What do you think?
Rate this book
Bound
A dark MM retelling of the Rapunzel fairy tale!
I have lived in a secluded tower made of glass, high above the world for my entire life. I am special and cannot live outside the safety of these walls, without getting sick and dying. My life is the same every day until my father brings home a man that is my uncle. Everything changes. Father dies and I am forced into a world of servitude.
I discover that my life has been a lie. Everything I had ever been told was to keep me here, trapped in this prison. My Uncle pimps me out for men to use in whatever way they desire. It isn't until a mysterious stranger breaks into my prison that I learn the truth and discover what it really is to love.
Now I am a killer and I am tracking down the man who spurned me and stole everything from me. How can you kill the man you love? My desires cannot stop my revenge.
Grim and Sinister Delights is a dark romance series based on classic fairy tales and stories. You will find standalone tales of gay romance that range in darkness and kinks. If you dare to take the challenge, read them all to find yourself lost in a classic that you think you know. These stories are for adult readers and may contain morally ambiguous themes.
I have lived in a secluded tower made of glass, high above the world for my entire life. I am special and cannot live outside the safety of these walls, without getting sick and dying. My life is the same every day until my father brings home a man that is my uncle. Everything changes. Father dies and I am forced into a world of servitude.
I discover that my life has been a lie. Everything I had ever been told was to keep me here, trapped in this prison. My Uncle pimps me out for men to use in whatever way they desire. It isn't until a mysterious stranger breaks into my prison that I learn the truth and discover what it really is to love.
Now I am a killer and I am tracking down the man who spurned me and stole everything from me. How can you kill the man you love? My desires cannot stop my revenge.
Grim and Sinister Delights is a dark romance series based on classic fairy tales and stories. You will find standalone tales of gay romance that range in darkness and kinks. If you dare to take the challenge, read them all to find yourself lost in a classic that you think you know. These stories are for adult readers and may contain morally ambiguous themes.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2020
45 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 5, 2023
4.49 stars ...
Not *quite* a 5 star read,
but for what it claims to be ...
very "dark",
very "grim",
very "sinister" ...
it hit just right for me! 😏
Not *quite* a 5 star read,
but for what it claims to be ...
very "dark",
very "grim",
very "sinister" ...
it hit just right for me! 😏
October 22, 2020
This didn't really go well for me.
Meh. This was an M/M Dark Erotic retelling of Rapunzel. The writing was good & the sex was hot. The action was action, but I just didn't feel it. I just really didn't feel the romance, like at all. Truly I think it had a lot to do with it being a male author. I don't seem to connect with them as well. This really should have been right up my alley. But it wasn't really. I even found myself skimming it in places, Which is never, ever, ever a good thing.
Meh. This was an M/M Dark Erotic retelling of Rapunzel. The writing was good & the sex was hot. The action was action, but I just didn't feel it. I just really didn't feel the romance, like at all. Truly I think it had a lot to do with it being a male author. I don't seem to connect with them as well. This really should have been right up my alley. But it wasn't really. I even found myself skimming it in places, Which is never, ever, ever a good thing.
September 11, 2020
I love getting to know the reasons behind Danny being traped. I also liked some parts of the plot. But sadly, this book didn't really worked for me.
I had a problem getting in touch with Danny's emotions. There were also a lot of unaswered questions when I finished the book. And Danny's change of personality wasn't something I enjoyed.
I liked that there were a lot of plot twists, but it all happened too fast and it felt like a complitely different book. It made it hard to really liked it, for me.
I had a problem getting in touch with Danny's emotions. There were also a lot of unaswered questions when I finished the book. And Danny's change of personality wasn't something I enjoyed.
I liked that there were a lot of plot twists, but it all happened too fast and it felt like a complitely different book. It made it hard to really liked it, for me.
September 11, 2020
Bound by more than just lies, what will it cost to break free?
