The Forbidden

All the necessary elements-legend, leather, lust-come together in the fifth book in Banks's Vampire Huntress series (The Bitten, etc.). Enter Lilith, deadly, dangerously sexy, and on a mission from the Big Bad; the Guardians have their work cut out for them. When the forces of evil take the child right from former pop star Damali Richards's womb, she vows revenge-and along with her lover (Carlos Rivera), Father Patrick, Marlen, and the rest of the warriors of the darkness, she sets off on a journey to destroy Lilith and her minions-and to save the world from those who would destroy it first. Mixing religion and New Age philosophy with Buffy-style butt-kicking and a distinctly African-American flavor, Banks spins a head-bendingly complex tale of passion, mythology, war and love that lasts till the grave-and beyond. New readers may find it a bit bewildering, but devoted fans should relish this new chapter in a promising series. Agent, Manie Baron. Author tour.