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There is one woman who is all that stands between us and the eternal night. Here is an account of her legend…
All Damali Richards ever wanted to do was create music and bring it to the people. Now she is a spoken word artist and the top act for Warriors of Light Records. But come nightfall, she hunts vampires and demons—predators that people tend to dismiss as myth or fantasy. Damali and her Guardian team cannot afford such delusions, especially now, when a group of rogue vampires has been killing the artists of Warriors of Light and their rival, Blood Music.
When strange attacks erupt within the club drug-trafficking network and draw the attention of the police, Damali realizes these killings are a bit out of the ordinary, even for vampires. Instead of neat puncture marks in the neck showing where the blood has been drained from the body, these corpses are mutilated beyond recognition, indicating a blood lust and thirst for destruction that surpasses any Damali has encountered before. Soon she discovers that behind these brutal murders is the most powerful vampire Damali has ever met—a seductive beast who is coming for her next…
All Damali Richards ever wanted to do was create music and bring it to the people. Now she is a spoken word artist and the top act for Warriors of Light Records. But come nightfall, she hunts vampires and demons—predators that people tend to dismiss as myth or fantasy. Damali and her Guardian team cannot afford such delusions, especially now, when a group of rogue vampires has been killing the artists of Warriors of Light and their rival, Blood Music.
When strange attacks erupt within the club drug-trafficking network and draw the attention of the police, Damali realizes these killings are a bit out of the ordinary, even for vampires. Instead of neat puncture marks in the neck showing where the blood has been drained from the body, these corpses are mutilated beyond recognition, indicating a blood lust and thirst for destruction that surpasses any Damali has encountered before. Soon she discovers that behind these brutal murders is the most powerful vampire Damali has ever met—a seductive beast who is coming for her next…
286 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
440 people are currently reading
9220 people want to read
About the author
L.A. Banks
59 books1,252 followersA pseudonym used by Leslie Esdaile Banks, she also wrote under the names:
Leslie E. Banks
Leslie Esdaile
Leslie Esdaile Banks
Leslie Banks
Alexis Grant
L.A. Banks, a native Philadelphian, was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton undergraduate program. With many awards to her credit, Banks also held a masters of fine arts degree in film and media arts from Temple University. She lived in Philadelphia with her family until she passed away on the morning of August 2, 2011.
Visit L.A. Banks' page on the Macmillan website: http://us.macmillan.com/author/labanks
Leslie E. Banks
Leslie Esdaile
Leslie Esdaile Banks
Leslie Banks
Alexis Grant
L.A. Banks, a native Philadelphian, was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton undergraduate program. With many awards to her credit, Banks also held a masters of fine arts degree in film and media arts from Temple University. She lived in Philadelphia with her family until she passed away on the morning of August 2, 2011.
Visit L.A. Banks' page on the Macmillan website: http://us.macmillan.com/author/labanks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 645 reviews
July 4, 2007
I was excited to see a vampire book written by and about an African American woman, but once I started reading I was totally let down and couldn't finish the book. There's way too much bad dialogue and "hip hop" talk for my tastes. I don't know anyone (of any color) who speaks like the author made her characters speak and if I did I'd probably have to walk away from them just like I walked away from the book. Real disappointing.
July 12, 2009
I really wanted to like this book more. I give LA Banks a very firm pat on the back for creating an African-American vampire huntress. I saw this book and grabbed it off the shelf. However, the execution didn't live up to my expectations. It was too dry. Too much new-agey talking and two much hip hop lingo. I want the vampire huntress to kick butt, no just sit around talking about kicking butt. I loved her eclectic band who were all her backup in the vampire fighting that didn't even happen except for one or two occasions in the book.
Kudos for Carlos, the very sexy, very edgy, antihero and would-be love interest in this story. I love the dark characters who are on the cusp of being bad or good. Also I was very pleased to see the lead love interest was Latin-American.
The dark aspects and the evil menace in this book was effective and quite scary in parts. Just wish there was more of this. More danger, more action. Less talking.
I may get slapped for this, but I don't get spoken word. It's boring to me. I am a fan of some rap music, and I was a big fan back in the late 80s. But now I am just not into it as much. So that was an issue for me too.
I would like to read a book about an African American heroine who's a nerd, who likes new wave music, hunts monsters, and never lived in the hood. I guess I'll have to write one.
Kudos for Carlos, the very sexy, very edgy, antihero and would-be love interest in this story. I love the dark characters who are on the cusp of being bad or good. Also I was very pleased to see the lead love interest was Latin-American.
The dark aspects and the evil menace in this book was effective and quite scary in parts. Just wish there was more of this. More danger, more action. Less talking.
I may get slapped for this, but I don't get spoken word. It's boring to me. I am a fan of some rap music, and I was a big fan back in the late 80s. But now I am just not into it as much. So that was an issue for me too.
I would like to read a book about an African American heroine who's a nerd, who likes new wave music, hunts monsters, and never lived in the hood. I guess I'll have to write one.
March 10, 2008
Ugh. I had high hopes for this book, but it came nowhere near following through. I must admit to not finishing the book. It became due at the library and though I'd made it through half the book, I decided that the book wasn't worth a renewal. And I really hate leaving books unread. If I'd owned it (I'm glad I didn't waste money on it), I probably would have finished it.
I had three huge issues with this book:
1. The characters, though seemingly diverse, fell flat. The main character is an African American vampire huntress. That seemed a very interesting premise to me and not done very often (this is why I picked up the book). However, by the middle of the novel, even though I knew her age to be almost 21, I couldn't tell her maturity level. She alternated between acting like an adult and acting like a 15 year old. It seemed as if the author had trouble "being" a 21 year old. Supporting characters seemed stereotypical - the hispanic guy, the white biker, the asian martial arts master, etc.
2. The story was probably the saving grace, but it wasn't plotted out very well. Again, by the middle of the book, I understood that the creature that they would eventually do battle with was different and more dangerous than what they were used to, but I had no idea how this world was supposed to be. It seemed like no one knows all these beings existed, yet there were huge gun-battles in alleyways. I didn't know enough background to have a clue as to what was significant and what wasn't until the characters (literally) said, "Hey, you know, this is significant!" I'm still not 100% sure of what was going on.
