Customer Reviews

Cursed to Death (Crimson Moon, Book 4)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Manipulating the truth with her superiors in order to finagle some down time for her team, Sasha and Hunter are back in New Orleans to attend a big Fae Midsummers Night Ball. The possibility of getting some R&R is cut short when their Fae allies need help investigating the inexplicable death - by fire - of a Phoenix dancer. Sasha and Hunter are quick to take up the hunt for the killer, hoping to repay the Seelie monarch for his support of the wolf clans by solving the murder quietly.

But there is something in the air in New Orleans besides the humidity and pretty soon it is apparent that there is some strange magic at work - the Fae are losing their glamour and Sasha, her Shadow wolf mate Hunter, his brother Shogun and the rest of Sasha's wolvish comrades are all in a heightened emotional state and finding it hard not to succumb to the animalistic side of their natures. With new alliances hanging in the balance and enemies looking to exploit every weakness, Sasha and her team need to keep cool heads, and to discover the truth behind the magical attacks before it's too late.

I have been a pretty enthusiastic fan of Banks Crimson Moons series, and have really enjoyed the previous books with their smart and strong heroine, special ops soldier and alpha wolf Sasha, but it took author Banks a lot longer to reel me in with the story this time round. After thinking on it a bit, the reason that I didn't enjoy the beginning of the Cursed to Death as much as usual, was that not only were Sasha and her mate Hunter not acting like themselves, but also there was a high level of tension and conflict between the pair and among pretty much all of the returning cast. Once Sasha starts to think again and not just react, the story gets much better and, an improvement over the last book, Sasha's fellow special ops teammates actually are given something significant to do.

Even with the tough beginning, I actually did end up liking Cursed to Death, but if you are new to the series and haven't read the previous books, with all of the significant players in the series acting out of character, it is unlikely that Cursed to Death will make you a fan - and that would be a shame, because under normal circumstances the cast is a large part of what makes this series so good.

picked up the first book and now am hooked on the series...great reading, wonderful writer.

Vampire lovers will find this book `delicious!' L. A. Banks has written a great series in the Vampire Huntress Legend. Read them all."

I love all of her books, this one is no acception. Buy it Read it Love it.

In the fourth Crimson Moon novel, CURSED TO DEATH, Sasha Trudeau, shadow wolf and military agent, is back on the prowl and chaos emerges again. Sasha, Hunter, and the members of their team have returned to New Orleans, LA to attend the Seelie Fae's Midsummer Night Ball. Instead of indulging herself in a little one on one time with her mate, Hunter, they are led to investigate the gruesome murder of a Phoenix. The unusual manner in which she dies and the strange clues left at the murder scene assist them in helping the Fae solve a string of similar ritualistic murders.

The Wolf Clan senses the drastic change in the supernatural community. Dark magic from the Fae seems to have taken hold on the New Orleans supernatural community and Sasha and Hunter are not immune to the powerful curse. Chaos runs rampant again. Some try to hide from the dark magic, while others are consumed by it and, as a result, turn on each other. The sexual tension has always been high between Sasha and Hunter, but another tension escalades as Shogun remains in the picture. Lives are at stake and they must find a way to stop the dark magic that leaves all at risk of exposure.

I cannot recommend this series enough for readers of dark/urban fantasy. If you've been following the Crimson Moon novels, you will agree the plot is complex, but Banks' twist on paranormal characters, werewolves, the Fae, and their world is unique. I can't wait to pick up the fifth installment, Never Cry Wolf. I will be sorry to see this series come to an end.

Reviewed by TygerLily
for The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

This was one of the best ones in my opinion. I would love for Shogun to me someone because I love Sasha and Hunter together. This one is a keeper I will be re-reading this one.

Two phoenixes have been murdered, and Sir Rodney, King of the Seelie Court has asked sexy, shadow she-wolf Sasha Trudeau to determine who or what is messing with fae magic (their glamour is faltering). Unfortunately, no one is immune to this "curse" and even the mighty warriors are affected. With the help of her life-mate (Hunter), Sasha and her group of special force soldiers must investigate these grisly murders, the dark magic behind them, and solve this serious conspiracy before all paranormal creatures expose themselves to the humans. While the two struggle to understand what is happening to all those who have special powers, they also are dealing with Hunter's brother, Shogun, who also appears to be under the effects of powerful magic (his growing lust for Sasha could start a war between the Clans) since stepping foot in New Orleans. Who then is to blame for the unseelie curse, the vampires or some other group bent on revenge? And why, during a time when his powers and those of his men are beginning to fade, is Sir Rodney infatuated with the she wolf (attempting to woe her)? Could he too be under the spell that plagues his people? As the story culminates into the days leading up to the Midsummer Nights Ball (an annual event hosted by Sir Rodney) so too does the anticipation of a showdown between those conflicting powers. So if for no other reason, an opportunity to read about gnomes, fairies, elves, werewolves, vampires, phoenixes, and an Ice Queen that will make you cringe in anticipation, all fighting for power, made this a worthy read.

