Desire Unchained (Demonica, #2)

Feb 19, 2012 Buggy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: demonexy, paranormal-rom, shelf-10, vampalicious, weretastic, tattooed-hero, tie-me-up

Opening Line: "It had been two decades since Shade had awakened on a strange floor, hung over and without a clue to his whereabouts."

This is book #2 in Larissa Ione’s utterly imaginative world of Demonica, full of demons vampires, werewolves, ghouls, humans and every combined half version of them. And I have to say that while I enjoyed book #1 Pleasure Unbound this one is even better. Ione’s world at UGH (underworld general hospital) just seems to get more awesome the further in we go and here w...more Opening Line: "It had been two decades since Shade had awakened on a strange floor, hung over and without a clue to his whereabouts."

This is book #2 in Larissa Ione’s utterly imaginative world of Demonica, full of demons vampires, werewolves, ghouls, humans and every combined half version of them. And I have to say that while I enjoyed book #1 Pleasure Unbound this one is even better. Ione’s world at UGH (underworld general hospital) just seems to get more awesome the further in we go and here we really get a feel for those sexy Seminus demon brothers and the bond they share with one another.

DESIRE UNCHAINED is Shade’s story which is sinfully dark and erotic (hello BDSM) however theres also a ton of action along the way and the witty between brothers banter is better then ever. Ione also serves up some very clever storylines, a great heroine, introduces new characters and gives our hero an interesting curse as well as one demented villain to overcome on his way to a HEA.

Runa is determined to make Shade pay; not only for making her fall in love with him but for cheating on her with a couple of vampires and indirectly causing the transformation that’s forever changed her (especially under a full moon) Shade’s been trying to avoid Runa as he was starting to develop feelings for her. That just can’t happen when you’ve been given a curse that states you’ll become invisible and plagued by insatiable thirst, hunger and lust for eternity should you happen to fall in love.

But first things first Desire Unchained opens up with Runa and Shade trapped in a madman’s dungeon, when he casts a spell that binds them together as lifemates they’ll have to stop fighting each other and work together to get out alive and before Shade starts to dissapear.

Of course this only scratches the surface of this multilayered story and what a ride it is. With Shade’s curse triggered we have the (not so) small issue of him or one of his brothers killing Runa to break it.(badass Wraith seems up for the task) Speaking of which, we’re given plenty of interaction with both him and Eidolon, with Wraith showing a whole new side of himself here. We’re also introduced to the very cool means of travel through Harrowgate and subsequently get some scorching hot love scenes at Shade’s love shack in South America, complete with an exclusive sex chamber and one domination scene I could have done without. Theres also a very touching side romance between the human UGH Doctor Kynan and nurse Gem which I enjoyed almost as much as our hero’s and hope to see completed somewhere down the line.

Here’s the beginnings of one of one of the love scenes I can’t seem to shake, it will either have you grinning or blushing next time you order coffee from your local barista;

He stepped in front of Rena. "Coffee" The word rolled off his tongue as if he'd said "I'd like to give you an orgasm" "Yes" she whispered because he could give her...oh, right coffee.

Yup this is a very addictive ride, mixing the perfect combination of paranormal romance and urban fantasy and I can’t wait to see where things take us next with badass demon brother Z…I mean Wraith in Passion Unleashed. Yeah you fans of Ward’s BDB might want to check this series out too, there's some fascinating similarities. (less)

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Aug 13, 2010 Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: readers of paranormal who want an excellent story with great worldbuilding

Shelves: demon, paranormal-romance, part-of-a-series, owned-copy, favorites, curse, werewolf, lovers-reunited, favorite-or-autobuy-author

One thing I really love is when a book exceeds my expectations. I didn't really expect to like this story nearly as much as I did. For one, reunited lovers is one of my least favorite themes. I hate the baggage of a broken relationship going into a romantic novel. Also, I wasn't too keen on Shade for his womanizing ways, and how females/women didn't seem to be that important to him. Just objects to be used and abused. This is a major pet peeve of mine.

I am happy to say that I was proven wrong ab...more One thing I really love is when a book exceeds my expectations. I didn't really expect to like this story nearly as much as I did. For one, reunited lovers is one of my least favorite themes. I hate the baggage of a broken relationship going into a romantic novel. Also, I wasn't too keen on Shade for his womanizing ways, and how females/women didn't seem to be that important to him. Just objects to be used and abused. This is a major pet peeve of mine.

I am happy to say that I was proven wrong about Shade. He was a very complex character that I grew to love fairly early into the book. He had depth that really appealed to me. At heart, he loved women, as it was part of his nature, from his mother's side and rearing. As a seminus or incubus demon, through his father's side, he was compelled by his nature to take any woman who wanted him, to satisfy her sexual needs, and his in the process. Although it probably sounds like a dream come true at face value, in my mind I can't help but think, what a horrible deal that must be. In some ways like a sex addiction. Probably worse because Shade will die without having sex. As his s'genesis, the last stage of sexual maturity comes, it will only get worse. And if he is not mated, he will become a demon who is crazed by his desire to mate any female he comes in contact with, willing or not. He will wreak havoc on females all around him.

In essence, Shade cannot say no to his nature or what women want from him. And some of those women/females wanted some very dark, awful things. Shade had a gift given to him by his Umber demon mother, the gift to see darkness in a person and to draw it out and heal that person. As a seminus demon, he utilizes this gift during sex. The nasty, ugly kind of torture sex that I certainly want no part of. The females come out of it healed by having their worst emotions and regrets taken way, giving them the ultimate orgasm that last forever, a pure conscience. Thankfully, Ms. Ione does not go into detail, but this fact about Shade's past does play into his future.

Shade does wrong Runa. But he cannot help doing it. It is his nature, but also his fears about the maluncoeur, or curse put on him as a younger demon. If he falls in love, he will suffer a shadow existence of thirst, loneliness, and unslaked sexual desire. As such, falling in love is not on his plate. So when he finds himself falling too deeply for Runa, he pushes her away. When she finds him with two females doing the deed, she breaks it off with him. Only to be attacked by a werewolf minutes later, and left for dead.

They meet again at the beginning of this book. And Runa is very different. Hard where she was once soft. Full of confidence where she was shy and retiring before. Although Shade was attracted to her softness (as reminders of his mother and sisters who are of a race of demons who are gentle homemakers), he is even more attracted to her now. And it turns out that Runa has become a werewolf.

Their reunion is not under good circumstances, as they have been imprisoned by Ghouls, demons who harvest organs from other demons and sell them on the black market. Things only get worse, as Shade finds out that he has a very personal relationship with the leader, and the leader hates him and wants to kill him and his other two brothers.

Runa and Shade reconnect and have to deal with the ugliness of their pasts, and due the magical machinations of their enemy, they end up mated. For Shade, the timebomb starts ticking down, because he is unable to keep an emotional distance from the female he is mated to.

