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Leo has been sent on a mission to find a missing doxie. And after weeks at Leo’s side, Kaleb is suddenly alone. Free of the cruelty the Chimera, he should be rejoicing. But instead, he becomes aware of a void in his heart, he never knew was there until Leo wasn’t there to fill it. When Leo returns Kaleb is faced with the choice of disobeying Leo—forcing him to take ambrosia—or risk losing him forever.

With a single flower, Leo is back under the control of the Association. And what kind of punishment is suitable for a doxie who disobeys his Master, even though it saves his life? Leo has a list of ideas, starting with Kaleb’s first visit to a Gathering.

At the Gathering of the gods, doxies, and mortal men, Kaleb first lays eyes on Aaron. The beautiful doxie is presented by the god Sol. There he will be fed the ambrosia, Awakened to his journey of immortality, and then serve his god, Sol, for all to see. Only the horror of Aaron’s treatment by Sol makes Kaleb realize monsters come in many forms.

And not all of them hunt doxies.

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 5, 2016

85 people are currently reading
296 people want to read

About the author

Adrienne Wilder

50 books1,794 followers
Georgia born and bred, I am an artist, a writer, and a general pain in the ass.
I spend most of my days working on my next book or bettering my art.
Writing is my identity and I love every minute of it. It's work, lots of work (sometimes I work 12+ hours a day and I never get a vacation) but I don't regret doing it.
I currently share my house with a myriad of dogs, a few cats, a saltwater aquarium filled with coral and fish, as well as my partner who's great at giving hugs when the day's been rough.
And of course, my editor and PA, who helps me keep life reasonably organized. At least so I won't walk out the door without wearing pants.

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5 stars
354 (39%)
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332 (37%)
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157 (17%)
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35 (3%)
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11 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
Profile Image for Nazanin.
1,286 reviews840 followers
May 13, 2018
4 Stars

In this book, Kaleb finds more about what he is and what Leo or others like him are. He learns to embrace it, almost. Of course with a little help from his master! I want to say Leo is a good teacher but I don’t think he is! He just knows how to punish Kaleb or torture him! In this story I learned more about Leo, I found out why he went so hard on Kaleb. I get it, I understand! He has a good reason but still I can’t help it! I want to like him but I can’t! I don’t dislike him, though! It’s just he has ALL the control, I'd like to see Kaleb has some control over Leo too, I don’t ask too much just a little! It’s just I feel Kaleb is really like furniture! And still I feel Kaleb’s pain more than his pleasure! And still couldn’t feel Leo’s feeling toward Leo! Told in dual POV, 3rd person. It’s the second installment in the "Bound Gods" series and it has to be read in order. Overall, I liked it and hope you enjoy it as well!
Profile Image for M.I.A.
412 reviews91 followers
July 23, 2020
“You will hurt for me, every day, every time I command it. Your agony will surpass the beauty of even the most self-absorbed god. No one will know you like me, Kaleb. No one will ever be able to satisfy you like I will. You have nothing to fear, you will always be my favored.”

If things were intense in Book 1, I don't know what to call this.
Wilder is seriously skilled at bringing to life violence, pain and pleasure.

“Now rest. We'll be there soon. Then we can discuss your punishment.”
“What did I do?” It was nothing but a broken whisper.
“Nothing. I just want to hear you scream some more.”






November 2, 2017
Well I got answers to my questions, and the kink just keeps getting kinkier.

As much as I would like to get know some of these characters more, this series is just not for me. Maybe that will change way down the line (doubtful), but for now, remote control vibrating butt plugs, cock cages, etc. and how sex and punishment (torture) tie into this story is, like I said, not for me.
Profile Image for Saimi Vasquez.
1,959 reviews95 followers
November 27, 2023
Leo se esta molesto con Kaleb por haberlo "obligado" a tomar la ambrosia, una droga que aunque lo mantiene joven y fuerte, también causa una adicción tan fuerte que dejarla por segunda vez va a ser totalmente imposible para él. Sin embargo, quizás no es tan malo si logra conservar a Kaleb después de su entrenamiento, ahora que Chimera le agarro el gusto. Aunque convencer a Kaleb de liberarse de sus inhibiciones y aceptar su naturaleza es uno de los retos mas grandes que ha enfrentado Leo, pero tanto él como Chimera lo quieren, y hará todo lo posible para mantenerlo. Mientras tanto, un monstruo de leyenda esta suelto y matando doxies, la Asociación tendrá que recurrir a todos sus recursos para mantenerlos protegidos.

