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Demonica #13.5
Ungestillte Leidenschaft
Raze ist ein Seminus-Dämon, der Sex mit Frauen haben muss, um nicht qualvoll zu sterben. Doch Frauen interessieren ihn eigentlich gar nicht. Um zu überleben, hat er ein nüchternes Arrangement mit seiner Freundin Fayle getroffen, ist jedoch zutiefst unglücklich über seine ausweglose Situation. Als er den sexy Dämonenkrieger Slake trifft, springt sofort der Funke über, und Raze ist bereit, sich auf ein ungewisses Abenteuer einzulassen. Es gibt nur ein Problem: Slake hat den Auftrag, Fayle zu töten.
159 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2015
120 people are currently reading
2220 people want to read
About the author
Larissa Ione
106 books10.1k followersAir Force veteran Larissa Ione traded in a career in meteorology to pursue her passion of writing. She has since published dozens of books, hit several bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA Today, and has been nominated for a RITA award. She now spends her days in pajamas with her computer, strong coffee, and supernatural worlds. She believes in celebrating everything, and would never be caught without a bottle of Champagne chilling in the fridge…just in case. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her retired U.S. Coast Guard husband, her son, a rescue cat named Vegas, and her very own hellhounds, a King Shepherd named Hexe and a Belgian Malinois named Duvel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 330 reviews
July 14, 2023
Ooh, so sweet.
I really liked this short book.
Overall, I think this story has the potential to be a whole length book. Don't let me wrong, I am not saying that as it is right now this book is not enough, it is, I loved it, which is why I want more!
I loved the characters. Raze was adorable.I would have liked to see more of him.
Fayle's side of the story was interesting, but it was too rush, it would have been nice to have a longer development.
Slake's background plot regarding his soul was too quick too, it was somewhat seemly for demons/lawyers. It would have been cool to have had more time to see him really struggle.
The romance was very nice, I just wish the book was longer so the romantic relationship could have been exposed longer.
So to sum it up, it was great but I want more development and length to every aspect of this book.
Reading about the Demonica world made me miss its characters and stories. Now, I am thinking about reading the whole Demonica and Lords of The Deliverance series again! Should I? There are 13 books before this one... I just love them so much!
Pleasure Unbound (Demonica, #1)
Ecstasy Unveiled (Demonica, #4)
Sin Undone (Demonica, #5)
Hades (Demonica, #13)
Base Instincts (Demonica, #13.5)
I really liked this short book.
Overall, I think this story has the potential to be a whole length book. Don't let me wrong, I am not saying that as it is right now this book is not enough, it is, I loved it, which is why I want more!
I loved the characters. Raze was adorable.I would have liked to see more of him.
Fayle's side of the story was interesting, but it was too rush, it would have been nice to have a longer development.
Slake's background plot regarding his soul was too quick too, it was somewhat seemly for demons/lawyers. It would have been cool to have had more time to see him really struggle.
The romance was very nice, I just wish the book was longer so the romantic relationship could have been exposed longer.
So to sum it up, it was great but I want more development and length to every aspect of this book.
Reading about the Demonica world made me miss its characters and stories. Now, I am thinking about reading the whole Demonica and Lords of The Deliverance series again! Should I? There are 13 books before this one... I just love them so much!
Pleasure Unbound (Demonica, #1)
Ecstasy Unveiled (Demonica, #4)
Sin Undone (Demonica, #5)
Hades (Demonica, #13)
Base Instincts (Demonica, #13.5)
September 19, 2015
5 Can This Series Not End Stars
So... I saw this on NetGalley and my first thought was, "An MM story from Larissa Ione in the Demonica Universe? ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY!!!!". Of course then came the doubts... Can she really pull it off without falling in the cliche trap? Well, I shouldn't have doubted one of my favorite authors because this book was just as great as the rest of the series!!
What I loved most about this book wasn't the yummy couple(and they were drool worthy) or the interesting story, or seeing the characters I know and love, or even the sexy scenes. What I loved the most was the message. The books isn't just a shrine to mindless lust and primitive instincts(although it has plenty of that), it also speaks about acceptance and never judging others on things they can't change or their choices. I'm not trying to make it sound like the book is anything other than what it seems, it's PNR and proud of itself to be one but it has a great underlying thing to communicate.
My review is short and a little late but I'm having free time troubles lately...
So... I saw this on NetGalley and my first thought was, "An MM story from Larissa Ione in the Demonica Universe? ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY!!!!". Of course then came the doubts... Can she really pull it off without falling in the cliche trap? Well, I shouldn't have doubted one of my favorite authors because this book was just as great as the rest of the series!!
What I loved most about this book wasn't the yummy couple(and they were drool worthy) or the interesting story, or seeing the characters I know and love, or even the sexy scenes. What I loved the most was the message. The books isn't just a shrine to mindless lust and primitive instincts(although it has plenty of that), it also speaks about acceptance and never judging others on things they can't change or their choices. I'm not trying to make it sound like the book is anything other than what it seems, it's PNR and proud of itself to be one but it has a great underlying thing to communicate.
My review is short and a little late but I'm having free time troubles lately...
August 8, 2022
This was an awesome novella-length book that featured Raze, another Sem demon like Idolin and his brothers, who is torn because he can only achieve physical release with a female demon and requires this at regular intervals to live, but since he’s gay, can never be with anyone he’s truly attracted to. He has an arrangement with Fail, who is something of a roommate, but theirs is not a good relationship. Then he meets Slake, a bounty hunter, and there were plenty of sparks. I really enjoyed the way their relationship grew, the background information that was slowly revealed, and the new characters added to the Demonica universe.
October 20, 2015
Can I just say how much I love it when mainstream and SUPER popular M/F authors, like Larissa Ione, add a M/M book into their series? It gives people who don't even know that M/M romance exists a chance to try this AWESOME genre.
I haven't read the Demonica series (though I want to start now!), but I had no trouble following along with the story. In fact, I think it works perfectly well as a stand-alone.
Raze and Slake are two demons with very different backstories who meet by chance at a club. First of all, Raze and Slake?? Now I know I'm in a urban fantasy series! These guys have the standard muscled, tattooed bodies, tortured pasts, and searing good looks, all things many romance readers want to read about. They were two demon hotties getting it on, and there ain't nothing wrong with that!
I think my favorite part of this book was the world-building. You can tell that this author is a pro at crafting and developing her fictional world because all of the urban fantasy details really popped. It was gritty and exciting, which got me excited about the story. I also liked the bones of the plot, and the story arc kept me really interested.
However, the romance... just meh, I'm afraid. The length of the story was not nearly enough time to develop true feelings, and I'm afraid I didn't feel much chemistry between them. The sex felt mechanical, and the relationship felt very forced. Just not the umph that I was expecting.
The take away is that I now want to read more in the Demonica series, but I think that if this author wants to please M/M fans, she is going to need to write a full-length story with the emotional caliber that this genre deserves.
*Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
I haven't read the Demonica series (though I want to start now!), but I had no trouble following along with the story. In fact, I think it works perfectly well as a stand-alone.
