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Pleasure Unbound (Demonica #1)

by Larissa Ione (Goodreads Author)

4.11 of 5 stars 4.11 · rating details · 21,929 ratings · 1,519 reviews

In a place where ecstasy can cost you your life . . .

She's a demon-slayer who hungers for sensual pleasure-but fears it will always be denied her. Until Tayla Mancuso lands in a hospital run by demons in disguise, and the head doctor, Eidolon, makes her body burn with unslakable desire. But to prove her ultimate loyalty to her peers, she must betray the surgeon who saved...more

Mass Market Paperback, 389 pages

Published July 1st 2008 by Forever

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Nov 20, 2011 Kat Kennedy rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of PNR

Shelves: romance-romance-romance, kat-s-book-reviews

Okay, so I'm actually kind of embarrassed that I gave this book four stars.

Please don't lose respect for me! Hear me out! Trust me!

I just seems antithetical. I mean, the name of the book is "Pleasure Unbound" and when my husband asked what I was reading, I blushed as I revealed the book's name. Then there's the cover that is, really, the epitome of cheap, softcore porn PNR.

And the plot just seems too ridiculous! He's an incubus demon, she's a demon hunter who can't come when she's with a man......more

193 likes · like · see review

Dec 14, 2012 Stacia ~ Mistress of Mediocrity rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Stacia ~ Mistress of Mediocrity by: Smut Monday Club

Shelves: adult, paranormal-romance, super-cheese, made-me-laugh

Adult Review for Erotic Content

Tayla's observation : 'his magic penis'

Photobucket

Whoops, excuse me. I did not mean to react so strongly. I meant to reply with, "please... tell me more."

So...this Eidolon guy. He kind of has magic spermies that do magic sperm-y things to a woman. If that's not going to get someone interested, then I don't know what else to say.

This was fluffy, cheesy, good-time PNR and I loved every second of it. I never once rolled my eyes at the flowery sexual terms, nor did I bat an eye...more

60 likes · like · see review

Jun 08, 2013 Sandra rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: awesome-characters, melting-inside-awwww, nooo-way, omfg, reviewed-books, sexy-males

5 KICKASS AND JUST 'WOW' STARS!!!!

I have read book 3&4 in the Demonica series before actually reading book 1 and 2. I have to say Larissa Ione has managed to knock my socks off once again!

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P.S - DON'T YOU THINK THE NEW COVERS ARE SO MUCH BETTER? ;)

This review is for mature readers only!!!

I wasn't sure about reading Pleasure Unbound. I LOVED the 3rd one, it was my first EVER erotica book, but the 4th one was just 'ehhh' for me (FROM WHAT I CAN REMEMBER!!!). It's been ages.

At first, i must...more

21 likes · like · see review

Mar 07, 2012 Lady Valee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: pnr-romance, favorites

I just wanna thank you Larissa for this amazing series, but mostly I just can't believe I've liked it even more after a 2nd read.

I have a shelf called 'top-50' in where I selected the best 50 books in 500 I have read. This series has been in it since I read it almost a couple of years ago, so I had forgotten many things about it. It has been ages since I read a book I could place in that shelf and I have been tying find another one for so long without success that I decided to re-read one of th...more I just wanna thank you Larissa for this amazing series, but mostly I just can't believe I've liked it even more after a 2nd read.

I have a shelf called 'top-50' in where I selected the best 50 books in 500 I have read. This series has been in it since I read it almost a couple of years ago, so I had forgotten many things about it. It has been ages since I read a book I could place in that shelf and I have been tying find another one for so long without success that I decided to re-read one of the books in it and see why they were in there in the first place. I thought that maybe I just started pretending too much from the books or that I got used to them or something.
Well, now I know that is not the case, that there are some books that are better than the rest. This is definitely one of them.

Why is it in my 'top-50' shelf?
-Amazing main characters.
The hero, Eidolon, is a super hot intellectual doctor who has great values (for being a demon,LOL). A super interesting character which you can't help but just to read more about. Then there's the heroine: Most of the times I don't care about the heroines, but in this case I couldn't forget her at all. Tayla Mancuso is a strong willed ass kick heroine which you would do good not messing with her. But it's not only the amazing characteristics that described them both, it's everything else about them: their pasts, relatives, histories, works and everything that makes them what they are. Larissa not only presents you characters to be satisfied for the time being but she creates persons, you just feel like you know them once you finish the books.

-terrific secondary characters.
Many times I have read a book and not care about any other characters than the hero and the heroine of the story, well this was definitely not the case because since page one I already knew I wanted to read a book about every single one of them and that I could never get enough. This author just knows how to present many complex characters with so much interesting information about them but still not leave the main plot forgotten. Not many know how to do this, but she does.

-BEST FRICKING PLOT EVER!
What's not to like about demons who run a hospital, guardians who dedicate their lives to extinct evil form the world and a romance between swore enemies? How not to LOVE this? if you like paranormal romance this is just the series you have been looking for.

-Amazing world building.
Most of the authors in this genre tell you the story is about a demon and that he has some cool powers, but this author not only writes a book about demons but she creates a whole new world with thousands of species of demons, each of them with different powers and characteristics and she explains them all to us in a way that you just wanna know more because it's too entertaining. Most of the first books in a series can be too heavy with world building information, but this is definitely not the case as you always wanna know more.

