Customer Reviews

The Hunted (Vampire Huntress Legend)

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

In this third book of the series, THE HUNTED, Damali Richards, the first Neteru in a thousand years, continues her divine mission to rid the world of vampiric evil. The story begins a few days after the battle in the Dark Realms when The Vampire Council and Master Vampire Fallon Nuit's plans are thwarted as they tried to get their hands on a ripening Neteru, for the purposes of producing a "day walker." The battle weary Covenant, the Holy council anointed to protect and guide The Neteru, has dwindled in numbers as a result of the war and is searching for Carlos who has been missing since then. Their search leads them to a desert where they find a severely wounded Carlos. They immediately nurse him back to health and bestow a renewed purpose for protecting Damali. With determination and audacity, Carlos resumes his double agent ways as he is torn by the need to protect Damali while at the same time bargaining for his soul and fighting the pull of being a vampire.

Damali, now a fully matured Neteru, has lost her `sight' and her faith is wavering. She is in despair over Carlos, as she believes that a terrible tragedy befell him during the war in the Dark Realms. Her Guardian Team is also experiencing reduced powers, and their faith is slipping as they each realize that a chance at a normal life may not be in the cards. There is only one thing that can help Damali, and now that may be lost. Above all, her protectors trying to keep recent stories of bizarre deaths in Brazil from Damali until she fully recovers her `sight.' Something very evil from the Dark Realms has been released in the Brazilian territory; its target is Carlos and Damali is standing in the way. As this evil entity locks in on Carlos, it becomes hard for him to ignore. Protecting Damali maybe wishful thinking for Carlos, The Guardian Team and The Covenant.

In this continuing saga of good versus evil, L.A. Banks kicks it up a few notches. She weaves into this story a lesson on the power of love as well as some erotic scenes that were enough to make even the straightest Puritan raise an eyebrow or two. Banks incorporates several subplots of evil deeds from realms of hell and topside to keep me riveted to this book. I was on the edge of my seat as I waited to see who the ultimate winner would be. A deeper look inside THE HUNTED reveals not only an excellent tale of good and bad but it also offers an intense look at love, faith and hope on a grander scale. Despite all the faults, pain and suffering, if we truly believe in our mates, hope serves as a beacon at the end of the tunnel. We just have to trust in the love we share and allow faith to sustain us through uncertain times. In my humble opinion, this is by far the best book of the series. I look forward to the next installment in this series with bated breath.

Reviewed by Brenda M. Lisbon
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

The Neteru is born once a millennium to give peace to a trouble world. She is gifted with powers that enable her to destroy the supernatural creatures who want to bring Armageddon to the world. Damali Richards is this era's Neteru, a rock singer and leader of a band whose members are Guardians, sworn to help her in the fight against evil. The vampires were planning a grand feast starring the human race as the main course, but Damali and her group stopped them. However, the only man she ever loved, Carlos Rivera, was turned into a master vampire and is believed to be dead.

She doesn't know that he is rescued by a group of monks who are sworn to fight the Dark and believe that Carlos is worth redeeming. He returns to Damali and they have ten beautiful days together before they part in anger. He consolidates his empire while she and her group travel to Brazil where they have to find the creature that is killing and eating scores of humans. The creature lures Carlos down there as well and tries to seduce him but Damali won't let any evil being live who threatens her world and her beloved.

Both Damali and Carlos are fascinating characters who are polar opposites. His love for the Neteru is so pure it can bring about his redemption while she is a powerful mage who needs to battle evil but also wants to be with the vampire she loves. Their love story makes THE HUNTED a horror novel with a twist that will appeal to fans of both genres. L.A. Banks has written a work one can sink their teeth into enjoying every bite.

Harriet Klausner

Unlike the previous reviewer I am not at all disappointed in my decision to buy LA Bank's "The Hunted". It was and can be off putting at first to be confronted with so much "streetspeak" or slang. Especially when you're not used to reading or hearing it. But after awhile the speech became a natural rhythm in my mind and I was totally absorbed in the story. I disagree that it was "phony". This is the natural language of the urban contemporary, Hip-Hop generation. They eat and breath this language. It's only logical that LA wove it into the story.

I also disagree with the assessment about the story being "macho crap". I'm a veteran of the "Vampire/SCI-FI/Fantasy/Romance" genre. This is not meant to be contemporary fiction where politically correct rules apply. It was meant to be 'over the top' fantasy. And believe me the women readers of this genre DO NOT want a weak hero! I appreciated the fact that Carlos was one of the best heroes I've come accross in a long time. The intertwined good and evil aspects of his character made him more multi-dimensional and more interesting than even Damali.

I was so impressed with "The Hunted" that I went out and got LA's 2 recent releases, "The Bitten" and "The Forbidden". I hope to enjoy these just as well.

Again, Ms. Banks has created an outstanding work of fiction. She is able to bring her own unique spin to the vampire mythos to fruition with The Hunted. "Blinding" Damali is a stroke of brilliance and gives her yet another obstacle to overcome. I also loved the fact that we are able to learn more about the Guardians' role as Guardians, especially Marlene, the mother figure of the book.