3a. I don't care if you're writing African American, Asian, or Martian characters: use proper English spellings! Skillz is not a word. Neither is boyz. The word "skillz" showed up in dialog. It was *almost* forgivable. Almost. But the instance of "boyz" showed up in narrative. In freaking narrative! Grrr. It was all I could do not to throw the book across the room.
3b. There were tons of info dumps, but most were short enough to be overlooked, except for the numerous, "As you know, Rider, when we'd do a show, we'd get one or two vampires in the audience and we'd take care of them after the show." ... "Right, (whatever the main character's name was that I've forgotten already), but then Marlene decided we should go hunting them." .... "Yes, and since then, they've been coming out of the woodwork and it's all we can do to clear them out every show." ... Ugh. Two characters telling each other what they already know.
I know so many people who have such great work who can't get a foot in the publishing door. Then I read this crap. I'm sure the story would have been a whole lot better if this author had actually had an editor to point out the shortcomings. As it is, it seems as though the book went from draft form (not rough draft, but perhaps second draft?) straight to print.
I had three huge issues with this book:
1. The characters, though seemingly diverse, fell flat. The main character is an African American vampire huntress. That seemed a very interesting premise to me and not done very often (this is why I picked up the book). However, by the middle of the novel, even though I knew her age to be almost 21, I couldn't tell her maturity level. She alternated between acting like an adult and acting like a 15 year old. It seemed as if the author had trouble "being" a 21 year old. Supporting characters seemed stereotypical - the hispanic guy, the white biker, the asian martial arts master, etc.
2. The story was probably the saving grace, but it wasn't plotted out very well. Again, by the middle of the book, I understood that the creature that they would eventually do battle with was different and more dangerous than what they were used to, but I had no idea how this world was supposed to be. It seemed like no one knows all these beings existed, yet there were huge gun-battles in alleyways. I didn't know enough background to have a clue as to what was significant and what wasn't until the characters (literally) said, "Hey, you know, this is significant!" I'm still not 100% sure of what was going on.
3a. I don't care if you're writing African American, Asian, or Martian characters: use proper English spellings! Skillz is not a word. Neither is boyz. The word "skillz" showed up in dialog. It was *almost* forgivable. Almost. But the instance of "boyz" showed up in narrative. In freaking narrative! Grrr. It was all I could do not to throw the book across the room.
3b. There were tons of info dumps, but most were short enough to be overlooked, except for the numerous, "As you know, Rider, when we'd do a show, we'd get one or two vampires in the audience and we'd take care of them after the show." ... "Right, (whatever the main character's name was that I've forgotten already), but then Marlene decided we should go hunting them." .... "Yes, and since then, they've been coming out of the woodwork and it's all we can do to clear them out every show." ... Ugh. Two characters telling each other what they already know.
I know so many people who have such great work who can't get a foot in the publishing door. Then I read this crap. I'm sure the story would have been a whole lot better if this author had actually had an editor to point out the shortcomings. As it is, it seems as though the book went from draft form (not rough draft, but perhaps second draft?) straight to print.
December 10, 2009
The writing it burns...
I gave up after a few chapters. I know, I know...she's an author of color, writing about characters of color in the fantasy genre, and I'm a woman of color. So it all should be very exciting. Unfortunately all I could feel was annoyance at how contrived the plot was and more than a little offended at the pretentious "urban" dialogue.
I gave up after a few chapters. I know, I know...she's an author of color, writing about characters of color in the fantasy genre, and I'm a woman of color. So it all should be very exciting. Unfortunately all I could feel was annoyance at how contrived the plot was and more than a little offended at the pretentious "urban" dialogue.
Read
December 30, 2021Buddy read with Loriidae (sorry, friend: my bad.)
Minion, book one in the Vampire Huntress series is... how shall I put it? Bad. How bad you ask? Here, have a look:
"I decide when we roll. Everybody clear?"
"If you're up to it, fine."
"Yeah. I'm up to it, so long as you're clear."
"Very."
"Alright."
"Everybody ready?"
"I'm always ready."
"Save it, Rider." Marlene warned. "Not now. Nobody's in the mood for the sarcastic commentary."
"Truth." Mike agreed, making Rider scowl.
"We ain't got the time for the jokes, man." Shabazz checked his gun without looking at Rider.
"Let's just everybody chill," Jose said in a weary tone.
J.L. nodded. "Word."
[please note: this is all the same scene, "a group of people about to exit a room". This complicated maneuver - exiting a room - takes up the entire first chapter, between painfully awful dialogues such as the ones I just kindly shared, descriptions of people staring at each other and/or of people standing still, apparently lost in thoughts (about the poignant act of leaving a room? One can only wonder), infodump made via a character explaining what everybody else already knows, after declaring that everybody already knows what he or she is about to say].
Add the fact that a crime boss refers in all seriousness to his subordinates as "boyz", says of himself that he has all the right "skillz" for the job (he doesn't go as far as to claim that those skillz are "mad" but I think we can agree it's heavily implied) and suggests to the detective suspecting him of several gruesome murders to suck his dick (in all fairness, the detective bragged about how he'd "sniff out" all of Carlos' "little dirty secrets" so he kinda had it coming). Add the fact that if you're of Latino descent then you must surely have spent your childhood praying to Jesus while trying to survive the tenth drive-by of the week and, after you grew up, you started taking part in said drive-bys, which admittedly sounds a bit more fun. Add the fact that while I'm usually very supportive of fantasy authors trying to distance themselves from the lore to come up with their own creative variation of famous myths, this result can in no way be successfully achieved by mish mashing various well-known creatures together: a vampire + a succubus + a zombie + a demon does not make a scarier vampire, it makes you look like you've watched a couple of episodes of Buffy to see what the fuss was about and decided to try your hand at UF, since you came to the conclusion that the world is full of fools that dig that stupid crap.
So: to state the obvious, like so many of these characters are fond of doing, repeatedly and at length, this fool was not amused by L.A. Banks attempt at writing passable urban fantasy.
