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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
didnt like it this time Around, Foind Runa. to be so irritating. and annoying.
These books are so funny to me. I can't help but laugh out loud at some of the cheesiness in them! They are however, entertaining though. It's been a while since I read the first book, but I pretty much got right back into the characters again. I wasn't crazy about the story very much. Maybe it's my mood, I'm not sure. I still enjoyed reading it though and I think I will go ahead and read the next one before I start another series. I liked Shade and Runa ok, but the whole werewolf thing is what I'm not a fan of. That was a little over the top for me about them changing and mating etc. I didn't care for the whole Roag story either. It was reminiscent of the Darkyn series, which I loved by the way, but I want to read something different when I read different books. But, I did like it, just not as much as other books I've read. I also didn't care much for the whole Kynan and Gem story. Also, if we're getting picky - LOL - I hate these crazy out fits that the author puts them in. I like Goth, don't get me wrong, but it gets a little old. Anyway, that just my opinion! Still fun to read. :D
This one was quite different from the first book in the series. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this one as well, but it was a bit darker than Pleasure Unbound. There was always something going on, and seemed a little more fast-paced the the first one.
Shade and Runa have a history together from the previous book. She holds Shade partially responsible for her current warewolf condition. I love these two together; she's strong, she's capable, and doesn't just blindly follow whatever Shade tells her. They do however discover in this one who is responsible for the all the Ghouls and harvesting.
Wraith as usual is a blast, and I can't wait to see the woman who will be mated with him for the next 600 years. And I'm totally pulling for Gem to get her man; I'm hoping they get their own book.
~You can find more of my reviews at Confessions of a Bookaholic.
Shade and Runa have a history together from the previous book. She holds Shade partially responsible for her current warewolf condition. I love these two together; she's strong, she's capable, and doesn't just blindly follow whatever Shade tells her. They do however discover in this one who is responsible for the all the Ghouls and harvesting.
Wraith as usual is a blast, and I can't wait to see the woman who will be mated with him for the next 600 years. And I'm totally pulling for Gem to get her man; I'm hoping they get their own book.
~You can find more of my reviews at Confessions of a Bookaholic.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While I didn't love this one as much as book 1 it was really interesting to see different sides of some of the characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Blood
5 -⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I will bear this pain for you...if one of us has to bleed, it will be me. It'll always be me."
Desire Unchained is the second novel in the adult paranormal romance series, Demonica. Each novel follows a standalone couple but this is part of a larger (now completed series) so you do need to read them in order. In this novel we follow Runa and Shade as they are bound together by a nefarious figure bent on destroying the Seminus brothers.
Shade and Runa were a really fun group of characters to dive into and I loved their relationship. Previously they were together but Shade's curse (if he falls in love he we fade in invisibility) means he is often seeking to keep people at arm's length, which is hard when he is an incubus who requires regular sex. He cheated on Runa when she was human to push her away...except through a series of unfortunately events this led Runa further into the paranormal world where she was turned into a werewolf by accident (thanks to the events of book 1). I found their dynamic to be hilarious as Shade is assuming Runa is the same person he remembers and she is not. Their connection is still present but they have a lot of baggage to world through and I was there for it.
The spice in this series in 4 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers - mainly because sexual elements exists on a regular basis outside of our main characters because of the nature of demons in this world. Runa and Shade's relationship is fast burn in terms of spice but they were in a prior relationship. The romance still takes times as they fight the connection and I really enjoyed that. I did not like the dominant spice aspect that Shade had as baggage but thankfully it only happens once because he, too, does not like it.
"I love him."
"Son of a - He's a demon, Runa!"
"And I'm a werewolf. No one's perfect."
Again I want to give the trigger warning notice if you missed my previous review. This books are not dark romance but do contain dark elements around dubious consent, SA (of MMC for torture), death of loved ones, torture, murder, gore, graphic violence, etc. So please be kind to yourself while reading. I think, for me, the only time it really got to me was reading the reactions of characters loved ones because I will sob when it comes to death.
