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    Eternal Rider: A Lords of Deliverance Novel
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    Eternal Rider: A Lords of Deliverance Novel
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    Eternal Rider: A Lords of Deliverance Novel
    Audiobook12 hours

    Eternal Rider: A Lords of Deliverance Novel

    Written by Larissa Ione

    Narrated by Hilary Huber

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    The prophecies were there but no one listened. Until now. They are the Lords of Deliverance and they have the power to usher in Doomsday . . . or prevent it.

    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.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLittle, Brown (Hachette UK) Audio
    Release dateApr 21, 2011
    ISBN9781405509848
    Unavailable
    Eternal Rider: A Lords of Deliverance Novel
    Author

    Larissa Ione

    Larissa Ione is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the Demonica and  connected Lords of Deliverance series, as well as the MoonBound Clan Vampire series and other contemporary novels. An Air Force veteran, she traded in her career in meteorology to pursue her passion for writing. She lives in Wisconsin with her US Coast Guard husband, her teenage son, a rescue cat named Vegas, and her very own hellhound, Hexe. Visit her at LarissaIone.com.

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    Reviews for Eternal Rider

    4/5

    204 ratings23 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I have loved Larissa's books since picking up the first in the Demonica Series, and as sad as I was to see that amazing series end; I am happy to start on this new series with her. Lords of Deliverance starts off with Eternal Rider. At first it was a little hard for me to get into the book, but once I caught on I couldn't put it down. Larissa brings a whole new light to the Four Horsemen, and as always there are some pretty steamy scenes!!

      I love that Larissa made one of the Horsemen a woman and that all of the Horsemen are related. I can't wait for the next installment:)
    • 5/5
      Read from March 04 to 05, 2013Read/Listened for Fun (Paperback/Audible)Overall Rating: 4.50Story Rating: 4.50Character Rating: 4.50Audio Rating: 3.75 (Not part of the overall rating)I will be doing this in love letter form since I read Books 1 to 4 back to back “She'd read somewhere that normal, healthy men got up to twenty erections a day. Um...yep, Ares was definitely healthy.”― Larissa Ione, Eternal Rider Love Letter to Ares/War and CaraDear Ares: You are what a man of war should be: logical, strategical, and focused. I love that you are loyal, hard-nosed, and clearly in charge of your surroundings. However, it was the second you got knocked on your ass by Cara and your world started spinning that I really fell in love with you! I do like that there was resolution of some of the things from your past. Now I hope you and Cara have a long and animal filled life.Dear Cara: How can I not want to have girls night out with a girl who loves animals so dearly. I am thinking I need a hellhound except that I am pretty sure my furrbabies would just teach it how to be lazy. I love that you are strong, smart, and mouthy. Thank you for not breaking Ares seal and making the world safe from War. You are the kind of woman who would be an awesome friend. One of my favorite types of leading ladies.Dear Story: You were so action packed, thrilling, and good paced. I was impressed with the mythology tweaking. All of the elements (Guardians, Horseman, Watchers) were fascinating and drew me in immediately. I can't wait to see where we are going next! Just going to say it (don't get made) but I feel bad for "R/P". He didn't want to be what he is!Audio Thought: Narrated by Hillary Huber / LENGTH 12 hrs and 33 mins Hillary did a pretty good job! I thought her pacing was excellent and it didn't take me long to get into the voices at all. The only thing that was a little off-putting was Pest's voice. It took me forever to get comfortable with it. I switched over to the paper copy at the end but that has nothing to do with the narrations and all about my impatience.
    • 4/5
      This was my first Larissa Ione book and my first venture into the Demonica world. It will not be my last. Although this is the first in the Lords of Deliverance series, I am going to go back and read the original Demonica books because I think they will help me understand some of the things that are happening. I am skipping my usual plot summary because I can thing of no short and simple summary that would not just be confusing. Let me say that I enjoyed this book even though it got a bit bloody for me in parts. The characters are so compelling and fun that it is hard not to like them, even some of the not so nice ones. I certainly want to see where this is going. I can't resist an impending Apocalypse.
    • 5/5
      Ares is one of the four Horsemen of the apocalypse. Whilst he his seal remains intact, he, and his siblings, remain teetering on the line of good and evil. When the Warg Plague (released by Sin in Sin Undone, Demonica book #5) breaks the seal of one of the brothers, and releases Pestilence on the world, the race is on to stop him from breaking the other seals, bringing forth Armageddon. According to the prophecies, the next seal to fall must be that of Ares, releasing War. When the fallen Angel who bears the seal transfers it to Cara, the race against time to save her life begins. The seal was never intended for humans to carry, so it will slowly eat away at her life force and kill her. However, if she dies then Ares curse will be unleashed, he will become War and the end of the world is nigh! Nobody said that saving the world would be easy...

