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Damned (Crusade #2)

by Nancy Holder (Goodreads Author), Debbie Viguié (Goodreads Author)

4.04 of 5 stars 4.04 · rating details · 656 ratings · 99 reviews

There is a fine line between love and sacrifice…. Antonio would do anything for his beloved fighting partner Jenn. He protects her, even suppresses his vampire cravings to be with her. Together, they defend humanity against the Cursed Ones. But tensions threaten to fracture their hunting team and his loyalty—his love—is called into question.

Jenn, the newly appointed Hunter...more

ebook, 544 pages

Published August 30th 2011 by Simon Pulse

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Sep 12, 2011 Saniya(Will Herondale is mine) marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Did I just marked this book as-read because the boy in the cover is kinda hot?! o_O

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Sep 19, 2011 Kristi-The Book Faery rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: simon-schuster, series-to-watch-for, witches, ya-arc-for-2011, ya-pnr-2011, ya-pnr-5-star, ya-pub-date-aug-11, ya-series, vamps

THE FAERIES VIEW

Damned is a captivating sequel to Crusade, I’ve waited for this novel to come out and I was not disappointed! It’s Thrilling, Chilling and Bad to the Bone all while carrying romance and heart break making for a most fascinating read. The series continues to get better, which I thought impossible!

Nancy Holder and Debbie Vigue do a wonderous thing with building a dystopian like world that is ruled by vampires and humans are their sheep. It’s incredibly believable which is what make...more

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Sep 06, 2011 Chelsea [Vampire Book Club] rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: magic, uf-pnr, vampires, weres, ya

This review was originally published at Vampire Book Club.

After reading Crusade, I was curious if we were going to get to know Skye better. She’s the witch who fights alongside the hunters — the only witch willing to step across that line and officially align herself with the team who seeks out to destroy the Cursed Ones. She still keeps to the rule of doing no harm, as best she can. If humans are involved, then Skye is out. But we got a hint to a dark past for her in the first novel, and Damned...more This review was originally published at Vampire Book Club.

After reading Crusade, I was curious if we were going to get to know Skye better. She’s the witch who fights alongside the hunters — the only witch willing to step across that line and officially align herself with the team who seeks out to destroy the Cursed Ones. She still keeps to the rule of doing no harm, as best she can. If humans are involved, then Skye is out. But we got a hint to a dark past for her in the first novel, and Damned delivers on revelations. Not only will readers find out who Skye is running from and why — she can’t run forever, as past and present collide — but also secrets of Holgar, Jamie, Eriko, Antonio and even Father Juan.

Jenn and Antonio are still the story’s main focus, and their love story gets more complicated in Damned. Really. But in Damned, the door is opened for insight into everyone else. The tale isn’t Jenn’s alone, and each of the hunters are pivotal. In time, we’ll see how much so.

One doesn’t become a hunter, doesn’t leave their family behind to take on a life of death and fear, without a tale of woe. The friction within the team gains clarity as we discover the root to Jamie’s fervent need to kill all vampires and werewolves. The emotional ties pulling the hunters closer and those barriers they refuse to cross begin to chafe. The unrequited love is bubbling over. With so much pain in their pasts, one can’t help but want to see these characters find solace in a bit of love. There are bright moments, but nothing is easy or direct while fighting a vampire war.

And in Damned the stakes have been raised. In addition to dealing with Aurora and her obsession with Antonio (the only vampire with a soul, the one who is a hunter), other vampire leaders are an issue. One has spent years trying to develop a hybrid, the ultimate vampire. He’s created variations, most merging human, vampire and werewolf DNA. Really, his main goal is to synthesize a way for vampires to walk in the sun. And his work is being shared.

With the humans losing the war with the vampires, the hunters have agreed to work with resistance fighters. One never knows if those they’re to work with are really on their side. Trust is no longer freely given, and more governments have appeased the Cursed Ones and blatantly ignore the cruelty and killings within their boundaries.

Fall into (Urban) Fantasy with VBC and MBWDamned conjures great plot twists, but takes a bit to get going. If you’ve completely forgotten the key points of the first novel, the opening of the book hammers it in. However, once you’re past the rehash, things pick up and we’re treated to some great flashbacks, huge emotional turns and lots of vampires you’d like to stake. I always enjoy Nancy Holder’s writing as her descriptions are simultaneously visceral and eloquent, and she and Debbie Viguié continue to impress me with their storytelling. Damned is no exception.

Also, you’ll get to learn a few foreign words in this one. The book is good about explaining what they are, but by the time you finish Damned, you’ll know how to say “cool” in Russian. Just in case.(less)

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Sep 01, 2011 Erin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Damned & Crusade: An Epic Urban Fantasy Series in the Making

It felt wrong to write a review of Damned since I know both authors so well and I am closely connected to the series. So, instead I decided to write a rumination on the Crusade series since there are a few things about the series that have always struck me as significant within the fantasy genre, but haven’t really generated much discussion. Therefore, since the Damned Book Tour is stopping at Underwords today, I’m going to talk abo...more Damned & Crusade: An Epic Urban Fantasy Series in the Making

It felt wrong to write a review of Damned since I know both authors so well and I am closely connected to the series. So, instead I decided to write a rumination on the Crusade series since there are a few things about the series that have always struck me as significant within the fantasy genre, but haven’t really generated much discussion. Therefore, since the Damned Book Tour is stopping at Underwords today, I’m going to talk about aspects of the Crusade series that I find most compelling but haven’t really generated much discussion…until now.