The world continues to grow in this series and I enjoy how it continues the efforts of book 1. We have an interesting twist thanks to family issues but also we can see the seeds being planted on the domino affect this is bringing. I enjoyed learning more about Aegis and the new organization R-XR and the balance they are trying to find with demon slaying. I loved being able to engage with characters from the last book and continue some of the sub plots there - I want to strangle Kynan though.
The story here follows the similar vibes of the previous with chaos and cheese that I cannot get enough of. The main characters are fighting their love because of outside forces while also trying to uncover who is out to get them and why. Family secrets and baggage are front and centre here and oh, boy is there a lot. I enjoyed exploring this alongside the characters with its twists and turns and we also get a good amount of action. I found I really enjoyed Shade and Runa as a couple and how they navigate their relationship - I am a sucker for pining and angst. The ending is the cherry of top with another HFN.
I mean is it a surprise I liked this? It's got the same formula as book 1 but the character dynamic is different. I immediately jumped into book 3.
"I will bear this pain for you...if one of us has to bleed, it will be me. It'll always be me."
Desire Unchained is the second novel in the adult paranormal romance series, Demonica. Each novel follows a standalone couple but this is part of a larger (now completed series) so you do need to read them in order. In this novel we follow Runa and Shade as they are bound together by a nefarious figure bent on destroying the Seminus brothers.
Shade and Runa were a really fun group of characters to dive into and I loved their relationship. Previously they were together but Shade's curse (if he falls in love he we fade in invisibility) means he is often seeking to keep people at arm's length, which is hard when he is an incubus who requires regular sex. He cheated on Runa when she was human to push her away...except through a series of unfortunately events this led Runa further into the paranormal world where she was turned into a werewolf by accident (thanks to the events of book 1). I found their dynamic to be hilarious as Shade is assuming Runa is the same person he remembers and she is not. Their connection is still present but they have a lot of baggage to world through and I was there for it.
The spice in this series in 4 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers - mainly because sexual elements exists on a regular basis outside of our main characters because of the nature of demons in this world. Runa and Shade's relationship is fast burn in terms of spice but they were in a prior relationship. The romance still takes times as they fight the connection and I really enjoyed that. I did not like the dominant spice aspect that Shade had as baggage but thankfully it only happens once because he, too, does not like it.
"I love him."
"Son of a - He's a demon, Runa!"
"And I'm a werewolf. No one's perfect."
Again I want to give the trigger warning notice if you missed my previous review. This books are not dark romance but do contain dark elements around dubious consent, SA (of MMC for torture), death of loved ones, torture, murder, gore, graphic violence, etc. So please be kind to yourself while reading. I think, for me, the only time it really got to me was reading the reactions of characters loved ones because I will sob when it comes to death.
The world continues to grow in this series and I enjoy how it continues the efforts of book 1. We have an interesting twist thanks to family issues but also we can see the seeds being planted on the domino affect this is bringing. I enjoyed learning more about Aegis and the new organization R-XR and the balance they are trying to find with demon slaying. I loved being able to engage with characters from the last book and continue some of the sub plots there - I want to strangle Kynan though.
The story here follows the similar vibes of the previous with chaos and cheese that I cannot get enough of. The main characters are fighting their love because of outside forces while also trying to uncover who is out to get them and why. Family secrets and baggage are front and centre here and oh, boy is there a lot. I enjoyed exploring this alongside the characters with its twists and turns and we also get a good amount of action. I found I really enjoyed Shade and Runa as a couple and how they navigate their relationship - I am a sucker for pining and angst. The ending is the cherry of top with another HFN.
I mean is it a surprise I liked this? It's got the same formula as book 1 but the character dynamic is different. I immediately jumped into book 3.
2 stars…
Everyone was annoying and the smut was bland.
