Rating: 
Summary: A most excellent book for fans of the vampire genre
Review: As a fan of the Buffy series and reader of many of the vampire related books that are out there, I must say that I was so impressed with this book that I started getting upset as its end drew near. Without going into too much detail, the basic premise is the birth and maturing of a vampire huntress, a Neteru as the main character Damali is reffered to in the book, coincides with a slew of plans set in motion by the vampire community. The action and drama are well-balanced and the main and supporting cast are nicely introduced and fleshed out, making them quite believeable. Although the amount of "necessary" explanation of the Neteru and Guardian history may cause you to double back to make sure you've understood everything, I think the author did an excellent job of setting us up for what will hopefully be a very enjoyable mini-series.
Rating: 
Summary: Too little for too much..............
Review: At [this price], this book should have INCLUDED the whole story. I will wait until the sequel hits the used book market on Amazon or Half.com.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Based on the good reviews this book received, I kept reading long after I would normally quit. But after awhile, enough was enough and I stopped reading. There are just too many other books out there to waste time with this one. The characters weren't interesting, the story didn't go anywhere, and the dialog was stilted and/or did nothing to advance the plot. If you like vampire stories, or just good writing in general, don't waste your time with this one.
Rating:
Summary: Modern day vampire saga...
Review: Damali Richards is an entertainer who can bring crowds to their feet. But she is something else also. Something even more important but she doesn't know that yet. As she finishes a performance in Philadelphia, the hair on the back of her neck begins to stand up. She and her group have chased vampires before. They've even been followed and attacked by vampires but tonight it is different and she can't put her finger on it. As they cautiously leave the night club where they had performed, a deep silence and the scent of sulfur surrounds them. They know the battle is on as they take out their stakes, chimes, vials of holy water and UV lights. Soon they are surrounded by creatures from below and they must slash their way through them while avoiding being bitten, scratched or killed. Successful in beating back the unholy horde, they escape to their specially designed house that is constantly lit by UV lights to ward off vampires. Restless, they try to brainstorm what this new danger means. Marlene, their leader, is strangely quiet as she watches Damali. Damali feels strange. Something is happening to her. Her ability to know what Marlene is thinking eludes her, she wants to go out even though she knows it's dangerous and above all, she feels the need for a man in her life. L.A. Banks has woven a fascinating modern day vampire saga that will keep you reading until the last page. Hooked on the story line, you find that you can't wait for the sequel and Damali's new adventure. Reviewed by alice Holman
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful Vision
Review: Damili, which means beautiful vision, is the perfect name for the young, just coming of age, Damili Richards. Damili, a spoken word artist as far as the world knows, it really a vampire huntress who lost both of her parents to vampires when she was a baby. On the brink of her 21st birthday, Damili is confused about several things. She has certain powers that have proven to help keep her safe from the time she was little, only now, for some reason, they are fading in and out. Like bad reception. She is afraid these failings may not only cost her her life, but one of the team that guards her, one of The Guardians. But just like she can't understand when her powers leave, when they swing in the other direction, it is almost painful how strong they can be. To make matters worse, Damili is on the eve of her 21st birthday, when she will come fully into her powers as one of the most important vampire slayers in a long time, and both vampires and demons are out to kill her before she can reach maturity. Or maybe the vampire counsel has something more sinister in mind? Since this was my first read in this genre, I loved it. I have no point of reference, therefore, I'm not feeling some of the negative remarks. I enjoyed it. It scared the mess out of me, but I enjoyed the book and can't wait for the next installment. It read like a movie to me, and I think I've been hearing rumors that such may be the case. I hope so. And be honest, from the cover, doesn't that look like it could be Jada Pinkett or Sanaa Lathan?? If it does get made into a movie, I would LOVE to see who gets what part! L.A. Banks, just do you thang!!
