Scan barcode
kathydavie's review
3.0
A novella that is eighth in the Demonica Underworld, a continuation of the Demonica Universe (#19) dark paranormal romance. This Underworld revolves around Azagoth, the Grim Reaper and lord of Sheoul-gra. The couple focus is on Cipher and the virginal Lyre.
My Take
Wow, Ione gives us an inside look at at the war Lyre has going on with herself. Her reasons for entering Sheoul and the frustration she's experiencing with Cipher, forcing her to reconsider what she wants. Even as she wonders why she ain't feelin' the mean.
It's a third person dual protagonist point-of-view with perspectives from Lyre (see above!) and Cipher who can't decide who he hates more.
One of the overall Demonica Universe arcs is releasing Satan from his prison. Geez, I can't go to Hell . . . no one has a sense of humor! And those bad guys sure are inventive in how they intend to free Satan.
Ooh, "Cipher" has caused me to remember that angel family and friends do not stand by you, not in Ione's Heaven. You get accused of something, and they dump you so fast! Jealousy is not just a human emotion.
This is the story to read to realize why one should cool down before acting too hastily, for you might have to repent forever.
It's melodramatic, but not in a bad way with plenty of action and events in Hell that will make you resolve to be good.
The pace wavers somewhat from quick to slow; it all depends on your mood and preferences.
The Story
Lyre has been assigned to seduce Cipher, for Bael wants that list. It's a convoluted plan, but what fun is it if it's not . . . Bael always says.
The Characters
Lyre, Lyresiel when she was a top analyst for the Intelligence Department in Heaven, is now a Fallen angel, and usually Bael's errand girl. Lihandra was her betraying older sister; Bellagias was a younger sister. Dailon, a demon, had been a psychotherapist and a Somniatus, a nightmare devil.
Cipher, a Fallen, oops, no, a True Fallen angel, once used his cyberskills to work for Azagoth until he was betrayed seven months ago.
Felicia had been a primori in Fiji, an abandoned bride with Hawkyn as her Guardian Angel.
Sheoul-gra is . . .
. . .an underworld realm, a holding tank for the souls of dead demons and evil humans, ruled by Azagoth ("Azagoth", 1 (DU), 11 (Dem)). His mate, Lilliana, has been gone for nine months (and she's pregnant). A young son of his, Niclas, as well as three grown, trained Memitim have been murdered inside Sheoul-gra. Zhubaal "Z", a Fallen angel, is his Chief of Operations and chief enforcer ("Z" 3 (DU), 14 (Dem)). Hades, with his blue mohawk, is in charge of the Inner Sanctum (Hades, 2 (DU), 13 (Dem), 6.5 (LoD)). Hawkyn, a Memitim, is one of Cipher's friends who is married to Aurora ("Hawkyn" 5 (DU), 16 (Dem)). Other Memitims include Journey, another one who's a wizard on the computer; Maddox; Suzanne; Tuvol is one of Cipher's oldest friends; Emerico; Gretchen had been kidnapped; Amelia, who was also a primori; Jasmine; and, Meera, who was killed.
Sheoul is what . . .
. . . humans call Hell. Revenant, NOT a Fallen angel, is the current king of Sheoul (Revenant, 6 (LoD) and 11 (Dem)). The impulsively cruel Bael, an ancient fallen angel, is/was one of Satan's top generals. Moloc is Bael's twin brother and as evil as Bael. Flail has no qualms. Rancor is a female Fallen angel who has control of the Horun region. Malachi is a demon from the Islith region of Sheoul.
Underworld General Hospital (UGH) was . . .
. . . founded by three Seminus demon brothers to serve demons. One of the founders is Eidolon who's married to Tayla (Pleasure Unbound, 1). Kynan Morgan, formerly of The Aegis, is now a doctor at UGH.
The Four Horsemen
Yep, of the Apocalypse. Arik Wagner is the husband of Limos, Famine (Immortal Rider, 2 (LoD), 7 (Dem). Ares is War and married to Cara (Eternal Rider, 1 (LoD), 6 (Dem)). Their baby is Aleka. Maleficent is one of Cara's hellhounds.