Raze and Slake are two demons with very different backstories who meet by chance at a club. First of all, Raze and Slake?? Now I know I'm in a urban fantasy series! These guys have the standard muscled, tattooed bodies, tortured pasts, and searing good looks, all things many romance readers want to read about. They were two demon hotties getting it on, and there ain't nothing wrong with that!
I think my favorite part of this book was the world-building. You can tell that this author is a pro at crafting and developing her fictional world because all of the urban fantasy details really popped. It was gritty and exciting, which got me excited about the story. I also liked the bones of the plot, and the story arc kept me really interested.
However, the romance... just meh, I'm afraid. The length of the story was not nearly enough time to develop true feelings, and I'm afraid I didn't feel much chemistry between them. The sex felt mechanical, and the relationship felt very forced. Just not the umph that I was expecting.
The take away is that I now want to read more in the Demonica series, but I think that if this author wants to please M/M fans, she is going to need to write a full-length story with the emotional caliber that this genre deserves.
*Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
March 30, 2017
Right… so this is like the first MM story in the Demonica world.
Raze is a Seminus demon, i.e. he needs sex constantly to survive and in particular sex with females (humans or demons it does not matter). The key word here is “females”, because Raze is a strange unique Seminus demon and for some strange reason he prefers males.
The problem is that he cannot survive if there is not a female in the equation.
Fayle is his best friend and a succubus demon. She is the one that helps him out every time he is on the verge of dying. But Raze does not really know what exactly Fayle is and how much he depends on her.
Slake is a cold-blooded killer (of unknown species) that he was hired to find Fayle and bring her back to her family. He also needs his soul back because he stupidly has given it away a long time ago. When he finds Fayle, he realizes that he is attracted to her best friend i.e. Raze.
By the end of the book:
• Fayle will prove to be a bitch
• Slake and Raze will be in love
• Slake will reveal what kind of demon he is and what this means
• A vampire ex lover will appear
• Eidolon will be ecstatic with the very first gay Seminus demon
• Revenant will save the day
Overall it is an excellent book, but I really cannot put it in the MM category.
Anyway, it is nice revisiting the Underworld General Clinic, meeting old friends such as Eidolon and Revenant and reading another one-of-a-kind love-story with demons.
Raze is a Seminus demon, i.e. he needs sex constantly to survive and in particular sex with females (humans or demons it does not matter). The key word here is “females”, because Raze is a strange unique Seminus demon and for some strange reason he prefers males.
The problem is that he cannot survive if there is not a female in the equation.
Fayle is his best friend and a succubus demon. She is the one that helps him out every time he is on the verge of dying. But Raze does not really know what exactly Fayle is and how much he depends on her.
Slake is a cold-blooded killer (of unknown species) that he was hired to find Fayle and bring her back to her family. He also needs his soul back because he stupidly has given it away a long time ago. When he finds Fayle, he realizes that he is attracted to her best friend i.e. Raze.
By the end of the book:
• Fayle will prove to be a bitch
• Slake and Raze will be in love
• Slake will reveal what kind of demon he is and what this means
• A vampire ex lover will appear
• Eidolon will be ecstatic with the very first gay Seminus demon
• Revenant will save the day
Overall it is an excellent book, but I really cannot put it in the MM category.
Anyway, it is nice revisiting the Underworld General Clinic, meeting old friends such as Eidolon and Revenant and reading another one-of-a-kind love-story with demons.
Currently reading
September 22, 2015An m/m Demonica book!!!!
January 15, 2016
3 Hearts! :)
September 13, 2015
Larissa Ione and Demonica! These words are guaranteed to make my heart beat faster and then you have to add in that it's a M/M story as well! Yes that's right Ms Ione is prepared to take her characters on a truly liberating ride and who knew it could be so enlightening.
This book works easily as a standalone but do watch out for cameo appearances from much loved demons. Here we meet Raze a medic and most importantly a Seminus demon. He is an anomaly really as his species can only survive by having sex with females but for Raze its all about those sexy guys out there. Resigned to never experiencing true passion with another male he lives with a Succubus but unknown to Raze she has powerful enemies.
Slake is an assassin and pretty good at what he does. This job though puts him through the wringer as not only does his target have a powerful protector in Raze but Slakes own soul is on the line. What should be simple and straightforward is anything but and soon choices have to be made with very surprising outcomes!
I am no expert on M/M stories but as a Demonica fan I had to give this story a go and I'm so pleased I did. It's quite a quick read but nevertheless I felt the author gave a well rounded story. A relationship that really shouldn't work but in this world anything is possible.
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review
This book works easily as a standalone but do watch out for cameo appearances from much loved demons. Here we meet Raze a medic and most importantly a Seminus demon. He is an anomaly really as his species can only survive by having sex with females but for Raze its all about those sexy guys out there. Resigned to never experiencing true passion with another male he lives with a Succubus but unknown to Raze she has powerful enemies.
Slake is an assassin and pretty good at what he does. This job though puts him through the wringer as not only does his target have a powerful protector in Raze but Slakes own soul is on the line. What should be simple and straightforward is anything but and soon choices have to be made with very surprising outcomes!
I am no expert on M/M stories but as a Demonica fan I had to give this story a go and I'm so pleased I did. It's quite a quick read but nevertheless I felt the author gave a well rounded story. A relationship that really shouldn't work but in this world anything is possible.
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review
September 13, 2015
~ Arc provided via Netgalley in exchange for honest review ~
2.75 stars
This review is posted on Way Too Hot Books.
I pretty much loved the first 7 books in the Demonica series, so there's no one more surprised than me after rating this installment this low. I was ecstatic when I saw that Larissa Iona wrote a mm Demonica book so much that I requested the arc even after being 3 books behind, but maybe I should have waited until I had read the other three books first before jumping at this one. Maybe in that case I would have felt more connected and interested in the characters and the plot. Therefore I will keep this review short.
There are 2 main reasons for this rating:
~ The Plot
The plot was pretty average imo for an urban fantasy/ pnr romance and the best twists were anticlimatic and solved poorly and pretty quickly. Basically, I've read better and that's why I can't give it more stars.
~ The Chemistry
Or better say no chemistry between the MCs, at least not in the beginning. Sorry, but I just wasn't feeling it. I thought it was rushed and kind of forced. It got better later on, but still with some up and down moments.
There were some good moments which I enjoyed, but considering my "issues", the story failed to leave any bigger impression on me. I'm sure there'll be readers who'll think otherwise though, especially those who don't read as much as mm romance novels as I do. This one just wasn't for me, but I'll keep reading this series because the rest of the books were dark, action-packed, fun, emotional and steamy- the type of books I prefer reading about. Read it and decide for yourself!
2.75 stars
This review is posted on Way Too Hot Books.
I pretty much loved the first 7 books in the Demonica series, so there's no one more surprised than me after rating this installment this low. I was ecstatic when I saw that Larissa Iona wrote a mm Demonica book so much that I requested the arc even after being 3 books behind, but maybe I should have waited until I had read the other three books first before jumping at this one. Maybe in that case I would have felt more connected and interested in the characters and the plot. Therefore I will keep this review short.
There are 2 main reasons for this rating:
~ The Plot
The plot was pretty average imo for an urban fantasy/ pnr romance and the best twists were anticlimatic and solved poorly and pretty quickly. Basically, I've read better and that's why I can't give it more stars.
