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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
4.25 stars
I am really enjoying this series! The tension, the angst, the drama! It’s so cohesive and it’s written really well!
Fans of the Demonica series will not be disapointed. New comers will be instantly hooked.
The opening scene of Shade urging Runa to "climb on and get started", he'll catch up. Was priceless. Shade oozes a type of machismo that doesn't get old. His protective instinct and/or sexual urges are so merged with his personality that you complety fall for him. When the Hero fights his love for the Heroine the reasons vary but are based in emotionally scarred barriers that can often grate after about 6,7,8 chapters. Shade's resistance actually depended on his life, but it hurt him and Runa to the point where I was hurting. It was torture but it was so well written I kept turning the page for more.
Runa is an ex of Shade's that is bitten by a werewolf and is turned. While they are captured she bites Shade and is able to transfer the wolf gene to Shade. There is a lot going on in this novel. Yet again Larissa Ione jugggles multiple characters, story lines and increases the depth of her demon world with ease. Old fans will be rabid for Wraith's story(Passion Unleashed) by the end of Shade's story. New fans will be glad to be able to read Pleasure Unbound (if you have not yet, do!).
The opening scene of Shade urging Runa to "climb on and get started", he'll catch up. Was priceless. Shade oozes a type of machismo that doesn't get old. His protective instinct and/or sexual urges are so merged with his personality that you complety fall for him. When the Hero fights his love for the Heroine the reasons vary but are based in emotionally scarred barriers that can often grate after about 6,7,8 chapters. Shade's resistance actually depended on his life, but it hurt him and Runa to the point where I was hurting. It was torture but it was so well written I kept turning the page for more.
Runa is an ex of Shade's that is bitten by a werewolf and is turned. While they are captured she bites Shade and is able to transfer the wolf gene to Shade. There is a lot going on in this novel. Yet again Larissa Ione jugggles multiple characters, story lines and increases the depth of her demon world with ease. Old fans will be rabid for Wraith's story(Passion Unleashed) by the end of Shade's story. New fans will be glad to be able to read Pleasure Unbound (if you have not yet, do!).
3.25-3.5 stars. I liked this book, although maybe not as much as the first one. I liked Shade and Runa. I just wish they had gotten together and stopped fighting their feelings earlier. Once they did get together, though, I enjoyed it. I also liked the ongoing Gemma/Kynan story, as well as the other side characters. The overall story line and writing was good. I'll definitely keep on reading more from this series!
Another fabulous read from Larissa Ione.
I'm actually sorry I didn't discover this series sooner, it's so good. I haven't found a paranormal series that has had me this captivated since I started reading the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward last summer.
This series is similar in that it revolves are three brothers who have a very strong bond with one another, who love and are very loyal to each other and would pretty much lay down their lives if one was in trouble.
I'm a sucker for the bromance - literally.
Anyway, the second installment Desire Unchained was even better than it predecessor. Shade was an interesting character in the first novel, he seemed detached in a lot of ways except when it came to Eidolon and Wraith. So it was really nice to see him in a much more vulnerable way in his story. He was loyal, sympathetic, strong and lovable and I really loved his relationship with Runa.
I've always liked stories that revolve around reunited lovers and this one was right up that alley as Shade and Runa are reunited under less than favourable circumstances only to be forceably mated to one another. Needless to say, things get mighty complicated for a variety of reasons. At some points it really seemed like everything but the kitchen sink was against these two and yet you can't help but keep routing for them.
Runa was a great heroine. Unlike, Tayla from book 1, who I found to be a little too hard and judgmental at times - although she did have good reason - Runa, who also had plenty of reasons to hate Shade, really couldn't help but soften to him. She was clearly still in love with him when they first reunited and yet she wasn't the weepy, whiny or spineless heroine ready to bow down in submission to Shade, who had one year prior when they'd been dating had liked her for those very qualities. Runa reappears in Shade's life as a strong, beautiful and feisty female who could more than handle her own fair share of horrors along with Shade's sometimes shitty attitude. These two were perfect for one another in a number of ways and I really liked how Ione made them both strong, yet vulnerable in such endearing ways.
Shade's personality really brightened in this book and you couldn't help but love him. Although, I will say that through out books 1 and 2 I've been itching to read about Wraith. The seemingly aloof and haunted brother with a devil-may-care attitude was compelling in the first book and down right mesmerizing in the second. He's dark and brooding, yet has such a weakness when either one of his brothers is in any kind of trouble, he tries to hide how much he cares but his love and loyalty to both brothers is so appealing and can't be hidden, especially when it comes to Shade who he loves dearly.
This guy had come major demons to kill - no pun intended :p - and I can't wait to meet the woman who brings Wraith, eternal womanizer, to his knees. I couldn't help but laugh out loud when Wraith told Shade that he would never fall in love. I wanted to giggle and tell him to be careful what he says...
