Rogue Rider (Lords of Deliverance #4) by Larissa Ione
Paranormal Romance
November 20, 2012
Grand Central
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “I’m really not in Kansas anymore.“
Reseph was the first Horseman to break his seal, becoming the sadistic Pestilence. Beginning in book one Eternal Rider, we have watched Pestilence do everything in his power to bring about the Apocalypse. At the end of book three Lethal Rider, Pestilence is stabbed, immobilized, and his soul sent to Sheoul (hell) to be tortured for eternity. Reaver, the Horsemens’ angelic watcher, makes a deal with Hades and secures Reseph’s release. Reseph awakens in the middle of a snow storm, naked, with no memory of his past or present. He is found by Jillian, a human woman, and she nurses him back to health. Jillian and Reseph slowly learn to trust one another and eventually fall in love, only to be surprised when his siblings find him, inform him of who and what he was, and take him back to Ares home in Greece. Jillian is shocked by the Horsemen’s accusations, especially when she realized that Reseph is Pestilence, the same demon who terrorized her into seclusion. As Jillian and Reseph siblings try to make peace with what he did as Pestilence, there is a greater evil coming for them, an evil that only Pestilence can destroy.
I am a HUGE fan of Larissa Ione and her Lords Of Deliverance series. We have all waited impatiently for Reseph’s story and readers will be ecstatic with this latest installment. Rogue Rider is a story filled with redemption, forgiveness, sacrifice and love. It engulfs you at page one and doesn’t let go until you reach the last page. Incredible world building allows for easy comprehension even though it is rather convoluted. Filled with dark action, humorous snark, and some amazingly poignant scenes, you will find yourself devouring each page as the subplots yield bigger clues and dangerous situations, leaving us grasping for book five.
Reseph has A LOT to atone for and Ione doesn’t take any shortcuts with his story. I wasn’t sure Ione could turn Reseph from villain to hero, but I should have known better than to doubt her. We were never able to see what Reseph was like before his seal broke, so we are given a wonderful treat as we see the old, caring Reseph. Not only is he is sex on a stick, but his insides are just as beautiful as his outsides. And boy oh boy are his outsides pretty! He truly feels deep remorse for what he did as Pestilence. We watch him grapple with the knowledge of what he did to the world and accept the fact that he may not be able to atone for it. It’s heartbreaking to watch his siblings treat him with anger and disgust. Even though they know what he did, he did as Pestilence and not Reseph, it’s still hard for them to accept that he and Pestilence are two separate people.
Jillian is a fantastic heroine and a perfect match for Reseph. Human with a traumatic past, she rises above it and continues to try and live her life as normal as possible, even after having been touched by pure evil. Once she discovers who Reseph really is, she realistically panics yet when she is offered a chance to help him, she doesn’t hesitate. Smart and loyal, it’s her heart that shines pure and golden. She has seen the good in Reseph and that is the part she will do anything to save.
The chemistry between Jillian and Reseph is explosive and singes the pages. This is true love, born from the ashes of despair and pain. Though Ione deviates from the norm, having her couple fall in love relatively fast in the very beginning, it doesn’t take from the story in the least bit. The smexy times are hot and plentiful. One thing Ione can do and do well, is write incredible love scenes. Reseph is a sensual person naturally and when faced with the woman he loves-watch out. He gives his all into making Jillian his.
“I want you under me. I want to claim you, get myself all over you. And as much as I’d love to mount you right here in public, right now—and I think in my past, I would have—I never want anyone to see you like that but me.”
Throughout the main conflict, we glean more information as to the Horsemen’s conception and the machiavellian manipulations by all who has a stake in the doomsday prophecy. We catch up on the actions of old characters and new ones are introduced who once again leave us wondering where they stand in the great scheme of things. What I really love about this series is the lines between good and evil are blurred and preconceived notions are quickly disabused.. Everyone has picked a side yet Ione uses smoke and mirrors to keep us guessing the who’s and why’s. There is a delightful sub story involving Reaver and Harvester that demands satisfaction. I cannot WAIT to see where Ione goes with that one. There were some scenes that didn’t reveal as deeply as I would have liked. Another bone of contention is that the Horsemen ALWAYS ride in, kidnap, and subdue a sibling without asking them any questions. Even when the same thing has happened to each of them and they should know better.
The ending is incredible as a series of highly explosive events and revelations lead us to a climatic conclusion. I believe Reaver’s book is next and I for one cannot wait. Book 6-title to be announced-releases Fall 2013. I wholeheartedly recommend this series for every paranormal and romance reader who enjoys nonstop action, suspense, humor, and some extra steamy romance between the sheets.
Overall Rating: B+
Today, the publisher is giving away one set of the Lord of Deliverance series.
So one random commenter will win:
Eternal Rider, Immortal Rider, Lethal Rider and Rogue Rider. – Winner can choose print or digital copies.
To enter, just leave a comment. Open to US only. Contest open through November 22.
November 19, 2012 at 8:26 am
Woot! I’m so glad to hear you liked the book so much! I can’t wait to read Reseph’s story – I was wondering how she would redeem him!
November 19, 2012 at 8:46 am
looking forward to reading this book!!!!
November 19, 2012 at 11:08 am
I would love these books! Thanks for the opportunity!!
November 19, 2012 at 11:33 am
OH!!!!!! What an awesome giveaway! Thanks so much for sharing and for the great review. I’m dying to read this series!