And I could just go on and on and on with the things I love about the Demonica series.

More than anything I just wanna say that I loved to re-read it because it made me remember why I loved it so much and what a book needed to have in order to get into my favs shelf. Now I understand why even though I have read many amazing books most of them couldn't make it into that shelf and that is that they were lacking something this one has.
Can't wait to re-read the next!(less)

27 likes · like · see review

Jul 02, 2008 Julie (jjmachshev) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2008-reads

Yippee! Another new author for my list...like it's not big enough already. I'm so glad I got "Pleasure Unbound" by Larissa Ione. She's produced a really interesting and unusual world of demons where the 'bad' guys aren't all bad (but some of them sure are) and the 'good' guys aren't all good either. Her demon-infested world will suck you in and the next thing you know...it's 2:00 a.m. and you have to get up in less than 4 hours to go to work. Oh wait...that's me.

Demons aren't all bad. They also...more

28 likes · like · see review

Sep 18, 2012 Liттlє Lαмв rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favourites, shape-shifters

My 1st Adult/Erotica.. (Just now writing the review.)

The book that took my 'Erotica-Virginity'.
Define: Erotica-Virginity:
Similar to your real virginity - If the first 'book/man' is dreadful, then you will be forever traumatized. Thus, never wanting anything to do with 'reading that genre/sex' again.
If the 'book/man' is FRICKIN AMAZING, then you will be forever addicted. Thus, wanting as much as you can possibly get your hands on.
..It was a very good experience for me my friend's. ;)

--------

Thi...more

8 likes · like · see review

Jan 20, 2011 Suzanne the Mighty ~Satin Seductress~ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, author-larissa-ione, demons, va-va-voom-vampires, hot-male-in-my-harem, kings-of-the-harem

There is a battle going on, between demons and the Aegis, humans who are trained to kill the demons, who supposedly kill and rape innocent humans indiscrimately, demons who are little more then evil beasts. At least that is what Tayla Manusco has been told and past experience confirms this. But when Tayla is picked up an ambulance after being badly hurt and taken to a demon hospital who where she is introduced to Eidolon, a hot demon doctor who heals her, and discovers a few unwelcome truths abo...more There is a battle going on, between demons and the Aegis, humans who are trained to kill the demons, who supposedly kill and rape innocent humans indiscrimately, demons who are little more then evil beasts. At least that is what Tayla Manusco has been told and past experience confirms this. But when Tayla is picked up an ambulance after being badly hurt and taken to a demon hospital who where she is introduced to Eidolon, a hot demon doctor who heals her, and discovers a few unwelcome truths about her.

This books was great, I loved the idea of a demon hospital, it was like a cross between PNR and ER! I also liked the world that LI had created, there were loads of different demons who were varying degrees of evil and they even had a demon bible, which was ver interesting.

The characters Eidolon and Tayla, although were the focus of the story, I didn't find them the most intrigiung characters. Wraith and Shade Eidolon's brothers are who had me interested and who have encouraged me carry on reading the series. However, although Eidolon and Tayla may not stand out in a genre jam packed with similar characters, I still found their story interesting and was eager for them to have their HEA. It took a while for me to like Tayla, but I did, kind of, in the end, I think once she stopped being angry and divided she lost a lot of her personality so there wasn't anything to really irritate me anymore! I also liked hearing about Gem, Tayla's long lost twin and I really hope she appears in the next book.

But although I enjoyed this book, and it had the original idea of having a story centred around a demon hospital, the plot line and story in general is nothing that really stood out for me. It had the standard hot paranormal hero and a warrior woman who he wants (when he finlly admists it) as his mate. However, I have heard that this seriesi improves as it goes on, so I look forward to hearing about Shade and what his mysterious curse is!

Note after reading Ecstacy Unveiled: Eidolon just keeps getting better through this series! I wasn't to enarmoured of him in this book, bit now I wants him!(less)

13 likes · like · see review

Nov 26, 2011 Buggy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-rom, shelf-10, demonexy, tattooed-hero

Opening Line: "Had Eidolon been anywhere but the hospital, he would have killed the guy pleading for his life in front of him.

Welcome to Larissa Ione’s utterly imaginative world of Demonica. Full of demons, vampires, shifters, weres, slayers, humans and every combined half version of them. PLEASURE UNBOUND is a great ride I just couldn’t put down; action packed, erotic and sinfully dark with witty humour and engaging, fresh characters. Including a kick-ass heroine and her uber-sexy, scrub weari...more Opening Line: "Had Eidolon been anywhere but the hospital, he would have killed the guy pleading for his life in front of him.

Welcome to Larissa Ione’s utterly imaginative world of Demonica. Full of demons, vampires, shifters, weres, slayers, humans and every combined half version of them. PLEASURE UNBOUND is a great ride I just couldn’t put down; action packed, erotic and sinfully dark with witty humour and engaging, fresh characters. Including a kick-ass heroine and her uber-sexy, scrub wearing Demon love interest. It’s the perfect combination of paranormal romance and urban fantasy and it’s oh so good.

