Blog Tour, Excerpt and Review - Reaper by Larissa Ione
"Reaper is . . . Epic. Thrilling. Amazing. No one can suck me into a story like Larissa Ione." -- Donna Grant, New York Times bestselling author”
For love, he’ll watch the world burn.
For revenge, he’ll light the match.
New York Times bestselling author Larissa Ione returns to her fan favorite Demonica Series with REAPER, available now!
THE DEMONICA SERIES RETURNS…
He is the Keeper of Souls. Judge, jury, and executioner. He is death personified.
He is the Grim Reaper.
A fallen angel who commands the respect of both Heaven and Hell, Azagoth has presided over his own underworld realm for thousands of years. As the overlord of evil souls, he maintains balance crucial to the existence of life on Earth and beyond. But as all the realms gear up for the prophesied End of Days, the ties that bind him to Sheoul-gra have begun to chafe.
Now, with his beloved mate and unborn child the target of an ancient enemy, Azagoth will stop at nothing to save them, even if it means breaking blood oaths and shattering age-old alliances.
Even if it means destroying himself and setting the world on fire…
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Review
There are books that some readers talk about like they are thrilling of the keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind, while others think that some parts or at least scenes were still a little bit slow. Well, this is not it. I really can't imagine anybody saying that any segment of this story would be drawled out.
There are a lot of happenings - good and bad - and action in this book, and not only because it wraps up a whole arc in all series of the Demonica world. We don't have to wait for a long time and read half of the story to get to the point where the so called s**t hits the fan, or should I rather say, where all hell breaks loose (never has been a more fitting expression). Practically every scene has some kind of significance, there is something going on everytime.
That is why it is also a very emotion packed read as well, besides all the action. If you are looking for an emotional roller-coaster, well, don't look further. There is everything - anger, sadness, surprise and shock, spiced with a lot of fun and tension. Just to mention a few.
I really wouldn't like to give away anything, so I'm just going to say this - you have to trust Larissa Ione with this one. It is not by chance that she herself asks for this at the start of the book in a note. In my opinion it is a very very very brave and ballsy venture from her that she let this story go in this form. You seriously have to respect her for that. I mean, yes, there are a lot of really dark and gruesome scenes, but those are in other books, too. And even in this some exact deeds are left to the reader's imagination. But some things that happen to some beloved characters... Those of us who followed all series in this world might even want to put the book down at some points, mainly one, but be sure to pick it up again and read it all - you won't regret it, I promise.
On a lighter note, I have to mention that I was so glad to see almost every character from the aforementioned series - Demonica, Demonica Underworld and Lords of Deliverance. We got at least smaller glimpses into their lives, and some of them even got rather long parts, or own scenes. For me it is always good to meet previous couples.
In this, Reaper seemed also like a mix of the two main series, and I loved how in the latest books generally, the characters seemed to mix as well, more and more. They became friends and family to each other, that is why we can talk about a single world now instead of two, or just a series with an almost independent spin-off.
I always hoped for another story, be that a novel or just another novella, about Azagoth, and I really got what I expected - their relationship with Lilliana went through rough times, but came out stronger. You can pactically feel what they do for each other, and it is believable and swoon-worthy. All this while the center and majority of this story wasn't really about the romance.
So if I had to say a negative thing about the book, it could only be a lack of more romantic scenes between the main couple. But considering the events that happen very soon at the start of the story, and all the twists and turns and to-dos and wrapping up that fulfill all of it, I can't say that could have been a critical point or even a fault.
The book turned out exactly as it should, and we can only thank Larissa Ione for that.
I can't wait to read about the adventures of the next generation after they grow up!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Excerpt
“I have no doubt Azagoth will stop at nothing to save Lilliana,” Reaver admitted. “But he knows that if he releases Satan, Satan will kill Lilliana. He can’t risk it.”“What do you suggest we do then?”
“I can talk to him,” Reaver said. “Hawkyn requested information about a fallen angel named Flail. I’ll use that as an excuse to get to Azagoth.”
A flock of gulls squawked as the birds circled the palace, looking for handouts from Caila’s guests, and Metatron had to raise his voice to be heard. “You said he sealed off Sheoul-gra.”
“Hawkyn will open it to me if I can convince him that I’m not there to destroy his father.”
It shouldn’t be a problem; Hawkyn wouldn’t have contacted Reaver at all if he weren’t sure Reaver could handle the situation without killing anyone.
“And if Azagoth is out of control?” Metatron asked. “Will you destroy him?”
“Isn’t it a little early to be discussing that?”
Metatron rolled his shoulders, probably not even aware he’d done it, but Reaver knew he was testing his wings and his powers, feeling them out at the thought that shit might get really fucking biblical real soon.
“He can’t be allowed to release Satan,” he said, fire in his tone. “And he can’t be allowed to escape Sheoul-gra.”
“Would escaping be such a bad thing?”
Reaver wasn’t Azagoth’s biggest fan, but the guy had been trapped for thousands of years. He’d proven that he was capable of wrangling souls and navigating the politics of both Sheoul and Heaven. He’d chilled out a lot since getting mated, too. Seemed like it wouldn’t be a big deal if he lived where he wanted and commuted to work.
Metatron appeared troubled that Reaver would even ask such an apparently insane question. “Yes, it could be bad.”
“Why?” Reaver asked. “I mean, I get that he’s an asshole, but a lot bigger assholes are running around loose.”
Like the fallen angels who had killed Wraith. He clenched his fists, wishing he was out hunting them right now.
“Azagoth signed contracts,” Metatron said. “Contracts sealed with the powers of Heaven and Sheoul. We don’t know what kind of damage we’d take if he made that big of a breach.”
Sounded kind of minor to Reaver, but he knew well how seriously Heaven took broken rules and breaches of contract. They also weren’t fond of Heaven being damaged, which was why Revenant, while technically welcome here, wasn’t…welcome. His presence destroyed everything around him.
“Okay,” Reaver said. “Let me grab the info on Flail and give Hawkyn a call. I’ll let you know what happens. And, Uncle?”
Metatron inclined his head.
“I want this to stay between us for now.”
Silence stretched. Not even the gulls called out, and Reaver started to sweat. Metatron had always been fair and by-the-book, which was probably part of why Reaver had been such a rule breaker as a youth. And beyond. Hell, he still was, he just wasn’t as reckless about it now.
Responsibility was a bitch.
About Larissa Ione
Air 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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