Less heat in this one due to story and characters, still excellent read
( )

The Forbidden is the fifth book in the Vampire Huntress Legend series by L.A. Banks. It picks up from the action-packed ending of the fourth book, The Bitten where all of the top-master vampires and all but one Council Level vampires have been destroyed. This book sees Damali Richards, a re-born Carlos Rivera, and the Guardian warriors of light fighting against the Lilith, the consort of the Un-Named One. Lilith has stolen Damali’s embryo that she thought she had miscarried, with the intention of producing the Anti-Christ. The fight between good and evil continues.

I know everyone and their mother are doing a vampire series but what I love about this is the fact the strong female lead is a Neteru, a huntress of vampires, and she’s an African-American. Instead of her claim to fame being she’s just a doe-eyed female in love with a male vampire, this huntress has skills. I also like my vampire stories to be steeped in mythology. In the previous books of the series, L.A. Banks expertly blends ancient folklore, culture, and religion into a wonderful mythology. Previously Banks has delved into the mysticism of New Orleans, Brazil, and Australia. In this book, we travel to Ethiopia and masonic Philadelphia.

L.A. Banks introduces some new elements into the mythology, including numerology, Wicca, and the Council of the Neteru (which is a mirror image of the all-male Vampire Council of Elders introduced in previous books) – “as above, so below”. This all-female council has strong women images we recognize from history, including Eve (the first) and Joan of Arc. We also see old friends and loves return; as well as, say good-bye to a beloved character. The multi-culture, multi-religion Guardian team grows in size as new characters are introduced and we see several love triangles get thrown in the mix. ( )

I love this series and book because Damali and Carlos how such a powerful love for each other. Nothing gets between them. HEAVEN or HELL can compete with the love the have for each other. Damalis, Carlos, and team are some people I would love to have on my side if I went against Vampires. They are TOUGH!! ( )