Damned

In the middle book of Holder and Vigui%C3%A9's trilogy (following Crusade), vampires and werewolves have gone public, and much of the world has fallen under their malevolent sway. Small, scattered bands of freedom fighters and hunters resist their growing domination, but they're losing ground due to battle-inflicted attrition and lack of public support. A band of hunters stationed in Salamanca, Spain, feels mounting pressure from all sides: the Church wants to shut down their school, a Russian vampire is creating hybrid supersoldiers, and infighting and lack of trust is weakening morale. New leader Jenn and her conflicted vampire boyfriend, Antonio, want to be together, but when he's kidnapped by his makers, his bloodlust and cursed nature may mean the death of the relationship. This globetrotting supernatural adventure is fueled by tight sequencing, a sprawling international cast, cross-species romance, and high-stakes conflict. The authors effectively build political and moral tension, drawing parallels between WWII resistance cells and contemporary freedom fighters, making it a robust addition to a crowded genre. Ages 14%E2%80%93up. (Aug.)