Customer Reviews

Pleasure Unbound: A Demonica Novel

5 star:		(109)
4 star:		(46)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Tayla Mancuso was taught to believe that all demons are evil; there is no gray area. As an Aegi, she is sworn to protect humankind from these vile creatures and to dispatch them, no matter the cost. When Tayla wakes up in a demon hospital after a fight that costs her partner her life, she immediately begins scanning exits and remembering faces so that she can take the place down at the first opportunity. She doesn't expect to feel a healthy dose of attraction to her doctor, Eidolon, and she certainly doesn't expect him to start telling her things that make her question the entire foundation on which her beliefs are based. According to Eidolon, not all demons are evil, and in fact it's the Aegi who are exhibiting these qualities. He believes that her people are responsible for the deaths of a number of demons whose organs are being harvested, while the creatures are left to die. Initially believing that everything he says is a lie--who can trust a demon anyway?--Tayla eventually begins to question her beliefs. Would an evil, depraved race of beings help their sworn enemy when she was hurt in battle? But could the Aegi, a race sworn to protect, be responsible for the grisly deaths she sees as she explores Eidolon's truth?

Eidolon is a doctor in a demon hospital who has sworn to heal and protect even the worst of his race. He is also a Seminus demon who is nearing his transition, a fact that doesn't bode well for the women around him. Seminus demons nearing the change will rut with anything in sight, long to spread their seed and impregnate every woman in their path, and will take a female by force if necessary. Eidolon fights the change on a daily basis, using his skills as a doctor to control his lust, so imagine his surprise when his passion surges to the forefront for a slayer who enters his hospital. Eidolon hates the Aegi and believes them responsible for his brother's death. There's no reason for him to feel any attraction to the little killer on his operating table, but despite that fact she makes his blood boil like no other woman has. And when he has her open on his table, he learns why--she's half-demon.

Pleasure Unbound is the first in a new Demonica series from Larissa Ione, and this book and its characters are engaging, passionate, and hard to put down. I couldn't stop myself from reading it in one sitting, and I have a sneaking urge to read it again a second time already. Tayla isn't your typical romance heroine, in that she can take care of herself and she's got the battle scars to prove it. This is a girl raised in foster homes who was taken in by a society of slayers who were the first family she knew. She was trained to kill and raised to believe that demons are evil, so imagine her surprise when she learns she might be one of them. Her entire belief system is thrown into question when she learns her heritage, not to mention when she feels this startling attraction to an incubus. And Eidolon is a man who puts family first. His brothers are a part of him, and he wants to protect them from his transition and the threats to their race as much as he wants to protect himself. Fighting his maturity is a daily battle, one that becomes even harder when Tayla enters his life. And though she fights him tooth and nail from the moment they meet, eventually he knows that he will have to break down her walls or risk both their futures.

I can't wait to read the next books in this series, and look forward to reading more of Larissa Ione's work in general. For those also jonesin for more of her stories, she also cowrites books as Sydney Croft. I'll be checking those out in the interim between now and March 2009 when the next book in this series is released.

Finally! An author takes some of the best elements of Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy and stirs them together to build a really enjoyable start for a new series. Mix romance and steamy sex scenes with the dark brooding bite of good urban fantasy and you get Pleasure Unbound.

Welcome to Underworld General Hospital. Where the doctors are incubi, the nurses are vampires and the paramedics howl at the moon. This sanctuary where anyone can seek medical attention is headed up by hot doctor Eidolon. Someone in New York has been kidnapping demons and harvesting their organs for the black market. When the hospital's EMTs bring in a mangled demon and his would-be killer he's the only thing standing between the slayer and a quick death. Tayla Mancuso is a member of The Aegis, a group of demon slayers who call themselves Guardians. Not realizing she's not in a normal hospital or for that matter that she isn't dreaming she gets horizontal (and vertical!) with her sexy savior. When she comes around, however, she's shocked to find out she's not only in a demon hospital but that not all demons are evil.

Rumor has it The Aegis is behind the organ harvesting but there are too many holes in that theory and Tayla and Eidolon, as well as his brothers Shade and Wraith are going to have to investigate more if they want to stop the killing. Complicating the investigation is the fact that Eidolon is going through his species' final sexual maturation phase and he's losing control of his body and his mind a little more each time he is drawn to Tayla. Worse yet, the brothers have discovered that Tayla is actually half-demon. Her demon side is trying to take over her body and is slowly killing her. In order to save herself she will have to allow the brothers to integrate her demon half and her human half. With these complicated issues and a mystery to solve this is one book you will struggle to put down.