This book pulled me in from the first pages. The world that is Danny's home & prison is detailed and tragic. Misguided love, lies, greed, and innocence lost. There were times I wanted to kick people in places better not mentioned. But secrets have a way of coming out. An unlikely ally will help Danny get free.
Lied to, virginal Danny is pimped out by his greedy "uncle". When a thief comes in the night, Danny learns the truth. But the cost of his freedom is part of his soul, and maybe his heart. Taken in & trained by a guild of assassins, Danny becomes Steel. Caught up in a bid for power, reunited with the thief who stole his heart, Steel will find his destiny.
This is a darker story. There is a lot of sex, quite graphic. There is seduction and steely resolve, violence & death. I was completely caught up in the story. You will be, too.
This book contains adult themes and language, mm sex and is intended for mature readers only.
This book pulled me in from the first pages. The world that is Danny's home & prison is detailed and tragic. Misguided love, lies, greed, and innocence lost. There were times I wanted to kick people in places better not mentioned. But secrets have a way of coming out. An unlikely ally will help Danny get free.
Lied to, virginal Danny is pimped out by his greedy "uncle". When a thief comes in the night, Danny learns the truth. But the cost of his freedom is part of his soul, and maybe his heart. Taken in & trained by a guild of assassins, Danny becomes Steel. Caught up in a bid for power, reunited with the thief who stole his heart, Steel will find his destiny.
This is a darker story. There is a lot of sex, quite graphic. There is seduction and steely resolve, violence & death. I was completely caught up in the story. You will be, too.
This book contains adult themes and language, mm sex and is intended for mature readers only.
September 13, 2020
Oh my! This book was one of the most anticipated release of this series for me, and it didn't disappoint at all!
Love long hair, and this Rapunzel retelling was so so good! Denny and his life was so sad to read about, but so good at the same time. I loved seeing him being happy, he was such a good character. The things his uncle did to him, and all the secrets around his life, everything was exciting.
The erotic scenes were super hot, I loved reading about all of Denny's first times, and that foursome was really hot! I couldn't wait to see him falling in love and live the life he deserves.
The book is in two parts, I loved the first one better then the second. The second part of the story was a whole other world for Denny, and it was more action filled. The first part is perfect, the second only 4 star, so 4,5 for the whole book. But I really enjoyed reading it. I love this series and can't wait to read the other books too.
Love long hair, and this Rapunzel retelling was so so good! Denny and his life was so sad to read about, but so good at the same time. I loved seeing him being happy, he was such a good character. The things his uncle did to him, and all the secrets around his life, everything was exciting.
The erotic scenes were super hot, I loved reading about all of Denny's first times, and that foursome was really hot! I couldn't wait to see him falling in love and live the life he deserves.
The book is in two parts, I loved the first one better then the second. The second part of the story was a whole other world for Denny, and it was more action filled. The first part is perfect, the second only 4 star, so 4,5 for the whole book. But I really enjoyed reading it. I love this series and can't wait to read the other books too.
September 12, 2020
Amazing
Couldn’t put it down . It’s dark and hot and truly amazing. The characters are great I loved Fin and Steel . It works . A must read for all dark story lovers . Highly recommended
Couldn’t put it down . It’s dark and hot and truly amazing. The characters are great I loved Fin and Steel . It works . A must read for all dark story lovers . Highly recommended
September 10, 2020
Fun
Fun take on a reimagined claasic, an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours on the weekend with a wine
Fun take on a reimagined claasic, an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours on the weekend with a wine
Want to read
September 9, 2020
→ Just released! Grab your copy now! ←
→ Submit or subscribe to The DARK Newsletter! ←
Blurb:
A dark MM retelling of the Rapunzel fairy tale!
I have lived in a secluded tower made of glass, high above the world for my entire life. I am special and cannot live outside the safety of these walls, without getting sick and dying. My life is the same every day until my father brings home a man that is my uncle. Everything changes. Father dies and I am forced into a world of servitude.
