Customer Reviews

Ecstasy Unveiled (Demonica, Book 4)

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lore is a halfbreed Seminus demon/human and Eidolon, Shade and Wraith's half brother. He is an assassin who has a slave bond to demon master "Deth" until he satisfies a debt owed to the creature. If you have read the Demonica series, you will know that Lore's assignment was to assassinate Eidolon, Shade and Wraith as part of the evil antagonist's plan in the previous two novels, "Desire Unchained" and "Passion Unleashed". Lore, of course did not fulfill his contract. "Ecstasy Unveiled", opens 3 weeks following the riveting conclusion of "Passion Unleashed", and Lore is having to `pay the piper' as it were regarding his failure to succeed in his assignment.

Lore is an enigma because unlike full-blooded seminus demons in the Demonica world his mother was a human which causes the genetics to go awry. What does this mean? Instead of having a gift that can be used for good (Eidolon for instance, can heal with his touch) Lore can kill by touching any creature, human or demon with his right hand. In addition, his dermoire markings, or glyphs are faded snaking from his right shoulder to finger tips. Conversely full-blooded sem's dermoires are much darker and they have a personal glyph around their neck. Lore also has the ability to resurrect the dead in certain circumstances but because of the slave bond, Deth suffers as a result of that intervention. The penalty for using his gift of resurrection or if he does not accomplish a `contract' is exceedingly unpleasant.

Lore learned soon after his S'genesis (final maturation cycle) that intimate relations with a female as with his touch causes death, he therefore has had to find other ways to satisfy the sexual requirements inherent to Seminus demons. Lore is a lonely conflicted character, he doesn't particularly like killing, but he has been left with little choice. When Deth gives him the assignment to assassinate a close friend and family member of the Sem brothers, Lore is again in a catch 22 situation. Oh, and Lore? He is HOT...

Memitim or `angel in waiting' "Idess" is eager for her ascension to heaven and she feels it is close. She has spent centuries in solitude and loneliness and has missed her brother "Rami", her mentor, terribly. Memitim are `Primori' guardians, which means they have charges to keep safe until they fulfill a destiny important to the world. If a Memitim doesn't keep their Primori safe then their time on earth is extended. Idess is an ancient, wields considerable power, she is beautiful, and lethal in battle. As fate would have it Lore's `target' is one of Idess's Primori and so the hero and heroine of this novel meet under extremely adversarial circumstances.

Lore and Idess's relationship develops slowly over the course of the story from literally battling each other into a soul deep love. Idess has been celibate for centuries but she is not a virgin which I found refreshing and unusual given her "angelic" status. I became completely invested in Idess and Lore's story and could not put this book down for wanting to find out how their tumultuous and at times bittersweet story would conclude.

Ms. Ione introduces Lore's fraternal twin sister "Sin" who is an anomaly because Seminus demons are always born male. Sin's gift is even more lethal than Lore's and she is a character with a giant chip on her shoulder due to a history of torture and abuse. Sin also has a razor sharp tongue, and an attitude to go with it, as Eidolon indicates in the story she is "like a female Wraith". Sin like her brother is an assassin and bonded to the same master as Lore, she has an extremely dark past.

Eidolon, Shade, Wraith and their families have significant roles in the plot. A mysterious "aura" has permeated Underworld General causing staff tensions to rise and two of the Sem brothers in particular to be at each other's throats. In addition, ghosts have infested the hospital and equipment failures are happening daily. Even an exorcist hired to do a "cleansing" runs for the hills.

Readers also meet a very hot dhampire (a vampire/werewolf) who I hope we will see in future Demonica stories. Lets just say, he and Sin have an `encounter'. (lol)

In "Ecstasy Unveiled", Ms. Ione takes readers through the Harrowgates (demon portals) deep inside the Sheoul or "demon realm". The amazing graphic imagery and prose brings the Demonica world to life.