I enjoyed this novel and think that it was by far the best in the Crimson Moon series. Like the VHLS (Vampire Huntress Legend Series), there is the age old tension between good and bad, as well as obligation and honor, and while it may be easier to do the wrong thing, the characters in this series always manage to do the right thing, even if it means escaping into the Shadowlands and murmuring a calming word. And while I appreciate Hunter, I also love the triangle between Hunter, Sasha and Shogun, and secretly hope that Shogun gets the girl (although this is contrary to the way of the wolf who mate for life). I guess just as I hoped Jose would have a chance (VHLS) or Jacob (Twilight), or all those others who we know secretly will never get the girl, but we cheer them on hoping they will. I think this series will only get better as they continue to fight against evil, and fight for love. If nothing else, I await the next opportunity to see Sasha in action.

This is the fourth book in the Crimson Moon Novels. Sasha Trudeau has seen her Wolf Mate Max Hunter through two near deaths. Though, she is still struggling with her consistent attraction to the half brother Shogun. After the major show down of Undead on Arrival enemies were to be expected in this book. My over all feeling for this book is that it was more of a conclusion and wrapping up the the lose ends from the previous three books. This was another fast paced and entertaining read from L.A. Banks, but I find myself becoming bored with the love triangle of this book. Please do not under estimate, this is not a bad book though I am more than happy with putting an end to the struggle between Hunter, Sasha, and Shogun. I find myself a little unhappy seeing as how I like Shogun better than Hunter, but the end of tormoil was necessary. I will continue to read the next book in this series, and I look forward to new direction that the Crimson Moon Novels with take.

**Special thanks to the publisher for this book

I love L.A. Banks and have always supported and read her series of books. But the 4th book in this normally fast paced series feels like she just had to "churn it out". It was hard to get through. I hope that publishing constraints or whatever is pushing her to write below her potential STOP because I would like to go back to the first book. If you compare the writing, there is such a difference it is stunning. COME BACK TO US MIGHTY SASHA!

Sasha Trudeau, shadow wolf and military agent and her team return to New Orleans for the fae's Midsummers Night Ball. Instead of having romantic dinners with Hunter and enjoying New Orleans nightlife, Sasha is assisting the fae with a trail of grizzly murders.

New Orleans has been cursed by black magic that only seems to have effect on the supernatural community. The Seelie fae have been stripped of their magic (which means no glamouring humans, who can now see their cute pointy ears), werewolves are pitted against each other, the demon doors have been reopened, the fairies are hiding and starving for food since they can now be seen when tending to their gardens; the supernatural community in New Orleans is in chaos.

Sexual tensions and dominance plays are high between Sasha, Hunter and Shogun. Even Sasha's familiars and her dad are affected by the curse; anyone with a sprinkle of magical beings in their blood is affected. The only escape seems to be the Shadowlands; however the unseen sorcerer's trap has made it impossible for any shadow wolf to enter Shadowlands. Without the supernatural community's natural cloaking mechanism to remain hidden within plain sight, humans are starting to take notice and ask questions, now everyone is at risk of exposure.

I really enjoyed this installment. It was full of action, mystery and lots and lots of fae. I love the strength of Sasha's alpha she-wolf, however I was a bit irritated at the way Sasha treated Hunter every time Shogun was around. Also, regardless of how intriguing the plot was, there was a bit more predictability and coincidental events than previous installments.

All-in-all this book was bewitching, engrossing and hypnotic. I would've loved to have seen more voodoo priest included, the story did take place in New Orleans after all; however, I did love that the Unseelie fae were included in this installment, I'm a huge Unseelies fan. I highly recommend this book and series to dark urban fantasy readers and also look forward to the next book in the series Never Cry Wolf due out 3/30/2010.

I also recommend:
They Call Me Death
Night Life (Nocturne City, Book 1)
Street Magic (Black London Novels)
Moon Called (Mercy Thompson, Book 1)
City of Souls (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 4)