      You do need to read the Demonica series before starting this book. The characters from that series (*sigh* helllloooooo Wraith :D) all appear and this book is a direct consequence of the Warg plague from Sin Undone. However, I whole heartedly reccomend that series and, if this book is anything to go by, I think this series could be an auto-buy too! Ares is a big, badass Mofo who despises humans and himself. An immortal that has lived for millennia, he has seen everyone he loved mown down by the evil that he really doesn’t want to join. Upon meeting Cara, he begins to feel things that he shouldn’t, and not only because she drains his powers and makes him slightly more human. Cara is a totem-princess, which means she can heal animals, taking her pain into herself. Upon saving a hellhound from certain death (the very cute Hal), she becomes bound to the grateful pup, leaving her slightly more powerful and therefore slightly less susceptible to the draining power of the seal. Ultimately, this means she is around for a little longer to worm her way under his armour. Ares has to look after her closely and therefore takes her to his home in Greece. Invading his world, and his home, Ares starts to see Cara as more than a seal he has to protect to save his remaining slither of humanity, and as a person who he could actually care for. Finally giving into his lust for her, they start on a journey that they both know has a time limit. When Pestilence starts to threaten her, Ares has to consider the uneasy scenario of choosing his brother or his mate.

      Ione is a master of world building and this book is no exception. The folklore, and biblical references, which are interwoven within the world of the Demonica series, is artfully crafted into a gripping storyline that grabs you by the throat and reels you in. Another reason that I recommend reading the Demonica series before this one is that, without the background stories, trying to embrace this world alongside the new characters, could be a little taxing. The prologue was very information heavy and that was for a constant rereader of the Demonica series! There are also many references to past characters and situations, which would be confusing to a newbie. We also see the birth of the Kynan and Gem’s baby in this one (yay :D) and, if you had never met them before, you wouldn’t care. I did also love meeting the new characters, especially Thanatos (death) and Limos (famine). By chapter one Pestilence had already appeared, so we never really met Reseph. We did see some flashbacks of him before and he seemed like a nice, caring brother. Unfortunately, the Pestilence that we meet is a horrible man. We see him intentionally start plagues, diseases and wars to try to break his sibling’s seals. We see him rape, torture, maim and kill for fun. To be honest I was rooting for his death, but his brothers and sister (Limos is female) want to try to save him, terrified that, if they can’t save him, there would be no hope for them if they found themselves in a similar situation arose.

      Both characters are immensely likeable and that is another reason that I enjoyed this book so much. Ares may seem like a complete arse sometimes, but he truly is a sweetheart. He falls completely for Cara and is even willing to give up his long-standing feud with Hellhounds for her. Cara is a woman with a backbone of steel but a heart of gold...perfect for a Horseman of the Apocalypse. The chemistry between them is electric and I want you all to look out for some very creative use of trees :D

      The next book is Limos and Arik, from Sin Undone. He does feature quite heavy in this book as the contact between the Horsemen and the Aegis. To be honest I’m not sure I can wait until December :D
    • 4/5
      Eternal Rider is the first book of the Lords of Deliverance series which is also a spin-off from the Demonica books. Unlike the original Demonica books which focuses around the demon hospital and the core characters who worked or linked there, The Lords of Deliverance focuses on four half angel and half demonic siblings cursed to hold seals that would transform them into the four horsemen of the Apocalypse.
      In this book, Ares, who is the Horseman for War, tries to stop his seal from breaking. He is also constantly battling against his brother, Reseph, who has become Pestilence due to his seal breaking. Reseph is causing mayhem and havoc across the world with plagues and diseases. So Ares and his family (brother Thanatos, who is Death, and his sister Limos, who is Famine) are on the hunt to find out more about their seals, and to stop their brother Reseph from breaking them and succumbing to evil.
      I really found that with this book, things are kicked up a notch and concentrates on the wider demonic and angelic world. I will try to remain spoiler free, but I have to mention a few spoilers because it’s hard to avoid them. Due to the events of the last book, Sin Undone, Reseph’s (who is one of the Horsemen) seal was broken because of the plague that occurred. And now the threat of a looming apocalypse is a step closer. When the Horsemens seals breaks, they become demons. Truly evil beings that will kill the people they love, and who want to bring upon an Apocalypse.
      I would recommend that readers read the previous books in the Demonica series to get an understanding of the world-building and setting. Although the set-up is explained very well in the first few chapters in Eternal Rider, I think some of the nuances may be lost and it can get a tad overwhelming if you are not familiar with some of the characters, and previous events.
      The book really opens up with a bang and never lets up in pace or high octane action, and that includes the smexy tension too! But things really get going when Cara, a struggling holistic vet with a secret healing ability that can also turn lethal, finds herself healing and bonded to a hellhound puppy called Chaos. And he definitely brings chaos on her head when events lead her to become the holder of Ares’ seal. I loved Chaos’ interactions with Cara, and for a scary demonic hellhound, he was definitely one of the cutest ones I have read about. However, Cara is soon hunted by demons including Pestilence whose main aim is to kill her and break the seal to turn Ares into War.
      I have to say I really loved how the romance developed between Ares and Cara; they both faced each other with their own vulnerabilities and fears, and I really liked how that played out in the book. I really liked how Ares found it hard to remain detached from feeling close to anyone because it makes him vulnerable. Especially adding the troublesome fact that he’s attracted to and amplifies violence which follows him everywhere he goes. As the book progresses, we learn how much this affects him especially in light of his tragic past, and how this created a lonely life with the exception of his siblings and a few trusted demon servants. Cara’s past also holds painful memories and that had caused her to withdraw from the world. But I loved how their love became a core strength over the course of the book and made them both determined to get through their predicament so they could be together.
      The supporting characters are also a highlight in the book, and we get to see appearances and cameos from previous characters from the Demonica books, and it was fun to see how their lives had progressed and changed. I think one of the best elements in the book were the relationships between the Horsemen themselves. Lima’s carefree and irreverent attitude, and Thanatos’ stoic and dedicated loyalty to his family really made you care for them. And the fact that Reseph — who was the lighthearted brother but succumbed to evil — adds to the great chemistry and tension. I will definitely be interested to see how Larissa Ione will be redeeming Reseph’s character, because he does some really heinous things in this book and I think that will be a challenge.
      Although this was the first book of the series, I really think is has promise, and that it may surpass the Demonica series for me. Larissa Ione has expanded her world with the same eye to detail and depth with engrossing characters who are really vivid and developed. I never get bored or lost in her books, yet and I am happy to say that Eternal Rider is another good installment in the world of the Demonica. I really felt that this is more epic in tone and feel and I really cannot wait for the second book to see how it all plays out. I truly think Larissa Ione is one of the best PNR authors around and Eternal Rider is a great start to the series, with great action, world-building and a heart-warming romance that really comes alive and draws the reader in.
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this book. Ares is a great character. I cannot what to read Limos' book.