I could go on and on about why I started the review with the admittedly ungenerous remark that this book is bad, but I just came up with a policy that states that I shouldn't waste away precious minutes of my life reviewing terrible books. Too bad because you really don't see every day an African American UF heroine written by an African American author: unfortunately, that alone does not guarantee a decent read.
Minion, book one in the Vampire Huntress series is... how shall I put it? Bad. How bad you ask? Here, have a look:
"I decide when we roll. Everybody clear?"
"If you're up to it, fine."
"Yeah. I'm up to it, so long as you're clear."
"Very."
"Alright."
"Everybody ready?"
"I'm always ready."
"Save it, Rider." Marlene warned. "Not now. Nobody's in the mood for the sarcastic commentary."
"Truth." Mike agreed, making Rider scowl.
"We ain't got the time for the jokes, man." Shabazz checked his gun without looking at Rider.
"Let's just everybody chill," Jose said in a weary tone.
J.L. nodded. "Word."
[please note: this is all the same scene, "a group of people about to exit a room". This complicated maneuver - exiting a room - takes up the entire first chapter, between painfully awful dialogues such as the ones I just kindly shared, descriptions of people staring at each other and/or of people standing still, apparently lost in thoughts (about the poignant act of leaving a room? One can only wonder), infodump made via a character explaining what everybody else already knows, after declaring that everybody already knows what he or she is about to say].
Add the fact that a crime boss refers in all seriousness to his subordinates as "boyz", says of himself that he has all the right "skillz" for the job (he doesn't go as far as to claim that those skillz are "mad" but I think we can agree it's heavily implied) and suggests to the detective suspecting him of several gruesome murders to suck his dick (in all fairness, the detective bragged about how he'd "sniff out" all of Carlos' "little dirty secrets" so he kinda had it coming). Add the fact that if you're of Latino descent then you must surely have spent your childhood praying to Jesus while trying to survive the tenth drive-by of the week and, after you grew up, you started taking part in said drive-bys, which admittedly sounds a bit more fun. Add the fact that while I'm usually very supportive of fantasy authors trying to distance themselves from the lore to come up with their own creative variation of famous myths, this result can in no way be successfully achieved by mish mashing various well-known creatures together: a vampire + a succubus + a zombie + a demon does not make a scarier vampire, it makes you look like you've watched a couple of episodes of Buffy to see what the fuss was about and decided to try your hand at UF, since you came to the conclusion that the world is full of fools that dig that stupid crap.
So: to state the obvious, like so many of these characters are fond of doing, repeatedly and at length, this fool was not amused by L.A. Banks attempt at writing passable urban fantasy.
I could go on and on about why I started the review with the admittedly ungenerous remark that this book is bad, but I just came up with a policy that states that I shouldn't waste away precious minutes of my life reviewing terrible books. Too bad because you really don't see every day an African American UF heroine written by an African American author: unfortunately, that alone does not guarantee a decent read.
September 18, 2014
First this is one of those times when I feel I need to open with an apology to those who liked this book and encouraged me to read it. I know you like the book.
I don't.
To categorize a book as good or bad is often somewhat difficult to do. If a book is badly written, if the sentence structure is bad or the writer can't make him or her self understood, that would be a bad book. In most cases however whether a book is liked or disliked depends on "taste". Do I like the writer's style? Do I like the type book this is? So, here we are.
The book in question is the first in the Vampire Huntress Legend Series by L.A.Banks (Leslie Esdaile Banks) who died this year (Aug. 2, 2011) of adrenal cancer. This book while nominally an urban fantasy is (to my mind) actually more a romance. So much of the story leans on who loves who, why and how much they may or may not be in love and so on. The main character (Damali) is an "expected" (or looked for), special, vampire slaying maiden (one that is born only every thousand years or so....not sure what "we" do in between, die I guess). One of her "powers" has to do basically with pheromones...when female vamps "smell her" they attack when male vamps "smell her" they are torn as whether to attack or bring her on over into vampirism.
Sigh.
Some of the reviews I read (unfortunately after I'd already finished with the book) actually reveled in the romance aspect of the book, especially the relationship between Damali and Carlos.
I'm sorry all you who love these books...but I just can't take PNR or for that matter most romances. I almost put this book aside several times as the author waxed poetic about the heroin's hair or some vamp's physique, or maybe when the internal monologues about Damali's feelings concerning Carlos went on and on...or when Carlos was thinking about Damali's pouty lips or the swell of her breasts. Get the picture?
Aside from this I just never really got into the story. Every time I began to get interested the romance would intrude and overwhelm the storyline...again. The book's plot line in many ways kept reminding me of a sort of inner city Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Of course her "crew" was more war-like and less lighthearted than Buffy's. I think I set the bar "lower" for what is PNR than some readers. I can read a book where the romance is just a small part of the plot. Here I think it more or less "is the plot"
All in all I see that a lot of readers like these and I'm happy for you...no really I am, but they're not for me. I don't plan to follow the series up myself but please...enjoy really, if it's your cup of, you know...plasma.
I don't.
To categorize a book as good or bad is often somewhat difficult to do. If a book is badly written, if the sentence structure is bad or the writer can't make him or her self understood, that would be a bad book. In most cases however whether a book is liked or disliked depends on "taste". Do I like the writer's style? Do I like the type book this is? So, here we are.
The book in question is the first in the Vampire Huntress Legend Series by L.A.Banks (Leslie Esdaile Banks) who died this year (Aug. 2, 2011) of adrenal cancer. This book while nominally an urban fantasy is (to my mind) actually more a romance. So much of the story leans on who loves who, why and how much they may or may not be in love and so on. The main character (Damali) is an "expected" (or looked for), special, vampire slaying maiden (one that is born only every thousand years or so....not sure what "we" do in between, die I guess). One of her "powers" has to do basically with pheromones...when female vamps "smell her" they attack when male vamps "smell her" they are torn as whether to attack or bring her on over into vampirism.
Sigh.
Some of the reviews I read (unfortunately after I'd already finished with the book) actually reveled in the romance aspect of the book, especially the relationship between Damali and Carlos.
I'm sorry all you who love these books...but I just can't take PNR or for that matter most romances. I almost put this book aside several times as the author waxed poetic about the heroin's hair or some vamp's physique, or maybe when the internal monologues about Damali's feelings concerning Carlos went on and on...or when Carlos was thinking about Damali's pouty lips or the swell of her breasts. Get the picture?
