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kathydavie's review against another edition
3.0
First in the Demonica Birthright paranormal romance series (twenty-second in the overall Demonica universe) and revolving around the next generation. The couple focus is on Logan and Eva.
My Take
It’s an exploration of lies and bigotry. Ya can’t help but notice how much more loving those demon families are. Yeah, well, not all of them . . . eek . . .
That prologue is so cute, as Ione relates one of toddler Logan’s adventures with his bow and arrow as he and his mother take a walk. That happy moment is balanced by Logan’s demands of his parents near the end. Hoo, boy. I do love that Ione has carried on with everyone from Demonica. I love knowing how things are going in characters’ lives. Yes, yes, I know they're not real, which probably why I enjoy it so much, lol.
Wow, I’m not going to any demon clubs. Too scary! Those clubs, however, aren’t nearly as scary as Lilith, Logan’s evil-beyond-evil grandmother. She’s certainly going to “liven” things up. Of course, the angels have their own issues. God would be so disappointed in them! Oy. That prison in which they confine one of their own, out of their own fears! That Zaphkiel has a lot of atoning to do.
Between The Aegis and the angels, it’s scary. Those hate-spewing Aegis agents make me sick. They’re such hypocrites!! Right. Along. With. The angels. Such envy and hatred! We know it all through third person dual protagonist point-of-view from Eva’s and Logan’s perspectives, as they argue about their respective "sides". I wanted to hit Eva (and every other Aegis agent) over the head with truth.
I really do suggest reading the series from the start of Demonica, as there is so much background that will make Legacy of Temptation a much richer experience. At the very least, read Lethal Rider, 3 (D 8), for more detail on the legend about Logan.
Does this sound familiar? “The only good demon is a dead demon.” ‘Cause we all “know” there are no such things as good demons *eye roll* . . . well, there are in Demonica, anyway *grin*. As for “kill first, dissect later”, yep, humans, demons, and angels all jump on that one.
Oh, geez, it does sound like the human race with their “cavalier, let’s pass this down to the next generation attitude” because we won’t be around to see it. Humans have no monopoly on parents who get it wrong . . . and Mace invites Logan to join the club.
Lololol, Stryke is a jerk, but I did have to laugh at his attitude with a was-to-have-been buyer of his demon detection system! Yeah, you wanna be a jerk about our products, well now you’ll pay . . . bwa-ha-ha . . .
Talk about manipulation. The Aegis is constantly slanting the news. It seems almost all of their people epitomize the Aegis creed of sabotage and backstabbing. It is interesting that Eva believes that she’s fair and yet she’s fallen for Aegis’ brainwashing. Just look at Maja Weso’s actions. Jesus.
I love that the families of the Four Horsemen are so supportive and gather together to party so much. It’s a major contrast to Eva’s cold, manipulative parents. And I gotta agree with Reaper that the angels are making a dumb move antagonizing Revenant.
Hmm, I’m trying to envision Thanatos with a man cave and working crafts. Of playing catch with Logan and having a tea party with his daughter and her stuffed animals. How can you not love a guy who loves his kids this much?
It’s a character-driven story with additional impact from the one side’s demon natures and the other side’s ignorance and bigotry. It’s this last that creates the inciting incident that’s promoted by Aegis pushing their angle. Just another example of Christian charity . . ..
And, yeah, those characters. I got so lost and confused as to who was related to who and what any relationship was. Oy.
Action-wise, lol, yep there’s violent action and a whole lot more sexual action with plenty of pondering in between and too many unpalatable truths.
And Ione has left me with so many questions! Does Zaphkiel get some comeuppance? What does Eva learn about herself? How does that investigation, um, those investigations, go? How does Eva reconcile what her parents did? Arghh, inquiring minds want to know!
The Story
Eva Tennant, like everyone at The Aegis, hates demons. But she loves her job as deputy spokesperson for the global demon-slaying organization, and she’s excited to be in the running for chief spokesperson. All she has to do is not screw up the two-week exchange program with The Aegis’s rival agency, the Demon Activity Response Team.
But things go horribly wrong when a murder turns her into a fugitive from justice and puts a demonic target on her back.
To save his friend, Logan, son of the Horseman of the Apocalypse known as Death, is ordered to protect an Aegis Guardian responsible for the deaths of his friends. Really, he’d rather feed her to Cujo.
