L.A. Banks The Forsaken

The Forsaken

L.A. Banks

Griffin, Jul 2006, $14.95, 448 pp.

ISBN: 0312352352

Damali is a Neteru, a slayer of the supernatural entities that would destroy or harm humanity. Her mate is mixed breed Neteru vampiric human Carlos Rivera. He needs to be the dominant partner in their relationship as well as the leader of the Guardian team. However, Damali is tired of his macho pride and after a year away from her music she stops to compose again. At the moment of inspiration, a being walks into her room from the land of Nard in another dimension.

The Most High banished the hated demons and their human lapdogs into purgatory because disobeyed his command not to interact physically with humans. Lucifer's stomping around the seventh level of Hell until the barrier between two worlds lets in Damali's visitor. At first she assumes he is her muse, but soon admits Cain is a Neteru like her. He is a sexy handsome male who shows he desires Damali at a time she is vulnerable after fighting with Carlos. Cain's presence is a temptation while Lucifer and his wife Lilith manipulate Carlos, Damali and the other guardians into fighting among themselves. If the group continues on this path, they will not be effective in fighting for the Light in the end of days.

The seventh Vampire Huntress legend tale is one of the best entries in a top rate series due to the growth of the prime characters. For the first time Carlos feels threatened by another man, a powerful Neteru with incredible bloodlines. Part romance, part horror and part mystical thriller, THE FORSAKEN is a bitingly delicious tale that mixes theology with the metaphysical to create a cleverly plotted one sitting reading experience.

Harriet Klausner