As for the Gem and Kynlan...Oh boy, what to say about these two. They damn near broke my heart. Ky was the sweet tempered, strong, loyal guy in the first book with such a fierce moral compass. Well that was all shattered and in this one he was dark and messed up, losing everything Gem loved about him to grief and betrayal. Yet, Gem's strength and determination had the power to bring him back. She is such a great woman and I love her character. It really says a lot that while reading this book I didn't mind at all when the primary story between Shade and Runa was interrupted for Gem and Ky. I actually went looking for moments between them, anticipating the tension and drama and near-misses. You can't help but route for these two and I love that Ione has kept readers on their toes. They haven't met their Happily Ever After yet, but I sure hope they get there soon.
The dark Demonica world continues to grow and excite and I am still in awe at Ione's imaginative creativity. This is such a compelling paranormal world.
This was a definite 5 star read and I loved it even more that the first, Wraith's story is up next and I can't hardly wait!
I'm actually sorry I didn't discover this series sooner, it's so good. I haven't found a paranormal series that has had me this captivated since I started reading the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward last summer.
This series is similar in that it revolves are three brothers who have a very strong bond with one another, who love and are very loyal to each other and would pretty much lay down their lives if one was in trouble.
I'm a sucker for the bromance - literally.
Anyway, the second installment Desire Unchained was even better than it predecessor. Shade was an interesting character in the first novel, he seemed detached in a lot of ways except when it came to Eidolon and Wraith. So it was really nice to see him in a much more vulnerable way in his story. He was loyal, sympathetic, strong and lovable and I really loved his relationship with Runa.
I've always liked stories that revolve around reunited lovers and this one was right up that alley as Shade and Runa are reunited under less than favourable circumstances only to be forceably mated to one another. Needless to say, things get mighty complicated for a variety of reasons. At some points it really seemed like everything but the kitchen sink was against these two and yet you can't help but keep routing for them.
Runa was a great heroine. Unlike, Tayla from book 1, who I found to be a little too hard and judgmental at times - although she did have good reason - Runa, who also had plenty of reasons to hate Shade, really couldn't help but soften to him. She was clearly still in love with him when they first reunited and yet she wasn't the weepy, whiny or spineless heroine ready to bow down in submission to Shade, who had one year prior when they'd been dating had liked her for those very qualities. Runa reappears in Shade's life as a strong, beautiful and feisty female who could more than handle her own fair share of horrors along with Shade's sometimes shitty attitude. These two were perfect for one another in a number of ways and I really liked how Ione made them both strong, yet vulnerable in such endearing ways.
Shade's personality really brightened in this book and you couldn't help but love him. Although, I will say that through out books 1 and 2 I've been itching to read about Wraith. The seemingly aloof and haunted brother with a devil-may-care attitude was compelling in the first book and down right mesmerizing in the second. He's dark and brooding, yet has such a weakness when either one of his brothers is in any kind of trouble, he tries to hide how much he cares but his love and loyalty to both brothers is so appealing and can't be hidden, especially when it comes to Shade who he loves dearly.
This guy had come major demons to kill - no pun intended :p - and I can't wait to meet the woman who brings Wraith, eternal womanizer, to his knees. I couldn't help but laugh out loud when Wraith told Shade that he would never fall in love. I wanted to giggle and tell him to be careful what he says...
As for the Gem and Kynlan...Oh boy, what to say about these two. They damn near broke my heart. Ky was the sweet tempered, strong, loyal guy in the first book with such a fierce moral compass. Well that was all shattered and in this one he was dark and messed up, losing everything Gem loved about him to grief and betrayal. Yet, Gem's strength and determination had the power to bring him back. She is such a great woman and I love her character. It really says a lot that while reading this book I didn't mind at all when the primary story between Shade and Runa was interrupted for Gem and Ky. I actually went looking for moments between them, anticipating the tension and drama and near-misses. You can't help but route for these two and I love that Ione has kept readers on their toes. They haven't met their Happily Ever After yet, but I sure hope they get there soon.
The dark Demonica world continues to grow and excite and I am still in awe at Ione's imaginative creativity. This is such a compelling paranormal world.
This was a definite 5 star read and I loved it even more that the first, Wraith's story is up next and I can't hardly wait!
3.5 stars
Holy shit. I just went back to check when I read book one of the series - "Pleasure Unbound" - and found that it has been over 7 years!! SEVEN!!! This boggles my mind. Strangely enough, I still vaguely remember E and Tayla. Crazy stuff.
But anyways, onto this book. I really enjoyed the characters of Shade and Runa. I enjoyed how they both portrayed a good balance of characteristics, and neither one of them were overly macho, or overly sensitive, or overly anything for that matter. Shade was an all-male, tough as balls character that refused to acknowledge his love for Runa in the beginning. But I really liked how it did not drag on as much as it usually does in other books I've read. The evolution of his feelings was refreshing and realistic.
The same can be said or Runa - she is well developed in that although she is tough, she is not overly tough. She is very much still a person with feelings and, despite a little bit of resistance, is willing to acknowledge what she feels. The relationship between Runa and Shade is nothing but a joy to witness as they grew to accept their situation of being bonded.