Heaven
Reaver is a Radiant Angel, the highest rank there is of angels, a Prince of Heaven. He's also the father of the Four Horsemen. "Jim Bob" is Azagoth's spy in Heaven. The Moirai are angelic seers who live on another plane and in all timelines.
The Demon Activity Response Team (DART) . . .
. . . fights demons for a living. Declan is an agent, Journey's brother-in-law, and his primori.
A True Fallen angel is one who was kicked out of Heaven and entered Sheoul, developing fangs and getting their powers back. And they can never return to Heaven. A Fallen angel is one who was kicked out of Heaven and entered Sheoul. An Unfallen angel is one who was kicked out of Heaven but hasn't entered Sheoul. A Memitim is a child fathered by Azagoth whose job is to be Guardian Angels to primori. Orphmages are one of the most powerful sorcerer-class demons.
An ascerdisc is made from a Fallen angel's bones to control another. Destroying a soul gives Satan power. Created from imps, griminions are Azagoth’s worker bees.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a black background with the upper two-thirds using an orange filigree of stars and trefoils texturing the background. The novella publisher's name is in a gradated orange. It's Cipher standing in profile in the first "0" with a head-down pouty look, as his right wing appears as a flash of brown and fuchsia. In the second "0" is a landscape scene from Sheoul with its mountains, red sky, and flowing lava river. In the middle is the title and the series information in a pale, pale orange. In the bottom third is the author's name in a gradated fuchsia; the middle "i" has a demonic caduceus against a filigreed background of fuchsia trefoils and stars. At the very bottom is a testimonial in a very dark fuchsia.
The title is the protagonist who discovers he's a "Cipher".
My Take
Wow, Ione gives us an inside look at at the war Lyre has going on with herself. Her reasons for entering Sheoul and the frustration she's experiencing with Cipher, forcing her to reconsider what she wants. Even as she wonders why she ain't feelin' the mean.
It's a third person dual protagonist point-of-view with perspectives from Lyre (see above!) and Cipher who can't decide who he hates more.
One of the overall Demonica Universe arcs is releasing Satan from his prison. Geez, I can't go to Hell . . . no one has a sense of humor! And those bad guys sure are inventive in how they intend to free Satan.
Ooh, "Cipher" has caused me to remember that angel family and friends do not stand by you, not in Ione's Heaven. You get accused of something, and they dump you so fast! Jealousy is not just a human emotion.
This is the story to read to realize why one should cool down before acting too hastily, for you might have to repent forever.
It's melodramatic, but not in a bad way with plenty of action and events in Hell that will make you resolve to be good.
The pace wavers somewhat from quick to slow; it all depends on your mood and preferences.
The Story
Lyre has been assigned to seduce Cipher, for Bael wants that list. It's a convoluted plan, but what fun is it if it's not . . . Bael always says.
The Characters
Lyre, Lyresiel when she was a top analyst for the Intelligence Department in Heaven, is now a Fallen angel, and usually Bael's errand girl. Lihandra was her betraying older sister; Bellagias was a younger sister. Dailon, a demon, had been a psychotherapist and a Somniatus, a nightmare devil.
Cipher, a Fallen, oops, no, a True Fallen angel, once used his cyberskills to work for Azagoth until he was betrayed seven months ago.
Felicia had been a primori in Fiji, an abandoned bride with Hawkyn as her Guardian Angel.
Sheoul-gra is . . .
. . .an underworld realm, a holding tank for the souls of dead demons and evil humans, ruled by Azagoth ("Azagoth", 1 (DU), 11 (Dem)). His mate, Lilliana, has been gone for nine months (and she's pregnant). A young son of his, Niclas, as well as three grown, trained Memitim have been murdered inside Sheoul-gra. Zhubaal "Z", a Fallen angel, is his Chief of Operations and chief enforcer ("Z" 3 (DU), 14 (Dem)). Hades, with his blue mohawk, is in charge of the Inner Sanctum (Hades, 2 (DU), 13 (Dem), 6.5 (LoD)). Hawkyn, a Memitim, is one of Cipher's friends who is married to Aurora ("Hawkyn" 5 (DU), 16 (Dem)). Other Memitims include Journey, another one who's a wizard on the computer; Maddox; Suzanne; Tuvol is one of Cipher's oldest friends; Emerico; Gretchen had been kidnapped; Amelia, who was also a primori; Jasmine; and, Meera, who was killed.