~ The Chemistry
Or better say no chemistry between the MCs, at least not in the beginning. Sorry, but I just wasn't feeling it. I thought it was rushed and kind of forced. It got better later on, but still with some up and down moments.
There were some good moments which I enjoyed, but considering my "issues", the story failed to leave any bigger impression on me. I'm sure there'll be readers who'll think otherwise though, especially those who don't read as much as mm romance novels as I do. This one just wasn't for me, but I'll keep reading this series because the rest of the books were dark, action-packed, fun, emotional and steamy- the type of books I prefer reading about. Read it and decide for yourself!
September 15, 2015
~ ~ ~
3.5 Stars bumped for world building.
THE CHARACTERS
Raze - A compassionate healer who can never have the relationship he craves.
Slake - An assassin about to lose his soul is a pretty tricky guy.
THE STORY
We meet Raze and Slake in a demon nightclub called Thirst and instantly enter the world crafted by Larissa Ione which is a fusion of everything we love in paranormal romance. Bad, good, hot and homey. Evil, kind, dark and exciting. Sexy, romantic, loving and deadly. In other words - this place has it all. And that is what draws you in, deep in, to the world of Demonica.
Raze is a medic at both Underworld General and during stints at Thirst. Raised by humans he has compassion and a wider world view. But he lives a lonely life knowing he can never have what he wants, he only gets what he needs. And what he needs is sex every 12 hours or so.
Slake has stupidly sold his soul and is running out of time to ever get it back. When he meets, and drools over Raze, he thinks he might just have the chance he needs to keep himself out of Sheoul.
There's a neat solution to the conflict and it has a real world message. Sometimes this sort of thing would bother me, but not here. I flowed well with the story and didn't feel preachy.
THE WRITING
It's been four years since I read a Demonica book, but I never forgot the world. Ione's unique creation left an indelible impression.Which is why I begged to get this book as soon as possible. I'm happy to say that it was very easy to get right back into the place. Even though things have certainly progressed I felt like I grasped everything clearly. And it didn't feel like a rehash. Well done. There's also a handy glossary to either refresh or educate the reader.
The beginning of the book felt like something of a checklist of everything that romance readers require; tats, muscles, leather pants, adjust said pants, check, check, check. But then we got into the story and the seminus needs of Raze gave a solid basis for the book giving it a unique tension and story line.
But it took me a good while to really feel like these guys had more than sexual attraction. There were some pretty big jumps to emotion which felt choppy at times and seemed to rob a bit of my connection to the romance, but I enjoyed the overall story enough that I just went with it. At the same time there isn't a lot of pretense between Slake and Raze. They're hot for each other and they don't spend too much time fighting it.
Bottom line I know that I've read more emotional, more complex books from Ione so I know what she's capable of. I can't help but hold it to those standards. That being said I really enjoyed the book and recommend it. The Demonica world is completely engrossing.
~ ~ ~
I would like to thank Riptide Publishing for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
~ ~ ~
Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
http://www.attentionisarbitrary.com
3.5 Stars bumped for world building.
THE CHARACTERS
Raze - A compassionate healer who can never have the relationship he craves.
Unfortunately, what he wanted was something he couldn’t have.
And for some reason, Slake’s face popped into his head, the poster boy for Can’t Have.
His cock throbbed again.
The fucker.
Slake - An assassin about to lose his soul is a pretty tricky guy.
In Slake’s world, there was no room for kindness. He showed none and received none. Sometimes, he didn’t believe it existed.
THE STORY
We meet Raze and Slake in a demon nightclub called Thirst and instantly enter the world crafted by Larissa Ione which is a fusion of everything we love in paranormal romance. Bad, good, hot and homey. Evil, kind, dark and exciting. Sexy, romantic, loving and deadly. In other words - this place has it all. And that is what draws you in, deep in, to the world of Demonica.
Raze is a medic at both Underworld General and during stints at Thirst. Raised by humans he has compassion and a wider world view. But he lives a lonely life knowing he can never have what he wants, he only gets what he needs. And what he needs is sex every 12 hours or so.
Slake has stupidly sold his soul and is running out of time to ever get it back. When he meets, and drools over Raze, he thinks he might just have the chance he needs to keep himself out of Sheoul.
One corner of Raze’s mouth tipped up in a half smile.“I’m only dangerous if you piss me off.”
“What if I get you off ?”
There's a neat solution to the conflict and it has a real world message. Sometimes this sort of thing would bother me, but not here. I flowed well with the story and didn't feel preachy.
"No one should be judged solely by their species,"...
THE WRITING
It's been four years since I read a Demonica book, but I never forgot the world. Ione's unique creation left an indelible impression.Which is why I begged to get this book as soon as possible. I'm happy to say that it was very easy to get right back into the place. Even though things have certainly progressed I felt like I grasped everything clearly. And it didn't feel like a rehash. Well done. There's also a handy glossary to either refresh or educate the reader.
The beginning of the book felt like something of a checklist of everything that romance readers require; tats, muscles, leather pants, adjust said pants, check, check, check. But then we got into the story and the seminus needs of Raze gave a solid basis for the book giving it a unique tension and story line.
But it took me a good while to really feel like these guys had more than sexual attraction. There were some pretty big jumps to emotion which felt choppy at times and seemed to rob a bit of my connection to the romance, but I enjoyed the overall story enough that I just went with it. At the same time there isn't a lot of pretense between Slake and Raze. They're hot for each other and they don't spend too much time fighting it.
Bottom line I know that I've read more emotional, more complex books from Ione so I know what she's capable of. I can't help but hold it to those standards. That being said I really enjoyed the book and recommend it. The Demonica world is completely engrossing.
~ ~ ~
I would like to thank Riptide Publishing for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
~ ~ ~
Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
http://www.attentionisarbitrary.com
October 6, 2015
3.5 stars.
Larissa Ione's Seminus M/M story was a stuff for fantasies for such a long time...so I guess my expectations were a bit too high. And, this being a novella certainly didn't do the story any favors. Not enough romance, not enough sex, not enough plot.
As for the way the heroes bypassed the Sem's physical problems - that was definitely a shocker! I hadn't guessed Ione would go there..and in such a flippant way as that. I think the whole thing should have been expounded on in depth. As it was, it left me unsettled and with a load of questions.
I still enjoyed the book, revisiting the beloved Demonica world, meeting the old characters (E!!!), and getting a glimpse of Revenant in his new, A-level badass role.
Will hope this is not the last we see from Demonica.
**ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley**
A Demonica M/M story!!! **squee**
Larissa Ione's Seminus M/M story was a stuff for fantasies for such a long time...so I guess my expectations were a bit too high. And, this being a novella certainly didn't do the story any favors. Not enough romance, not enough sex, not enough plot.
As for the way the heroes bypassed the Sem's physical problems - that was definitely a shocker! I hadn't guessed Ione would go there..and in such a flippant way as that. I think the whole thing should have been expounded on in depth. As it was, it left me unsettled and with a load of questions.