I discover that my life has been a lie. Everything I had ever been told was to keep me here, trapped in this prison. My Uncle pimps me out for men to use in whatever way they desire. It isn't until a mysterious stranger breaks into my prison that I learn the truth and discover what it really is to love.
Now I am a killer and I am tracking down the man who spurned me and stole everything from me. How can you kill the man you love? My desires cannot stop my revenge.
Grim and Sinister Delights is a dark romance series based on classic fairy tales and stories. You will find standalone tales of gay romance that range in darkness and kinks. If you dare to take the challenge, read them all to find yourself lost in a classic that you think you know. These stories are for adult readers and may contain morally ambiguous themes.
Merged review:
→ Just released! Grab your copy now! ←
→ Submit or subscribe to The DARK Newsletter! ←
Blurb:
A dark MM retelling of the Rapunzel fairy tale!
I have lived in a secluded tower made of glass, high above the world for my entire life. I am special and cannot live outside the safety of these walls, without getting sick and dying. My life is the same every day until my father brings home a man that is my uncle. Everything changes. Father dies and I am forced into a world of servitude.
I discover that my life has been a lie. Everything I had ever been told was to keep me here, trapped in this prison. My Uncle pimps me out for men to use in whatever way they desire. It isn't until a mysterious stranger breaks into my prison that I learn the truth and discover what it really is to love.
Now I am a killer and I am tracking down the man who spurned me and stole everything from me. How can you kill the man you love? My desires cannot stop my revenge.
Grim and Sinister Delights is a dark romance series based on classic fairy tales and stories. You will find standalone tales of gay romance that range in darkness and kinks. If you dare to take the challenge, read them all to find yourself lost in a classic that you think you know. These stories are for adult readers and may contain morally ambiguous themes.
November 26, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
- MM
- Dark erotica
- Rent boy (not by choice)
- MMM scene w/ DP
- Prince locked in a tower turned assassin
- Selling your virginity
- Masked man
“This man was robbing me, but all I wanted was to be his.”
What do you do when a sexy man breaks into your tower to rob you? Knock him out, tie him up, and then hook up of course lol.
When Danny learns the truth about his life I did not see the time jump coming. This book was dark erotica but the plot of this book was actually really good.
Retelling of: Rapunzel
*Part of the Grim and Sinister Delights series but can be read in any order, they are not connected at all*
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
- MM
- Dark erotica
- Rent boy (not by choice)
- MMM scene w/ DP
- Prince locked in a tower turned assassin
- Selling your virginity
- Masked man
“This man was robbing me, but all I wanted was to be his.”
What do you do when a sexy man breaks into your tower to rob you? Knock him out, tie him up, and then hook up of course lol.
When Danny learns the truth about his life I did not see the time jump coming. This book was dark erotica but the plot of this book was actually really good.
Retelling of: Rapunzel
*Part of the Grim and Sinister Delights series but can be read in any order, they are not connected at all*
February 3, 2024
2.5/5
The premise of this is so good! It's such a shame it didn't reach its full potential.
First, you must ignore the huge, gaping plot hole. Like, you'd think with all the money Danny's father had, he would have been able to easily whip up some fake ids and documents for Danny, instead of coming up with his convoluted plan to lock and isolate Danny up in a tower. But that's fine! I was all into it. The story sounded deliciously dark; except, it wasn't actually very dark. Yes, the idea of whoring out Danny is dark, and should have been dark, but the writing didn't really present it as such.
Then there's the problem of having a whiplash of a story between the first and second half of the book. There was such a tonal shift, I believed it would have been better if the story was split into a duology. As it is, neither half of the story got the development it needed to really blossom into something great. Danny for instance was almost like 2 completely different persons, and it did not make sense in the short time skip we got. Perhaps if we had gotten more development and time to see Danny change, then it would have been easier to accept. It was also frustrating to see Danny declare he'd never be taken advantage again, and acting like he was such a 'badass" in control, when in reality he was still very much being taken advantage of by the Assassin guild. Ugh, I wanted to shake him by the shoulders so hard.