As the story continues, we see this couple, forced to spend time together due to their mating bond, realize they are soulmates. Both have hidden wounds that have affected their lives and how they relate to others. Runa has a guilt that she cannot rid herself of, and presses Wraith to use his talent to get rid of it. But Wraith hates that ability and would never do that to a woman who is so precious to him. I was really glad that this book doesn't have a lot of bondage/torture stuff going on. I am not a fan of BDSM, so I really don't want to see a lot of that, especially in a mainstream romance. I think Ione handled it very well, because I was afraid that it would go there. Fortunately, the way that the scenes with Shade dealing with his gift and Runa's need to have her darkness extracted were written showed a deft handling that didn't turn my stomach and ruin this book for me. It showed how much Shade loved her, and his determination to sacrifice himself for her out of love.

This is a complex, intense story. Ione's worldbuilding is incredible. I haven't read a book that creates such a multilayered world of demonarchy. These demons aren't the silly demons you can dismiss like some of the ones on Buffy. There is a whole spectrum, some that are good, some that are not so bad, and some that are really, really bad. And there's not only demons in this world, but faery, and other creatures. There's even fallen angels (I love stuff with angels). I appreciated the idea of the Underworld General Hospital that treats demonkind. It's the medical show-lover in me. This book is like Trauma Life in the ER meets Angel. And what a great combination.

I liked the information about the bond between a werewolf and her sire. It's a profound bond that has some pretty serious consequences. And Runa has to deal with some aspects of being a werewolf that make her very dangerous to others, and restrict and affect how she can live her life. Her werewolf nature can overcome her thoughts and conscious desires, and this comes into play as well.

We get to visit with Shade's brother Eidolon, who's now happily mated to Tayla, his other brother Wraith, who is clearly on the path to self-destruction and hanging by a thread, and see the developing relationship between Gemella (Tayla's half-sister and a doctor), and the human ex-Aegis leader, Kynan, who is still heartbroken from his wife's betrayal. I just loved seeing more about Kynan. In the last book, I didn't think I'd be that interested in him and Gemella, but this book has gotten me very interested indeed. Kynan is such a good guy (and you get some inkling as to why he is such a good person that I am sure will unfold further in the forthcoming books). Gemella is externally hardcore goth, but she has a soft heart and is deeply in love with Kynan, although she knows she doesn't have a chance at him, being a demon. Their relationship has some poignant parts that got to this softie.

This book was so enjoyable and involved me emotionally. It was clear from the beginning that Ms. Ione put a lot of thought and effort in this series, and this book really shows it and her talent as an author. That's what I look for in a read, so I was very happy to give it five stars.(less)

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Aug 21, 2010 DarienMoya rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who wants a wicked and sexy read!

Shelves: 2010-reads, fave-books-of-2010, demon, favorites

^^ I WANT TO OPEN SHADE'S BLINDS!^^

There is a million and one things I love about the Demonica series, its all types of dirty sexy and crazy cool. This is the second book in the series and it does not disappoint, if you have not read the first book in the series I implore you to do so. I am spellbound when it comes to the demon world, it grabs and hooks you and never lets you go. I am gonna jump ahead and say this is my fave book of the series, and I don’t know, it might be my fave through out....more ^^ I WANT TO OPEN SHADE'S BLINDS!^^

There is a million and one things I love about the Demonica series, its all types of dirty sexy and crazy cool. This is the second book in the series and it does not disappoint, if you have not read the first book in the series I implore you to do so. I am spellbound when it comes to the demon world, it grabs and hooks you and never lets you go. I am gonna jump ahead and say this is my fave book of the series, and I don’t know, it might be my fave through out. There is something about Shade that blows my mind and I am gonna say it, he is my Vishous of the demon world. If that didn’t make you drop your pants and I don’t know what else to say.

We met Shade in the first book of the series, I am gonna say this, he didn’t make an impression on me like Wraith did, but my oh my was I wrong about him. The book begins with a little flashback which all leads to a situation that has Shade kidnapped, and in the presence of a human female he once bedded. Seems she aint so human as before, if you have no idea well, Shade is Seminus demon, which translates to, he is gonna be able to take the form of any species and impregnate the female of that species. Well his kind aint so loved, and he knows that but the change is welcome. A curse was placed on him, if he were to ever fall in love, he would gradually fade and be trapped in hell of pain, constant hunger and unfulfilled lust. Talk about not so awesome!

Now Shade is in the hands of a madman and one he knows very well. Stuck in a room with a female who hates him, things aren’t looking very peachy. Well a little experiment leads Shade to be bonded to the female called Runa, this is all kinds of wrong, but it feels all kinds of right. Runa is a werewolf who understands the situation she is currently in, she hates Shade but wants him like no other, fact being she knows he is all kinds of assholish. With a dangerous madman out to destroy them, and uncontrollable feeling these two are in for a ride of their lives, and by ride I mean horizontal.

Lets talk about Shade shall we, cus I love him. He is a dom, he is a prick but man does he rock. Runa is a great balance for him, cus she does not take his shit. The chemistry is off the chain, and the sex is hot, animalistic and erotic. I was crying from the pure joy of how awesome this book is. I even made up words like, awesomanity, smexalicious, and some I cant even spell. I want to pull on Shade’s blinds, and open his windows, he is effin sexy.

The other POVs offered is like a buffet of hotness, and I am biting my nails because I want books for all dem. I could go on forever about this book, but this is a series not to be missed. It is funny, smart and original. I loved it, 5 thumbs up, and a 5 on the PL (pants losing) scale. “Oh where oh where, as my pants gone, Oh where oh where could it be” naked!
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Jan 06, 2013 Vilda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Vilda by: Buddy read with Stacia (the hype killer)

Shelves: paranormal-romance, e-book, buddy-read, read-in-2013, didn-t-want-to-put-down, laugh-out-loud-moments, men-that-make-me-swoon

'He stopped in front of Runa. "Coffee." The word rolled off his tongue as if he'd said, "I'd like to give you an orgasm."
"Yes," she whispered, because he could give her ... oh, right. Coffee.'

Wow. I had completely forgotten just how interesting the Demonica world is! It's so refreshing to meet all of these different demons after having read so many vamp or shifter stories and I absolutely love it. It's a fantastic world and I can't wait to go back!

Hooked from the first few pages, I could hardl...more

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Mar 07, 2009 Julie (jjmachshev) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009-reads

Hot sexy demons, sarcastic vampires, Slayers, organ harvesting, and werewolves...although it took me a few minutes to 'read' myself back into Larissa Ione's Demonica world, I was caught and fascinated by her latest tale. "Desire Unchained" is her second book in this series and tells Shade's story. He's a pleasure demon who is cursed to suffer unending hunger as a fade once he finds his true love. Ione's world is complex and unique, with dozens of different demon races and other creatures that 'g...more Hot sexy demons, sarcastic vampires, Slayers, organ harvesting, and werewolves...although it took me a few minutes to 'read' myself back into Larissa Ione's Demonica world, I was caught and fascinated by her latest tale. "Desire Unchained" is her second book in this series and tells Shade's story. He's a pleasure demon who is cursed to suffer unending hunger as a fade once he finds his true love. Ione's world is complex and unique, with dozens of different demon races and other creatures that 'go bump in the night'. It's also very sexy, especially when you consider that her demons are sex demons.

Runa suffered the hurt of an abusive alcoholic father and an uncaring mother so when she busted her boyfriend 'en flagrante' with not one, but two other women--well, she learned to deal with that pain too. But while running from his apartment, she was attacked by a werewolf. Quite the introduction to the paranormal world, eh? So she's managed to deal with everything life's thrown at her so far...until she wakes up...chained to a dungeon wall...and her fellow prisoner is none other than her ex.

Shade drove Runa away rather than risk falling for her and activating the curse that neither he nor his brothers have found a way to cure. So when he wakes up chained to a dungeon wall with Runa, he's not sure what's going on--but is pretty sure it can't be good. When he discovers his captor is none other than the deranged brother he thought was dead...well, he KNOWS that can't be good. And the icing on the 'not good' cake is when his enforced intimacy with Runa results in their mating. I'm thinking Shade will have a bit of explaining to do--and to a woman scorned no less!

Once I immersed myself back into Ione's world, I became caught up in Runa and Shade's story. The insanity and evil of the mad brother was enough to make my skin want to crawl away on its own and hide in some dark corner. But for some reason, this book didn't grab me quite like "Pleasure Unbound" did. I didn't feel as connected to Runa and Shade and I still can't pinpoint exactly why. I still enjoyed the book, and I can hardly wait for "Passion Unleashed", Wraith's story which should hit stores in April 2009.

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Sep 27, 2011 SATIN SUE rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book starts with Shade *swoon* (yummy), he wakes up in a cellar chained to a wall and sitting next to him is his ex Runa (newly turned werewolf). They don't remember how they got there, but as they learn more about there captor and his evil plans they grow close because there captor tricks them in to a bond that could mean the end of Shade *wipes eyes*. The two of them escape and have to find a way to deal with the bond they have because Shade has a curse and if he falls in love he will end...more This book starts with Shade *swoon* (yummy), he wakes up in a cellar chained to a wall and sitting next to him is his ex Runa (newly turned werewolf). They don't remember how they got there, but as they learn more about there captor and his evil plans they grow close because there captor tricks them in to a bond that could mean the end of Shade *wipes eyes*. The two of them escape and have to find a way to deal with the bond they have because Shade has a curse and if he falls in love he will end up going invisible and no one will ever be able to see him again. This book was such a roller coaster for me, up and down and never knowing where its going to take you next, I'm going to have to admit that the ending to this book did make me cry, I was just so happy that shade finally got his happy ending. This book has to be favourite in the hole series, Yes I know its only book two but I love how its so dark and funny and very sexy. There other have a lot to do to beat this one. I think Larissa is a wonderful author and she knows how to keep us ladies interested.

SHADE - omg Where to start, he is hot/sexy and brooding but he all so has a very caring side that shocked the hell out of me. He is by far my favourite guy out of these books, he was so kick -ass and im gonna have to say funny as hell. he so as the same sence of humor as me lol. Favourite saying of his is" Hells Bells" . It broke my heart when you read what he was going through with the death of his sister skulk. Yes it was one of the moment that i had a tear in my eye.

RUNA- Yes another kick ass chick, I love it. I liked her so much more then Taylar, I really do think Larissa has found the perfect mate for Shade, Yes i would of been better but what are ya gonna do lol. She has been through so much in her life but she still managed to stay strong for her and for shade and I loved that she didnt cower and give up. I think the bit when Shade used the BDSM to get her to talk was so damn hot.

EDIOLON -I think he came across as a geek in this book BUT a very sexy geek, again in this book he trys his hardest to sort his brothers problems out and this I think is the reason we all love him so much. I was so shocked that he was willing to kill Runa to save Shade. now that is true love for a brother.

WRAITH- Mmmmm now what to say about him.Ok in this book he wasnt as bad as he was in the other book But he still is my least favourite out of the brothers. I think its the mother in me but i wanted to tell him off and tell him to get a grip, with a big smack around the head.lol. Im hoping because he found out what his brothers have hidden from him and what they have been doing for him, that it will sort him out.I think they all just need to stop babying him. The thing I didnt like about him in this book was that he is ment to have this amazing bond with Shade but yet he was quick to judge him , over the whole cave thing with Runa.

Over all you guys know I love love love this book and series and ladies im putting my claim on Shade *wink*. (less)

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Apr 15, 2009 Shannon (Giraffe Days) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, romance, urban-fantasy, 2009, vampires, shape-shifters

When Shade wakes up one morning in a dungeon, chained to the wall, with an ex-lover-turned-werewolf, Runa, for company, he thought things were bad. But when he learns that the demon behind his kidnapping, as well as the latest rash of demon-organ stealing for the demon black market, is really his brother Roag, things couldn't be worse.

Shade is a seminus demon, a sex-crazed breed that only produces males who, when they go through their Change unmated, become rabid sex fiends who live only to imp...more When Shade wakes up one morning in a dungeon, chained to the wall, with an ex-lover-turned-werewolf, Runa, for company, he thought things were bad. But when he learns that the demon behind his kidnapping, as well as the latest rash of demon-organ stealing for the demon black market, is really his brother Roag, things couldn't be worse.

Shade is a seminus demon, a sex-crazed breed that only produces males who, when they go through their Change unmated, become rabid sex fiends who live only to impregnate females of various demon races. Shade's mother was a gentle, family-oriented Umber demon, who passed onto him the ability to sense darkness in females and want to help them. He'd love to have a mate and children, but he can never take a mate because of a curse a warlock put on him: if he ever falls in love, he'll fade away until he's completely gone.

Roag is unmated, and the Change made him even more insane and cruel than he already was. His brothers thought he had burned to death in a fire, but Roag survived and now has some nasty plans of revenge and reconstruction. For Shade, he uses his mental tricks to mate Shade and Runa together - and it's only a matter of time before they fall in love and Shade disappears forever.

Since reading the first novel, Pleasure Unbound, in this relatively new series last year, I've been eagerly awaiting the next book - and lucky me! Two new books in the series (which I suspect is really a trilogy) both came out very recently.

I've only described the set-up: there's so much more going on in this story. That's one of the things that I love about Ione: she creates complex plot-lines and stories that are so well written you never once get lost, confused or overwhelmed. It does make it tricky to summarise though.

Shade is a great character. I liked his brother E from the previous book, but Shade went straight to my heart. He was much more complicated than E, and very dishy. These seminus demons - they're literally sex on legs. If he senses a woman's "need", he is compelled to satisfy it. Until he gets a mate, then only Runa can satisfy him. Only she's now a werewolf, and the bond seems to be only one-sided, which means she could leave him whenever she wanted to.

That's only one minor complication - Shade's brothers, E and the half-vampire Wraith, try to persuade him to kill Runa before the curse kills him. There's also a subplot involving the human demon-killing organisation, the Aegis, and their big-brother arm of the military, which Runa is involved with; as well as two other characters who work at the demon hospital.

I especially love and appreciate how non black-and-white this world is. There are demons who are monsters but not life-threatening, ones who are born killers, ones who are more human-like, like the seminus demons, as well as werewolves and vampires - and they're all shades of grey, and all very unique. It's a fascinating world that she's created, lurking in the underbelly of New York and elsewhere.

Runa had many of the traits of your typical paranormal romance heroine, but many strengths as well. She managed to stay on her own two feet and her concerns and fears felt very real. The chemistry between her and Shade was tangible, and the danger element to the story adds a high dose of tension and suspense. Ione's stories aren't easily predictable.

If you're a fan of paranormal romance and supernatural beings, you definitely have to give this series a try. You should start with the first book, though, to get some much-needed background and a more gentle introduction to this fantasy world, because a lot does carry over between books.(less)

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Sep 23, 2011 Lindsay rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-time-favorites, books-i-own, cover-lust

When I first read about Shade in Pleasure Unbound, I thought 'Wow what a douche.' I was seriously dreading reading this book because he starred in it but I had already bought the book so I thought what the hell.

And all I have to say is goddammit Shade! You are just....argh! If you were real I'd rape you on the spot. I would make you mine in a heartbeat. I never thought that Shade would be my favorite but he is just so sexy. He starts off incredibly cocky and full of himself and yet...as the bo...more

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Jan 06, 2013 Stacia ~ Mistress of Mediocrity rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Stacia ~ Mistress of Mediocrity by: Buddy read w/Vilda

Shelves: adult

"I will bear this pain for you," he swore. "If one of us has to bleed, it will be me. It'll always be me."

Just because I didn't start this review off with the "magical spermie" conversation and super-curious kitties, doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy this book. I may not be hopping up and down in the same excited way, but there was still enough about Desire Unchained to keep me reading.
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I do feel a little bit guilty that the side story of Gem and Ky captured my attention more than the main stor...more

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Apr 25, 2012 Lisa Kay rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: genre-romance-paranormal, m-library-dead-tree-need-to-request, m-audio-christine-cds, 2012-in-2012-group-challenge, zzcover-red, reviewed-by-me, authors-i, authors-l

Dungeon Slade wakes up in.

★★½☆☆ (This is a review of the audiobook.) Whoa. I don’t know when I have ever enjoyed a narration so much and a book so little. What a dilemma. Hillary Huber does a great job with her sultry voice and some of the H.O.T. sex scenes are elevated because of this. She does a good job of differentiating the voices too. I’d give the narration ★★★★½ stars. I’ll be looking for more of Ms. Huber’s readings.

Still, this book was NOT my cuppa tea. Consider that when looking at my...more

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Oct 20, 2011 MK (Consultant, Corporal Therapist) rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of PNR>demons>incubus

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

Fans of the Demonica series will not be disapointed. New comers will be instantly hooked.

The opening scene of Shade urging Runa to "climb on and get started", he'll catch up. Was priceless. Shade oozes a type of machismo that doesn't get old. His protective instinct and/or sexual urges are so merged with his personality that you complety fall for him. When the Hero fights his love for the Heroine the reasons vary but are based in emotionally scarred barriers that can often grate after about 6,7...more

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Feb 10, 2009 The_Book_Queen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-999-challenge, paranormal, magic, one-of-my-favorites, romance, vampires, read-in-2009, reviewed

When I received my copy of Desire Unchained in the mail, I literally stopped, right on my doorstep, and did a dance. Yes, a dance! I know, that sounds so odd and childish, but ever since I read the first novel, Desire Unbound, last year, I've been hungry for more! And believe me when I say that DU delivered on all accounts!

In the first book, we were dropped straight into Ione's world, modern Earth, except for we're not alone. Shapeshifters, Witches, Demons, Vampires, and all sorts of other fant...more When I received my copy of Desire Unchained in the mail, I literally stopped, right on my doorstep, and did a dance. Yes, a dance! I know, that sounds so odd and childish, but ever since I read the first novel, Desire Unbound, last year, I've been hungry for more! And believe me when I say that DU delivered on all accounts!

In the first book, we were dropped straight into Ione's world, modern Earth, except for we're not alone. Shapeshifters, Witches, Demons, Vampires, and all sorts of other fantastical characters live in our world. For the most part, humans know about them, but they still don't flaunt themselves. Instead, they stick to the "Underworld's" of the area, tunnels and such below the city or hidden from the humans. The hospital that Shade and his two other brothers founded exist in one such area, hidden from the prying eyes of humans.

While the plot line, the intriguing characters, and the complex story development are a great part of the book, it's not the only part that made my fall in love with the series. It's also the very intense, sometimes graphic, but always satisfying *no pun intended, of course!*, sex. Along with the equally tender romance. Don't get the wrong impression-- it's not ALL about the sex in their relationship, though that part is definitely a big part of it. Personally, I enjoy the more erotic touches like this in my romances, but I know that some do not. If you fall into the later category, I'm sure that you could still enjoy this book, even if you have to flip through a few scenes.

The romance is fantastic, but it's not the only element that sticks out. There's a plot to it, a point besides just watching the H/Hr have hot sex 24/7. The suspense and action makes the reading interesting, not just sexy. I'm anxious for the next book, not only to find out Wraith's fate and story, but also to see what more could happen in this compelling paranormal world that Ione has created. I promise you-- just when you think that you have the story 100% figured out, nothing could possibly surprise you, a new twist in the story pops out, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end. And even then, it will only let you go, but it won't leave you entirely. You'll still find yourself thinking about the story, the characters and the world, anxious to return to it, but upset that you have to wait until the next book to do so.

4.5/5 stars! I can't stop raving about this amazing book! Heck, not just this book, but Ione's entire series! They're sexy, passionate, mysterious, action packed, humorous... I could go on and on! In short, they have everything you could possible ask for in a romance! I can't wait for her future books-- Ione is definitely an automatic author in my book!(less)

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Apr 14, 2011 Lady Valee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: pnr-romance

**Sigh. --- what's more to say after reading a book like this one? Is it possible to be speechless all over again? Because yes, this is the 2nd time I read it and still I feel like I could read it hundreds more and love it all the same over and over again. Worst because I liked it much more this time than the first. I think that with a re-read I got to understand many things I didn't the first time I read it.

In this instalment we get to read about Shade. Lots of things happen in this book, many...more **Sigh. --- what's more to say after reading a book like this one? Is it possible to be speechless all over again? Because yes, this is the 2nd time I read it and still I feel like I could read it hundreds more and love it all the same over and over again. Worst because I liked it much more this time than the first. I think that with a re-read I got to understand many things I didn't the first time I read it.

In this instalment we get to read about Shade. Lots of things happen in this book, many life-changing events for many characters, so you just can't help but to love this book. The first time I read it I remember I got such a huge impact about the whole BDSM s*it that I couldn't enjoy the book as a whole. This time I was able to read more carefully the rest of the things because I knew this would be a part of it and I was able to like it much more because I got to understand that Shade didn't have a choice in what he did, he just have to do it. If you read this series you have to understand that the main characters are demons and that they have a nature they can't avoid, it's what they are; things get real with this author, not HEA appearing from nowhere, and that's what I love the most about LI, she doesn't make things look sweet and nice, she really knows how to write paranormal romance and she does it with style. Shade gets captured by the enemy and imprisoned with Runa, a human ex-girlfriend who he dumped because was getting too clingy with him. In that prison they are force to mate which is a huge problem to Shade as he is possessed by a spell which doesn't allow him to get in love if he wants to stay alive, but can a demon really mate and not fall for his mate? Will his brothers allow him to go through this? Well guys you have to read this amazing book to find out!