Aside from this I just never really got into the story. Every time I began to get interested the romance would intrude and overwhelm the storyline...again. The book's plot line in many ways kept reminding me of a sort of inner city Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Of course her "crew" was more war-like and less lighthearted than Buffy's. I think I set the bar "lower" for what is PNR than some readers. I can read a book where the romance is just a small part of the plot. Here I think it more or less "is the plot"
All in all I see that a lot of readers like these and I'm happy for you...no really I am, but they're not for me. I don't plan to follow the series up myself but please...enjoy really, if it's your cup of, you know...plasma.
June 27, 2018
Minion is most definitely a foundation book. Plenty of explanations and detail in this one, but not a lot of forward momentum for the story. However, I don't really mind that so much if I am pretty confident that the following books will be more focused on moving the story along. I went into this one with a pretty open mind and no idea what to really expect and I was surprised at how dark this is. These aren't sexy romanticized vampires and supernatural beings. The creatures in this world are violently aggressive and disturbing. Banks definitely play towards the more horrifically evil and nightmarish side of vampire/supernatural lore. Minion is a good start to the series, but doesn't feel like a story that would stand alone. I wouldn't have been satisfied at the end if I didn't know that there are plenty more installments to go.
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Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase
You can find me at:
•(♥).•*Monlatable Book Reviews*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @MonlatReader
Instagram: @readermonica
Facebook: Monica Reeds
Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase
February 28, 2010
I very rarely give up on books. If i have a problem getting into a story, I will usually put it down for a while, and try to approach it again at another time.
I attempted to read this book on 4 separate occasions over the course of a year, and I still found it impossible to finish.
To be quite honest, I found this practically impossible to read. First of all, there's not many things I hate more than the feeling of being dropped into the middle of a story without any kind of explanation or backstory until late in the book. Call me silly, but it's confusing as hell and just plain frustrating. How can you possibly enjoy a book when you have no clue what the heck is going on? When you keep having to make sure you are indeed reading the FIRST book in a series, because nothing is making sense?
Also, the dialogue...good grief. It was like the author's main goal was to make these characters sound 'current' and to use as much street slang as humanly possible. It came across as being incredibly trite and annoying.
And there is also the fact that the characters were far from likable. Everyone had a chip on their shoulder...but without giving the reader a reason WHY they acted that way until late in the book, it was hard to feel anything but annoyance toward their behavior.
I have heard that the series gets better as it progresses, but I think I'm beyond giving it another shot at this point.
*more reviews at my blog*
http://ravingbookaddict.blogspot.com/
I attempted to read this book on 4 separate occasions over the course of a year, and I still found it impossible to finish.
To be quite honest, I found this practically impossible to read. First of all, there's not many things I hate more than the feeling of being dropped into the middle of a story without any kind of explanation or backstory until late in the book. Call me silly, but it's confusing as hell and just plain frustrating. How can you possibly enjoy a book when you have no clue what the heck is going on? When you keep having to make sure you are indeed reading the FIRST book in a series, because nothing is making sense?
Also, the dialogue...good grief. It was like the author's main goal was to make these characters sound 'current' and to use as much street slang as humanly possible. It came across as being incredibly trite and annoying.
And there is also the fact that the characters were far from likable. Everyone had a chip on their shoulder...but without giving the reader a reason WHY they acted that way until late in the book, it was hard to feel anything but annoyance toward their behavior.
I have heard that the series gets better as it progresses, but I think I'm beyond giving it another shot at this point.
*more reviews at my blog*
http://ravingbookaddict.blogspot.com/
July 14, 2008
Hello goodreads! This is my 1st review of anything so here goes! Minion (A Vampire Huntress Legend) by L.A. Banks. It's been a while since I've read it. I'm on the 7th or 8th book in the series... but WOW!! I've been hooked on Damali Richards & that sexy Carlos Rivera ever since! The Vampire Huntress series has it ALL.. romance, action, mystery, religion, history, and of course some good ole' fashion Demon-A@#-Kicking! But at the heart of it all, relationships continue to be at the core of L.A. Banks' novels. Much like the late Queen of Sci.Fi (R.I.P. Octavia B.), L.A. Banks is a master of the human (and at times un-human)condition. Her uniqueness is that she has an acute clarity when it comes to demonstrating how we are all connected to EVERYTHING. I'm ever-blown-away with how she can take every imaginable religion, faith, & spiritual belief; turn it on its head and make it breath life in 4-D Technicolor. She shows time and time again that we are all fighting the same battle no matter what our armor of choice is! ...Oh, and her depictions of the levels of Heaven and Hell seem so real, you wonder if she's actually been there ;). Anyway, I can't describe it...you just have to read it. In 3 words... Exhilarating, Provocative, and Sexy as ...well, Heaven!
December 5, 2010
I reread the book. Its still bad but its not completly bad! It needed lots of revision. She's not a bad writor its just the unnecessary hip hop vernacular, fist pounding, lack of action, etc. which destroys a somewhat good story concept. I'm going to read the next book, hope there is an improvement. I have no idea how she was able to get a book deal! Perhaps another rewrite would have really made it a great book because there are moments of her description that really shows excellent writing. So she has the skill she just made really bad editing decisions.
The first chapeter drags and drags with no action... Ok we get it Damali and the band feel different. By the time you get to the action in chapter two its kind of like... who cares... some one dies and all im thinking is good because there were too many people to remember in the band anyway.
Many of the chapters and Damali's in the head dialogue could have been delted. Alot of Damali's thought process was so ghetoo... sister chile? its da bomb?. Who thinks like that? all of that was really really unnecessary. It slowed me down as the reader. Just write a freakin book with regualr dialogue and thinking. Black people don't sit in their head saying sister chile all the time. And what's up with the male band memebrs fist pounding after every sentence... ridiculous! I mean I thought I was pretty ghetto in 2003 when this book was written but I don't remember guys constantly fist pounding for everything!
The first chapeter drags and drags with no action... Ok we get it Damali and the band feel different. By the time you get to the action in chapter two its kind of like... who cares... some one dies and all im thinking is good because there were too many people to remember in the band anyway.
