She is captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and they form an unlikely partnership. Cat agrees to train with Bones in exchange for his help in finding her father. As they work together, Cat begins to question her beliefs about vampires and realizes that not all of them are evil. However, their partnership is soon threatened when they are pursued by a group of killers. Cat must make a choice and decide which side she is on, all while dealing with her growing attraction to Bones.
Karen Marie Moning
Darkfever
In the book "Darkfever" by Karen Marie Moning, the protagonist, MacKayla, discovers that she has the ability to see the Fae, a dangerous and mystical realm. After her sister is murdered, Mac embarks on a journey to Ireland to uncover the truth behind her death. Along the way, she must learn to harness her newfound power and evade the attention of both a mysterious man named Jericho and a seductive Fae named V'lane. As the barrier between worlds weakens, Mac's mission becomes clear: she must find the powerful Dark Book before it falls into the wrong hands and grants complete control over both realms.
Patricia Briggs
Moon Called
"Moon Called" is the first book in the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. The story follows Mercedes Thompson, also known as Mercy, who is a skilled mechanic living in Washington. Mercy has a unique ability to transform into a coyote whenever she wants. Her neighbors include a werewolf and her former boss is a gremlin. In addition, she is currently working on fixing a bus for a vampire. Set in a world similar to ours but filled with supernatural creatures, Mercy's involvement with these beings is about to lead her into dangerous situations.
Charlaine Harris
Dead Until Dark
In the book "Dead Until Dark" by Charlaine Harris, Sookie Stackhouse is a quiet cocktail waitress in the small town of Bon Temps, Louisiana. She has a unique ability to read minds, which makes it difficult for her to connect with others. However, everything changes when she meets Bill Compton, a charming vampire who she can't hear the thoughts of. Sookie is thrilled to finally find someone she can truly connect with, but soon realizes that dating a vampire comes with its own set of dangers. As a series of murders occur in Bon Temps and a group of dangerous vampires target Bill, Sookie begins to question if being in a relationship with a vampire was a wise decision.
Gena Showalter
The Darkest Night
In the book "The Darkest Night" by Gena Showalter, Ashlyn Darrow seeks help in Budapest from men with supernatural abilities to end the torment of voices from her past. She is drawn to Maddox, the most dangerous member of the group, who is trapped in his own personal hell. Despite their cursed powers, they cannot resist their intense desire for each other. However, their passionate connection may lead them to destruction and a test of their love. The Lords of the Underworld are both seductive and powerful beings.
Richelle Mead
Vampire Academy
Lissa Dragomir is a mortal vampire with a special power to control the earth's magic. Her best friend, Rose Hathaway, is a half-human, half-vampire who is dedicated to protecting Lissa from the dangerous Strigoi vampires. However, after two years of freedom, Rose and Lissa are forced back to St. Vladimir's Academy, a school for vampire royalty and their protectors. Life inside the academy is filled with danger, especially with the constant threat of the Strigoi. Rose and Lissa must navigate this treacherous world, resist forbidden love, and always stay on guard to prevent Lissa from becoming one of the evil undead forever.
Nalini Singh
Angels’ Blood
In the book "Angels' Blood" by Nalini Singh, vampire hunter Elena Deveraux is hired by the dangerously attractive Archangel Raphael for a challenging task. She must track down an archangel who has turned evil. As Elena embarks on this mission, she finds herself in the midst of a deadly killing spree and is tempted by Raphael's seductive touch. Will she be able to complete the job without being destroyed or giving in to her desires?
Nalini Singh
Slave to Sensation
In the book "Slave to Sensation" by Nalini Singh, readers are transported to a world where emotions are forbidden and the ruling Psy punish anyone who shows desire. Sascha Duncan, a woman with hidden feelings, must hide her flaws or face complete erasure of her mind. Lucas Hunter, a Changeling who craves sensations, is determined to find the killer of his packmate and sees Sascha as his way into the secretive Psy society. As they navigate their different worlds, Lucas and Sascha must choose between their identities or give in to their forbidden desires.
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Fantasy Lover
In the book "Fantasy Lover" by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Julian of Macedon has been cursed by his brother to be a slave for eternity. He can only escape his torment for a few weeks at a time when summoned through a spell. However, as the modern age progresses, the summonings become less frequent, causing Julian to fear being trapped forever. On her birthday, Grace Alexander performs a spell as a joke, not expecting it to actually work. To her surprise, she finds Julian, an ancient Greek general, in her living room and realizes that she is now responsible for his well-being. They soon discover that if Julian returns to his captivity, Grace will lose her sanity. Now, they must race against time to find a way to free Julian, facing opposition from the ancient gods who cursed him. It becomes a battle between man and gods, with the outcome uncertain.
Maya Banks
Rush
In the book "Rush" by Maya Banks, Gabe Hamilton is instantly drawn to Mia Crestwell when she enters the ballroom for his hotel's grand opening. Despite the fact that Mia is his best friend's younger sister, Gabe can't resist his desires any longer. Mia has always fantasized about Gabe, even though he is much older than her. Now that she is an adult, she sees no reason not to act on her desires. However, as their relationship becomes more intense and they explore their deepest desires, they realize there is much they don't know about each other. Their affair becomes risky as it could be exposed and they may face a betrayal they never expected.