      I love that we still have the same characters as the Demonica series.

      One of the best books I have read this year. Can't wait to continue the story of the Four Horsemen of the Apocolypse.
    • 4/5
      I read this book quickly even for my usual habits. The various chapters are well woven together. Each scene segues into another. Nothing is out of place.I could faintly grasp that this popular and shamelessly fun riddled and commercial book, a book that is unapologetic about what it is, has some themes. Never one to understand the undercurrent or subtext of any work of literature, if not art, I think this book, safely be said, is not life like, but is the best fantasy I've ever read.During this fun read however, I admit to thinking about Ares and Cara in a critical way. I mean, can someone whose mind is supposed to not be linear act in this simple way? The end of the book is a bright note, but these two characters are immortal...what lies after the end? There's a saying in my culture that says even the Gods cannot understand the mind of women. Can someone who has lived for 5 millenniums (I never remember that millennium contains two successive n - thanks, online dictionary) really get excited about sucking a woman's breast? Is it true that sex between two people who really love each other is the best thing ever? A lot of romance themed stories make the hero ignore the more interesting character for a randomly chosen consort...e.g the movie "Four weddings and a funeral" comes to mind.Yet this is a roller coaster ride, make no mistake. I wonder how Larissa Ione works? My best guess is that her work in progress may be twice as big and she cuts the prose down to its final length. The twist that resolves all conflict is a nice component and has the whole revenge and redemption theme. We rue the deaths of characters we have come to like then we shrug and move on to what lies in the next chapter, which could be anything. Just like in real life. Beg borrow or steal this book. Or buy it, if that's what floats your boat.
    • 5/5
      Really good. Love the characters. Don't know why I haven't read it sooner.
    • 4/5
      OK, I really wanted to give this a 5 and would've given it a 4 1/2 but... even knowing the world (the Demonica world), the beginning is very complicated and you are just keeping up and learning. After that I loved it until the ending and resolution, I found it too convenient. Still it was fun and well thought out. Loved seeing all the old characters. Would have given it a 5 if either of my two complaints weren't there but 2 issues is too much for a 5, IMO.
    • 5/5
      I loved that this book took a concept that I am very familiar with, the Four Horsemen from Revelation, and turned it on its head. For all of the repetitiveness of fantasy fiction using the same species over and over again - from mermaids to vampires - the horsemen are definitely new vehicles for enticing literature.The background of the story is that all of the horsemen once lead human lives, but were cursed to become the horsemen after reacting very badly to the news that Lilith is their mother. Another interesting quirk on the common tale is that one of them is actually female, Limos. The four are destined to either fulfill the Biblical prophecy or the demonic equivalent - which none of them want to do. In addition, each of them have a unique method by which they fall into the demonic prophecy's designated role and must fight to keep said method from playing out.Ares, whom the story says the Greek god of war is named for, is destined to become War should the being bearing his seal, or agimortus, dies. Thanks to Cara, a human, inadvertently crossing paths with a hellhound, she becomes the bearer of the agimortus. Luckily, she has a few tricks of her own to aid her in her new role. I liked Cara and the way she seemed to blossom despite her captivity and impending death, as well as how easily she could stand up to Ares. I would have liked a little more character development, as it did not feel like her character arc was complete.Ares is also an interesting character. Even though he is drawn to wars and violence, with his very presence inciting violence and rage among humans, Cara is immune to this ability. Because of how her presence weakens him, Ares shows a vulnerability characteristic of the humanity he left behind thousands of years ago. Around Cara, he is simply a normal guy falling in love, and the way he attempts to "macho-up" to deal with it is positively adorable.The violence in the book is both believable and quite gritty. Of course, the horsemen's supernatural abilities of strength and healing allow it to be especially intense and dramatic. The sexual scenes in the book are also quite graphic and detailed, without feeling cheesy or awkward.The laws built into Ione's world of horsemen, angels, and demons is complex without being confusing. The reader is introduced to its structure piece by piece throughout the novel without being bombarded by the details, and all of the pieces fit together nicely. In addition, Ione even includes a glossary at the beginning of the book to help the reader become more accustomed to the world.The other siblings are all unique and show lots of promise for future books in the series. Thanatos, destined to become Death, has a seductive air of mystery that had me wondering several times throughout the book if something would occur between him and Cara. The sister, Limos, destined to be Famine, also shows many interesting characteristics, such as a certain hidden madness that she struggles to keep leashed, and the chemistry she shares with Arik is palpable. Even though Reseph becomes Pestilence early in the book, I have a feeling he may prove to be the most interesting of the siblings under a theme of redemption. I only have to wait till December for Immortal Rider (Lords of Deliverance), which centers on Limos, to find out what happens next!
    • 2/5
      Famous dilemma: Should I endure the rest of the book or just call it quits? Finally I gave up at chapter Seven. I'm 88 pages (22%) into the book. It's too complicated and I am still not interested or feel connection to any of the characters. There are much better books waiting for me...
    • 4/5
      Eternal Rider
      3.5 Stars

