Customer Reviews

The Wicked (Vampire Huntress Legend)

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In book 8 of the VHL Series, Damali and Carlos are enjoying bliss on their honeymoon. However, all good things must come to an end. Cain, the only living son of Dante' and Eve, goes mad after finding out that Carlos, someone who he deems unworthy, was chosen by Damali to be her mate. And to add salt to the wound, he finds out that Carlos was given the sword of Heru after discovering the one he has is a fake. Convinced that his mother's people won't accept him, he makes his way to hell where he is more than welcomed. Together with Lillith and the One Who Shall Remain Nameless' blessing, he conjures up a plan to not only cause havoc among the Guardian team, but to Damali and Carlos' marriage as well. How does he do it? By bringing back an enemy who has had a damaging effect on alomst everyone on the Guardian team. Cain is seeking world domination, will he succeed?

Meanwhile, every member of the Guardian team is paired up with a mate and are restless without the Neterus. However, their mini vacation is interupted when some demons show up. Then shortly afterwards, something affects the team and the Neterus must try to find a way to save them and fight the evil that's coming for them. Will all of the team survive the latest attack threat?

Oh my good-ness! I read this book and I must tell you that it has all of the elements that makes a good book: Love, action and suspense! The reason I love Mrs. Banks' books is because each one of her books is always better than the last one and believe me when I say that this book is better than the last one! There are a lot of things that happen in this book, but I won't tell what because that will be giving away too many spoilers. However, I will tell you that some loose ends concerning relationships are tied up in this installment of the VHL Series. Which ones? Well, you'll just have to read the book to find out. If you are a lover of this series then grab the tissues, because this book is going to take you on a roller coaster ride. You'll laugh, cry and even get angry. So, believe me when I say that "The Wicked" is a must read!

"If You're Afraid of the Dark, Stay in the LIGHT!" Ashe!

Book 8 in the VHL Series prepares us for the ultimate showdown between good and evil. The "Wicked" picks up where the last installment left off. Cain (the brother to Abel, son of Eve and Dante') is agonizing over his loss of Damali, his muse. Damali meanwhile is honeymooning with the man she loves and has chosen, fellow Neteru Carlos. Once Cain gets a glimpse of what the two lovers are doing, he makes the ultimate choice to accept his dark side and takes the violent journey to "hell" to reclaim his throne. Positioning himself with Lilith (his grandfather and his father's ex-lover) he sets actions in motion, which will prove to be the catalyst of one of the deadliest battles ever. He makes a deal with his grandfather, "The Unnamed One", that he will destroy Damali and her guardians if he resurrects Fallon Nuit (Book 1 in the series) from the Sea of Perpetual Agony. With one of their deadliest enemies return, comes a series of events that you will not forget. New alliances are made and new characters are introduced as Damalia and Carlos struggle to maintain peace among the group and in the world. We even see the mother to all, Eve struggle to remain in the light after her son (Cain)has made a decision which will break her heart. Her despair and grief has led her to prevent any children from being born. She holds out hope that her child can be redeemed, and wishes more than anything that she can save him.

What Mrs. Banks so aptly does in this latest installment is discuss how decisions we make have consequences. For example, when Eve was tempted by Dante in the Garden of Eden, her affair lead to the birth of Cain. A decision whose long reaching consequences affected not only her salvation, but her relationship with her husband, Adam as well.

We also see old alliances break and new ones form, as the group fights to save humankind. We see how our own desires and anger can make us make bad decisions, that will or can ultimately lead to our downfall or salvation. In other words, I suggest you read this book, especially if you are a lover of the series. It will take you on a journey that I know you will enjoy. And it will definitely leave you wanting more. I can't wait until the next one.

Damali and Carlos are finally married and spending the last day of their honeymoon making love. Both are Neterus, beings who work for the Light fighting the minions of darkness whenever they cross paths. There job will never be over until they are called upon to play their destined role in Armageddon.

Eve's son Cain, locked away in the land of Nod, discovers that his beautiful Damali married Carlos, a vampire Neteru like him. Cain breaks out of Nod and assumes the Chairmanship of the Vampire Council in the sixth level of hell, a job that suits him perfectly since he is Lucifer's grandson. He intends to gather up an army and kill the guardians that surround Damali and Carlos so that he can destroy Carlos and mate with Damali. Cain knows that she is the descendent of an angel and she has wings that come out whenever she uses her healing powers. Cain is linked to Damali and through her to Carlos because during a time when carlos and Damali's relationship was on the rocks, she let him bite her. He shows his link to Damali to Carlos hoping to draw a wedge between them before the two sides meet in battle.

The eighth installment in the vampire huntress series is filled with romance, action and adventure. This storyline leads up to the battle between the forces of light and darkness and until the dust settles nobody will know who the winner is. The love that exists between the two protagonists is wondrous and gives them the strength to keep fighting when all they want to do is get some peace. L.A. Banks is a talented world builder who writes a great vampire thriller.

Harriet Klausner

The Wicked, book eight in the Vampire Huntress Legend Series, begins in the land of Nod with Cain, son of Eve, lusting for the Neteru Damali Richards. But once he realizes that Damali has married the love of her life Carlos Rivera, Cain's sworn enemy, things go straight to hell...literally. It is there where Cain strikes up a deal with evil forces and takes over his father Dante's previously open throne as the head of the Vampire Council. Cain plans the destruction of the beloved male Neteru Carlos. He wants to eliminate the competition, in hopes of having Damali all to himself. Cain also wants to rule over the world with Damali at his side. He makes sure he has a chance at success when he brings back an old slain nemesis of both Neterus.