Christine Feehan
Dark Magic
In the book "Dark Magic" by Christine Feehan, young Savannah Dubrinsky is a famous magician known for her illusions. However, she is captivated by Gregori, also known as the Dark One, who possesses a mysterious and dangerous allure. Gregori, a powerful Carpathian male, believes that Savannah is destined to save his immortal soul. Set in New Orleans, the story follows their journey as they come together in a timeless and inevitable ritual.
Christine Feehan
Dark Challenge: A Carpathian Novel
"Dark Challenge: A Carpathian Novel" is part of the Dark Book Series by Christine Feehan. The story follows Julian Savage, a powerful and tormented Carpathian hunter who has always walked alone. However, everything changes when he meets Desari, the woman he is sworn to protect. Julian is captivated by Desari's singing and is overwhelmed by emotions he has never felt before. As their connection grows, Julian becomes blind to the danger that is stalking him. Desari possesses mysterious and unparalleled feminine powers, which both enthrall and challenge Julian. Will Desari drive him to madness or save his soul?
Karina Halle
Blood Orange
Dahlia Abernathy has always sought revenge. After her parents were killed by vampires, she was trained by the Witch's Guild to kill them. Now, she is on a mission to infiltrate a music academy in Venice and assassinate Professor Valtu Aminoff, a notorious vampire. However, as Dahlia gets closer to him, she finds herself falling in love. Unbeknownst to both of them, Dahlia is the reincarnation of Valtu's lost love. Will their love conquer all, or will history repeat itself?
Karen Marie Moning
High Voltage
"High Voltage" is a book from the Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning. The story follows Dani O'Malley, a tough and compassionate young woman who is a skilled killer. She is dedicated to protecting Dublin and seeks justice for those she cares about. However, when the Faerie Queen uses a powerful magic to heal the world, it leads to dangerous consequences. Now, enemies are plotting to enslave humanity and unleash Hell on Earth. With the help of Ryodan and the Sword of Light, Dani fights to save the world once again. But this time, her past comes back to haunt her, demanding a high price for the power she needs.
Jennifer L. Armentrout
From Blood and Ash
"From Blood and Ash" is the first book in the Blood And Ash Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. The story follows Poppy, a young woman who has been chosen from birth to bring about a new era. As a Maiden, she is forbidden from being touched, looked at, or spoken to, and is not allowed to experience pleasure. While she would rather fight alongside the guards against the evil that took her family, she has no choice but to prepare for her Ascension. However, when Hawke, a guard assigned to protect her, enters her life, her destiny and duty become entangled with desire and longing. As a fallen kingdom rises again, seeking vengeance and violence, Poppy finds herself torn between her forbidden feelings and her duty to her kingdom. With danger closing in, Poppy's world begins to unravel, putting not only her heart and worthiness in jeopardy, but also her life.
Karen Marie Moning
Faefever
In the book "Faefever" by Karen Marie Moning, MacKayla Lane is shocked when she discovers a page from her sister's journal, revealing that her sister's killer is nearby. Determined to find answers and seek revenge, MacKayla embarks on a hunt for an ancient book of dark magic that corrupts anyone who touches it. As she navigates the dangerous streets of Dublin, she finds herself caught in a dangerous alliance with a Fae prince and a man with deadly secrets. MacKayla must fight for her body, mind, and soul in this thrilling tale.
Charissa Weaks
The Witch Collector
In "The Witch Walker" Book Series by Charissa Weaks, "The Witch Collector" tells the story of Raina Bloodgood, who has lived in a village for twenty-four years. Every harvest moon, the Witch Collector takes someone from the village to the Frost King's home, where they remain forever. However, Raina has always been overlooked by the Witch Collector. Determined to seek revenge for her stolen sister, Raina plans to kill the Frost King and the Witch Collector on Collecting Day. But her plans are disrupted when a new threat emerges. The Collector, Alexus Thibault, who Raina vowed to kill, becomes the only person who can help save her sister. As Raina is thrown into a world of ancient gods and conflicting loyalties, she must decide whether to continue seeking vengeance or to join forces with the Witch Collector. The lines between good and evil become blurred, and Raina finds herself torn between her desire for revenge and her growing feelings for the man she once considered her enemy.
Jennifer L. Armentrout
A Fire in the Flesh
In the book "A Fire in the Flesh" by Jennifer L. Armentrout, Sera and the ruler of the Shadowlands, whom she loves, are captured by the false King of the Gods. To prevent the Shadowlands from invading and starting a war, they must convince Kolis to help them. However, Kolis's unpredictable nature and twisted sense of honor make this difficult. As Sera faces shocking truths and questions her duty, she also realizes that time is running out for her. Nyktos, determined to save Sera, is willing to risk everything, but their destinies may not be in their control. The only hope lies in something more powerful than the Fates.
Pepper Winters
Lunamare: A forbidden romance
"Lunamare: A Forbidden Romance" is the first book in "The Luna Duet" series by Pepper Winters. The story follows a young man who meets a girl that saves his life when he is sixteen years old. Despite her family taking him in and keeping him safe, there is one rule he must follow: never touch the girl. He manages to obey for four years, but one night everything changes and he breaks his promise. They fall in love, but he has secrets that could jeopardize their relationship and his very existence. He is not allowed to love her or keep her, but he can't stop himself. And when he realizes this, it may already be too late.
