Title: The Damned
Author: L.A. Banks
First published January 24, 2006
492 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780312934439 (ISBN10: 0312934432)
Rating: 4.28
Overview
Megan Daniels is having a hard time finding love, and she’s not alone. Her lifelong friend, Ben Romano, is right there with her.
After a few too many drinks, the two make a bet: sleep together or remain just friends. Megan wakes up the next morning with more than just a hangover—she’s got to navigate a newfound attraction to Ben.
As they attend a destination wedding, the tropical heat ignites emotions they never thought they had. They’ll have to decide if risking their friendship is worth it for a chance at true love.
About the Author
Leslie Esdaile Banks, who hailed from Philadelphia, was a talented writer who used several pseudonyms throughout her career. She was known for her work under the names Leslie E.
Banks, Leslie Esdaile, Leslie Esdaile Banks, and Leslie Banks. Banks was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton undergraduate program and later obtained a masters of fine arts degree in film and media arts from Temple University.
Her impressive body of work garnered numerous awards. Banks lived with her family in Philadelphia until her passing on August 2, 2011.
To learn more about L.A. Banks, please visit her page on the Macmillan website.
Editoral Review
L.A. Banks’ novel “The Damned” is an exhilarating, supernatural thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Published on January 24, 2006, Banks novel was an instant hit, delighting fans of the horror and paranormal genres.
Banks was a prominent American author, best known for her vampire novel series, The Vampire Huntress Legend. Her works balance classic themes of good vs.
evil with a modern, urban twist, and “The Damned” is no exception. The novel is rife with themes of empowerment, identity, and justice.
The novel tells the story of Damali Richards, a young woman who is tasked with saving humanity from evil forces that have risen again. Damali is a fierce, confident protagonist who fights for what she believes in and shows no mercy to her enemies.
She is ably supported by an equally diverse and captivating cast of characters, including Marlene Stone, a powerful psychic, and her unlikely ally, Carlos Rivera, a former gang member. Banks vivid descriptions of Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, provide a memorable backdrop for her fast-paced and intense plot.
The story takes place in contemporary Bed-Stuy, where Damali and her team patrol the streets to keep the community safe. However, things take a dark turn when Evil forces start manifesting in unexpected ways, forcing Damali and her team to rise to the occasion.
Banks’ writing style is electric and punchy, each sentence hitting the reader with a jolt of excitement. The novel has a strong emphasis on action, and the supernatural battles are thrillingly described in epic detail.
With its breakneck pacing and artful plotting, “The Damned” will keep readers turning pages well into the night. One of the novel’s strengths is its bold themes of justice, identity, and oppression.
Banks’ vivid descriptions of life in Bed-Stuy give the novel a sense of authenticity and urgency, highlighting the obstacles that Black and Hispanic communities face in America. The novel’s emphasis on Damali and her team’s pride for their heritage and culture is also refreshing and makes for compelling character development.
That being said, there are areas where the novel could have been stronger. The supporting characters sometimes lack the depth that Damali embodies, and certain elements of the story feel predictable at times.
The conclusion, while satisfying, could have had more emotional impact. Overall, “The Damned” is an exciting, electrifying read that should delight any fan of the supernatural genre.
Banks has created a complex, unforgettable world with characters worth rooting for. It balances themes of social justice and empowerment with kick-ass action sequences, offering something for all readers.
It is a must-read for anyone who wants to sink their teeth into a fiercely original story. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
