The Major Themes In The Neteru Academy
Novels
A Note from the Author,
What’s this series really all about?
Thank you all so much for sharing the love and supporting this series! While the
foundation of the parents’ story is told in The Vampire Huntress Legend Series,
which is about the struggle of good against evil, it’s really all about love… the love
of humanity, the love of family and the human family, loving the world enough to
have a commitment to something greater than oneself… and, of course, the love
between a man and a woman. If you think about it in that context, isn’t love the
greatest way to defeat evil? That’s how Damali & Carlos Rivera conquer their
worst foes and fears every time… their love is unbreakable, as is their love for
their family and the world. In the process, they also learn to love themselves and
each other better.
With that said, in the Neteru Academy Novels, all of the children of the famed
parents from The Vampire Huntress Legends are now in high school, and must
also learn to love themselves, learn how to care abut something bigger than their
own personal concerns, and have to make decisions about what is truly
important—what people think about them or ultimately doing the right thing?
In Shadow Walker, book #1 of the series, we’ll watch each character struggle with
their own inner demons, their own personal problems, and their own personal
woes, but gradually grow to embrace a higher calling. In that regard, we will see
them mature in each book, occasionally relapse (because they aren’t perfect), but
always end up stronger for their experiences. Their path is imperfect, but the
Light within them always prevails.
My hope is that a quiet truth will resonate within all who read these series, and
that each of you will come away with the quiet messages embedded in each page,
each interaction, and each scene. For me, this is truly a labor of love! Thank you
for allowing me to share it and my vision with you.
Stay in the Light…
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--L.A. Banks!
Major Themes Underlying The Saga…
• The intrinsic value of the individual – each life can make a difference.
Every soul matters.
• The importance of life, parenthood, and creating life when one is ready for
the responsibility (and not before then.)
• The serious nature of lyrics, words, and messages in all forms of
entertainment (particularly music).
• The relevance of history, and the perspective of elders as guides for
growth. Hence the Sankofa bird as an image and tattoo in the VHL series -
- “Reach back and fetch it.”
• The exploration of the spiritual versus only considering the material world.
• Cause and effect: understanding that every choice and action bears
consequences.
• The power of young women and men to reset the bar and standards,
defining their choices based upon integrity.
• The coming together of people, regardless of race or religious preferences,
to uphold worthy causes… to function as a world family.
• Once you gain knowledge and “know,” (or awaken), you can never go back
to acting like you don’t know… knowledge is forever transformative,
therefore is powerful. The journey itself is part of the quest, as it brings
with it transformative experiences, hence is the genesis of knowledge. This
is why we see the main characters go through “so many changes.”
• Nothing is impossible as long as you keep hope (and The Light) alive
within you!
• Answering the call to a gift or positive life purpose through preparedness.
Many are called, few are chosen, and even fewer respond to the call.
Rather than delineate these lofty concepts within heavy literature or non-fiction
texts, I’ve instead tried to illustrate these themes in fiction metaphors through
the characters in the series. My goal was to meet people where ever they were on
their own personal journey, to tell the story in accessible, everyday language, and
to create an urban legend that entertains and teaches, thus opens the dialogue
about images, stereotypes, and major societal issues—while allowing readers to
also have fun.
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I leave you on that note to think about all of this… and I haven’t even begun to
scratch the surface of what all that lies within the full breadth of both series…
Enjoy and Stay in The Light!
World Peace, World Love… L.A. Banks!
www.NeteruAcademy.com
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