Sheoul is what . . .
. . . humans call Hell. Revenant, NOT a Fallen angel, is the current king of Sheoul (Revenant, 6 (LoD) and 11 (Dem)). The impulsively cruel Bael, an ancient fallen angel, is/was one of Satan's top generals. Moloc is Bael's twin brother and as evil as Bael. Flail has no qualms. Rancor is a female Fallen angel who has control of the Horun region. Malachi is a demon from the Islith region of Sheoul.
Underworld General Hospital (UGH) was . . .
. . . founded by three Seminus demon brothers to serve demons. One of the founders is Eidolon who's married to Tayla (Pleasure Unbound, 1). Kynan Morgan, formerly of The Aegis, is now a doctor at UGH.
The Four Horsemen
Yep, of the Apocalypse. Arik Wagner is the husband of Limos, Famine (Immortal Rider, 2 (LoD), 7 (Dem). Ares is War and married to Cara (Eternal Rider, 1 (LoD), 6 (Dem)). Their baby is Aleka. Maleficent is one of Cara's hellhounds.
Heaven
Reaver is a Radiant Angel, the highest rank there is of angels, a Prince of Heaven. He's also the father of the Four Horsemen. "Jim Bob" is Azagoth's spy in Heaven. The Moirai are angelic seers who live on another plane and in all timelines.
The Demon Activity Response Team (DART) . . .
. . . fights demons for a living. Declan is an agent, Journey's brother-in-law, and his primori.
A True Fallen angel is one who was kicked out of Heaven and entered Sheoul, developing fangs and getting their powers back. And they can never return to Heaven. A Fallen angel is one who was kicked out of Heaven and entered Sheoul. An Unfallen angel is one who was kicked out of Heaven but hasn't entered Sheoul. A Memitim is a child fathered by Azagoth whose job is to be Guardian Angels to primori. Orphmages are one of the most powerful sorcerer-class demons.
An ascerdisc is made from a Fallen angel's bones to control another. Destroying a soul gives Satan power. Created from imps, griminions are Azagoth’s worker bees.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a black background with the upper two-thirds using an orange filigree of stars and trefoils texturing the background. The novella publisher's name is in a gradated orange. It's Cipher standing in profile in the first "0" with a head-down pouty look, as his right wing appears as a flash of brown and fuchsia. In the second "0" is a landscape scene from Sheoul with its mountains, red sky, and flowing lava river. In the middle is the title and the series information in a pale, pale orange. In the bottom third is the author's name in a gradated fuchsia; the middle "i" has a demonic caduceus against a filigreed background of fuchsia trefoils and stars. At the very bottom is a testimonial in a very dark fuchsia.
The title is the protagonist who discovers he's a "Cipher".
deanapotter's review against another edition
4.0
The underworld is shaken up…...
Cipher has had a roller coaster ride for a life over the last year. Once an Angel, then Unfallen and now Cipher is a True Fallen. He fight for his sanity, sense of self and to keep informed a secret as long as possible. Cipher’s capture and constant torture tests his ability to keep the evil at bay and the loyalty to his friends tight lipped. Ciphers strength, loyalty and his ability to do crazy things with a computers is remarkable. He’s a very interesting character who grows, adapts and embraces the new abilities he’s been given while fighting for his life and the underworld.
Lyre is a True Fallen by choice. Her need for revenge against the ones who cost her her wings and place in heaven is her main purpose in life. Lyre works for Bael thinking it will be the way she gets her revenge. Her task is to be Ciphers handler. To extract information that they know Cipher holds. Somewhere in her task with Cipher, the scale tips and revenge is not the most important thing on Lyres mind. What I loved about Lyre, even with her making the choice to be a true Fallen her sense of right and wrong still stands strong, even though it was missguided for awhile.
