| Title | : | The Chimera (Bound Gods, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 147 |
| Publication | : | First published March 27, 2016 |
After the Great Economic Collapse there are no laws that cannot be broken. And Kaleb is forced into a ten-year sentence of servitude where he will have no say, no rights, no value and yet be coveted and protected as if he were a priceless treasure.
Leo Roan has slipped the noose the Association bound him with by breaking his addiction to ambrosia, and Kaleb Holten was supposed to be his last assignment as a doxie Master. But something about the boy begins weaving a new net that will not only ensnare him but the conscious darkness inside that craves pain, agony, suffering, and death.
The Chimera (Bound Gods, #1) Reviews
-
4 Stars
Kaleb’s father had made a deal twenty years ago but he still couldn’t pay it or should I say he doesn’t want to pay it with his money so instead of his money, they took Kaleb as his payment. Leo is obliged to train him. He is a god born with the conscience of a beast, living inside him, thirsting for violence, craving pain, hunting agony. Leo is a doxie and he isn’t familiar with this world.
"This innocent boy. Knew nothing about what he was. What he would become. That his place was at the feet of the gods, serving them any way they chose. Mind, soul...body. Short of physical damage or death, there was nothing they would not do to him Taboo did not exist."
Like always Adrienne Wilder didn’t disappoint! Loved this one! I liked Kaleb but I can’t say the same for Leo! He is really like a beast somehow! I would like him more if he went a bit easy on Kaleb! It’s like he had feelings for Kaleb but I didn’t see it or feel it! maybe I’m wrong and he doesn’t like Kaleb! I hope in the next books he grows on me! I love BDSM scenes but in this one, they were a bit too much and kinky! It was like you can feel Kaleb’s hurt more than his pleasure!
Told in dual POV, 3rd person. It’s the first installment in the "Bound Gods" series and it ends on a mild cliffhanger. All in all, I had a good time with it and hope you like it as well! -
My first Wilder and Jesus, Mary & Joseph did she create a fan. In one chapter! One chapter I was hooked! It's like she wrote this for me.
Why he was nothing and at the same time everything.
Sweet slave boy who's a natural submissive and doesn't understand what he's feeling only that he doesn't want to disappoint Leo. Leo is a master that's possessive and even growls!
The kink is splendid-pain play, med kink, humiliation, CHASTITY!, and ERMAGERD!@#$%^&*%^$*&^%$# that whole feeding scene... *stares off into space* I'm so bad wrong. And he cries a lot. I really should feel badly about how much I loved all this "suffering", but... *shrugs*
This is set in an AU USA Kaleb is a doxie in training under Leo. Leo has sworn that Kaleb will be his last doxie, then he will enjoy his freedom from The Association. There's even a little mystery/thriller type plot brewing and a hot transvestite who, I think, is some sort of martial arts guru!
Written. For. Me. Ms. Wilder, just PM me your address. I owe you some flowers or something.
I have a feeling Leo's objective is prolly not how this is going to go down, but who knows?
Debra's review is vastly more articulate than this squealing drivel.
I, however, have to leap into book 2! -
I was in the mood for something dark and twisted and this book delivered in a big way. So far I'm loving Leo, who is a super possessive alpha and a god, and Kaleb, who is young, innocent but stubborn and somewhat defiant.
If not for the cringe worthy bdsm scenes, this would be a solid 5 stars for me. I'll be honest and say that I'm just getting tired of the whole bdsm scene. I used to like it until it became too common and overdone.
Anyway on to book two because there are a lot of unanswered questions, and I'm dying to get some answers! -
Overall book rating: 4.25
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3
I’m late for the party. AGAIN. But hey, I’m here now and it seems I missed out!
I’m kinda feeling like a kid in a candy store at the moment.
I’m all over the place with all the things drawing my attention, because this story has so much GOOD STUFF!
It's deliciously messed up.
It’s got so much potential and not only in one way. Hmmm.
Overwhelmed with the possibilities. That’s what I am.
I think I’ll have a better review for the next one, or maybe, I’ll review the last book in the series.
I’m loving this! -
This wasn't to my taste. :( I love Adrienne Wilder. Her writing makes me feel so many emotions. In the case of The Chimera, I mostly felt disgust and nose wrinkling icky. I don't understand Kaleb's choice; I certainly would not have made the same one. And I don't understand why doxies must be treated in this way. They can still provide the ambrosia needed without the suffering Kaleb is just starting to be put thru.
I didn't like Leo, and I certainly didn't like Kaleb's father (what a selfish asshole!). I did like (love!) Sammy; that kid is tough and deserves all the goodness in the world. I can understand Kaleb wanting to make sure his brother is protected and gets everything he needs (I am leaving out a spoiler element), but to endure what he is going to be put thru for 10 years...no. Just no. Kaleb and Sammy would be just fine if Kaleb had said no. Their father's company would have been sold, and more than likely their father killed for his debts, but Kaleb and Sammy would have still had hidden resources from their father they could survive on.
Will I read the next book? I'm not sure. Chances are 60/40, not in the books favor. But me and my curiosity are known problems, so we'll see what time brings. 2 stars. :( -
4.5 stars
-
I've yet to read an Adrienne Wilder work of fiction that doesn't excel.
Seriously beautiful writing style, always epic, dark, twisted and original.
The Chimera is only the first book in a 9 book series so I have no idea where any of this is going. 4 Stars because it's like rating a novel based on the first 20% of the story.
It's set in this dystopian world there are hints of fantasy/paranormal elements.