      Series Note: Eternal Rider is book #1 in Lords of Deliverance the spin off of the Demonica series. There are numerous references in the book the characters and events from Demonica and it may be difficult for newcomers to fully grasp Ione's world without reading that series first - forewarned is forearmed!

      The story has tremendous potential but unfortunately, the romance falls flat.

      The emotional bond between Ares and Cara is non-existent and they have absolutely nothing in common. In fact, Cara is overly judgmental and holier than thou about Ares's past while Ares sees Cara as weak and ineffectual. Both are right and wrong, which makes it difficult to sympathize with either character. Cara eventually grows a backbone and gets over herself but her sudden acceptance of the darkness and violence in the world of the Horsemen is unrealistic. Ares gets in touch with his sensitive side and learns to accept Cara but it is all too little too late.

      The prophecy surrounding Ares is problematic for two reasons. First, the syntax is ambiguous and there seems to be an error in word choice War's Seal is broken not his sword that the editor has failed to catch. This wouldn't be too bad if the prophecy didn't play such a pivotal role in the plot and make it difficult for the reader to wrap their head around certain events the wording implies that Cara is the angel and she dies - however, she is not an angel and she doesn't die. Second, the resolution of the prophecy is contrived with the sudden and inexplicable appearance of heretofore unseen character Cereberus makes Cara immortal with his Hell's Kiss.

      So why the 3.5 stars? Ione's writing and world building are engrossing, and the premise of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse fighting their potential for evil while attempting to prevent the prophecy of Armageddon coming to pass is fascinating and well worth the effort of reading the book.