Many of the chapters and Damali's in the head dialogue could have been delted. Alot of Damali's thought process was so ghetoo... sister chile? its da bomb?. Who thinks like that? all of that was really really unnecessary. It slowed me down as the reader. Just write a freakin book with regualr dialogue and thinking. Black people don't sit in their head saying sister chile all the time. And what's up with the male band memebrs fist pounding after every sentence... ridiculous! I mean I thought I was pretty ghetto in 2003 when this book was written but I don't remember guys constantly fist pounding for everything!
February 22, 2009
In the beginning of the book, caught my attention immediately, as other vampire books have all this gibberish between teen-agers. L.A. Banks brings action and legends all in one package. What makes me excited to read this book, is to not only see drama in the first few pages, but AA characters--female AA slayer! Buffy Vampire step back, Damali is on the attack. Buffy Vampire Slayer (white female) with twists of Blade (black male), now we got a black female slayer--and I am reading the new scenes added version. Love the action scenes, well written, I have to read it twice and makes my heart jump a beat...suspense is intense!
The legend starts with the dark angel (reminds me of Lucifer) from Paradise, where good and evil meet, and speaks about twelve Guardians (twelve tribes in Israel)--the Covenant foretells the coming of Neteru, who is a super-being mortal like Buffy? She/He will fight in the Millennium Neteru.
Sarah Richards consoles her infant, but discovers infidelty in their own bedroom--sheets has residue of blood. Of course, most women will assume it is a female. Virgin? Yet, it was one of those down-low brothers--married and child as a cover up of his secret rendevous with a handsome, tall man. She conquers up a spell for revenge in the old mansion (plantation), yet, it backfires, only releases a green-eye, snake-like monster. Have to read to the end to find out the hidden truth.
Damali is not only fighting vampries, but demons. This is hotness! I like the sci-fi atmosphere to it--reality and spiritual dimensions--astral plane. I am really loving this book. This is the first vampire book that deals with the drug-fested dealers, realness of ghettos, and Damali facing her own demons within (horniness, aura of Neteru as a warrior, and hard to listen to others in her clan...feels she is the leader and can handle it alone). Some of the secrets twenty-years back, her parents Sarah and Reverend Richards is coming out, and Marlene had to raise the infant because of what happened to them...got me like dayum! I want to read the next series. It is better than the others like Twilight (Stephenie Meyers) P.C. + Kristin Cast (only read the first book, will read Marked next).
Damali was trained by the best, her guardians (Marlene, Shabazz, Big Mike, and Rider), and wanna-be protectors die in battle except Dee Dee turns into a vampire that was destroyed by the slayer.
144,000 (12 tribes of 12)--this is from the book of Revelation. She added this too...biblical, historical, science fiction, and paranormal elements in this book. I am loving it, since I was thinking of rewriting one of my stories from my novella, Mystery Lies Within, and make it a series. This is so encouraging now...not sure if I will write 13 series like L.A. Banks, but at least 7 or 8 series. It will be called "Empire of Vampira" Series--focuses on a female vampire that leads the pact, name changed to Vampira!
Minion=demon that was conjured up, seeking revenge against a vampire, but the master vampire and demon made a pact. Humans can trade their souls for their deepest desire, with a signature bite from a revenge-like demon called Amanthra, who merged with Nuit's Minion--that uses vampire bodies as hosts to move around freely (hybrid). It lurks or feeds on human emotion: jealousy, vengeance, and blind anger. They act without thinking...Nuit is allowed in their tunnels as they use the vampiric bodies...what a trade!
The legend starts with the dark angel (reminds me of Lucifer) from Paradise, where good and evil meet, and speaks about twelve Guardians (twelve tribes in Israel)--the Covenant foretells the coming of Neteru, who is a super-being mortal like Buffy? She/He will fight in the Millennium Neteru.
Sarah Richards consoles her infant, but discovers infidelty in their own bedroom--sheets has residue of blood. Of course, most women will assume it is a female. Virgin? Yet, it was one of those down-low brothers--married and child as a cover up of his secret rendevous with a handsome, tall man. She conquers up a spell for revenge in the old mansion (plantation), yet, it backfires, only releases a green-eye, snake-like monster. Have to read to the end to find out the hidden truth.
Damali is not only fighting vampries, but demons. This is hotness! I like the sci-fi atmosphere to it--reality and spiritual dimensions--astral plane. I am really loving this book. This is the first vampire book that deals with the drug-fested dealers, realness of ghettos, and Damali facing her own demons within (horniness, aura of Neteru as a warrior, and hard to listen to others in her clan...feels she is the leader and can handle it alone). Some of the secrets twenty-years back, her parents Sarah and Reverend Richards is coming out, and Marlene had to raise the infant because of what happened to them...got me like dayum! I want to read the next series. It is better than the others like Twilight (Stephenie Meyers) P.C. + Kristin Cast (only read the first book, will read Marked next).
Damali was trained by the best, her guardians (Marlene, Shabazz, Big Mike, and Rider), and wanna-be protectors die in battle except Dee Dee turns into a vampire that was destroyed by the slayer.
144,000 (12 tribes of 12)--this is from the book of Revelation. She added this too...biblical, historical, science fiction, and paranormal elements in this book. I am loving it, since I was thinking of rewriting one of my stories from my novella, Mystery Lies Within, and make it a series. This is so encouraging now...not sure if I will write 13 series like L.A. Banks, but at least 7 or 8 series. It will be called "Empire of Vampira" Series--focuses on a female vampire that leads the pact, name changed to Vampira!
Minion=demon that was conjured up, seeking revenge against a vampire, but the master vampire and demon made a pact. Humans can trade their souls for their deepest desire, with a signature bite from a revenge-like demon called Amanthra, who merged with Nuit's Minion--that uses vampire bodies as hosts to move around freely (hybrid). It lurks or feeds on human emotion: jealousy, vengeance, and blind anger. They act without thinking...Nuit is allowed in their tunnels as they use the vampiric bodies...what a trade!
October 30, 2010
I'd had this series recommended to me so many times that I've lost count. I've long since wanted to read another good vampire hunter series ever since Laurell K Hamilton's Anita Blake series started going downhill. I finally started reading this series & I just had to wonder... why was I even wasting my time with the Anita Blake series?