Este libro fue mucho mas largo que el anterior, y por momentos un poco fastidioso. La explicación de la naturaleza de los dioses, diosas, doxies y monstruos, además de la clase de biología y química donde explican los nacimientos de cada uno, hizo la lectura fastidiosa, e hizo que el libro se sintiera mucho mas largo que el anterior. Sin embargo, la historia sigue siendo interesante, diferente, entretenida, las escenas eróticas llegan a detalles completamente dark y explícitos, y si a esto le agregamos que el prota Kaleb parece tonto a veces, hace que, por momentos, leer sea mas una obligación que un gusto.
En fin, tengo suficiente curiosidad de saber que va a pasar ahora que este monstruo esta suelto, como lo van a derrotar y se seguirá desarrollando la relación Leo-Kaleb. Además, de que quiero saber mas del universo, de los otros dioses y de los otros doxies, el universo me ha resultado entretenido.
Así que si, voy a continuar con la serie, esperando que los próximos libros sigan atrapando mi interes.
Profile Image for Moraa (vacation hiatus).
909 reviews9 followers
August 13, 2024

He didn’t want to get away. He wanted to run to force Leo to chase him, to make him angry, to draw out the beast, to tempt his wrath.

This was a massive step up from book 1 and has definitely solidified my interest in this series.

Most of the issues I had seem to have been fixed which is such a rarity so you best believe I clicked on book 3 IMMEDIATELY

WHAT I LIKED
- Leo and Kaleb's chemistry. In my review of The Chimera I mentioned that a little back and forth would have helped and that’s exactly what Adrienne Wilder gave us here👌🏽 And don’t even get me started on the spice!!! Kaleb better stand on business and keep trying to control the Chimera🥵


- Writing style & world building. There are still a few typos but the writing was otherwise good and Adrienne Wilder did a fantastic job of conveying the expanded world building elements in a digestible way.
- The conclusion. A cliffhanger but definitely more satisfying than book 1.

WHAT I DISLIKED
- Misgendering. It’s not as bad as book 1 but it’s still very much a thing.
Profile Image for Ula'ndi Hart.
989 reviews15 followers
June 10, 2019
Overall book rating: 4.5
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3


Adrienne Wilder is having me chew my nails with this series. So much so that I think I might need a little break.

It’s REALLY good, and I’m scarred sh**less. Go ahead, laugh if you want. *wink-wink* I won’t take offense.

Man is this also very HAWT! Emotional, scary, yearning cause I want Leo to feel MORE or maybe just show more even though I understand why it has to be the way it is! I’m all over the place with this.


Profile Image for Trio.
3,617 reviews209 followers
May 11, 2016
Just incredible - I love all the ways this story going: Sonny, Aaron, Kaleb/Leo... just amazing. The writing is gorgeous, seamlessly moving from character to character as they develop and the relationships change, very well done.

The story is very moving. I love Leo's battle of being enslaved by Aaron and the need for ambrosia; Kaleb's growth from timid to powerful; the whole thing with Sonny. I'm excited to see where the author takes it from this point. Can't wait for the next one!
Profile Image for ⚣Michaelle⚣.
3,662 reviews233 followers
November 2, 2017
SORRY IF THIS IS SPAMMING YOU GUYS...I can't figure out why it won't show up in my "Read" shelf?!?!?

4.1 Stars

Gawd, that was so twisted and dark and dirtybadwrong...and I loved every minute of it. I, clearly, am a perv. My favorite bits were...well, all of the sex scenes. Especially because there were at least 2 sounding scenes (*flail*). There is never enough sounding in the MM books I read.

I mentioned in my review of the last book that I needed the alternate universe/scifi/futuristic/dystopian setting for a book with this much non-con for me to even get past page one. That's definitely still the case. But, what I really appreciated was the author's note at the beginning: That this is not healthy, normal BDSM and telling the reader NOT to look at this story for any inspiration. I dunno why, but damn - that makes me even more comfortable and appreciate it for the deep, fucked up ride it's turning out to be.

I think I'm still in the mood for deep, dark & depraved...so I'm probably gonna go to the next one immediately.

(One major complaint: I am really getting annoyed at the gender-slips from Kaleb. He's super defensive when others mistakenly use the wrong pronouns for his brother, but then constantly does it himself. Or rather, starts to make the mistake and corrects himself. And then continually refers to Sonny as his "trans-brother." There are enough hints and conversations in this - and the previous book - that we know Sonny is Trans. He can also stick up for himself VERY FUCKING WELL. So, yeah. Enough.)
Profile Image for  ⚣ Marco ⚣.
95 reviews52 followers
January 16, 2019
Truly not for the faint of heart, and I really, REALLY hate everything about and especially reading about it in excruciating detail. SO not my kink. And yet I can't stop reading this series.
Profile Image for Denise.
827 reviews161 followers
August 12, 2021
2 Stars

To be frank, I think the world-building in this series not only sucks but is boring. Something just feels off with the writing and I was so gd bored. I still don't feel like I fully understand this world or know all of the characters, as the author only gives the reader the bare bones of how it works.

I didn't find the "relationship" or interactions between Leo and Kaleb compelling or interesting, and the sex scenes veered toward cringey. While they were plentiful, they weren't exactly top tier kink/smut. This is still not a romance by any means but it's not nearly as dark as you'd expect either.

Lastly, I had typed out a big long paragraph about Sonny being misgendered a lot but on second thought, I deleted it. It still bothers me how Sonny is spoken to/about. However, I have learned that the author is trans and my opinion is really irrelevant here. That being said, I will just say that I could see it bothering people so just be aware of it before reading.

Overall, I'm not all that interested in this series and I don't see myself continuing it.

Series:
Book 1: The Chimera → 3 Stars
Book 2: Chained → 2 Stars
Book 3: Betrayed → did not read
Book 4: Reborn → did not read
Profile Image for Harshini.
310 reviews23 followers
Read
May 1, 2016
These 2 books pushed my reading boundaries, but were incredibly hot in a dark way, I wonder if Leo will ever truly care for Kaleb?
Profile Image for Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~.
2,241 reviews260 followers
April 14, 2016
Originally reviewed at Sinfully.

If you haven’t read the first book in the series, The Chimera, you’re going to want to start there. This book picks up right where that one ends, with Leo away on a mission to retrieve a kidnapped doxie and continues following Kaleb’s brutal training, as well as expanding on the Association and the mysterious men that make up its world. It is still dark, but there is also a growing bond between Leo and Kaleb that is simmering just under the surface.

Leo’s mission affords us the opportunity to get a taste of the violence that the beast inside him, the Chimera, craves and can inflict on others. The kills come easily and Leo realizes that without the ambrosia in his body it’s harder control the beast. While Leo is away, Kaleb avails himself of the library, learning a bit more about the history of the so-called “gods”. There is still so much Kaleb doesn’t understand, but at this point he knows what Leo expects of him. Whether or not he can bear what is going on is still uncertain. Part of him still fears Leo and the pain and humiliation he inflicts, while another part of Kaleb is growing to crave those things.

Kaleb’s training takes an unplanned and unexpected leap forward when Leo returns from his mission with severe injuries and Zen works his magic on Kaleb. Zen’s manipulation changes everything and also gives Kaleb a taste of the power he has as a doxie. Unfortunately for Kaleb, Leo is still stronger and that moment of power and control over Leo will have to be paid for with pain, fear and tears later on. Kaleb really is something special and has more power than Leo ever expected. Leo is intent on using that power to make sure that no other god or man will ever have even a small taste of Kaleb.

