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laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Passion Unleashed
4 Stars
Imaginative world building, fast paced action and a sweet romance.
Ione's Demonica universe is detailed and complex. The ethical dilemmas faced by the characters are unique and nothing is ever as it seems. In this installment, the question arises as to whether the tortured and seemingly irredeemable Wraith will kill an innocent to save his own skin. Of course, it is not that simple and it turns out that the fate of the world relies on the outcome.
Wraith is definitely a bad-boy but there is more to him than a granite exterior and a vicious tongue. It soon becomes evident that he cares deeply for those closest to him and his facade is merely a self-defense mechanism. His backstory is difficult to read although not as heart-wrenching as Zarek's in the Dark Hunters or Zsadist's in BDB (a series that is virtually impossible for me to read but don't get me started on those ridiculous Lessers).
The romance in Passion Unleashed plays out rapidly and is on the predictable side with the resolution to Serena's impending demise glaringly obvious. Nevertheless, it is entertaining to see how it all plays out as Wraith and Serena are a sweet couple with a compelling bond. The conclusion, while saccharine sweet, meshes well with the characters and the tone of the story.
The secondary characters are also nicely fleshed out from the repellant villain to the protective father figure and the developing romance between Gem and Kynan.
In sum, a strong addition to a solid series and there are hints and interesting things to come.
4 Stars
Imaginative world building, fast paced action and a sweet romance.
Ione's Demonica universe is detailed and complex. The ethical dilemmas faced by the characters are unique and nothing is ever as it seems. In this installment, the question arises as to whether the tortured and seemingly irredeemable Wraith will kill an innocent to save his own skin. Of course, it is not that simple and it turns out that the fate of the world relies on the outcome.
Wraith is definitely a bad-boy but there is more to him than a granite exterior and a vicious tongue. It soon becomes evident that he cares deeply for those closest to him and his facade is merely a self-defense mechanism. His backstory is difficult to read although not as heart-wrenching as Zarek's in the Dark Hunters or Zsadist's in BDB (a series that is virtually impossible for me to read but don't get me started on those ridiculous Lessers).
The romance in Passion Unleashed plays out rapidly and is on the predictable side with the resolution to Serena's impending demise glaringly obvious. Nevertheless, it is entertaining to see how it all plays out as Wraith and Serena are a sweet couple with a compelling bond. The conclusion, while saccharine sweet, meshes well with the characters and the tone of the story.
The secondary characters are also nicely fleshed out from the repellant villain to the protective father figure and the developing romance between Gem and Kynan.
In sum, a strong addition to a solid series and there are hints and interesting things to come.
thegeekyblogger's review
4.0
Listened for Fun (Audible)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 3.75
Character Rating: 4.25
Audio Rating: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)
TBRJar Pull Thoughts: Passion Unleashed by Larissa Ione just should not have set on my audio shelf for as long as it did! Really enjoyed it!
Quick Thoughts: Love Wraith and Serena (knew that from the other books though--yep I did not read this series in order) but wasn't in love with the story surrounding them. It was entertaining but not my favorite in the series. Them as a couple though, close to the top!
Audio Thoughts:
This is one of those series with several narrators but really Renee, Cassandra, and Hillary are the best of the bunch. Well worth the listen!
TBRJar pull/short review
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 3.75
Character Rating: 4.25
Audio Rating: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)
TBRJar Pull Thoughts: Passion Unleashed by Larissa Ione just should not have set on my audio shelf for as long as it did! Really enjoyed it!
Quick Thoughts: Love Wraith and Serena (knew that from the other books though--yep I did not read this series in order) but wasn't in love with the story surrounding them. It was entertaining but not my favorite in the series. Them as a couple though, close to the top!
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated by: Renee Raudman /Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins
This is one of those series with several narrators but really Renee, Cassandra, and Hillary are the best of the bunch. Well worth the listen!
TBRJar pull/short review
bookwife's review
4.0
http://megansbookmaddness.blogspot.com/2015/09/passion-unleashed-by-larissa-ione.html
I have mixed feelings about this book. Kinda the same as the first couple. I liked it, just didn't love it. It is not one I would go back and re read. But I did love Wraith and Selena. I love that Wraith gave himself up fully to Selena. I liked that he didn't try to make her believe he hated her. I always feel like that diminishes the feelings. Why not just be honest about everything. I mean I understand that he was going to kill her.. even though it was obvious he never was going to do that. I think it will be interesting to see how he does with what happens at the end. I think he will be good for the family and I love that Selena just accepted it. Whereas I would be hesitant at first, no she went right into it. I love that! defiantly a good match..
