Larissa Ione - Azagoth

He holds the ability to annihilate souls in the palm of his hand. He commands the respect of the most dangerous of demons and the most powerful of angels. He can seduce and dominate any female he wants with a mere look. But for all Azagoth’s power, he’s bound by shackles of his own making, and only an angel with a secret holds the key to his release.
She’s an angel with the extraordinary ability to travel through time and space. An angel with a tormented past she can’t escape. And when Lilliana is sent to Azagoth’s underworld realm, she finds that her past isn’t all she can’t escape. For the irresistibly sexy fallen angel known as Azagoth is also known as the Grim Reaper, and when he claims a soul, it’s forever…

Comment: I've had this novella to read for who knows how long.... I've read the Demonica series by the author and some of the other connected series, and that is why this one was in the TBR list. I no longer remember many details, but when certain references were done, I could kind of keep some things in mind. Nevertheless, this would have probably meant more to me if I had read it closer to the time I've read the other books...

In this short story Azagoth is the ruler of Sheol-gra, an underworld place for many beings, including demons, and a place where most people would not want to be, much less angels. Azagoth, formerly known as Azazel, feel from grace voluntarily but felt he was betrayed and for centuries had to service angels, being the father of Memitim. Now, Azagoth is tired and lonely and wants a mate, thus refusing to continue to help Heaven unless he can stop being a stud and can have a mate. 

That is how Liliana is sent to him, obviously as a punishment, but she is also going with a secret mission: to rescue an artifact for Heaven. The problem is that she wasn't counting on liking Azagoth despite his fame, and what will she do when she realizes she likes being with him...

This is a novella, which means it's easy and quick to read it. It is, as expected, heavily connected with the main series and I think a new reader probably would feel lost. Also, in the same vein, there are some references that work on their own but have an extra meaning if one had read the previous books.

This said, I found the story to be pretty basic and easy, if one considers the other books and the world building. Like I said, there is a lot I no longer remember, but just some sentences or references were enough to remind me of this and that, and that can be enough to "support", let's say, having an understanding of what is going on. As for seeing this novella as complete piece of work... I'd say the same issue applies to most novella sized stories: not enough pages for a full development.

Despite that, for fans or for those who are reading the series in order, it probably works out well enough. I think that, for me, this made sense because it does assume a little that a reader knows about the world building and there is enough content explaining the plot, but I would not say it was as well accomplished as it could. The story is pretty basic precisely because it infers readers have knowledge, and Liliana and Azagoth have a very quick romance progression. I mean, I could debate that this is PNR and some "fated mates" vibe can be found (kind of), but there isn't much to it, no.

Azagoth wants to rest, wants to have someone to be with him after so long doing something for duty. I think his personality and attitude were presented in a way that there was no doubt he was supposed to be seen as a "good guy", even bearing in mind shady stuff. I think his connection to Liliana was too much about attraction (obviously!), but the author did manage to convey the idea they were a good match in other levels and I liked how the surroundings improved the more their shared emotions and feelings.

Liliana is a new character, if I remember correctly, and we are given more about her too quickly to justify her character and so on, and I got the feeling she wasn't as developed. She is a good angel and all that but - another expectation repetitively met - there's a misunderstanding, a conflict between them and also, a bit later, a reconciliation. This romance tactic might be proven right and accepted in countless romance novels but sometimes things do feel a little exaggerated. I thought an honest conversation could have been a fresh take on things instead...

Overall, this made enough sense, in the big scheme of things, and it was certainly nice to think about those characters again, about their world and it did make me want to revisit my favorite scenes, but I don't think it was truly ground breaking, plot wise.

Grade: 7/10

Larissa Ione - Base Instincts

As a Seminus demon, Raze’s life literally depends on having sex with females. The problem is that he doesn’t desire females, and it’s physically impossible for him to be with males. Thankfully, he and his best friend, Fayle, have an arrangement that keeps him alive . . . if lonely. He finds some solace in his work as a medic at Thirst, a vampire club known for its rough clientele. But his carefully structured world turns upside down when he meets a mysterious male who makes him want what he can never have.
Slake is an assassin used to getting what he wants, and what he wants is Raze. But he also wants to earn back the soul he sold when he was a much different demon. All he has to do is capture a runaway succubus named Fayle and hand her over to her family. What he doesn’t count on is being caught himself by a web of lies—and his attraction to Raze.
Raze and Slake must navigate a dangerous world to be together. But as Fayle’s jealousy of their relationship turns deadly, they find themselves embroiled in a battle not only for their love, but their lives and souls.