Tayla has been taught that all demons are evil and since they are also responsible for the death of her mother she has dedicated her life to destroying them, she is a demon-slayer, an Aegi. So when a slaying goes bad, killing her partner and she finds herself laid up in UGH (underworld general hospital) all she can think about is taking names and then taking the place down. (And unreasonably the cute doctor able to heal with a simple touch.)

Eidolon is a Seminus demon doctor, sworn to heal and protect even the worst of his world. He is also nearing his transition, a change that will cause him to go mad with lust, craving every woman in his path and likely getting himself killed by a jealous male in the process. He is fighting the change but when Tayla enters his realm even though he hates the Aegi, all bets are off.

The underlying moral here isn’t unique; what if your entire belief system was destroyed by getting to know and spending time with your enemy? What if you discovered that they weren’t the evil incarnate you’d been led to believe but in fact were no different from yourself? That they had families, jobs and problems and thought YOU were the evil one. And what if it then came to be that you were actually one of them?

Pleasure Unbound is the first in the Demonica series and like I said it’s original and fantastic. Eidolon’s demon brothers really piqued my interest and I look forward to reading their books in particular bad-boy Wraith‘s story. I would also highly recommend this to fans of the Ward’s BDB who will see several similarities between the sets of “brothers” with their tortured pasts, sacrifices for each other and continual bantering. Cheers!(less)

10 likes · like · see review

Jul 21, 2008 Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of Kresley Cole, Nalini Singh, and Gena Showalter

Recommended to Heather by: Julie (jjmachshev)

Shelves: paranormal-romance

Wow! This was a really cool book! Its also very hot for a mass market paperback....

Tayla is a "slayer" that hunts the bad guys; Demons, Vampires, the whole 9 yards... until one day she ends up in a hospital with some serious injuries. When she comes to-- she realizes she isnt in a human hospital, she's in a Demon hospital... and her doctor is a VERY HOT demon named Eidolon.

Tayla has to figure out if demons really are as bad as she thinks they are, because she starts to feel something for Eidol...more

16 likes · like · see review

Apr 20, 2013 Litchick rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: vampires, shifters, pr, divisive-characters, characters-i-d-like-to-kill, angels-demons, books-everyone-loves-but-i-hate

I had to do some math to figure out how to rate this book. Never a good sign. In the end it was lucky to get 2.5 stars from me (I rounded up (See? I can be nice)). It started out pretty strong but about 100 pgs in things started to go downhill. Here's why: Tayla, the "heroine".

I basically hated her for three quarters of the book. She's a hot-neurotic-mess. And not in a good way. According to C. George Boeree neurosis involves:

"…anxiety, sadness or depression, anger, irritability, mental confusi...more

7 likes · like · see review

Nov 01, 2012 Bubbles Hunty rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Bubbles Hunty by: Susan65-Coug :-)

Shelves: m-f, lol-funny

That glossary at beginning was helpful, but it still left out a lot of words

A warning, I'm gaytarded, and this review will reflect said gayness.

He doesn't need to touch her black panties to know they soaked. He can smell it. From across the room. In her defense she has been wearing the same panties for at least two days. So it's understandable they'd smell, but still my fragile gay boy eyes didn't need to read that

Sex at 7% :( I prefer more build up before sex. And her "slippery juices" *shudd...more

30 likes · like · see review

Mar 15, 2013 AJ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: actiony, kindle, paranormal-uf, romantic, series, steamy, series-faves-book-1

This book is seriously Hard Core PNR. And I absolutely, freaking LOVED IT!

The world is so all-encompassing - humans, demons, vampires and werewolves, all inter-breeding, creating an underworld full of purebred and hybrids, all with their own powers, behaviours and politics. It’s incredible. And I love how it’s all slowly unveiled throughout the story. The world is not all explained in the beginning, where you read about it and have a chance to wrap your head around it and settle in before the st...more

8 likes · like · see review

May 19, 2012 Brittany B. rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Women who don't mind blushing A LOT.

Shelves: 2nd_chance, 1all-time-greats, great-series, 1favorites, rom_best-of-romance, audiobook, rom_guilty-pleasures, high-recommend, 1books-to-read-over-and-over, my-first-of-author, best-of-the-best_any_genre, crack-head-addictive, rom_pink_steamy, rom_pnr

Reread thoughts: I love this book. Even better the second time, and third...;)
Highly recommend this first book on Audio!! Wonderful Narration!

Full Review ***************************************************
Needless to say, I liked this book. No, I loved it.
Don't read/listen to this at work, with your family, certainly not in the car - you might wreck. But whatever you do, read this book. If the first scene bothers you, you aren't the only one. I promise there is true substance other than the...more

11 likes · like · see review

Feb 14, 2010 Kristin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-own

Reading this book has been a roller coaster experience. It started interesting, then I started to lose interest, then the interest built up again. There were parts that chilled me to the bone and there were parts that didn't build enough suspension but then again, like I said: Baby Goliath.

There is a lot of sex in this book. So much that halfway through, I felt completely spent. Now, I'm not saying that's a bad thing--not at ALL-- but its safe to say I had to take some breaks, it was that sexed...more

6 likes · like · see review

Mar 09, 2009 Ladiibbug rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Ladiibbug by: New_User

#1 Demonica series

"Buffy Meets ER" - Tayla is a tough, kick a$$ demon slayer in New York City. After one brutal fight she wakes up in the hospital -- at UG, or Underworld General, which to her shock and amazement, is run by demons and other supe's.