Lastly, the romance was supremely lacking too. The spicy scenes were good, but dear god, I hated Finn. I disliked him more than Danny's uncle. Danny's uncle was meant to be an irredeemable slime, but Finn was worse because he knew very well he took advantage of an innocent and left him out to dry. He deserved none of Danny's affections. Still, it was an easy read and I might check out more of this author's other books.
The premise of this is so good! It's such a shame it didn't reach its full potential.
First, you must ignore the huge, gaping plot hole. Like, you'd think with all the money Danny's father had, he would have been able to easily whip up some fake ids and documents for Danny, instead of coming up with his convoluted plan to lock and isolate Danny up in a tower. But that's fine! I was all into it. The story sounded deliciously dark; except, it wasn't actually very dark. Yes, the idea of whoring out Danny is dark, and should have been dark, but the writing didn't really present it as such.
Then there's the problem of having a whiplash of a story between the first and second half of the book. There was such a tonal shift, I believed it would have been better if the story was split into a duology. As it is, neither half of the story got the development it needed to really blossom into something great. Danny for instance was almost like 2 completely different persons, and it did not make sense in the short time skip we got. Perhaps if we had gotten more development and time to see Danny change, then it would have been easier to accept. It was also frustrating to see Danny declare he'd never be taken advantage again, and acting like he was such a 'badass" in control, when in reality he was still very much being taken advantage of by the Assassin guild. Ugh, I wanted to shake him by the shoulders so hard.
Lastly, the romance was supremely lacking too. The spicy scenes were good, but dear god, I hated Finn. I disliked him more than Danny's uncle. Danny's uncle was meant to be an irredeemable slime, but Finn was worse because he knew very well he took advantage of an innocent and left him out to dry. He deserved none of Danny's affections. Still, it was an easy read and I might check out more of this author's other books.
December 13, 2020
gone wrong. Each book in the series is written by a different author and stands alone by itself.
Bound was an interesting concept, and there were many parts of the story that I liked and enjoyed, but I think it was far too short a book for the level of complexity that the plot demanded. The book was based off of the Rapunzel fairytale set within the modern age. It then takes a strange turn and becomes an action-packed, secret assassin organization, thriller. The transition into the secret organization portion was too abrupt; one moment the main character was a sheltered and manipulated young man and the next moment he was a top-notch assassin. This transition would have been fine if the author took us on that journey, but instead, the author just told us two years had past and expected the readers to believe that the main character, who had never even lived on his own, had learned all these new and complex skills in such a fast timeframe. This was disappointing because the authors writing was wonderful, and the action scenes were well written. Plus, the sex scenes were INCREDIBLE—really hot and intense and exploring different kinks. Overall, not a bad book, but it should have been longer.
Bound was an interesting concept, and there were many parts of the story that I liked and enjoyed, but I think it was far too short a book for the level of complexity that the plot demanded. The book was based off of the Rapunzel fairytale set within the modern age. It then takes a strange turn and becomes an action-packed, secret assassin organization, thriller. The transition into the secret organization portion was too abrupt; one moment the main character was a sheltered and manipulated young man and the next moment he was a top-notch assassin. This transition would have been fine if the author took us on that journey, but instead, the author just told us two years had past and expected the readers to believe that the main character, who had never even lived on his own, had learned all these new and complex skills in such a fast timeframe. This was disappointing because the authors writing was wonderful, and the action scenes were well written. Plus, the sex scenes were INCREDIBLE—really hot and intense and exploring different kinks. Overall, not a bad book, but it should have been longer.
