ARC Review: Revenant by Larissa Ione

Oh, Revenant, how I love thee (no that is not an exaggeration). Let me tell you my fellow book junkies, this novel flipping rocked my world. I admit this is my first Larissa Ione novel (I know, I know, I should be penalized), but damn, could I have become any more addicted? Nope. This book had so many fantastic characters that I simply cannot wait to go back to the beginning and see how it all started. Furthermore, this book can be read as a standalone, which is pretty amazing. Granted, you have to weave through the world of Daemonica a bit to understand how Larissa created her spin on Sheoul, Heaven, and Hell, but it is so worth it.

In fact, I loved how Larissa added her own flare while incorporating lore and religious aspects so beautifully. I’ll admit, I am not a religious person (though I respect those who are), but I do love history, and I definitely love creativity. This story was so well-written that not only were the intimate scenes delicious, but the action packed bits were nail-biting worthy. I also loved how the author made it possible to love both evil and good, depending on the character. It is so very rare to find an author that can make you love character who may be captivated by the darkness that surrounds them. Enter: Revenant.

Sweet, yummy, virulent, testosterone-laden Revenant: A Shadow Angel and current right hand of Satan himself. He is the perfect example of the anti-hero, turned hero of his own story in so many ways. He is brought up in a violent, abusive existence with the memory of his mother being the only savior in his own personal hell. He is also intent on justice for her suffering, determined to kill Lucifer before he is reborn, and trying to find a place among his kind who detest him. Oh, and did I mention his falling for a woman for the first time? Yeah, this guy is in trouble.

Now, when I say Revenant is in trouble, I mean holy hell, he is about to be blown into oblivion. Satan wants Revenant to prove his loyalty, especially after Rev having his memories returned. Said memories proved that he is actually a full-blown angel (just turned evil under unfortunate circumstances) and he has a twin brother who grew up in heaven, and is a Radiant. Apparently, Radiants and Shadow Angels are the strongest of all angels in existence on the sides of good and evil. Yes, crazy, I know!

First, Reaver, his twin brother was bathed in the brilliance of goodness and was lucky enough to experience the ties of family, which Revenant never had. Then, throw in Rev’s guilt over his mother’s demise, guilt over his own sins, and we have a complex character. He wants to honor his mother, whom was an angel, and change. However, with evil being all he has ever known, Satan owning his backside as well as wanting to filet his hide, how will he overcome his past?

Insert Blaspheme: The supposed False Angel (the product of a Fallen Angel and Angel), and surgeon at Underworld General Hospital. She is on the run from Eradicators, who have already nearly killed her mother Deva. They are on her trail, not only because she may not be who everyone thinks she is, but because her family holds very powerful secrets that lead down deadly paths. However, nothing can prepare you for Blaspheme and her hardcore tough girl attitude. She is absolutely engaging, and I am not sure I can stress that enough. This girl is stubborn, willful, compassionate, and beautifully moral. She is so unique that Revenant cannot possibly quench his thirst for her. She changes him, and in turn, he saves her from losing her light.

The supporting characters are wonderful as well. Eidolon is just….wow. He is the chief of Underworld General and an Incubus. He is helpful to Blaspheme with his timeless loyalty throughout this story. Furthermore, he truly considers her a friend; family. Plus, he is super sexy through his controlling and intelligent nature. I cannot wait to go back to the beginning of this series and read his story (seriously). There is also Harvester, Reaver’s mate, and let me tell you, she is strong and resourceful from what I gathered. Plus, Reaver is just heart-stopping. After all, he endured tragedy of his own, and despite his goodness, he has a little bit of bad boy streak. The other characters like the horsemen Death known as Thanatos, and the Archangel Metatron are intriguing as well, but they do not make strong appearances.

Truly though, Revenant and Blaspheme are the center of the story and they overcome many obstacles. Regardless of threats, betrayal of the most heinous kind, and maddening truths untold, but learned under dire circumstances, they hold each other through it all. Let’s not forget the thrilling fulfillment of biblical prophecies, the elimination of Satan and Lucifer, and the epic occurrence of love’s triumphant conclusion! Simply put, I could not get enough of these two! Then, Larissa throws in the tempest of raw sex and emotional upheaval. Yes, I was utterly captivated by this tale. I am so thankful to have read this and I cannot wait for more!

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Interview with Author Larissa Ione and Giveaway

Meet Larissa Ione, author of Reaper.

A former meteorologist and EMT, Air Force veteran Larissa Ione now gets her daily dose of excitement from vampires, werewolves, demons, and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. She lives in wintery Wisconsin with her U.S. Coast Guard husband, her teenage son, a rescue cat, and her hellhound, a King Shepherd named Hexe.

Find Larissa at:

| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

ARC Review: Reaver by Larissa Ione

Larissa Ione has ruined me. First off, if you haven't read Larissa's books before you are seriously missing out. No one else packs as much heat, action, chemistry, humor and swoony moments into a book the way that she can. Her heroes are sexy and her heroines are pretty damn badass. When I grow up I want to be one of her heroines.