Eidolon, her capable and handsome Dr., is a demon. So what's a demon slayer to do when circumstances keep her and Dr. Demon together? Tayla becomes more and more unsettled as she learns that the fight between demons and human demon slayers is much more...more

9 likes · like · see review

Mar 02, 2009 MK (Consultant, Corporal Therapist) rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of demon PNR>demons>incubus

Shelves: readers-challenge-complete, book-of-the-month-complete, romance-vampires-demons, author-larissa-ione

Great beginning to a new series about demons. The world, the characters the overall likability had me anxious and excited about book 2 Desire Unchained.

If this series continues as is and gets even better Larissa Ione definitely goes to the top of my demon themed paranormal romance author's list.

Tayla is Aegis, a demon hunter. Taught that all demons are evil and derserve to die. She ends up getting hurt and having to be taken to UGH. Eiodolon (E) is a Doctor and a Seminus demon a species of incu...more

7 likes · like · see review

Sep 05, 2011 SATIN SUE rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Review: This book starts with Eidolon (a seminus demon). he helps run a hospital that helps demons in need. His life is a normal one untill he meets Tayla is a Demon slayer who spends her life hunting demons. she is out looking for the most sensual pleasure she has ever had. one night she went out on a hunt but it turned bad. and Tayla ened up really hurt and her friend ended up dead. Tayla was taken to the Demon hospital. This was where she first laid eyes on Eidolon and man what a first meetin...more

6 likes · like · see review

Oct 05, 2010 ♥ Sarah ♥ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: demons, incubi-succubi, to-buy, paranormal-romance

A great book and a great new series I'm looking forward to reading! I saw this recommended on a Black Dagger Brother book review and I'm not disappointed at all.

At first, I wasn't sure what to expect with it being about demons and all, but I thought I'd give it a shot anyways. I've never read a romance involving demons, but this was really good.

The demons aren't the kind I've read about before. Instead, they are a whole race of lots of different types, both good and bad. Eidolon is essentially...more

4 likes · like · see review

Mar 28, 2011 Ren rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Larissa Ione fans, paranormal fans

Recommended to Ren by: Pingle McCloud

Shelves: paranormal, demon, ass-kick-heroine, cant-wait-the-new-release, family-theme, wow-fantastic-baby, special-ability, there-are-hot-men, favorite, reccomended-to-translated, make-me-nosebleed, alpha-hero, own-and-reread, drooling-cover, erotic, immortal-warrior, sadistic-psycho-chara, stubborn-chara, top-read-2010, annoying-chara, animal-character, assasin-killer, my-nom-nom-boyfriend, reviewed, own-paperback

I HAVE A NEWS FOR ALL EIDOLON'S FANS!!

Just look at the bottom of my review *grin*

---------------------------------------------------------
Just wanna say :

Everybody love Wraith, maybe because his bad-ass attitude

Everybody love Shade, maybe because.. what? Dunno *lol*

But

For me, just one of Seminus Brother that from the beginning until the end, that still captivated me, still make me love him, still make me adore him and his name is..

EIDOLON

*LOL*

So, is it wrong that his book is favorite of mine?...more

16 likes · like · see review

Mar 29, 2010 Isalys rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned, paranormal-romance, favorites

This is the first book in the Demonica Series by Larissa Ione and the first book I've read where a benevolent demon is the male protagonist. Well, I'd never thought I'd find a demon sexy, but..."hubba hubba"!

As one Goodreads member put it, "Buffy Meets ER" :)

Tayla is a member of the Aegis...a group of demon slayers that hunt and destroy all those creatures that go bump in the night. One day during on a routine hunt, she encounters a nasty demon and mid-fight, loses use of half her body leaving h...more This is the first book in the Demonica Series by Larissa Ione and the first book I've read where a benevolent demon is the male protagonist. Well, I'd never thought I'd find a demon sexy, but..."hubba hubba"!

As one Goodreads member put it, "Buffy Meets ER" :)

Tayla is a member of the Aegis...a group of demon slayers that hunt and destroy all those creatures that go bump in the night. One day during on a routine hunt, she encounters a nasty demon and mid-fight, loses use of half her body leaving her completely vulnerable. Somehow she is transported to a hospital where she is treated by the sexiest doctor she's ever laid eyes on.

Eidolon is no ordinary doctor though. He's a Seminus demon who has dedicated his life to healing and caring for other demons. [FYI - Seminus demons are, in layman terms, SEX demons. As individuals, they each harbor certain abilities that help in the reproductive aid of their kind. You just know this is going to cause some trouble for these two.:] He knows all about human anatomy, but has never treated a human patient in his hospital before - let alone one who's supposed to be his sworn enemy. Going against the advice of his staff and his brothers, he refuses to kill Tayla. Not only is he not a killer, but he's intrigued and drawn to her as well.

Despite Tayla's magnetic attraction to Eidolon she can't and won't trust him. He's a demon after all and aren't all demons evil? Eidolon is damned if he'll be condemned for being evil when he's not and he's going to prove to Tayla that not all demons are vicious, man-eating machines - although some are. Then again, aren't some humans evil too? Together they both learn that the world is not quite so black and white!

In addition to fighting their attraction and dealing with some very rude awakenings, they find out that demons are being slaughtered and their organs are being harvested for the 'demon black market'. Tayla probably wouldn't concern herself with this except for the fact that humans are being implicated - particularly some that she knows.

I had a hard time putting this book down! Not only do you want to know what his going to happen between Tayla & Eidolon as a couple, but as individuals they are very interesting characters. Not to mention all the other characters that I hope to get to know more in the following books. Tayla doesn't just hate demons for no reason...she has a very dark past that has lead her to where she is. Eidolon has had it pretty good up to this point...however, he has a dark future ahead of him if he doesn't take care of business and soon!

What I liked about this story aside from the very interesting & incredibly steamy world that Larissa created is that this story is about finding a balance between good and evil and accepting that the world is not so cut & dry as we'd like to think. Throughout the story, you're tossed between feeling pity for the demons, then feeling pity for the humans; then hating demons then hating humans!

This was a fantastic paranormal romance with lots action, suspense, drama, sarcasm and a few extra helpings of passion!(less)

4 likes · like · see review

Feb 28, 2009 Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Readers who enjoy creative approaches to paranormal romance

Shelves: demon, paranormal-romance, alpha-hero, assassin, bad-girl-heroine, bad-boy-rake-or-rogue, awkward-misfit, enemies-to-lovers, flawed-heroine, flawed-hero, covert-agency, part-of-a-series, owned-copy, hot-and-steamy-romance, favorite-or-autobuy-author

This book is utterly fascinating. What an interesting universe. I wish I had this author's imagination. For anyone who's read Lovecraft, I think this book is Lovecraft mythos meets romance novel. I can say that reading this book was a unique experience. Ms. Ione did a fantastic job developing this world within/around/under the regular world, where demons are the good guys. Sort of. Not all demons are good, but not all are bad. I can't say too much about that without spoiling a person who wants t...more This book is utterly fascinating. What an interesting universe. I wish I had this author's imagination. For anyone who's read Lovecraft, I think this book is Lovecraft mythos meets romance novel. I can say that reading this book was a unique experience. Ms. Ione did a fantastic job developing this world within/around/under the regular world, where demons are the good guys. Sort of. Not all demons are good, but not all are bad. I can't say too much about that without spoiling a person who wants to read this book. Let's just say that it really turns around things for a person raised in the Christian tradition. I don't feel like a person who believes in Christianity shouldn't read this book, though.

This book is sexed up. However it makes sense if you consider the characters and their demonic type. I felt that the sex did fit in with the story very well.

The characters are well-developed and interesting. Their motivations are clear and their struggles play well into the storyline. I feel that Ione captures the tortured characters that I like very well. Although she follows a similar formula for the paranormal series, she claims this niche and makes it her own. Tayla is a likable heroine although she is not the unblemished, cleancut type of heroine. She's had a very rough life and seen and done things that would keep some people up at night. I admired her fortitude and her strength. She had to go through some pretty painful things in her life, and within the timeline of this story. Eidolon was also likeable and conflicted. He's born to be on the dark side, but has done his best to have morals and has dedicated his life to medicine. He is about to face a change in his body and mind that could drive him over the edge, and it does make this story compelling. It's hard to say too much because it would spoil a person, so I am eluding to these things. I would say that reading this book is like peeling away onion layers to find higher levels of understanding. It's an enjoyable process. As a fan of mythology and folklore, I think she made the demonic taxonomy, if you will, very credible for her universe. I wouldn't mind reading one of the demonic natural history books that Eidolon owned, in fact. She made up quite a few species and gave them characteristics that were interesting and creative, causing laughter at some moments, and dread at others.

One of the things I liked about this book was how she played with the reader's perception of right and wrong. You go from feeling bad for the humans, then to feeling bad for the demons, and then you come to realize that in this universe, neither group is always right or always wrong. They both commit atrocities that will make you wince, and it adds to the moral ambivalence of her universe. For that reason, you should approach this story with an open mind and with the understanding that it is a fictional world which does not have to have bearing on our consciousness of the real world.

The secondary characters are very intriguing, particularly Eidolon's brothers. You definitely want to read about their stories, and also Gem, who plays a very pivotal role in this story. I want to see how things play out with the human male Kynan, who she is in love with.

At times eye-raising, and always intriguing, I did enjoy this book. I felt that the ending was a bit rushed, but overall, the pacing was very good and the story flew by.(less)

35 likes · like · see review

Dec 09, 2008 Mahlet rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: pnr, own, series, favorite-author

"Lirsha." Demon-speak for lover. Don't you just love it? How it rolls off your tongue? Reason #101 why this book ROCKS! This book is great for those who enjoy a conflicted h/h where they are each disgusted with themselves for desiring the other. Tayla the demon slayer falls for Doctor McDemon *sorry! catching up on Grey's episodes here* The super-sexy demon Eidolon. He saved her life in his hospital AND he's got a neat tattoo on his arm that literally pulses when he becomes aroused, which is oft...more

7 likes · like · see review

Jan 31, 2011 Angela Carr rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Angela Carr by: Annie (Under the Covers Book Blog)

Shelves: read-in-2011

3.5 - 4 Stars

Tayla, Demon Slayer, lives in a violent world of war between Demons, Vamps and humans. Injured on the job, Tayla ironically was taken to a Demon Hospital and treated by Dr. Eidolon, A hot sexy incubus Demon…. And boy, did he treat her well.