But when an old enemy rises from the ashes, Eva and Logan find themselves giving in to temptation even as they sacrifice the things . . . and people . . . they love the most.
The Characters
The very ambitious Eva Tennant, the deputy spokesperson for The Aegis, has a strong background in investigative journalism and would “kill” for the position of chief spokesperson. Tessandra and Charles are her parents and partners in a law firm, Tennant, Tennant, and Chesterleigh, in LA.
Thirty-three-year-old immortal Logan Matthews/Thanatos, is the son of Thanatos and Regan Matthews and can see souls. He’s in charge of the Spirit Management division at DART. Cujo is the hellhound who bonded with Logan at birth.
Logan's friends, family, and age mates include Mace, a Seminus demon, who is Lore and Idess’ son (Ecstasy Unveiled, 4) and Talon’s cousin. And brother (Wraith is Mace’s biological father). Sabre, another Seminus demon, is Eidolon and Tayla’s son who works in UGH’s forensics lab; he's also cousin to Mace, Talon, Blade, Rade, Stryke, and Crux.
Blade (special forces and a healer), Rade (interrogator), and Stryke (genius trillionaire recluse and major jerk who hates his family) are triplets while Chaos and Crux are/were twins, all Seminus demons, are brothers and cousins to Mace, Sabre, and Talon. Their parents are Runa Wagner, Arik’s sister and a werewolf, and Shade, a Seminus demon, (Desire Unchained, 2), who is a paramedic at UGH.
Draven, a vengeance demon, is happily engaged to Shanea and is on DART’s security team. He’s also been Logan’s best friend since elementary school. Martin is Draven’s father.
The Demonic Activity Response Team (DART) is . . .
. . . a demon control agency with teams of demons and humans who battle demons and prepare for the Apocalypse. Based in Brussels, Kynan Morgan is the director and wears Heofon, an amulet that gives him special protection. He’s married to half-human, half-Soulshredder Dr Gemella Endri, Tayla’s sister. Dawn, part Soulshredder, is Kynan and Gem’s daughter. Arik Wagner, the deputy director, is married to Limos (Immortal Rider, 2 (7)). Nikko Masters, an ex-cop, Chuck Verinn, and Stan Geardon are all human agents. Aaron, Noah, and Cyan, Shanea's best friend, are also agents.
The Aegis is . . .
. . . a demon control agency of demon haters who battle demons AND DART. They see all in DART as traitors. Based in Washington DC, they are presided over by twelve Elders who include Maja Weso, Dmitri, Lukas Olsen who has never fought a demon and is the only son of the wealthiest demon antiquities trader in the world, Anthony Roffalone, Miguel, Philip, the humorless, tough Kell Hammond, and Deborah Johnson.
Jennifer, the chief spokesperson, is Eva’s boss in public relations. Stefani Hughes is a rival with Eva for Jennifer’s job. Willa Peters is the director of Public Affairs. “Volunteers’ for the work exchange program include the barely tolerated Sigfred “Sig” Olsen, the son of an Aegis Elder, who is an arrogant hothead; Keeley, an assistant personnel manager, has no filter; the intense Carlos Martinez, a former Navy SEAL, is tactical and security; Mason Devino is the deputy director of The Aegis’ School of Magic; and, Benjiro “Benji” Shimosaka is the head of Research and Development — these last two think they’re smarter than anyone else in the room.
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Thanatos, a.k.a. “Than” or “Thanny”, is Death and married to the pregnant-again human, Regan (Lethal Rider, 3 (8)). Styx is Death’s stallion. Amber is their too-empathic daughter and a bestselling author. Eli is one of their daywalker vampire servants.
Ares is War who rides Battle and is married to Cara who has hell-hound-whispering skills (Eternal Rider, 1 (6)). Hal is Cara’s hellhound. They live on a glorious island in Greece. Aleka and Scotland “Scotty” are their daughters. The Memitim are angels bound to the earth who moved to an enclave on Ares’ island. Hawkyn speaks for the Memitim in Heaven ("Hawkyn", 5 (D 16)).
Reseph is Pestilence and married to Jillian (Rogue Rider, 4). Limos is Famine, their sister, who rides Bones, and she's married to Arik. Leilani is their shopping-mad daughter.