Wow. Let me just say it again... WOW. I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I'd never read this author but the folks in Amazon's PNR forum had good things to say about her writing style so I took a chance. And I'm darned glad I did. This book could easily have been a pure urban fantasy if you toned down the romance and sex a bit. On the same token it could have been pure paranormal romance if you cut out some of the darker elements and added in more mushy parts. Ione managed to find a spectacular balance between the two that is rarely found in either genre.

I very much enjoyed this book and will be quick to snap up the next two. Shadow Lover, Shade's story, and Eternally Embraced, Wraith's story, are due out next spring but dates can change so visit Ione's site or check Amazon later this year for the exact dates. If you like Jacquelyn Frank's Nightwalkers series, Gena Showalter's Lords of the Underworld or Lara Adrian's Midnight Breeds you should give this series a try. Think General Hospital meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer! hehe! Happy reading!

I almost passed this book up. I needed a book to take with me on vacation and I practically had all the other books there.

Demons seem to be the newest focus of the paranormal books I've been reading lately.

We have Tayla, a slayer or member of the Aegi, a group of humans devoted to killing all demons. She is often called Buffy, as in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. On the other side, demon doctor Eidolon, an incubus who is on the edge of transforming into a seducer of females. Due to injuries, Tayla is taken to a supernatural hospital where the staff debates killing or helping her.

The story progresses with Tayla and Eidolon being drawn to each other. We discover through a few twists and turns that Tayla is destined to Eidolon's destroyer or savior. There are also some unexpected revelations about Tayla's origins, such as her paternity, a sister, and who she really is.

While the story is not exactly unique, her take on the demon world, Lucifer, and Hell seems to be different. This demon world is kind of like the inverted idealized world of heaven, formed by Lucifer. We don't have all drop-dead gorgeous demons who may be very good or very evil. There are some very repulsive creatures in this demon world, but then again who is to say that humanity doesn't also have its share of monsters.

Very hot romance and the first in a series. I didn't notice any typos and the plot was fairly tight (unlike LKH).

Tayla Mancuso may have had a hard life, but one thing has always been simple: demons are evil, and must be destroyed. It's why she became a Guardian, to work with the Aegis slaying demons.

Now she's been critically injured by one demon, and her life saved by another - in a demon hospital, no less. Suddenly, things aren't quite so black and white, especially where her hunky demon doctor, Eidolon, is concerned. He stirs her in ways she has never experienced before - and has never imagined happening with a demon, of all things. She can't let that stop her from fulfilling her duty to the Aegis, however. It isn't really betrayal when the subject is a demon, right?

Eidolon defies both his better judgment and the wishes of his friends and colleagues when he saves the beautiful little demon killer, but something inside him can't leave her to die. This is a chance to learn more about the Slayers, he tells himself. But that rationale doesn't ring quite true in light of his body's undeniable need for her...

Against all odds, Eidolon and Tayla find a mutual desire that threatens to become something bigger than either of them could ever anticipate.

This is the first time I have read a Larissa Ione novel, and let me just say I am absolutely blown away by PLEASURE UNBOUND: DEMONICA, BOOK 1! With a blend of sarcastic humor, dark plots, sensual love story and a multitude of paranormal creatures both good and evil, Ms. Ione delivers everything that a fan of erotic paranormal romances could want.

From the very first chapter, it became obvious to me that the author must also be a fan of the `Buffy the Vampire Slayer' TV series, because PLEASURE UNBOUND is infused with the same vibe and wit that made that show wildly popular. Even so, this is no copycat story. While it may be a paranormal tale with a similar energy, the DEMONICA world is very much its own story. I predict that `Buffy' fans will find this new book series highly addictive! It is for me... *grin*

As far as heroines go, Tayla Mancuso totally rocks! This woman has her problems, but she has enough fight and grit in her to overcome even the most daunting of obstacles. Of course, she isn't without her pain and vulnerability. Her hard life has molded her into a fighter who deals with difficulty through sarcastic humor as well as the weapons in her arsenal. Her wisecracking makes for an entertaining read, but beneath it all we see it as the defense mechanism it really is, for a woman who has never felt close to anyone.

Eidolon - what can I say about him? This heroic demon absolutely makes your mouth water. His irresistible sexuality coupled with his noble, nurturing nature make for a man any woman would be more than happy to spend forever with, no matter his demonic DNA. Of course, he has his own issues, and watching as he tries to keep his own `demons' at bay is heartbreaking. Of course, watching as he and Tayla overcome their individual problems together is more than moving.