Since so many other people have outlined the plot, I'm not going to bother repeating it here. The book starts off slowly. VERY slowly, in fact. It took me a while to get past the first few chapters, but the pace did pick up just as other reviewers here said it did. Once it did, I found myself unable to put it down! Much of the action of the book happens in the span of one night, but that doesn't mean that the plot is boring or overdone! (Quite the contrary!) I also loved the characters, especially that of the main character Damali. She's incredibly likable and she's got a very good chemistry with her teammates.
While it is a bit frustrated that things were left so incredibly open ended by the finish of the book, it also left me wanting more. Since all reports say that it keeps getting better (so far I'm on #2 & the action is much better), I'm predicting a bright future for this series.
Since so many other people have outlined the plot, I'm not going to bother repeating it here. The book starts off slowly. VERY slowly, in fact. It took me a while to get past the first few chapters, but the pace did pick up just as other reviewers here said it did. Once it did, I found myself unable to put it down! Much of the action of the book happens in the span of one night, but that doesn't mean that the plot is boring or overdone! (Quite the contrary!) I also loved the characters, especially that of the main character Damali. She's incredibly likable and she's got a very good chemistry with her teammates.
While it is a bit frustrated that things were left so incredibly open ended by the finish of the book, it also left me wanting more. Since all reports say that it keeps getting better (so far I'm on #2 & the action is much better), I'm predicting a bright future for this series.
March 22, 2013
I was in the bookstore and told the clerk I was looking for a good vampire novel, he suggested this one. I am very glad he did because I immediately got caught up into the story. This is about a Vampire Huntress (think Buffy with more attitude)who is also a spoken word entertainer. The themes are spiritual but with a real world feel. This is the first in a 12 book series which takes you around the world and rewrites the fight between good and evil in a way that makes it very entertaining. You will find a lot of characters from the bible and myth within the covers but it is not preachy.
I found it to be a great lead in novel and think it would be great for anyone who has a thing for vampires and those who slay them.
I found it to be a great lead in novel and think it would be great for anyone who has a thing for vampires and those who slay them.
July 31, 2014
I tried reading this book 10 years ago. I was looking forward to reading a vampire hunter series with a black chick leading the list of characters. Back then, I couldn't get to page 100. I tried again & finished it, but hated it every step of the way. It felt like I was reading knockoff Buffy. When I have the real thing, who needs a knockoff? The quips & slang & drawn out explanations were annoying. Not the least bit suspenseful. The only good thin about reading this book is knowing for sure that I didn't like a single page.
Correction. I liked the prologue. That's 8 pages.
I know there are many who liked this book & the 12 that follow it. I can't put myself through this 12 more time. Peace out Damali.
Correction. I liked the prologue. That's 8 pages.
I know there are many who liked this book & the 12 that follow it. I can't put myself through this 12 more time. Peace out Damali.
February 3, 2009
This is the first book in the Vampire Huntress series, and it is incredibly hard to get through. The first 3/4 of the book took me over a week and I'm a fast reader. However, having read the next two books it's worth it - and I believe that is 100% having to do with Carlos' story. So while this first book is hard to trudge though I'm glad that I did because I've loved the books that follow.
April 5, 2021
This is still a GreatRead for Mi
October 23, 2014
Yuck. The writing was poor, the attitude was bad & the heroine was a whiner. No redeeming features to this book, IMO.
August 9, 2022
FairExchange is NoRobbery
February 27, 2020
I read this many years ago and it introduced me to a genre I never thought I would ever read. This time I listened to the audiobook and was able to enjoy it even more. They story was much better because I was able to concentrate on the story instead of pronunciation of words. I wish all of her books were available on audiobooks.
August 29, 2014
Minion: A Vampire Huntress Legend is the first of a new vampire trilogy from L. A. Banks - it is a wonderfully imagined beginning to a new, hip group of vampire slayers. By day, they are lead by twenty-year-old Damali Richards, who along with her guardians are Spoken Word artists that travel the country performing their craft. By night, each uses their specialized senses (sight, smell, mental telepathy, etc.) as they collectively hunt vampires and demons using their specialized weaponry.
The novel opens with their world succumbing to a powerful, new enemy (master vampire Nuit) who seems to be ravaging corpses and creating a new vampire/demon breed that are more difficult to track and slay. He also has plans for Damali that could change the world. Complicating matters is Damali herself who is undergoing a physiological change as she approaches her twenty-first birthday. The "legend" blends the spiritual, metaphysical, and incorporates universal messages of balance and harmony. Equally engrossing as the storyline are the supporting cast - they are an eclectic group - rich and full-bodied with plenty of personality, attitude, and talents.
Banks really earns a lot of points for creativity with the revelation of the huntress legend, the "ripening" concept, and with the intricate background and talents of the hunting team and supporting characters. She creates another world where she defines the order, classes and social strata of demons, vampires, and hell itself. She brilliantly blends intrigue, romance (with a sensual vibe reserved for vampires), and the right amount of action to deliver a solid foundation to a wonderful upcoming trilogy. Once I started this novel, I could not put it down....and could not wait to read The Awakening.
The novel opens with their world succumbing to a powerful, new enemy (master vampire Nuit) who seems to be ravaging corpses and creating a new vampire/demon breed that are more difficult to track and slay. He also has plans for Damali that could change the world. Complicating matters is Damali herself who is undergoing a physiological change as she approaches her twenty-first birthday. The "legend" blends the spiritual, metaphysical, and incorporates universal messages of balance and harmony. Equally engrossing as the storyline are the supporting cast - they are an eclectic group - rich and full-bodied with plenty of personality, attitude, and talents.
Banks really earns a lot of points for creativity with the revelation of the huntress legend, the "ripening" concept, and with the intricate background and talents of the hunting team and supporting characters. She creates another world where she defines the order, classes and social strata of demons, vampires, and hell itself. She brilliantly blends intrigue, romance (with a sensual vibe reserved for vampires), and the right amount of action to deliver a solid foundation to a wonderful upcoming trilogy. Once I started this novel, I could not put it down....and could not wait to read The Awakening.