Also remember we keep with Gem and Ky's story, which is even better than what it was in book 1. Gem is one of my fav characters, original and caring, so much to love about her. And Ky is so hot, I love them both.

Can't wait to re-read book 3 which has my fav couple in the series!!!(less)

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Jul 11, 2009 Shawna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: pnr-angeldemon-fae-magic-witch-misc, larissa-ione, bdsm-kink, favorites, pnr-vampires, pnr-weres-cats-wolves-shifters, yowza-hotness, i-read-own-faves-keepers, 2009-reads, badasses-hunks-in-leather, hero-antihero-gamma, hero-im-gaga-over, heroine-i-adore, best-top-favorites, favorite-romance-series, reunions-are-sweeter-second-chances, series-demonica-lords-deliverance, tattoos-piercings-body-art, captive-kidnapped-hostage-slave, enemies-to-lovers-opposites-attract, brothers-sisters-cousins-family, cheating-hearts-fidelity-issues, satisfying-secondary-romance, doctor-or-nurse-in-the-house-shrink, psychic-special-abilities-powers, 5-stars-or-higher, paranormal-romance, hero-tattalizing, hh-love-commitment-marriage-phobic, hero-bad-boy-playboy, hero-brooding, hh-warrior

5+ stars – Paranormal Romance

As amazing a read as Pleasure Unbound was, I liked Desire Unchained, book two in Ione’s riveting Demonica series, even better. Seminus Demon Shade and human turned werewolf Runa’s relationship is flawed, passionate, emotionally raw, touching, and full of sexual tension and frustration. The chemistry and tentative connection between secondary characters Kynan and Gem is sweet and heartbreaking. I was nearly as wrapped up in their story as I was in Shade and Runa's, an...more

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Apr 01, 2009 Mitabird rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance

I don't even know where to begin. Desire Unchained was absolutely fantastic! Ione's second effort in her Demonica series was even better than the first. The story is about Shade and Runa. Runa was a human female that Shade was involved with in the first book. They come together again through the machinations of a psycho demon. Shade learns that Runa was attacked by a warg (aka werewolf) and has become one. Runa works for the government and is sent to learn about the demon hospital that Shade and...more

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Mar 20, 2012 Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, physical-books, read-in-2012

This is another series where I read and enjoyed the first book and then promptly set it aside as I attempted to tackle my TBR pile. Now that I've broken down and bought the rest of the books, I can get back to those sex-ay Seminus demons and the women who love them. Rawr!

As much as I enjoyed the first book, I think I liked this one even more. First off, Shade has his sexy jungle lair. I enjoy sexy jungle lairs. Okay, fine. You found me out. There is no second point to this list. It was entirely...more This is another series where I read and enjoyed the first book and then promptly set it aside as I attempted to tackle my TBR pile. Now that I've broken down and bought the rest of the books, I can get back to those sex-ay Seminus demons and the women who love them. Rawr!

As much as I enjoyed the first book, I think I liked this one even more. First off, Shade has his sexy jungle lair. I enjoy sexy jungle lairs. Okay, fine. You found me out. There is no second point to this list. It was entirely the sexy jungle lair that tickled my fancy. On the downside, Shade's inability to deny the ladies their ...umm... painful release even when he wasn't into the giving of the pain was a little off-putting. It worked wonderfully, I just felt bad for the poor guy. I mean, there's the whole being led around by your dick thing (which, holy smokes, works for Wraith, doesn't it??) and then there's the whole "I don't want to do this but I have to because it's the only way you'll achieve satisfaction and find peace" thing. In Shade's case, it hurt his soul and I wanted to pet him and make it all better.

I ultimately liked the relationship between Shade and Runa but it took me a while to warm up to her. I get that she was feeling a little vengeful after the things that Shade had done to her and I get that she blamed him for her transformation (undeservedly, in my opinion) but... she was sort of bordering on Meh until she started seeing that Shade wasn't all bad and he had a reason for doing the things he did in the past. Once she acknowledged that she wasn't all about the anger and vengeance, she became much more interesting.

For the record, I adore Wraith. The guy is a time bomb waiting to go off. I am so excited for his story. I can't wait to see him fall into wicked, wicked love and watch the way he screws it up. It will be glorious!

Bottom Line: The bad guy is gross, the Seminus demons are sexy and I'm glad to be hanging out again with the folks at Underworld General.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
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Jan 20, 2009 Kelly Moran rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-reviews

Author Larissa Ione grew up reading Stephen King and Dean Koontz. She began writing horror and fantasy, but soon learned to love romance. She is able to combine her two loves into one genre- paranormal romance. She also writes under the pen name Sydney Croft. Titles include: Seduced by the Storm, Pleasure Unbound, Hot Nights Dark Desires, Unleashing the Storm, Wet Dreams, Snow Bound, Riding the Storm, Flesh to Fantasy, and Shadow Play. Her title, Pleasure Unbound was named Best Paranormal Romanc...more Author Larissa Ione grew up reading Stephen King and Dean Koontz. She began writing horror and fantasy, but soon learned to love romance. She is able to combine her two loves into one genre- paranormal romance. She also writes under the pen name Sydney Croft. Titles include: Seduced by the Storm, Pleasure Unbound, Hot Nights Dark Desires, Unleashing the Storm, Wet Dreams, Snow Bound, Riding the Storm, Flesh to Fantasy, and Shadow Play. Her title, Pleasure Unbound was named Best Paranormal Romance of 2008 in the First Annual Reviewers Choice Awards at Romance Novel TV. She was born in Oregon but resides now in Virginia.
Last year, when Runa Wagner walked in on her boyfriend and two vampires doing something unimaginable, she fled as fast as she could. Unbeknownst to her, that act would change the course of her life. Determined to make Shade pay for that horrid night and what it transformed her into, Runa searches for him, only to be taken prisoner by his darkest adversary. A Seminus Demon, Shade also has a love curse hanging over him, to which he will be threatened with eternal torment if he ever falls in love. Runa walking out on him last year had saved him from the unthinkable. But when he wakes in a dark dungeon, chained next to none other than Runa, all those old desires flare up again. When their captor casts a spell on them, bonding them as lifemates, Runa and Shade find themselves fighting for their hearts and their lives…Because the alternative is indescribable.
I had a difficult time connecting to these characters, not for a lack of good writing on the author’s part, but because of the nature of what they were. As I got half-way through the book, this began to fade and I found them more relatable.
This book is, I believe, part of a trilogy, with Pleasure Unbound preceding this and Passion Unleashed following it. As a paranormal romance, this also has a lot of erotica instilled in it. Torture, Werewolves, Vampires, Demon Hospitals, Love Spells- it has everything a paranormal romance lover could want. The plot flowed smoothly and the author’s eye for body language made this a captivating read. Credit to Larissa Ione for an imaginative, dark world that haunts you as much as it intrigues you.
Desire Unchained, by Larissa Ione, is a raw, edgy, and enthralling read- Sure to scorch every inch of you.

Kelly Moran,
Author and Reviewer
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Feb 15, 2010 Zeek rated it 5 of 5 stars

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

Second in Larissa Ione's Demonica series, it focuses on a group of Demon brothers who work at Underworld General Hospital, more specifically Shade, a Seminus Demon who's powers help him heal by being able to see into the body at a cellular level.

At the beginning of DU, Shade awakens to find himself chained in a dungeon along with the one woman who frightens him more than any other person he's met, one time girlfriend, Runa. Years ago, knowing he could very well fall for Runa, Shade had dumped he...more

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Aug 03, 2012 Julija (Ju) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: already-miss-the-protagonists, bloodsuckers, complex-brilliantly-built-world, dark-stuff-going-on, heartwrenching, hot-and-steamy, i-adore-this-girl, shapeshifters-suck, she-sure-can-kick-ass, shelf-of-awesomeness, demons-are-funny, all-things-pnr-romance, urban-fantasy-addiction, otp, manwhores-and-playboys, loving-secondary-romance, hero-completely-smitten, he-is-a-jerk-but-that-is-okay, from-hate-to-love-opposites-attract, drama-heavy, anti-or-byronic-hero-heroine, feisty-spunky-sassy-girls, bdsm-and-other-kinks, gimme-that-man-so-i-can-eat-him-up, this-scrumptious-boy-just-melts-me, this-body-deserves-some-drooling, tortured-abused-broken-fucked-up, cheaters-must-die

In book two we meet Shade, a Seminus demon from the first book. He is Eidolon's younger brother and the two could not be more different. Shade is ruthless when it comes to breaking hearts, he can't and won't stop himself from pleasuring a woman, any woman, in sexual need and he does not care for love. In fact, he flees as if his pants were on fire and he has a very good reason for that. Enter Runa, the human female he briefly dated during the first book and whose heart he smashed when she caught...more In book two we meet Shade, a Seminus demon from the first book. He is Eidolon's younger brother and the two could not be more different. Shade is ruthless when it comes to breaking hearts, he can't and won't stop himself from pleasuring a woman, any woman, in sexual need and he does not care for love. In fact, he flees as if his pants were on fire and he has a very good reason for that. Enter Runa, the human female he briefly dated during the first book and whose heart he smashed when she caught him in bed with two otherwordly females. Obviously, the two start off rocky. Being captured, put in a dirty cell and tortured does not help the already uneasy situation. At all. Add to the mix an unexpected cruel twist, courtesy of their captor, and you get a very unwanted and at the same time desired inescapable all-consuming love and lust.

Unlike Pleasure Unbound, which mainly focuses on the main couple, Desire Unchained is also a story about Wraith, who is my faborite brother, as well as Kynan and Gem, who I desperately wish will get their HEA and who definitely have some issues to work on. This is probably why I enjoyed the second book much more than the first one. Wraith has stolen my heart the moment he appeared and seeing more of his character, understanding him better, made me turn the pages like a madwoman. I cannot wait to read his book because instead of sating my hunger this book made it much, much worse. I also cannot wait to see Kynan and Gem's relationship reach some sort of conclusion because I adore them both individually and together and seeing them hurt is not all that pleasant. Luckily, the main couple kept me happy and entertained and the vicious cruel plot engaged and interested. Now that the world has already been introduced, Ione can fully concentrate on the plot and the romance and oh boy, the romance is too hot for words. Where Tay and E had a gentle albeit sudden relationship in which they healed and balanced each other, Shade and Runa are two broken halves trying hard to hate each other and failing badly. They fuck, they argue, they lie, they hurt each other yet by the end of the day they end up together and not just because they have to, no matter what they keep telling themselves. I found myself head over heels in love with the pairing pretty much from the very beginning and I will definitely re-read the book just to see them again.

As for the plot, well...(view spoiler)
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Aug 15, 2012 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance, pregnancy, demons, second-chances, wolf-shifter, love-hate-relationship

Desire Unchained
3.5 Stars

Synopsis
Cursed to suffer eternal torment if he falls in love, Shade has made every effort to avoid the one woman who may make him succumb, Runa Wagner. Runa has sworn revenge against the demon who betrayed her but now she and Shade must work together to escape the dangerous enemy who would destroy them both.

Review
Good story despite the cringe worthy elements (cheating heroes and BDSM are not my thing).

Runa is likeable enough although it is a shame that her Warg abiliti...more

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Jul 24, 2011 Samantha rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: demon, incubus, genre-paranormal-romance, hero-is-cursed, cheating-or-infidelity, full-consent-is-important-damn-it

Wow, talk about a huge change in rating from the first book to the second. This one left a rather foul taste in my mouth.

Shade is an incubus demon who was cursed by an angry warlock when he caught Shade diddling his wife. The curse is set to activate when Shade falls in love. When this happens he is doomed to fade into nothing, becoming a kind of tormented ghost. So, Shade has spent his life avoiding any kind of romantic attachments in fear of activating the curse. Which has apparently given him...more Wow, talk about a huge change in rating from the first book to the second. This one left a rather foul taste in my mouth.

Shade is an incubus demon who was cursed by an angry warlock when he caught Shade diddling his wife. The curse is set to activate when Shade falls in love. When this happens he is doomed to fade into nothing, becoming a kind of tormented ghost. So, Shade has spent his life avoiding any kind of romantic attachments in fear of activating the curse. Which has apparently given him license to be a complete ass.

The story starts with Shade waking up in dungeon that he shares with an extremely pissed off female werewolf named Runa. Runa, our heroine, reveals that she had dated Shade for a couple of months and it ended badly. This is where my problem started with the book. It's no spoiler to tell you that Shade cheated on Runa since its talked about in the first couple of chapters. Runa came to Shade's apartment one day to find him in the middle of screwing two women. This definitely set the tone of the story for me. I absolutely cannot stand cheating heroes. Its one of my biggest pet peeves. I muscled through the rest of this book mostly because of how much I had enjoyed the first one. The only reason why this book is getting two stars from me is because I enjoyed the subplots going on. Otherwise, Shade and Runa's relationship just pissed me off. I didn't really like Shade. He cheated on Runa and (view spoiler) And he did nothing to redeem himself. There was barely even an "I'm sorry" involved. Runa spent a very short time hating him and then she suddenly switched to professing her undying love and devotion. Girl needs to grow a stronger backbone and Shade needs a swift kick to the balls.

Anyway, Wraith's story is next in the series. I'll be picking it up mostly because I had it ordered before I read this one. Hopefully, its closer to being like Pleasure Unbound than this one.(less)

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Mar 01, 2011 Angela the Fair ~Lusty Lace~ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Angela the Fair ~Lusty Lace~ by: Annie the Destroyer *Leather Lust*

Shelves: read-in-2011

5 Exploding Stars

Wow! I am blown away by this book.Thank you Annie for recommending it and
thank you to the Shameless Ladies who had to bare with me chat away as I read this book!!!

Seminus Demon,Shade is on a verge of transformation/S'genesis and finds his mate to help him through the change. Unfortunately, there is a curse that lingers that will prevent his HEA unless he and his Sem brothers find a way out of it.

