A Neteru- a hunter or huntress- is born every thousand years to lead the Warriors of Light as they fight against the Dark Realms. Damali Richards is the millenium Neteru, the one who will play a pivotal role in the Final War. The Warriors of LIght have been waiting for her and the Dark Realms will do anything to possess or destroy her. What they do not take into account is the man who will love her. Damali has been to Hell and back-literally-and she is not eager to repeat the trip. A Vampire civil war has been averted, but there were casualties, and she believes that Carlos Rivera, her former lover turned master vampire, is one of them. His death has not only shaken her emotions, but has weakened her powers as well. Then Damali gets word of horrific killings in Brazil. The vampire civil war left a small door to Hell open, and new and dangerous foes have risen for the Dark Realms. The leader, a deadly female, is set on a path of destruction, but her blood lust hides a nefarious plan, and the resurrected Carlos Rivera is at the heart of it. However, Damali is not about ot lose her man a second time, so she plans to send this old girl right back to the hell she came from- no matter who stands in her way.

DO NOT TRY TO READ THIS UNTIL YOU READ THE BEGINNING OF THE SERIES, YOU WILL GET LOST AND NOT UNDERSTAND. FIRST BOOK WOULD BE MINION, THEN THE AWAKENING, AND THEY GO ON FROM THERE. SO FAR I HAVE READ THE FIRST 5 IN THE SERIES, THEY ARE A VERY GOOD READ IF YOU LIKE A CONTINUING SAGA...

I've tried Hamilton's Anita Blake, Anne Rice's vamp (and other) novels, the Buffy TV series & books, the Charlaine Harris Southern Vamp series, Harrison's Dead Witch Walking books, even MJD's Queen Betsy books - and too many others to name. So, I'd long wanted to try this series (there's nothing better than discovering a new voice or an original twist on a familiar concept)...but it fell FLAT FLAT FLAT for me.

A reviewer of the first book in this series, Minion, said it best...the language isn't hip, its ridiculous. I find the overuse of really cheesy slang at best a distraction from the "plot," such as it is, and at worst downright laughable. Comparisons to Buffy are a result of blatant theme theft (dynastic line Slayer loves redeemable Vampire = forbidden love), but Joss Whedon's exceptional writing and flair for dialogue are totally absent from this sad series.

This is an actual line from book 3, The Hunger: "Off da heezy fo' sheezy. Tight." Also a blatant offense to the intelligence is the constant use of I'ma, as in "I'ma go get it and be right back." And why, WHY WHY, does girl have to be spelled "gurl". I think that says it all about the failures of the writing and dialogue.

While I understood that the author was trying to go for a more uplifting and religion-positive message - it was very heavy handed, often blurring the focus of the book - and further, leading to some very poor writing. Throughout this series you often feel as though you're being hit over the head with the religious theme. I can think of other authors who have done a better job using religious symbolism in their universes without bludgeoning the reader with it, Archangel, by Sharon Shinn, is one example. I cannot even count how many times a character would cuss and then another character chides them, to "watch the language"...after a while you just get tired of it. Ok, we get it, really, negative words invite negative thoughts. Leave off already.

Here's some actual language from book 2: "You are girded in spiritual armor, young Neteru. The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, your feet are shod in the gospel of peace...and in your hand you have the sword of spirit, the truth, which is the word of God." "Shod in the gospel of peace"?? What is she, some kind of holy Carrie Bradshaw?

I have no objection to religion in my reading, if its done WELL and it enhances the themes the author is trying to express. I felt that this was an unoriginal idea whose execution was poorly plotted and badly written and that the religious themes acted as a substitute for the missing plot & story instead of a good addition to the flavor of the Vampire Huntress universe.

Not worth hours of your life.

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