Well, I've gotten through Book #3.

I enjoy the world around Carlos, the vampire. The council, the intrigue, that sort of thing. I don't understand hardly any of it. This is the most confusing book series ever.

But - there's WAY too much angst here! I want more vampire hunting! More battles! Hold off on that drama, girl! It wears me out, it's stilly, it makes no sense. There are parts of this story that I like but parts that are so eye rolling.

It's also terribly confusing. I never understood a thing about the demons and the were-demons and the Neterus and the guardians and whatever else went on.

And an entire chapter to have sex? Really? That got old quick. And another entire chapter with these weird guardian dudes feeling oh-so-uncomfortable about Marlene maybe hooking up with an old boyfriend? No one can handle hormones? Why are hormones even running rampant in this book? What's the big deal you found out your boyfriend wanted to do a were-demon because she was hot and sexy? Grow up! ( )

So we open up knowing that Damali & her gang are depressed. I'm not entirely sure why they're all depressed – they just kind of are. I think it's because they escaped from the tunnels of hell but Carlos – a vampire who none of them knew – didn't. This also really depresses Damali who expresses this by having a random vampire kill, just because and decides to have a reunion with an old friend, drink booze and spend some time reminiscing and being depressed

We know they're depressed because they spend an awwwfully long time telling us that they're depressed. No, really, this is like 15% of the book here, spent telling us how depressed they are. They might rename the “exposition room” to the “moping room.” I honestly didn't think I'd finish this book because that first 15% was almost impossible to read. Somehow, I managed. I wish I hadn't. This book makes me feel I have to go back and re-read Sunshine, our only DNF review because if I got through this I owe McKinley a second chance!

Anyway, Carlos, has survived! Yay, I guess? He is found by the surviving priesty-dudes and taken to a secret location to recover and be offered a deal – he fights the good fight for 7 years and his soul will be redeemed (because, y'know, nearly dying to save the Neteru and the world? Totes not enough). There then follows page after page of Carlos saying how horny the Neteru makes him and how there's some vampire women out there and they make him horny and zomg so horny and hungry and horny and – for gods' sake Carlos, go get some alone time with your right hand already.

Read More ( )

I am a total fan of this series. When I got the book from the library I was really excited. I was actually kind of made that "New Moon" by Stephenie Meyers was standing in my way of reading a more adult vampire romance story.

What I really enjoy about Banks writing in this series is that she gives you a little more information on the background of the characters and their history with each book. As the story moves along the rules of the vampire world are reveled and shows how much thought that she put into this series. One of the main problems that I had with "New Moon" was that the characters (particularly Bella) were not growing and developing. I don't have that problem with this series. In "The Hunted" the main character Damali continues to not only grow as a person but her skills as a vampire hunter continue to improve. I also like watching her relationship with Carlos develops and grow.

Unfortunately, Banks still has not still has a problem with language in this book. The slang that she uses seems a little forced to me and outdated. I have gotten use to it, so it is not a major issue with me now but it still bothers me. Another problem with this story is that the characters end up in Brazil and she doesn't make the switch. What I mean, is that all the Brazilian characters use the American slang terms and now the actions (fist pound which is also outdated unless you are Obama or older). It takes away from the feel that the characters are in a foreign place. Everyone they meet also somehow seems to know English (that could be because they are all for the most part paranormal creatures) not very believable (Yes, I know it is a vampire story). ( )

I found much not to like about this book. With 100 pages to go I had to force myself to keep going, a situation I find myself in very rarely.

Essentially it's lots of teen-angst emotional crap, partly from Damali, who might have an excuse, but from a load of people that should know better. Then there's badly handled supernatural power politics, so poorly handled it was frankly unbelievable. I know supernatural and believable don't necessarily go together, but you've got to believe, sometimes, that the characters are doing things that are right for them.

Round it off with Brazilians who talk more like they're from the ghetto than from a tropical Portuguese speaking country and blah.

In the story line, Carlos and Damali finally shag. It's meant to be big and momentous, but it all fell a bit flat for me, and dragged. That's the first 45% of the book. The next 45% is a load of guff about people lying, or not, or the angst as the relationship gets tarnished (insanely hard and fast) - I wanted to knock heads together.

The last bit they sort of get their act together, but rather than the big climax it was more a sense of blessed relief it was all over.

I'm sad I own the next book in the series. It will be a long time before it gets near the top of my "to read" pile after this. ( )

#94, 2006

The third in the Vampire Huntress series, this book was a lot longer than the other books, with a more intricate plot. I did enjoy the book – the story is getting interesting, but I found the length a bit daunting at times (and I’m not intimidated by long books; I just need them to really engage me). I felt like I was reading and reading and reading, and not really making much progress – the book didn’t grab me and pull me in like some books do. On the plus side, though, I didn’t find the use of slang as distracting in this book. I don’t know if she’s cut back on it, or if I’ve just gotten used to it. This book has some pretty steamy sex scenes, too, although in a way, I found the romantic aspects almost oppressive. There is a LOT of angst going on here, for a number of characters. Which, in one way, is interesting, but I did find it almost too much at times.

I think I will keep reading – I know there’s at least one more in the series, and maybe more. I do hope the next one isn’t quite as dense, though. Then again, maybe I won't bother. I've got so many other books around here to read. ( )