Pleasure Unbound (Demonica, #1) in Book Bloggers Anonymous

Aug 31, 2010 Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: i-own

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*Contains detailed sex scenes*

At first I wasn’t quite sure if I actually liked this book or not. I’ve read a lot of similar books, J.R Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood, Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter and Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld series, but there was something about this book that turned me off in the beginning whereas none of those books did. I disliked how quickly the two main characters slept together, they didn’t even know one another’s name, had never had a conversation and y

*Contains detailed sex scenes*

At first I wasn’t quite sure if I actually liked this book or not. I’ve read a lot of similar books, J.R Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood, Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter and Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld series, but there was something about this book that turned me off in the beginning whereas none of those books did. I disliked how quickly the two main characters slept together, they didn’t even know one another’s name, had never had a conversation and yet they were happy to screw one another simply because they felt like it. There was just something--and I can’t really put my finger on that I disliked, however as the story went on I found I enjoyed it more and more.
The world that Larissa Ione has created is interesting. I love the intricate demon world and the way everything goes together. Having it based in a hospital was cool. It was kinda like Greys Anatomy meets Buffy with extra sex and gore.

The storyline was pretty good and I loved Eidolon. Despite his demon heritage and nature, he’s truly a good, honourable man, with a wicked side mixed in. He knows the difference between right and wrong and he acts accordingly. He doesn’t go out to harm people, and yet he does whatever is necessarily to protect those he cares about and himself. Yes, he’s dark and gritty, but there’s something sexy about that to me.
The real issue I found I had with this book was actually Tayla.... I hated her. Okay, perhaps hated is a bit too strong, but for the most part I certainly disliked her. I admit she has some issues, and she’s led a tough life, but that doesn’t excuse the way she acted in my eyes. I understand that she thought that what she was doing was for her own good, but she was so cruel in the things she felt sometimes. It was easy to see that not all the demons were outright evil and that some were even harmless, but she still continued to maintain that same belief she’d had since the beginning. I hated that she still felt the way she did more than halfway through the book and that she was still willing to harm Eidolon “for the greater good”. Geez....bitch anyone? But alas, she began to change a bit about half way through....and then I liked her a bit more.

I thought Gem, Shade, and Wraith were all interesting characters too and I look forward to reading the other brothers stories.
I did like this book and I will be finishing the series......
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Dec 15, 2010 Parajunkee rated it really liked it · review of another edition

After the tenth “You haven’t read the Demonica series yet? *Gasp*” I realized that maybe this was something I should get into. I was not disappointed. One of the most original paranormal romances I’ve read in awhile, Larissa Ione isn’t afraid to show you what’s in the deep recesses of her brain. Ione pulled no punches with the story of Eidolon and Tayla, this was one of the grittiest paranormal romances that I’ve ever read and I thought it was great.

A member of the feared demon-slayers, Tayla i After the tenth “You haven’t read the Demonica series yet? *Gasp*” I realized that maybe this was something I should get into. I was not disappointed. One of the most original paranormal romances I’ve read in awhile, Larissa Ione isn’t afraid to show you what’s in the deep recesses of her brain. Ione pulled no punches with the story of Eidolon and Tayla, this was one of the grittiest paranormal romances that I’ve ever read and I thought it was great.

A member of the feared demon-slayers, Tayla is a kill first, ask questions later kind of slayer. A member of The Aegis, they have one purpose: Kill Demons. When she is injured in a fight with a very nasty demon she is taken to the secretive demon ER and even though they are tempted to just let her die, the Head Doc In Charge, Eidolon sticks with his code of ethics and treats and saves Tayla’s life.

While elbow deep in Tayla’s innards, Eidolon notices some strange make-up in Tayla’s biological system. Tayla is half-demon herself and he is captivated by the rarity that is her heritage…and a few other things. It doesn’t help that she is sexy as Hell and tough as nails which gets his motor going. First woman in a really long time to accomplish this. But, she’s a demon-slayer and everyone at the hospital wants to kill her and to make matters worse, demons are being hacked up all over town and sold for their organs and all clues lead to the Aegis.

Fast-paced and full of romantic tension, PLEASURE UNBOUND is a gem among the paranormal romance genre books. Ione had a way of spinning the tale, creating tension and still maintaining interest without suffering the usual plot-tricks that romances usually revert to. She did not apply what I term the “Romance Algorithm” and I applaud her for it. So many authors do this and while there ideas might be original they are usually the same foundation of so many that have come before them that the tale always smells a bit stale. Ione’s PLEASURE UNBOUND was none of those things. Fresh. Gritty. Intense. Eidolon and Tayla went at each other like you would expect a slayer and demon to go at one another. They fought they (insert another f work here) and they flipped back and forth in their convictions. Love or Hate. It was wonderful. Most of the novel I was like “This will never work!” But, in the end Ione pulled it all together and I was left with that wonderful after-glow. It was quite a ride.

