general

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