November 14, 2017
This story about a young vampire huntress was very confusing to me. I liked that it started by putting you in the thick of the action; however, the action made no sense. I also didn't get a back story until much later in the book and it was all too brief. I still don't know how this group got together or even what type of music they play. And how did they get that wealthy?
The vampire and demon hierarchy was way too confusing and I think my eyes glazed over a few times during the long winded explanations of who, what, and why. I do own some of the books in this series so I will continue on to the next one. I hope this gets clearer.
This wasn't a very scary book. At this point I'm not attached to anyone so they could all get ambushed and killed and that's okay. On the plus side, it was nice that everyone in this book isn't white; the diversity was refreshing.
The vampire and demon hierarchy was way too confusing and I think my eyes glazed over a few times during the long winded explanations of who, what, and why. I do own some of the books in this series so I will continue on to the next one. I hope this gets clearer.
This wasn't a very scary book. At this point I'm not attached to anyone so they could all get ambushed and killed and that's okay. On the plus side, it was nice that everyone in this book isn't white; the diversity was refreshing.
February 22, 2021
Not for me. I read this because Banks is a staple author within the paranormal genre, and I've enjoyed the novels of authors influenced by her. This is a chosen one narrative, and the events in the story revolve around when the stars align, and is a pretty straightforward good vs evil story. All those elements are pet peeves of mine, which isn't any fault of the author's. I enjoyed the erotic subtexts (the overtly sexual moments were too much for me XD) and the gore. Banks really had fun writing those parts, and you could tell. If you don't mind those tropes and are looking for something action-y, you'll probably like this.
CW for gore and homophobia
CW for gore and homophobia
September 28, 2010
My vision of Hell? Being caught in traffic with a guy who insists on blaring rap music. This is the urban fantasy equivalent, and I'm so glad I could just shut the book and back away slowly. Awful writing full of romance aisle descriptions and ridden with cliches and mixed metaphors.
The prologue is hysterical--both in tone and hilarity, albeit unintentionally. A preacher's wife discovers her husband in what seems an embrace. With a man! Quel Horror! So naturally, leaving her baby with the prayer vigil, she goes out to perform a demonic ritual to get him back.
Soon after we're introduced to her baby girl all grown up! The "chosen one" and "vampire huntress" (sound familiar?), Damali Richards, a rapper by day and this is one of her introductory bits of dialogue:
Damali aka Mary Sue got on my one nerve right there. All throughout, besides the charming S-word there were f-bombs going off to the left and to the right of me. So I ducked and covered and threw this back on the store shelf before fifty pages had passed. And I resent every minute I gave this crap a chance.
The prologue is hysterical--both in tone and hilarity, albeit unintentionally. A preacher's wife discovers her husband in what seems an embrace. With a man! Quel Horror! So naturally, leaving her baby with the prayer vigil, she goes out to perform a demonic ritual to get him back.
Soon after we're introduced to her baby girl all grown up! The "chosen one" and "vampire huntress" (sound familiar?), Damali Richards, a rapper by day and this is one of her introductory bits of dialogue:
"Aw shit--you the one!" Damali spun around and gave the people standing near her a high five. "All this time I've been coming in this place, gigging and doing my thing... and the Marlene Stone just rolls in here with brother 'Bazz? Daaaaym! Y'all really think I'm good and have a shot?"
Damali aka Mary Sue got on my one nerve right there. All throughout, besides the charming S-word there were f-bombs going off to the left and to the right of me. So I ducked and covered and threw this back on the store shelf before fifty pages had passed. And I resent every minute I gave this crap a chance.
September 15, 2008
I was really excited to start this series, as the cover basically says that if you like Buffy, Anne Rice and Blade, you will LOVE this series. Well, I don't 'love' it. In fact, I didn't like the first half much at all, but it FINALLY started to get interesting and then BAM! Book ends?!? What?!? It's like a tv series in that you seriously end in the middle of a story and have to move on to the next book to find out what happens next! Not like most book series where you have a main character and each book is a different predicament they find themselves in. However, I must say, I'm anxious to read the next book and find out what happens, so I guess it worked?!? lol
I'm hoping the first book was just a little slow because we have to get to know the characters, and the story, all the history, etc. It's not bad enough to keep me from trying at least a couple of more in the series, but I'm hoping for more action and a little more clarity.
I'm hoping the first book was just a little slow because we have to get to know the characters, and the story, all the history, etc. It's not bad enough to keep me from trying at least a couple of more in the series, but I'm hoping for more action and a little more clarity.
March 30, 2013
Aside from some of the bad dialogue (that I know some people actually talk this way), I found this to be a ride into the forbidden and then the fantasy of love on another level. Damali Richards has been and still is in love with a man that she has seen as her savior and protector. The journey each take to make his or her belief or actions understood makes an impact on their future in one way or another. This is more than a contest of good and bad. I found this a story that I could read again, that is why I gave it five stars, not for the dialogue. But one must understand that when you bring various cultures, genre and sexes together we all do not talk or act the same that is why we are uniquely different.
November 16, 2016
This book starts out slow , I attempted to read it three times and put it down , I found that listening to the book helped me complete it. The reason why is this book is full of information , it's a set up for the series, but once it finally get's started yo are hooked ,right until the very last page that ends in a cliffhanger .
September 14, 2020
I almost gave up on this book. It was a slow start, but now I'm almost done with the series. The story really picks up on the second book, then it's hard to quit. Don't look at it as a series with episodes but as one long story. Then you'll understand.
August 5, 2014
3.5
I’ve been mulling Minion over all day since finishing it last night. I wanted to love it. It sounded so fascinating and the beginning was so promising. But then it kind of got stuck the more I delved into the story. There are things bothering me about it that I need to get off my chest.
One, I feel misled. The synopsis promised me a gripping supernatural mystery involving a kick ass warrior who takes names and is the woman to get to the bottom of the weird vampires her and her team came across. The first half of the book got into that no problem. Then the books point of view started shifting and the second half followed a character, Carlos, who was initially presented as nothing but secondary.
