Amazon.com
In fiction, film, and TV, vampires are a dominant trend of the young millennium. Is it is because the blood-suckers are a perfect metaphor for corrupt politicians and corporate executives? Because alternative sexualities are gaining acceptance? Because the idea of living forever (even if undead) is so alluring? The reasons are unclear. What is clear is that the hottest subgenre (in both popularity and sensuality) is the vampire-huntress subgenre, thanks to Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter and Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer. With L.A. Banks's debut novel, Minion, a tough, sexy new vampire huntress challenges the dominance of Anita Blake and Buffy.
Damali Richards is a rising star of Warriors of Light Records--but her fans would never guess that she is also the most important vampire hunter in a millennium. However, unfortunately for the inexperienced young huntress, the vampires and demons have both discovered her existence. An age-old war escalates to unprecedented heights of violence as the dark forces strive to slay Damali before she comes of age and gains her full powers.
Damali is an appealing heroine, the concept is intriguing, and the series is promising. However, the first novel is rocky. Damali is a vampire-killing martial artist, and Minion presents an epic struggle between good and evil, yet the novel neglects to include a climactic battle between Damali and the bad guys (or much of a climax at all; a sequel is obviously forthcoming). Another problem is that Damali's teacher withholds crucial information from not only the huntress, but also her guardians, who should have learned everything many years ago. In contrast, the characters frequently tell each other things they already know. Readers craving the twisted erotic charge of the Anita Blake novels or the Buffy-Spike relationship may be dissatisfied that sexual tension is less important to Minion; and readers seeking Hamiltonian melodrama may also be disappointed. --Cynthia Ward
From Publishers Weekly
Lovely African-American Damali Richards is a "spoken word" performer with a complement of musicians and technicians in this first of a projected horror trilogy from Banks. As if this weren't fantasy enough, Damali is also a "vampire slayer." The entourage of this black "Buffy" is a politically correct rainbow of seven guardians, who disguise their weapons as musical instruments to get through airport security and on to the next gig. When the guardian team faces action, they tend to stand around jive-talking their adrenaline up for pages before they go after the vamps. But they aren't just vampires: master vampire Fallon Nuit uses his recording label as a front for gangsters, drugs and a multinational corporate empire that controls most of the world's economy. He's hooked up with a demon and has created "the Minion" of rogue hybrid-vampires. Nuit's so bad even the Vampire Council wants him gone. Damali's not just a slayer either. She's "ripening" as she hits age 21 into a superhuman who emits an aphrodisiacal scent that makes male vampires "go nuts"-they must "choose to kill her or take her." Overheated prose ("massive incisors ripped through her gums like they were giving hideous birth") and a complicated "legend" backstory (a hodgepodge of New Wave, paranormal, astrologic, Judeo-Christian, pseudo-African and mystical mythology) weigh down a story more calculated marketing idea than original literary concept. FYI: The author has written romances as Leslie Esdaile and TV tie-ins as Leslie E. Banks.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Damali Richards is a vampire slayer whose loyal team helps her battle creatures of the night. As spoken-word artists, she and the team--including her mentor, Marlene; brokenhearted Jose, who lost his true love to vampires; and sexy martial artist Shabazz--keep watch over the clubs in which they perform. One night, after an intense performance, the group encounters a particularly vicious pack of vampires. Among them is Jose's lost love, Dee Dee, who attempts to draw Jose to her. Mike, another team member, stakes her, but Jose is left gravely ill. Damali and Marlene are apprehensive about these vampires, who they realize weren't sired by an ordinary vampire. Their mystery is directly linked to the mysterious deaths of Damali's parents, and resolving it will pit Damali against an old foe who will do anything to take her down, such as using the only man she has ever loved to do it. With an exciting premise and a cliffhanger ending, this first book in a new series packs a powerful punch. Kristine Huntley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Tananarive Due, bestselling author of The Living Blood
"If you enjoy Anne Rice, Blade or Buffy then MINION is the novel you have been waiting for."
Review
"This book is one high energy, high octane ride. Fresh, fast and furious; the wwriting just. . .rocks!"
Susan Sizemore, author of Deceptions (Laws of the Blood series)
"This book is one high energy, high octane ride. Fresh, fast and furious; the writing just. . .rocks!"