Rating:
Summary: will appeal to fans of Laurell K. Hamilton¿s Anita Blake
Review: Fallon Nuit is a master vampire who had a seat on the vampire council but when he went rogue he was banished into eternal darkness. Through a series of accidents Fallon was able, with the help of the evil Egyptian deities known as Amanthra, to free himself and make several second-generation vampires that his rescuers can inhabit. Fallon's goal is total control of the vampire territories on Earth and the death of the slayer. Street smart Damali Richards is making a name for herself and her group as a singer for Spoken Word. She is also the slayer protected by seven Guardians who battle the creatures of the night including the Amanthra vampires. As she is nearing her twenty-first birthday, she is coming into the full use of her considerable power and both Fallon and the vampire council want her stopped. There is only one person who can get close enough to her to achieve this objective, but she is also the only woman he ever cared about. It will be interesting to see if he will sacrifice his humanity for untold power and riches. MINION is the first book in a three book series (the other books coming out in 2004) that will appeal to fans of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake, Vampire Executioner novels. 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 Slayer's savior or doomslayer which is why readers will want to read AWAKENING as soon as it is published. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: An Intriguing Read....
Review: From reading this novel one can tell that Banks is a first time writer. There are too many characters within her story and most of them are underdeveloped. The first hundred pages or so of the tale I was extremely confused as to what was going on. I hadn't the slightest clue as to what Banks was writing about. The dialogue was also extremely cheap and almost movie-like in nature. However as the story progressed I found myself drawn to one character in particular, Carlos. Banks does a wonderful job drawing him out and developing him into a complex character. The story gets better towards the end but unfortunately ends on a cliff-hanger. If you like horror books in general pick this up and read it, it's quick and semi-enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Very good book
Review: Going by the description and the reviews I almost didn't buy this book. Being a voracious vampire/paranormal reader I didn't resist for very long. I am very glad that I did get this book! Damali is a fresh take on a well used theme. The first three chapters sort of plod along, just when your ready to put the book down and say "Forget it!" the story line picks up. Damali is a Neteru, Vampire Huntress. She has not yet hit her prime (twenty-first birthday)and the Vampire council and others would very much like her NOT to get there. She has a team of Guardians to teach, protect and help her with her destiny. This is a very difficult book to break down into parts to review, every action has a point if not immediately then later in the story line. Even the seemingly off-hand comments usually come into play later. The Vampire Huntress Series is one of those 'cliff-hanger' series. So if you like all problems resolved and everyone happily ever after at the end of the book, best bet is to wait until all four? books in the series are out. Minion can and does stand on it's own, you are just left with a few (rather critical)unsolved bits that makes you crazy trying to get the next installment.
Rating: 
Summary: terrible
Review: I could not get pass the first 40 pages. The author uses slang words always. What I mean is, not only in dialogue, but even in normal discriptions and narratives. I was having to read the same paragraph, chapter, everything, over and over just to picture what was happening in the story, and still did not have a clue what the narrator was speaking about. Very poor writting.
Rating:
Summary: A so-so debut
Review: I for one don't knock the "Buffy" comparisons, it being my favorite show. I was also happy to see that Minion was the story of a black vampire slayer, a story I was dying for Joss Whedon(the creator of "Buffy") to do, because while I loved SMG's portrayal of Buffy, I wanted someone I could _really_ relate to. From the first page, this book lacked that special something that should have grabbed my attention and kept it there. Instead, I quickly grew somewhat bored and spent about a week and a half reading this novel--an anamoly for me, someone who can read a 400 page novel in less than a day. I can point my main disatisfaction with Banks' slightly humorless prose and her bewildering way of taking for granted that the new reader knows what is going on. Damali's world is alot different from Buffy's world, and while that's a good thing, the way Banks introduced it to the reader was confusing. The action was written in a choppy manner and caused me to skip sections, as well as the very slangy dialogue being distracting. For some reason, reading slang became irritating to me, even though I hear it everyday. But on the upside, when the mythology wasn't confusing, it was well layered and the suspense of the fate of Carlos and his relationship with Damali(which is to be continued in "The Awakening") saved this novel. While I wasnt impressed, Banks will still be read for it's entertainment value.
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