As far as I’m concerned, this book has a beginning, a middle, and no end. A guardian/vampire huntress heart to heart is not exactly what I had in mind as the climax of Damali’s story here –especially when it takes place about three quarters in. Yes, the beginning presented her with some strange symptoms that come and go, and the middle presented the reader with the guardian’s talking about Damali’s transformation, hence the cause of these symptoms, after she goes seemingly crazy. The “end” consists of the group’s matriarch holding back information Damali actually really needs while the group of men stand back and throw up their hands, hiding behind the truth because it’s “women’s business.” Did I mention they were privy to every little detail about Damali and her body? That doesn’t piss me off. Noooo.
To top all this off, the bad side finishes off the story and we don’t ever really revisit our main cast.
Two, this book needed to be twice as long and to cut half the stuff it repeated. If a single element needs to be explained three different ways for your audience to understand it you are doing something wrong….and an editor should tell you this. HOWEVER, Minion sets a necessary premise for a long series. It’s obvious everything discussed –and boy howdy was there a lot of discussion– needs to be laid down for the world and the characters choices to make sense down the line.
I can forgive this because the first books in a lot of fantasy series, especially urban fantasy, are clumsy because they need to outline the big aspects of the world while explaining the little ones that affect the main character.
Three, all of the big mysterious aspects were EXPLAINED at the end. By a group of elders. It was so unnecessary. Fantasy needs mystique just like any other genre. As a reader I want answers eventually but I’d kind of like to figure them out myself as the series progresses. I don’t need an ancient group of monsters to give everything away. It takes half the fun away. Plus, the main mystery was never solved as far as the protagonists are concerned.
All of that said, this is a special book. The parts written in Damali’s voice are so bold and lyrical, I truly believe that it is this gifted spoken word artist speaking to me. The rest of the prose aren’t half bad either. The history provided is rich and the culture perspective is refreshing. The characters are unique and all have their own voices and idiosyncrasies already. More books are just going to enhance their dimensions.
I’m excited to continue on with Banks’s Vampire Huntress series because I know the ride is going to get better and more intense.
I’ve been mulling Minion over all day since finishing it last night. I wanted to love it. It sounded so fascinating and the beginning was so promising. But then it kind of got stuck the more I delved into the story. There are things bothering me about it that I need to get off my chest.
One, I feel misled. The synopsis promised me a gripping supernatural mystery involving a kick ass warrior who takes names and is the woman to get to the bottom of the weird vampires her and her team came across. The first half of the book got into that no problem. Then the books point of view started shifting and the second half followed a character, Carlos, who was initially presented as nothing but secondary.
As far as I’m concerned, this book has a beginning, a middle, and no end. A guardian/vampire huntress heart to heart is not exactly what I had in mind as the climax of Damali’s story here –especially when it takes place about three quarters in. Yes, the beginning presented her with some strange symptoms that come and go, and the middle presented the reader with the guardian’s talking about Damali’s transformation, hence the cause of these symptoms, after she goes seemingly crazy. The “end” consists of the group’s matriarch holding back information Damali actually really needs while the group of men stand back and throw up their hands, hiding behind the truth because it’s “women’s business.” Did I mention they were privy to every little detail about Damali and her body? That doesn’t piss me off. Noooo.
To top all this off, the bad side finishes off the story and we don’t ever really revisit our main cast.
Two, this book needed to be twice as long and to cut half the stuff it repeated. If a single element needs to be explained three different ways for your audience to understand it you are doing something wrong….and an editor should tell you this. HOWEVER, Minion sets a necessary premise for a long series. It’s obvious everything discussed –and boy howdy was there a lot of discussion– needs to be laid down for the world and the characters choices to make sense down the line.
I can forgive this because the first books in a lot of fantasy series, especially urban fantasy, are clumsy because they need to outline the big aspects of the world while explaining the little ones that affect the main character.
Three, all of the big mysterious aspects were EXPLAINED at the end. By a group of elders. It was so unnecessary. Fantasy needs mystique just like any other genre. As a reader I want answers eventually but I’d kind of like to figure them out myself as the series progresses. I don’t need an ancient group of monsters to give everything away. It takes half the fun away. Plus, the main mystery was never solved as far as the protagonists are concerned.
All of that said, this is a special book. The parts written in Damali’s voice are so bold and lyrical, I truly believe that it is this gifted spoken word artist speaking to me. The rest of the prose aren’t half bad either. The history provided is rich and the culture perspective is refreshing. The characters are unique and all have their own voices and idiosyncrasies already. More books are just going to enhance their dimensions.
I’m excited to continue on with Banks’s Vampire Huntress series because I know the ride is going to get better and more intense.
October 16, 2018
Well....this book is part of a longer series - the Vampire Huntress.
The heroine is not only a singer in a successful band, but also...a vampire huntress!
I don't know what to make of this book. I had a hard time reading it, and after I reached the halfway mark, skimmed the rest of the book.
Frankly, I don't know what to make of this book. There is a great deal of time devoted to the characters, what they're thinking, and their relationship to each other. I don't think I'm going to be reading any of the other books in the series.....maybe its a cultural issue, as most of the characters are non-white (which hasn't been an issue for me before).
The heroine is not only a singer in a successful band, but also...a vampire huntress!
I don't know what to make of this book. I had a hard time reading it, and after I reached the halfway mark, skimmed the rest of the book.
Frankly, I don't know what to make of this book. There is a great deal of time devoted to the characters, what they're thinking, and their relationship to each other. I don't think I'm going to be reading any of the other books in the series.....maybe its a cultural issue, as most of the characters are non-white (which hasn't been an issue for me before).
December 16, 2019
A group of musicians hunts vampires, led by their lead singer/rapper.
I was looking forward to this, but unfortunately the writing here wasn't ready and showed lots of typical beginner writing errors. The book ends just as the characters are getting ready for the climactic battle, too, which got my goat. Good ideas, but I mostly skimmed.
Not really recommended unless you are a hardcore vampire/vampire hunter reader.
I was looking forward to this, but unfortunately the writing here wasn't ready and showed lots of typical beginner writing errors. The book ends just as the characters are getting ready for the climactic battle, too, which got my goat. Good ideas, but I mostly skimmed.
Not really recommended unless you are a hardcore vampire/vampire hunter reader.
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