PLEASURE UNBOUND is propelled by more than the love story, however. Ms. Ione has crafted a rich world where everything is not as it seems, neither in the human world nor the demon community. Good and evil exists on both sides, and alliances are bound to shift as betrayals are brought to light.

Although the main plot points are wrapped up by the end of the story, several intrigues are left to be tackled by the next book in the DEMONICA series. With a cast of supporting characters as captivating as Eidolon and Tayla, I cannot wait for the sequel!

Do yourself a favor and pre-order PLEASURE UNBOUND now, then set aside the evening to read it the day it arrives. Between the hotter than hot love scenes and the gripping plot, you won't be putting this book down until you finish it!

I usually don't leave reviews but I felt I needed to on this one. I almost didn't try this book because of the negative reviewers proclaiming the book was porn. I wouldn't even classify it as erotica. Just my opinion, but it seems pretty standard urban fantasy romance, and honestly much tamer than a lot of other paranormal romance books I've read.

However, once I did get started, I almost didn't continue reading because the first two chapters were a lot of "thinking in exposition". For example, why is the point of view character thinking about the color of his own hair or why is the point of view character explaining something to himself (in an internal thought) things I would assume he would know. I wouldn't think to myself I'm a human, and then define it in detail, to myself. It's distracting, but after the initial exposition, the story picks up, and you don't notice it as much as it goes along.

I didn't connect with the characters as much as I have with other books, but I wasn't cheering for the antagonist to kill them, as I sometimes do if the characters annoy me. :)

The plot is typical paranormal romance - in summary - twenty something woman is demon hunter (mother killed by demon, surprise), she has sex with/ends up falling for demon (surprise), has a lot of angst about this, demons are evil, and oh hey, she's part demon(really? I'm shocked!), she's hot for the hero, but he's evil, blah, blah, eventually realizes not all demons are evil, more conflict, but eventually admits her love for him, he for her, and they get their happily ever after. If you like that, you will love this book. Not a whole lot of worry or tension, (I felt I could put it down at anytime, and not need to rush back to it) but a quick, light read on a cold afternoon. Didn't hate it, didn't love it, but I was willing to give the next one in the series a try.

Happily, I enjoyed the books more as they went along, and recommend you give the series a try.

"Pleasure Unbound", is (IMHO) one of the best books of this genre to be published in 2008. Larissa has woven erotic romance, suspense, action and treachery into a great storyline in an original setting. The story is laced with dark wit and the action scenes are explosive.

The book opens at "Underworld General", a hospital created for the treatment of demons and all manner of "ghoulies". It is here we meet the main protagonist of the book, "Eidolon", a charismatic (and I mean charismatic), demon physician who has endured many losses in an ongoing war with society of demon hunters and exterminators. Practicing medicine is Eidolon passion, however he is struggling to control dark impulses that are raging within him as part of a transitional phase inherent to his species.

Enter "Tayla", a tormented demon hunter who "Eidolon" reluctantly saves from certain death, only to find that she alone awakens powerful desires within him. Tayla is a tough, determined highly trained demon exterminator that resists her strong attraction to Eidolon.

The conflict and barriers between these two unlikely lovers seem insurmountable. However, the sensuality that erupts between them is volcanic, literally sizzling off the pages.

There is a cast of well-developed supporting characters, introduced in the book woven into sub-plots that don't overtake the overall storyline but keep the entire read exhilarating and entertaining.

If you enjoy a good dark erotic paranormal romance, "Pleasure Unbound" is well worth the money spent and the reading time.

I am eagerly looking forward to the next books in the series. "Desire Unchained", will be available near the end of February 2009, and "Passion Unleashed", available at the end of March 2009. I have mine pre-ordered. Do you?

Pleasure Unbound is truly a wonderful book. The characters are raw and real. Larissa Ione is definitely an author to look out for and her Demonica novels are definitely books to add to your wish list.

Tayla is a `Guardian' with a vow to rid the world of Demons. It was a demon who raped and murdered her mother when she was 16. She has never questioned herself or the organization the "Aegis" she has worked for for eight years until the night she is admitted to a Demon hospital after a fight that left her partner dead.

Eidolon is a Seminus demon or an Incubi. He's the founder and a surgeon at the first and only Demon hospital and has vowed not to discriminate his patients. He has spent his long life looking for a lifemate, healing demons (some who deserve it and some who don't) and keeping his two brothers together. The night a human slayer comes in rocks his world to its very foundation and threatens his sanity as well.

The plot is riveting and filled with intrigue, betrayals, passion and war. The reader instantly connects with both Tayla and Eidolon, shares their anxiety over their passion with the `enemy' and their joy when the walls come down.

Add this to your paranormal shelf, it is definitely a keeper.