Reaver, a Radiant Angel, is the father of the Four Horsemen and Logan’s grandfather. He’s married to Harvester (a.k.a. Verrine, Satan’s daughter, an angel, and former Heavenly Watcher of the Horsemen), and they’ve been restricted to Heaven (Reaver, 5 (D 10)). Revenant, the current king of Hell, is their uncle (Revenant, LoD 6 (D 11)).
The teleport-capable Lilith is a very powerful and evil demon who happens to be the mother of the Four Horsemen and Logan’s grandmother.
Underworld General Hospital is . . .
. . . a demon hospital run by Eidolon and four other siblings, including Shade, Wraith, and Lore are all Logan's uncles. Eidolon is married to Tayla Mancuso (Pleasure Unbound, 1). Talon, a Seminus demon, is Wraith's son, and yeah, a cousin to the boys above.
StryTech is . . .
. . . a Sydney-based company run by a brilliant genius of a demon, Stryke, who hates other demons including his family. StryTech leads the way in combatting, identifying, or using demons. Smiter is a pistol developed by StryTech.
Sheoul is . . .
. . . Hell while Sheoul-gra is a region in Hell that had been ruled by Azagoth, the Grim Reaper. Raika is Azagoth and Lilliana’s daughter, tasked with hunting down the worst of the demons her father let loose on the world. Hades is rebuilding Sheoul-gra ("Hades", 13 (LoD, 6.5; DU, 2)). Satan is imprisoned.
Thirst is a demon club, based in Sydney, Australia, owned by Nate, a vampire. “Beth” is a demon patron at Thirst. Masumi is a species of sucubus who lives in a vase and needs sex from Seminus demons. The Gehennaportal is the equivalent of the Gaiaportal and can be used by Revenant.
Heaven is . . .
. . . ruled by the Council of Orders, whose leadership is supposed to change every few years. The Investigative Council is to make a determination about Revenant’s threat level and of angelic involvement in the destruction of Sheoul-gra. The angels are divided into different orders: Archangels (who consider themselves the best of the best), Thrones, Powers, Dominions, Virtues, Principalities, Guardian Angels, Seraphim, and Cherubim.
Zaphkiel is the First Celestial of the Order of Thrones, PiZeus is the First Celestial of the Order of Dominions, Lucinala is the Sixth Celestial of the Order of Virtues, Teleri is the leader of the Guardian Angels, Camael is the leader of the Powers, and Suroth is the head of the Order of Principalities. Jophiel is supposed to be Metatron’s friend. Metris is a battle angel from the Order of Powers.
Metatron is one of the two most powerful angels in existence; he’s also Reaper and Revenant’s uncle. Michael and Uriel are Archangels and prideful in it. Gabriel’s status as an Archangel is no sinecure. Jarvus, an angel, is a battle trainer who had worked with Logan. Grace is part soul and part energy that fuels the angels. The Gaiaportal had been a gateway between Heaven and Earth.
A Harrowgate is a transportation system allowing underworlders to travel anywhere. A decipula captures souls.
The Cover and Title
The cover is dark with a greenish turquoise gradating out from the lower center and glints of gold on the elaborately curled iron gates and some flashes of orange and yellow. The text is predominately white with the title centered on the cover. Below it is the series information (with a shadow of gold). An info blurb is at the bottom, just above the author’s name.
The title is an excellent choice for this first installment in the next generation of supernaturals, for they have inherited a Legacy of Temptation.
My Take
It’s an exploration of lies and bigotry. Ya can’t help but notice how much more loving those demon families are. Yeah, well, not all of them . . . eek . . .
That prologue is so cute, as Ione relates one of toddler Logan’s adventures with his bow and arrow as he and his mother take a walk. That happy moment is balanced by Logan’s demands of his parents near the end. Hoo, boy. I do love that Ione has carried on with everyone from Demonica. I love knowing how things are going in characters’ lives. Yes, yes, I know they're not real, which probably why I enjoy it so much, lol.
Wow, I’m not going to any demon clubs. Too scary! Those clubs, however, aren’t nearly as scary as Lilith, Logan’s evil-beyond-evil grandmother. She’s certainly going to “liven” things up. Of course, the angels have their own issues. God would be so disappointed in them! Oy. That prison in which they confine one of their own, out of their own fears! That Zaphkiel has a lot of atoning to do.