Runa, inspite of life trials and heart ache, proves she is worthy of the heroine's r...more

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Jun 10, 2010 Jill Dunlop rated it 2 of 5 stars

Desire Unchained is book two of Larrisa Ione's Demonica series. Runa Wagner was once a human until she was bitten by a warg. Infected with the werewolf virus, she now unwilling changes into a werewolf during a full moon. The horrible thing about it for Runa is she can't remember what she does turning these turns. After having her brother help her deal with her new self, she sets out to find and kill the warg who bit her. While searching she is kidnapped by a Demon and held prisoner. After a few...more Desire Unchained is book two of Larrisa Ione's Demonica series. Runa Wagner was once a human until she was bitten by a warg. Infected with the werewolf virus, she now unwilling changes into a werewolf during a full moon. The horrible thing about it for Runa is she can't remember what she does turning these turns. After having her brother help her deal with her new self, she sets out to find and kill the warg who bit her. While searching she is kidnapped by a Demon and held prisoner. After a few weeks of being held captive, a new prisoner is brought in and it is none other than her old flame, Shade. Shade and Runa are tricked into becoming mates by their captor. Now, they have to learn to get along or Shade could die.

Well, I have come to the conclusion that this series is just not for me. These stories revolve around demons and these demons are morally ambiguous at best. At worst, they are psychotic. It makes it very difficult for me to connect with the demon characters. Sometimes the demons make strides to struggle with the animalistic side of their nature. Sometimes they win. Sometimes they lose. Sometimes they could care less of either outcome.

Shade being an incubus demon, is riddled with lust. So much of his focus is on sex and getting into Runa's pants. There is a lot of mental lusting on his part and I really hate mental lusting. I have a low threshold for this sort of thing. Also, Shade and Runa are forced into intimacy with each other. Sure the sex is great between them, but they have a lot of baggage to work through. Runa caught Shade with two other women when they were dating and it broke her heart. I never really saw how Runa could have gotten over that. It was never really touched on in the book. There were a lot of issues that sort of just got glossed over like that and the book could have been so much stronger had the characters had to work out their problems.

What took a lot of the book's focus was this curse that Shade had been given in his younger days. Also, much of the time was spent on Shade and his brothers hunting down the rogue demon that had captured Shade and Runa. Because of the heavy suspense portion of the plot, the romance didn't have enough time to develop properly. There was a secondary romance between Kynan and Liz that was a pleasant bonus. I will say, I did enjoy reading about them.(less)

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Jul 23, 2009 Tiffany rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: demonica, favorite-paranormal-romance, paranormal-romance, 2009-reads, vampires

Courtesy of Happy Endings Reviews

With Pleasure Unbound, new paranormal author Larissa Ione introduces us to three demon brothers, Eidolon, Shade, and Wraith. She crafts a world that centers around a demon hospital, Underworld General, the first of its kind, complete with demons, vampires, werewolves, fallen angels, and shapeshifters. Book 2 Desire Unchained continues the series with Shade's story.

The book opens with Shade chained in a dungeon with former lover, human Runa. They are held by the...more Courtesy of Happy Endings Reviews

With Pleasure Unbound, new paranormal author Larissa Ione introduces us to three demon brothers, Eidolon, Shade, and Wraith. She crafts a world that centers around a demon hospital, Underworld General, the first of its kind, complete with demons, vampires, werewolves, fallen angels, and shapeshifters. Book 2 Desire Unchained continues the series with Shade's story.

The book opens with Shade chained in a dungeon with former lover, human Runa. They are held by the madman who has been behind the black market ring butchering otherworldly creatures for valuable body parts, and they're shocked to learn that it's the three brothers' long-thought dead other brother, the truly draconian Roag, behind the kidnapping and the brutal chopping and killing. The other problem is that Runa hates Shade for cheating on her, which led to her own unfortunate attack and transformation into a werewolf. There's plenty here without the fact that Shade and Runa are forced into bonding as mates during their captivity and that Shade must keep himself from falling in love or a horrific curse will take his life - it will cause him to fade into nothingness, lost to the hospital, his brothers, and Runa forever. Trouble is that he is falling, falling hard for Runa and fast.

Shade was the brother that could have easily been overshadowed in the first book since it was eldest brother Eidolon's story and youngest brother Wraith is a force all his own. But his history is so carefully told, his past so completely heartbreaking, that I came to love him immensely. He's dealing with so much, trying to protect Runa as well as his own heart before everything collapses. Runa is a perfect heroine - as she's trying to learn to trust again as well as reconcile her new life as a werewolf, she displays the perfect amount of loyalty and vulnerability that makes us love her.

Shade and Runa spend a portion of the book in a Costa Rican hideway that's as sexy as it is primitive and called to mind images of Adam and Eve in their own world. And this villain is so darkly evil, so wholly heinous, with a burned, decrepit body he is trying to restore, that I was reminded of the terrible Voldemort from Harry Potter legend. Any author that can bring about such powerful allusions is one to watch.

The story once again encompasses wonderful supporting characters - beloved, star-crossed couple Gem and Kynan have more of their story fleshed out here as their angst is upped another degree and we hope for their satisfying conclusion. And of course final brother Wraith's story will follow in Passion Unleashed, and it is sure to please. The final battle scene in Desire Unchained is so awesome and powerful it leaves the heart pumping a mile a minute and amps an already exciting story even more.

This is a fantastic entry in a marvelous new series. It's surprising, never safe, always taking chances, and it is carving its own deserving place in the annals of paranormal romance.

Series: Demonica #1
#1 Pleasure Unbound
#2 Desire Unchained
#3 Passion Unleashed
#4 Ecstasy Unveiled
#5 Sin Undone(less)

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Oct 17, 2010 Nichole (Dirty H) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, demons, paranormal-romance, vampires, werewolves

3.5 stars

There is a line in this book where the villain is talking about his inadequate minions, and he says "It's like a bad comic book!"
And this sums it up perfectly. Based on that line, I think it's intentional. I certainly hope so.

But basically: All books in the paranormal romance genre, or the broader fantasy genre, require a certain amount of suspension of disbelief. A certain amount of willingness to accept things that cannot happen in real life, and to just go along for the ride.
But thi...more 3.5 stars

There is a line in this book where the villain is talking about his inadequate minions, and he says "It's like a bad comic book!"
And this sums it up perfectly. Based on that line, I think it's intentional. I certainly hope so.

But basically: All books in the paranormal romance genre, or the broader fantasy genre, require a certain amount of suspension of disbelief. A certain amount of willingness to accept things that cannot happen in real life, and to just go along for the ride.
But this series takes it a little bit further than that. These books do resemble a hokey superhero movie more than most PNR does. After reading the first book, I admired Ione's imaginative world and all the different creatures she came up with to fill it. This time around, I was more likely to roll my eyes. And her villain really does sound and act like a bad comic book villain. (His ultimate goal will make you say "What? Really??" and maybe "Ew.") Now, if you assume this over the top cheesiness is intentional and go along with it, it's kind of fun, but if you're expecting something more gritty and realistic you'll be disappointed.

