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stephsec's review against another edition
5.0
This book was great up until the very end... Contained hurt, shock, surprise, disdain, sensuality and a slew of other emotions that I cannot even begin to name them all. I think I liked this one the best so far but I still have 7 books to go. L. A. Banks did her thing with this series!
smiley7245's review
2.0
The previous book was so amazing so I was super disappointed with this one. Carlos has been reborn from the ashes of his vampire life, but his ego is crushed and he is having a really hard time dealing with the loss of his vampire powers and getting used to his new Guardian powers. He and Damali are separated for a lot of the story. A bunch of new Guardians are introduced and Father Lopez is killed. Damali goes down to Hell and fights the Chairman and they come to an agreement because Lilith, the Devil's wife and the Chairman's lover, has been playing him. There is a huge battle at the end, the Chairman stabs Lilith with Damali's Baby Isis and removes the embryo that she stole. At the end of the battle a dark cloud enters Carlos' nose so obviously he will not be staying in the Light for long. Not even remotely happy with this book. Father Lopez dying was not necessary. And why can't Carlos just stay good? So unnecessary. I might read the next book, but not anytime soon. Disappointed :(
5hadow_girl's review
3.0
Another vampire book. A good book while reading, but once finished - it got lumped into the 'another vampire book'. Not to say that it's forgettable! Just that it was read during a period where I was reading 5 paperbacks a week. One day, I'll re-read this and give it a proper review.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review
2.0
I read The Forbidden and [b:The Hunted|39302|The Hunted (Vampire Huntress Legend, Book 3)|L.A. Banks|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1169283674s/39302.jpg|1413423] in Banks series. The books are easy to get into. They both, however, have the same problem. They are too long in the sense the last 100 pages or so could be severely cut down or taken out entirely. This, I think, is more the editor's fault than Banks'. The characters are wonderful, but the plot feels like it is meandering or rushing, sometimes it feels like it is doing both.
In this book, I had a couple quibbles. I don't buy Cleopatra killing herself for love. I know Dryden did, but I don't. She also got her horse knowledge wrong.
Banks does create a good mythos. Here her characters are wonderful. I swear I know them. It's a shame her books aren't better edited.
In this book, I had a couple quibbles. I don't buy Cleopatra killing herself for love. I know Dryden did, but I don't. She also got her horse knowledge wrong.
Banks does create a good mythos. Here her characters are wonderful. I swear I know them. It's a shame her books aren't better edited.
mochagirl's review
5.0
t is somewhat difficult to write a review for The Forbidden without revealing the intricate plots of the previous four novels - all of which are formidable in their own right - detailing the trials and growth of Damali Richards, Vampire Huntress, Purveyor of Righteousness, and Millennium Neteru. In The Forbidden, the battle of good and evil continues, picking up where the last novel, The Bitten, left off. In this episode, the team is splintered, deeply wounded, and exhausted (mentally, spiritually, and physically). Their faith, confidence, and fortitude have been challenged during the last battle that literally took them to Hell and back. Damali, herself, is wounded suffering from a terrible loss of her child and seeks direction from the Light. In a desperate act, Damali, is summoned to the Council of Neterus. It is here we gain history and insight into the fates of the Neterus that came before her - including the first, Eve. It is also where Damali must answer to her despicable and damning walk on the dark side with her lover/husband, Carlos Rivera, as detailed in The Bitten. She is counseled and disciplined severely. She is sent back ashamed, weaponless, separated from her team, but with a better understanding of the magnitude and recklessness of her lustful behavior.
She begins a slow and confusing road to redemption and must now reunite and rebuild her team, avenge her past sins, and regain favor and trust of her enlightened mother-sisters. She must assist the resurrected Carlos in his transformation to become her equal counterpart, the male Neteru. They must put their egos aside and discover their destiny together while battling their most formidable foes to date: Carlos's sire (Satan's son) and Satan's wife (Lillith) who has stolen something from Damali that is more precious than life itself.
This novel allows us to bid farewell to a few familiar characters and introduces fresh allies and enemies, discover new powers and abilities, and reinforces the purpose and vision for Damali and her team. It offers a wonderfully imagined blend of ancient folklore, mythology, religion, and culture that works brilliantly. Bank's creativity yields an epiphany for Damali and her readers because there were many "a-ha" moments. The plot is intricate and suspenseful, the characters numerous and complex, and timing is superb - great writing all around. The Forbidden sets the stage for more action, romance, and mystery - it is a wonderful chapter in a fantastic saga. I cannot wait to read The Damned in February!
She begins a slow and confusing road to redemption and must now reunite and rebuild her team, avenge her past sins, and regain favor and trust of her enlightened mother-sisters. She must assist the resurrected Carlos in his transformation to become her equal counterpart, the male Neteru. They must put their egos aside and discover their destiny together while battling their most formidable foes to date: Carlos's sire (Satan's son) and Satan's wife (Lillith) who has stolen something from Damali that is more precious than life itself.
This novel allows us to bid farewell to a few familiar characters and introduces fresh allies and enemies, discover new powers and abilities, and reinforces the purpose and vision for Damali and her team. It offers a wonderfully imagined blend of ancient folklore, mythology, religion, and culture that works brilliantly. Bank's creativity yields an epiphany for Damali and her readers because there were many "a-ha" moments. The plot is intricate and suspenseful, the characters numerous and complex, and timing is superb - great writing all around. The Forbidden sets the stage for more action, romance, and mystery - it is a wonderful chapter in a fantastic saga. I cannot wait to read The Damned in February!
booklover81's review
The Forbidden
L.A. Banks
Paranormal Romance
490 pages
COPYRIGHT: 2005
ISBN: 0-312-94002-5
After the destruction of all the topside master vampires and the death and resurrection of her council-level vampire lover, Damali is called before the Council of the Neterus to answer for her actions. It is there that she discovers there are consequences even she could not foresee. She also learns that the consort of the Un-Named One, Lilith, has come up from the seventh level to set the affairs of the Dark Realms in order. However, Lilith has a hidden agenda of her own and it involves the unborn child Damali thought had been taken from her. The news devastates Damali until a cold and deadly determination leads her to map out a plan for Lilith’s destruction. An evil force beyond recognition, Damali’s newest nemesis literally brings men to their knees. But Damali will not be stopped---not even by someone as dangerously powerful as Lilith. It is a battle that spills over into the streets and involves the people Damali has sworn to protect, leaving fewer standing before it’s all over.
L.A. Banks
Paranormal Romance
490 pages
COPYRIGHT: 2005
ISBN: 0-312-94002-5
After the destruction of all the topside master vampires and the death and resurrection of her council-level vampire lover, Damali is called before the Council of the Neterus to answer for her actions. It is there that she discovers there are consequences even she could not foresee. She also learns that the consort of the Un-Named One, Lilith, has come up from the seventh level to set the affairs of the Dark Realms in order. However, Lilith has a hidden agenda of her own and it involves the unborn child Damali thought had been taken from her. The news devastates Damali until a cold and deadly determination leads her to map out a plan for Lilith’s destruction. An evil force beyond recognition, Damali’s newest nemesis literally brings men to their knees. But Damali will not be stopped---not even by someone as dangerously powerful as Lilith. It is a battle that spills over into the streets and involves the people Damali has sworn to protect, leaving fewer standing before it’s all over.
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