Dr. E in his final transformation is compelled to bed anyone who is in heat. But the good Dr. will not have meaningless sex and is in search for a mate. He finds love in Tayla.

Along the journey to their HEA, you will meet more hot and sexy demons....more

5 likes · like · see review

Nov 19, 2011 Audrey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-sci-fi-or-otherworldly

3-3.5 stars. I get why this series has a huge fan base. I thought it was good and well written, but because it didn't really "grab me" to the point where I couldn't stop reading it (as evidenced by my continuing to turn back to my iPad to play on the Internet), I'm sticking with a 3/3.5 rating. I think I'm going to keep reading the series, if only to get to Wraith (to whom I developed an unhealthy attachment). The characters and world-building were done well. It had an edgy and darkly urban feel...more 3-3.5 stars. I get why this series has a huge fan base. I thought it was good and well written, but because it didn't really "grab me" to the point where I couldn't stop reading it (as evidenced by my continuing to turn back to my iPad to play on the Internet), I'm sticking with a 3/3.5 rating. I think I'm going to keep reading the series, if only to get to Wraith (to whom I developed an unhealthy attachment). The characters and world-building were done well. It had an edgy and darkly urban feel to it, similar to the Black Dagger Brotherhood world, only the Demonica world had a decided lack of slang and "shitkickers" (thank god!).

I didn't particularly like the heroine, Tayla, but I could see why she developed her hang-ups and hatred (which I thought she hung onto for far longer than was logical). It kind of blew my mind that Eidolon fell in love with her when I couldn't really see how their interactions would have shown him much about her other than her prejudice, hatred, and fighting nature. He was much more understanding than I would have expected or than I would have been in those circumstances.

The sexytimes were a little oh-my-stars over-the-top, even for my pervy self. They were boinking at page 26 (and my face was like "whoa" O__o), the obsession with sex continued throughout the book, and Eidolon had an inner monologue at one point that was an ode to the heroine's gold-plated and magical girly parts, which was a bit much. I dunno...there was just so much of it - and it was so pervasive - that I didn't find it all that special or noteworthy when there were sexytime scenes. I also didn't really feel a marked difference emotionally between their "f**king" and "making love." It all read the same to me.

In terms of going forward, I recognize that they are incubi...gonna have to keep reminding myself of all the sex and obsession that such a breed brings with it as I continue with the series. Now, onwards to Shade's book (but with an eye on Wraith's following that)!(less)

4 likes · like · see review

Jan 03, 2012 Carmel (Rabid Reads) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audio

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

I decided to start reading the Demonica series based solely on its hotness factor and Pleasure Unbound definitely delivers a stellar performance on that front. I was also curious to see how Larissa Ione was going to work the seminust demon story line. And, I must say, I really really enjoyed learning about their natures. She took a completely different approach than what I’d expected; one that’s similar in some respects to the werewolf life mates one that I so adore. Scor...more Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

I decided to start reading the Demonica series based solely on its hotness factor and Pleasure Unbound definitely delivers a stellar performance on that front. I was also curious to see how Larissa Ione was going to work the seminust demon story line. And, I must say, I really really enjoyed learning about their natures. She took a completely different approach than what I’d expected; one that’s similar in some respects to the werewolf life mates one that I so adore. Score! The chemistry between Eidolon and Tayla is scorching and the added bonus of experiencing their tale via an audio book will leave you feeling hot and bothered in the nicest possible way.

Ione does an amazing job of developing her characters and their background stories in this novel. Her demons aren’t all lumped into one category. There’s a multitude of different breeds with various traits, personalities, strengths and weaknesses. Some are good and some are bad but the brothers seem to fall into a gray area. I loved how much thought and time was put into defining Eidolon and his seminust brethren. At first I was expecting sex crazed incubi and I was okay with that, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. These demons NEED sex like they need air otherwise things can get horribly painful and even death can occur. Sounds crazy, right? I don’t want to go into too much detail because Larissa does a far better job than I ever could and you really do need to experience this series for yourself to understand what I’m talking about.

This story isn’t just about Eidolon though it’s also about Tayla. These two couldn’t be more opposite but then again, you know the saying… Anyway, they go at it like a demon and a slayer should. Their encounters are violent, intense and raw; and I’m not just talking about their fights either. I enjoyed watching the unlikely relationship develop between this duo. Tayla fights Eidolon’s pull tooth and nail but as things progress, their chance meeting ends up looking more and more like fate.

The side characters are also incredibly noteworthy. I’m holding out hope that a few of them will get books of their own in the Demonica series or in a spin-off. Maybe they already have, I have some research to do!

Pleasure Unbound is high on action and romance which can be a difficult combo to pull off. Many paranormal romances seem to get sidetracked once the lovin’ kicks in and never quite make it back full circle. My blood was bubbling as much from the toe curling nookie as from the ass whooping thanks to this book. Cassandra Campbell does a fab job of narrating this novel too which also helped amp up the wow factor. I’m committed to this series for the long haul and can’t wait to check out Shade’s story in Desire Unchained. I’m looking forward to Wraith’s even more but, one step at a time!