The thing I like most about the way Larissa writes her heroines, is that they aren't meek. They are independent and just all around kickass and Harvester is no exception. She brash, bitchy, fierce and at the same time she's vulnerable. She's been burned in the past for being naive and she's grown and learned from it. I really enjoyed seeing this side of her. In previous books she came across bitchy and mean but in this book you see the real side of her and what motivates her in the choices that she's made.

I really enjoyed the chemistry and the heat between Harvester and Reaver. Yes, they claimed to hate each other but there was always something between them. I loved seeing them finally come together and realize their true feelings for one another and just how deep those feelings went.

Reaver was all that I wanted him to be and more. Since the beginning I've always liked him. Yes, he was kind of an ass at times but there was just something about him. I've been waiting for his book for what seems like forever and believe me, it was well worth the wait. I loved getting inside his head and seeing what he was all about. He's fierce and loyal and I love the way he takes care of Harvester. Seriously, LOVE.HIM.

This book is intense and full of in your face action and I loved it. I adore this series and it definitely at the tops my list of favorites. Reaver blew me away.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Rogue Rider by Larissa Ione

I went into this book not sure exactly what to expect. I just wasn't sure how Larissa would be able to redeem Reseph in a way that felt realistic and true to the series. Oh my goodness I don't even know why I worry because Larissa Ione always has a way of blowing my mind. Seriously, I'm not the biggest fan of amnesia story lines. They always seem a bit over the top and completely unrealistic but it actually worked for me this time.

First let me say that I love Reseph. Oh my but is that one sexy horsemen. Not only is he sexy but he is so lovable that it just breaks your heart knowing the things he did while he was Pestilence. I was really skeptical of how his redemption was going to pan out. Would he remember anything? Would it just be swept away under the carpet as if it never happened? I loved the way Larissa had things go down.

Jillian lives alone in a remote Colorado town. She's just trying to forget the demon attack that almost killed her a year ago. When she comes across a man laying naked in the snow she quickly rescues him and takes him back to her cabin. When the man wakes up with no recollection of who he is or where he came from with the exception of his name she knows she must take him into town. But quickly Jillian and Reseph begin to forge a bond and both find it hard to stay away from one another. What starts off a a friendship quickly turns to more and both Jillian and Reseph are finding that their feelings for one another run deep.

Reseph might have no memory of his previous life but he knows that what he feels for Jillian is real and something that he's never felt before. He is determined to love her and keep her safe. When Jillian's neighbors are murdered he somehow knows that it was a demon attack. Reseph begins to feel that he might be the cause and is afraid that he might be a danger to Jillian if he stays around her. When Limos, Thanatos and Ares show up at Jillian's cabin he instantly remembers everything from his past including everything he did as Pestilence.

The way Reseph reacts to what he did as Pestilence is heart breaking. Reseph is such a caring, fun loving guy but as Pestilence he was pure evil and he did truly unspeakable deeds that affected everyone around him. How can anyone forgive him for his acts even though it really wasn't him but Pestilence?

I thought that Jillian was a great heroine. She's a survivor and she's strong, caring and is willing to do whatever needs to be done to help Reseph. I found her a great match for Reseph. I liked that no matter what her love for Reseph is unwavering.

There is a lot happening in this book that will blow your mind and leave you wondering just what Larissa Ione has up her sleeve for future books. Some crazy ish went down and I know that I definitely can't wait to read more from her.

This book blew my mind and I couldn't tear myself away from my kindle. I stayed up to six thirty in the morning to finish because I just couldn't stop reading. Reseph is one sexy mo fo and I LOVED him and Jillian together. I can't wait to get my hands on Reaver's story. I just know it's going to be good. I'm antsy with anticipation.

**ARC copy provided by NetGalley**

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ARC Review: Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione

I am at such a loss for words right now. Lethal Rider was just so good! It was very reminiscent of the books in the Demonica series and I could not stop reading it. I seriously want Thanatos to be my baby daddy! Oh how sexy he is. And not only is he sexy, but he's protective and caring. Qualities you would not expect the Horseman of Death to have. But for real, this book was so good.

When I read Larissa's last book Immoral Rider, I found myself really drawn to Thanatos and Regan. There is just so much chemistry between the two of them. I was really looking forward to seeing how Larissa was going to be able to move forward with the two after the events that took place in Immortal Rider. Larissa did this book justice, because it was so good. Definitely my favorite in the series.

The story picks up eight months after the events of the previous book come to close. Regan is now eight months pregnant and carrying Thanatos' baby. The baby that both the Horseman and the Aegis believe will bring an end to the Apocalypse. Thanatos has spent the last eight months stewing. He's been poisoned with hellhound venom by his brother and sister and being held captive. He has spent the last eight months planning his revenge against Regan. He has no idea that she is pregnant though.