Comment: Just a short comment on a short story. This is a novella in the Demonica world, a series many readers have loved and still do.

In this story we meet Raze, an incubus demon who has a partner, Fayle, who helps him during his sexual needs and he helps her in return but one day Slake, another demon, shows up suddenly and although Raze doesn't have an idea why, he immediately feels attracted to him. Raze nothing will come out of it because incubus demons need a female sexual partner otherwise there will be pain. But when things get weird and difficult because Fayle wants to disappear but Raze has found friends and a god job and apparently Slake. But what would happen when Raze realizes Slake is not who he says he is?

I liked this story simply by the original pairing. It's the first m/m pairing with protagonist status in the series and it was great to see a different way of doing things, at least in the romance department.

It was great too to be able to see how characters we liked knowing about before were here giving a helping hand or being key to solve certain situations. Everyone feels like family and that's probably one of the best things about the series.

The plot isn't too far from things we've seen, Slake is looking for Fayle because it's part of his job in an attempt to finish a contract that will give him his soul back but then he falls in love with Raze and realizes he's more important. Raze himself also has some things to confess and at a time where he never thought things could go well for him, Slake is able to help and that changes everything. I thought it genius how Slake and raze were able to be a couple in all ways. That is the real surprise in the book and it suited all the things necessary. Quite the ingenious twist.

I was happy with the ways this happened. A full boom wouldn't have been bad, but I get the author's idea. Still, a great novella and a great way to "solve" some secondary character's situations.

Grade: 8/10

Larissa Ione - Revenant

For five thousand years, Revenant believed he was alone in the world, a fallen angel beyond any redemption. Now he finds he has a twin brother who had all the light and love Revenant was denied. Caught in a tug of war between Heaven and Hell, he must weigh his thirst for revenge against his desire for a mysterious female named Blaspheme—a female whose very origins could deliver him into salvation . . . or destruction.
Blaspheme has a deadly secret: she's the forbidden offspring of an angel and a fallen angel. Hunted by both heavenly and satanic forces, she has survived only by laying low and trusting no one. When Revenant claims he can save them both, how can she possibly believe him? But the powerful angel is persistence incarnate and for Blaspheme, there's no place she can hide in Heaven or Hell where he won't find her...

Comment: I've had this book to read for more than a year. At the time I meant to read it quickly, as I usually try with recently published books from series I follow, but things happened and, among others, it got stuck in the pile.

Now, I finally remembered I still had to read it and voilá.

This is the most recent book in the Demonica series, that has brought fame to the author.

In this book we keep following the adventures of the group of characters we've met since book #1. In a way, this is sequence of narratives, all entered around the same bigger plot and I strongly advice readers to read in order, as many things might not make sense otherwise.

This book is the conclusion of all the issues on the table and there's a special focus on Revenant, someone whose importance in the story was revealed in the previous book and that now finally has his HEA.

Revenant is an angry angel, who recently found out the truth about his origin and life but he can't seem to accept how his life changed and how he should behave, he feels isolated and afraid and the only person that, apparently, understands him is Blaspheme, a False Angel he met and felt attracted to. But now that the villains are closer to gain the upper hand, can Revenant join forces with the good guys or will he seal his fate with the villains?

I liked this story. I think the author did a good job to finish this sort of arc to a satisfying conclusion and happiness of the characters we grow to like and care about.

Also good was how things were done, because after more than one year passing since I've read a book set in this "world", I could jump in right away without confusion.

This book has a very obvious theme: sometimes the real us is what really matters and makes you feel always better than any disguise or false identity we show to others. Both Blaspheme and Revenant showed one side of their personality to everyone but deep down they had the morals, the conscience and the good in them. Sure, everything was twisted because of things in their pasts, but despite some bad actions or deeds, they were still good inside and more than seeing them work things out together - which was fine and contributed to their deserved HEA - it was seeing them come to terms with who they are that really made this book shine.