Once again, however, the dialogue is the major sticking point for me. While it's dynamic and true to life, I find it a bit tedious after a while and hard to follow when more than one character is "speaking". To me, there is very little in the way of personalization and uniqueness to the characters with regards to the dialogue.

But, overall, I admire Ms. Banks' contributions to vampire fiction and look forward to many more great books in the Vampire Huntress series.

Again, Ms. Banks has created an outstanding work of fiction. The Hunted is another great installment to this series. A slightly more bulkier novel but it is surprisingly a fast and tense read. Due to real life, I was forced to put the book down, and each time I did--no matter where I had closed the pages--I was left on the edge of a cliff, my attention focused on the next time I would be able to read this book. She is able to bring her own unique spin to the vampire mythos to fruition with "The Hunted."

This book was sexier, darker and grittier; finally allowing the passion between Damali and Carlos to explode in one of the best love scenes I've ever had a chance to read; upping the ante on Carlos' "life" and his deals; exposing more of the Neteru's heritage; and upping the tension between Damali and Carlos, Carlos and his enemies, The guardians and their chosen paths; etc, etc. The Hunted has taken Banks' series to an entirely different level where your emotions will be sure to run like a predator, unless you are dead. Damali is near to coming into her own; in this novel, she being forced to deal with things and situations that she formerly shielded herself from due to certain circumstances. She is all Neteru in this book and I can't wait until I read "The Bitten."

Once again, however, the dialogue is the major sticking point for me. While it's dynamic and true to life, I find it a bit tedious after a while and hard to follow when more than one character is "speaking". To me, there is very little in the way of personalization and uniqueness to the characters with regards to the dialogue.

But, overall, I admire Ms. Banks' contributions to vampire fiction and look forward to many more great books in the Vampire Huntress series.

Damali and Carlos finally consumate their relationship, hallelujah! This book was by far the best one in the series, yet. I have read up through The Bitten and will read all the rest ASAP. I read the reviews after I read the book. I'm so glad I read the book first. Some reviewers have problems with the street slang, but this is Damali's world. These are Damali's people. These people are not white preppies! She grew up on the streets as did Carlos. The language is important to the flavor of the characters that L.A. Banks writes about. It would be weird to have these characters speak as if they had college educations. This book was great! You must read all the books in the series. I wouldn't consider these stand alone novels. Ms. Banks does not re-hash alot of background from her previous books and incorporate them into her new installments. She almost expects you to understand what has happended in prior books. But, if you keep up with the series this won't be a problem. If you try to read the books without reading the previous ones, you will be lost. I love the spirituality of her books, good versus evil, God versus Satan. Try this series. You won't be disappointed.

I have to say, this book has been the best by far in the Huntress series.It held my attention from beginng to end.The characters were interesting as were the setting and plot. Job well done Ms. Banks!

The Hunted starts off with vampire huntress, Damali Richards thinking her lover Carlos Rivera (master vampire) has perished within the depths of hell. But that's not true.

This book takes its readers to Brazil, where Damali performs a spoken word concert that brings down the house. But Damali, her Guardian team and Covenant members must also take down another threat that has arisen. A female, who wants to take Damali out of the equation. This woman wants Damali's man and her ability to sire Daywalkers.

All sorts of new characters are introduced into this series. As each new book comes along the audience delves deeper and deeper into the minds of the main characters.

I'm in love with this series!! And you will be too but you've got to give it a chance.

This book is a delightful, tastiful, heated, enticing, fascinating, exquisite, pleasing and a suspense filled piece of art.

The Hunted starts off with vampire huntress, Damali Richards thinking her lover Carlos Rivera (master vampire) has perished within the depths of hell. But that's not true. When Damali thinks Carlos is dead that makes her loose HOPE. This among other things are very important, in order for her to stay strong within her mind. And not let evil influence her. When Carlos returns, Damali doesn't think it's the Carlos she once knew and loved. Now she must learn to trust him all over again to beat this new threat.

Carlos has to battle with whether or not to side completely with evil or battle for all things good with Damali. He's been shown things he could never image while on the darkside. Making his lust for power stronger. But he loves Damali. Can't have both? Is that possible?

This book takes its readers to Brazil, where Damali performs a spoken word concert that brings down the house. But Damali, her Guardian team and Covenant members must also take down another threat that has arisen. A female, who wants to take Damali out of the equation. This woman wants Damali's man and her ability to sire Daywalkers.

All sorts of new characters are introduced into this series. As each new book comes along the audience delves deeper and deeper into the minds of the main characters. Where readers learn what makes each person tick.

This book is a delightful, tasiful, heated, enticing, fascinating, exquisite, pleasing and a suspense filled piece of art.

This series just keeps getting better and better and better and hotter and better and better .....

I'm in love with this series!! And you will be too but you've got to give it a chance. And JUDGE FOR YOURSELF.

After reading the first and second in this series I thought it couldn't get any better. Was I ever wrong! L.A. Banks has found the way to dominate the vampire world with imagery that will make you feel that you are a part of it all. You'll talk out loud to the characters. You'll love some passionately and hate others intensely. But you won't be able to put it down. Ms. Banks' writing is magical.