Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 544 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse (August 30, 2011)
Buy the Book: Crusade
This is a spoiler free review.I seriously love this series! There are only a handful of books out there that can cause this much anxiety and emotion in me, but this is definitely one of them. I love it!
Damnedis the second book in the Crusade
series. If you haven't read Crusade, check out my video review here, but I won't give any details that spoil the first book in this review. (Synopsis will be at the end)
Crusade was non-stop action, and Damned certainly followed suit. In fact, as far as bloody battles go, I think this book topped Crusade. The vampires (Cursed Ones) are absolutely relentless, and so the hunters have to be just as relentless, fighting constantly for their lives, their sanity, and their souls. Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie must be two seriously kick-butt ladies because they definitely know how to write a fight scene (or twelve). I can't tell you how many times, while I was reading, I realized that all the muscles in my body were tensed up and I was holding my breath. And I'm pretty sure they also like to torture a poor girl, because my heart is seriously BREAKING for these people/vampires/werewolves. I mean how much can they take??
One of the things that I love about this series, is the way that it's written. Debbie and Nancy are accomplished authors and it really shows. The point of view is constantly shifting, as is the setting, and the characters we are following. This seems like it would be confusing, but they pull it off brilliantly. It is obvious that there was so much thought, history, and detail put into this story. I love seeing it all unfold. It's complex and dark and harsh, but underneath all of that, it's hopeful.
The characters are so perfect and so completely screwed up. I love them all for so many reasons. They're constantly struggling with themselves and with each other. The relationship between Jenn and Antonio, the only vampire who fights to overcome his desire for blood, is subtle but so compelling. And in Damned even more than Crusade, their struggle to be together is just heart-wrenching, as are the relationships of all the team members.
If you read Crusade, you will not be disappointed with Damned. It is more intense, the characters are more evolved, and the story just takes twist after twist. If you haven't, you should check it out! If you love non-stop action, deep plot lines, and being completely sucked into a story, I think you will love this series!
There is a fine line between love and sacrifice….
Antonio would do anything for his beloved fighting partner Jenn. He protects her, even suppresses his vampire cravings to be with her. Together, they defend humanity against the Cursed Ones. But tensions threaten to fracture their hunting team and his loyalty—his love—is called into question.
Jenn, the newly appointed Hunter, aches for revenge against the Cursed One who converted her sister. And with an even more sinister power on the rise, she must overcome her personal vendettas to lead her team into battle.
Antonio and Jenn need each other to survive, but evil lurks at every turn. With humanity’s fate hanging in the balance, they must face down the darkness…or die trying.
Content:
- Sexual Content: Minor
- Profanity: Moderate* (very similar to book 1)
- Violence: Very Heavy
- Other Notables: Lots of religious overtones (many religions).
THIS BOOK IS DEFINITELY GOING ON MY TO-READ LIST!! I really liked your review! it answered most of my question!! I cant wait to read it!! :)
ReplyDeleteI was captivated by the first book too. Your review just made me more excited to get my hands on this! :D
ReplyDeletetweeted: http://tinyurl.com/3wt7wge
maidenveil(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you so much! We're grateful to everyone for their support! ¡Muchas gracias!
ReplyDeleteCon amor,
Nancy & Debbie
I need to read the 1st asap, but thanks for the chance to win this!
ReplyDeletethe title and the cover says a lot about the story. id love to read this one. thanks for the review =)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to read this book. Sounds great
ReplyDeletethanks for this chance to win! count me in!
ReplyDeleteDiana
lovelygetaway@gmail.com
I really can't wait for this one! and your review just makes me want it even more!!
ReplyDeleteneilrazipong@gmail.com
I am so happy that this book is almost out. I have been waiting so long for it to come out. Your review just made me want the book even more now. Haha. Can't wait until I can get a copy of it to read!
ReplyDeleteScrewed up characters? Sounds like a must read :D
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really good! I bought Crusade months ago and I haven't touched it since then. Dang. I left it at home in US when we went here in the Phil. So excited to go back and devour Crusade!
ReplyDeleteYour review makes the book sound so good. I would love to read it.
ReplyDeletetwoofakind12@yahoo.com
Love this book cant wait to.find out about jenns sis. Also jenn and antonio.. Totally good book. Read.this in a couple of hours.. Headache afta but worth it.. To hard to put down lol
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I read this as well and really enjoyed it! Sooo can't wait to read the next one! Am really glad that Debbie and Nancy are writing together again! I like their stuff!
ReplyDeletejessica(DOT)agreatread(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I have become a huge Nancy Holder fan so Damned is definitely on my to read list
ReplyDeleteI know that this book is going to be good:) That's why it's already on my wishlist:)
ReplyDeletespamscape [at] gmail [dot] com
Wow, this book looks awesome, so excited to read! :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an intense book. Definitely going on my to-read list.
ReplyDeletesqueel! I cant wait to read this one!! :)
ReplyDeleteJay
jazzy_jay673 at hotmail dot com
Thanks to all our awesome fans who just keep telling us they want more books like this! We love you all.