Revenant is a good character, one of those people with good and bad things but what really struck me as interesting was his fears and how his attitude revealed that. But he wanted no pity so I understand his behavior towards others. His tale closer to the end, about his mother was touching and I confess I cried... I think he deserved the good things that he gets in the end, especially the welcome to the family bonds. It was nice to see him happy in the end.

Blaspheme didn't strike me as so well developed; I liked her personality, her values of conduct and her actions and she was a special kind of character but something about her wasn't as defined as Revenant in the whole scheme of things.

This is the last of the series and it shows. Several secondary characters show up, we have a glimpse or some information about their lives and that's great, it gives us the idea of continuity, of well achieved goals and that happiness can exist for those we cherished for.

Apparently a new series (or sort of arc) will feature children of the beloved characters we've met. I'll be interested in seeing those characters again.

Hopefully, more good adventures will come to this well developed world, which, by the way, is half way to have an engaging and winning series.

Grade: 8/10

Larissa Ione - Bound by Night

Nicole Martin was only eight years old when the vampire slaves rose up in rebellion and killed her family. Now she devotes her life to finding a vaccine against vampirism, hoping to wipe out her memories—along with every bloodsucker on the planet. But there’s one thing she cannot destroy: her searing, undeniable attraction for the one man she should hate and fear the most . . .
A member of the renegade vampire MoonBound Clan, Riker is haunted by demons of his own. When he recognizes Nicole and remembers how her family enslaved his loved ones, his heart burns for vengeance. But when he kidnaps Nicole and holds her in a secret lair, his mortal enemy becomes his soul obsession, his greatest temptation, and, perhaps, his only salvation—a hot-blooded lover who could heal him with her touch . . . or bury him forever. 

Comment: I've bought this book not long after its release but as usual, always got busy with other things and it kind of was left forgotten for a while. I knew some friends liked it so I finally picked it and started reading.

This story is about a different world, where vampires exist and they have been slaves to humans for a long time until several rebellions happened. Nowadays humans and vampires are enemies for the most part, and in particular a company is the vampire's biggest enemy because it uses and kills vampires for science when it hides profitable and inhuman conditions and treatment of vampires.
Nicole Martin is the company's new director but she doesn't agree with the way things are done although she hates vampires for what they did to her family. One day she is kidnapped and that is starting point for her to see how things are in the vampires' side and how that will change her own life.

After years reading this author's successful and funny Demonica series, it was very difficult not to compare the style and the tone of the two worlds. I know it's different, there's no connection between them, but when one has so many pages read it's very hard not to compare, especially after finishing reading.
Of course, taste is personal and so is the way we see each story and how things happen in it, but after years of reading Demonica it was rather obvious this new world is darker, more serious and it has a certain vibe that leaves you in a different mood and creates another feeling after reading. I wouldn't say this is bad or good or whatever when comparing to Demonica, because what we can compare is the writing style and the success of the reading experience as the most obvious things. But in a way, by saying what we think about one or the other and making that relationship, is another way to talk about what we intend. So, in this case, for those who read Demonica, this new world takes more time to take us in and although still sexy, I don't think it had the same level of intensity about the intimacy the other series has, or at least it didn't look like it. I had the feeling things are more seriously done here or maybe is the way the characters were that gave that idea, there isn't much play or easy living in the story and that tone shapes things too.

The main characters seemed ok together, but obviously they had many obstacles to overcome, namely the way their pasts made them who and how they were. Their story was interesting enough because neither was silly or too much of a cliché. Of course there were things about them I'd have liked to change or to have been done differently, but overall, I liked the pace of their romance and how what they feared, how their experiences made them act like that but weren't a stop to happiness or for them to simply understand what they thought were weaknesses and tragedies could be tools to give them strength to be together eventually. The personal side of things was good, I think.

There are several secondary elements to give interest to this story. I felt everything was thought, structured even if cliché at some points. I'm curious to see what happens next to some characters although I must confess I'm not crazy with eagerness to read...with time it will be enough. 
I felt the goal was different here and the author wanted to show the same genre written by her could be understood differently by her readers and in that, she did it. Of course, one can say it's not fair to compare books or series, but despite being so, it's too easy to let it happen so...