The training and punishments Leo dishes out to Kaleb get harsher. The sex scenes are intense, with heavy kink (Leo seems to have a fondness for electrical stimulation and orgasm denial). Kaleb is torn between fighting and trying to run from Leo, and giving in to his growing need to please the man and the beast within. I loved seeing both men exhibiting flares of jealousy and attempts, no matter how small, to assert their claims on each other.

Adrienne Wilder moves the story into high gear in this book. There is more explanation as to why Kaleb is so special, and what Alton has been trying to accomplish over the years in order to ensure there will always be enough ambrosia produced for the gods. Kaleb is introduced into the real world of gods and doxies when he is brought the Gathering. It’s an orgy of sex and power where doxies are passed around and used by men, gods and even other doxies. If you thought the first book was a bit raunchy, this one is on a whole other level! Kaleb’s eyes are opened to many things, not the least of which is just how lucky he is to have Leo watching out for him.

Kaleb’s brother Sonny’s story also takes an interesting turn as he begins training to fight with Zen. He finds out some new things about himself and what his future may hold. It’s something Kaleb isn’t really sure how to deal with and which could change the dynamic between the two brothers. Meanwhile, the outside danger to the doxies is growing. There is something just as powerful and dangerous as a god hunting the most vulnerable doxies and leaving a trail of death and destruction.

Chained introduces a number of new gods and doxies, but the one that I fell for hard and fast is Aaron, a young doxie who may be even more innocent than Kaleb. He is only on page briefly, but he makes a huge impact. Let’s just say that Aaron’s god/trainer Sol is not as good a man as Leo. What he suffers in this story is heartbreaking and terrifying and I can only hope there is something good in store for him in the next part of the story. While I wouldn’t necessarily want to see him subject to the whims of Leo and the Chimera, I would love to see a stronger bond form between Kaleb and Aaron.

The story started off dark, twisted, and mysterious and now that emotions are getting involved, things can only get hotter and more dangerous. Paying homage to Greek mythology with a bit of paranormal twist and heavy on the kink, this second book in the series has again left me wanting more! I’m looking forward to seeing what Adrienne Wilder’s imagination has cooked up for the next book.


description


Profile Image for Optimist ♰King's Wench♰.
1,824 reviews3,975 followers
April 20, 2016
How intoxicating is the concept of having someone made for you?

Not figuratively. Actually made for you.

"We've got a good hour and forty-five minutes, and that's if there's no traffic. And I plan to fuck you for at least an hour."


*grunts* *quelts* *coos*

No matter how sadistic Leo is, and he is. Very sadistic. Kaleb just begs for more. Yet it's plain to see that as much as Kaleb belongs to him he belongs to Kaleb just as much if not more so. Wilder is balancing the kink scenes with the cosseting that I crave just as much as the pain really well.

"No one will know you like me, Kaleb. No one will ever be able to satisfy you like I will. You have nothing to fear, you will always be my favored."


 photo tumblr_nwrksnbVOH1r8c8q9o1_500_zpsackxxsrz.jpg

There's also a very nice balancing act happening with Kaleb's character and not letting him become a doormat. He's retaining, and maybe even strengthening, his personality. He's as protective of Leo and Leo is possessive of him.

"Then let him know this time I won't kill him, but if he ever touches what is mine again, I will rip out his throat with my teeth."


All things Cupcake likes. A lot.

The action storyline is gaining steam and I'm thinking I might know what the thing is and I have MUCH EXCITE! And we're getting introduced to more gods. Some I like. *cough* Cyrus *cough* , Zen (another winner) and Sol. *snarl* He can die in a fire.

Did I mention how fuckhot they are together?


Now I have to wait for book 3.

*enters Sadsville, pop. 1 Cupcake*



Profile Image for Monica Vidal.
794 reviews73 followers
May 22, 2018
I’m still so conflicted with this book. Is it hot? Is it torture? Is it kink? Is it romance? I DONT KNOW! All I know is that I can’t stop reading it and while I type this I am already on book 4.

I want to hate Leo because OMG he’s so mean to Kaleb but then Kaleb is squirming in pleasure and I’m here like YOU LOVE IT YOU SLUTY SLUTY DOXIE.

And there are 8 books. I’ll be dead by the end of it.
Profile Image for Elithanathile.
1,927 reviews
May 15, 2018
True rating ... 4.5 stars :-)!!

