Larissa Ione's fourth novel in her Demonica series, Ecstasy Unveiled, has just hit the shelves, and Underworld General Hospital is about to get very, very busy. To earn his freedom, Lore, an enslaved half-demon assassin, has to make only one more kill: Kynan, a human who he brought back to life so he could fulfill an important destiny. Of course when Lore refuses, he learns there's a catch: if he doesn't kill Kynan, his sister Sin will die.
Idess is a beautiful half-angel trying to earn her way into Heaven, and part of the job is to protect a few special humans like Kynan. She also has to remain pure of heart, chaste of body and otherwise worthy of the wings. When she discovers Lore preparing to kill Kynan, she intervenes, and ends up capturing the handsome, reluctant assassin. She doesn't want to kill Lore, who is as wildly attracted to her as she is to him, but she will if she has to. At least until Heaven sticks her with the job of also protecting Lore.
This was a lightning-speed TGV of a book; I don't think the pace let up for a second. I certainly couldn't put the book down long enough to get anything done that night, so clear your schedule for this one. I also really enjoyed how the author explored the themes of loyalty and temptation, and what happens when the two collide. As a series author I can assure you that weaving in multiple-novel backstory becomes more difficult with each progressive book, but Larissa actually makes it look effortless. This is a great addition to the series, and I'm looking forward to the next book, which will have Sin's story (and there's a tantalizing preview of Sin Undone in the back pages.)
As always, you don't have to take my word for it. In comments to this post, name the last book you read that you couldn't put down (or if you haven't read anything riveting lately, just toss your name in the hat) by midnight EST on Friday, February 5, 2010. I'll draw five names at random from everyone who participates and send the winners an unsigned copy of Ecstasy Unveiled by Larissa Ione. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.