As for this series I liked it, didn't loved it to pieces but will read more...eventually.
Grade: 6/10

Larissa Ione - Reaver

Reaver is an angel with a past, a record, and a less-than-heavenly attitude. Powerful enough to fight alongside the fiercest battle angels-and crazy enough to risk his wings on a one-way mission to hell-he's agreed to go where no angel has ever gone before...to steal the most seductive and dangerous prize of Satan himself.
Harvester is one of the Fallen, a once-heroic angel who sacrificed her wings to work as an undercover agent in hell. But now her cover has been blown, and she's been doomed to an eternity of agonizing torture. Even if Reaver can snatch her away from Satan's lair, even if they can fight their way out of the underworld's darkest depths, there is one thing Harvester can never escape-her newfound thirst for an angel's blood...

Comment: I'm a fan of the books by ms Ione. This was one of my auto buy books and from the moment when it arrived to the time I started it, not too long has gone. I knew some friends were already reading it and talking a lot about things in it, so I knew it would be intriguing an full of surprises. But to be honest I read these books almost as a comfort reading because we know what to expect and how things will turn out overall.

This is Reaver's story. he's been a well known character since the beginning of the whole Demonica world the author has created and we've leaned many things about him throughout the books.At this point, when his story is finally here, Reaver is an angel and he wants to rescue another angel from Sheoul because she helped him before without his knowledge and he wants to say thank you by bringing her back from there. While in that adventure, Reaver will interact with many characters and learn even more things about his mysterious past...

I liked the story well enough. I wasn't expecting to be very surprised because I kind of knew how it would end an the how in the way was also predictable even if I didn't know all the little details of the rescue mission. Still, many things were new by the end of the book and the author has inserted many clues about future plots and outcomes. 

The book itself was predictable like I said. Many characters had here a role with bigger impact and we got to learn things by association or related to what those characters said or did. The author does a god job in describing things and letting the readers see for themselves instead of making characters tell everything all the time. Of all those characters, some are apparently very important and will most likely have important roles in the future also. Of course, the action is fast and full of things we never thought could be enjoyable to read about.
The bad things happening to some characters are just too much and some descriptions are really awful but being this paranormal, we kind of manage to have a certain detachment from that because it's just too impossible to believe or imagine in reality. It adds flavor to the plots and the idea of good vs evil, but frankly, it's something easily put aside after reading.

The romance has a bit of lovers reunited vibe and I really don't care for this romance device but things were special enough here to make me forget that at times. The main couple's relationship was expected based on their interactions previously and in this book they seemed different, probably due to the circumstances of when they met; all this is explained in the book.

As usual, my favorite part was when we could see so many of the beloved characters of the series, their interactions, sometimes just glimpses of them in the background and if there's one thing this author does well is to create this feel of unity and family, of community among characters with traits that wouldn't make them humane, even when they're not human. I like this a lot.

In the end, a good story, all the elements needed to create and maintain a plot full of adventure and hot romance and clues about things to make us eager for more. Although it wasn't the surprise of year, it still had enough news to make the reader more than eager to keep reading.
Grade: 8/10

Louise Cooper / Larissa Ione

Chaos stalks the Realm of Order; the fate of a world hangs on one woman's life. In Conclave grave the Lords of Light will summon their God to battle. Adept of Chaos, sworn to the Law, the Master Tarod rides to confront his terrible destiny. This is the tale of his decision ..

*  *  * 

 

 Born of a match between good and evil, four siblings stand between hell's minions and everything they want to destroy. They are the Lords of Deliverance, and they have the power to ward off Doomsday . . . or let it ride . . .

Jillian Cardiff came to this remote mountain town to forget the demon attack that almost killed her. Instead, she rescues-and falls for-a gorgeous stranger who has no memory of anything other than his name. Handsome, charming, and protective, Reseph seems like the kind of man whom Jillian can trust. But with hints of a troubling history of his own, he's also the kind of man who can be very dangerous . . .

Reseph may not know why he mysteriously appeared in Jillian's life, but he knows he wants to stay. Yet when Jillian's neighbors are killed, and demon hunters arrive on the scene, Reseph fears that he's putting Jillian in danger. And once it's revealed that Reseph is also Pestilence, the Horseman responsible for ravaging the world, he and Jillian must face the greatest challenge of all: Can they forget the horrors of a chilling past to save the future they both desire?

Comment: Both these books are the conclusion of a series.

The Master is the last book in the Time Master trilogy. In this final book, Tarod and Cyllan meet again and they finally unleash Chaos and it's role in the world. Like in all things the key to harmony is balance and good things can't exist without bad things and vice versa. Chaos isn't evil it's just the opposite of good and balanced, all things can be used in a positive way. This is the lesson to learn in these books. I liked how interesting and adventurous the world was. I felt sorry for some things throughout the books but not for the villain, someone who died, which I think wasn't the best end to the character, I would have preferred a lonely and ugly end. Cyllan and Tarod end their paths in a way I didn't see coming. It made me think of all the things we believe to reach its end and perhaps they don't...Apart from some boring parts, the trilogy is quite the imaginative and interesting one.

Rogue Rider is the last book in the Horseman series, a sort of spin off Demonica series. I's the story of Reseph, the good identity of the villain in the previous books. This book reveals many things and like always, the author manages to crate an atmosphere where the reader feels like living close to those characters and see their best qualities. Many of the other character make an appearance and the romance between the main couple is sweet and full of compassion. I liked how they would talk about what they were feeling and thinking.

The book told us about certain current things developing in the series and I'm sure it will mentioned in the upcoming books. A series not to miss for those who like paranormal worlds.

Larissa Ione - Lethal Rider

Thanatos, the most deadly Horseman of the Apocalypse, has endured thousands of years of celibacy to prevent the end of days. But just one night with the wickedly sexy Aegis Guardian, Regan Cooper, shatters centuries of resolve. Yet their passion comes with a price. And Thanatos must face a truth more terrifying than an apocalypse-he's about to become a father. Demon-slayer Regan Cooper never imagined herself the maternal type, but with the fate of the world hanging in the balance she had no choice but to seduce Thanatos and bear his child. Now, as the final battle draws closer and his rage at being betrayed is overshadowed by an undeniable passion for the mother of his child, Thanatos has a life-shattering realization: To save the world, he must sacrifice the only thing he's ever wanted-a family.

Comment: Another adventure by mrs Ione. I think this author is currently one of the best in paranormal romances not only because she writes interesting stories but also because she is consistent in her books. With this I mean she manages to surprise the reader with the content of each book but she doesn't make up strange or unnecessary subplots to give life to the books. Her stories work as they are and this is fine.
In Lethal Rider we have the story of Thanatos, another of the horsemen of the Apocalypse. It's important to mention that this series feels so much better if people have read the Demonica series first because there are so many things related to those books, several characters and issues in this book have a special meaning because of the previous books, that I guess those who haven't read anything else and start by this book (or whichever in this series) might feel not only lost in action but also missing out some references.
But back to Thanatos. He always believed something about his Seal and what it would mean to Humanity if the seal broke but after all what he imagined wasn't so, and it was proved in the previous book, therefore in this one he will try to solve things for himself and for Regan, the woman who showed him the wrongness of his idea for so long. Regan is part of the Aegis and did what she dis because she believed it was her duty to help the Organization that always accepted her, but in the end her feelings change because she didn't see how affected she would end up by her choices.
I liked the romance between these two, it was more sweet than fast. There are some sex scenes but I feel they weren't as many or as long as in other books, which was a good by two reasons: first, it allowed more focus to be given to the plot and two, because sometimes too much gets too boring. This was something I welcomed well in the book. Sex just for sex gets repetitive in romances and doesn't ring true.
There are many plots happening at the same time. We get to see what happens to Pestilence, to Reaver, to Kynan, to the main couple, some new scenes with the Seminus brothers and even a couple of more characters that might become (or not) key in future stories. So, many things happening and I get that some people don't like too much stuff in their books, but I'm all for it and didn't mind the populated world.
In the end, Regan and Thanatos both admitted the reasons why the relationship between them wasn't something they thought might work but recognizing you love someone and that true affection doesn't make you do things you don't want or feel right was a huge step both had to make.
I liked the book a lot and now can't wait for Reseph's story, I sure hope he will properly redeemed.