      Moreover, the secondary characters are very compelling. Reseph AKA Pestilence is exceedingly complex and it will be interesting to see if and how Ione manages to redeem him. The other Horsemen (or persons) are fleshed out well, particularly Limos, whose secrets will be unveiled in the next installment.
    • 5/5
      Eternal Rider is the first novel of Ms. Ione’s new series Lords of Deliverance The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, it’s also a spinoff of her highly popular and explosive Demonica series so as you meet these new unbelievable characters you’ll also get to catch up on your old friends from Underworld General, if you’re new to the series have no fear you will not be in the dark for long because this exquisite storyteller will fill you in with no problems.The human and demon world is on a crash course to Armegeddon and with one of the four horsemen already turned evil it’s up to the other three to prevent total annihilation of the world as we know it. Ares has lived for more than four thousand years knowing that if the seal he wears breaks he will turn into War and Apocalypse will soon follow, he’s already lost one brother and now it’s up to him, his remaining two siblings and him to prevent the ultimate big bang. Cara Thornhart’s life has been in upheaval ever since “the event” two years earlier but when an injured animal shows up at her defunct vet clinic she can’t turn him away but he’s way more than she’s bargained for and he leads her on a crash course to Ares and life as she knows it will be a thing of the past. When Cara and Ares meet it’s fireworks of an epic proportion, the question is will they survive the explosion.Ms. Ione is a master storyteller and it becomes obvious on the first page as she baits her audience and keeps them on the line until they’re well and truly reeled in by the end of the novel. She gives us a bigger than life plot the biggest good vs evil yet filled with dialogue that will keep her readers turning pages faster than you can say God of War and with characters straight out of our fondest dreams and worst nightmares. She presents to us characters that will make us gasp, make us gag and keep us up nights. Her hero Ares and heroine Cara are two of the most haunted lovers you will ever have the pleasure of reading about. They will tug at your heartstrings as they stumble through relationship potholes that we mere mortals could only ever imagine on their way to that all important Happy Ever After. Will they make it, read on my friends for that’s for you to find out. The love scenes are exactly what you’d expect with an immortal, edgy, sensual, gritty and powerful, so if it’s cold outside you might want to open a window and if it’s hot for heaven’s sake turn down the air.Be prepared to nail bite your way through this one, if you have a heart problem you might want to consult your doctor before reading. For the rest of you healthy human beings get ready for one heck of a ride.Ms. Ione thank you for another start of a great series, my only disappointment is that I will have to wait just like the other mere mortals for the next instillation.
    • 4/5
      Being the last lady on the planet that has yet to read the Demonica series by Ione, I felt I needed to get my arse in gear and read something by this beloved author. It’s safe to say that I will be reading more, as I thoroughly enjoyed this first installment in the Lords of Deliverance series, which is set in the Demonica world. From what I’ve read, this book takes place shortly after the conclusion of the Demonica series…I was immediately sucked into the story, and I love the interesting, dark world that Ione has created. I’m all over the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse storyline. And anything involving Greek Mythology. Ares (War), Thanatos (Death), Limos (Famine) and Reseph (Pestilence) are the Horsemen/Horsewoman of the Apocalypse. ;) I won’t go into the history, as that is for you to discover. However, this set of siblings has been cursed to carry the Seals of Armageddon, and they can only be broken via their agimortus. And when their Seals are broken, the apocalypse cometh.This book is about Ares. Aka War, the second horseman. He’s strong, fierce, determined, yet has the ability to be gentle and compassionate. Battle, Ares’ horse, is BOSS. I think he might be my favorite character! And you know what is really cool about the horsemen’s horses? They magically live on their owner’s skin, like a living tattoo, and can be called out when needed. So rad. I need one like yesterday.I enjoyed Cara’s character. She was fierce and strong, even when looking death in the face. She is a gifted healer and has endured trauma that she has not yet dealt with. Cara used to be a Vet and a friend drops off a hellhound puppy that is injured. Cara realizes something is different about this pup, but quickly works her magic and heals the little guy right up. He gives her a big sloppy kiss of thanks. A very special sloppy kiss. And thus, Cara is sucked into a world that she never fathomed could exist. On top of that, she soon becomes the lucky recipient of Ares’ agimortus, and well, he must protect her so he can remain semi-sweet Ares, instead of War.Cara and Ares’ relationship is slow burning, but it hurt so good. Ares is not interested in becoming involved with a human because they die. We see some serious vulnerability from Ares when he finally lets Cara know why he is so guarded. She also has issues of her own, and eventually relays her traumatic past. I loved Ione’s use of quotes from past conversations in the character’s thoughts to illicit emotion, or make them come to a realization. Oh, and the smut was great. The shower scene was by far my favorite smexy scene. :)Reseph is the first horseman of the apocalypse, and his seal hath broken. No longer do his siblings have the funny, warm brother that they loved so much. Now, Pestilence, as his name suggests, spreads disease and chaos like wild fire. He is one sick fock, but I loved the death, gore and destruction that he pretty much bathed in. Hmmm. What does this say about me…? Unfortunately for Cara and Ares, Pestilence is quite looking forward to War, Death and Famine joining the party, and sets out to destroy Ares’ agimortus. Uh oh…
    • 5/5