Eidolon was the saving grace of the first book. At least he seemed to somewhat understand that becoming a rampaging sex offender with a breeding kink ISN’T an acceptable alternative to a lifetime of monogamy. Although, if I recall, he also thought death was an acceptable alternative to monogamy, so maybe he isn’t exactly a paragon of good judgment.
That’s besides the point.
We establish in this book that the only way out of a Seminus bond is death. Not even mutual death. Only one party has to die for the bond to be broken. WHICH MEANS, in theory, they could bond with a female, kill her after they transition (as was their original plan for Runa), and they’d be a relatively sane, free agent again. Not to say that murder is an acceptable alternative to monogamy either, but obviously we’re all deranged and our morals are flexible here. I would argue that the murder of one individual is preferable to countless sexual assaults and baby deaths.
Even better, and I’m just spitballing here, but what exactly is stopping them from mating a terminally ill female? They literally work at a hospital—which is hilarious, btw, considering how blasé they are about going flat out psycho to avoid the nightmarish fate of having to bed the same person for the rest of their miserable lives. Cry me a river.
Again, besides the point.
It wouldn’t be hard for them to track down a few suitable candidates. Ideally, they’d probably want someone healthy enough to withstand the frenzy of the shift (is that even what it’s called? idc), but someone with a natural expiration date nonetheless. The mated pair might have to tolerate each other for a couple years, but given their lifespans, what’s a couple years? No one has to do anything totally morally reprehensible, the female gets to dip on the heels of the best sex of her life, and the Seminus demon gets to go back to fucking around like the selfish, pathetic scumbag he is.
There. Problem solved. Everybody wins.
Except me. Bc I read this dumb shit.
Everyone was annoying and the smut was bland.
Eidolon was the saving grace of the first book. At least he seemed to somewhat understand that becoming a rampaging sex offender with a breeding kink ISN’T an acceptable alternative to a lifetime of monogamy. Although, if I recall, he also thought death was an acceptable alternative to monogamy, so maybe he isn’t exactly a paragon of good judgment.
That’s besides the point.
We establish in this book that the only way out of a Seminus bond is death. Not even mutual death. Only one party has to die for the bond to be broken. WHICH MEANS, in theory, they could bond with a female, kill her after they transition (as was their original plan for Runa), and they’d be a relatively sane, free agent again. Not to say that murder is an acceptable alternative to monogamy either, but obviously we’re all deranged and our morals are flexible here. I would argue that the murder of one individual is preferable to countless sexual assaults and baby deaths.
Even better, and I’m just spitballing here, but what exactly is stopping them from mating a terminally ill female? They literally work at a hospital—which is hilarious, btw, considering how blasé they are about going flat out psycho to avoid the nightmarish fate of having to bed the same person for the rest of their miserable lives. Cry me a river.
Again, besides the point.
It wouldn’t be hard for them to track down a few suitable candidates. Ideally, they’d probably want someone healthy enough to withstand the frenzy of the shift (is that even what it’s called? idc), but someone with a natural expiration date nonetheless. The mated pair might have to tolerate each other for a couple years, but given their lifespans, what’s a couple years? No one has to do anything totally morally reprehensible, the female gets to dip on the heels of the best sex of her life, and the Seminus demon gets to go back to fucking around like the selfish, pathetic scumbag he is.
There. Problem solved. Everybody wins.
Except me. Bc I read this dumb shit.
I wasn't really a fan of Shade nor Runa but the storyline and the amazing world that Ione has created made it worth it.
Hmmm...the moral of the story is better late than never? Never take no for an answer?
Shade was such an asshole for 90% of the book. Runa was a doormat - he kept telling her he didn't care, to go away and she kept begging and coming back for more. I understand that there were circumstances that were forced upon them, but hello - have some respect for yourself woman.
OK - rant over. I liked this one. The suspense, danger and love crap was all good. I like this world and I really, REALLY want to read more about Gem and Kynan - I mean seriously, they're wicked awesome.
