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BLACK BLOOD By Raphael Baker You may think you’ve read it before. Woman fights vampires. Woman falls in love with man. Man becomes Vampire. Woman is torn between her career and love. However, this is no Buffy the Vampire Slayer knockoff. L.A. Banks, aka Leslie Banks, who also writes under at least two other pseudonyms, takes those subjects to much deeper levels. Her Vampire Huntress Series, a 12 book collection, centers on Damali Richards, a young black songstress who is secretly responsible for fighting vampires, demons and other supernatural beings. She is in love with Carlos, a former drug dealer, turned vampire. Damali is surrounded by an eclectic group of band members, who double as guardians, each with special sensory skills, and have her back even unto death. What really sets this series apart from other vampire authors is the precision in which Banks weaves politics, religion, history, geography and pop culture. She has sex scenes that rival Zane’s as well as vivid battle scenes. She’ll take you from the streets of Philly, to the Amazon jungle without skipping a beat. She will take you to the different levels of Hell and also show you that there is hell on earth. L.A. demonstrates the depravity of man, and also his kindness and compassion. Her books force you to really evaluate the current condition of society and open your eyes to the fact that although we may all be different, we all share similar hopes, dreams and fears. In the end, love conquers all and good always wins. Or does it? |