Tananarive Due, bestselling author of The Living Blood
"If you enjoy Anne Rice, Blade or Buffy then MINION is the novel you have been wwaiting for."
Brandon Massey, award-winning author of Thunderland
"MINION is the thrilling debut of what promises to be an exciting, groundbreakinng series."
Susan Sizemore, author of Deceptions (Laws of the Blood series)
"This book is one high energy, high octane ride. Fresh, fast and furious; the wwriting just. . .rocks!"
Review
"This book is one high energy, high octane ride. Fresh, fast and furious; the writing just...rocks!"
---Susan Sizemore, author of Deceptions (Laws of the Blood series)
“Minion is arguably superior to the Buffy franchise. . .While Banks relies on an established vampire-slayer mythos for part of her story, she is also wildly creative and invents a totally new and refreshing milieu... Its social hierarchy and politics are fascinating, and the author’s reinterpretation of the seven levels of hell is brilliant. Minion is an entirely delicious read, leaving the reader licking one’s lips and wanting more, cursing the cliffhanger ending.”
---Fangoria Magazine
“L. A. Banks has written a powerful vampire tale. . .The most impressive aspect was that they were a diverse group of brotha’s and sistah’s kicking vampire ass! Their. . .smooth personalities gave this novel a stylish twist. It was an excellent read.”
---QBR, The Black Book Review
“[Minion] literally rocks the reader into the action-packed underworld power struggle between vampire rivals with a little demon juice thrown in... Cutting-edge wit and plenty of urban heat flies from the pages of this quick read.”
---Philadelphia Sun
"Minion is an action-packed journey through a world of vampire hunters and hunted, told with the flavor and rhythm of the hip hop generation. If you enjoy Anne Rice, Blade or Buffy then Minion is the novel you have been waiting for."
---Tananarive Due, bestselling author of The Good House
"Minion is the thrilling debut of what promises to be an exciting, groundbreaking series. L. A. Banks has created a magical, brilliantly imagined world that bring our deepest fears to vivid life and Damali Richards, the tough, sexy vampire huntress, is a heroine for the ages. I can't wait to read the next book in the Vampire Huntress Legend series."
---Brandon Massey, award-winning author of Thunderland
“A wonderfully creative world of vampires and demons. The heroine and her friends will leave you eager for Book 2.”
---Romantic Times
“Readers run out to your bookstore now or order online Minion, the latest and the greatest in the vampire books. It will scare the living daylights out of you at times so keep all the doors and windows locked while reading this enthralling book about Damali Richards, vampire huntress...Ms. Banks is a master storyteller that will stun you with her talent when you read Minion.”
---Suzanne Coleburn, The Belles & Beaux of Romance
“L. A. Banks has written an urban fantasy novel that deals with several social issues in a manner that is both educational and entertaining. The character that is the most intriguing is the man who will be either the [Neteru’s] savior or doomslayer which is why reader will want to read Awakening as soon as it is published.”
---BooksnBytes
“L. A. Banks does an excellent job giving these characters depth. . .and she gives us a cliffhanger ending rarely seen in novels.”
---Book-remarks.com
“L. A. Banks has woven a fascinating modern day vampire saga that will keep you reading until the last page. Hooked on the storyline, you find that you can’t wait for the sequel and Damali’s new adventure.”
---Alice Holman, RAWSISTAZ
Book Description
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. But Damali and her Guardian team cannot afford such delusions, especially now, when a group of rogue vampires have been killing the artists of Warriors of Light and their rival, Blood Music. Strange attacks have also erupted within the club drug-trafficking network and drawn the attention of the police. These killings are a bit out of the ordinary, even for vampires. No neat puncture marks in the neck to show where the life’s blood has been sucked from the body. These bodies have been mutilated beyond recognition, indicating a blood lust and thirst for destruction that surpasses any Damali has encountered before. Damali soon discovers that behind these brutal murders is the most powerful vampire she has ever met, and this seductive beast is coming for her next. But his unholy intentions have also drawn the focus of other hellish dark forces. Soon Damali finds herself being pulled deeper into the vast and horrifying vampire world.
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