IMHO, Larissa Ione continues to build the Demonica world with just the right amount of momentum. As part of this, the world and hierarchy of angels is expanded and integrated. "Ecstasy Unveiled" is full of exciting plot twists, turns, surprises, and action packed scenes that get the heart pounding. There are two main antagonists in the story, the identity of one in particular will completely surprise you and is revealed during a riveting climax. In addition, readers are treated to Ms. Ione's signature dark humor that had me chortling with laughter.

If you have enjoyed the Demonica series thus far, I don't think you will be disappointed. There is a good foundation to Demonica series written into the narrative and I think the book could be read in isolation. However, IMHO it would be far better to read the series in sequence.

With each book I become more and more impressed with Larissa Ione's Demonica series. It's an original world with complex and unique mythologies blended nearly seamlessly into a cohesive whole, ripe with dark humor, honest and erotic sexuality, and at its core, the steely strength of love - familial and mated both. What began four books ago as a paranormal romance series has developed into a smorgasbord of trials, tribulations, dangers, and true consequences, and as a reader, I'm intensely appreciative of the pleasure each book has provided. Ecstasy Unveiled was absolutely no disappointment.

Lore, the Sem demon assassin, is one kill away from freedom from his master, but it's not freedom for himself he cares about, it's his sister Sin's life - which hangs in the balance of this particular kill. Unfortunately, the target is none other than Kynan, the human whose life he restored in the previous book, and the guy who got the girl that Lore himself was interested in. Not to mention that Kynan is real tight with the three brothers Lore recently discovered AND he's protected by the almost-angel, Idess, whose job it is to keep Kynan alive - at all costs - to save humanity. What's a demon assassin to do?

One of the things I like most about the Demonica Series is it really is a study in the adage "whatever can go wrong, will go wrong." Truly, none of the good guys (and the not-SO-good-but-mostly-well-intentioned guys) can catch a break here. Lore has to kill someone he sorta hates, sure, but he doesn't WANT to kill him, really, especially as he craves a family bond and connection to his brothers Eidolon, Shade, and Wraith (and they'll kill him for taking out Kynan), not to mention he's totally hot on Idess, who really wants to get into heaven and leave the earthly plane, but to do so she's got to make sure neither Kynan NOR Lore get dead. And if that's not enough, the forces manipulating all this death and destruction are viciously evil and bent on the destruction of the brothers, their mates and children, AND Idess...basically everyone.

Oh yeah, you definitely can't say that Ecstasy Unveiled is thin on plot. My only complaint, actually, is that in this particular book there's almost too much going on as Lore's world spins out of control and the evil undermining his brothers starts ripping everything apart. I can understand - and really liked - the initiation of the story thread for Sin's (the smurfette...*giggle*) book (due out in September 2010, so look for it!), but a werewolf epidemic on top of everything ELSE that was going down in Ecstasy Unveiled made it a little too chaotic for my own tastes. I would've liked more time with Lore and Idess, seeing their relationship develop a bit more in non-life threatening or captured situations. It's a minor issue, really, but it did keep me from truly loving this book. I really REALLY liked it though.

I do not recommend this book if you haven't read the three previous novels. This is not the sort of series where you can just pick it up here and go, or read out of order, because far too much of what goes on in these books, and the characters in them, are motivated by the relationships and events of the past novels, and there's not enough exposition to satisfactorily define the world for a neophyte. Too much impact would be lost. Also, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone not comfortable or fond of sexual situations written with explicit language and without the use of flowery euphemisms. The brothers are sex demons, after all, and there's not a whole lot held back.

Really enjoyed Ecstasy Unveiled and am very pleased that the next in the series will be out in September. Until then!

Larissa Ione is a talented writer in that her attention to detail is pretty over the top. The world she has created is so intricate and at many times reading one of her offerings is like making one's way through a maze. Sorta fun at the beginning but by the middle your sorta over it and just want to find the exit. Why? Well I feel it is because she INSISTS on throwing in every element of her world, every character, every level of the society she has created, every power, every super-power, every counter-power, every temperature, every emotion, every update, every back story, middle story, front story, the list is endless and for me that just drags her books way the hell down.