Between The Aegis and the angels, it’s scary. Those hate-spewing Aegis agents make me sick. They’re such hypocrites!! Right. Along. With. The angels. Such envy and hatred! We know it all through third person dual protagonist point-of-view from Eva’s and Logan’s perspectives, as they argue about their respective "sides". I wanted to hit Eva (and every other Aegis agent) over the head with truth.
I really do suggest reading the series from the start of Demonica, as there is so much background that will make Legacy of Temptation a much richer experience. At the very least, read Lethal Rider, 3 (D 8), for more detail on the legend about Logan.
Does this sound familiar? “The only good demon is a dead demon.” ‘Cause we all “know” there are no such things as good demons *eye roll* . . . well, there are in Demonica, anyway *grin*. As for “kill first, dissect later”, yep, humans, demons, and angels all jump on that one.
Oh, geez, it does sound like the human race with their “cavalier, let’s pass this down to the next generation attitude” because we won’t be around to see it. Humans have no monopoly on parents who get it wrong . . . and Mace invites Logan to join the club.
Lololol, Stryke is a jerk, but I did have to laugh at his attitude with a was-to-have-been buyer of his demon detection system! Yeah, you wanna be a jerk about our products, well now you’ll pay . . . bwa-ha-ha . . .
Talk about manipulation. The Aegis is constantly slanting the news. It seems almost all of their people epitomize the Aegis creed of sabotage and backstabbing. It is interesting that Eva believes that she’s fair and yet she’s fallen for Aegis’ brainwashing. Just look at Maja Weso’s actions. Jesus.
I love that the families of the Four Horsemen are so supportive and gather together to party so much. It’s a major contrast to Eva’s cold, manipulative parents. And I gotta agree with Reaper that the angels are making a dumb move antagonizing Revenant.
Hmm, I’m trying to envision Thanatos with a man cave and working crafts. Of playing catch with Logan and having a tea party with his daughter and her stuffed animals. How can you not love a guy who loves his kids this much?
It’s a character-driven story with additional impact from the one side’s demon natures and the other side’s ignorance and bigotry. It’s this last that creates the inciting incident that’s promoted by Aegis pushing their angle. Just another example of Christian charity . . ..
And, yeah, those characters. I got so lost and confused as to who was related to who and what any relationship was. Oy.
Action-wise, lol, yep there’s violent action and a whole lot more sexual action with plenty of pondering in between and too many unpalatable truths.
And Ione has left me with so many questions! Does Zaphkiel get some comeuppance? What does Eva learn about herself? How does that investigation, um, those investigations, go? How does Eva reconcile what her parents did? Arghh, inquiring minds want to know!
The Story
Eva Tennant, like everyone at The Aegis, hates demons. But she loves her job as deputy spokesperson for the global demon-slaying organization, and she’s excited to be in the running for chief spokesperson. All she has to do is not screw up the two-week exchange program with The Aegis’s rival agency, the Demon Activity Response Team.
But things go horribly wrong when a murder turns her into a fugitive from justice and puts a demonic target on her back.
To save his friend, Logan, son of the Horseman of the Apocalypse known as Death, is ordered to protect an Aegis Guardian responsible for the deaths of his friends. Really, he’d rather feed her to Cujo.
But when an old enemy rises from the ashes, Eva and Logan find themselves giving in to temptation even as they sacrifice the things . . . and people . . . they love the most.
The Characters
The very ambitious Eva Tennant, the deputy spokesperson for The Aegis, has a strong background in investigative journalism and would “kill” for the position of chief spokesperson. Tessandra and Charles are her parents and partners in a law firm, Tennant, Tennant, and Chesterleigh, in LA.
Thirty-three-year-old immortal Logan Matthews/Thanatos, is the son of Thanatos and Regan Matthews and can see souls. He’s in charge of the Spirit Management division at DART. Cujo is the hellhound who bonded with Logan at birth.
Logan's friends, family, and age mates include Mace, a Seminus demon, who is Lore and Idess’ son (Ecstasy Unveiled, 4) and Talon’s cousin. And brother (Wraith is Mace’s biological father). Sabre, another Seminus demon, is Eidolon and Tayla’s son who works in UGH’s forensics lab; he's also cousin to Mace, Talon, Blade, Rade, Stryke, and Crux.
