Base Instincts

By: Larissa Ione

Narrated by: Dorian Bane

Length: 5 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's Summary

As a Seminus demon, Raze's life literally depends on having sex with females. The problem is that he doesn't desire females, and it's physically impossible for him to be with males. Thankfully, he and his best friend, Fayle, have an arrangement that keeps him alive...if lonely. He finds some solace in his work as a medic at Thirst, a vampire club known for its rough clientele. But his carefully structured world turns upside down when he meets a mysterious male who makes him want what he can never have.

Slake is an assassin used to getting what he wants, and what he wants is Raze. But he also wants to earn back the soul he sold when he was a much different demon. All he has to do is capture a runaway succubus named Fayle and hand her over to her family. What he doesn't count on is being caught himself by a web of lies - and his attraction to Raze.

Raze and Slake must navigate a dangerous world to be together. But as Fayle's jealousy of their relationship turns deadly, they find themselves embroiled in a battle not only for their love, but their lives and souls.

©2015 Larissa Ione (P)2016 Riptide Publishing

reviewed for Prism Book Alliance

What about Dorian Bane’s performance did you like?

OMG! Dorian Bane’s voice was sooo HOT. It was perfect for this story, all low and growly when it needed to be. Yum. I have liked his voice in other narrations but he NAILED this one.

Any additional comments?

I did not realize this was part of a series until after I read it, so this one can totally be read as a stand alone. However, now that I know this is part of a series, I am most definitely going back and reading from the beginning to see if it enhances my enjoyment of this story. I also and going to read it because i just really need more of this world.

That being said OMG Raze and Slake were HOT. This world was dark, dangerous, and HOT. My favorite part of this audiobook was learning about Underworld, and Seminus Demons, and the pseudo transgender quality of Slake’s species. I want to know more about the various demonic species, the underworld structure, and the way the various demons interact. It was so dark and evil and yet not. I have got to read more.

I also hope to see more from these men and more about Slake’s new job. I hope their story is not just a one off never to be seen again. The way these men were together and how they ended up being perfect for each other was well done. However, I DO wish more time would have been devoted to the relationship development. This story was only a novella and I think it was a disservice to the reader that the relationship was almost an afterthought. Yes, there was sex, but where was the connection? The understanding the reader needed to know why things went from biological need to longing and love? I would not remove anything in this novella at all, but I would have loved more out of this relationship.

However, even with that niggle of annoyance, I enjoyed the hell out of this novella. It pulled me into this world and I am hooked.

Great addition to the series.

I was excited to see that there were three stories by Larissa Ione that I haven't read. Albeit they are shorter, but to date I really like everything she has written and this book is no exception. But a warning, if gay romances are not your thing this would be a book to skip. Yes, there is sex. I myself enjoyed this story and am looking forward to listening to the other two book I purchased. Larissa Ione is an automatic download for me and I look forward to her future endeavors. I really like the world she has created and all the different demon species that pop up in her stories. I liked the narrator, but he has a weird voice, it is almost like he has to force the words out of his mouth to speak. I'm not saying I don't like it, but it is different.

Forbidden desire and two unforgettable characters!

I'm not a fan / reader of m/m romance but just like JR Ward with Qhuinn and Blay in the Black Dagger Brotherhood I fell in love with Raze and Slake. I rooted for them! They are both outcasts in their own right and their love is not just forbidden but impossible. Their journal reeled me in and I wanted love to conquer all!

Dorian Baine is not the guy to be reading this

I really enjoyed the series but Dorian Baine put a damper on my enjoyment.. He voice is just not cool..

not a fan of the reader.

I'm not a fan of this reader. the S's hiss in your ear, his forced gravel in his voice is a bit annoying, and he pronounces the names that we all know so well wrong.

the story is good as long as you are okay with man on man love scenes. if you're not, pass on this one.

all in all, I liked this one. just not as much as the rest of the series.

great narrator, not my cup of tea

I liked the story overall, but m/m isn't really something I read often. Not my thing, but a sweet story. I really loved the narrator's ability to vastly differentiate voices. The only complaint I have was how he pronounced SEM-i-nus like SEE-mun-us...and Eidolon (I-duh-lawn) like Eye-DOLE-on. All other narrators pronounced both one way, and this one another. It was distracting. I wish the audio productions of all books would agree on how to pronounce words and names regularly used across a series.

Intriguing story

Would you listen to Base Instincts again? Why?

Maybe, it was very interesting but I'm not sure it's a repeat performer.

What other book might you compare Base Instincts to and why?

Guarded by Kim Fielding. There are some similarities with what you would normally expect in this specific type of story being different, thus making it fresh in a way.

Which character – as performed by Dorian Bane – was your favorite?

Slake, I loved that accent that I couldn't quite place. Australian, British, sexy is what it was.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but it took a couple of days.

Any additional comments?

I can't tell you what my favorite aspect of this story was because it would be a spoiler. I will say, you shouldn't always judge someone on their exterior, what's inside could be vastly different. The story itself was very intriguing with the way Raze is forced to live his life because of the type of species he is. He and Slake are inexplicably drawn to each other, but they can't possibly be together, can they?

A bit gritty and suspenseful, lots of murder, mayhem and even an explosion, not just the ones in the bedroom. I loved the way these two found a way to beat the odds. Definitely worth a listen.

narration sucked and ruined this installment

fingernails on a chalkboard. where did you find this horrible narrator. he would ruin a nursery rhyme. he made this book nearly impossible to tolerate. a five freaking hour book should not take 3 weeks to get thru. ya know audio junkies tend to like the same narrator ( if is a decent one) to continue the series. I HATE narrator changes. this one was the worst I ever heard
the book was the obligatory m/m romance that everyone feels liked they should do, so ok. it was just short and to the point. I c where it could have been "stretched" but truly no need. it was pretty good.
I anxiously await the next installment of the series. I highly doubt I could listen to this one again just because the narrator was that bad. gaah! !!

Not for me.

I didn't like it; the story was short plus I really don't like male on male stories. t
This is was sooo hard to read/ listen to.

This narrator needs to not quit his day job.

Love Larissa Ione's writing, but this narrator ruined Base Instincts for me. His voice inflections and cadence leave much to be desired.

Don't buy this

Came upon this by chance and immediately got excited. I love these books. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. The narration was so bad I couldn't listen past the first chapter. Big lesson learned, always listen to the audio sample.