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

Feb 25, 2010 Francesca the Fierce (Under the Covers Book Blog) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: vampires, read-audio-books, books-read-2010, genre-paranormal-romance, werewolves-shifters, angels-demons, succubus-incubus, books-read-2011, i-had-to-read-again

These demons are just hot! I love the concept of this series. Just as the author describes it, it's a perfect combination between Buffy and ER. Except the slayers are after demons mostly, which there is a huge variety of.

In this book we meet Dr. Eidolon, and incubus, or sex demon, who is close to the age where all incubus demons go through the s'genesis. But he finds someone to help him go through that ;) Tayla who is a aegi slayer, and doesn't know she's half soul shredder demon.

I love the whol ...more

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

Shelves: i-own

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

*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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Feb 20, 2011 Deea (Andreea) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: bbf-recommendation, my-audiobooks, pnr

Well, I'm impressed. For a PNR series, this one is kind of ah-mazing! And I'm ridiculously picky with my PNR books!;) Looking forward to reading the next book!:D (4.5 stars) ...more

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Apr 18, 2010 Mette rated it liked it · review of another edition

I liked the story between the main character the tough demon slayer Tayla and the hot demon doctor Eidolon.
They have a very intense relationship from the beginning. It’s very classic love/hate and I love it.

Tayla is a strong character who put’s her foot down and have a very strong opinion of what’s right. Sometimes she sees the world a little too black and white even when she’s been proven wrong.

Eidolon is very interesting, I like how he’s not completely the good guy in the story, he is a d ...more

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Apr 19, 2010 Kristin - *Nocturnal Bites* rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, paranormal-romance-urban-fantasy

This book has been sitting in my 2b read pile for a while now,-not sure why I waited so long to read. In any event, this book was highly entertaining. Ione had me from the beginning. 5 stars for character building... Looking forward to reading book 2.

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Apr 29, 2010 Ni_kii rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: demons, must-read

I read the 3rd book first and didnt think this book would be as good as the brother seemed to be a little boring in the book. Boy oh boy was I wrong! The plot was fantastic, the characters believable and the steamy scenes very steamy indeed! loved it!

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Oct 17, 2010 Book Gremlin Reads rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Pleasure Unbound was a surprise to me. I have had it set aside for some time saying that I would read it later, knowing I might not get around to it. I am really glad I did, I loved Tayla and Eidolon. It kept me hooked and makes me want to read all the books, which I will do starting with the next book!! ...more

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Oct 19, 2010 Kaetrin rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook

3.5 stars. Interesting world building, a sexy hero and a kick ass heroine on the plus side. A lot of characters and mythology to keep track of and some forced/dubious seduction at the start and an abrupt end without solving the central suspense plot let the book down a bit but I was nevertheless interested enough to buy and download the reast of the series on the strength of this book.

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