      I have always been a big fan of Larissa Ione's work, and her new Lords of Deliverance series; "Eternal Rider" keeps with the same flavor and passion of any previous works. As a first book in any series does, it has to introduce us to the vein of what the story arc and who the main characters that are a part in that tale. We are brought into the world of the 4 Horseman of the Apocalypse. Each of these Horseman are put in charge of protecting their seals, that if broken, will cause them to emulate the evil prophecies of death, war, famine, and pestilence. An agimortus, a person, event or object, is basically something that could break their seals and herald in the apocalypse. We begin with an event that occurred at the end of the last Demonica book (Sin Undone) that breaks the seal on Reseph's seal and turns him into the horseman, Pestilence. This book is focused on our 2nd Horseman, Ares (War), and preventing his seal from breaking. His world is very focused on survival, existence, and protection but, not anything more. Ares can call upon a suit of armor, as can all of the Horseman, for protection. It also protects him from physical harm but also emotions, and the threads that would connect him to his lost humanity. Ares holds his immortality and demon origins as a shield so he can continue regardless of what battles await.Ares is not prepared for the one weapon, a human named Cara, who inadvertently gets intertwined in their world, and becomes his agimortus. She represents his survival, on so many levels, and changes Ares world. Ares’ other siblings will struggle with these 2 to save the world from evil, which has become personified in their fallen brother, Pestilence. The other horseman will reveal their curses and facets to explore later of their existence. The story will flow like a river getting faster and faster till it crashes at the end scene, the big finale (a Larissa specialty). We get our HEA but evil is still lurking.Overall, this is a tale of forgiveness and acceptance, which is the theme that dominates our character’s actions and emotions. Ares cannot forgive himself for not protecting his family and has locked himself up in his armor away from anything that reminds him of that past humanity. By accepting Cara, is also accepting he still has some humanity, and he has to forgive himself for what happened. Cara on the other hand has the opposite problem. She needs to forgive herself for being magical, or something that is more than human, when she kills in self-defense. By using her gifts again to protect others, she realizes that its part of whom she is and it is necessary. She accepts Ares, who kills, because she recognizes the same, the need to protect others. There is a scene where Ares thinks he has failed Cara, where this theme of forgiveness and acceptance is very strong. Ares cannot forgive himself and therefore he is rejecting Cara. We see themes of forgiveness and acceptance play out with Chaos and Ares as well. Cara also seeks out some acceptance with Thanatos. Lastly, we see that Limos has a secret that will not be forgiven if her brothers find out. My lasting impressions are that the tale takes you on a very wild journey. Larissa Ione’s strengths for character development are in full force in this new series. The Horsemen are interesting individuals that are facing some heart wrenching moments in their current reality. The blending of the Demonica world with this one was a good fit and was not forced or had the feeling of “guest appearances”. The worlds overlap so knowing characters from that series helps color your understanding of this one. I truly liked the character development in this book. I found the plot threads that were laid down concerning the other horsemen tasty and it made it easy to anticipate additional developments in the future. My favorite aspects of the novel were the unique armor and horses of each horseman and how that relates to their personalities, the interesting places they live, and those lovable hellhounds. I also have to say personally, Thanatos intrigues me. The weaker element of the story, if I have to choose anything, was that final battle scene. I found it to be very reminiscent of other Ione battles, or in other words, it felt like I had been there before, but not exactly. Also, as a villain, Pestilence became a little “too” powerful at the end, and then he just “poofed”. It was slightly anti-climatic for such a powerful and evil presence. Lastly, I personally could not see Limos in a muumuu. Grandmas wear muumuus. As with all of Larissa Ione’s novels, the book represented a raw and fantastic journey into a world of demons, evil, and the oh, so very, very good. A must read for her fans and an amazing start for the series.
    • 5/5
      Larissa Ione has started her new series with a bang. She has created a unique story with a lot of familiar creatures - demons, angels, vampires, etc. - and familiar mythology.I very much enjoyed both our hero and heroine. Cara was dealing with her own problems before her whole world turned upside down upon meeting Ares. But she ends up being a very strong character, and it was easy to see why Ares comes to love her. Ares is pretty rough around the edges, which is understandable as the Horseman of War. Who wouldn't be a little grumpy witnessing war for the last 5,000 years? But Cara ends up being exactly what he needs.Some familiar characters from Ione's Demonica series pop in, which was fun. It looks Limos' story is next; I look forward to her story and reading what evil Pestilence does next.
    • 4/5
      Eternal Rider is the first book in a new series from Larissa Ione that focuses on the lives of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The four horsemen, who are also siblings, lead their lives and pretty much leave others alone. They have no desire to start the end of the world and actually go out of their way to avoid doing so. They all have "seals" that basically hold their evil side at bay and when broken all hell with literally break loose on Earth. Each seal has a different trigger and when certain events break the first horseman's seal, the others are scrambling to protect their own and save their brother who's evil side has taken over.This is a good time to mention that the events that trigger the first horseman's fall happen in Larissa's Demonica series. The events start in Ecstasy Unveiled and spill over into Sin Undone. Do you have to read that series to understand what is going on in Eternal Rider? No. Is it going to help you out while you read this book? Yes. I say this because almost all the previous characters from the Demonica series appear in this book a couple of times and having read that series it was nice to get an update on their lives. That being said though, Larrissa does a nice job of explaining enough about those characters in this book so you are not left in the dark, but knowing their full back story made me appreciate thir appearances more.Eternal Rider focuses on the story of Ares and yes, the Greek God was named after this guy, so cool right? Anyways, Ares is also know as the horseman War. Whenever there is a war going on he is drawn to the violence and because he is War he also fuels the fire whenever he is around them, so it is like a double edged sword. His seal can be broken by killing the one who bears something called the agimortus mark. The person bearing this mark is usually a falling angel because any being