I still enjoyed the book, revisiting the beloved Demonica world, meeting the old characters (E!!!), and getting a glimpse of Revenant in his new, A-level badass role.
Will hope this is not the last we see from Demonica.
**ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley**
A Demonica M/M story!!! **squee**
January 11, 2022
Wohoo the first MM in Demonica world 😍
Raze is a seminus demon , he works at UG with the rest of my favourite seminus.
Slake is ... 🤔 hmm.. lets say he is special. He is an assassin and a badass.
Being the first sem that likes men , Raze life is not easy since he needs sex with a female to survive, so he has an arrangement with his best friend woman who takes care of that. She is a major bitch and causes the conflict in this book.
The guys together were so freaking hot. I just loved them.
Really enjoyed this one🖤
Revenant, still my favourite bad boy😍
Raze is a seminus demon , he works at UG with the rest of my favourite seminus.
Slake is ... 🤔 hmm.. lets say he is special. He is an assassin and a badass.
Being the first sem that likes men , Raze life is not easy since he needs sex with a female to survive, so he has an arrangement with his best friend woman who takes care of that. She is a major bitch and causes the conflict in this book.
The guys together were so freaking hot. I just loved them.
Really enjoyed this one🖤
Revenant, still my favourite bad boy😍
September 16, 2015
I have a special sweet spot for paranormal romance in my reading diet. PNR can be a gamble though, it can be smooth, upper deck premo or it can be cheap bottom-shelf booze. This was PNR at its finest. High quality, savor each sip, gimmie gimmie more please romance.
If you are green like I was to the Demonica world, never fear. Ione carefully introduces us and then expertly navigates us through her heaven and hell on earth. It was never overwhelming or difficult to follow. There are times when world-building can weigh the story down; this was not one of those. Key points were explained as they came up. Perhaps it was because Raze and Slake are unfamiliar with each other’s species as well…but, we were all enlightened together. I appreciated this very much.
Raze is a Seminus demon or a Sems. Which is a sex demon and as Wraith put it, they are kind of awesome. I can’t argue there. Totally awesome. However Raze has a problem, an enormous problem actually. He’s gay and he can’t have sex with males. Not so awesome. He has been surviving, or having his sexual needs met, with a bargain of sorts. He partnered with another demon, Fayle, and has been living with her for the past three decades. He protects her and she gives him the orgasms he needs to live. Fair enough exchange, right? Wrong. Fayle is a selfish, jealous bitch. She doesn’t want Raze, but she doesn’t want anyone else to have him either. I’m definitely not in the Fayle fan club.
Then Slake swaggers into the picture and…too bad, so sad for Fayle, Slake wants Raze. Fortunately, Slake is not a man who easily gives up. Did I mention that Slake is a hunter? Oh yeah, he acquires ‘things’ for his boss. Of course it just so happens that Slake needs Fayle just as much as he wants Raze. Will his desires override his duties? And how will he decide which to choose when the prize on the line is the biggest one of all?
There is a really really cool twist that kicked this story from pretty-darn-good to holy-shit-amazing. The fact that a mainstream m/f series author included this is refreshing, exciting and promising. I was a big fan of the whirlwind Qhuay romance during my BDB days and this felt familiar….I loved it!
I can’t give you much more without jeopardizing spoiling and I hate it when that happens. So, before I zip it, let me say this- trust me, if you’re a PNR fan and like the thrill of mating, biting, bonding and fierce alpha sex (which is DOUBLED), you’re gonna want to read this one.
I hate to complain, but if I had one teeny-tiny itty-bitty complaint, it would be it needed just a little bit more. I think it was a tad skinny. Maybe it’s just me being greedy, but an extra 50-60 pages would have beefed this up to a ‘I’m so thoroughly sated my eyeballs can’t move’ post-read haze. Or then again, maybe I would have still begged for more. Sems are good like that ;)
*4.5 anomalies-are-awesome stars*
If you are green like I was to the Demonica world, never fear. Ione carefully introduces us and then expertly navigates us through her heaven and hell on earth. It was never overwhelming or difficult to follow. There are times when world-building can weigh the story down; this was not one of those. Key points were explained as they came up. Perhaps it was because Raze and Slake are unfamiliar with each other’s species as well…but, we were all enlightened together. I appreciated this very much.
Raze is a Seminus demon or a Sems. Which is a sex demon and as Wraith put it, they are kind of awesome. I can’t argue there. Totally awesome. However Raze has a problem, an enormous problem actually. He’s gay and he can’t have sex with males. Not so awesome. He has been surviving, or having his sexual needs met, with a bargain of sorts. He partnered with another demon, Fayle, and has been living with her for the past three decades. He protects her and she gives him the orgasms he needs to live. Fair enough exchange, right? Wrong. Fayle is a selfish, jealous bitch. She doesn’t want Raze, but she doesn’t want anyone else to have him either. I’m definitely not in the Fayle fan club.
Then Slake swaggers into the picture and…too bad, so sad for Fayle, Slake wants Raze. Fortunately, Slake is not a man who easily gives up. Did I mention that Slake is a hunter? Oh yeah, he acquires ‘things’ for his boss. Of course it just so happens that Slake needs Fayle just as much as he wants Raze. Will his desires override his duties? And how will he decide which to choose when the prize on the line is the biggest one of all?
There is a really really cool twist that kicked this story from pretty-darn-good to holy-shit-amazing. The fact that a mainstream m/f series author included this is refreshing, exciting and promising. I was a big fan of the whirlwind Qhuay romance during my BDB days and this felt familiar….I loved it!
I can’t give you much more without jeopardizing spoiling and I hate it when that happens. So, before I zip it, let me say this- trust me, if you’re a PNR fan and like the thrill of mating, biting, bonding and fierce alpha sex (which is DOUBLED), you’re gonna want to read this one.
I hate to complain, but if I had one teeny-tiny itty-bitty complaint, it would be it needed just a little bit more. I think it was a tad skinny. Maybe it’s just me being greedy, but an extra 50-60 pages would have beefed this up to a ‘I’m so thoroughly sated my eyeballs can’t move’ post-read haze. Or then again, maybe I would have still begged for more. Sems are good like that ;)
*4.5 anomalies-are-awesome stars*
October 3, 2015
3.5 stars
I really enjoyed this companion novella set in the Demonica world. This book can be read as a stand alone. If you read the main series you should be caught up before you read this as it has pretty big spoilers in it for Revenant's story.
I was wondering how Ione was going to pull this off since Seminus demons must have sex with a female to live. I thought the way she worked it out was creatively done and I completely bought it. The plot was well done and fast paced. I really liked these two together and thought their smexy scenes were hot, hot, hot. There are also appearances by a lot of the guys from the previous books which of course made my heart happy.
OH! MY! GOD!! A m/m Demonica book.......
I really enjoyed this companion novella set in the Demonica world. This book can be read as a stand alone. If you read the main series you should be caught up before you read this as it has pretty big spoilers in it for Revenant's story.
I was wondering how Ione was going to pull this off since Seminus demons must have sex with a female to live. I thought the way she worked it out was creatively done and I completely bought it. The plot was well done and fast paced. I really liked these two together and thought their smexy scenes were hot, hot, hot. There are also appearances by a lot of the guys from the previous books which of course made my heart happy.