Blade (special forces and a healer), Rade (interrogator), and Stryke (genius trillionaire recluse and major jerk who hates his family) are triplets while Chaos and Crux are/were twins, all Seminus demons, are brothers and cousins to Mace, Sabre, and Talon. Their parents are Runa Wagner, Arik’s sister and a werewolf, and Shade, a Seminus demon, (Desire Unchained, 2), who is a paramedic at UGH.
Draven, a vengeance demon, is happily engaged to Shanea and is on DART’s security team. He’s also been Logan’s best friend since elementary school. Martin is Draven’s father.
The Demonic Activity Response Team (DART) is . . .
. . . a demon control agency with teams of demons and humans who battle demons and prepare for the Apocalypse. Based in Brussels, Kynan Morgan is the director and wears Heofon, an amulet that gives him special protection. He’s married to half-human, half-Soulshredder Dr Gemella Endri, Tayla’s sister. Dawn, part Soulshredder, is Kynan and Gem’s daughter. Arik Wagner, the deputy director, is married to Limos (Immortal Rider, 2 (7)). Nikko Masters, an ex-cop, Chuck Verinn, and Stan Geardon are all human agents. Aaron, Noah, and Cyan, Shanea's best friend, are also agents.
The Aegis is . . .
. . . a demon control agency of demon haters who battle demons AND DART. They see all in DART as traitors. Based in Washington DC, they are presided over by twelve Elders who include Maja Weso, Dmitri, Lukas Olsen who has never fought a demon and is the only son of the wealthiest demon antiquities trader in the world, Anthony Roffalone, Miguel, Philip, the humorless, tough Kell Hammond, and Deborah Johnson.
Jennifer, the chief spokesperson, is Eva’s boss in public relations. Stefani Hughes is a rival with Eva for Jennifer’s job. Willa Peters is the director of Public Affairs. “Volunteers’ for the work exchange program include the barely tolerated Sigfred “Sig” Olsen, the son of an Aegis Elder, who is an arrogant hothead; Keeley, an assistant personnel manager, has no filter; the intense Carlos Martinez, a former Navy SEAL, is tactical and security; Mason Devino is the deputy director of The Aegis’ School of Magic; and, Benjiro “Benji” Shimosaka is the head of Research and Development — these last two think they’re smarter than anyone else in the room.
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Thanatos, a.k.a. “Than” or “Thanny”, is Death and married to the pregnant-again human, Regan (Lethal Rider, 3 (8)). Styx is Death’s stallion. Amber is their too-empathic daughter and a bestselling author. Eli is one of their daywalker vampire servants.
Ares is War who rides Battle and is married to Cara who has hell-hound-whispering skills (Eternal Rider, 1 (6)). Hal is Cara’s hellhound. They live on a glorious island in Greece. Aleka and Scotland “Scotty” are their daughters. The Memitim are angels bound to the earth who moved to an enclave on Ares’ island. Hawkyn speaks for the Memitim in Heaven ("Hawkyn", 5 (D 16)).
Reseph is Pestilence and married to Jillian (Rogue Rider, 4). Limos is Famine, their sister, who rides Bones, and she's married to Arik. Leilani is their shopping-mad daughter.
Reaver, a Radiant Angel, is the father of the Four Horsemen and Logan’s grandfather. He’s married to Harvester (a.k.a. Verrine, Satan’s daughter, an angel, and former Heavenly Watcher of the Horsemen), and they’ve been restricted to Heaven (Reaver, 5 (D 10)). Revenant, the current king of Hell, is their uncle (Revenant, LoD 6 (D 11)).
The teleport-capable Lilith is a very powerful and evil demon who happens to be the mother of the Four Horsemen and Logan’s grandmother.
Underworld General Hospital is . . .
. . . a demon hospital run by Eidolon and four other siblings, including Shade, Wraith, and Lore are all Logan's uncles. Eidolon is married to Tayla Mancuso (Pleasure Unbound, 1). Talon, a Seminus demon, is Wraith's son, and yeah, a cousin to the boys above.
StryTech is . . .
. . . a Sydney-based company run by a brilliant genius of a demon, Stryke, who hates other demons including his family. StryTech leads the way in combatting, identifying, or using demons. Smiter is a pistol developed by StryTech.