There is nothing like a trip to the underworld to heat things up. Cipher, the latest installment of Larissa Ione’s Demonica Underworld Series, does just that and more. A sinister plot is in a place to shake up not only below but above is on the radar as well. Cipher is the biggest cyber threat from all the realms. Lyre is a woman on a mission for venage. The two of them together cause shockwaves that I’m sure Heaven could feel. A fast paced story with twists, trues, a demonic spell or two and a few really messed up plays. I love every second of the story. At the beginning of this extraordinary tale I would have never guessed that Cipher and Lyre would have ended the way do. The chemistry is intense, the passion is explosive and emotions shine through the depths of the underground. Ms. Ione’s Demonica world is a work of art and is always a favorite place to visit. Like Ms. Ione’s other works with in the series, Cipher is fantastic in every way.
Cipher has had a roller coaster ride for a life over the last year. Once an Angel, then Unfallen and now Cipher is a True Fallen. He fight for his sanity, sense of self and to keep informed a secret as long as possible. Cipher’s capture and constant torture tests his ability to keep the evil at bay and the loyalty to his friends tight lipped. Ciphers strength, loyalty and his ability to do crazy things with a computers is remarkable. He’s a very interesting character who grows, adapts and embraces the new abilities he’s been given while fighting for his life and the underworld.
Lyre is a True Fallen by choice. Her need for revenge against the ones who cost her her wings and place in heaven is her main purpose in life. Lyre works for Bael thinking it will be the way she gets her revenge. Her task is to be Ciphers handler. To extract information that they know Cipher holds. Somewhere in her task with Cipher, the scale tips and revenge is not the most important thing on Lyres mind. What I loved about Lyre, even with her making the choice to be a true Fallen her sense of right and wrong still stands strong, even though it was missguided for awhile.
There is nothing like a trip to the underworld to heat things up. Cipher, the latest installment of Larissa Ione’s Demonica Underworld Series, does just that and more. A sinister plot is in a place to shake up not only below but above is on the radar as well. Cipher is the biggest cyber threat from all the realms. Lyre is a woman on a mission for venage. The two of them together cause shockwaves that I’m sure Heaven could feel. A fast paced story with twists, trues, a demonic spell or two and a few really messed up plays. I love every second of the story. At the beginning of this extraordinary tale I would have never guessed that Cipher and Lyre would have ended the way do. The chemistry is intense, the passion is explosive and emotions shine through the depths of the underground. Ms. Ione’s Demonica world is a work of art and is always a favorite place to visit. Like Ms. Ione’s other works with in the series, Cipher is fantastic in every way.
romancejunkie1025's review against another edition
4.0
Holy shit there was so much more going on in this story than just Lyre and Cipher falling in love, though that was great. I cannot wait for the next book to find out where this series is headed!
sonja_ahrb's review against another edition
5.0
Ever since I first read Revenant, and yes, I know I’m terrible for reading out of order, but what’s done is done and I have no regrets because I absolutely love all things Demonica and as soon as I know a book is by Larissa Ione, I snatch that baby up with no questions, no hesitations, and no doubts. So you can bet that I’ve been following along with her Demonica Underworld series and I swear each new book is better than the last and Cipher is no different. Hawkyn left me wanting the next book immediately and man, oh man, did Cipher deliver! It was oh, soooo good and oh my gosh, I am chomping at the bit for October to get here, so I can read Reaper — I cannot even adequately express to you the depth of my excitement, but it is a lot, like a lot, A LOT!
Okay, I’m going to come down a bit from that and actually talk about Cipher now. I went into totally blind and I didn’t have any expectations for it really other than it’s a Larissa Ione book so I figured it would be excellent and it was even better than I was hoping for! It was full of action, excitement, and energy. I could not stop turning the pages, I had to know what was going to happen next, and I just loved every second of Cipher! I loved seeing Cipher and his heroine, Lyre, and I especially loved seeing Azagoth and Lilliana, but one of the things that I loved the most was the way Ms. Ione was setting up this book for Reaper. She’s been gradually maneuvering the Demonica Underworld to lead up to all of this and I am just so ready to see what happens next — bring on Reaper!
~ Sonja, 5 Stars
Okay, I’m going to come down a bit from that and actually talk about Cipher now. I went into totally blind and I didn’t have any expectations for it really other than it’s a Larissa Ione book so I figured it would be excellent and it was even better than I was hoping for! It was full of action, excitement, and energy. I could not stop turning the pages, I had to know what was going to happen next, and I just loved every second of Cipher! I loved seeing Cipher and his heroine, Lyre, and I especially loved seeing Azagoth and Lilliana, but one of the things that I loved the most was the way Ms. Ione was setting up this book for Reaper. She’s been gradually maneuvering the Demonica Underworld to lead up to all of this and I am just so ready to see what happens next — bring on Reaper!
