Lethal Rider (Lords Of Deliverance #3) by Larissa Ione
Paranormal Romance
May 22, 2012
Grand Central

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “See, K, this is why I always want to kill your friends.“

Thanatos is free from the stasis his brother and sister placed him in.

He’s free… and primed for revenge.

Thanatos spent thousands of years celibate in order to avoid breaking his seal and moving the world one step closer to the apocalypse. This is, until the night he is drugged and tricked by the sexy Aegis Guardian, Regan Cooper, into giving up his virginity. Now, with the end of days rapidly approaching, Thanatos finds himself worried less about the apocalypse and more about the prospect of becoming a dad.

Regan Cooper didn’t want to betray Thanatos, but when the Aegis were given information pointing to a child of a Horseman saving the world; she had no choice. Now she is pregnant, scared, and trying to find a way to keep herself and the baby alive in the middle of a war.

As Thanatos struggles to hold on to his anger against Regan, he finds himself slowly falling in love with the mother of his soon to be born child. But as battle lines are drawn, Thanatos finds himself having to make a choice. Save the world, or save his heart.

Thanatos, the Horseman of the Apocalypse known as Death, is not a happy camper. After being tricked into having sex with an Aegis Guardian, he went on a bloody rampage that required his siblings to immobilize him. Eight months and an inhuman amount of Jersey Shore episodes later, he finds himself suddenly free. Now that Than knows exactly what happened that fateful night, he wants a piece of everyone who plotted against him-starting with Regan.

“So, what are you going to do now you’re not frozen solid?”

“First, I’m going to kill those demons and that fallen angel behind you.” The scorpion tattoo on his throat began to sting his neck, it’s tail moving like a pulse, reminding Than that death was what he was meant for. Never one to argue with fate, he swung the scythe in a powerful arc, lobbing off one of the demon’s two heads. He glanced back at Hades, who was looking like he may want some popcorn to go with the action.

“Then I’m going to do the same to the woman who betrayed me.”

Than spirits Regan away from the Aegis stronghold she was hiding in and prepares to exact his revenge. However, Regan is pregnant with his child and that is the key to softening Than’s heart. His one wish has always been to have a family. Than’s revenge will have to wait though as everyone seems to be gunning for Than and Ragan’s unborn child.

Lethal Rider is the explosive third installment of Larissa Ione’s dark, dangerous, and wickedly sinful Lords of Deliverance series. A true PNR that delivers well crafted characters, devious plots lines, and engaging dialogue that rivals most offerings out there. I love the balance created in here between the sexy romance and the heart pounding action. Though you know your happy ending is coming, the path that you follow to this is fraught with peril and pain, and all you can do ride it out as Ione weaves her magic around you. It slams you out of the gate and doesn’t slow down till you reach the last page. Incredible world building allows for easy comprehension even though it is rather convoluted.These are not stand alones. Filled with dark plots, wicked humor, and plenty of snark; you will find yourself devouring each page as new subplots yield bigger clues and dangerous situations, leading us towards our final outcome.

Ione has given us two extremely damaged protagonists in Thanatos and Regan. Betrayed and feared by those they trust most, your heart breaks as you learn of the trials and tribulations that have made them what they are today. Than has spent his life alone in difference of his curse. Being death only serves to isolate him for those he loves and he uses his reputation for violence to ensure no one gets too close to him. Regan is half demon and her birthright resulted in her isolation as a child and being treated as the enemy by the Aegis. They both are scared individuals who have spent their lives waiting for the blows to come as they continuously strive to prove their worth. Trust does not come easy to either of them. I will admit it took me awhile to warm up to Regan. It’s easier once you learn the whole shocking circumstances behind her seduction of Than; but there were still aspects of her personality that rubbed me wrong.

Though the smexy times is few and far between, the chemistry and sexual tension between Than and Regan is hot and heavy.

“You’re going to pleasure me.” He got a dark, wicked thrill from her sharp inhale. “Whenever I want. At my every whim.”

I appreciated the fact that Ione takes her time in allowing Than and Regan get to know one another while coming to terms with everything that has happened. Their future was imposed upon them by deceptive means and it’s gratifying to see that the situation is given the seriousness that it deserves. It’s hard on Than because every direction he turns in, he is met with evidence of betrayal. It’s especially hard on Regan because not only must she face that fact that the Aegis betrayed her; she also has to accept her own dishonorable actions. It’s not all frowny faces though. Ione’s trademark sly humor and cackling good one liners litter the pages and you find yourself laughing at the most inappropriate things.

“I got here as soon as I could.” He strode over to Regan. “The message I got was that we are dealing with hypothermia?’

“Obviously,” Than said, “she’s better. No thanks to you. But she’s having…what are they called? Breaking dicks?”

“Braxton hicks.”

We see many old faces in here from this series and her Demonica series; adding depth and continence to the ever evolving arc. Wraith continues amuse as he and Kyran strive to keep the supernatural sector safe. The Aegis play a larger role in this installment and their actions are shocking. Shocking, I say! There are some fabulous side stories that will leave you panting for more as Ms. Ione teasingly gives us more clues to the heavier roles Heaven and Hell will play in this series. We also meet some new characters who promise us some wild rides in the future.

The ending is an intense, emotional roller coaster ride of deception, betrayal, and redemption as Ms. Ione further sets the stage for what is sure to be a battle of a lifetime. We are lucky in that the fourth book in the series, Rogue Rider, is set to releases November 2012. Larissa Ione is the queen of demonic goodness and perfect for all PNR readers who love their heroes and heroines to be kick ass, sexy, funny, and always willing to cross the line.

Overall Rating: A

Recent Reviews:
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Fiction Vixen – A
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Wicked Little Pixie – 4/5
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