Sheoul is . . .
. . . Hell while Sheoul-gra is a region in Hell that had been ruled by Azagoth, the Grim Reaper. Raika is Azagoth and Lilliana’s daughter, tasked with hunting down the worst of the demons her father let loose on the world. Hades is rebuilding Sheoul-gra ("Hades", 13 (LoD, 6.5; DU, 2)). Satan is imprisoned.
Thirst is a demon club, based in Sydney, Australia, owned by Nate, a vampire. “Beth” is a demon patron at Thirst. Masumi is a species of sucubus who lives in a vase and needs sex from Seminus demons. The Gehennaportal is the equivalent of the Gaiaportal and can be used by Revenant.
Heaven is . . .
. . . ruled by the Council of Orders, whose leadership is supposed to change every few years. The Investigative Council is to make a determination about Revenant’s threat level and of angelic involvement in the destruction of Sheoul-gra. The angels are divided into different orders: Archangels (who consider themselves the best of the best), Thrones, Powers, Dominions, Virtues, Principalities, Guardian Angels, Seraphim, and Cherubim.
Zaphkiel is the First Celestial of the Order of Thrones, PiZeus is the First Celestial of the Order of Dominions, Lucinala is the Sixth Celestial of the Order of Virtues, Teleri is the leader of the Guardian Angels, Camael is the leader of the Powers, and Suroth is the head of the Order of Principalities. Jophiel is supposed to be Metatron’s friend. Metris is a battle angel from the Order of Powers.
Metatron is one of the two most powerful angels in existence; he’s also Reaper and Revenant’s uncle. Michael and Uriel are Archangels and prideful in it. Gabriel’s status as an Archangel is no sinecure. Jarvus, an angel, is a battle trainer who had worked with Logan. Grace is part soul and part energy that fuels the angels. The Gaiaportal had been a gateway between Heaven and Earth.
A Harrowgate is a transportation system allowing underworlders to travel anywhere. A decipula captures souls.
The Cover and Title
The cover is dark with a greenish turquoise gradating out from the lower center and glints of gold on the elaborately curled iron gates and some flashes of orange and yellow. The text is predominately white with the title centered on the cover. Below it is the series information (with a shadow of gold). An info blurb is at the bottom, just above the author’s name.
The title is an excellent choice for this first installment in the next generation of supernaturals, for they have inherited a Legacy of Temptation.
jordan1978's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
jinxei's review against another edition
5.0
'Legacy of Temptation' plunges us back into Larissa Ione's brilliantly dark world of Demonica where angels, demons, and the progeny of apocalypse horsemen collide. This new addition introduces us to Logan, the reluctant hero with an apocalyptic lineage, who must protect Eva Tennan, a woman entangled in celestial vendettas, sparking an unexpected, tempestuous and delightful alliance. This kickoff to a new generation series melds Ione's signature complex characters and high-stakes action, promising another series of addictive storytelling, steamy romance, and supernatural intrigue.
reeyabeegale's review against another edition
4.0
This book successfully pulled me out from my reading slump.
I rarely gravitate towards fantasy or paranormal books but when I do, I tend to remember them fondly. This was no exception.
I enjoyed every page of this book. It houses many secrets and questionable decisions (at least from the mother series, since this is a spin-off) and I am here for it. I found myself sitting at the edge of my seat as soon as all hell broke loose (pun intended) in the DART cafeteria.
I felt so strongly for all of their sorrows — grief and anger. I cried a few times over Draven, I wish things were better for him.
The only complain I have for this is that I didn’t feel the romance as much as I would have liked. It was believable enough but it’s not even close to how I want my romance books to be. I would say though that I wish I love as fiercely as Logan does.
I rarely gravitate towards fantasy or paranormal books but when I do, I tend to remember them fondly. This was no exception.
I enjoyed every page of this book. It houses many secrets and questionable decisions (at least from the mother series, since this is a spin-off) and I am here for it. I found myself sitting at the edge of my seat as soon as all hell broke loose (pun intended) in the DART cafeteria.
I felt so strongly for all of their sorrows — grief and anger. I cried a few times over Draven, I wish things were better for him.
