The Damned

Vampire Huntress Legend #6

by L.A. Banks

The only way to Heaven is through the gates of Hell…

Damali Richards knows all about a blood rush. The kind that happened when she first went skin-to-skin with former vampire Carlos Rivera. Or the kind that happened on the streets of Philadelphia, when her crew took on the devil’s own. Now, Damali, Carlos, and the Guardian team are recovering in the Arizona desert, trying to hold it all together and find out how much love, and how much war, they still need to make…until the demon consort Lilith changes everything.

The Damned are seeping out from below, and a new contagion is spreading simply by touch. For Damali and Carlos, time is running out. With Armageddon near, the ultimate truths lie strewn from a shaken underworld to the pristine mountains of Tibet, where the two lovers will approach a pinnacle of power—and the scintillating, shocking secret of salvation…

Genres: Vampires, Paranormal, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Fiction

492 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 24, 2006

About the author

A 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

Reviews

[Chrys Minter]

Always a fan

No matter what book I read from this series I get drawn in deeper and deeper into the story.... I absolutely love this series

[UT booklady]

It takes alot for me to rate a book less than average. I've never skimmed a book before in my life, yet I did that very thing for the majority of this book.

I was severely disappointed in this book mainly because I had grown to really love this series and the characters. At the end of book five with The Chairman & Lilith running rampant, I figured book 6 would be a slam dunk of non stop action and demon/vampire butt kicking.

Instead, it was a 500 page mess of he said-she said, nothing but bickering between housemates and drama, drama, DRAMA!!!

I really think L.A. Banks could've just eliminated 7/8's of this entire book out of the series and we wouldn't have missed any key elements. It wasn't until, literally, the last 30 pages that it was worth reading.

I will pick up book 7 out of blind faith and hope for a better addition to the series, but after this monstrosity, I'm not holding my breath.

[Amber]

So zombie apocalypse anyone? Haha, I love this chick! She throws it all into the mix! We've already got werewolves and vampires, angels and demons, but hey lets throw some zombies in there too! Nah, I loved this book. Carlos goes through a duel personality change that has Damali flipping out all while the world is slowly succumbing to a zombie apocalypse. Banks justifies it as demon possession and revenge spirits. Nevertheless it is awesome! Oh and lets not forget the incarnation of the antichrist, who just happens to manifest as Carlos' other half. The book was a ride all the way to the end! I can't wait to read the next one!

[Heather]

Although this isn't a series that I would necessary recommend to anyone because it has a slow start and it's own unique style, I do enjoy it. After 6 books I've become very invested in the characters and interested in what comes next for them. Each book is another giant battle of Good vs. Evil and I love the suspense, build-up, and climax that comes with that. I look forward to the next one, hope I can read it soon!

[Kat]

This was by far the darkest hour in the series. But I still give it a 5 star because it evoked an emotion.......FRUSTRATION is an emotion. This one was full of sooooo much DRAMA it makes you want to stop reading or skim read it. Stick it out. Things get better and more interesting later. Besides the stuff that happened here helped me to understand the end results in the next book.

[Crystal]

This one made me so mad at the characters!!! I was so tired of all of their pouting and bitching. But all was redeemed in the end. Still enjoying this series.

[Alexis]

The story, her level of detail, the depth of her world and mythology - just amazing. I hope I still have this series somewhere because I am in the mood to reread it! It was that good.

[Michelle]

Awesome vampire series which tKes you through a human an vampire journey , plus a look at the inner workings of family related or otherwise.

A jaunt through the scriptures on this fight against God versus evil whether it is your loved ones or those close to you.

The damned are seeping out of the earth and causing death and destruction topside , For Damali and Carlos , time is running out and they must learn to wield their power or lose the fight against the Armegeddon.

As they travel from one sanctuary to another the two lovers will approach a pinnacle of power and face down evils on their part to salvation.

[Leanna Terrell]

Holy, Holy Water

This one was even better than the last. The deception and intrigue. Denali and Carlos almost seem like star-crossed lovers.
I really do not like that Juanita. I feel for Jose, he deserves better.
What is Lillith planning now. Will Denali and Carlos ever get a break?

