Review: Revenant by Larissa Ione

Revenant
Author: Larissa Ione
Reviewer: Jen Twimom
Rating: A-

What I’m Talking About:

How do I summarize a story that has been in the making for ten whole books (well at least five books)?! Revenant is not only the wonderful story of a broken male finding love, but the exciting culmination and climax of the ultimate battle between the heavens and  underworld that began back with the first Lords of Deliverance title. Because of the nature of this series, I strongly urge one NOT to read Revenant as a stand alone book. You will be confused. There is such a huge amount of back story that even I was a bit lost for a while. Fortunately, I take good notes while reading books, and the author provides a summary of the most recent events that occurred in the previous book, Reaver.

Although he believed himself an evil fallen angel, Revenant recently discovered he’s an angel that was raised in Sheoul by Satan – fed his blood and inherently Satan’s son. Also, his twin brother, Reaver, was raised in Heaven by the angels themselves. Recently, both angels were raised to one of the highest levels an angel can obtain, and Revenant is now a Shadow Angel, second only to Satan, but will be less powerful than Lucifer when he is reborn. This is important to understand, and angelic politics are tough to follow from time to time.

On a personal level, Rev is obsessed with Blaspheme, a doctor at UGH. Although Blas appears to be a False Angel, the reader knows she’s actually something else, something which places a big target on her back and keeps her on the run. The last thing she needs is the attention from a power angel who could easily eliminate her. Yet, she finds herself comforted by Rev, trusting him when she knows better. But what will happen when Rev discovers the truth?

Revenant is epic in scope without feeling like a big book. I blazed through the story, glued to the pages until the very end. The romance between Rev and Blas is wonderful. Although they have drastically different pasts, they both have broken histories, and I like that they find solace in one another. Even though neither can explain it, they trust each other implicitly and open up in ways that neither has experienced before. Their shared moments are honest and tender, creating an intense emotional connection. I found the romance to be my favorite part of the book. The pair has off-the-charts chemistry and their sex scenes are both hot and intense. I loved how they get past the surface, and even when things are at their worst, hold on to the connection they built and use it to pull out of the depths.

I also enjoyed the individual personal journeys that both Rev and Blas face. While their individual growth is strongly intertwined to their developing bond, both Rev and Blas have to deal with personal issues on their own. Blas is hiding a secret that will destroy her, as well as those close to her. The fact that she takes a leap of faith by trusting Eideon is momentous, and furthers my admiration for Blas. E and Blas share a couple of conversations that made me misty-eyed. On the other hand, everyone now knows most of Rev’s past, and he must rise above the hurt and pain to forgive himself and his brother, Reaver. Their back and forth is primal at times, and rough at best. Watching Rev and Reaver learn to get over the past was rewarding, although not quite as emotional for me.

Meanwhile, things are coming to a head in the battle between Sheoul and Heaven. Satan is anxiously awaiting the rebirth of Lucifer via the evil angel, Gethel. In heaven, Raphael is still a big jerk and up to something. These issues, which have been in the making for several books, all conclude in Revenant. While the politics of the whole ordeal still have me scratching my head, making the story a bit difficult to follow at times, I am satisfied, even happy, with how it all concludes. I like how it all ties back into prophecy and stories shared during the course of the series.

In the end, I enjoyed Revenant and all his story has to offer. The Demonic series is one of my favorites, with the expansion of the mythology brought about with the start of the Lords of Deliverance series taking it from a sexy yet simple paranormal romance to a complex, darker, richer series. Revenant ties all parts of this world and its series together nicely. Seeing familiar faces was highly entertaining, and I am glad that not everything was wrapped up perfectly.

Overall, the story of Blas and Rev was delightful, entertaining, and uber sexy. I really like the two together. I appreciate that even when they got mad, they talked it out and didn’t walk away. We really didn’t know much about Revenant until recently, but I feel like he made leaps and bounds in the book in a good way. The story was filled with great action scenes, a little heavy on the gore and gruesome, but no more than usual for the author. The flow of the story was great, not bogged down by world building and back story, with just enough to remind long time fans what happened in earlier installments. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Ione has in store for us next!

My Rating:  A- Enjoyed A Lot

About the Book:

HELL HATH NO FURY . . .

For five thousand years, Revenant believed he was alone in the world, a fallen angel beyond any redemption. Now he finds he has a twin brother who had all the light and love Revenant was denied. Caught in a tug of war between Heaven and Hell, he must weigh his thirst for revenge against his desire for a mysterious female named Blaspheme—a female whose very origins could deliver him into salvation . . . or destruction.

LIKE AN ANGEL SCORNED

Blaspheme has a deadly secret: she’s the forbidden offspring of an angel and a fallen angel. Hunted by both heavenly and satanic forces, she has survived only by laying low and trusting no one. When Revenant claims he can save them both, how can she possibly believe him? But the powerful angel is persistence incarnate and for Blaspheme, there’s no place she can hide in Heaven or Hell where he won’t find her . . .

Release Date: December 16, 2014
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Series: Demonica #11 (Lords of Deliverance #6)
ISBN: #978-1455526987
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): paperback (416 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: Publisher/NetGalley

Purchase Info:
Revenant (Demonica #11)

Reviews in the Series:
Eternity Embraced by Larissa Ione (Demonica #3.5)
Sin Undone by Larissa Ione (Demonica #5)
Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione (Lords of Deliverance #1 / Demonica #6)
Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione (Lords of Deliverance #2 / Demonica #7)
Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione (Lords of Deliverance #3 / Demonica #8)
Rogue Rider by Larissa Ione (Lords of Deliverance #4 / Demonica #9)
Reaver by Larissa Ione (Demonica #10 / Lords of Deliverance #5)
Azagoth by Larissa Ione (Demonica #10.5)