Larissa Ione - Immortal Rider

Arik Wagner, a soldier with the U.S. Army's paranormal unit, the R-XR, kissed a girl and liked it. And then he went to hell as punishment. Where he's spent weeks being tortured…and plotting revenge.
Limos, Horsewoman of the Apocalypse, isn't your average girl. She's immortal, dangerous, and her fiancé is Satan himself. In a moment of weakness, she gave in to her desire and kissed Arik, triggering her fiancé's wrath -- and his claim on her. In order to save Arik, and the world, Limos must make a dangerous pact with her recently turned evil brother, Pestilence. A deal that might just cost her her soul…and her heart.

Comment: When this book finally arrived I was very happy because I wanted to read for quite some time now. I like the author's style a lot, and even more so the world she created. I like impossible things done in a credible and sexy way.
In this second installment of the deliverance series we follow Limos, the second horseman (woman), who is promised to marry Satan. And Arik, the guy who dares to kiss her and who goes to hell because of it.
Then he runs off and she helps him after his ordeal and from then on things start to get really dangerous. Plus Thanatos, (Death) also has his storyline initiated.
I think this was a very nice continuation of the spin off. Things are all connected in a way and it's fun to see what happens next, sometimes explaining things that happend before, sometimes setting what's to come.
The romance wasn't as interesting as the first tough. I mean, in my opinion. Limos and Arik didn't seem to have as much chemestry as Ares and Cara from the first book. Also Limos had to deal with some bad choices from her past and some emotional stuff that, I think, were too serious to be treated fast, I think some of the things mentioned here should have started in the other book.
The storyline will continue with Thanatos book and in this case things are already set, which I believe to be good. It would have been good to have the same thing with this one, oh well.
The storyline still focuses on Pestilence and his actions, which seem almost unlikely to have any redemption but he will be, and that will be a challenge to the auhtor to do in a credible way. I can't wait. Also can't wait for Reaver's story, the author has said the angel will have his own book.
This book is stronger in its plot and advances than the romance, like I said. I've heard some people talk about negative things they saw happening in the book, including a rape and after having read the book, it's obvious things aren't black and white. I guess we can say there's rape in the book, but in no way I think it was evil intended and will surely be "solved" int he following book. I say this because to me, it wasn't evil, the author has done it well I think. Plus it's rather unusual...
This is an auto buy author to me, I really can't wait for next year to read Lethal Rider, Death's story.

Larissa Ione - Eternal Rider

His name is Ares, and the fate of mankind rests on his powerful shoulders. If he falls to the forces of evil, the world falls too. As one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, he is far stronger than any mortal, but even he cannot fight his destiny forever. Not when his own brother plots against him.

Yet there is one last hope. Gifted in a way other humans can't-or won't-understand, Cara Thornhart is the key to both this Horseman's safety and his doom. But involving Cara will prove treacherous, even beyond the maddening, dangerous desire that seizes them the moment they meet. For staving off eternal darkness could have a staggering cost: Cara's life.

Comment: I've finished this book last night.
I think this author has managed to construct and make such an interesting world...it's really amazing.
Each book is a new chapter in the lives of loved characters. The reader likes to see them work to reach their hapiness and in the end everything is good or, if not, we can hope to see that in a following story.
Although the series Demonica has ended, this new story about the Horsemen of the Apocalypse is placed in the same world, with the same cast to support the action.
I loved it! I think this has two sides that can be understood: it's a smart idea by the author in order to keep things straight and also a gift to the faithful reader who enjoys seeing loved characters and the ones who weren't protagonists so far, still alive and perhaps to hope for a story with them.

The book stars the new series and right now the world is in danger of reaching the apolcalypse because the 4 horseman are close to break the seals that will turn them evil. One of them is already a villain and another one is close, but Cara shows up and has a role that might prevent that from happening. Ares, the knight that will become War, gets stuck with her and both have to deal with it and the personal evolution so they can be happy in the end.
As usual, the author has managed to connect legends and writing skills and the result is a very good story, great action and characters, interesting twists, believable solutions withinh the world created...
Very good indeed.
I hope the series keeps this faithful and dedicated to what we've come to expect of it.