Like the previous book, the plot is a little too twisty turvy, and I never really felt all that invested in the hero/heroine. I just didn't care all that much. In general, it was an adequately enjoyable story, but I didn't ever feel drawn in the way I want to be - at least not by the main couple.
There were two things in particular that did just bug me, though:
1. As with any romance, there are obstacles. One of the things standing between Shade and Runa is a curse. I won't say anything more about that so as not to spoil anything, but Shade kept the curse a secret for the whole book. He never told Runa, and there was never any explanation why, really. Wouldn't telling her about it have made things much easier? Grr. If you're going to have major obstacles to the romance, you need to make sure they're well explained and plausible. It can't just be there to be there. That drives me crazy. (It's kind of like the whole Lord of the Rings thing - "Why didn't the eagles just fly Frodo to Mordor in the first place?" "Shhhhh. You're not supposed to ask that.")
2. There is a very mild BDSM element to this book. Now, if you're turned off by BDSM, you'll probably still be okay with this book. If you like BDSM, you may be bugged by it like I was. I really did not like the way she handled it. She treated it like it was this really dark, dirty, shameful thing and I really didn't like that. I really felt like she was trying to make it seem like this really depraved thing that anyone in their right mind would be completely turned off by. Anyone who actually likes that kind of thing has something seriously wrong with them. Well, that's not true and I did not like it.

Now to the redeeming quality of the book: while I never have really bonded with the H/H in either of the books so far, I have totally fallen in love with Gem and Kynan. This is a romantic subplot that is actually compelling, and luckily we get plenty more of it in this book. Gem and Ky are why I keep reading. So if you liked them in the book 1 as much as I did, you won't be disappointed with this one. Love them!
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Feb 27, 2009 Anita rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, urban-fantasy

Book 2 of a popular paranormal romance trilogy. (It's a romantic urban fantasy.) This is the story of Shade (incubus) mating Runa (werewolf). Shade's brother Roag (thought dead) is the bad guy in this story, and he's bent on making the three incubus brothers Shade, Eideon, and Wraith suffer in really gruesome ways. The story is well-woven, with lots of intricate twists and turns, and a very imaginative demon subculture with details that are facinating in their creativity. This series gives PNR a...more

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Apr 11, 2013 Diana rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book is a modern day Mills and Boon, but based on demons, vampires and other creatures from the underworld.
I generally don’t read a lot of these types of books, but it is good from time to time and they are light reading for me and I can finish them in a few days. After struggling through my last book I needed something light where I didn’t have to concentrate too hard.
This book is the second in her Demonic series, and I haven’t read the first one. The first one in this series is “Pleasure...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Sheyla rated it 4 of 5 stars

We start book two with Shade (a Seminus Demon) and Runa in a Ghoul's dungeon. They have been trapped together. To Shade's horror someone he cares about has betrayed them and hates him and his brothers.

Runa is the girl whom he started having feelings for a year ago. He broke her heart when she found him in bed with two vampires. When she fled the apartment, she was then attacked by Luc and became a werewolf.

To make matters worse they are spelled to become life mates. This triggers the beginning o...more

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Mar 11, 2009 Romance Novel TV rated it 4 of 5 stars

Reviewed by Kati Dancy for Romance Novel TV
Grand Central Publishing

The first in the Demonica series, Pleasure Unbound was one of my favorite romances of last year. In it, Larissa Ione introduces us to a dark and lush world where humans and demons coexist for the most part without the humans being aware of the demons’ existence.

Shade is a Seminus demon, which means he’s a sex demon, who has been love cursed after an ill advised rendezvous with a warlock’s bride. The curse will kill any female who...more Reviewed by Kati Dancy for Romance Novel TV
Grand Central Publishing

The first in the Demonica series, Pleasure Unbound was one of my favorite romances of last year. In it, Larissa Ione introduces us to a dark and lush world where humans and demons coexist for the most part without the humans being aware of the demons’ existence.

Shade is a Seminus demon, which means he’s a sex demon, who has been love cursed after an ill advised rendezvous with a warlock’s bride. The curse will kill any female who Shade develops true feelings of love for. Shade is made for sex; his power exists in knowing exactly what a female wants and granting those fantasies. He also is able to release women from pain or guilt they carry around. Shade also has some healing ability, which makes him a perfect paramedic for Underworld General Hospital, the demon hospital that he and his brothers run. Shade is approaching full maturity at which time he will become fertile and capable of impregnating any species of demon. Little does Shade know, one of his past liaisons is going to be entering his life under dire circumstances.

After a weeks-long affair with Runa Wagner, Shade abruptly ends things because he was starting to feel something for her. Prior to ending things, though Shade cured Runa’s brother of a demon born illness that was slowly leaching his life away. The night that Shade ends things, Runa is attacked by a warg, a werewolf, and is changed. She blames Shade for his rough treatment of her which caused her to be out the night she was attacked. She’s vowed to enact revenge upon him. When Runa finds she’s warg, her brother takes her to an army installment where he serves and they inject her with meds that help her to control certain aspects of her illness. She can shift at will, a skill very few warg’s possess.

Runa and Shade meet again while both being held captive by Shade’s lunatic older brother, who Shade thought was dead. Shade is repeatedly tortured and is kept in a cell with Runa. Soon, his brother concocts a plan that mates Shade and Runa together, forcing him to mature even faster and forcing his bonding, and the turmoil of emotion that goes with it. Runa must let go of her distrust and anger with Shade in order to escape and work with him to defeat his brother, who is out for revenge.

The book is wonderfully imaginative and creative. But it features a very complicated mythology, and even with the glossary provided at the beginning of the book, I had a hard time keep track of the many, many species of demons that are referenced throughout the story. I really loved Shade, throughout the story he fights his feelings for Runa, in order to try to protect her proving himself to be noble although he never thinks of it that way. For her part, Runa is pissed off for a good portion of the book, and I’ll be honest, I have a hard time with heroines who hold a grudge, especially because yes, Shade was careless with her feelings, but he was not responsible for what happened to her. It takes quite some time for her to come to that conclusion, and I kept wanting to smack her upside the head and say, “hey, wake up and deal with the situation, rather than blaming Shade.” I felt that the book was a “tweener” book which moved the story ahead, setting up a larger mythology, but it was very complicated. That being said, the chemistry and heat between Shade and Runa are very well done, and extremely lush. And in the end, I liked them both quite a bit.

Overall, the book is a successful entry into the Demonica series, but probably will not end up being one of my favorites. I love the inventiveness and dark sexuality of the series. This book can stand alone, but some of the secondary characters who I expect will have stories in the future, are introduced in Pleasure Unbound, the first in the series. For that reason alone, I’d suggest reading it first. If you’re looking for a solidly written, unusual paranormal book, Desire Unchained definitely fits the bill.(less)

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Apr 03, 2013 Alisi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: audiobook, good-but-not-great, romance, this-could-have-been-so-much-better, urban-fantasy, wanted-to-like-more

I was wondering why I was lukewarm on this series and it just struck me at work after I finished book two: this is like a better author rewriting the Midnight Breed series by Lara Adrian.

I don't know why it didn't strike me before but yeah, this is so inline to the Breed series and that was why I was feeling the "meh, read this before." I think I would've liked it more if I'd read this first.

The similarities include:

-The men need "special" women to bear their all male children.
-The men inherit s...more

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Buddy Read Zone: Desire Unchained	102	29	Mar 14, 2013 06:10pm
Romance Lovers fo...: Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione (Demonica #2) Feb. 4	94	39	Feb 08, 2013 01:03pm

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Desire Unchained (Demonica #2)

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