[Katerina]

Although the beginning dragged a bit for me and got me a bit frustrated, the book picked up when the team landed in China. Then I got sucked into the story and couldn't let go.

[Heather Forensky]

Reading the bit of them in Tibet, it makes we want to meditate and actually find my center now.

[Davis]

wow

LA Banks is my one of my favorite authors. This series is interesting and this is my second time reading it and I am definitely enjoying it!

[Into the Mind of Ashlee]

On to the next one !

[Tima Cooke]

Great series

[BEETHEEBOOKBEAUTY☆]

This one was a roller-coaster from page 1! At first I thought my people weren't gonna be okay, but they got it together!

[Roze]

2.5⭐️

[Karina]

Just fined it again, I forgot how much I loved this book. Truly one of the best ones in the series, between all the family drama, the character development and the action this one has it all.

[Margaret]

From Publishers Weekly

All hell breaks loose—literally—in the complex sixth installment of Banks's scorchingly hot-blooded vampire series (after 2005's The Forbidden). Banks gets down with her multicultural cast, as deeply concerned with their relationships as she is with their sacred mission: to vanquish evil and keep hell in hell and not messing with earth folks. The intimacy issues of her African-American diva heroine, Damali, with Carlos, a former vamp, can be as involving as the multilayered plot. At times, though, Damali's brooding over Carlos slows the pace. Thankfully, the action picks up once Carlos sets out to retrieve The Book of the Damned before the big war kicks off to free the lost souls who've escaped from hell, thanks to the evil Lilith, to infect humans and turn them into demons. The stunning climax shows that trying to shut hell's gates can be righteous. (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"A scorchingly hot-blooded vampire series."
--_Publishers Weekly_

__ 

"Each book in this...series gets harder and harder to put down."
--_Romantic Times BOOKreviews_

"L.A. Banks writes a killer vamp series."
--Sherrilyn Kenyon

__ 

THE DAMNED

"[Banks] is a master of the genre."--Zane

"All hell breaks loose--literally--in the complex sixth installment….stunning."--_Publishers Weekly_
 
"In [_The Damned_], relationships are defined, while a dark energy threatens to destroy the entire squad. Banks' method of bringing Damali and Carlos back together is done with utmost sincerity and integrity. They have a love that can weather any storm, even when dire circumstances seem utterly overwhelming. Fans of this series will love _The Damned and, no doubt, will eagerly await the next book."--Romantic Times BOOKreviews_

[Adrienna]

It has been a long time since I got back into the series for various reasons but so far, this book is way too wordy...way too much going on within the first 150+ pages...and seems to be all over the place in comparison to previous series from my memory.

The part so far I liked about this book, page 170, about Carlos lacking faith, hope in the wrong things, and love his anchor to hold it all together (strongest of the three: faith, hope, and love; which the book calls the trinity). Sadly, I forgot about Juanita ever being with Carlos, and she was the sidekick once he fell in love with Damali.

The way it was written/read, I was a little scared when Damali stepped outside the home and the demonic spirit came to attack (seeming like a zombie like figure)...I was a little terrified reading while at work on break. However, some parts I actually skimmed through the dialogue and parts with other characters; unable to really get into characters like Shabazz, Bekefield, in this novel.

The only reason I kept reading was the biblical-characters introduced in this paranormal-syfy phenomena; this is another reason why I liked the series...this one speaks of Antichrist briefly, Adam and Eve, Dante (Chairman, who really was in the Garden of Eden based on author's fictional character), etc.

I hope book 7 when I get time to read is better. Ending was sweet and passionate though, always with Carlos and Damali, favorite line towards the ending "somewhat reformed but not completely recovered."

[Sasquatch]

yeah, this book series officially approached the Heaven and Hell story line. i was personally disappointed by the direction that it took, but i kept trucking on, and i'm not letting it lose stars.

if you're the kind of reader who likes Christian lore mixed with vampire hunter lore, this book is probably excellent for you.

just be aware that these books turned steamy and romantic.

still kudos on the vampire twist, but i won't spoil it for you if you're wanting to read it.

***SPOILER***

ok, to spoil it a little: just keep in mind that this story has gone down that road and plays heavily on angels and demons.

[M.J.]