OH! MY! GOD!! A m/m Demonica book.......
September 24, 2015
Nice. The first M/M Demonica was successful and made me happy, happy, happy.
This seemed a lot sweeter than normal but at the same time so very sad and kinda deadly. It was an odd combination that worked really well. I wanted so badly for these boys to fall in love. I needed it badly. My heart hurt for both of them and I was anxious but I also laughed and smiled and felt good.
Well done on the villain of the story. I fucking hated them! The total worst scum ever.
When this was announced I was happy, when I was reading I was happy and when I was finished I was happy. Well done.
As always, thanks for the Buddy Read Otila!!
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Buddy Read with Otila! Bring on the boys!
This seemed a lot sweeter than normal but at the same time so very sad and kinda deadly. It was an odd combination that worked really well. I wanted so badly for these boys to fall in love. I needed it badly. My heart hurt for both of them and I was anxious but I also laughed and smiled and felt good.
Well done on the villain of the story. I fucking hated them! The total worst scum ever.
When this was announced I was happy, when I was reading I was happy and when I was finished I was happy. Well done.
As always, thanks for the Buddy Read Otila!!
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Buddy Read with Otila! Bring on the boys!
April 25, 2016
3.5 stars.
I was very excited to see one of my favorite series feature an m-m couple. I had wondered who the couple would be and how the story would tie into the events occurring around UGH.
Slake and Raze's story fell a little flat to me. They were both new characters but they really didn't connect to the series in a meaningful way. Ione's strength lies in her awesome world building and her in-depth character development, but with a novella, there just wasn't room to do either thing. The story was okay and enjoyable for a novella, it just wasn't on par with her prior Demonica/LotD work.
*Special thanks to Riptide Publishing via Netgalley for the e-book given in exchange for an honest review.
I was very excited to see one of my favorite series feature an m-m couple. I had wondered who the couple would be and how the story would tie into the events occurring around UGH.
Slake and Raze's story fell a little flat to me. They were both new characters but they really didn't connect to the series in a meaningful way. Ione's strength lies in her awesome world building and her in-depth character development, but with a novella, there just wasn't room to do either thing. The story was okay and enjoyable for a novella, it just wasn't on par with her prior Demonica/LotD work.
*Special thanks to Riptide Publishing via Netgalley for the e-book given in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2015
When someone asks what my favorite paranormal romance series is I alway mention Larissa Ione’s Demonica series as one of the my top five favorites. I don’t read nearly as many paranormal romances as I once did. When I saw that there was a new one coming out and that it would be a male male romance I knew I just had to get my hands on it as soon as possible. Nothing shocking here but I absolutely loved it.
Having read the other Demonica books I knew what to expect out of the Seminus demon. Raze has to have lots of sex to survive. That sex has to be had with a female. Raze does what he has to do to survive but all he really wants is to feel the connection and passion that can only be experienced with a lover, a male lover. He’s resigned himself to life of emotionless sex with a woman who is simply helping him survive. Raze’s story screams heartbreak and I had to know how Ione was going to see him get his happily ever after. I love how she made it work. Slake bought something new and interesting to the series.
Find the target, apprehend them, and turn them over to his boss. That is Slake’s job. It has been his job for a long time. It is a job that he has excelled at. It is also the one thing that allows him to keep his soul. His last job though has turned out to be anything but typical. He’s found the female he is supposed to take into custody. Slake can’t seem to take his mind off of her very sexy friend long enough to care why he is supposed to be nabbing her. He wants Raze in a way that he has wanted no other before. Putting job, species, and logistics of how to make the impossible work aside Slake and Raze may have found something they never thought existed.
Base Instincts easily works as a stand-alone. There are a few characters from the Demonica and Lords of Deliverance series that have some small roles here but nothing that would allow a reader to get lost in an world they have never read.
Having read the other Demonica books I knew what to expect out of the Seminus demon. Raze has to have lots of sex to survive. That sex has to be had with a female. Raze does what he has to do to survive but all he really wants is to feel the connection and passion that can only be experienced with a lover, a male lover. He’s resigned himself to life of emotionless sex with a woman who is simply helping him survive. Raze’s story screams heartbreak and I had to know how Ione was going to see him get his happily ever after. I love how she made it work. Slake bought something new and interesting to the series.
Find the target, apprehend them, and turn them over to his boss. That is Slake’s job. It has been his job for a long time. It is a job that he has excelled at. It is also the one thing that allows him to keep his soul. His last job though has turned out to be anything but typical. He’s found the female he is supposed to take into custody. Slake can’t seem to take his mind off of her very sexy friend long enough to care why he is supposed to be nabbing her. He wants Raze in a way that he has wanted no other before. Putting job, species, and logistics of how to make the impossible work aside Slake and Raze may have found something they never thought existed.
Base Instincts easily works as a stand-alone. There are a few characters from the Demonica and Lords of Deliverance series that have some small roles here but nothing that would allow a reader to get lost in an world they have never read.
September 27, 2015
3.75 stars
Larissa Ione's Demonica Series is by far one of my favorite series ever. Her world building, characters, and plots are amazing. I'm a big fan of the show Supernatural so the Heaven & Hell plot lines are right up my alley. I truly do love her writing, when I heard she was writing a m/m companion novel to the series, I was ecstatic. Of course, I kinda wanted it to be Wraith but I'm okay with Raze and Slake. Raze being a Seminus Demon, we all know that he can't finish with anyone except a female. I was super nervous on how she was going to put that out there. The way it happened was super magical. Oh my goodness, having the character being transgender almost was ridiculously amazing. I loved it. Sure it took awhile for me to get into, but once I got involved I was stuck. I enjoyed this alot. Looking for more Demonica Series from her.
Larissa Ione's Demonica Series is by far one of my favorite series ever. Her world building, characters, and plots are amazing. I'm a big fan of the show Supernatural so the Heaven & Hell plot lines are right up my alley. I truly do love her writing, when I heard she was writing a m/m companion novel to the series, I was ecstatic. Of course, I kinda wanted it to be Wraith but I'm okay with Raze and Slake. Raze being a Seminus Demon, we all know that he can't finish with anyone except a female. I was super nervous on how she was going to put that out there. The way it happened was super magical. Oh my goodness, having the character being transgender almost was ridiculously amazing. I loved it. Sure it took awhile for me to get into, but once I got involved I was stuck. I enjoyed this alot. Looking for more Demonica Series from her.
January 24, 2016
Raze is a seminus demon who literally has to have sex with women just to survive so even though he's only really attracted to men he can never have an exclusive relationship with a guy. He likes the healing abilities that his seminus side gives him and loves his job working as a paramedic but he has come to accept that he will never be happy in his personal life. Rather than constantly having to find random women to hook up with, like most Seminus demons do before they're mated, Raze has come to an arrangement with his friend Fayle who is a succubus so also has feed off of sex to survive. They have a strong friendship but neither of them are looking for more than that so their relationship has always worked for them both, even though Fayle's possessiveness has become more than a little awkward.