Shade was such an asshole for 90% of the book. Runa was a doormat - he kept telling her he didn't care, to go away and she kept begging and coming back for more. I understand that there were circumstances that were forced upon them, but hello - have some respect for yourself woman.
OK - rant over. I liked this one. The suspense, danger and love crap was all good. I like this world and I really, REALLY want to read more about Gem and Kynan - I mean seriously, they're wicked awesome.
After "Pleasure Unbound" (PU), Book 1 in the Demonica series, I was totally into Shade. I know that it was Doc E's book, but I so couldn't help it. Shade caught my eyes and when I dug into "Desire Unchained" (DU) I was so happy to finally get to read his story.
I came into this book with pretty high expectations. I loved PU so much that I was expecting a lot from Shade's book. I am happy to say that DU not only met my expectations, but simply raised the bar for me. I find that with each book Larissa Ione's writing just gets better and better and this series has already taken its well deserved place in my Top 10 favorite series.
The stakes are so high in this book that it got me bitting my nails. I was so apprehensive as to how the situation with Shade's curse was going to go down and I loved how it turned out. Runa is definitely perfect mate and I really liked that they had had a (sort of) relationship before that didn't work. No, I'm not crazy. It is just that, for me, that is a very true reflection of life.
"he reached for her, knowing he was making a huge mistake. She came to him willingly, folded herself against his chest. She felt good like that, her warmth surrounding him, filling him in places that had been empty and cold for so long."
They weren't perfect for each other then, time was necessary and certain circumstances were very necessary to make them the people they are now and for them to reach the point in their lives that they were finally ready for each other. Life molds us and sometimes we can meet the right person at the wrong time. I'm happy that Shade and Runa finally got the timing right in the end. A lot of people don't.
We get a very specific villain in this book and it is such an unexpected and nasty one at that. I was really afraid for the characters lives and when things get to such high stakes, it just makes the reading experience better.
I also really enjoyed the parallel story with Kynan and Gem. My heart bleeds for them and I do hope they get to be together in the future. That is another case of bad timing and it just breaks my heart. They are such charismatic and interesting characters that you can't help but get involved in their story.
Ione's writing is superb. The world she created in intriguing and terrifying, a world you just want to know more and more about. Her characters have such depth, even the secondary ones, and it is so much fun to get to know each and everyone of them.
"Both of Shade’s hands were on her shoulders …“I can smell your desire, Runa,” he murmured in a coaxing, seductive tone. The man was sex on legs, an overwhelming mass of muscle, testosterone, and sensuality for which she had no defense. Nothing had prepared her for something like this. She doubted any woman could be prepared for Shade. At least not mentally."
There were a lot of Hot scenes in this book and My Shade (hehe) is sexy as hell. Runa and him together almost put my laptop screen on fire hehe =)
I recommend this book to all Paranormal Romance fans out there. This is a series that cannot be missed!
I came into this book with pretty high expectations. I loved PU so much that I was expecting a lot from Shade's book. I am happy to say that DU not only met my expectations, but simply raised the bar for me. I find that with each book Larissa Ione's writing just gets better and better and this series has already taken its well deserved place in my Top 10 favorite series.
The stakes are so high in this book that it got me bitting my nails. I was so apprehensive as to how the situation with Shade's curse was going to go down and I loved how it turned out. Runa is definitely perfect mate and I really liked that they had had a (sort of) relationship before that didn't work. No, I'm not crazy. It is just that, for me, that is a very true reflection of life.
"he reached for her, knowing he was making a huge mistake. She came to him willingly, folded herself against his chest. She felt good like that, her warmth surrounding him, filling him in places that had been empty and cold for so long."
They weren't perfect for each other then, time was necessary and certain circumstances were very necessary to make them the people they are now and for them to reach the point in their lives that they were finally ready for each other. Life molds us and sometimes we can meet the right person at the wrong time. I'm happy that Shade and Runa finally got the timing right in the end. A lot of people don't.
