Early Review ~ Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione

Title: Lethal Rider
Author: Larissa Ione
Series: Lords of Deliverance (Book 3)
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Expected publication: May 22nd 2012 by Grand Central Publishing

They're here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Born of a match between good and evil, four siblings stand between hell's minions and everything they want to destroy. They are the Lords of Deliverance, and they have the power to ward off Doomsday...or let it ride...

Thanatos, the most deadly Horseman of the Apocalypse, has endured thousands of years of celibacy to prevent the end of days. But just one night with the wickedly sexy Aegis Guardian, Regan Cooper, shatters centuries of resolve. Yet their passion comes with a price. And Thanatos must face a truth more terrifying than an apocalypse-he's about to become a father.

Demon-slayer Regan Cooper never imagined herself the maternal type, but with the fate of the world hanging in the balance she had no choice but to seduce Thanatos and bear his child. Now, as the final battle draws closer and his rage at being betrayed is overshadowed by an undeniable passion for the mother of his child, Thanatos has a life-shattering realization: To save the world, he must sacrifice the only thing he's ever wanted-a family.

My thoughts:

ARC review

Warning: Lethal Rider is the third book in the Lords of Deliverance series. If you're not familiar with this series, the LoD is Set in the Demonica world and it’s about The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Although, you don't have to read the Demonica books first to fully understand this series, I highly recommend to start with them, before you pick up Eternal Rider, the first book in the LoD series. Also, DO NOT read these books out of order! There are series that the books in them are related to each other but you can read them out of order (like I do with the Dark-Hunter series), but the Demonica and the Lords of Deliverance are not like that.

In my Immortal Rider review, I clearly stated, that I have a special place for Ares (Eternal Rider) in my heart, that no one can replace and Eternal Rider will be always my favorite in this series. Boy, I was soo WRONG! And sorry Ares (I still love you), but Thanatos got the pole position now. 

As for the concept of the book, it's more like Eternal Rider, than Immoral Rider. There are a few POV changes. Once or twice we hop into Kynan's and Pestilence's head, and sometimes Reaver's (he has a pretty big role in this book). And there are no sub plots like in IR... well except the "how to neutralize the problem called Pestilence" operation, of course, but that's always there. 

However, the main plot is full of twists and turns. I swear Larissa is the "Queen of unexpected twists".
I truly believe that there were more unexpected twists in this book, than in the whole series so far. Thanatos's agimortus is his unborn son. That means that behind the scenes (literally, because unfortunately , we don't see him often), Pestilence is working on killing the child and trying to take apart Sheoul-gra and destroy Azagoth, thus releasing demons and evil humans killed in the human world to Earth. You know, Pestilence stuff... 

Thanatos is really pissed off because Regan betrayed him and because she wants to give away their son, once he's born. But she's not the only one who betrayed him. Some of his vampires are out to kill Regan and their son. The question is why. And that is another twist! While he's trying to protect the baby, he and Regan getting closer to each other and his hatred converting into something else. And with Regan's help, He can fight Death, can overcome his desire to kill. I loved him! He's extremely sarcastic and made me laugh out loud several times. And then he could be an amazing father and mate. His protectiveness of his son from the moment he found out about the child is really sweet and adorable. 

Regan's only family is the Aegis. She wants to prove them she's worthy. That's why she volunteered to seduce Thanatos in the first place. But she feels the weight of guilt. Plus she decided to give her child away, because she doesn't think she could be a good mother, even though she loves the kid. She calls him ponyboy (how cute!!! I Loved it), since a Horseman is his father. So looks like little ponyboy is protecting Regan from demons and humans except Thanatos and the daywalker vampires (that's a new mystery, why only the daywalkers). And because of an Angelic interference (another twist!!), some Aegi are completely out of their minds and trying to kill the baby, because Pestilence and the vampires weren't enough to deal with, right? Hell no, we love the drama!! I already liked her character in Immortal Rider, and I was afraid that maybe she gets whiny and annoying in Lethal Rider, because of her pregnancy (no offense!) and everything, but no. She was likeable. 

And for another twist... Turns out that there's another Prophecy besides the Daemonica's. Even if that fails, there is still the Biblical one, and the Horsemen's father could be the trigger for the Biblical Apocalypse. 

Plus, the baby's birth could be the best chance to kill Pestilence. And I hate to repeat myself, but here comes another twist!!! What a surprise!! Actually, it was a surprise... And Reaver gets the credit for figuring that out!! Smart Angel... in a big trouble, because at the end of the book, he broke a Watcher's most important rule; never interfere with the Horsemen's prophecies! And he did... for the sake of Pestilence.. or should I say Reseph? *hint hint*

And DAMN! I love the drama, and I knew it will happen somewhere at the end, but that scene was still one hell of a torture. I won't tell you which scene. I wasn't sure that there will be happy end or not... Get the tissues ready folks!

Favourite character: Thanatos Hands down!!  

Favourite scene: Whoosh! That's hard!! Would it be bad if I say the sex scene? =D No seriously, can't choose. There wasn't a scene I didn't like (even if it tore me apart emotionally).

Favorite quotes: 

"He was going to be a father. From virgin to dad in zero to sixty."

"First person who moves against me dies," he told them "Second person gets you all killed." - Thanatos

"It was just a kick. Ponyboy is really active" (Regan)
"Ponyboy?" (Than)
... "Well you're a Horseman...the father...so...Ponyboy." (Regan)

"You're an obnoxious asshole. Now, why am I a fucking idiot?" (Reseph)
"Man, You just opened a lot of doors with that question." (Than)

OVERALL: The story is worthy of the title! This was indeed Lethal. Extremely exciting, fast-paced read with loveable characters. It was fun, never boring, so much going on at all times. Full of surprises. Lethal Rider will not disappoint Ione fans!