My one misgiving was in the end. I thought one of the baddies at the end was a little too off and the plot point that was tied up with her was just a little thrown in there. I’m sure Ione will expand upon it in later books in the series, so it’s not that big of a deal. But, I like my mysteries to end with an “Oh I see it now!” instead of a “Huh?”

Recommended for paranormal romance fans. Black Dagger Brotherhood lovers should really get into this one. I do not recommend this one as a first time Paranormal Romance. If you are looking to transition this one might be a bit overwhelming for you.
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Mar 25, 2010 Alisha rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Well now, this book was a blast to read, from beginning to end. There was a nice balance between the the romance and action...and both are present in considerable quantity (and quality). ^_^
I really dig how just about all of the characters in this book lived in that "gray area" between Good Guy and Bad Guy status. The major theme running throughout the book was perception and appearances. For instance, Tayla is a (ruthless) demon-slayer who was raised by a seemingly negligent mother and assumes ...more

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Oct 16, 2008 Tasha rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance, pbs-bookmooch, own

From my blog...

First let me start by saying that I happened to notice from my Paperback Swap account, that this book has been sitting in my TBR pile 3 months shy of 2 years. Yes, two years. And boy was I missing out. But in a way I'm kind of glad that I waited so long to read it, so there won't be such a huge wait in between waiting for the next release in the series. If I'm correct, books 1-4 are already released with book 5 due out August 24. Or otherwise I'd be sitting around fienin' for the From my blog...

First let me start by saying that I happened to notice from my Paperback Swap account, that this book has been sitting in my TBR pile 3 months shy of 2 years. Yes, two years. And boy was I missing out. But in a way I'm kind of glad that I waited so long to read it, so there won't be such a huge wait in between waiting for the next release in the series. If I'm correct, books 1-4 are already released with book 5 due out August 24. Or otherwise I'd be sitting around fienin' for the next one in the series like I'm currently doing with Feehan's Carpathians.

Now to get back on track with the review. Tayla starts out the believe that all demons are bad, pretty much the same belief any other sane human being would have. Until she meets Eidolon. She's a slayer, he's a demon. Sound familiar? Think back to the late 1990s. You guessed it, Buffy and Angel!

I thought about giving it 4 instead of 5 stars, because Tayla annoyed me in parts of the story. But hey, if I was in that situation faced with demons, I'm sure I would probably annoy myself. The whole part (without giving too much away) with her believing that the Aegis would give her cell with to go back to the hospital with because it had some "super signal" didn't quite jive as on the up-and-up. But of course, she fell for it. But she did turn her character around; I guess you don't want to make them too perfect, because no one would believe that. There is a little twist concerning Tayla, but I won't get into that. You'll have to read the story to find out for yourselves. But I am so looking forward to seeing what develops between Gem and the love of her life.

Larissa is a new author to me, but I most definitely will be checking out the rest of the series. I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good paranormal romance. And if Eidolon and his brothers are as yummy as Ms. Ione made them out to be, I can see why a human female would crawl in to bed with them. I don't think I would kick them out of my bed. :)

~You can find more of my reviews at Book Obsessed. ...more

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Jul 21, 2009 Natasha rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I finally read a Larissa Ione novel! I've been following this series from afar for a while, knowing I'd like it, yet still not interested enough to pick it up. I heard such good things, but I think I was just never in the mood I suppose. I'm surprised it took me so long to give in, because I loved it.

First, I have to say that it did remind me a bit of J.R Ward's BDBH series. No, it wasn't so much alike that I felt it copied J.R Ward in anyway, it just had that feel to it. The dark urban fantasy I finally read a Larissa Ione novel! I've been following this series from afar for a while, knowing I'd like it, yet still not interested enough to pick it up. I heard such good things, but I think I was just never in the mood I suppose. I'm surprised it took me so long to give in, because I loved it.

First, I have to say that it did remind me a bit of J.R Ward's BDBH series. No, it wasn't so much alike that I felt it copied J.R Ward in anyway, it just had that feel to it. The dark urban fantasy world, a band of brothers who are in need of mates, but believe they are meant to be alone. Again, like Ward's novels, all the brothers have a special quality that makes you love them, no matter how bad or dark they can be.
That being said, I felt it had it's own originality that made it special and different from the BDBH series. Both are amazing, so I won't choose which of the two are my favorite. That would be too hard.