The only complain I have for this is that I didn’t feel the romance as much as I would have liked. It was believable enough but it’s not even close to how I want my romance books to be. I would say though that I wish I love as fiercely as Logan does.
debhayesreads's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
If you're looking for Greek retellings? Look elsewhere
If you're looking for an Urban Fantasy? Look elsewhere
If you're looking for an Urban Fantasy? Look elsewhere
This book is marketed as "Demonica Birthright #1," so can someone please tell me why, in tiny *tiny* font at the bottom of Goodreads, it says Demonica #22. Twenty freaking two yall. I read this book thinking it was the first book in a series. Wrong. This book gave me a vibe similar to what I imagine The Black Dagger Legacy books are like—I have only read the original series. I could never imagine J.R. Ward dropping me into a spinoff series like this without actual worldbuilding. Did anyone who wasn't intimately familiar with the other books read this? Because it seems like a massive oversight.
The story follows Logan, Thanatos' son, as he navigates intra-agency cooperation between the Demon Activity Response Team (DART) and its rival anti-demon agency, the Aegis. There is little to no worldbuilding as this is secretly book number twenty-two, so you should know everything by now. The family trees and interpersonal dynamics were super convoluted and just muddy. Logan's grandmother is Lillith, the mother of demons, a succubus that, in the first chapter, before revealing herself, proceeds to seduce him before his daddy rescues him. It was gross and completely unnecessary, leading to banger lines such as,
"Logan got granny humped."
"Mace had probably put Logan Got Felt Up By His Granny all over social media by now."
I am trying to remain as objective as possible, but my god. Oh, did you think Lillith had anything to do with the main plot of the book? Wrong. She is barely even relevant to this book, and it's setting up Armageddon for Demonica book number twenty-something. Enter Eva Tennant, a deputy spokesperson, whom the Elders of the Aegis selected to participate in the intra-agency exchange program at DART headquarters. While there, she meets Logan, the hottest man ever, and they are immediately ready to rip each other's clothes off—no build-up. There is no chemistry, no sexual tension. The way they think about each other is such a turnoff. They immediately hypersexualize each other, which I get in books that are smutty smut, but I was under the impression that this book was trying to be smut with the plot.
A fight breaks out in the cafeteria of DART Headquarters, and the plot devolves from there. Consequently, we have forced proximity (kind of) where Logan needs to protect Eva. It bothers me that he had already felt protective over her and was interested in her before this, so it continues to undermine their sincerity as "enemies." They go from high-stress moments to ultra-horny, and I'm going, to be frank- the spice in this book is terrible.
"Is it weird that I want a handsome, powerful man to give me a night of pleasure to forget all the shit?"
Certain words and phrases should be blacklisted from romance books; when I read the words hot honey, aching flesh, slick channel, etc., it makes me physically recoil. Logan and Eva's relationship is very superficial. Her introduction to everyone in his life is very odd and stilted. It gives Twilight, except it's immediately the garage scene, no preamble, where Carlisle says, "Bella is with Edward. She's part of the family now. We protect our family."
There is an angelic subplot (kind of) to this book that comes out of nowhere if you read it from the perspective of Demonica Birthright #1. I don't know who these characters are. Who are Reaver and Harvester? What role do they play in heaven? What are Celestial Orders? Suddenly, it's raining blood, and a gate that ties into the Armageddon opens. Harvester sends a sign that *conveniently* "fixes" traumatic plot devices. It's just lazy writing. THE PLOT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.
Even the little things don't make sense- so Logan isn't used to using the Harrowgate because Cujo can phase him places. If Logan is in trouble, Cujo can phase right to him even if he's never been where Logan is. But when Eva is in trouble, "Cujo usually couldn't phase to a location he'd never been to." Yet, on *literally the next page* after Logan frantically runs to her for dramatic suspense, "Cujo phased in next to him." This is just one example- the whole book is like this. Don't waste your time.
This book was provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review.
shadowmaster13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
kaleyamo's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first Larissa Ione book, but it certainly will not be my last. Legacy of Temptation is the first book in the Demonica Birthright series — a next-gen series from her Demonica series. That said, even though I didn’t read the stories that came before, Ione did a fantastic job making sure that even new readers could follow along. It’s such an established and well-thought-out world, and I’m fascinated by it. I need more!