In the midst of all that happening, Carlos and Damali are in Mexico enjoying their honeymoon away from their guardian team. The two are content with the way things have turned out and are hoping for a future of happiness together. As they begin to celebrate their union, there is a surge in the energy that affects Carlos the most. When they finish their lovemaking, Carlos notices that he has taken a too generous bite out of his wife and begins to panic. But Damali calms him and they return to their guardian team. There is still no peace to be had when they learn that Cain has gone to the dark side. When the two Neterus go off to visit with their respective councils the guardian team is yet again left alone. When they are paid a visit by some strange creatures the team does not know whether they are friend or foe.

Like the other titles in the series, The Wicked definitely brings the action with a pre-Armageddon battle where there will be loses to both the good side and the bad side. Before that happens in the book, the readers get to see a special moment of when the good guys come together to protect the innocent against evil. As always, Banks focuses on the strong values of love and family. These values are truly seen when Neteru Queen Eve is faced with a choice of what to do with her wayward son.

The truth behind what and who Damali really is happens to be revealed. The realization may be shocking to some. From first starting this series with Minion, I continue to be impressed by Banks and her wealth of knowledge towards the series. With each book, we get closer to the Armageddon and the characters evolve into better persons and fighters. They learn about their past mistakes in hopes that they will not make them in the future. I thoroughly enjoyed The Wicked. There were quite a few tear-jerker moments for long-time fans of the series that are sure to pull at your heart strings. This is one book and series that I definitely recommend to everyone for your reading pleasure.

Reviewed by Chantay W.
APOOO BookClub

MS. BANKS...MS. BANKS..MS. BANKS!
WHAT CAN I SAY THAT I HAVEN'T ALREADY SAID ABOUT THIS SERIES..YOU ARE EVENTUALLY GOING TO SEND ME INTO CARDIAC ARREST!...LOL..LOL
WITH EACH BOOK I READ IN THIS SERIES..I TRY AND SEE HOW YOU WILL OUT DO THE OTHER AND EVERYTIME YOU LEAVE ME BREATHLESS..MY BLOOD PRESSURE PROBABLY GOES UP...SOME SIPS OF WINE..LOL
DAMALI AND CARLOS WILL BE THE DEATH OF ME..
THIS EPISODE WAS ANOTHER GREAT ONE..I DONT KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN WITH THIS..
IM JUST GOING TO SAY IF YOU HAVEN'T READ ANYTHING BY THIS WOMAN( MS BANKS) START FROM THE VERY BEGINNING..WITH THE MINION AND WORK YOUR WAY TOO THE REST OF THE SERIES.AS WELL AS IT BEING ACTION PACKED..ROMANTIC..FULL OF SUSPENSE..ITS ALSO FULL OF KNOWLEDGABLE INFORMATION AND MAKES GO HMMMMMM..IS THAT RIGHT!
HEY.. YOU DONT HAVE TO TAKE MY WORD FOR IT.. GO BUY THE SERIES..

Let me start by saying that I picked up this book at 6:00 pm Wednesday evening and by Friday morning, I only have 20 pages left. I couldn't put the book down. there were so many truths in the book (granted it's fiction) but in terms of how a man honors and loves his woman as well as how they love each other enough to not allow anything to come between them.

Also, key was their realization that they you should ask for help (not only when the sh** hit the fan and not be afraid to address past mistakes and let things go. I also enjoyed how all of the religions and belief systems were allowed to pray and worship in the way they found important to them. It showed me that we can have differences but still come together for the sake for humanity. Many lessons to be learned if you look past just a great story. I've read a lot of great series that dealt with vampires. Including books by Jim Butcher (Dresden Series) and Brian Lumley (Necroscope series) and I thought that Ms. Banks books are equal to or superior to these books.

Overall, I have nothing but praise for her writing. Clearly, a lot more research went into the writting and planning of this book. I just want to make sure and let the record show, that I appreciated the thought, love and care that went into writing this book, developing and introduction of new characters and look forward to reading the next one.

Also, great description of the sisters from Belize.

Just when I thought L.A. Bank's books couldn't get any better, she does it again and even better than before. This book was awesome! It was full of action, suspense, intrigue, you name it. I could not put this book down. I can barely wait until the next book comes out. I hope this series never ends, that's just how good it is. Even though there were alot more characters added, you still felt like you knew all of them. L.A. Banks puts so much into each character she introduces. She is just an awesome writer. I cannot wait until July!

OMG!! This book was off the chain!! I couldn't put it down!!I felt like I was in the midst of all the action. One minute I laughed, cried, was angry,and even horrified at one point. I can't wait until the next book in the series comes out. This book made you relize that tomorrow's not promised, and that you have to tell the person you love that you love them everyday; to never give up, and to fight for what's right and beautiful in this world.If it had more stars to give, I'd give it a 10. Absolutely worth every penny I spent!!!

OMG if you haven't read the Wicked yet... SHAME ON YOU!!! It's utterly amazing, Just when you think it may be impossible to fall anymore in love with the VHL series, L.A.Banks drops another Breath taking entry that leaves you teethering (once again) with the last page. All the usual amazing elements you'd expect from a VHL series with a few new plot twist and turns. Never what you;d imagine from the last book.... And the sneak peak into the following 9th book will leave you counting the days til June of 2007. Have fun and if your STILL reading this... ORDER!!!! NOW! LOL. Peace and Love.
~REYAL~

L. A. Banks is my all time favorite author. I have to give it to Ms. Banks she writes with so much imagery that it makes you feel as if you right there witnessing the whole saga. Although this was not my favorite, it's right at the top as number 2. Cain underestimated Damali and Carlos. Love can conquer all things and those two illustrated it. You go Ms. Banks and keep em coming...