less than that would burn out and die from bearing the burden of the mark. The angel bearing Ares' mark is killed, but not before he transfers it to a human woman named Cara. An innocent bystander, who is now sucked into the Ares world and leaves him forced to protect her. She does not come fully unprepared though, because she has a gift, the ability to heal animals with her touch. She used this just before meeting Ares and inadvertently cured a Hellhound who was so grateful he bonded with her. By doing that their life forces are bound together and they need one another in order to survive.Ares is a man who always wins and never takes orders from anyone, so when Cara finally stands up to him and doesn't take any of his crap, he is completely thrown off. His life has been a string of sad, horrifying events that have left him jaded and harsh. Cara begins to breath new life into his world and together they learn that not everything and everyone in your life is going to let you down.Overall I really enjoyed this start to this series and getting to know a whole new mythology and cast of characters. The Four Horseman is a concept I have not seen explored before and getting a chance to was really exciting! I am not sure how many books are in the series total, but I am going to guess it is four since that is how many Horseman their are. I know the next book comes out later this year and focuses on the only female horseman of the group who is also meant to be Satan's bride. Yeah, wouldn't that suck? I am hoping she manages to get out of it, but we will have to wait and see. If you are a fan of Larrisa's previous paranormal books then you should definitely check Eternal Rider out!
    • 5/5
      I really loved this book, granted I love the Demonica five also. Like the books in the other series, I couldn't put this one down and read it in a day, and sleepless night. Larissa's writing style is maturing and she's done an excellent job creating new characters with lives that intersect her previous characters'. I love the world she's created. I also love her incorporation of kick ass female characters whether they are a primary character or the love interest. There was a lot going on in this story, and it is an excellent start to a new series and new characters. The humor, action, fantasy and romance that I loved in the first series is well represented here. It can be read on it's own but it draws a lot on the previous books. I recommend starting from the beginning of the Demonica series because it's soo worth the time. Larissa gives some back story but thankfully not so much it becomes repetitive. There's also a preview of the next book featured at the end- so looking forward to it.
    • 4/5
      Eternal Rider is book one of the Lords of Deliverance series and is set in the Demonica world. While you don't have to have read the series, I would recommend it. In the last book, we met Ares, the second Horseman of the Apocalypse while Sin was trying to save the world in her book, Sin Undone. The Lords of Deliverance series is about each of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Ares is War, Reseph is Pestilence, Thanatos is Death, and Limos is Famine. Each horseman has a seal... it's something different for each one. Due to a series of events started by Sin (the heroine in Sin Undone), Reseph's seal has been broken, transforming him into Pestilence. If any other Horseman's seal breaks, it will start the Apocalypse. A fallen angel holds Ares' seal, but Pestilence is going after it as it will be the easiest to break by killing the holder.Cara Thornhart is human but she's got an extra talent - she can heal animals. She hasn't used her talent in years though, since she accidentally killed someone who was attacking her. She freaked out, her relationship with her boyfriend tanked, and she pulled into herself after that. Then, she gets a knock on the door - a drunk neighbor brings her a dog he hit in the road. She takes the dog, pulls out bullets, and he starts to miraculously begins healing. She's rewarded with a big, doggy kiss. And then all hell breaks loose. *arches brow* Can you say bonded to a hellhound three times fast?The fallen angel is attacked and transfers the seal to Cara, who's been having weird dreams about the dog she rescued. Now Pestilence is after Cara, and Ares has vowed to protect her. At first it's to protect his seal, but as he gets to know Cara, she brings out feelings he hasn't had in centuries - since his human wife and children were murdered and he swore never to feel again.Ares and Cara were a hoot. These two are two of the most stubborn people I have ever met but there was no fighting the attraction they were feeling for one another. Once they gave into that attraction, oh did the sparks fly. I totally was digging on all the horseman, and their sibling rivalries. I do think the upcoming books are going to well worth the wait. It was fun to get updates on the Demonica characters and I am beyond thrilled that she did so and tied them so nicely together. I definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for a little bit of everything. Action, drama, romance, and humor were all mixed within this book and I’m sure will continue throughout the series. Ares is one bad ass you just won’t be able to get enough of and it will keep you rolling throughout the book.Four and ½ stars out of 5. Definitely.
    • 4/5
      Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: Legends come to life with all the flaws of us mere mortals. Full of action, suspense, and naughty scenes including patio furniture and a home-made whip. Opening Sentence: Ares, also known as War, second of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse to much of the human and demon world, sat astride his stallion on the outskirts of a nameless village in Africa, his body and mind vibrating with energy. The Review: Every religion has two things; a story about the Beginning of creation and the End. Human nature makes each of us curious about where we came from and where we are going. The Lords of Deliverance series gives us an interesting interpretation of the Apocalypse and the Horsemen in charge of heralding it. Larissa Ione presents us with four very “human” legendary figures, being half-demon and half-angel, which walk the line between good and evil. But the first seal is broken, and the end is inevitable, isn’t it? Ares, known as the Second Horseman of the Apocalypse-War, is a hard man. A great strategist and immortal warrior, he has had little to fear for the last forty-five hundred years. The only thing he has to worry about is not having his Seal broken and unleashing his demon nature on humanity. But now that the countdown has started, the only thing keeping him from going evil is one little slip of a human female. Surely, if he can command legions of armies he can handle one lone