ReplyDeleteDebbie and Nancy
This book just sounds so good!! I can't wait to read it :)
ReplyDeletejwitt33 at live dot com
this book is going on my to read list! it sounds fantastic. Awesome review thanks for the Give away and I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/mel_91284/status/98410608814325760
ReplyDeletethanks
Melissa mel91284(at)yahoo(dot)com
This book looks so good!
ReplyDeleteEnter me!
Amanda
wolfbauer3(at)gmail(dot)com
CANT wait for this book, Loved Crusade.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I really want to read this book now.
ReplyDeleteMy tweet: https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/itzKelseyD/status/98422718835339265
Poisnivyred@gmail.com
Oh yea yea yea! I cannot wait for this follow up! It took me awhile to get around to read the first one, but I loved it. And what better way to end my b-day month than with a really great sequal! SQUEE!
ReplyDeleteI also tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/BritneyWyatt/status/98435951017205760
ReplyDeletebritneywyatt[at]gmail[dot]com
thanks for the giveaway and for making it international!!i am looking forward to reading this!
ReplyDeleteGFC-Janhvi Jagtap
justjanhvi at gmail dot com
God, I just want this book so badly! I loved Crusade and now your review just makes me basically crave Damned! And worse: I live in Brazil, so there's NO way I can get it soon! Well, anyways, thanks for the giveaway and for making it intl, maybe I'll win and get the book here!
ReplyDeletejuanma-98@hotmail.com
Juan,
Geeks & Books
I enjoyed the first book and this one sounds just as great. Thanks for the giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteGFC follower Myra C
myra0502 at yahoo dot com
Intriguing. Please enter me in the giveaway. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGreat review. Love the boy on the cover! =)
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I would love to read this book. Please add me to the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI loved all the action in Crusade and if you say there is even more in Damned, I will definitely be reading it.
ReplyDeleteTweet: http://twitter.com/Emma015/status/98477342917275648
findjessyhere at gmail dot com
i loved Crusade and as many people are i'm really excited for the book Damned
ReplyDeleteplease add me to the give-away ;-)
crisam.bubbles@gmail.com
Great review.I can't wait to read this now.
ReplyDeleteGreat review!I'm dying to find out what happens next!
ReplyDeleteOOooohhh, sounds exciting!! Thanks for posting this!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds really good, thanks for the excellent review.
ReplyDeletefaefever25(at)hotmail(dot)com
Cannot wait to read this book!!! Big fan of Debbie Viguie and Nancy Holder.
ReplyDeletevivianmah8@hotmail.com
Cannot wait to read this book!!! Big fan of Debbie Viguie and Nancy Holder.
ReplyDeletevivianmah8@hotmail.com
Great review! I can't wait to read this one!
ReplyDeleteI tweeeted!
http://twitter.com/#!/Ruby95660/status/98933354019291137
ruby95660[at]yahoo[dot]com
i have heard alot of great thing about this! Can't wait to read it
ReplyDeleteKatie <3
I'm really looking forward to reading this, it was my Wow pick a few weeks ago. thank you for the contest!
ReplyDeleteinthehammockblog at gmail dot com
i tweeted here:
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/#!/in_the_hammock/status/99210960430047233
inthehammockblog at gmail dot com
Cannot wait for this book! I love reading anything that Nancy and Debbie write. I love them! I enjoyed reading your review. It was awesome! :)
ReplyDeletelivingsun211@yahoo.com
Sounds very good, a must read :)
ReplyDeletelove these books! they are amazing and this book im so excited to read it!
ReplyDeleteI have first book at home but I didn´t read it yet. Anyway I sure would like to read this book too :) Thank you for this review!
ReplyDeletetweet: http://twitter.com/#!/JanaRathouska/status/99821930714120192
Rathouska(dot)jana(at)gmail(dot)com
Great review! I'm looking forward to this series even more now :-)
ReplyDeletesafaripoet@live.com
I really reaaaally like action packed books!
ReplyDeleteso this is so my cup of tea!
Never have I ever seen the cover of this book, but now I'm in love with it! <3
lovebug[dot]mel[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks for the review! It is on my TBR list but reading your comments make me want to bump it up to my next read.
ReplyDeleteclderwee at gmail dot com
This book seems so good! Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI twitted: http://twitter.com/#!/CrisRaquelPT/status/100139036877922304
cristiana_ribeiro94(at)hotmail(dot)com
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great review thanks for sharing I can't wait to read this one!
ReplyDeleteThanks again :)
tishajean@ charter.net
How did I miss this series? It looks great! Adding to my to-be-read list right now. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteSounds amazing! I have to get it! Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an intense read -- a great summer read I figure. Thanks for the chance to win
ReplyDeleteAh! I can't wait to read Damned!!! Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteTweeted the amazing giveaway!
https://twitter.com/#!/unpredictable51/status/102246962262323200
orchdork5@yahoo.com
thanks for the giveaway!!! XD
ReplyDeletetirnanog77@gmail.com
I haven´t read the first book, but I like your review of Crusade. So I want to win Damned.
ReplyDeleteTwetted:http://twitter.com/#!/Adrianaec7/status/108034671924887552
adriana.ec@gmail.com
Thanks ;D
I really loved the first book. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the second. Looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a good book, if I had more time in the day I would consider reading it.
ReplyDeleteIf you get a chance, you should definitely give it a shot! This is the second book in the series, so make sure you start with Crusade
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