(less)

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Dec 26, 2010 Rachel rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: did-not-finish, paranormal-romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Unfortunately I did not like this book. I made it about 89 pages in then put it down. This is one of those situations where the author did too much "telling" instead of "showing". There was entirely too much information being dumped into the dialogue and character's thoughts as opposed to letting it play out in the action and letting it flow naturally and slowly throughout the book. For example, the heroine, Tayla, is constantly thinking about how lonely she was as a child and how she can't open...more Unfortunately I did not like this book. I made it about 89 pages in then put it down. This is one of those situations where the author did too much "telling" instead of "showing". There was entirely too much information being dumped into the dialogue and character's thoughts as opposed to letting it play out in the action and letting it flow naturally and slowly throughout the book. For example, the heroine, Tayla, is constantly thinking about how lonely she was as a child and how she can't open up, etc. This is something that really should have been shown through action, with some info sprinkled in. I couldn't feel sympathy for her or feel a connection because I felt as though I was being "talked at" instead of experiencing the isolation and loneliness with her.

I did love the world that was created but again, there was a constant information dump on the various demon species, their characteristics, etc. The hero, Eidolon, who I did like, was too forthcoming with this information too soon - especially considering that Tayla (the heroine) worked for an enemy organization that kills Eidolon's kind. This information started to be dispensed to her from the moment she wakes up at his hospital. It just didn't make any sense considering that she could eventually use this information against him.

I also found it hard to believe that a doctor would have sex with a patient who had just sustained serious injuries. I understand that he was fighting against a characteristic of a demon transformation, but to pick her up off the bed and push her up against a wall, while she had sutures, was too much. This happens within moments of her waking up - they had just met. It was too unbelievable and it didn't endear me to Eidolon that he couldn't control his demon urges with one of his patients. The whole thing was just too much. Also, taking her to the home of one of his colleagues, knowing full well that she could use this information against him, was too much as well. I understand that he blinded her with the magic stone so that she wouldn't be able to find it on her own, but the information gathered about how vampires lived, etc was something that could have been used by her and her organization later. It just wasn't a very smart move on his part.

Unfortunatley, I can only give this book 1 star. It's too bad because I really did have high hopes. The first chapter hooked me right away but it lost me as the story progressed.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Georgina Eidolon taking Tayla right there in her hospital room while she was still recovering from serious injury didn't sit well with me at all.

I realise we...more
Dec 26, 2010 07:36pm

Rachel I completely agree! The problem here is that the author placed Eidolon on somewhat of a "moral high ground" to begin with when he established that Eid...more
updated Dec 27, 2010 11:22am

Georgina Yes, certainly that was an inconsistency with Eidolon's character. And the orgasm issue - just silly.
Dec 27, 2010 10:12pm

Jun 04, 2010 DarienMoya rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-reads, demon

^^MY PLEASURE!!!^^

I love love love this book, my oh my was I hooked from the very beginning to the very end. This is a wild ride and I do mean ride. The characters are awesome and so kickbutt that even those that you should hate you can’t help but loving. This was one rollercoaster ride that made me queasy good. Wanted to keep riding all day. This is a world where Demons walk among humans and they burn brighter than the afternoon sun.

Tayla is a slayer, she hunts and kills demons for a living. T...more ^^MY PLEASURE!!!^^

I love love love this book, my oh my was I hooked from the very beginning to the very end. This is a wild ride and I do mean ride. The characters are awesome and so kickbutt that even those that you should hate you can’t help but loving. This was one rollercoaster ride that made me queasy good. Wanted to keep riding all day. This is a world where Demons walk among humans and they burn brighter than the afternoon sun.

Tayla is a slayer, she hunts and kills demons for a living. They destroyed the only person she has ever loved and she lives to destroy them. Caught in a scuffle with one very ugly demon she is injured and loses a partner and feels that she is about to die, but all that she knows is about to change. She is about to get educated in Demon 101 when she ends up at a hospital run by demons, talk about irony. Plus her doctor looks like something created by the gods themselves, talk about pouring kerosene unto a flame, she is burning up for this doctor and she is burning bad.

Eidolon can’t believe his luck, he’s about to treat a human whose whole existence is to destroy what he is, but he can’t deny the pull he feels to this woman. Everyone in the hospital is thinking of a way to destroy her because the company that she works for have destroyed so many demons who was loved by others. This puts the doctor between a rock and a hard place, and that hard place seems below the belt. Eidolon is an incubus and he is about to go through a change that will make him take the form of every demon and impregnate that species, so E is not looking forward to it, but he can’t decide if he’s thinking like a civilized demon or he just wants to rut, because Tayla stirs something deep inside him and he know he must have her.

Someone is killing and taking demon parts and E believes that it’s the company that Tayla works for and she believes that they would never do that. There job is to kill not harvest and sell parts. Coming to care for a demon goes against everything Tayla has known, but she can’t help liking him and seeing that even some of the species that she thought evil might even be better than the humans that she has grown to trust. When Tayla finds out something about herself that she never expected it’s up to Dr Evil (LOL) to save and love her. So these two who thought they were very different came to understand that they are alike in many ways.

