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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
4.5 stars, a really nice sequel!
I really liked Shade and Runa but I was strangely attracted to Gem and Kynan's story, even if they don't appear often in the book. The story is well made with a shocking revelation in the first chapter, a lot of action and a nice mythology.
I am looking forward to read Wraith's story!
I really liked Shade and Runa but I was strangely attracted to Gem and Kynan's story, even if they don't appear often in the book. The story is well made with a shocking revelation in the first chapter, a lot of action and a nice mythology.
I am looking forward to read Wraith's story!
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was good. I could have gone without the warg sex though. Both times. Not really into furries. Also, Shade fell way too quickly, considering he cheated and that's why she left in the first place, which caused the chain of events leading to this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
There's cheating by H in previous events.
Second in the Demonica paranormal-romance series set in a demon hospital in New York City.
The Story
We start with this installment's main character, Shade, chained in a dungeon in Ireland (yes, this is a contemporary story!) with an ex-flame who would just love to get her claws into him for cheating on her with two other females…can't say humans as one was a vampire and the other was…well, other.
Seems Shade's captor is aching for revenge and Shade and the ex- will do just fine to fulfill another brother's role, the brother whom Roag meant to capture. Roag believes that Shade and his brothers set him up to be assassinated and he wants payback. And, man, does this guy have the imagination on payback too! Whooooa…Roag has already begun his revenge cycle when our hero escapes with the girl and now all the excitement is on. In every sense of the word.
For it seems that Shade has bonded with Runa. He will no longer be attracted to other women and is already falling in love with her. A fatal love as it will trigger the curse that will doom him to an eternity of pain, desire, thirst, and hunger in a shadow world
The Characters
The characters are the best part. I just love that Ione has created lovable demons. Who knew?? It seems there are demons who are bad and good. Ione gives us the opportunity to understand the difference as it's a set of demon brothers who have set up the hospital. Yeah, they have their naughty side…and it is interesting how well Ione delineates the difference between bad and naughty. I also like how she gives her demons a conscience with a desire to help their fellow…um…man??
My Take
This story is different...and the main reason it rated up to a 3. A demon hospital set up underground in New York City staffed by demons, humans, and god knows what else. Ione does an amazing job of creating the demonic cultures and providing such a wide array of personalities.
Desire Unchained only rates a 3 because the writing itself is so obvious that at times I just wanted to shut the book up and not bother with finishing.
A good example of the "so obvious" is the scene in Shade's cave [which I absolutely adore and want for myself!] when Shade first takes Runa there after they've escaped Roag. Ione has spoken of Shade's enjoyment of the BDSM side of the sex and here he is whining about how he hates the Pleasure Room and the things women have "forced" him to do to them and now he worries that his brother wouldn't understand his extreme sexual needs? Pages later, we do discover the reasons for his hating this room, but the emphasis and Ione's including it at such length, as well as the few scenes Ione tucks in, seem superfluous and rather over the top.
The Cover
The cover is good. There's a fine metallic, deep-pink sheen with a tattooed Shade and leather-clad Runa embracing in its darkness. The title is certainly appropriate since the novel begins and just about ends in chains.
The Story
We start with this installment's main character, Shade, chained in a dungeon in Ireland (yes, this is a contemporary story!) with an ex-flame who would just love to get her claws into him for cheating on her with two other females…can't say humans as one was a vampire and the other was…well, other.
Seems Shade's captor is aching for revenge and Shade and the ex- will do just fine to fulfill another brother's role, the brother whom Roag meant to capture. Roag believes that Shade and his brothers set him up to be assassinated and he wants payback. And, man, does this guy have the imagination on payback too! Whooooa…Roag has already begun his revenge cycle when our hero escapes with the girl and now all the excitement is on. In every sense of the word.
For it seems that Shade has bonded with Runa. He will no longer be attracted to other women and is already falling in love with her. A fatal love as it will trigger the curse that will doom him to an eternity of pain, desire, thirst, and hunger in a shadow world
The Characters
The characters are the best part. I just love that Ione has created lovable demons. Who knew?? It seems there are demons who are bad and good. Ione gives us the opportunity to understand the difference as it's a set of demon brothers who have set up the hospital. Yeah, they have their naughty side…and it is interesting how well Ione delineates the difference between bad and naughty. I also like how she gives her demons a conscience with a desire to help their fellow…um…man??
My Take
This story is different...and the main reason it rated up to a 3. A demon hospital set up underground in New York City staffed by demons, humans, and god knows what else. Ione does an amazing job of creating the demonic cultures and providing such a wide array of personalities.
Desire Unchained only rates a 3 because the writing itself is so obvious that at times I just wanted to shut the book up and not bother with finishing.
A good example of the "so obvious" is the scene in Shade's cave [which I absolutely adore and want for myself!] when Shade first takes Runa there after they've escaped Roag. Ione has spoken of Shade's enjoyment of the BDSM side of the sex and here he is whining about how he hates the Pleasure Room and the things women have "forced" him to do to them and now he worries that his brother wouldn't understand his extreme sexual needs? Pages later, we do discover the reasons for his hating this room, but the emphasis and Ione's including it at such length, as well as the few scenes Ione tucks in, seem superfluous and rather over the top.
The Cover
The cover is good. There's a fine metallic, deep-pink sheen with a tattooed Shade and leather-clad Runa embracing in its darkness. The title is certainly appropriate since the novel begins and just about ends in chains.
I'm going to keep this review brief - I loved Shade and Runa's story! This series is my definition of a fun time. The plot is so fast-paced with a full cast of characters who occasionally get their own POV's in the story, and it feels like one big found family unit. Shade and Runa's dynamic was fresh and different from Eidolon and Tayla's romance in Pleasure Unbound, and I had a great time reading it. This series gives me major Buffy vibes with a fresh twist, and I can't wait for book 3 (Wraith's!)!
I read the first book of this series when it first came out, obviously because the cover is just amazing and the summary promised good sex scenes that, at that time, I was in the mood for. Sadly, I didn't follow the series now I'm behind by three books.
Which is why I bought the book last week and finished it in one sitting. Shade is the sort of hero you love to hate, and hate to love. But you can't help yourself! I was mesmerized from the first sentenced, and I enjoyed to watch the sick but amazing love between Shade and Runa form.
I'll be buying the rest of the series ASAP!
Which is why I bought the book last week and finished it in one sitting. Shade is the sort of hero you love to hate, and hate to love. But you can't help yourself! I was mesmerized from the first sentenced, and I enjoyed to watch the sick but amazing love between Shade and Runa form.
I'll be buying the rest of the series ASAP!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wow. Another great read by Larissa Ione. How does she do it? I loved Shade and Runa's HEA. I'm so ready for Wraith to find his match. I love how so far the heroines have been strong females. Wraith is definitely going to need a strong female.
2.5 rounding up. I didn't really care much about the characters or what they were doing.