Thoughts to come but I have to get to the next book now ... :-D!!

*************************************

POTENTIAL TRIGGER FOR SOME: GANG RAPE!!

Let's keep everything in mind here, folks!! The Gathering is basically a glorified version of RAPE!! When Leo talks about doxies getting fucked at The Gathering, he is basically talking about a bunch of men RAPING a doxie!! Yes, a doxie's nature [though NOT Kaleb's] is to be fucked often and by many, so it doesn't seem "so bad"!! BUT, if a doxie DOESN'T want this to happen (but has no choice), it becomes a VIOLENT AND BRUTAL GANG RAPE!! Let's keep that in mind, shall we!! I have absolutely NO doubt that Leo will not let anyone TOUCH Kaleb, but I suspect we are about to witness another doxie's brutal RAPE!! This is NOT fucking, this is NOT an orgy, this is RAPE!!! Based on where I am in the book, it'll be happening to Aaron :-/!!
So if this is a trigger for you, recognize that there WILL BE a relatively graphic/explicit RAPE scene here!! It's called other things under the guise of The Gathering (for the sake of this book), but let's call a spade a spade, it's RAPE - brutal, violent, horrifying, and heartbreaking GANG RAPE!! Consider yourself forewarned!!

I WILL point out however that Leo has absolutely ZERO part in this, and he most definitely does NOT expect or force Kaleb to be a part of it either! Leo is Kaleb’s fiercest protector :-)!! More to the point, in the general scheme of things, I believe the ONLY reason Leo doesn’t intervene when it comes to other doxies during The Gathering, is because up until this point EVERY doxie wanted and begged to be fucked by all the gods there; it was always consensual (and in those specific cases, it was never rape)!!
It’s for THIS reason that I am absolutely positive Leo hasn’t put an absolute halt to what The Gathering is about (as all doxies until Kaleb and Aaron consented to it)!! But that’s where things grind to a halt, because Kaleb and Aaron DO NOT want it! Now, Leo saves Kaleb from this fate and will ferociously continue to do so [so Kaleb is 100% safe], but Aaron ... no one saves him [he is not Leo’s doxie at this point], and yes, again, the GANG RAPE is brutal!! I am positive Leo will see it for what it is and will most definitely avenge him though!!


***********************************************

Absolute ultimate favorite quote @ 37% ...
😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍!!

If Kaleb didn’t learn to control his release, he could easily overdose the average man and kill him. He might even be too potent for some gods, especially those like Cerberus who tended to gorge himself into oblivion.
There was a solution to the problem. One Leo had decided the moment he heard Kaleb call out his name. The boy was not leaving him. Not in a year, not in ten years, not ever.  He wanted ownership. Complete ownership. He was the only one who would have the pleasures Kaleb could bring.
Profile Image for Jacque.
998 reviews22 followers
July 30, 2019
Whoa! If I thought The Chimera blew me away, and nothing was going to top it, I was wrong. Chained is even more freaking believable. More sex. More characters. More twisted darkness.

I’m looking at the blurb and comparing it to what I just finished read. Okay yeah some of this stuff did happen. But honestly, the blurb sounds like a nice walk in the park compared to what really happens. Kaleb, ambrosia and Leo…YIKES! Zen you are so bad. The Gathering was sexual insanity! Sol…OMG, someone please hand me a gun. At this point, I’m not sure if he’s good or bad but I do know he needs a bullet put between those beautiful empty eyes of his. The last tidbit is Leo searching for the missing doxie. I have two favorite things about this series. The first is the connection, relationship whatever you want to call it going on between Kaleb and Leo. 194 pages is not long enough to experience it all. Heck 1940 pages wouldn’t be long enough. The second is the mystery surrounding the missing doxie. As soon as I finished Chained, my brain immediately started spinning a mile a minute trying to piece it all together. The whole God myth legend, how it plays into it all, who’s behind it all. Alton I’m blaming you for starting the problem. God it’s so deliciously dark and wicked!