September 15, 2020
Rapunzel is entertaining
Danny has been living in a glass tower as long as he can remember. His father tells Danny that he has a terrible condition and he can't be infected by other people so he has to stay in the glass tower. His life is okay but lonely. His father stops showing up for a few days and soon Father comes back with "uncle". Father is dying and now uncle will be taking over care of Danny. After Father dies, Uncle states Danny must earn his keep.. Uncle turns Danny into a high class prostitute to pay for the bills incurred by Dannys health. As time goes on, Danny longs for more than just spreading his legs for the next john. Then he finds out everything he thought he knew about his life was a lie.
Part 2 of the book felt a little disconnected from Part 1. But I feel that he becomes a different person in part 2. All his experiences have changed him.
I enjoyed the story..it kept moving. Id read more from this author.
Danny has been living in a glass tower as long as he can remember. His father tells Danny that he has a terrible condition and he can't be infected by other people so he has to stay in the glass tower. His life is okay but lonely. His father stops showing up for a few days and soon Father comes back with "uncle". Father is dying and now uncle will be taking over care of Danny. After Father dies, Uncle states Danny must earn his keep.. Uncle turns Danny into a high class prostitute to pay for the bills incurred by Dannys health. As time goes on, Danny longs for more than just spreading his legs for the next john. Then he finds out everything he thought he knew about his life was a lie.
Part 2 of the book felt a little disconnected from Part 1. But I feel that he becomes a different person in part 2. All his experiences have changed him.
I enjoyed the story..it kept moving. Id read more from this author.
December 10, 2023
This was a surprise
Magical hair, life that was all a lie and naive boy who never left the safety of his apartment.
I'm subtracting one star because there seemed to be a huge gap in pacing between the first and second half of the book. The first, despite what was going on, seemed to go quite slowly (and I was fine with that, as it fitted the story).
On the other hand, the second part felt like it was rushing by, and I feel like a few more things could have passed before the final confrontation. It just felt too hurried, and that almost ruined the ending for me.
Overall, a pretty sweet story (not really in that sense) that's worth a read. Kind of dark, so it might not be for everyone.
Magical hair, life that was all a lie and naive boy who never left the safety of his apartment.
I'm subtracting one star because there seemed to be a huge gap in pacing between the first and second half of the book. The first, despite what was going on, seemed to go quite slowly (and I was fine with that, as it fitted the story).
On the other hand, the second part felt like it was rushing by, and I feel like a few more things could have passed before the final confrontation. It just felt too hurried, and that almost ruined the ending for me.
Overall, a pretty sweet story (not really in that sense) that's worth a read. Kind of dark, so it might not be for everyone.
May 12, 2021
I’m reviewing the audio edition. I almost passed on this because I normally don’t like fairytale remakes. This story has so much more that I feel it should be advertised on its own rather than anything to do with a fairytale. There is so much emotion throughout this story. From Danny’s time as a captive right through to the end it just touched my heart. The narration of Gavin McAllister brought the story to life and his performance gave soul to all the emotions. The flow of the story held my interest. The twists kept this more than the retelling. I’m glad I got the chance to listen to it.
June 17, 2021
A delightfully dark and twisted retelling of Rapunzel set mostly in modern NYC, featuring a high-end rent-boy, blade-wielding assassins, along with perfidy, dissimulation, and duplicity galore. And just a smidgen of hair-based magic.
While this qualifies as romantic suspense, I personally think the romance should have been discarded in favor of some manner of friends-with-benefits. I did not like the way it ended (an HEA) and would have preferred that the two main characters might instead have gone on some bloody vigilantist antihero-style campaign. Still, it is a fun read as a dark, modern-day fairy tale.
While this qualifies as romantic suspense, I personally think the romance should have been discarded in favor of some manner of friends-with-benefits. I did not like the way it ended (an HEA) and would have preferred that the two main characters might instead have gone on some bloody vigilantist antihero-style campaign. Still, it is a fun read as a dark, modern-day fairy tale.
December 12, 2022
Neither the characters, plot, action or sex kept me engaged in the book.I respect the story the author was trying to tell, but I just couldn't get into. The prose and writing style seemed to want to be introspective and poetic but for me came across as clunky and distant. I never felt connected to Danny or his plight and he remained easily led and used as a tool as he realizes later (again bc it had to be pointed out by someone else) that he was ushered into killing and still wasn't living his own life. Being a killer made him feel powerful but he still didn't seem to know who he was or what he wanted (other than Finn's massive dick).
September 10, 2020
This book was a little different for me, it’s in 2 parts and part 1 was all about what I usually read, steamy hot, kinky sex in a story very loosely based on Rapunzel. Part 2 was two years later and totally different, Danny (Rapunzel figure) was so completely changed I had trouble relating to him. All that aside I thoroughly enjoyed this story, Danny/Mason and Finn are hot sexy MC's as well as bad guys, eventually anyway. This is part of a series of stories extremely loosely based in fairy tales, I haven't read any of the other but I think I will be, great stuff.
October 9, 2021
The concept of this story was cool, and the fight scenes were done really well. Definitely dark and twisty, our Repunzel is a scary badass. Actually, it's probably just as bad as the original version, so kudos, good research. There was so much crammed in this short book, I might've liked it better if the explanations were more thorough. Like, "magic" was the only reason for the indestructable hair, with no other hints at anything else supernatural in the universe. There could have been more here. Also, a bunch of wierd punctuation errors, someone needs to review their comma rules.
July 31, 2023
It seems to have sped up after he got out. Maybe because the first half's setting never changed but it just felt rushed- the Web could have been a cool network to dig a little deeper in. Once he became a trained killer, it could have been a whole new book from there. Anyway, I would still read a sequel- other than what I just said and some grammar issues with commas and periods, it wasn't too bad.
March 4, 2023
This was fantastic
Bound by Sean Azinsalt should really be called the saga of STEEL. The story is divided into two parts. The early years and a couple years later. Actually when Danny was an innocent vs when he's James Bond. I really enjoyed his story or his journey through life being bound then unbound.
Bound by Sean Azinsalt should really be called the saga of STEEL. The story is divided into two parts. The early years and a couple years later. Actually when Danny was an innocent vs when he's James Bond. I really enjoyed his story or his journey through life being bound then unbound.
August 29, 2024
fairytale retell
had such a strong beginning. it felt so magical and intense. I kinda got disappointed when I realized it was set in modern times. No, I don't want Wall Street mentioned in my fiction. It stayed pretty true to the fairytale of Rapunzel though. The romance was pretty cute. I liked the ending
had such a strong beginning. it felt so magical and intense. I kinda got disappointed when I realized it was set in modern times. No, I don't want Wall Street mentioned in my fiction. It stayed pretty true to the fairytale of Rapunzel though. The romance was pretty cute. I liked the ending
October 2, 2023
AUDIOBOOK
I enjoyed this Rapunzel MM retelling poor Damon had been deceived all his life to control him . When Finn told him the truth he took control of his life by becoming an assassin and making those who prey on innocents pay.
I enjoyed this Rapunzel MM retelling poor Damon had been deceived all his life to control him . When Finn told him the truth he took control of his life by becoming an assassin and making those who prey on innocents pay.
November 6, 2020
It was ok
It was an ok book. Not like Danny really tracked down Finn more like thought about killing him when they caught back up later in life. Just ok.
It was an ok book. Not like Danny really tracked down Finn more like thought about killing him when they caught back up later in life. Just ok.
July 23, 2021
I shouldn't rate this book, I didn't finished it, it was exhausting to read, all over the place, to much happening but it was boring, it is not for me, I'm going to stop reading this series here.
June 15, 2022
Not the author’s best work and the ending was rushed a lot however still kept me entertained
November 7, 2023
Just not feeling it. I think I’m done with this author.
December 19, 2024
Needed moreeee but amazing
Read
January 26, 2023Told in two parts, I suppose the first part was fine enough. But the second part made me roll my eyes, skim for a bit, then throw in the towel.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews