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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I was afraid..., April 14, 2009
The best defense is a great offense... Wait a minute. Armageddon has begun, Level Seven has come "topside," toppled the Washington Monument, knocked on the front door of the White House with it, released the pale horse of the Apocalypse, and has the Neteru team labeled as the world's most wanted bio-terrorists. Pestilence, death, destruction, mayhem rule the day and night. The safest thing to do is stay under the radar. Right? Wrong. This is the Neteru team. Offense? Out of funds and on the run with babies on the way, our guardians take the battle to the darkside despite their losses, reunite with members, and make new friends to challenge the Unnamed One's greatest demon.
The Thirteenth is the twelfth and final story in L. A. Banks' Vampire Huntress Legends series. I know it's fiction (and I must admit that I was hooked from the moment I saw the Sankofa tattooed at the base of Damali's spine on the cover of Minion), but one look at CNN or FOX might cause you to question whether L. A. knows something most world leaders do not. This series has been an artful weaving of current events, world mythology, and impeccable research. The diversity, a thing to be celebrated and cherished. Let's be clear. My triskaidekaphobia was because the series was ending, not the emotional rollercoaster Banks delivered as the team took it to the streets in Jerusalem, dodging daywalkers and zombies. Having become personally attached to every member of the team, I tried unsuccessfully to read slowly, but the fast-paced action was right out of a Roland Emmerich or Jerry Bruckheimer film. Fallon Nuit, Sebastian, Lilith, and Vlad Dracula turn up the heat on the team once they realize Damali is pregnant. Seeking to exploit this perceived weakness, the One Who Shall Remain Nameless, breaks the sixth seal. Ride or die, the Neteru team, tried by the fire, comes out pure gold with the help from the council of Neteru Kings and Queens and Warrior angels. When the dust clears, Banks leaves it to Yaya to bring peace to the steadfast, but mystified adults (and I was one of them), making the words of Isaiah 11:6 ring clear: "and a little child shall lead them."
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bakers Dozen?, April 23, 2009
Not quite. This is the twelfth and final installment of the Vampire Huntress Legends. The Vampire Huntress Legends is a sprawling series. From the original conception of a one shot novel to 12 novel series. Change may be a constant, but so is the research and thought behind the various themes. The author could publish several research papers on the various themes is she was so inclined.
I give Banks a lot of credit for not trying to shy away from the self imposed Armageddon deadline. Instead of some obscure contrived divine intervention as many might have considered Ms. Banks actually goes through with Apocalypse as foretold in the Book of Revelations. We are now left with a stunned Guardian team in a post-Armageddon world. This deadline has been a driving force for the last few novels. This is also the most likely source of pacing issue some readers have voiced concerning the latter half of the book series. The timing of the battles in the novel do feel rushed at points, but with no more novels forth coming it is a now or never situation. Many high level demons need to be vanquished and so are done quickly and usually without much fanfare.
The expositions that have been a source of some complaints are muted and used sparingly. There is no need for additional world building as there won't be new extensions of the series that require them. This is the final novel there is no need to setup future story lines, just wrap up the current ones as best as possible.
Final thoughts:
I would have preferred longer action sequences. Overall the novel is a fine ending to the series and a proper sendoff of the Guardian team.
The Thirteenth (Vampire Huntress Legends)
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Goodbye Old Friends!, February 28, 2009
What a spectacular ending to a wonderful series! However, I feel much like I did when I read the last Harry Potter book, that I was saying goodbye to some very beloved, old friends. I know I can always read the series again, but part of the joy was seeing what they were going to get into and out of, next.
I don't want to say too much about some of the things in the book because unlike some other reviews, I do not want to spoil anything for anyone. Especially since this is the last book. Like a very good Merlot, it should be savored. However, once you start reading, you can't help but to gulp it down. And reach for some more.
Once again, Ms. Banks has shown that she is at the top of her game and is an excellent storyteller. She is also one hell of a researcher. I tip my hat in awe and much respect to her for her wonderful gifts that she has so generously shared with her readers. This book reads like the movie it should be. I could see everything in my mind and at times had to put the book down to catch my breath. Things happen to some of the characters that made tears come to my eyes and near the end of the book, I wanted to stand up and shout YESSSSSS! Like all of the books in the series, there are some very thought provoking things; things that lingered with me long after I read the last page.
I am looking forward to Ms. Banks' young adult series that is supposed to be coming next. Maybe I can share them with my grandchildren. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
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