To kill or to kiss? Dark and sensual Demon Eidolon, shakes sworn demon slayer Tayla's comfortable black/white world view -- Tayla 'knows' Demons are evil and slaying them to keep humanity safe is a noble cause. When Eidolon treats the critically injured slayer, Tayla is shocked to find that a Demon doctor, and a gorgeous one at that, seems so normal. Eidolon should disgust her. He's her sworn enemy, a member of the vile race that raped and killed her mother. But when Eidolon's near it doesn't matter that he's a Demon and should be purged from the Earth, the only thing that matters is the powerful desire he inspires in her and the promise of the fulfilment that only Eidolon may be able to provide.

The setup for the leading man Eidolon was great. Despite a ruthless streak he embraces a sense of fairness and rigid code that makes him extremely honorable for a Demon. But Eidolon is an incubus on the brink of a final sexual maturation that will prevent him from continuing the healing role in that has defined his life for the past eighty years -- a transformation that will turn him into a rapacious sex fiend driven to impregnate any fertile demoness and that will make him feared and reviled among Demons. And if loss of the prized control that leads to his uncontrollable desire to sleep with the enemy isn't enough of a problem, Demons are turning up maimed and dying at Eidolon's hospital Underworld General (yeah that's UGH) apparently the work of slayers harvesting organs destined for the black market from the awake and still living Demons.

There was so much that I liked about this book. If you are familiar with Larissa Ione's Storm series, which she cowrites as Sydney Croft, you'll recognize the excellent story telling. But Pleasure Unbound, even with an incubus leading man, avoids the over the top eroticism of the Storm books while still delivering a smoking hot romance. Ione textures the dark background plot - in case you wondered the brutalization of the Demons is off screen we just see the aftermath -- using nuances that make the Demons and their world just enough different to stand apart from ours and Ione fills the world with an intriguing supporting cast. Most notably, Eidolon's brothers who are also incubus (incubi?), each with their own impressive talents and each with problems: Shade with some mysterious curse and Wrath with his tortured past. Also great is Gem, a demon intern working in a human hospital passing for human while hiding her hopeless love for a married human. Hope she gets a book of her own or at least a major substory thread in the brothers' books. Ione has at least two more books in the works Shadow Lover(Shade's) and Eternity Embraced both out Spring of 2009. Checkout the excerpts for Pleasure Unbound and Shadow Lover on Ione's website.

I'm not even a huge paranormal reader, but the romance between Tayla and Eidolon hit all the right notes for me. What an amazing book! I've never read anything so delicious in my life. The writing ... lovely, powerful, evocative and edgy. The characters? Strong, compelling and memorable. The plot? Tight as a drum, break-neck pace.

It's also chock full of interesting secondary characters, who don't seem like sequel bait so much as an important part of the protagonists' lives. Ms. Ione also manages something very difficult; she does a compelling job with the world-building, giving us just enough to let us understand what's going on, but there's never an info dump. I'd say this is one of the most original paranormal romances I've read all year. If you're not familiar with the concept, it's about the demonic underworld, centered around a hospital that takes care of otherworldly injuries. Genius! Her execution of this creative premise is nothing short of genius.

I picked this book up after I finished my draft of Doubleblind and I devoured it in one sitting. The passion between to the two leads is explosive, and the sex is set-fire-to-the-pages hot. Ms. Ione has also set up some of the best tension I've ever seen between two leads. You know how sometimes in romances, the reason the hero and heroine don't get together seems a bit manufactured, full of dime-store angst? In this book, there's a serious Romeo and Juliet vibe. If I'd emailed her a list of my criteria before she wrote this book (and I didn't), telling her what I want in a paranormal romance, she couldn't have written a novel more perfectly suited to my tastes.

For me, this book was an A+. If you like dark, gritty, edgy, intensely emotional and erotic romances with a rocket ship full of genuine conflict and angst, you don't want to miss this book. I'm now a total fangirl (and that doesn't happen too often). I can't wait for the next installment

Excellent book! Pleasure Unbound not only lives up to all the hype and four-star reviews on the net but surpasses them. My expectations for this book were incredibly high, and I am pleased to say Ms Ione has managed to surpass them. Pleasure Unbound is set in a super dark and sexy world unlike any other I've read. The main story centers around Eidolon, a smoldering demon doctor who runs Underworld General Hospital, and Tayla, the demon slayer who briefly becomes a patient of his. With so many twists to the story, there's NEVER a dull moment. Ms Ione's next two books in this series are auto-buys for me. Here's to hoping the Demonica series continues to be as exciting and well-written as Pleasure Unbound!