Slake bartered with his soul for protection from his family, agreeing to work as an assassin and finder for a demon owned law firm for a limited contract and forfeiting his soul if he fails. If he can complete just one more job for them he will earn back his freedom and all he has to do is capture Fayle and bring her back to her family. Unfortunately for him the job is a lot more complicated because of his attraction to Raze, especially when he realises how important Fayle is for Raze's survival.
I've been a fan of this series from the beginning so of course I jumped at the chance of reading Base Instincts. I love that Larissa Ione has included an MM story in the series and I was rooting for Raze and Slake from the beginning. I thought I had a pretty good idea of how things would play out when I picked this up but it wasn't at all what I expected and the resolution to Raze's problem was a really creative one. I'm not going to say more because I don't want to give spoilers but it just goes to prove that there is someone out there for everyone no matter what issues you may have!
Even though this isn't a full length novel Larissa Ione did a great job of making me care about the characters involved, Raze and Slake have both been through a lot in their pasts and there were some nice messages in here about being yourself and not letting other people put you down because they don't agree with your choices. There was perhaps a little less tension than in some of the other books in the series but I didn't have a problem with that and I loved the little cameo appearances from some of the previous characters. Reading Base Instincts reminded me how much I love the seminus siblings and really made me want to go back and start rereading the series from the beginning which to me is the sign of a very good story.
Slake bartered with his soul for protection from his family, agreeing to work as an assassin and finder for a demon owned law firm for a limited contract and forfeiting his soul if he fails. If he can complete just one more job for them he will earn back his freedom and all he has to do is capture Fayle and bring her back to her family. Unfortunately for him the job is a lot more complicated because of his attraction to Raze, especially when he realises how important Fayle is for Raze's survival.
I've been a fan of this series from the beginning so of course I jumped at the chance of reading Base Instincts. I love that Larissa Ione has included an MM story in the series and I was rooting for Raze and Slake from the beginning. I thought I had a pretty good idea of how things would play out when I picked this up but it wasn't at all what I expected and the resolution to Raze's problem was a really creative one. I'm not going to say more because I don't want to give spoilers but it just goes to prove that there is someone out there for everyone no matter what issues you may have!
Even though this isn't a full length novel Larissa Ione did a great job of making me care about the characters involved, Raze and Slake have both been through a lot in their pasts and there were some nice messages in here about being yourself and not letting other people put you down because they don't agree with your choices. There was perhaps a little less tension than in some of the other books in the series but I didn't have a problem with that and I loved the little cameo appearances from some of the previous characters. Reading Base Instincts reminded me how much I love the seminus siblings and really made me want to go back and start rereading the series from the beginning which to me is the sign of a very good story.
September 14, 2015
I'm a big fan of Larissa Ione and her Demonica/Lords of Deliverance series, so obviously I jumped at the chance to read this book. And, as usual, it was amazing.
I absolutely adore the universe she created with this series, it's very unique and well written. BASE INSTINCTS is a short book so it's more focused on the main characters and not really on a specific plot (even if there is one, don't worry) but it was still a great book that I thoroughly enjoyed.
It can be read as a standalone, I don't think you have to read the other books in the series to understand and love this one but I still believe you should read the other books in the series because they are amaZZZing!
I don't read a lot of M/M books but I do love them, BASE INSTINCTS is no exception. Raze and Slake are both awesome characters, I don't remember them from the previous books but it's been a while since I've read them. I did love to read about Eidolon, Wraith, Shade etc, I've missed them. I so need a reread!
Anyway, I loved Raze and Slake. Individually and together. Like I said, this book is pretty short so Larissa didn't waste any time with their relationship but I didn't mind. It's good once in a while to read a story without too much drama and complications and misunderstandings.
The sex scenes were hawt-hawt but I would have liked more (I know, I'm a greedy bitch), I don't know, maybe more detailed (stop judging me). It was still a very steamy read. Why not 5 stars? Because I thought that the ending was a bit abrupt, even if the story is a short one, things got resolved too quickly and it felt a bit weird.
I still really liked this book, I loved how alpha-males both guys were and at the same time super sweet with each other, they just made me happy. I definitely recommend BASE INSTINCTS and I can't wait to read more!
PS. How amazing is Revenant?! Seriously.
I absolutely adore the universe she created with this series, it's very unique and well written. BASE INSTINCTS is a short book so it's more focused on the main characters and not really on a specific plot (even if there is one, don't worry) but it was still a great book that I thoroughly enjoyed.
It can be read as a standalone, I don't think you have to read the other books in the series to understand and love this one but I still believe you should read the other books in the series because they are amaZZZing!
I don't read a lot of M/M books but I do love them, BASE INSTINCTS is no exception. Raze and Slake are both awesome characters, I don't remember them from the previous books but it's been a while since I've read them. I did love to read about Eidolon, Wraith, Shade etc, I've missed them. I so need a reread!
Anyway, I loved Raze and Slake. Individually and together. Like I said, this book is pretty short so Larissa didn't waste any time with their relationship but I didn't mind. It's good once in a while to read a story without too much drama and complications and misunderstandings.
The sex scenes were hawt-hawt but I would have liked more (I know, I'm a greedy bitch), I don't know, maybe more detailed (stop judging me). It was still a very steamy read. Why not 5 stars? Because I thought that the ending was a bit abrupt, even if the story is a short one, things got resolved too quickly and it felt a bit weird.
I still really liked this book, I loved how alpha-males both guys were and at the same time super sweet with each other, they just made me happy. I definitely recommend BASE INSTINCTS and I can't wait to read more!
PS. How amazing is Revenant?! Seriously.
October 20, 2015
DNF at 54%
When 'Base Instincts' first popped up on my feed, I dismissed it. I haven't read anything from the Demonica series, and the blurb didn't really capture my attention. But then I got a closer look at that insanely hot cover on NetGalley, and I couldn't stop myself from requesting. I suppose the 'don't judge a book by its cover' rule doesn't just apply to ugly covers.
I didn't feel any real connection between the two MCs. The reader is just told that Raze and Slake feel a deep connection from the moment they meet eyes. And I didn't get a sense of any sexual chemistry between the two either. Really, the two sex scenes I read were bland and boring. Raze and Slake's relationship is unexplained insta-love, without the hot sex that could have cushioned it a bit.
I wasn't very sympathetic to Raze's plight. He stays with Fayle because having sex with other women, which he needed as a sex demon in order to survive, made him feel a bit dirty. Yet staying with the manipulative Fayle made him depressed and angry. Personally, I would have taken the slight distaste of having frequent emotionless sex over banging someone I hate for years on end.
Also, I skipped to the end to skim through the last two chapters and it seems like all of Raze and Slake's problems are solved at the snap of a finger. Dyre was giving Slake trouble, but that's not a problem because Slake makes friends with a bigger badder demon. Raze couldn't have sex with men because he would die. Well, apparently he can have sex with Slake just fine. Raze and Slake couldn't bond because that wasn't possible for two males. Well actually, they can bond without any problems. Anticlimactic, to say the least.
So yeah, 2 stars. At least the book worked fine as a standalone. Up until the point I read, the author explained the Demonica world and its specifics. I think you'd have be a prior fan of the series to really enjoy 'Base Instincts'.
Review copy provided through NetGalley.