Damned (which released on August 30th) is the second book in the Crusade series by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguié, which features a group of vampire hunters who have come together to save the world from the insidious vampire horde that has taken over.

When I first read Crusade, the series struck me as being a unique story packed full of familiar fantasy elements. It is reminiscent of an old school epic fantasy trilogy with its band of misfit characters who have join together from different races, who each have a unique talent to lend to the group, and who are willing to fight for a hopeless cause in order to stop an impossibly powerful force from destroying the world. In true epic fantasy style, both Damned and Crusade are told using multiple points of view, and they send the team of hunters out on missions, forcing them to travel vast distances to foreign lands in their quest to conquer the invading vampires. However, the series doesn’t take place in a mystical world with a rural setting or historical feeling societies that are noticeably absent of modern science. Instead we get contemporary characters, modern technology, and familiar cities from our own world as well as a host of supernatural beings. These are definitely elements that do not belong in an epic fantasy, but would be right at home within the urban fantasy genre.

The result of this mixing and blending of urban and epic fantasy elements is the creation of a hybrid genre: Urban Epic Fantasy. While there are quite a few urban fantasy series like the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, the Dark Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, and the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris (all of which I love), they don’t have the same epic scope as Crusade in that they are either serialized novels or they take place in primarily one geographic region. Other than the Crusade series, there really aren’t many urban fantasies that also fit so well within the parameters of an epic fantasy.

Even better, Holder and Vigué avoid the trap of writing a paranormal romance that binds two characters, one human and one supernatural, into a romantic relationship that defies reason. In Crusade and Damned, Jenn and Antonio are the paranormal romantic couple who are desperately trying to keep their relationship going, but they have known each other for two years. They have fought together, dined together, and trained together before beginning their romantic relationship. They have a history together. As expected, they hit the inevitable vampire/human bumps in the road that constantly require them to fight to stay together, which is much more realistic than I had expected. Moreover, you get the very real sense that there is no guarantee that their love will overcome all. The dangers they face emotionally are as real as the dangers they face physically in battle.

There’s really nothing out there that I can compare to the Crusade series other than itself. It feels a bit like Joss Whedon’s Buffy with a dash of Anne Rice’s eye for history and elegance, a pinch of George R.R. Martin’s epic storytelling style, and a smattering of Bram Stoker’s and Stephen King’s big bad vampires mixed in with the relentlessness of the Terminator, the magic of Charmed, and hormones from Sex in the City. If this series were a film, it would be the perfect date movie because you get such a great mixture of exciting elements that gives everyone something to enjoy. Action. Romance. Fantasy. Reality. Holder and Vigué tease all of these threads into the story, giving it a wonderfully dynamic scope without sacrificing the narrative with cheap magic tricks and sex to keep readers interested.

The characters all feel like real people with pasts, desires, and needs that compel them to make choices that may not always be wise, but are always understandable. The use of multiple points of view may be a little confusing at first, especially for people who are unfamiliar with the epic fantasy genre. However, by telling this story through multiple points of view, Holder and Vigué allow readers to get to know each character from the inside out as you see them operate from their own perspective as well as through the perspectives of others. For example, you see how painfully scared Jenn is and how questionable her choices are when viewed through Jamie’s eyes, but you also understand why she won’t just surrender to her circumstances when the story is being told from her perspective. As with most epic fantasy series, you get a very three dimensional story that takes you behind the scenes and also places you on the front lines of the action from the perspective of the humans as well as the vampires.

I highly recommend both Damned and Crusade to anyone (guys or girls) who loves reading epic fantasy, urban fantasy, horror, or paranormal romance. Just be warned that you’re going to get real relationships, friendships, and fights–flaws and all. You’re going to get adventure on a grand scale with a plot that reads like World War III. Romance, drama, and mystery – the Crusade series is wonderful fun and embraces its nature at an urban epic fantasy.

From start to finish both Crusade and Damned will have you wondering “what happens next?!!” For me, the Crusade series combines everything that I love best into one exciting series that I don’t want to put down. I hope to see more series like this.(less)

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Sep 01, 2011 Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, received-to-review, purchased-by-me

I read about 3/4 of the book from Simon & Schuster's Galley Grab, but then it expired on me before I finished the book. I then purchased the book (in the middle of the night) from an eBook store. One of the things that I love about eReaders. You can have instant access to books right when you need it.

The word that comes to mind when I think about this story is strife. This book is full of strife. It's set during a war. The vampires are taking over the world. Most humans hide their head and p...more

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May 18, 2012 David rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Now, if you would read my review of the first book, this might make a bit more sense. Now, here's the thing, I said I would never, NEVER read this book. I hated the first one, and now I hate this one two. But a friend of mine started to tell me the plot, and it sounded so bazarre that I had to at least see what it was about. So I downloaded it off audible, and I gave it a listen.

And OMG, was it odd. I don't even understand half of it, and whatI understand just confuses me more.

Let us talk about...more

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Sep 16, 2011 Jennifer (Books&Barks) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I received this book as part of a blog tour. This did not change my review in any way.

