Review: (RAW Rating: 4.5) - Growing Up Neteru Style
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 7, 2011
WHEW! Where do I begin?  Regardless of the many victories with the Huntress Series, readers have learned evil is ever present.  With this latest addition Banks brings drama, on a different plane with a fresh twist.  In the last book, The Thirteenth, the Neteru Guardians prematurely brought on the Armageddon, which permanently damaged the veil, unleashed plagues, and created all manner of demons.  Carlos sequestered the team high in the Appalachian Mountains and Neteru Compound siblings, seven in all, were born during that same season, the same year, except one, Ayana; she was four years old at the time. It is almost sixteen years later and the time has come for the fifteen year olds to enter The Academy and begin training for their destinies; after all, they will most likely lead the new millennium of Guardians.The teenagers have inherited limitless talents from their parents, and have been tested, classified, and assigned to their dedicated areas. Carlos is tripping most, because he does not want to let his offspring, twins Sarah and Alejandro, leave home.  He has committed a clandestine act which could come back to haunt him. The 'Net-Compound' kids have never experienced anything or any body outside of their compound style living, and as typical teenagers they are excited and apprehensive about leaving home.  But, the adults are  nervous; something is amiss at the academy. Two students are dead and at least five are missing, one of which is Ayana. The freshman students are barely in class before curiosity, jealousy and mayhem create almost insurmountable dangers.  They must battle refugees amongst both the human and supernatural populations.  Sarah Rivera, thought to be the most logical and the most timid of the group, begins to realize her powers and the danger that parallels it.Banks again goes to her creative bank to bring a series that offers celestial hierarchy, teenage morality, the power of prayer, and a hip street philosophy. SHADOW WALKER lets us know the fight is not over, and the team needs new soldiers.  Readers will be suspended as the teenagers, along with everything else they must learn, struggle to overcome typical adolescent drama.  The series is still ingenious, inventive, and multi-dimensional.  Banks has clearly set the stage, for another adventurous, awe-inspiring ride.  One particular declaration had me pumping my fist.  For newbies to the Huntress series, Banks has supplied a glossary of need-to-know information.Reviewed by aNNof The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers