Helpful Score: 6
I think this is my favorite in the Demonica series (at least so far)! I was disappointed with Wraith's story, for which I thought the plot and characterization were not as tight as the previous stories, so I was a little worried about starting Lore's story so quickly on the heals of that disappointment. Thankfully, what was lacking in the third Demonica book was not in the fourth. The plot was intricate, the bad guys were actually bad and not easily overpowered, and I loved the romance between Lore and Idess.
A lot of the previous reviews have panned what they consider the lack of building chemistry between Lore and Idess. I actually couldn't disagree more. For as dark as Larissa Ione can write, she's a master at romance. Normally I do dislike stories in which the characters miraculously fall in love after a few days together and some great sex, so I am all the more appreciative when it is done right. I think there was just the right amount of chemistry buildup and I have no problem believing that Lore and Idess are destined for each other. All I can say is that if Ione can get my normally super-picky and critical brain to believe in this fast courtship, then it is to her testament as a fabulous writer who can evoke great passion, world-building, and characterization in a short span of time and pages.
She is also a fantastic mystery/fantasy writer and those expecting a simple romance that just happens to be set in a world of demons are going to be sadly disappointed. Ione fabulously draws on threads from earlier stories and expertly wraps them up. One of the reasons I liked this story so well is that if you chucked out the sex scenes it would have been a great standalone fantasy novel. Yes I figured out some of the mysteries before they were revealed but I was just thrilled to read not only a great romance but a great plot as well. I do not expect such adept twists and turns from most romance novels.
I am also now very much anticipating Lore's sister, Sin's upcoming story. She was an entertaining and heartbreaking, strong yet vulnerable, character whose romance with the vamp/werewolf Conal promises to be a combustive and thrilling ride. I'm so glad I'm excited about the series again.
My only warning though is that you cannot read this story out of context with the other Demonica novels. But, really, it shouldn't be that much of a hardship to read the series in order. It's really quite good.
A lot of the previous reviews have panned what they consider the lack of building chemistry between Lore and Idess. I actually couldn't disagree more. For as dark as Larissa Ione can write, she's a master at romance. Normally I do dislike stories in which the characters miraculously fall in love after a few days together and some great sex, so I am all the more appreciative when it is done right. I think there was just the right amount of chemistry buildup and I have no problem believing that Lore and Idess are destined for each other. All I can say is that if Ione can get my normally super-picky and critical brain to believe in this fast courtship, then it is to her testament as a fabulous writer who can evoke great passion, world-building, and characterization in a short span of time and pages.
She is also a fantastic mystery/fantasy writer and those expecting a simple romance that just happens to be set in a world of demons are going to be sadly disappointed. Ione fabulously draws on threads from earlier stories and expertly wraps them up. One of the reasons I liked this story so well is that if you chucked out the sex scenes it would have been a great standalone fantasy novel. Yes I figured out some of the mysteries before they were revealed but I was just thrilled to read not only a great romance but a great plot as well. I do not expect such adept twists and turns from most romance novels.
I am also now very much anticipating Lore's sister, Sin's upcoming story. She was an entertaining and heartbreaking, strong yet vulnerable, character whose romance with the vamp/werewolf Conal promises to be a combustive and thrilling ride. I'm so glad I'm excited about the series again.
My only warning though is that you cannot read this story out of context with the other Demonica novels. But, really, it shouldn't be that much of a hardship to read the series in order. It's really quite good.
Helpful Score: 3
Bursting cover-to-cover with action, love, romance, family drama, danger, suspense, and sex.
I think this is my second favorite of the series, after the first book and the story of Eidalon & Tayla. What really impressed me in this particular book was the extensive thought that Larissa Ione given to the backstory of the Demonica world. The mythology is extremely detailed and the layers of demon and angel society, their language, the customs and rituals - it is really well thought out. She could tell the same story without the details, but then it would be just another paranormal romance. Even the way she has woven the need for sex into the fundamental rules of this world - she makes it seems less gratuitous and more like it is really necessary.
4 stars
I think this is my second favorite of the series, after the first book and the story of Eidalon & Tayla. What really impressed me in this particular book was the extensive thought that Larissa Ione given to the backstory of the Demonica world. The mythology is extremely detailed and the layers of demon and angel society, their language, the customs and rituals - it is really well thought out. She could tell the same story without the details, but then it would be just another paranormal romance. Even the way she has woven the need for sex into the fundamental rules of this world - she makes it seems less gratuitous and more like it is really necessary.
4 stars
Helpful Score: 1
I liked this book, not as well as the 3rd book though. The story of Lore the halfbreed Sem and the Idess the angel in training.
I first must admit that I was disappointed that Lore and Gem didn't get together but once I read this story these two are more compatible.
The assassin and the angel - good vs bad.
Without giving too much of the story away, I do like the new character introduced - the delicious paramedic Conall.
Larissa put a lot of history of the heaven vs hell and what it means to be on earth, and what is required in each realm of those who are staying.
Sin is also introduced, the sister of Lore and the other Sim brothers. I loved the "Smurfette" reference. Especially since Sin is so sassy - very appropriate.
I first must admit that I was disappointed that Lore and Gem didn't get together but once I read this story these two are more compatible.
The assassin and the angel - good vs bad.
Without giving too much of the story away, I do like the new character introduced - the delicious paramedic Conall.
Larissa put a lot of history of the heaven vs hell and what it means to be on earth, and what is required in each realm of those who are staying.
Sin is also introduced, the sister of Lore and the other Sim brothers. I loved the "Smurfette" reference. Especially since Sin is so sassy - very appropriate.
Lore is a seminus demon, brother to the heroes in Pleasure Unbound, Desire Unchained, Passion Unleashed. He's a deadly assassin and he only needs one more kill to be free of his master. His master has withheld that last job for years, but Lore is about to get his wish. He must assassinate Kynan Morgan, the human whom Lore brought back to life in Passion Unleashed. If he doesn't, his master will kill Lore's sister, Sin.
Idess is an earthbound angel who is sworn to protect Kynan Morgan. His amulet provides the protection of immortality and many demons and otherworldlies would kill to own it. But when Kynan's life is in jeopardy, Idess will do anything to protect him. But when an old adversary rises again bent on vengeance and destruction, Lore and Idess must join forces if they hope to win this war.
Full of sizzling passion, and alpha characters will leave you on the edge of your seat. Hot! Hot! Hot! Larissa Ione doesn't disappoint, her writing just gets better and better. I look forward to seeing what she has in store for us next!
Idess is an earthbound angel who is sworn to protect Kynan Morgan. His amulet provides the protection of immortality and many demons and otherworldlies would kill to own it. But when Kynan's life is in jeopardy, Idess will do anything to protect him. But when an old adversary rises again bent on vengeance and destruction, Lore and Idess must join forces if they hope to win this war.
Full of sizzling passion, and alpha characters will leave you on the edge of your seat. Hot! Hot! Hot! Larissa Ione doesn't disappoint, her writing just gets better and better. I look forward to seeing what she has in store for us next!
Lore is a demon assassin, tied to his master until he makes his 100th kill. Forced into completing his task because his sister's life is on the line, Lore learns that his target is Kynan, the human whose life he restored just days ago. But Kynan is being protected by Idess, an earthbound angel who will use any means necessary to keep Kynan alive. As Lore and Idess square off against each other, they are not only battling over Kynan's life, but over their attraction to each other.
This series just gets better and better. In this book there is action, mythology, good romance and a great plot. Lore is a complex character and a great addition to the series. I also enjoyed meeting Lore's twin sister, Sin, and look forward to her book. My rating: 5 Stars.
This series just gets better and better. In this book there is action, mythology, good romance and a great plot. Lore is a complex character and a great addition to the series. I also enjoyed meeting Lore's twin sister, Sin, and look forward to her book. My rating: 5 Stars.
If you haven't read the first 3 books, you probably will have no idea what is going on. Roag has returned to torment his brothers in a whole new way, using someone from Idess' past to put his plan in motion. Nothing is what it seems. But Lore must do the unthinkable to save his sister, envoking the wrath of his brothers. Along the way Lore realizes that Idess is the only person he can truly touch because of his power. It's not my favorite of the series, alot happens in this book, but it is a great book and moves the series along and you meet new characters. Lore's sister is next in the series, and from the synopsis i can't wait to read her story!
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I loved this book. What an amazing series! It keeps getting better and better. Now we have demons, angels, vampires, werewolves and even the grim reaper. I loved Lore and Idess's story. What a terrible brutal life he's been subjected to all in the name of love. For someone who thinks he's such a bad person, he's always thinking of someone else - Sin, Idess and even his brothers, Shade, Eidolon and Wraith. He is truly a spectacular hero who finally gets his HEA. And poor Idess, even being an angel-in-training hasn't given her the perfect life. They are truly made for each other and the sparks fly while they figure that out. A wonderful book with action from the first page all the way until the last.
This is the fourth book in the Demonica series, of which I am a fan. If you haven't yet been introduced to them I'd strongly recommend starting with book one, Pleasure Unbound. The series follows a group of demon brothers who run a hospital for other demons and mythical creatures. They are Seminus demons, who are very sexually driven and recquire a mate upon reaching a certain age in order to retain their sanity. The style has some similarity to books by J.R. Ward, Kresley Cole, and Gena Showalter--dark and violent but with strong undertones of romance and humor.
This particular book centers around long lost brother, Lore, who is half human. He works as an enslaved assasin and has been commanded to kill Kynan, a human who is very close to the rest of the demon family (as established in previous books). The consequences for failure would include the death of his beloved twin sister, Sin. Iness is essentially Kynan's gaurdian angel, and she's trying to earn her way into heaven by keeping him safe--which of course means stopping Lore at all costs. Things become complicated when Iness and Lore find themselves attracted to one another, to the point where Lore wants her as his mate. All the while Lore's brothers are struggling to hold their hospital together through a variety of disasters, and loyalties are divided between Kynan and Lore.
I loved a lot of the ideas in this book, from the glimses of hell and the assasine underworld to the mythology and culture of the angels. The use of these and the images they present make the book compelling. I generally liked Lore and Iness as a couple, though I felt their romance lacked build-up of chemistry which couples in the previous books had in spades. The author also does a fairly good job at presenting compelling secondary and returning characters without distracting from the central couple.
On the negative end, the plot was a bit disconjointed. It's fast paced and there's plenty of action, but we rarely get much exlpanation about whats going on. It goes from plot device to plot device without any concern for what the "rules" are in this world, why things are the way they are, and how or why characters perform certain actions. But what bothered me was that there's so much build up about how various people are under angelic protection, apparently because they have important world changing tasks to perform. We therefore expect to see this resolved, i.e. discover why they person is so important. But it's not resolved. Plot holes like this are designed to sell the next books, but they frustrate readers like myself who like to feel like they've read a complete story when a book ends.
Overall, if you liked the previous books in the Demonica series this one is worth the read. If you haven't tried them yet and you're a fan of dark paranormal romance I'd recommend them.
This particular book centers around long lost brother, Lore, who is half human. He works as an enslaved assasin and has been commanded to kill Kynan, a human who is very close to the rest of the demon family (as established in previous books). The consequences for failure would include the death of his beloved twin sister, Sin. Iness is essentially Kynan's gaurdian angel, and she's trying to earn her way into heaven by keeping him safe--which of course means stopping Lore at all costs. Things become complicated when Iness and Lore find themselves attracted to one another, to the point where Lore wants her as his mate. All the while Lore's brothers are struggling to hold their hospital together through a variety of disasters, and loyalties are divided between Kynan and Lore.
I loved a lot of the ideas in this book, from the glimses of hell and the assasine underworld to the mythology and culture of the angels. The use of these and the images they present make the book compelling. I generally liked Lore and Iness as a couple, though I felt their romance lacked build-up of chemistry which couples in the previous books had in spades. The author also does a fairly good job at presenting compelling secondary and returning characters without distracting from the central couple.
On the negative end, the plot was a bit disconjointed. It's fast paced and there's plenty of action, but we rarely get much exlpanation about whats going on. It goes from plot device to plot device without any concern for what the "rules" are in this world, why things are the way they are, and how or why characters perform certain actions. But what bothered me was that there's so much build up about how various people are under angelic protection, apparently because they have important world changing tasks to perform. We therefore expect to see this resolved, i.e. discover why they person is so important. But it's not resolved. Plot holes like this are designed to sell the next books, but they frustrate readers like myself who like to feel like they've read a complete story when a book ends.
Overall, if you liked the previous books in the Demonica series this one is worth the read. If you haven't tried them yet and you're a fan of dark paranormal romance I'd recommend them.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book!!! This books was amazing as is the entire Demonica series. Finished it in one day, couldn't put it down. It has everything: hot steamy romance, danger, adventure and suspence. Loved it!
I loved this book. It has been a little while since I've read a paranormal romance and it was great. There were times when I was sitting on the edge of my seat to see what would happen next. The love story was great.
Love this series
Larissa Ione is another of my favs!
I LOVE the Demonica series. Unique storyline and strong character development. Oh and the demons are fecking HAWT!!!
I was browsing the bookstore when this cover caught my eye. I read the back of it and figured I'd give it a try. I wish I would have known it was part of a series first. Unfortunately this book does not stand on its own well at all. There were so many characters running around that I was irritated. I found Lore's newly discovered brothers especially irritating. I suppose if I had read their books first I would have had some investment in them and might have been glad to read about them again. Obviously that wasn't the case with me.
Lore can kill with a touch (even inadvertently) which makes it very awkward for him to have the sex that he needs to keep his rage down. He's also bound to Deth as an assassin until he completes his 100th kill. His last kill is assigned to him and this time he isn't given the option to say no. Deth also gives him a time limit that he has to complete his last kill by or his sister, Sin, will die. Needless to say he's determined to kill the guy even though it will put him at odds with his brothers.
While trying to take out his target he comes into contact with Idess. She's basically an angel-in-waiting and guards people who have an important destiny until she finally makes it to heaven. One of the people that Idess is assigned to guard is the very same person that Lore has to kill. Idess and Lore have several confrontations until Idess gets the upper hand. Unfortunately for Idess another one of the people she has to protect is in danger too. She ends up very busy trying to keep all of her charges safe.
Idess and Lore seem to have good chemistry together. There's nice sexual tension between them and their dialogue together is amusing. I think if more time had been spent on developing them and their relationship I would have been happier. I could never forget that they had known each other a matter of days when they were overcome with love. There was way too much page time devoted to other characters and it definitely impacted the believability of the main character's romance for me.
The type of book this was and tone of it really reminded me of Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series. I think if you enjoy those books you might like these ones too. I'd definitely recommend starting with the first one though.
I don't think I'll read any more in this series. I'm mildly interested in Sin's story but I think I would be just as lost to all the previous book references in that one as I was in this one. It really pulls you out of the story when you're constantly wondering what everyone is talking about.
Lore can kill with a touch (even inadvertently) which makes it very awkward for him to have the sex that he needs to keep his rage down. He's also bound to Deth as an assassin until he completes his 100th kill. His last kill is assigned to him and this time he isn't given the option to say no. Deth also gives him a time limit that he has to complete his last kill by or his sister, Sin, will die. Needless to say he's determined to kill the guy even though it will put him at odds with his brothers.
While trying to take out his target he comes into contact with Idess. She's basically an angel-in-waiting and guards people who have an important destiny until she finally makes it to heaven. One of the people that Idess is assigned to guard is the very same person that Lore has to kill. Idess and Lore have several confrontations until Idess gets the upper hand. Unfortunately for Idess another one of the people she has to protect is in danger too. She ends up very busy trying to keep all of her charges safe.
Idess and Lore seem to have good chemistry together. There's nice sexual tension between them and their dialogue together is amusing. I think if more time had been spent on developing them and their relationship I would have been happier. I could never forget that they had known each other a matter of days when they were overcome with love. There was way too much page time devoted to other characters and it definitely impacted the believability of the main character's romance for me.
The type of book this was and tone of it really reminded me of Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series. I think if you enjoy those books you might like these ones too. I'd definitely recommend starting with the first one though.
I don't think I'll read any more in this series. I'm mildly interested in Sin's story but I think I would be just as lost to all the previous book references in that one as I was in this one. It really pulls you out of the story when you're constantly wondering what everyone is talking about.