Now IMO she overcame this in Passion Unleashed (Wraith & Serena's story). She kept to one basic (ok 2) geographic areas and she let the characters be the focal point of the story. But now in Ecstasy Unveiled, she is back to cramming so much into it that the H/H are lost and become almost bit players in their book. The book centers around Lore a demon assassin and Idess a soon to be ascending angel who has a few tasks she must complete and that being the protection of her Primori Kynan and an unnamed Warg. Lore, is entrusted by the bad guys with doing away with Kynan so that the medallion he protects can be used to bring about the end of mankind. Lore has been working for uber demon Deth and is working off his debt as a way to make up to his sister Sin who is also an assassin for abandoning her. So if either fails to complete an assignment they are faced with horrible pain and possibly extending their servitude to Deth. If Idess fails to protect her Primori she may not ascend to Heaven. Great plot, good potential, but all goes downhill from there.

Ione introduces a secondary plot and re-introduces the Seminus brothers Eidolon, Shade, Wraith, their families Tayla, Runa & Serena, Rami/Rariel (Idess's brother), Conall (hot medic), Kynan & Gem, the grim reaper (Idess's dad), Wargs and a Warg disease that is wiping them out and the premise for the next book Sin Undone, All the babies of the Seminus brothers, ghosts, white lights, saving souls, harrowgate hells, Gargantua bone, magical cuffs, death dermoire, A bad brother (can't remember his name). Ok krikey, you get the picture! In other words it was just too much.

Now i liked Lore and really liked Idess but I never felt that Ione spent time synching them up because she was too darn busy pulling the threads of this overly tight corset of characters togethers and that for me is why this book fails. If by the midway point I am looking to get outta the maze then I am sure many readers will potentially feel the same. Why don't authors get it and maybe listen to their readers.

I do sorta think that my next purchase of her books if any will be done straight from the discount bin and my local bookstore.

I laughed. I teared up. I froze in horror, almost crushing my book as I remained glued to the pages. I wasn't scared, though, like I had been during Shade and Wraith's stories. Upon reading Ecstasy Unveiled, I discovered why I was so wary: fear of the drama between the couples as opposed to the trials and tribulations the characters were forced to endure. Drama and I do not mix, and Larissa's writing absorbs me in a way other PNR authors usually fail to do, thus, making the prior two stories in the series almost emotionally draining for me.

My opinion of Shade has decreased dramatically. He upset me so much in this book. It might have been because particular scenes were in E's point of view, however, I feel that Eidolon was the more composed of the two brothers during the... trials that occurred at the hospital. Wraith also disappointed me in a way, primarily because he tends to flip flop between being a "neutral" party, or teaming up against Eidolon. He is still entertaining, though. There is one scene between Wraith and Tayla where Stewie is mentioned, and I started cracking up. It's those kinds of moments that truly make a book memorable.

Enough about the three brothers we know and love though. Ecstasy Unveiled is about the eldest--and most ignorant--of the Sem brothers, introduced around the middle of Passion Unleashed. Lore's character, while tortured by his own shaky past, is stronger in ways the other brothers are not. This cold assassin knows how to endure. He knows when he is fighting a losing battle, and when to give in, which makes the interactions betwixt him and Idess so sexy in the beginning of the book. Towards the end he gets a bit more stubborn, but one can't really blame him for it.

I was salivating while reading this book. The attraction between man and woman was sizzling, enchanting, and more importantly, convincing. The shameless part of me wishes that there was more. More sex, more funny interactions, more moments where Lore and Idess kick major butt.

In regards to Sin, it will be interesting to see the approach Larissa takes in order to solve the problem this young woman unknowingly has caused. Likewise, how will Conrad contribute to the story, aside from being drool-worthy? I'm confident that Sin and Con's story will be exciting, especially because the two aren't your typical "good guy/girl" duo. I'll leave what I actually mean when I say that to your imaginations. Guess you'll just have to read Ecstasy Unveiled to see what I mean, huh?