Anyways the book was good. A bit long. I felt like it was kind of dragged out and I had to fight the urge to skim certain parts but it was defiantly a good read. You find out a ridiculous amount of information in this book. Um especially all the stuff with Kynan!! and yay for Gem :) I love them.
I have mixed feelings about this book. Kinda the same as the first couple. I liked it, just didn't love it. It is not one I would go back and re read. But I did love Wraith and Selena. I love that Wraith gave himself up fully to Selena. I liked that he didn't try to make her believe he hated her. I always feel like that diminishes the feelings. Why not just be honest about everything. I mean I understand that he was going to kill her.. even though it was obvious he never was going to do that. I think it will be interesting to see how he does with what happens at the end. I think he will be good for the family and I love that Selena just accepted it. Whereas I would be hesitant at first, no she went right into it. I love that! defiantly a good match..
Anyways the book was good. A bit long. I felt like it was kind of dragged out and I had to fight the urge to skim certain parts but it was defiantly a good read. You find out a ridiculous amount of information in this book. Um especially all the stuff with Kynan!! and yay for Gem :) I love them.
hoosgracie's review
3.0
Good addition to the series. It was fun seeing bad boy Wraith find love with Serena.
andreah13's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.0
lucy_qhuay's review
5.0
Once again, well done Larissa Ione!
Like Shade would say - "Hell's fucking bells!" xD
This series is so freaking hot! I can't believe it!
So, this time we have Wraith's story.
Wraith, the unstable brother. The black sheep of the family. The most tortured of the brothers because of his horrible past. The half seminus demon, half vampire who preys on his own kind and hates human women.
It was really interesting to have a more profound knowledge of this character.
I knew he wasn't as demented as people put him, though it was obvious he was a pretty unstable and dangerous guy.
I always feel like this kind of hero has something behind him making him the way he is and that he is not as bad as people think.
Fascinating!
But what better to calm a dude down than the woman of this life? xD And a sexy bitch, nonetheless! xD
Serena is a pretty likeable heroine too!
She is a clever, naive and somewhat sassy heroine, with a heavy burden. Too heavy in my opinion, since she was basically doomed to live a recluse life.
What a sad thing, when you think about it.
It is one thing when it is a person's choice to live a lonely life, but longing for things that mean the world to you, knowing that you cannot have them is just tragic! :(
Seriously, Wraith and Serena's predicament really touched me!
It was an extremely difficult and heartbreaking situation for both of them but, especially, for Wraith.
Can you imagine if the secret to your living lies with the one person who gives meaning to your life and you know that if you do what must be done for you to survive, it means that that one person is going to die? :(
And can you imagine not wanting to do that but knowing that if you do nothing you will be responsible for more than your own death? That you have other live sin your hands?
Gosh, I admit that I actually cried for Wraith.
P.S. The new brother aka sexy assassin that goes by the name of Lore really caught my interest. Gotta run and read his book, then! xD
Like Shade would say - "Hell's fucking bells!" xD
This series is so freaking hot! I can't believe it!
So, this time we have Wraith's story.
Wraith, the unstable brother. The black sheep of the family. The most tortured of the brothers because of his horrible past. The half seminus demon, half vampire who preys on his own kind and hates human women.
It was really interesting to have a more profound knowledge of this character.
I knew he wasn't as demented as people put him, though it was obvious he was a pretty unstable and dangerous guy.
I always feel like this kind of hero has something behind him making him the way he is and that he is not as bad as people think.
Fascinating!
But what better to calm a dude down than the woman of this life? xD And a sexy bitch, nonetheless! xD
Serena is a pretty likeable heroine too!
She is a clever, naive and somewhat sassy heroine, with a heavy burden. Too heavy in my opinion, since she was basically doomed to live a recluse life.
What a sad thing, when you think about it.
It is one thing when it is a person's choice to live a lonely life, but longing for things that mean the world to you, knowing that you cannot have them is just tragic! :(
Seriously, Wraith and Serena's predicament really touched me!
It was an extremely difficult and heartbreaking situation for both of them but, especially, for Wraith.
Can you imagine if the secret to your living lies with the one person who gives meaning to your life and you know that if you do what must be done for you to survive, it means that that one person is going to die? :(
And can you imagine not wanting to do that but knowing that if you do nothing you will be responsible for more than your own death? That you have other live sin your hands?
Gosh, I admit that I actually cried for Wraith.
P.S. The new brother aka sexy assassin that goes by the name of Lore really caught my interest. Gotta run and read his book, then! xD
bookishnicole's review
3.0
This was a good time, a lot of deception and the overall plot is thickening. The narrator was a little rough, she made the FMC sound like a simpering fool. Loved to see Wraiths growth.
cruzm1's review
5.0
This is my favorite book in the series (so far). The series just keeps getting better and better!
carebear11's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.5