In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, we are so excited because J.R. WARD IS HERE. And she finally answers the question I have been asking:
Is Crown of War and Shadow secretly the BDB origin story? 👀
Watch the interview: https://youtu.be/tHIoFpn7LMs
In this 56-minute deep dive, we're talking:
✨ Her brand new Kingdoms of the Compass series (slow-burn romantasy, demons, badlands and found family vibes)
✨ How Crown of War and Shadow is different from Black Dagger Brotherhood (think "D&D meets LOTR")
✨ BDB origin story easter eggs in the new series (yes… she really does confirm it)
✨ BDB Season 2 scoop: how dark it gets, Rhage's Beast, and what's coming next
✨ Merc & Sorrel's character vibes, why Sorrel is first-person only, and how hard this book was to draft
✨ Four-book plan, IMAX-scale creature battles, and the spider scene from hell
✨ Which BDB brother would die in this world (Ward refuses… mostly)
✨ Passionflix creative control, cast reunion teases, and what comes after the Romantasy boom
If you love Black Dagger Brotherhood, paranormals, or you're hunting for your next big romantasy obsession after ACOTAR, you're in the right place. 💜
Tell us in the comments: Are you reading Crown of War and Shadow? And wha't your favorite J.R. Ward book?
Timestamps:
00:00 J.R. Ward teases the new series + BDB Season 2 scoop
00:25 What Crown of War and Shadow is about (slow-burn romantasy setup)
01:19 "D&D meets LOTR": How Kingdoms of the Compass differs from BDB
03:29 Meet Merc & Sorrel: 3-word character vibes
04:05 Why first-person Sorrel only (and why drafting was a nightmare)
05:33 Retrofitting a 20-year-old idea + keeping the big secrets hidden
08:00 The four-book plan, backstory dreams & the spider scene from hell
09:32 Writing IMAX-scale creature battles & cinematic action
12:38 Which BDB brother would die in this world? (Ward refuses… mostly)
13:53 Are there BDB origin story easter eggs in the new series?
15:31 Merc's protective energy: Supportive hero vs. alpha power plays
18:11 BDB crossover party game: Who Merc fights, befriends & lives with
24:08 Passionflix BDB TV series: Creative control, Rhage's Beast & Season 2 build
28:20 Is Season 2 lighter? Ward says "absolutely not" (setting up Season 3)
29:36 Why horses keep appearing in her books
30:35 From Cape Cod to Leaping Hearts: Writing what you know
33:46 Romance influences: Johanna Lindsey, Elizabeth Lowell & medieval inspo
35:57 Why men read her romance: Boundaries, grit and voice
40:53 Alpha heroes then vs now: Decency, loyalty and moral compasses
44:15 What she's reading (and why she rarely reads): ACOTAR, Lore of the Wilds & more
48:31 What comes after Romantasy? Trends, vampires, paranormals & historicals
53:12 Crown of War and Shadow updates: "Different" reviews, gratitude & KU access
55:20 Wrap-up
Grab your copy of Crown of War and Shadow: https://rstyle.me/+_Qy4c7F3Bp236GkKuWhxzA
Resources on the blog:
J.R. Ward Reading Guide: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/a-beginners-guide-to-j-r-ward-reading-order/
Black Dagger Brotherhood Series Guide: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/black-dagger-brotherhood-series-guide/
Black Dagger Legacy Series Guide: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/black-dagger-legacy-series-guide/
The Bourbon Kings Series Guide: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/the-bourbon-kings-by-j-r-ward-series-guide-drama-romance-and-secrets/
Books Like Black Dagger Brotherhood: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/books-like-black-dagger-brotherhood/
Watch Next:
J.R. Ward Beginners Guide: https://youtu.be/P7NiUn-_9TE
Black Dagger Brotherhood Reading Order: https://youtu.be/KEaODIYEh8Y
Ranking our favorite BDB books: https://youtu.be/TqziQMkW_-I
My Favorite BDB Heroes: https://youtu.be/ekURmqb4oPM
Is the BDB TV Show Worth It?: https://youtu.be/l-mxD3mlB1Q
Ranking the Top 8 Characters from the BDB Show (Season 1): https://youtu.be/pwGMx8s-SXo
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