I think I am enjoying angel stories a lot more as of late. Between Idess and Olivia (The Darkest Passion), these angels are kinky little seductresses! It is extremely amusing and way too ironic when an angel is trying to seduce a demon, and the demon is the one concerned about his partner's purity

Once again, I highly suggest that readers look into the Demonica series. Ms. Ione's writing, characters, and plots continue to develop and improve, making each story even better than the last.

Oh, and Larissa? Keep writing about the chains ;)

A Seminus half breed demon Lore is a sexual fiend and assassin. He loathes what he has done, but his contract to Deth expires after his next kill and his beloved sister will live. Nothing stops this killing machine, but this time he is stunned when the target Kynan, whom he brought back from the dead at a cost of two sunsets of agony and lost reputation amidst the Assassins Guild for his master, has the protection of an angel.

Idess the earthbound angel has one last task to earn her wings and soar to heaven to be reunited with her brother. She must protect Kynan at all costs.

When the demon and the angel confront one another, both are stunned as neither has felt an attraction to someone else ever before. They want one another, but she has a vow of chastity besides her personal security mission; he has his duty. Both know the stakes of failure especially him. Yet each question whether an angel and demon teaming up in love to fight his master can survive the encounter let alone win; as Lore and Idess know one or both will most likely fail at their assignment.

The latest Demonica romantic fantasy (see Passion Unleashed, Passion Unbound and Desire Unchained) is a strong tale that has the audience believing that demons and angels walk the earth, have family issues (just ask the hero), and binding contracts. The story line is fast-paced, but the key is the dilemma confronting the lead couple as seemingly someone they love and cherish will be hurt for eternity. This is a great entry in a super paranormal series in which angels and demons soar with passion, ecstasy and desire as they fall in love.

Harriet Klausner

Larissa Ione does not disappoint. I have enjoyed all of the books in the demonica series and have anxiously waited for this story. It helped that this was out before Feb 1st :) this was absolutely good from beginning to end. 400 pages of action,passion, romance and tidbits of demon intrigue. Love this world as it reminds me of the initial reason I was hooked on the dark hunters stories. Ione's characters have humor but without being cheesy and she always puts the H/h in a dicey situation that calls for tough choices. In the end it all works out but I love the road she takes to get there.

Loren better known as Lore is brother to Shade, Wraith, and Eidolon. of course since his mom was a human he is half seminus instead of full demon. Being half Sem has twisted the powers that Lore inherited from his father. He can deliver death with one touch of his hand. Handy tool to have since he's an assasin. Idess(eye-des)is a pre-angel that is just a few steps from earning her wings and being zapped to heaven. The two meet with a clash and its a battle of wills until they team up for the greater good. There are still weird things happening at UGH and the brothers are at each others throats more than usual. Sin is a pleasant surprise because she is the first female seminus demon ever born. I loved Sin and cant wait to see how Larissa Ione handles a female character that has to have sex to live. I'm also curious about if she is post s'genesis capable of reproducing or if that only is for males. AHhhhh so many interesting angles there.

As for Lore and Idess any fan of the series is going to absolutely love this new addition. all of the old characters and their mates make an appearance and Luc even has a scene with another new guy that is half vampire and half were wolf.

One question for Ione- I do need to know if Lore and Idess will be able to have kids with him being half seminus and thus sterile or supposedly. the question was brought up but I guess we'll have to read along to find out the answer.

In novel number four of the Demonica series by Larissa Ione, we are introduced to the newest brother of the group. After not knowing about Lore and vice-versa, the brothers are still coming to terms with the new family addition. While in the process of this, Lore is also having to deal with the fact that his new assignment is to kill their good friend Kynan. Lore has no choice but to follow these orders since his boss that holds the contract for his life also holds the contract on his twin sisters life.

Enter an angel named Idess. She is basically a guardian angel and has been assigned Kynan as her human to protect. Even though Kynan is charmed and untouchable, he still is in danger and Idess needs to keep guard on him. If she succeeds, she earns her wings and can be with her family in the Heavens. While protecting Kynan, she meets Lore and they both feel the attraction. As they decide to work together in finding a loophole, Idess is shocked to discover that she now must protect Lore as well.

While I enjoyed the story of this book, I wasn't a big fan of Idess. I just couldn't connect with her like I have with the previous females in the series. Lore was sexy and charming, but Idess just didn't seem to be a good fit for him in my opinion. I could see him more with a character like Gem. He needed someone rough, tough and less angelic.

Out of all the books so far in the series, this is my least favorite. I still enjoyed it, but it just wasvnot as wonderful as the previous books. I am still excited though for the next book that features Sin who just happens to be a rare Seminus demon because she is female.

Lore is a half breed Seminus demon assassin, up until a couple of weeks ago he didn't know what kind of demon he was let alone that he had three overbearing brothers. He didn't find that out until he tried to kill the men and they recognized them as one of their own. At the last attempt for the "end of the world as we know" Lore brought Kynan back to life with his power, now he is the only one that can kill him with the exception of Fallen Angels. When Lore is contracted to kill Kynan he refuses until his sister Sin's life is threatened and Lore will do anything to keep Sin safe after he failed to do so, so many years. That is his greatest source of guilt and he has plenty of reasons to feel guilt. Idess is a Memitim, an earth bound pre-ascension angel who is tasked with protecting Primori which can be humans or demons that will change the course of history. Kynan (THE most important human on the planet) is one of Idess's current Primori and she CANNOT fail him, if he does she will never be able to Ascend and earn her wings. Idess meets Lore when he is trying to kill Kynan, she manages to get in some good blows but she is shot by Tayla who thought she was trying to kill Kynan. When Lore is after Kynan once more suddenly Primori status is bestowed upon Lore and Idess is now to protect him as well as Kynan. Can things get more complicated for Idess?!? So she grabs Lore and plans to chain him up until the contract duration is up. But all the best laid plans....

Lore and Idess are actually a lot alike; both have the heavy burden of guilt towards their siblings and are both very lonely. Lore abandoned Sin when she needed him the most; unable to control himself after his first maturation cycle he feared himself and took off. This guilt is what lead him into being an assassin. Idess betrayed her brother when he needed her help and has been carrying that guilt around for over 500 years. This betrayal is probably why she has not ascended into heaven yet which is the thing she has desired most in the world. Due to the nature of Lore's "gift" he has been unable to touch anyone for the last 100+ years except his sibling without killing them. The fear of killing innocent people has lead Lore to a recluse and engages in very little social contact. Idess has been alone for 500 years since her brother ascended; he was the one person she was close to. When Lore and Idess meet suddenly neither one is so alone anymore and their connection is instant. Can these two battle the great evils that are determined to destroy them both or will one or both of them be destroyed in the fight against evil.

Review:
I adore Lore an Idess they clash yet complement each other, when they work together they are a great team, when they are on opposing teams the clash of wills and muscles is explosive! Violence brought them together but love keeps them together. This story will keep you turning pages; I could not put it down! It's the age old story of good (or maybe very tarnished good) versus evil but it never seems to get old especially when Larissa Ione is writing about it. There are some curve balls thrown in just to keep you guessing!

Lore is a sexy half human/ half demon, and brother to E, Shade and Wrath. We meet him during Wrath's story in the previous novel, but then we really get to find out what he's about in his story. The meeting with Idess is fast, but powerful, and it keeps you turning the page. I enjoyed the chemistry between the two main characters, and also the little side stories with his sister, Sin, and the rest of his "family". If you liked her first three Demonica novels, then you will love this one too! It is a must read!

Not my favorite book from the series but a decent read. I couldnt help but like Lore but some of the things that occured in the book were typical and didnt exactly keep you on the edge of your seat. Overall a ok read.