I think the only instance where I felt myself eye-rolling was when Shade's "torture" room was introduced. How cliche is that? Gives me a weird reminder of Fifty Shades of Grey and was a touch too close to being cheesy. I also felt kind of weird reading the scenes where Runa willingly wanted Shade to use his devices on her. I can't quite place my finger on it, but it definitely felt a bit out of place despite the obvious darker nature of this book and its characters. But I will admit, it is hard to write a convincing BDSM scene.
Holy shit. I just went back to check when I read book one of the series - "Pleasure Unbound" - and found that it has been over 7 years!! SEVEN!!! This boggles my mind. Strangely enough, I still vaguely remember E and Tayla. Crazy stuff.
But anyways, onto this book. I really enjoyed the characters of Shade and Runa. I enjoyed how they both portrayed a good balance of characteristics, and neither one of them were overly macho, or overly sensitive, or overly anything for that matter. Shade was an all-male, tough as balls character that refused to acknowledge his love for Runa in the beginning. But I really liked how it did not drag on as much as it usually does in other books I've read. The evolution of his feelings was refreshing and realistic.
The same can be said or Runa - she is well developed in that although she is tough, she is not overly tough. She is very much still a person with feelings and, despite a little bit of resistance, is willing to acknowledge what she feels. The relationship between Runa and Shade is nothing but a joy to witness as they grew to accept their situation of being bonded.
I think the only instance where I felt myself eye-rolling was when Shade's "torture" room was introduced. How cliche is that? Gives me a weird reminder of Fifty Shades of Grey and was a touch too close to being cheesy. I also felt kind of weird reading the scenes where Runa willingly wanted Shade to use his devices on her. I can't quite place my finger on it, but it definitely felt a bit out of place despite the obvious darker nature of this book and its characters. But I will admit, it is hard to write a convincing BDSM scene.
it's a 3.5
This second installment is an improvement, there is a plot as perhaps most of the universe has already been introduced in the previous book
This second installment is an improvement, there is a plot as perhaps most of the universe has already been introduced in the previous book
Desire Unchained is the second book in the Demonica series and I recommend reading in order. Here we have a second chance romance with Shade and Runa, a human woman whose heart he broke in the past. Runa was briefly mentioned in the first book and it has actually been a year since Shade last saw her. When Shade meets Runa again, they're both captured in a dungeon and she blames him for it. And to his surprise, Runa is now a werewolf!
Similar to its predecessor, Desire Unchained is action-packed and super sexy. The BDSM element is not to my taste, but I can understand why its inclusion is important in Shade's story. The plot is so addicting; we finally find out who is behind the organ harvesting operation. Runa and Shade have been captured by the same person who forces them to bond in order to activate Shade's love curse. Again, a few problematic things in here, but I've come to accept that it comes with the whole, you know, demon thing. It was actually so cute watching Shade fall in love and I really like that he has always wanted a family and kids. And I love how adorable and sexy he is when he's protective. It's interesting how Shade's maternal lineage makes him so different from Eidolon and Wraith. I think I might like Shade more than Eidolon.
Runa was a pretty good heroine, a tortured heroine with a difficult past. It's interesting to note that both Tayla (heroine of Pleasure Unbound) and Runa are tortured heroines, paired with caring and protective heroes. It's a nice change for once. One thing I don't get is why it took Runa so long to notice the very obvious effects of Shade's curse. It was strange.
There is also some great development with Kynan and Gem, especially Kynan. I like their secondary romance and I can't wait to read more of it in the next book. Something about Kynan is also revealed and I think this will have an effect on where this series is heading.The organ harvesting plot is resolved...but I think there will be a lasting effect that will continue in Wraith's book. Onto the next book!
Similar to its predecessor, Desire Unchained is action-packed and super sexy. The BDSM element is not to my taste, but I can understand why its inclusion is important in Shade's story. The plot is so addicting; we finally find out who is behind the organ harvesting operation. Runa and Shade have been captured by the same person who forces them to bond in order to activate Shade's love curse. Again, a few problematic things in here, but I've come to accept that it comes with the whole, you know, demon thing. It was actually so cute watching Shade fall in love and I really like that he has always wanted a family and kids. And I love how adorable and sexy he is when he's protective. It's interesting how Shade's maternal lineage makes him so different from Eidolon and Wraith. I think I might like Shade more than Eidolon.
Runa was a pretty good heroine, a tortured heroine with a difficult past. It's interesting to note that both Tayla (heroine of Pleasure Unbound) and Runa are tortured heroines, paired with caring and protective heroes. It's a nice change for once. One thing I don't get is why it took Runa so long to notice the very obvious effects of Shade's curse. It was strange.
There is also some great development with Kynan and Gem, especially Kynan. I like their secondary romance and I can't wait to read more of it in the next book. Something about Kynan is also revealed and I think this will have an effect on where this series is heading.The organ harvesting plot is resolved...but I think there will be a lasting effect that will continue in Wraith's book. Onto the next book!