The Damned is the 6th installment in the VHS,in this episode the Guardian team is cooling off from a major fight in Philadelphia where Carlos & Damali learn to use their Neteru powers as soul-mates in a battle w/Chairman of the Vampire Council(Dante) and the Unnamed Ones wife (Lilith). Carlos is fighting a major battle from within, while Damali tries to reach him & to teach him about his transition to the Light to no avail, the Guardian team is living on a Reservation in Arizona, when they learn during their battle some of the portals in hell were left open letting the Damned Souls out and some of those souls have possessed mankind and the Team. The Team now has to heal themselves, close the portals and Heal all the infected. Not my favorite book of the series but, I still liked it. The story was strong and the premise was really good, it just got a bit confusing at times. You really have to pay attention while reading this one or you will quickly get lost and then just give up on this book. But I will tell as person who has read this entire series, the next books will pull you right back into the story.

[Chasity]

I am such a huge fan of L.A. Banks and all of her books, her writing is amazing. She creates such an amazingly dark paranormal world. ‘The Damned’ is the sixth book in the Vampire Huntress Legend novels and I am hooked. Carlos and Damali are such fierce characters that have been to hell and back, literally, in these books and yet somehow in the sixth installment the story is still fresh and entertaining.
I just think the details and descriptions in this book were phenomenal, I can clearly see everything in my head that she writes. This book really threw all her characters for a loop and I really think that’s a huge part of what keeps it so interesting. This is a series that you want to take the time out to read.
It’s a great book and she is definitely one of my favorite authors and has been for a long time. She never disappoints!

[Rebecca Lien]

The series continues and now we are seeking a regrouping after all of the shenanigans in the last book. This book brings the series Vampire Romance into the Armageddon series that it will become. Each chapter may not entice the reader but the blending of faith and the amazingly well-researched back stories are a work of art. I will recommend this book to fans of Vampire Novels, Mythology (Christian, Buddhist, etc..), and a mystery. This book had me trying to guess where the author was taking the storyline.

Tarot Card-Wheel of Fortune

A turning point that has no clear direction. It is often best to let the universe decide the next step and you just ride the wave of it.

[B. Wilson]

This woman is so bad that I read her books fast and then get mad at myself when I finish too quickly. It's just that you can't help but get caught up in the storyline. Good vs Evil; come on who doesn't love to see a good fight. Her main Characters still pull me in and make me want to help them stump evil back where it came from. I love it and everyone I have read so far.

[Dallas]

So far I think this is my favorite of the series. Hands down it was the hottest! I loved the symbolism of good and evil, dark and light and fighting your own demons. *Spoiler* I spent more time crying over Rider than I did cheering for D & Carlos. I thought watching the Rider/Tara/Yonnie triangle was going to kill me. The pages with Rider and Mei are still soaked with my tears.

[Wanderlusting Diva]

You have to give this series a chance..yes there is some hip hop language but this saga of books takes you on a journey. It brings in elements of good and evil, heaven and hell, God and the devil.. There are characters such as cain & abel, adam & eve and so on... Give this series a chance before you just say forget it...in the end it will be worth it..check out all 12 or 13 novels!!!!

[Jenny Cattanach]

stumbled across in a charity shop and thought it looked interesting. Which it was, to be fair. Saw it was part of a series, but usually I can pick up the gist. Totally baffled on many occasions. I'd advise folk to start at the beginning of the series, this one is so immersed in the world the author has created. My fault, not the book. I think.

[Tracey]

There were some good scenes in this book, but not enough to make me like it. I was just so over all the personal drama that was happening. And then the fact that a major baddie was killed in the last few pages with no build up to it pissed me off royally. Carlos was too annoying for words this go around. I almost wanted him to die so Damali would end up with Jose and Juanita could go away too.

[pianogal]

This one took a little bit of effort to get into, but once you do, it won't let go. I had a hard time with all the commotion between the two Neterus, but I thought the book finished strongly. Bring on the next one!

[Kristi]

This was a good read. Once you get past the slang (I'm black and I don't use as much slang as in this book) it's enjoyable. Banks writing continues to improve and is taking vampires into a very different direction then most author's. I am really enjoying this series.