Damned, the second book in the Crusade trilogy written by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie, finds our hunters continuing their battle against the Cursed Ones. Unfortunately for them, they learn hard lessons along the way that force them to either grow up or give up. Jenn Leitner is now the leader of this band of fighters, and winning the war seems hopeless. Her team not only fights the Cursed Ones, they fight eac...more I received this book as part of a blog tour. This did not change my review in any way.

Damned, the second book in the Crusade trilogy written by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie, finds our hunters continuing their battle against the Cursed Ones. Unfortunately for them, they learn hard lessons along the way that force them to either grow up or give up. Jenn Leitner is now the leader of this band of fighters, and winning the war seems hopeless. Her team not only fights the Cursed Ones, they fight each other as well.

I really enjoyed Damned, even more so than Crusade. There was a lot of action in this book and new challenges for the team to face. There are insights into the world of the Cursed Ones, with scenes involving head vampire Solomon along with Aurora and others. It was also interesting to see how certain characters grow and change, but not all change was for the better.

By the end of the novel Jenn has learned that she has the potential to be the leader the resistance needs to overcome the Cursed Ones. With the help of Noah, a fellow hunter the team picks up while fighting in Russia, Jenn realizes that the leadership ability has resided in her all along and just needed to be let out. To be honest, I actually felt like Jenn and Noah should be together. They seem to have a real connection with each other, even though they haven’t known each other long. Of course, I like Antonio too, and according to Father Juan they have some sort of destiny together. I know that Antonio and Jenn have a lot of love in their hearts for each other, but the easier choice would most definitely be Noah.

I can’t wait to read the final book in the trilogy to find out what is going to happen to the hunters. By the end of Damned, certain events have taken place that really leave you wondering how the team is going to overcome these new adversities. I’m still trying to figure out what is going on with Father Juan. There’s some kind of secret involving him and his past, and while I have my ideas on the situation, I really want to know if I’m right! Fall 2012 is too long of a wait for book three.(less)

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Jul 02, 2011 Supercalifragiliciousreads rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: blog, favorite

Reviewed for http://supercalifragiliciousreads.blo...
First, I'd like to talk about the cover. Is that a hunkadunk or WHAT? I am officially in love with Antonio (no matter what he did this book, his looks make it forgivable :P). The book is filled with action, and heartbreaking sighs. I felt really bad for Jenn in this book. EXTREMELY bad. She has to go through so much emotional baggage, that's weighing her down, and the team is trying to do everything they can to help her, but personally, I thin...more

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Oct 11, 2012 Marisa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, vampire, good-awesome-likeable-heroines, good-paranormal, hero-s-that-i-love, pretty-book-cover, series, werewolves

{May contain some spoilers}

Jenn is the second most character I love reading about. She's isn't some Mary Sue or like how I like to call whiny characters "Bella Swan'. I'll admit, in the first one, she kind of is since she's feels like she's 'just Jenn' since she was the only one in her group that was normal. But in this one, she's has grown into such a strong character.

And just like how it says in the back, this book does have a 'fine line between love and sacrifice. . . ' cause in this book, J...more {May contain some spoilers}

Jenn is the second most character I love reading about. She's isn't some Mary Sue or like how I like to call whiny characters "Bella Swan'. I'll admit, in the first one, she kind of is since she's feels like she's 'just Jenn' since she was the only one in her group that was normal. But in this one, she's has grown into such a strong character.

And just like how it says in the back, this book does have a 'fine line between love and sacrifice. . . ' cause in this book, Jenn has a lot on her chest and I feel so bad for her, but she still able to keep her head up and fight.

In this book, you get to find out about Holger past and I feel like he and Jenn past is what makes them great friends. I like him, he's loyal and a good guy. Holger had to battle his past in this one and he has to make a huge sacrifice.

Eriko body is changing and she's growing weaker from exilir. She's getting tired and it's draining her. We go into her past again.

Jamie, well, that hot head, he makes me angry. He's has a good role and his past is also told about. I can understand how he could be so angry, but at the end, I just want to do what Jenn does.

Skye, the little good which, grows. She become a much stronger and less whiny about who and what she is. But her past finds her in this one and she scared, I can understand how. She in love with Jamie, but Jamie in love with Eriko, what a love triangle I don't hate, but feel pity for.

Antonio. . . Antonio de la Cruz, I don't know what to say. He's gorgeous on the cover, I mean, come on! I couldn't help stare at the guy sometimes! Antonio kind of annoying into this one and not because of what happens to him. You also learn a little more of his past and how he, Sergio, and Aurora are all somehow connected to each other. In the beginning and even in the first one, he's kind of to much like a protective brother or father. I get he loves Jenn and wants to make sure nothing ever happens to her, but you need to lighten up a little. I still love you though!!

There are two new characters, Noah and Taamir. I'll start with Taamir, who if I can remember, is Israeli and also a part of the resistances. We don't get much from him cause he's like the 'shy and quite' type. Noah, I have a mix feeling about him. All I can remember about his past is that he's Jewish and he's somewhere in like his early twenties. He's also a resistances and he's smart and knows a little medical stuff.

So like, we know Noah like Jenn, but unlike in other love triangle book, he doesn't try to do anything but small flirting. He doesn't pull her aside and try to kiss her. I'll admit, he's kind of charming. That's why I have mix feelings about him! But yeah, if Jenn doesn't end up with Antonio, I would want her to be with him.

But forever Team Antonio!!