female, right? Ares is stubborn, arrogant, and has way too much ego for one man. But under all of that, he was once just a man that had lost his family. And his long buried feelings and emotions resurface after spending some time with Cara Thornhart. But can he afford to have a weakness now, knowing that this war will mean the difference between good or evil triumphing? Can he set aside old grudges in order to create alliances that may make a difference between winning and losing? Cara has barely been surviving when circumstances thrust her into a supernatural world that teeters on the brink of war. Her gift of kindness to a dog has led her to being bonded with a hellhound and, eventually, the carrier of Ares’ agimortus; his trigger for breaking his Seal. But humans were never meant to carry such a thing, and it is killing her. Now it is a race against time to save her life, and therefore preventing Ares from going evil. Cara realizes, now that her life is coming to an end, she has yet to really live. Her desperation to fight for her life leads her to take chances that she wouldn’t before, including falling in love. She doesn’t have the luxury of time with Ares and does all she can in the time she has left. This includes helping Ares get past his feud with the hellhounds. Cara too must face her own past and its consequences before she can move on from it. By letting each other into their hearts, both learn that love makes a person stronger, not weaker. Of course, all of this would be much easier if Ares’ brother wasn’t working against them to get the Apocalypse started. Pestilence, once known as Reseph, is the First Horseman of the Apocalypse and the first one to have his Seal broken. Now that his demon nature is released, his only goal in life is to see his siblings fall as well. He is made aware of Ares’ attachment to Cara and uses it against his brother. Though it is understood that there is no going back once a Seal is broken, Reseph’s brothers and sister refuse to give up hope. They search for a way to bring back the man they love while he is searching for a way to take them down. I especially enjoy the closeness that these siblings share. Their fate has left them little sympathy with others, leaving them to only rely on each other all of these years. To have lost the Reseph they knew and loved and had him replaced with one that has no love in him must tear the siblings apart. To know that the only way they may be able to prevent the Apocalypse is to kill him must be such a heavy burden in each of their hearts. There is a lot going on in this book, including some hot love scenes. It picks up from the end of another series by Larissa Ione, The Demonica series. Though you can definitely read this series alone, if you want to know any back information, especially about Underworld General, you will have to read the other series. Otherwise, this is a good paranormal romance with a pinch of End of Days. Notable Scene: His thumb stroked her cheek, and she hated herself for liking it. “I prefer human females, but-“He gnashed his teeth so hard she heard the crack. “But, what?” she pressed. “They’re too smart to put up with your crap?” “I make them combative.” “Well, gee, with your personality, I can’t imagine why that would be.” Something sad flickered in his expression, but then it was gone, replaced by the ruthless cruelty again. “It’s my curse. When I’m around humans, they want to fight.” She squirmed in his grip. “You think?” His smile was both sensual and wicked. “This is normal righting. You seen to be immune to my effect.” “Really? Because you seriously piss me off.” He did other things to her, too, things he shouldn’t, but it seemed that when it came to him, her body and brain were divorced. The Lords of Deliverance Series: 1. Eternal Rider 2. Immortal Rider 3. Lethal Rider FTC Advisory: Grand Central Publishing provided me with a copy of Eternal Rider. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. The only payment received came in the form of hugs and kisses from my little boys.
    • 5/5
      INCREDIBLE! I already loved Larissa Ione after reading her Daemonica series and now I think she's one of my favorite authors of all time. Her writing style has something different, starting with the fact that she doesn't always throws sex right in our faces and her world and character building is extraordinary. I get immersed in everything about the books she write and it wasn't different with this one. Cara has such spunk and Ares had his work cut out for him. I can't wait to read about Limos and Than and Reseph's stories.
    • 3/5
      I found the heroine irritating, and it wasn't quite as good as I wanted it to be, but it entertained me and was an easy read. The relationship didn't quite feel like a love match, but also not really a 'fated mates' sort, so kind of in the middle, and I didn't find it as compelling as I might have. Not too shabby though.
    • 2/5
      I’m done with this series. I am seriously done with it. I have never been a huge fan of it and read it a bit out of some strange habit. I’ve read the first book for its great reviews and then follow on because I don’t like leaving things unfinished – the book series included. But I’m over it.

      The world introduced by the books that I found really refreshing and innovative in the first book, with every story became more and more complicated. There are tons of different species, complicated and confusing rules and even more exceptions from them. I gave up following those few books ago. Hundreds species of demons with different abilities, angels, fallen angels, The Aegis, werewolves, vampires and now The Horsemen of Apocalypse and hellhounds – with every book you are presented with a new idea and different set of rules. Oh, and don’t forget about Cara and her gift that is not even part of this universe as it seems. I’m tired of these all.

      To be totally honest most of the time I don’t even remember the characters from the previous books. Like, I remember Wraith, but I have seriously no idea who is his wife or even what is her name. And to be totally honest I’m not upset about it. And I can already say that I won’t remember Cara or Ares. Simply because they are completely unremarkable and paper thin. Cara is just annoying in her stubbornness. And Ares who supposed to be a tortured hero is just not an interesting character. There is nothing in them that would make them distinct. Or that would make me care about them.

      Ares’s siblings look like interesting characters and at first I was thrilled when I found out that the next book is about Limos. But Ares book ends with a sneak peek of some great secret in her life. It worked like a cold shower on me. More secrets with a potential to change the world! Oh, I’m tired of that. I don’t think I will read the next book in this series unless I need it for some challenge.