Title: Eternal Rider (Lords of Deliverance Book 1)

Author: Larissa Ione

Redonk Nutshell:

Official Synopsis: They are here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. His name is Ares, and the fate of mankind rests on his powerful shoulders. If he falls to the forces of evil, the world falls too. As one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, he is far stronger than any mortal, but even he cannot fight his destiny forever. Not when his own brother plots against him. Yet there is one last hope. Gifted in a way other humans can’t-or won’t-understand, Cara Thornhart is the key to both this Horseman’s safety and his doom. But involving Cara will prove treacherous, even beyond the maddening, dangerous desire that seizes them the moment they meet. For staving off eternal darkness could have a staggering cost: Cara’s life.

Larissa Ione is known for her Demonica series, and her Four Horsemen series is something of a spin off. Set in the same “world,” Eternal Rider is the story of Ares, or War, and his race to keep his seal, well, sealed. I read the first in the Demonica series a long time ago, so I was fairly familiar with Ione’s world, though not intimately familiar with the cast of supporting characters that makes an appearance throughout the novel. That said, my lack of previous knowledge didn’t tear from the plot of Eternal Rider. If you roll with it, things will gradually fall into place.

This book was steamy, sensual, and dark, a combination I particularly am drawn to. I love the premise of The Four Horsemen, one of which, mind you, is a woman. Ione’s horsemen are drawn around and into her demon and vampire filled world. They’re immortal, and they’re warriors, each drawn to their prospective titles (i.e. Ares is drawn to any and all conflicts, Death is drawn to, well, large scale death, etc.). They’re actually somewhat normal, personality-wise, until their seals are broken. Then all hell breaks lose. Literally. Their alter egos come raging forth, and their humanity vanishes.

Eternal Rider is Ares’s story, and his quest to keep his seal from being broken. His brother, Pestilence, had his seal broken toward the end of the last Demonica book, and has been riding roughshod all over creation trying to find the person that can break Ares’s seal. It’s a race to find and protect the other half of his seal, and to keep the Apocalypse from coming. Ares’s quest leads him to Cara, a human that’s abruptly pulled into his battle against her will.

I thought Eternal Rider was a really fun read. I love the erotic feel, as well as the dark and brooding premise of the book. Finding love at the end of the world…fantastic. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next few.

Cover Alert: The next cover for book two Immortal Rider was revealed via Smexy Books: Me likey.

Rating: B

Romance: 2/5 Raunch: 4.5/5