November 19, 2012 at 12:40 pm
I love Larissa Ione. She has yet to write anything that I didn’t like. Can’t wait to read this one! Thanks for the giveaway
November 19, 2012 at 1:04 pm
I have not read any of the Lords books yet and this series sounds yummy!
November 19, 2012 at 1:31 pm
So excited for Rogue Rider! I love this series and Larissa Ione
November 19, 2012 at 2:00 pm
Oh wow, this sounds fantastic, I cannot wait for this book to come out! I am seriously going to have my head stuck in my Nook from now until Christmas with all these great books coming out lately. So much to read and so little time!
November 19, 2012 at 2:32 pm
I am looking forward to reading this series. Have been holding off, being short on free time, but this author’s books are just so wonderful.
November 19, 2012 at 2:46 pm
I would love these books!
November 19, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Thanks for the great giveaway. I love this series, actually anything Larissa writes. I can’t wait to read more from her.
November 19, 2012 at 2:51 pm
I would love these books! Cannot wait to read rogue rider.
November 19, 2012 at 2:59 pm
Love all of Larissa’s books!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
November 19, 2012 at 3:19 pm
i love this series! and adding it to my collection would be so nice
November 19, 2012 at 3:20 pm
ONE MORE DAY!!! Can’t wait! Thanks for the review and giveaway.
November 19, 2012 at 5:11 pm
This series looks great. And I love that there are already a bunch of books out in it. That means lots of books to read in a row. Especially if I win them. Ha.
November 19, 2012 at 5:12 pm
I’m a little bit behind on the series, but can’t wait to get caught up! I’m really glad that you liked the book, which is prompting me to get reading!! Thanks for the fantastic giveaway. bpatrick64113@sbcglobal.net
November 19, 2012 at 6:15 pm
Would love to win this series. Thanks for the giveaway!
November 19, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Pretty, pretty please!
November 19, 2012 at 8:10 pm
Never read this series before but definitely will give it a try.
November 19, 2012 at 9:03 pm
haven’t read any yet, but they sound so interesting & I hear such good things that they keep popping up on my reading radar
would love to win a set. thanks for the chance
November 19, 2012 at 9:42 pm
Can’t wait for Reseph’s story! Am I the only one, who doesn’t like this cover?
Thanks, for the giveaway!
November 19, 2012 at 10:18 pm
I would love to win the whole series. Thanks for the review.
November 19, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Can’t wait to read Reseph’s story! Thanks for the giveaway!
beckerjo at verizon dot net
November 19, 2012 at 11:45 pm
I can’t wait to read this installment! This is a great series.
November 20, 2012 at 2:00 am
I would love to own this series!!! A friend of mine lent me one of Larissa’s books and I absolutely loved it! So having a set of my own to read again and again would be great!
November 20, 2012 at 2:26 am
Whoo-Hoo! Finally release day for ROGUE RIDER! I absolutely love Larissa Ione’s stories, the world she built, the huge variety of characters, the action, the sexiness!
I am really looking forward to seeing how she turns Reseph into a hero, since he has been the bad guy in the series so far (not that it was his fault exactly).
June
November 20, 2012 at 3:39 am
Thanks for the awesome giveaway! I can’t wait to start this series!
November 20, 2012 at 6:32 am
This series looks so good. Thanks for the giveaway!
November 20, 2012 at 7:41 am
I love the Demonica series, but haven’t started this one yet so I’d love a set.
November 20, 2012 at 8:28 am
I loved the Demonica series, Larissa’s writing is phenomenal! Can’t wait to read LOD, thank you for the chance!
November 20, 2012 at 9:39 am
Thanks so much for the great reviews. I have found so many great books because of you. Thanks again.
November 20, 2012 at 10:58 am
The other books have been great! Can’t wait to read this one!!
November 20, 2012 at 11:21 am
Can’t wait to read this! Please count me in!
November 20, 2012 at 11:22 am
Great series, thanks for the giveaway!
November 20, 2012 at 12:44 pm
This looks like a fascinating series! I have definite plans to watch out for Larissa Ione and check out her stories. Thanks for your review,Tori!
November 20, 2012 at 1:08 pm
I’ve started reading this series and can’t wait to finish it!
November 20, 2012 at 3:04 pm
Sounds good, and those riders just seem hot
November 20, 2012 at 4:41 pm
I loved the Demonica series and these are right up there with them! She is a fantastic author!
November 20, 2012 at 5:42 pm
Great giveaway!
Thanks so much for the chance!
November 20, 2012 at 8:00 pm
I keep hearing all these wonderful things about Larissa Ione and I’ve never gotten around to actually picking up one of her titles. Looks like she’ll have to go up to the top of my TBR list now that the series is complete and I can binge-read them if I get totally hooked.
(Also, thanks for the chance at winning the whole set!)
November 20, 2012 at 8:22 pm
I have GOT to get caught up on this series. Sounds like the ending is fantastic!
November 20, 2012 at 8:57 pm
I would love to own these guys! Books! I mean books
November 20, 2012 at 9:07 pm
These sound like great books! I would love to read them.
November 20, 2012 at 11:07 pm
Love the Demonica series and I’ve been looking forward to starting the Lords of Deliverance series. What a great opportunity to get them all at once!
November 20, 2012 at 11:27 pm
Hope it’s me!
November 21, 2012 at 1:06 pm
Oh I so want to win this drawing, Larissa’s books are fabulous!
November 21, 2012 at 2:33 pm
Love your books!
November 21, 2012 at 10:34 pm
Haven’t read this series yet, but I’m kind of itching to do so!
November 22, 2012 at 11:21 pm
Sounds like a good series.