Not sure what it says about me that I’m enjoying this series. It’s so dark, twisted and hopped up on the most unbelievable sex, it’s unlike any other DE I’ve encountered. The levels that Leo pushes Kaleb to should be disturbing and yet, I am hanging on every word begging for more. There’s more to this Master and Doxie relationship then meets the eye. It hot and exciting but there this… connection they have. Kaleb has the love/hate thing going on. Leo is deeply attached to his Doxie. In its own way, it’s so more deep and intense than some romances I’ve read.

Last time around, I debated if the sex was non-con or consensual. That was part of the reason I gave it such a high flame rating. This time around I can say (somewhat) it is consensual. I’m throwing in the somewhat because yes, Kaleb is wanting Leo. He may not enjoy how far he is being pushed to his limits, but for the most part, he is enjoying and craving it. Between that and what goes down at the Gathering both to Kaleb (Yowza!) and to Aaron (I want to beat you Sol!), gets nothing less than 5 Flames. Consider yourself warned.

Normally, I’m read, review, next. However, Adrienne Wilder’s Bound Gods series has given me one heck of a book hanger. I’ve taken to stalking the author’s website hoping to get a glimpse of when the next book releases. I feel like a god addicted to ambrosia. I need more Leo and Kaleb, right now. No word yet. Checks again. Nothing. Damn….


I received this book from the JeepDiva for the express purposes of an honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine.
Stars - 5, Flames - 5
Profile Image for FantasyLiving.
604 reviews36 followers
May 28, 2019


I honestly don’t know what I was talking about when I wrote my review back in 2016 but I was clearly not in my right mind. And judging by my faulty memory, I don’t even know if I read the entire book (it says I did on my kindle but I may have blanked out somehow)

I really enjoyed this re-read. I enjoy the dynamic developing between Kaleb and Leo. I love where this story is going and I am enjoying the world building.
I hope that Kaleb and Leo start a revolution. 😄

Anyway, I’m leaving my previous review up as an example of how tastes change, moods can affect perception, and re-reading 3 star rated book can create an entirely new feeling.

TW: rape, dubious consent, electricity, sounding, impact play, capture-fantasy.





2016 review: While there is a lot going on, and this story is dark, it deals more with the inner workings of the gods, and what is going on with them as a group, rather than Kaleb and Leo's relationship.

One of the doxie's has gone missing, and this is bringing out Leo's protective instincts in a very big way.

This story is more bloody than the previous book, and less focused on training Kaleb.

I was expecting more from the 'training' but it seems Leo is too distracted, and so when they attend a Gathering, Kaleb is left floundering and trying to figure out what to do.

I would have preferred the instructions to be more specific. It felt like Leo was so distracted that he couldn't be bothered doing what he was 'the best' at. He's supposed to be the best trainer of the gods, and yet I feel he is failing. For whatever reason that may be.

But I'm still very intrigued, and I will continue on with this series when book #3 comes out.
Profile Image for Courtney Bassett.
801 reviews195 followers
June 13, 2018
A gripping continuation of the series

The plot thickens! Kaleb and Leo continue to be scorchingly hot together, but there are outside events threatening their safety and way of life. I am thoroughly enjoying this, and will be moving right on to book three.
Profile Image for JenMcJ.
2,608 reviews325 followers
May 21, 2018
This next book is still pretty good. Even more depth in sciency (industry term, lol) stuff and in plot. I'm not liking how the books reiterate what went on in the previous books. It's redundant. I get that is't a serial and that the author is trying to catch up readers that haven't read previous books, but I think that is on the reader, not the author to fix.

Still missing some...connection some how. Still hard to put down.
Profile Image for Tammy.
1,247 reviews35 followers
July 13, 2017
Kinky and ruff and I LOVED every bit of it with the exception on poor Aaron. Hopefully in the next book things will get better for him, HOPEFULLY!
Profile Image for Pierre.
88 reviews41 followers
August 3, 2019
4.5* good since I want to know more but slightly too much torture/sex
Profile Image for Alastair .
294 reviews26 followers
October 31, 2021
This is so good? Like? I can't put it down. It's not getting my rocks off but I'm definitely invested.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews

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