~ Sonja, 5 Stars
winterreader40's review against another edition
4.0
Cipher has been forced to complete his fall from heaven by being kidnapped in one of the previous books, and for the last 7 months he's been tortured for information without cracking.
Lyre isn't a very good fallen angel as she has almost no power or special abilities, except unfortunately her empathy which just won't go away.
Lyre has been assigned as his handler for the last few months, Cipher notices that she's never present when he's being tortured and they have a lot of random conversations that don't involve her trying to get the info her boss wants out of him.
The author is really building up to a big bang of some sort over the last few books, wondering how it will go down....
Lyre isn't a very good fallen angel as she has almost no power or special abilities, except unfortunately her empathy which just won't go away.
Lyre has been assigned as his handler for the last few months, Cipher notices that she's never present when he's being tortured and they have a lot of random conversations that don't involve her trying to get the info her boss wants out of him.
The author is really building up to a big bang of some sort over the last few books, wondering how it will go down....
zbrarian's review against another edition
5.0
A fun romp in hell!
Nice to be back in Azagoths world and to see some “old friends”. Fell right into the story and couldn’t put the book down. Loved the story of Cipher and Lyre. Nasty twist to Ciphers wings! Forgot all about that character! Now to wait for the next one!
Nice to be back in Azagoths world and to see some “old friends”. Fell right into the story and couldn’t put the book down. Loved the story of Cipher and Lyre. Nasty twist to Ciphers wings! Forgot all about that character! Now to wait for the next one!
canadianbookaddict's review against another edition
5.0
MY THOUGHTS
As you all already have seen, I have read many of these 1001 Dark Nights novellas and I have been enjoying most of them.
Cipher is the 8th book of the Demonica Underworld but this novella can be read as a stand-alone (just like all 1001 Dark Nights novellas) so if this story sounds interesting you will not have to start the series from the start.
I very much enjoyed this story. It is very well written and I was hooked from the very beginning and of course, it was a very quick read.
I do highly recommend this one.
I give this 5 out of 5.
As you all already have seen, I have read many of these 1001 Dark Nights novellas and I have been enjoying most of them.
Cipher is the 8th book of the Demonica Underworld but this novella can be read as a stand-alone (just like all 1001 Dark Nights novellas) so if this story sounds interesting you will not have to start the series from the start.
I very much enjoyed this story. It is very well written and I was hooked from the very beginning and of course, it was a very quick read.
I do highly recommend this one.
I give this 5 out of 5.
dragon_lion64's review against another edition
4.0
Larissa Ione never disappoints me with her stories. I love that her female characters are raw and flawed and have bad thoughts. I hate perfect Polly Pures who are so innocent and sweet that I just want to drown them in a bucket of honey. Her male characters are badass too.
Cipher was dragged into Hell or Sheoul and for seven months has been tortured, put in the ring to fight for his life just to entertain the demons and the evil overlord named Bael and he has been trying to watch off the evil that oozes into everyone in Bael's realm.
Lyre was put in charge of Cipher as his handler. She hates Bael but made a bargain with him that she now regrets so she's stuck in his realm. She tells herself she doesn't care what happens to Cipher yet she can't help but being attracted to him.
The main story was great but I always like the background story which is the fight for power and to keep Satan locked up and keep Armageddon from happening too soon.
I look forward to the next book.
Cipher was dragged into Hell or Sheoul and for seven months has been tortured, put in the ring to fight for his life just to entertain the demons and the evil overlord named Bael and he has been trying to watch off the evil that oozes into everyone in Bael's realm.
Lyre was put in charge of Cipher as his handler. She hates Bael but made a bargain with him that she now regrets so she's stuck in his realm. She tells herself she doesn't care what happens to Cipher yet she can't help but being attracted to him.
The main story was great but I always like the background story which is the fight for power and to keep Satan locked up and keep Armageddon from happening too soon.
I look forward to the next book.