Anyways, I loved this one just like I did with Crusade. So much action also! I loved it! It starts to get get throw the last half of the book and I never wanted to put it down. This book is diffidently five stars! Why isn't it more famous?? It deserve to be and made a movie! But if they did, they better not ruin it!!(less)

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Mar 13, 2013 Erica Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: addiction-to-fiction

First of all, Damned was very good. Team Salamanca face fights on all sides: Keeping Jenn’s sister Heather together since she is a Cursed One (vampire), Antonio, ah, Antonio continues to fight with Team Salamanca and is devout to God but his bloodlust is no longer quieted; then Solomon, another vampire has new tricks up his sleeves all while Team Salamnca try to dodge new supersoldiers that are a mix of human, vampire, and werewolf. Geesh, there is so much going on and of course, just like in bo...more

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Aug 08, 2011 Natalie (Mindful Musings) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: magic-wielders, vampires, romance, own-arc, urban-fantasy, werewolves, young-adult

Review will be posted on my blog, Mindful Musings, on 9/7/11.

In a Sentence: Damned was an extremely fast-paced, suspenseful sequel, and I ended up enjoying it more than its predecessor, Crusade.

My Thoughts

As I mentioned in my review of Crusade last year, I felt that Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie did a wonderful job of building the world they created for the Crusade books. After finishing Damned, I stand by that statement. Crusade and Damned take place in a dystopian-esque world in which vampir...more Review will be posted on my blog, Mindful Musings, on 9/7/11.

In a Sentence: Damned was an extremely fast-paced, suspenseful sequel, and I ended up enjoying it more than its predecessor, Crusade.

My Thoughts

As I mentioned in my review of Crusade last year, I felt that Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie did a wonderful job of building the world they created for the Crusade books. After finishing Damned, I stand by that statement. Crusade and Damned take place in a dystopian-esque world in which vampires are quickly becoming the dominant race on the planet. And these vampires aren't the brooding, self-loathing, searching-for-redemption sort (with one exception, of course). They're EVIL! They view humans as lesser beings and have no trouble preying upon their weaknesses. However, while bringing this world to life certainly required some creativity, it's not what caught my attention. What I found to be most impressive about the world of Damned was how the authors managed to include detailed examples of a variety of characters, cultures, locations, and weave these in seamlessly with that dystopian world, as well as including a series of flashbacks that would have definitely required even more research. Kudos to both Holder and Viguie for all of the time and effort that went into developing this series. I'm sure it had to be a lot!

Following up my comments on the world-building and research that went into Damned, I also have to say that I loved how spirituality played a part in this book. Now before you get too excited or roll your eyes, let me explain what exactly this "spirituality" entails. With all of the nationalities and cultures represented in the characters of Damned, it's only natural to have to include differing philosophical (or religious, if you prefer) beliefs. There were Catholics, atheists, Muslims, Jews, Wiccans, and everything in between. Most importantly, the main characters (for the most part) respected and appreciated their differences in beliefs. Considering all of the religious hypocrisy and close-mindedness that is present in our own world today, it was refreshing to see this topic addressed, though subtly, in Damned.

The theme of perseverance in times of hardship is one that is common in literature, but it's also one that I never get tired of reading about. Many of the main characters in Damned, especially Antonio and Jenn, have to deal with extreme emotional and physical problems, yet they keep going and fighting for what they believe in, even when there's little to no hope. Holder and Viguie did a good job of capturing the emotions that are associated with these struggles. In fact, there were several beautifully written passages that I marked while reading Damned. Here's one of them:

"It's hard to let go. It's the most difficult lesson to learn, regardless of whether or not you're a hunter. We spend our whole lives seeking and building connections--families, friends, mentors, lovers--and then, in a moment, they can be taken from us. These relationships can end along with a human life, or these relationships can fall apart, until they are as dead to you as if that person were in their grave, though they still walk.

These are the hardest deaths in so many ways, the deaths of a thousand tiny insults or omissions. You wake up one day and realize that the person you counted on most just isn't there for you. Worse yet, you might not even care. This is the true horror. Physical death is easy to understand, and no one blames you when you mourn. Intangible death is so inexplicable, that when you realize the loss it seems like the time for crying has passed and you must hide your pain from everyone. Even yourself." (p. 330-331, ARC)

See what I mean? It was passages like this that allowed me to identify with some of the characters in Damned. However, with that being said, there were some characters in the book that I thought could have used some more development, in particular, Noah--a fellow hunter who is introduced as a potential love interest for one of the main characters, Jenn. Maybe it's just because he didn't get enough page time, or maybe it's because the authors are intending to further develop his character in later books, but I found him to be flat and uninteresting. And when a character in a possible love triangle is flat and uninteresting, it's hard to get involved with the romance in the story. Because Damned obviously isn't the last book in the series, I'm hoping that this problem will be remedied in future books.

Overall, I felt that I enjoyed Damned more than Crusade primarily because it was the second book in the series. What I mean by this is that a first book in a series tends to take up a lot of page time with introductions--to characters, to plot points, etc. While this is necessary at times, it can often make a book drag. With most of the back story and introductions already made, I found Damned to be a much faster and entertaining read, and when a book is topping out at 500+ pages, that's an important aspect to keep in mind. Damned didn't completely blow me out of the water, but I found it to be a creative and fun and overall, a worthwhile read. (less)

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Aug 21, 2012 Nicole rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Jenn is a surprising character.