When 'Base Instincts' first popped up on my feed, I dismissed it. I haven't read anything from the Demonica series, and the blurb didn't really capture my attention. But then I got a closer look at that insanely hot cover on NetGalley, and I couldn't stop myself from requesting. I suppose the 'don't judge a book by its cover' rule doesn't just apply to ugly covers.
I didn't feel any real connection between the two MCs. The reader is just told that Raze and Slake feel a deep connection from the moment they meet eyes. And I didn't get a sense of any sexual chemistry between the two either. Really, the two sex scenes I read were bland and boring. Raze and Slake's relationship is unexplained insta-love, without the hot sex that could have cushioned it a bit.
I wasn't very sympathetic to Raze's plight. He stays with Fayle because having sex with other women, which he needed as a sex demon in order to survive, made him feel a bit dirty. Yet staying with the manipulative Fayle made him depressed and angry. Personally, I would have taken the slight distaste of having frequent emotionless sex over banging someone I hate for years on end.
Also, I skipped to the end to skim through the last two chapters and it seems like all of Raze and Slake's problems are solved at the snap of a finger. Dyre was giving Slake trouble, but that's not a problem because Slake makes friends with a bigger badder demon. Raze couldn't have sex with men because he would die. Well, apparently he can have sex with Slake just fine. Raze and Slake couldn't bond because that wasn't possible for two males. Well actually, they can bond without any problems. Anticlimactic, to say the least.
So yeah, 2 stars. At least the book worked fine as a standalone. Up until the point I read, the author explained the Demonica world and its specifics. I think you'd have be a prior fan of the series to really enjoy 'Base Instincts'.
Review copy provided through NetGalley.
February 13, 2016
3.5 stars
October 11, 2015
Larissa Ione and her Demonica/Lords of Deliverance series, are amazing. Loved Seminus and Raze together. The reader is drawn into the story beautifully. This is truly a romance and well written. I enjoyed these men and their struggles. Deep characters, an interesting story as always, and super hot sexiness.
A Larissa Ione M/M romance is an amazing bonus. I've read her whole series and this was icing on the cake. You can't go wrong.
Highly recommend ! ENJOY !!
A Larissa Ione M/M romance is an amazing bonus. I've read her whole series and this was icing on the cake. You can't go wrong.
Highly recommend ! ENJOY !!
September 13, 2015
Review will be posted shortly. Until then, enjoy the hot gif of the hot seminus demon and his soulless assassin ☺
June 14, 2017
I really enjoy this series so when Raze & Slakes book came up I was all over it ! It was awesome to have an MM addition to the series and I think this really broadened the character base. The chemistry between these two was great, although the steam factor was a little blurry considering Raze was a Seminus demon. I should be grateful I know !!! This really can't be read as a standalone mainly because you need the background to places and people to appreciate Raze & Slakes situation. If you're a fan of the series I think you'll enjoy this addition. ❤️
June 24, 2016
More Demonica! Woot woot! And just for something different, an m/m romance!
This novella is set in the Demonica world, though it doesn’t really tie into the overarching storyline. Plenty of background explanation is given to the world so it could technically be read as a standalone, but it does contain some spoilers for book 11, Revenant, so keep that in mind if you’re planning on reading the series – which you should, because it’s sensational!
Raze is a seminus demons. He is a rare breed of incubus that needs sex multiple times a day otherwise he will suffer debilitating pain and eventually death. That’s usually no problem for a slutty sex demon, except that seminus demons can only climax with a female, and Raze is into males. He has an arrangement with a succubus friend, Fayle, who ‘relieves’ him as required, and because of that, they live together as she needs to be close by, but he is lonely for true companionship.
Slake is a demon who lives a solitary life as an assassin. He is currently working his final mission which he must complete otherwise he forfeits his soul to his evil employer. While tracking his prey, he comes across Raze, a hot medic working at a popular immortal nightclub. There is an immediate spark between the two males, which is about to become all kinds of messy because Slake’s target is none other than Fayle.
But let’s not worry about that for now, because Raze and Slake can’t resist each other, and there is all sorts of sexy time to be had! The sexual tension is there from the very beginning, and it doesn’t take them too long to act on it and… hotness! But more than sex the two males very clearly care about each other, and I enjoyed their dynamic and the progression of their relationship.
But Fayle has a vicious jealous streak and she’s not prepared to bow out of Raze’s life quietly. And then there’s the added complication of Raze’s inability to be with a male. Well, he can clearly ‘be’ with a male, but he can’t climax with a male, and he needs that to survive. How can these two hot-as-hell demons embrace their deep connection when a relationship between them is so impossible?
Larissa Ione has written another great addition to the Demonica world. Raze works at Underground General Hospital so there are cameos from Eidolon and Wraith, and a spectacular appearance by Revenant who pretty much stole the show for me.
I love this series and will read anything Demonica related. I love that Ione has mixed things up, continuing to introduce new characters and giving us something different while still staying true to her incredible paranormal world.
This is a really entertaining read, and if you’re a fan of the series you won’t want to miss it.
4 stars.
This novella is set in the Demonica world, though it doesn’t really tie into the overarching storyline. Plenty of background explanation is given to the world so it could technically be read as a standalone, but it does contain some spoilers for book 11, Revenant, so keep that in mind if you’re planning on reading the series – which you should, because it’s sensational!
Raze is a seminus demons. He is a rare breed of incubus that needs sex multiple times a day otherwise he will suffer debilitating pain and eventually death. That’s usually no problem for a slutty sex demon, except that seminus demons can only climax with a female, and Raze is into males. He has an arrangement with a succubus friend, Fayle, who ‘relieves’ him as required, and because of that, they live together as she needs to be close by, but he is lonely for true companionship.
Slake is a demon who lives a solitary life as an assassin. He is currently working his final mission which he must complete otherwise he forfeits his soul to his evil employer. While tracking his prey, he comes across Raze, a hot medic working at a popular immortal nightclub. There is an immediate spark between the two males, which is about to become all kinds of messy because Slake’s target is none other than Fayle.
But let’s not worry about that for now, because Raze and Slake can’t resist each other, and there is all sorts of sexy time to be had! The sexual tension is there from the very beginning, and it doesn’t take them too long to act on it and… hotness! But more than sex the two males very clearly care about each other, and I enjoyed their dynamic and the progression of their relationship.
“Right now, what I want is standing in front of me, and I’m pretty sure I can have it.” His voice went low. Smoky. Sexy as fuck. “Am I right?”
But Fayle has a vicious jealous streak and she’s not prepared to bow out of Raze’s life quietly. And then there’s the added complication of Raze’s inability to be with a male. Well, he can clearly ‘be’ with a male, but he can’t climax with a male, and he needs that to survive. How can these two hot-as-hell demons embrace their deep connection when a relationship between them is so impossible?
Larissa Ione has written another great addition to the Demonica world. Raze works at Underground General Hospital so there are cameos from Eidolon and Wraith, and a spectacular appearance by Revenant who pretty much stole the show for me.
“He sold his soul to a Soul Reaper—”
“That was stupid.”