Man this book was so good the whole time while I was reading, I was like “What, Oh no she didn’t” “Oh yes he did” “ WTF, come on shut your mouth”. So fast paced and interesting this world of demons. From the way it was written it just seemed so fresh, original and fun. The other POVs were awesome and leave you wanting to dive right into the other books. The action was awesome, the female lead kicks butt and takes names. The chemistry between the leads was “HAWT” I needed a defogger for my glasses. I could go on and on, but it’s up to you to check it out for yourself. So good, on the PL scale its a solid 5. Whooza an awesome read.

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Apr 11, 2011 Zeek rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites-all-time, favorites-pnr, pnr, alpha-hero, own

Ione, admittedly, borrowed a bit from Buffyverse created by the master, Joss Whedon, when she created The Demonica Series. Full of demons, vampires and slayers it centers around Underworld General Hospital, a hospital set up to heal the creatures of the night that have no other place to seek help. Even the demons who are so evil the staff finds them abhorrent.

Although a spell protects the hospital from human eyes as well as violence, much like Lorne's bar in the tv series Angel, the doctors of U...more Ione, admittedly, borrowed a bit from Buffyverse created by the master, Joss Whedon, when she created The Demonica Series. Full of demons, vampires and slayers it centers around Underworld General Hospital, a hospital set up to heal the creatures of the night that have no other place to seek help. Even the demons who are so evil the staff finds them abhorrent.

Although a spell protects the hospital from human eyes as well as violence, much like Lorne's bar in the tv series Angel, the doctors of UGH, (yes UGH- the author made sure to hang a lantern on that one which, of course, makes it work!) are shaken when one of their worst enemies is brought in after a battle between a demon and a slayer. But, imagine their surprise when the slayer and Aegi member, the council set up to destroy their kind, is not as human as they were led to believe.

Eidolon is the chief surgeon of UGH and one of the demons who created the hospital. Naturally, he's a "good" demon compared to most of the killers that they treat. A Seminus, that's incubi to you and me, he's about to reach sexual maturation. When Tayla, the slayer, is brought in, he finds not only is she not completely human, as all Aegis supposedly are, but that he's helplessly drawn to her.

After a HOT sexual encounter while still in the hospital he talks his brothers into letting her live and takes her home. Tayla is just as drawn to him as well, but the thing is, he's exactly what she's been fighting against for most of her life. A demon.

Led to believe that ALL demons are evil she has a difficult time reconciling her feelings with that fact that Eidolon is a demon. And too, Eidolon is insisting that something isn't kosher in the Aegis world, and, despite what Tayla wants to believe, from all indications- he's right.

Tossed into a storm that turns her world on it's ear, Tayla must determine who is killing demons to sell body parts on the black market and where exactly she fits into a world no longer so black and white.

Loved this story!

It's steamy and well-plotted and the protags in Pleasure Unbound have great chemistry! They both have exactly what makes a series like this work. Strength, Vulnerability, and sex oozing out their pores!

Ione also does a great job of whetting our appetites for the stories to follow by giving us side characters we simply have to know more about.

4.5 out of 5 from me! (less)

11 likes · like · see review

Jul 12, 2008 Shannon (Giraffe Days) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2008, paranormal, romance

Highly enjoyable debut novel, also the first in the series, which leans more towards the Jennifer Arminitrout, Jeannine Frost type of book than the Gena Showalter, Christina Dodd style. If anything, it sits somewhere in the middle with JR Ward, though it's very different.

There are a great many species of demons, some evil, some kinda bad, some good, some harmless. All are hunted indiscrimantely by the Aegis - slayers, as the demons call them. Eidolon is a seminus demon, a type of incubus, approa...more

4 likes · like · see review

Nov 18, 2009 Brittany rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, prn-romance, demons, were-shifter-changling

I loved this book! People have been telling me to read Larissa's books, but I was swamped with other things to read, so I told them I'll wait. I really wish I'd have picked them up when they told me to!

I love the fact that there were more than just demons. There were sub-species of demons. Probably hundreds of different kinds of demons in this book, and they all had different traits, looks, powers and history. I also love that Larissa put the brothers, Ediolon, Wraith and Shade, in a hospital....more

5 likes · like · see review

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Oh My Shelves: July Buddy Read for Pleasure Unbound	10	12	Jun 10, 2013 04:32pm
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About Larissa Ione

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Larissa Ione penned her first novel at the age of 13 and hasn't stopped writing since. She has been a U.S. Air Force meteorologist, an EMT, and a professional dog trainer, and you never know when one of those interests will pop into her novels.

She lives a nomadic existence with her U.S. Coast Guard husband and son, so her writing career has been a bl...more

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Eternal Rider (Lords of Deliverance, #1)

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Quotes from Pleasure Unbound

“I'll bet you could make a woman throw out all her toys” — 168 people liked it

“So,uh, where am I, exactly ? And what do you plan on doing with me ?"
"You're at Underworld General Hospital. As you can probably guess, we specialize in nonhuman medical care. Our location is secret, so don't ask."
"UGH ? Your hospital is called 'ugh' ? Oh, that's precious.” — 91 people liked it

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Pleasure Unbound (Demonica #1)

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