When he is finally able to break free and he goes off to find Regan he is in for the shock of his life. He can't believe that Regan is pregnant and that he's the father. Thanatos is still angry and Regan and feels completely betrayed by her, he still finds himself attracted to her. In all honesty, he's mostly upset that she lied to him and that he's not been able to be there for her for the last eight months. Thanatos has always secretly yearned for a family of his own and now that Regan is pregnant with his child, he is determined to make it happen. He just needs to make Regan realize that she wants it too.

Regan has spent the last eight months reliving the night she betrayed Thanatos. She can't get over how things went down and it makes her sick to think of how she forced Thanatos to have sex with her. On top of her feelings of misgivings, she is having seconds thoughts about giving up her baby. She believes that it's what is best for him because she would be a horrible parent. The closer she gets to giving birth the harder it is for her to think about letting him go. She has grown attached and she loves her baby. Regan grew up being moved from foster family to foster family and has always yearned for a stable family environment.

When Thanatos starts to take care of her and tries to convince her that giving up the baby is wrong, Regan doesn't really know what to think. More than anything she wants to keep her baby and raise it with Thanatos, but will he ever be able to forgive her if she can't forgive herself?

I really enjoyed this book and I felt that Regan and Thanatos were such a perfect match. I loved watching them interact with one another and them both realizes just how strong their feeling for the other were. Also, they both deserved their HEA. They both lived exceptionally hard lives and they both needed someone that would understand the hurt and pain that they've felt. Also, these two had some serious chemistry together. Not only did they have sparks but man did they have some hot scenes together.

All in all, I really liked this book. I felt that this book answered so many questions as well as tied everything together with the events that took place in the Demonica series. I loved that we were able to see how everyone was doing and what they've been up. I can't wait to see how Larissa is going to redeem Reseph, and show how he will deal with all the pain and destruction he's caused.


**ARC copy provided by NetGalley**

Purchase: 
| Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |

ARC Review: Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione

Immortal Rider is another spectacular read by Larissa Ione. Larissa just has a way with creating a world that is so believable and realistic that you feel as if the characters are long lost friends that you are catching up with. I really enjoyed this book but I won't lie. I kind of wish there was a bit more romance between Arik and Limos. Don't get me wrong, I loved these two and they were definitely hot together, but I think with all of the action taking place in the book it became a bit overshadowed.

I won't try to summarize this book because honestly I'm not sure I can. There is just so much happening from the first page to the last, that I found myself continuously turning the page trying to take it all in. I really enjoyed Arik and Limos, and I love them as a couple. I love that even though Limos is the strongest of the two, that Arik is still so protective of her. He shields her as if she is his most valued treasure and I found that so endearing.

Arik was such a surprise to me. I won't lie, I wasn't that enthusiastic of him as a hero because I really didn't like him that much in previous books. He just came off as a controlling, hypocritical jerk that couldn't be bothered by demons and their suffering. I am so glad we got to know him better because I really grew to love him. He is so protective of the ones he loves and cares about, so much so, that he would sell his soul in order to save the ones he loves. I love that he was constantly putting Limos' well being before his own and he was just so protective of her. He was also so understanding and level headed. I'm so glad I got to know him better because he has quickly become one of my favorite heroes.

I found that I really liked Limos. She was just so much more than I was expecting. She has so many different layers that make her so unique. She came off as a hardass, warrior chick who didn't have a care in the world in Eternal Rider but that definitely is not the case with her at all. She may be strong physically but deep down she wants what every woman wants, to be loved, happy and to have a family. She's another one that will do anything to save the ones she loves. Also, she kicks ass! Larissa just has a way with creating such great heroines that are able to keep up with her sexy Alpha heroes.

I won't lie though. Once Regan came onto the scene, I found myself more interested in what was happening between her and Thanatos. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed Arik and Limos' story and their relationship, but I just kept finding myself clamoring for more of Thanatos and Regan's story. I can't wait to see what happens with them in the next book. I swear Larissa Ione just has a way with ending a book that leaves the reader wanting more. You turn to the last page and realize that's it, and now you have to wait six months for the next one. It's brutal but I wouldn't have it any other way!

**ARC copy provided by NetGalley**


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Review: Snowbound by Larissa Ione

I just finished Snowbound and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. I'm normally not the biggest fan of contemporary stories, but this one was done really well. I honestly couldn't put this book down.

I loved the character of Sean. He was real and honest. I like that he wasn't afraid to let his feelings be known. He was definitely a charmer and I loved getting to know him.

As for Robyn, she may seem strong and dependent to others, but with her we see someone who is battling with self-confidence issues that stem from her teens. She just wants to be accepted by others and I love how Sean helps her realize that she is a truly beautiful inside and out.

I really enjoyed these two together. The sparks between them were evident from the beginning and when they finally came together it was electric. I definitely enjoyed seeing these two get their HEA.

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