I love the relationship between the two main characters. They come from vastly different worlds and enemy organizations — and they have an incredible journey learning to overcome their prejudices, their assumptions, and lies that have been passed to them as truths their whole lives.
There was also a ton of action. A vengeance demon on the loose, a fight against an evil succubus grandmother, nightmare demons haunting dreams . . . there is truly never a dull moment in this book.
Legacy of Temptation was so addicting, and I cannot wait to read the next in the series. In the meantime, you’ll find me reading the older Demonica books
I love the relationship between the two main characters. They come from vastly different worlds and enemy organizations — and they have an incredible journey learning to overcome their prejudices, their assumptions, and lies that have been passed to them as truths their whole lives.
There was also a ton of action. A vengeance demon on the loose, a fight against an evil succubus grandmother, nightmare demons haunting dreams . . . there is truly never a dull moment in this book.
Legacy of Temptation was so addicting, and I cannot wait to read the next in the series. In the meantime, you’ll find me reading the older Demonica books
celbell's review against another edition
4.0
I read this as a standalone and while it was a bit like walking into a party uninvited it was super easy to read the room! I feel like it's easy to acquaint yourself with the magic system and worldbuilding
The premise was really strong and sucked me in, it was a very nostalgic paranormal book feel which I loved to bits.
Logan and Eva were a real epic love, rivals to lovers, shouldn't want you but I do done so well. I liked that even with all that power at his fingertips being the son of Death that Logan was able to help change Eva's perspective/prejudice.
Overall I definitely recommend it, and am probably going to go back and read the prequel series.
The premise was really strong and sucked me in, it was a very nostalgic paranormal book feel which I loved to bits.
Logan and Eva were a real epic love, rivals to lovers, shouldn't want you but I do done so well. I liked that even with all that power at his fingertips being the son of Death that Logan was able to help change Eva's perspective/prejudice.
Overall I definitely recommend it, and am probably going to go back and read the prequel series.
booksy_tx_ana's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
4.0
What a demon-filled adventure! The story is, at its core, about Logan and Eva overcoming differences and finding love. They were great characters in a difficult situation. But as a whole, it is so much more. The balance of good and evil. Questioning what’s true and false. Finding yourself. Fighting for humanity and equality. It’s an amazing read that transports you to a world where demons and humans coexist.
This is a spinoff of Demonic Lords of Deliverance series. Which I did not read. This book can absolutely be read separately from that series. However, I think reading that series first would have been very helpful. There are a lot of side characters with complicated relationships. It would give a more in-depth view of them and help keep them all separated. A family tree or list of characters would have been helpful.
caldreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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? No
5.0
I went into this book not having read anything else by this author. I was a bit worried I’d be missing a ton of backstory from past books set in this world, but I was SO wrong! The author does an amazing job weaving the history and lore of this world into the story and introducing you to demons and angels and humans and Horsemen in a way that’s understandable and enthralling; once I started, I didn’t want to put this book down!
Eva is “spirited” and “feisty.” Logan is “confident and powerful” with a tender side. Together? These characters are absolute 🔥.
THOUGHTS 💭
🪽 The banter is SO GOOD! There’s a touch of forbidden in the story that, as you all know, I adore.
🪽 There is so much tension throughout the book; spicy and otherwise. I needed to know what happened next!
🪽 I loved seeing Eva overcome her biases and get to know the good side of demonkind.
🪽 There is a slow burn and the buildup is amazing between these characters, despite the fact that they’re supposed to hate each other.
Thank you so much to Larissa Ione, 1001 Dark Nights & Blue Box Press, and Get Red PR for the beautiful paperback ARC of this book!
Eva is “spirited” and “feisty.” Logan is “confident and powerful” with a tender side. Together? These characters are absolute 🔥.
THOUGHTS 💭
🪽 The banter is SO GOOD! There’s a touch of forbidden in the story that, as you all know, I adore.
🪽 There is so much tension throughout the book; spicy and otherwise. I needed to know what happened next!
🪽 I loved seeing Eva overcome her biases and get to know the good side of demonkind.
🪽 There is a slow burn and the buildup is amazing between these characters, despite the fact that they’re supposed to hate each other.
Thank you so much to Larissa Ione, 1001 Dark Nights & Blue Box Press, and Get Red PR for the beautiful paperback ARC of this book!