“Yeah,” Raze said, without missing a beat, “we agree on that. Anyway—”
“No, I mean, really stupid.” Revenant leaned against the doorframe and divided his unnerving attention between Raze and Slake. “I mean, it just seems obvious to me. Don’t sell your soul. Seriously. Who does that? What the fuck?”
I love this series and will read anything Demonica related. I love that Ione has mixed things up, continuing to introduce new characters and giving us something different while still staying true to her incredible paranormal world.
This is a really entertaining read, and if you’re a fan of the series you won’t want to miss it.
4 stars.
December 17, 2015
As a longtime fan of Larissa Ione’s Demonica series, I was so excited to learn she was turning her considerable sexy-time talents to the m/m arena. Every single book I have read from her has burned up the pages and this novella is no exception. It’s super-hot. Not only that, but it ties in elements from this fabulously built world, along with characters and storylines we’ve come to know and love.
Raze is a medic at Underworld General and he is a Seminus demon. A gay Seminus demon. That’s a problem because his biology requires him to have sex daily and he needs a woman to reach completion. Without feeding his need, he’ll suffer and die. Thankfully, he has Fayle, a succubus partner who gives him a steady source of sexual contact, without any expectation of more.
Slake is a bounty hunter whose very soul depends on bringing Fayle in to his boss. At first, Raze is just a means to an end, but very quickly Slake sees him as something more. He wants him more than he should and he decides to go after what he wants. The attraction is definitely mutual, but the rules of biology are working against them… and so is Slake’s mission.
Ione’s trademark sexual fire is in full force. The tension between Raze and Slake is fantastic, and when these two hit the sheets, it’s explosive. The emotion connection between them isn’t quite as strong, as is often a challenge with novellas. But there is a believable emotional component in that these are two men who never thought they would –or even could– find love.
I was very curious as to how Ione would breach the very real barrier to the HEA for these two. I have to say her solution was quite elegant.
As always with this series, the worldbuilding is fascinating, though not nearly as dense as it is in the full length novels. It’s just enough to please fans, without confusing new readers. A short, sexy and satisfying story.
Rating: B
*ARC provided by publisher
Raze is a medic at Underworld General and he is a Seminus demon. A gay Seminus demon. That’s a problem because his biology requires him to have sex daily and he needs a woman to reach completion. Without feeding his need, he’ll suffer and die. Thankfully, he has Fayle, a succubus partner who gives him a steady source of sexual contact, without any expectation of more.
Slake is a bounty hunter whose very soul depends on bringing Fayle in to his boss. At first, Raze is just a means to an end, but very quickly Slake sees him as something more. He wants him more than he should and he decides to go after what he wants. The attraction is definitely mutual, but the rules of biology are working against them… and so is Slake’s mission.
Ione’s trademark sexual fire is in full force. The tension between Raze and Slake is fantastic, and when these two hit the sheets, it’s explosive. The emotion connection between them isn’t quite as strong, as is often a challenge with novellas. But there is a believable emotional component in that these are two men who never thought they would –or even could– find love.
I was very curious as to how Ione would breach the very real barrier to the HEA for these two. I have to say her solution was quite elegant.
As always with this series, the worldbuilding is fascinating, though not nearly as dense as it is in the full length novels. It’s just enough to please fans, without confusing new readers. A short, sexy and satisfying story.
Rating: B
*ARC provided by publisher
September 14, 2015
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Anybody who's read Larissa Ione's Demonica series knows that it's a good, entertaining paranormal romance series with alpha male heroes, adorable heroines, sizzling chemistry, and intriguing storyline. But what if all that was put together in one story and mixed with an MM romance? OMG. I think that's just really hot.
While, theoretically, this looked liked a really good addition to the series, I felt like the story itself wasn't as great as the other books. I mean, I love that it was an MM story for a change. I felt like the plot wasn't as strong as the anticipation. It is still good and enjoyable, but it wasn't a standout. The two heroes' romance also felt rushed. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that it's only about 150 pages. I still feel like the romance could have developed better.
I do have to commend the author for injecting a new angle of romance into the series. If Ms. Ione ever decides to write another MM romance into this series, I'm sure that I and many other readers and fans will be as excited as they are with this book. There is no question about the author's ability to take her readers on a memorable paranormal romance journey that's full of supernatural wonders. This book has that too. Now, if only it were longer, had a more chance for the characters to develop their relationship, I'd say that this would be one of the best books for the year. As it is, it is a good book, and while it is not one of my favorites, it is still something I'd certainly recommend for PNR and LGBT fans.
Anybody who's read Larissa Ione's Demonica series knows that it's a good, entertaining paranormal romance series with alpha male heroes, adorable heroines, sizzling chemistry, and intriguing storyline. But what if all that was put together in one story and mixed with an MM romance? OMG. I think that's just really hot.
While, theoretically, this looked liked a really good addition to the series, I felt like the story itself wasn't as great as the other books. I mean, I love that it was an MM story for a change. I felt like the plot wasn't as strong as the anticipation. It is still good and enjoyable, but it wasn't a standout. The two heroes' romance also felt rushed. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that it's only about 150 pages. I still feel like the romance could have developed better.
I do have to commend the author for injecting a new angle of romance into the series. If Ms. Ione ever decides to write another MM romance into this series, I'm sure that I and many other readers and fans will be as excited as they are with this book. There is no question about the author's ability to take her readers on a memorable paranormal romance journey that's full of supernatural wonders. This book has that too. Now, if only it were longer, had a more chance for the characters to develop their relationship, I'd say that this would be one of the best books for the year. As it is, it is a good book, and while it is not one of my favorites, it is still something I'd certainly recommend for PNR and LGBT fans.
December 7, 2017
This is a short yet sexy story about two demons.
I haven't read any book of this author,, let alone the Demonica series. It was popped on my Netgalley's dashboard, and it's MM!
I'm glad this one didn't disappointed me. In fact, I enjoyed the short story.
Will I recommend it to my friends? Most likely YES!
Will I read this author's other books? I think so.
Read this, if you're into Paranormal/Fantasy and some sexy male on male *cough*..."encounters".
I haven't read any book of this author,, let alone the Demonica series. It was popped on my Netgalley's dashboard, and it's MM!
I'm glad this one didn't disappointed me. In fact, I enjoyed the short story.
Will I recommend it to my friends? Most likely YES!
Will I read this author's other books? I think so.
Read this, if you're into Paranormal/Fantasy and some sexy male on male *cough*..."encounters".
"Because something about you makes me want to to throw caution to the wind,, and I never do that"
"You know what they say. You feel most alive when death is on your doorstep"
September 18, 2015
То, чего я опасалась, произошло. Спасибо, что хоть в облегченном виде. Бя.
Да и ответ на главный вопрос сюжета я почти угадала в своих предположениях.
Ну и в один момент я была "Да ладно! Парень при смерти, а ты решил рискнуть??!!"
Но мне все равно было интересно. Герои понравились, а в конце они были такими милыми!
Да и ответ на главный вопрос сюжета я почти угадала в своих предположениях.
Ну и в один момент я была "Да ладно! Парень при смерти, а ты решил рискнуть??!!"
Но мне все равно было интересно. Герои понравились, а в конце они были такими милыми!
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