The storyline was interesting and for a book almost 400 pages long, it was fast paced and always in tempo. Again, the characters were great. Wraith could be a bit annoying, but I know it's because he hides something deep and dark inside. He's not happy and it shows. I look forward to his novel very much.
Eidolon was a heart throb. Powerful, sexy, smart and kind. He's also a Doctor at the Demon hospital. But don't let that fool you, he can kick ass just as much as the next demon.
Tayla is one bad ass chick. She's tough, fit, dangerous and sexy. She kills demons for a living and she's good at it. I felt bad for both Eidolon and herself, knowing the turmoil they were going through trying to figure out their feelings and if they could trust each other, but I think since I read so many historical romance novels lately, I felt the sex scene was very early on.
I know, that's because of the hormones in the demons and it was more instinct that attraction, although there was a lot of that as well. I just felt like, you can only feel so bad for someone, you either have sex or you don't. It's that simple. Again, I cross my words, because I know it was more instinct from the hormones, but man these guys and gals do it a lot. *laughs* Sex, is always on the brain. *shrugs* Ah well, it was still a fantastic novel.

I can't wait to read the next novel in this series. I'm about to pick it up. I don't know why I waited so long to start this series, but I'm finally glad I did!

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Apr 03, 2010 Stella rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, paranormal, erotica, 2010

Pleasure Unbound is the #1st book in Larissa Ione's Demonica series. Ione creates a new world where demons, shifters and vampires live alongside the humans and are out in the open. There is a human group called the Aegis or the Slayers, who are in charge of protecting humankind from the monsters, (Though very early in the novel the axis of good and evil starts to shift..)

Larissa Ione developed a very rich and detailed demon world, with original, previously unknown species, special traditions and ...more

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Sep 02, 2010 Cherry Mischievous rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, own, i-ve-read

Audiobook & Paperback formats:

As first impressions go, Cassandra Campbell's voice is real professional even if I don't agree with all of her interpretations of the book. And that impression lasted all the way through the ending. But despite the wonderful narration, this book started out slow for me even with the easiness and convenience of an audiobook, that I abandoned it twice to pick-up another book to read/listen to. The opening volley just isn't very catchy. [Demonica Caduceus] Or maybe it Audiobook & Paperback formats:

As first impressions go, Cassandra Campbell's voice is real professional even if I don't agree with all of her interpretations of the book. And that impression lasted all the way through the ending. But despite the wonderful narration, this book started out slow for me even with the easiness and convenience of an audiobook, that I abandoned it twice to pick-up another book to read/listen to. The opening volley just isn't very catchy. [Demonica Caduceus] Or maybe it is just my interest that couldn't be reeled in by doctors trying to save lives they really want to kill. No, that medical drama is overrated. However I like their modified caduceus though. Now that, is inventive! Which speaks of an interesting world building.... Interesting, but got a big whole in it.

The premise of this world is that there is a supernatural community hiding in plain sight among ordinary humans and that there is a guerrilla war going on between the demonkind and the humankind. The way this world is presented, is that the supernatural beings are very prolific, they are everywhere. And nobody slipped up after all these centuries? These millions of supernaturals and humans-in-the-know never slipped up all these time? No traitors on both sides whatsoever? No money-grabbing, self-serving among their ranks who sees an opportunity to better themselves by betraying supernatural secrets to the rest of the world? Somehow that is not believable. Unless there is a great big spell that prevents everybody from doing so, which there isn't. So that is one great big gaping hole in the world building that could swallow the grand canyon whole. That sank the suspension of disbelief to the bottom of the ocean! And that is not the only hole, just the biggest one. However, if you get past that and ignore the grand canyon hole, the world building is wonderful! It is full of vampires, demons, werewolves and every interesting fantasy elements living in our everyday world! Fantastic!!

Another downer for this book is that Tayla, our heroine, is too stupid to live (TSTL). Not only once, but repeatedly stupid with stunted sense of self-preservation! Yet described as a kick-ass demon hunter who survived a tough childhood and tougher work as a hunter for years on end. Which is really difficult to believe because if she acts as stupidly as she does in the story she ought to be dead a long time ago... That knocks the suspension of disbelief two more rungs lower. And there is just too many contradictory elements for the character development to rate any higher than 2, not to mention annoying!

Now I know that first books in a series are not usually the best so I will give this series another try and hopefully the next book would be better.

Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 2
Character development = 1
Story itself = 1.5
Ending = 3.5
World building = 2.5
Cover art = 1
Pace = 1
Plot = 3
Narrator = 3

Overall Rating: 2 out of 5 ...more

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Nov 05, 2009 Elyzia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

WOW!!!!!!!!!
All I can say is where is this hospital because I so need Dr. E!!!!!!!!!!
Love this series so far, it is HOT and suspenseful. The characters are amazing. I was on the edge of my seat (for many reasons, lol ) with this one, not sure of how the ending was going to play out.
Great writing style, great development of characters and world. I am definitely going to read the rest of the series.
If you like HOT, STEAMY, SEDUCTIVE, SEXY books then this is definately one that you should read.

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Sep 06, 2009 Arcadia Barrile rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The first hundred or so pages of this book are just mindless porn with practically no plot and definitely no romance, but once you get past that, there's a truly sweet love story about a demon and the woman that kills his kind for a living.

I feel like I should write a longer review, but I just don't no what to say. It was a good book, but... I don't know, nothing really special. ...more

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