We get a very specific villain in this book and it is such an unexpected and nasty one at that. I was really afraid for the characters lives and when things get to such high stakes, it just makes the reading experience better.
I also really enjoyed the parallel story with Kynan and Gem. My heart bleeds for them and I do hope they get to be together in the future. That is another case of bad timing and it just breaks my heart. They are such charismatic and interesting characters that you can't help but get involved in their story.
Ione's writing is superb. The world she created in intriguing and terrifying, a world you just want to know more and more about. Her characters have such depth, even the secondary ones, and it is so much fun to get to know each and everyone of them.
"Both of Shade’s hands were on her shoulders …“I can smell your desire, Runa,” he murmured in a coaxing, seductive tone. The man was sex on legs, an overwhelming mass of muscle, testosterone, and sensuality for which she had no defense. Nothing had prepared her for something like this. She doubted any woman could be prepared for Shade. At least not mentally."
There were a lot of Hot scenes in this book and My Shade (hehe) is sexy as hell. Runa and him together almost put my laptop screen on fire hehe =)
I recommend this book to all Paranormal Romance fans out there. This is a series that cannot be missed!
I'm gonna start out this review again with a thank you to Annie for pushing me to read this series. If she hadn't, I never would have read about and fallen in love with my adorable Shade. Desire Unchained was a great second installment in the Demonica series and another great story about another great Seminus demon.
Shade, oh Shade, how I love you so. The funny thing is, I'm not even exactly sure what all the things I love about him are. He's just so...Shade. How could you not love him? He's loyal, dedicated to his brothers, strong, protective, beautiful, and capable of so much love. He's just...a great guy, er, demon. And as much as I disliked Tayla is how much I loved Runa. She pissed me off a bunch of times throughout the book but she was strong and spunky and intelligent, she made me love her, and I enjoyed watching her go from hating Shade and willing to betray him to realizing she's always loved him and turning her back on the Army to be with him. And, awww, there are going to be three little Shades running around soon!
As always, I loved Wraith and Eidolon. Their devotion to their brothers and to the hospital they created together made me love them even more.
I loved, loved when they transferred Shade's horrible curse to Roag, the bastard. And damn did he ever deserve it. What a sick fuck.
The continuing storyline with Gem and Kynan was great, except for the end. I mean, damn it, why? Ky finally realizes he wants to be with Gem and tells her that he wants to date her and the fucking Army has to come in and take him away! Why do you do this to me, Larissa Ione? But, I know their story can't end here and that's all that reassures me about them.
Like I said, this was another great installment in the series and I absolutely loved it. The only thing that should be different is that Shade should be mine, not Runa's.
Shade, oh Shade, how I love you so. The funny thing is, I'm not even exactly sure what all the things I love about him are. He's just so...Shade. How could you not love him? He's loyal, dedicated to his brothers, strong, protective, beautiful, and capable of so much love. He's just...a great guy, er, demon. And as much as I disliked Tayla is how much I loved Runa. She pissed me off a bunch of times throughout the book but she was strong and spunky and intelligent, she made me love her, and I enjoyed watching her go from hating Shade and willing to betray him to realizing she's always loved him and turning her back on the Army to be with him. And, awww, there are going to be three little Shades running around soon!
As always, I loved Wraith and Eidolon. Their devotion to their brothers and to the hospital they created together made me love them even more.
I loved, loved when they transferred Shade's horrible curse to Roag, the bastard. And damn did he ever deserve it. What a sick fuck.
The continuing storyline with Gem and Kynan was great, except for the end. I mean, damn it, why? Ky finally realizes he wants to be with Gem and tells her that he wants to date her and the fucking Army has to come in and take him away! Why do you do this to me, Larissa Ione? But, I know their story can't end here and that's all that reassures me about them.
Like I said, this was another great installment in the series and I absolutely loved it. The only thing that should be different is that Shade should be mine, not Runa's.