Undead on Arrival (Crimson Moon, Book 3)

The only thing I hated about this book is that it ended! I was simply held hostage by this captivating story and as I read from page to page, I just couldn't put it down! LA Banks has out done herself with this one. Four weeks have passed since the Shadow-wolves and Werewolves had their triumph over the vampires at the UCE gathering. But we all know vampires right? They aren't going down without a fight; and they fight as dirty as they come. Sasha, Hunter and Shogun are caught up in a sizzling love triangle that threatens to be the catalyst, which severs the thread-thin truce between the warring werewolves and shadow-wolves. The admirable Fae have been backed into a corner and force to pick their allegiance. Who will they choose; the ever-present cunning and devious vampires or the vulnerable and volatile weres? A demon-infected werewolf is running rampant in New Orleans and cannibalizing humans with all evidence leading straight to Hunter. Time is running out as the supernatural authorities close in on Hunter. With the vampires hell-bent on his execution, Sasha makes the ultimate sacrifice for her mate and does anything she deems necessary in order to find a cure for Hunter. A lot of secrets have been revealed but sorry folks, no spoilers here.(aww) LA Banks did a great job of weaving together an intricate web of numerous plots, twist and turns. There is a lot of suspense and action, along with a few hot sex scenes and lots of torturous sexual tension. I highly recommend this book and the rest of the series (Bad Blood & Bite the Bullet) and look forward to Cursed to Death due out 9/29/09. I also recommend: Second Skin (Nocturne City, Book 3) Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, Book 3) Bone Crossed (Mercy Thompson, Book 4) Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane) At Grave's End (Night Huntress, Book 3)

The unprecedented alliance between the Federation of Werewolves and Shadow Wolf Clans is under covert attack as plots and schemes abound in Banks' third foray into her supernatural Crimson Moon world. The fall out caused by those working behind the scenes for their own political purpose may cost the alphas of the combined wolf shifter coalition: Hunter, Shogun, Sasha - and perhaps the rest of their kind as well - their lives. And on a more personal note - heroine/shifter/soldier Sasha's life has always been `duty first', but now she's bending the rules and hoping that she won't have to put a bullet through her Shadow wolf mate Hunter's brain. As Hunter becomes more violent and primal and it looks like this time he will lose his battle with the demon virus which threatens to turn him into a flesh eating monster. Though Sasha has made her choice to stick with Hunter, the attraction still sizzles between Sasha and Werewolf leader Shogun, and Shogun is not about to give up his pursuit even as he lends his support to Sasha in her attempt to find a cure for Hunter. Those seeking to bring Hunter and Sasha down will manipulate that attraction and Shogun will pay the price. First of all Undead on Arrival is not a stand alone story, part of the emotional power of the book comes from knowing Hunter which gives his degeneration and Sasha's own ethical struggle more of an impact. And Banks really relies on the world building and development of her supporting cast from previous books, so parts of the story will probably be a bit confusing if you are coming into the Crimson Moon series cold. But being a fan of the series (and shape shifters in general), I really enjoyed Undead on Arrival. Sasha is just as great as she has been in previous books - she is sexy, tough and smart - Sasha's a first class heroine. And there is good chemistry between Sasha and both of the wolves vying for her affection. Not mention that they are terrific too - Hunter and Shogun are both noble and honorable and hot- and it is heartbreaking to watch as their honor is stolen from them by the disease that is the bane of those with Werewolf blood. I also enjoyed all the plots and schemes and the way that Sasha manages to yet again pull victory from the jaws of defeat with a little elvish help. And this book is definitely a pivotal one in the series with lots of secrets coming to light and events which seem to set up for an all out war between the vamps and the wolves. My only nit with the story is that there a few extraneous threads which really don't add much to the story. And as much as I like the idea of Sasha's team - and this is especially true for Sasha's wolf familiars Woods and Fisher - they are never really are given much to do.

Finally!! Shogun gets a litttle lovin' in this installment - albeit through his shadow, but hey I'm sure he doesn't mind HOW he received it as long as he did! I know I'm probably in the minority, but I prefer him over Hunter. I think it's because Shogun was introduced before Hunter in Book 1 and then there's the crazy, red-hot chemistry between Shogun & Sasha. I can't wait to find out what happpens in the next book.

Undead on Arrival is the third installment in the Crimson Moon Series. Max Hunter is infected. Can Sasha find a cure before he goes past the point of no return? And what will she do about the undeniable attraction to Shogun? Will Sasha put aside Hunter and all they mean to one aonther, or will she give in to the sizzling passion she feels whenever she's in Shogun's presence? People are dying and it seems as if Max Hunter has gone too far. Is it Max, or is someone trying to start a war between the Shadow Wolves and Werewolves that would cause an irreparable rift in the peace sought after by Sasha, Max ,and Shogun? As delicate political ties become unraveled, Sasha will be forced to either find out who's responsible, or if it is indeed Max killing innocent people, she will be forced to tear out a piece of her heart and put a silver bullet between the eyes of her life mate. Readers will have to make the literary journey to find out what surprises L.A. Banks has in store for us in this sexy page turner.

The United Council of Entities exiled the vampires from their position of power and brokered a peace between the Weres who change only at the full moon and the Shadow clans who change at will. US Military squad leader of the Paranormal Containment Unit shadow wolf Sasha Trudeau, her team, and her mate Max Hunter were involved at the conference, but Hunter is now in a bad way and it seems the pair is heading for an unhappy ending as Max is demon infested and a double dose of anti-toxins is not working. Any moment he can turn violent and eat humans. Shadow wolves are supposed to have a natural immunity to the demonization, but his antibody system is failing to produce the antitoxin. Afraid to make love and even more fearful of hurting his beloved, Max disappears. Soon afterward, a human is found half eaten with the evidence pointing to Max as the killer. Sasha refuses to believe that her Max would kill, but her efforts to prove otherwise are thwarted by other wolves. UNDEAD ON ARRIVAL is L.A. Banks at her best, which is claiming a lot as the author's urban fantasies are always exciting and refreshingly unique. The story line continues to build up on Crimson Moon world (see BITE THE BULLET and BAD BLOOD) especially the political intrigue and backstabbing within and between species. Although the plot is somewhat more complex than usual, fans will enjoy the character driven entry as lethal mysteries abound throughout. Harriet Klausner