She's definitely evolved and grown into herself as the book progressed, just not entirely of her own will. Her world took a hard hit in book one, leaving a large crack but the farther into Damned you read, the farther the crack spreads until finally it completely shatters and Jenn isn't the same Twilight-esque character she appeared to be in Crusade.

The entire Salamanca team also juggles the destruction of the world, both as a whole as well as on a personal level;...more

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Jun 28, 2011 ephrielle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Loved this book! There is such conflict and overwhelming odds against them. Yet they struggle on regardless. It is such a great view into the strength within each of us. The ending is really tragic. Holding with the trend of the book things are dire and show no real possibility of change. Still, I loved every page.

I wasn't super happy with what happened to Antonio. I just don't like seeing anyone in a position where their free will is taken away. Without that who are you really. At first when it...more

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Aug 17, 2011 Lea (YA Book Queen) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

With an action-packed storyline and a few heartbreaking twists, Damned is simply thrilling.

Jenn is officially the leader of the Salamanca team of hunters, but everyone in the resistance may be in over their heads as the risks grow higher. Vampiric control over the world is strengthening, the resistance is growing difficult to continue, allies are running low, and one of vampires has even begun manufacturing a surprise that could bring the downfall to humans everywhere. But even as Jenn and her t...more

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Oct 06, 2011 Gmr rated it 4 of 5 stars

How to summarize book 2...there's a lot going on! Let's see...Eriko, the Hunter and former leader of the Salamancan group, is dealing with the changes....though not in her position but rather physically and mentally due to the changes granted her by her role. Holgar, our resident good guy werewolf, is dealing with echoes of his past as he struggles to maintain the life and health of his fighting partner Skye. Speaking of Skye, this time around she's not simply the White Witch they defer to for p...more How to summarize book 2...there's a lot going on! Let's see...Eriko, the Hunter and former leader of the Salamancan group, is dealing with the changes....though not in her position but rather physically and mentally due to the changes granted her by her role. Holgar, our resident good guy werewolf, is dealing with echoes of his past as he struggles to maintain the life and health of his fighting partner Skye. Speaking of Skye, this time around she's not simply the White Witch they defer to for power boosts, protective spells, and healing....she has some soul cleansing of her own to do and her past is about to be dragged out front and center. Then there's Jamie the hot headed Irish man who harbors a strong hostility towards the Cursed Ones and werewolves alike making him totally focused in a fight but we're about to see a semi softer side of him...yep, that's right, he has a heart and it beats right now for a fellow fighter. (Oooh ...)

Side stepping a bit to Antonio, a Cursed One yes but with his eyes on the cross (studying to be a priest as he was doing in life) and his heart with his fighting partner and new team leader, Jenn...his will may be strong be he's not invincible as we're about to find out. Then there's Jenn. Formerly sweet and somewhat innocent, she's been betrayed by family, lost her sister (sorta) to the Cursed Ones and lost her heart to someone that loves her yes but can never truly be with her. Oye...add to that the new role of leader to this motley crew and well, let's just say she has A LOT to deal with and it's about to increase ten fold. As Jamie would say...there's a blimey lot of trouble ahead. The battle for our lives, our souls continued as the Cursed Ones gather in strength and numbers but this group as well as a few others we'll meet along the way....never say die.

It's brash. It's action packed. It's a lot heavier than your typical YA paranormal novel not only with relationships and characters but with the dose of religion injected. That's not to say it preaches because honestly it doesn't; rather it takes a more accepting few of many belief systems asking the reader to keep an open mind about them all as the story is woven. With underlying messages of good will to all but what would truly be bad about a more cohesive society where we can live side by side and respect one another, you know? Something to think about....

In conclusion, a series addition that lives up to the power held in book 1. You'll grow to love the characters even more as you experience their pasts and follow along as their stories continue to unfold. Recommended read for teens and older due to violent content...it's not extreme but better suited for that age group.(less)

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Dec 09, 2011 Tammy Jo rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, horror

The story focuses on Team Salamanca and the fight against the Cursed Ones (vampires). The Cursed Ones appear to be taking over the world with very few humans putting up a fight. Team Salamanca is making journeys all over the world attempting to aid other resistance cells. During their joining with two remaining members of the team in Russia, the group takes on one of the lead Cursed Ones – Dontanio. Dontanio is the Dr. Frankenstein of the Cursed Ones, creating hybrids that are made up of vampire...more

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Oct 05, 2011 T. M. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Second book in a series where the vampires are "Cursed Ones" and are slowly taking over the world. A new people stand in the path of the takeover, including specially trained hunters and Hunters (the later which recieves an elixer that helps them heal faster, be stronger, and move faster like their prey, etc.). In "Damned" we get to see the global effects and see the other covert teams.

There's also a lot of insight into how Cursed Ones can regain control of themselves as seen by Antonio and Fath...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-series

Jenn's got a lot on her mind - she's just been made the Hunter, and her sister's been turned by the vamps. Then there's Antonio, who'd do anything for her, even if it means suppressing his vampire nature. Together with their team, they continue the fight against the Cursed Ones, but it seems the enemy is always one step ahead. Is there a traitor in their midst?

This is the second book in the Crusade series, and as such, it has a lot more action than the first book. This time it's all about int...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Bridie-No excuses. No apologies. No Regrets Jones rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, books-that-i-will-read-again, fucking-brilliant-books, badass-gorgeous-book-boys-men, heroines-i-love, love-triangles, couples-that-i-love

I can't lie, i liked this book quite a lot, it took me only a day to finish. I liked the poetic twist to the writing. Plus no sparkly vamps were mentioned.

In the first book the only thing that bothered me was that Jenn had no confidence but i think, finally, in this book Jenn comes into her own as the new leader and also she finally dished out a good ass-kicking to someone on the team who i think thoroughly deserved it at that point.

I once again got swept into the plot and the world that the uni...more I can't lie, i liked this book quite a lot, it took me only a day to finish. I liked the poetic twist to the writing. Plus no sparkly vamps were mentioned.

In the first book the only thing that bothered me was that Jenn had no confidence but i think, finally, in this book Jenn comes into her own as the new leader and also she finally dished out a good ass-kicking to someone on the team who i think thoroughly deserved it at that point.

I once again got swept into the plot and the world that the unique story was being told in. Aurora's back-story suprisingly interested me, and i even felt a bit bad for her after all the things she went through. Plus you gotta love a badass woman villian.

Antonio, who i have always been on the fence about, also made me come to the decision that i did actually like him, and his badass side especially, i also like how much he loves Jenn, and even though his whole religion thing still got on my nerves a bit it didn't make me dislike him. Which is ironic as just as i decide i want him with Jenn, Jenn starts having feelings for this other bloke, Noah, who is also a Hunter, and is Jewish as he wears a star of david around his kneck. Im not sure about him but he sounds interesting at the very least. I don't know who i think Jenn will end up with, if anyone at all, i get the impression that anything could happen and a lot of people could die in the last book, maybe even Jenn herself.

The religion aspect as a whole was not very contriversal for me, as i am not religious in any sense really, but i have no prejudice against people who do, i mean i believe you should be able to believe what you want. It did also add a sort of edgy 'different' tone to the book, as most YA novels don't go into things with religion as they are afraid of beig too preachy, but this book wasn't so it was ok.

Skye was another character that i tried hard to get my head around, sometimes she frustrated me with her whole 'im a good witch and can't harm people' thing, but again that all boils down to ones own belief's, so i couldn't get too annoyed, well ok i could but only inside my head. I also didn't understand her thing for Jamie as he was always quite horrid to everyone. She annoyed me when she refused to tell Jenn or the rest of the Hunters about her and, Stephan i think he was called who tricked her before, the guy she ran away from, we met him in this book as well.

Although we did get to know Jamie a bit better in this book, and about how much he cared for Eriko, i was actually quite sad to see her die. Also we got to know Holgar, who i have liked since the first book as he was quite funny and his fights with Jamie were always comical. Holgar seemed like a genuinely nice person and portrayed a realistic werewolf i.e. not too human. His back story was interesting and i still think there must be something going on with him and Skye, maybe it's just in my head, i don't know.

Father Juan is still a mystery and im curious to find out who/what he exactly is, almost as much as i want to know why Antonio is so special that he can go inside the church etc... I do hope the Hunters win the war as I do actually care what happens to them and their world, they made me want to join the fight. I felt bad for Jenn and Heather when in the first book Heather got turned into a vampire, and in this one she was having trouble adjusting to everything, even with Antonio's help. The last book should answer all the questions i have, and i can't wait to read Vanquished i think it is called. xxx

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Jun 19, 2012 Kerry rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, books-i-have

This book was fantastic! Much better than the first. So much action! A lot of pain. I think this is the best devastating vampire story I've read for YA. Probably not fit for young teens though. I like that nothing is overly sugar coated. Because really, a lot of what happens in this book is really how things would go. (Well maybe not entirely...but if it were this exact scenario--with no one standing up for themselves...) I am happy to know why the excerpts of Jenn's diary were found in the ashe...more

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Dec 05, 2011 Diane rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, vampires, washyarg, young-adult

Truthfully, I didn't finish this book. I didn't read book one, so maybe that was the problem. But, after the first 125 pages, I just didn't care to try to figure out the complicated plot about a group of teen vampire hunters, and vampires out to take over the world. There were too many characters, and the point of view (and time periods) switched far too often. I just couldn't get into it.

Admitedly, with most trilogies, the first book is the best and sets the stage, including establishing the ch...more

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Jan 31, 2012 Sydney →☺ marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: put-off-for-later

HOLGAR HOLGAR HOLGAR !!
Jenn and HOLGAR need to be together!

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Jul 12, 2011 Melanie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

4.5*s

A really good sequel to

, just as with the first book it is non stop action revolving around a group of teenage vampire killers led by a mysterious all knowing priest. Things havent gotten any better for Jenn, Antonio and the gang infact you could say they are 10 times worse as the world succumbs to the vampires and their allies become less and less. Those who they thought could be trusted turn out to be something else, old enemies resurface and their faith and trust in each other is pushe...more

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Jul 01, 2012 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

I am currently mad at Nancy Holder. This book was maddeningly awesome, just like the beginning but that one certain part (You guys who've read the book know EXACTLY what I mean) (view spoiler) that has made me really upset at it all. Honestly, sad ending are necessary because if there was no chance of it being nothing but a happy outcome, there's no risk so what's the point in reading, right? But there's also a line between a fair sad and a...more

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Jul 08, 2012 Tiffany May Ross rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

***Read the Entire Review at BigBooksTinyVoices***

Damned is the 2nd book in the Crusade Series, and I definitely would not recommend reading it first, as it picks up where Crusade leaves off. (On the same note, if it’s been a while since you’ve read Crusade, the authors do a good job of filling you in throughout the book so that you won’t feel lost- which can also be a bit daunting at times). After a somewhat failed mission in New Orleans, Team Salamanca has retreated to their university in Spai...more

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Dec 13, 2011 Dana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Well Jenn finally steps up putting her big girl panties on and getting on with it. I will not tell you when, that is half the fun. A cliffhanger of course the team is taken from Madrid, Russia, Las Vegas, Montana then back to Salamanca. There are losses new interest and reunions.

There is two individuals after Antonio with similar purpose but different intentions those come out in Damned.

We also get to see what lead up to each individual on the team being there. We know Jenn's story of course bu...more

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Nov 08, 2011 E. Anderson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

don’t always get to finish series. There are so many books coming out that sequels and series aren’t usually a priority for me. But there are some authors whose work I’ll always read, and some series that I absolutely must finish. Even when they are giant, 500-page tomes.

DAMNED is one of these books — the second book in Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguié‘s CRUSADE trilogy. The series incorporates world religions, often Catholic mythology and Wicca, in building its post-apocalyptic world. A world in...more don’t always get to finish series. There are so many books coming out that sequels and series aren’t usually a priority for me. But there are some authors whose work I’ll always read, and some series that I absolutely must finish. Even when they are giant, 500-page tomes.

DAMNED is one of these books — the second book in Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguié‘s CRUSADE trilogy. The series incorporates world religions, often Catholic mythology and Wicca, in building its post-apocalyptic world. A world in which vampires — or Cursed Ones — have “come out,” claimed nations, and now have subversively taken over many of the world’s governments — including the United States.

That’s where the Salamancan Hunters come in. Lead by Californian Jenn Leitner, this group is based in Spain, one of the world’s last hold-outs. Having just returned from a difficult mission in New Orleans, Team Salamanca is ready to get back to life as usual (as “usual” as life can be, considering that they are church-sanctioned vampire-hunting mercenaries with a witch, a werewolf, and a repentant vampire on the team). Of course, that’s when they find out that one of the most legendary of vampires is up to no good in Russia, experimenting on humans, vampires, and werewolves, in hopes of creating a super-soldier for the Cursed Ones’ cause. The Salamancan’s old nemesis Aurora isn’t too far out of the picture yet, either, and it won’t belong before she turns Jenn and her companions’ life upside down in a way they never dreamed possible.

Again weaving together romance and action flawlessly, DAMNED is a perfect follow-up to CRUSADE. The large cast and shifting perspectives are tightly written, and as with CRUSADE, the vampire apocalypse is a welcome change from the current cannon. I love these characters, their many complexities, and the secrets they have yet to reveal. I cannot wait for the third book in this series, and I highly recommend checking out the first two as soon as you get the chance!

And, while you’re here…I interviewed Nancy and Debbie when CRUSADE came out last year. To hear their thoughts on vampire bad-guys, religion in books, and writing for franchises (among other things), check it out!(less)

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Aug 30, 2011 Ruby rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: vampires, teen

This review was first posted on http://www.rubysreads.com.

This review contains spoilers for Crusade.

Okay, so you may or may not remember that, at the end of the last book, everything went all to hell. Jenn's dad betrayed her to the vampires in order to save her sister, Heather (and the rest of the family). Unfortunately for him, the plan totally backfired (duh) and Heather was, instead, captured and, ultimately, "converted." Whoops.
Heather's "conversion" is a complicated issue on so very many...more This review was first posted on http://www.rubysreads.com.

This review contains spoilers for Crusade.

Okay, so you may or may not remember that, at the end of the last book, everything went all to hell. Jenn's dad betrayed her to the vampires in order to save her sister, Heather (and the rest of the family). Unfortunately for him, the plan totally backfired (duh) and Heather was, instead, captured and, ultimately, "converted." Whoops.
Heather's "conversion" is a complicated issue on so very many levels. For one thing, it brings up the only question--Why is Antonio different? Why was he able to recover his human modes and morals? It's a sticky issue, especially since Antonio firmly believes that his faith is responsible and Jenn...well, Jenn doesn't really buy into religion. Which begs the question--does it really matter whether Jenn buys into it or not? Shouldn't the issue be whether Heather is at all religious? But, since Heather spends most of the novel in vampiric blood-frenzy, I guess they can't really ask her.
More to the point, though, is that, with the addition of Heather to the party, the Salamanca team of vampire hunters is now harboring two of the very creatures they've been training to kill. Naturally this causes conflict. Jamie, in particular, is especially pissed. Boy, I didn't see that one coming. I'm not sure exactly why the authors felt they needed to create yet more conflict amongst a group that was already tenuously assembled...but they did. Just in time for them to add two more members--one of whom is a potential love interest for Jenn.
This book felt largely repetitious to me. I'm kind of tired of Jenn's self-confidence issues. I thought they were supposed to be resolved in the first book? Why are we dealing with this again? I mean, I don't expect Jenn to miraculously become a fantastic leader, but the impression I got at the end of Crusade was that she had embraced her leadership role. I will be gravely disappointed--though not terribly surprised--if Jenn fights the exact same internal battle in each book of the series.
While I admit to some curiosity about what makes Antonio different, I don't find him to be compelling in either of his guises--good vamp or evil. He's so obnoxiously good that I find myself thinking that he deserves wishy-washy Jenn. Unfortunately, Jenn and Antonio aren't this series' only problems. It hasn't endeared itself to me on behalf of any of the characters. I wasn't stirred by the action and I didn't grieve over the death at the end of the book. The series began with a large cast of characters, and what do the authors do but add more? That pretty much killed it for me. I don't think I'll be continuing with this series.(less)

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Sep 08, 2011 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2011

First Impression:
After being so impressed by Crusade, the first book in this series, I have been (im)patiently awaiting the release of Damned. In the first novel, Holder and Viguié blew me away in their presentation of a vampire war. I adored and applauded Crusade for its originality and gusts. And was super excited to get transported into this world again.

While Reading:
Where do I start with this? Ever since I have finished the last page, so many different thoughts are going through my brain. A...more First Impression:
After being so impressed by Crusade, the first book in this series, I have been (im)patiently awaiting the release of Damned. In the first novel, Holder and Viguié blew me away in their presentation of a vampire war. I adored and applauded Crusade for its originality and gusts. And was super excited to get transported into this world again.

While Reading:
Where do I start with this? Ever since I have finished the last page, so many different thoughts are going through my brain. And if I ever thought that Crusade was dark, then I have no idea how to classify Damned. Maybe super dark? Darker than black? Well, whatever shade of darkness it is, Damned is DARK, with all caps. Holder and Viguié definitely seem to know what I want in my vampire books. Here the enemy vampires are not sparkly, friendly, or something inbetween. They want world domination or nothing. I fear that Holder and Viguié have spoiled me. Leaving me to never look at a (wimpy) vampire book the same again.

Damned opens with the characters having to pick up the pieces from the last mission. Jenn's sister has been transformed into a vampire. Antonio seems to be on the outside looking in with his relationship with Jenn. Eriko is struggling to keep up. There are plenty of refresher details interwoven from the last book, Crusade, to get readers back into the flow of things for Damned.

Holder and Viguié took things into a totally new level with Damned. Our characters are faced with new struggles and hardships, some that I am not sure even they saw coming. The team is under attack... from the inside. Trust, baggage, struggles are key components. And throughout all of this, Holder and Viguié constantly pulled on my heartstrings. I was left on the edge of my seat as I watched the team crumbling. Met new characters. Debating on who I wanted to be with whom. There are so many thoughts swirling through my head that I feel like I just cannot do this book justice.

Verdict:
Damned really raised the bar for this series. Watching our characters struggle. Going through all the twists and turns that Holder and Viguié threw my way, I am just left dizzy trying to fully absorb everything. Damned is one hella of a second novel. And with plenty of plot threads setting up for the next book, I know that I will be in for another ride. (less)

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Jun 14, 2012 Émeraude rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mon-livre-ma-vie

First, I have to say that this is one of the best series of books about vampires I've ever read, not only by the manner in which the series is written, but also by the author chose that approach, showing the face of cruel and inhuman vampires in most books on this genre is covered by the glamor and erotism that are assigned to these beings. Damend is no different with much struggle, blood, tears and losses, Nancy does not change the focus Crusade started in what is good, because most authors ten...more

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About Nancy Holder

Nancy Holder, New York Times Bestselling author of the WICKED Series, has just published CRUSADE - the first book in a new vampire series cowritten with Debbie Viguie. The last book her her Possession series is set to release in March 2011.

Nancy was born in Los Altos, California, and her family settled for a time in Walnut Creek. Her father, who taught at Stanford, joined the navy and the family t...more Nancy Holder, New York Times Bestselling author of the WICKED Series, has just published CRUSADE - the first book in a new vampire series cowritten with Debbie Viguie. The last book her her Possession series is set to release in March 2011.

Nancy was born in Los Altos, California, and her family settled for a time in Walnut Creek. Her father, who taught at Stanford, joined the navy and the family traveled throughout California and lived in Japan for three years. When she was sixteen, she dropped out of high school to become a ballet dancer in Cologne, Germany, and later relocated to Frankfurt Am Main.

Eventually she returned to California and graduated summa cum laude from the University of California at San Diego with a degree in Communications. Soon after, she began to write; her first sale was a young adult romance novel titled Teach Me to Love.

Nancy’s work has appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, LA Times, amazon.com, LOCUS, and other bestseller lists. A four-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award from the Horror Writers Association, she has also received accolades from the American Library Association, the American Reading Association, the New York Public Library, and Romantic Times.

She and Debbie Viguié co-authored the New York Times bestselling series Wicked for Simon and Schuster. They have continued their collaboration with the Crusade series, also for Simon and Schuster, and the Wolf Springs Chronicles for Delacorte (2011.) She is also the author of the young adult horror series Possessions for Razorbill. She has sold many novels and book projects set in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Saving Grace, Hellboy, and Smallville universes.

She has sold approximately two hundred short stories and essays on writing and popular culture. Her anthology, Outsiders, co-edited with Nancy Kilpatrick, was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award in 2005.

She teaches in the Stonecoast MFA in Creative Writing Program, offered through the University of Southern Maine. She has previously taught at UCSD and has served on the Clarion Board of Directors.

She lives in San Diego, California, with her daughter Belle, their two Corgis, Panda and Tater; and their cats, David and Kittnen Snow. She and Belle are active in Girl Scouts and dog obedience training.
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Damned (Crusade #2)

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