Leo is The Chimera and he's also a God. One tasked with collecting the collateral for a debt owed. A collateral in the form of a young man, 18 years old, Kaleb. The goal is to collect, break, train and handover Kaleb to other Gods. Over the years, Leo has trained many like Kaleb (Doxies), he excels at it but there is something different about Kaleb. Something that calls to his inner beast.
"A boy who seemed made just for him, for the Chimera. A Doxie who called to all the sinful things the creature thrived on. While fear and pain always caught the beast's attention, nothing had held it like this. Nothing had drawn it so close to the surface it threatened to take hold."
Kaleb is completely in the dark, betrayed by his father but still willing to sacrifice himself in order to protect the family he has left. What's 10 years of servitude vs the destruction of all that he holds dear.
Kaleb is a conundrum. I can't quite get a grasp of him as a character. Probably because for the most part he is behaving like the 18 year old he is, inquisitive, confused, conflicted, terrified. But even he feels the pull towards Leo, even as he cowers in fear.
"Something about him made Kaleb want to stay. Some deep, dark part of his being meant to be here under Leo's command. Invisible strings slowly falling into place, tying him down. The thought terrified Kaleb but what scared him more was if he walked. What would happen then? Not to everyone else, but this feeling, because it wouldn’t stop growing. Like some out-of-control vine it would ensnare him until he choked."
So yeah, I have no idea where any of this is going to go. Knowing Adrienne Wilder's work, it will all be unexpected and plenty of plot twists to look forward too. There is a hint of mystery in the horizon and until then this book is filled with hot, explicit sexual scenes ;). Leo meticulously taking Kaleb apart, no words *fans self*.
Definitely recommending to anyone who's looking for dark/twisted characters, erotica with plot, bdsm and paranormal elements. -
What does that say about me? But I kinda loved the asshole Leo.
He literally has the beast in him. Ohhhh and Kaleb. He has still a long way to come or not come.
"This isn't about you, boy. I told you, I enjoy your pain, I enjoy your cries, I want you to hurt."
"Why?"
"Because it is a gift to treasure. Now, do you want to come?"
"Yes."
"Too bad." -
Society sways
Fallen days, an unpaid debt
Sweetly pain whispers
Managed to inspire a haiku review if not a lot of other excitement.
So, this is a dystopian debt slave fic. I suppose if it is one of the first you've read about training and breaking then it's more powerful. It's got the usual psychological and physiological barrier breaking scenes and they're interesting. The mythological/technological tie in has potential, but not sure if it will be realized. I'm not a fan of serials so less enamored with that, but I did know it going in so no demerits for that.
My favorite part is the man versus self conflict of Leo. Probably one of the things I enjoy most about various Wilder stories that I've read. Especially, when man loses to the beast inside. I didn't really connect with this for whatever reason, but the pain was nicely done. Again, a strong suit of Wilder's that I appreciate.
Not sure I'll follow on, aside from an arc plot surprise I think I've got a handle on where it's going, and the sectioned nature of serials makes it very hard for me to invest in the story. Mayhap I'll try it when it's completed.
Overall, a sweetly possessive slave trainer story. -
I was totally blown away. This book was excellent. The characters were fantastic and the story was so creative, very well done. I downloaded the sequel before I had even finished this one.
I've got to knock off .5 star only because of all the sentences which end in prepositions, but that's just one of my things... -
Uhhhh hm. The sex scenes made me cringe and cross my legs. Brutal. Interesting world building but oh boy.
This is a very specific series of kinks. And there's a part of me that wants to continue if only for the actual plot and just skimming the sex. I'll have to think about it. -
Review originally posted at
Sinfully.
This was an intense start to a new, dark and dirty paranormal series. Set in the United States after the Great Economic Collapse, there is intrigue, a wealthy and powerful group called the Association and the mysterious men involved with it that are not quite human. This story won’t be for everyone and includes dubious consent, kink and references to past rape.
Kaleb Holten is 18 years old and prepared to start college, he’s hoping to get out from his father’s overwhelming control, when everything comes crashing down. Finding out that he is the collateral for his father’s massive debt, created for the sole purpose of being sent into 10 years of servitude and sex slavery with Alton McKinely and the Association rather than his father having to part with any of his money, leaves him with an agonizing choice to make. Yes, Kaleb has a choice, but he accepts the contract out of equal parts naivete and love for his siblings, especially 16 year old Sonny who is hoping to transition to male but is being blocked by their father who is planning to fix her by marrying her off to an older business acquaintance as soon as possible.
Known by some as a god, Leo is a man, but within him also exists the Chimera, a beast that was spawned from violence and thrives on the suffering of others. He has weaned himself off of the ambrosia that gives him immortality and is planning to pick up Kaleb, keep and train him as a doxie for a year, then pass him off and then be done with the Association. He is already feeling the effects of stopping the ambrosia on his newly mortal body. Despite his qualms about Kaleb’s youth, innocence and lack of knowledge of what he is, Leo begins training Kaleb to serve. Leo knows that Kaleb must be special from the way he and the Chimera react to him, as well as the way Alton wanted him collected and trained by Leo specifically. The more time he spends near Kaleb, the more he realizes that the boy was seemingly created to be perfect for him.
Gods such as Leo need ambrosia to maintain their immortality. It is addictive and the flower that is its natural source is limited. That’s where doxies come in. They are young men bred and trained to produce the flower’s nectar once they ingest it. It’s produced by their suffering and the release of their adrenalin. They are held in high esteem to the extent that anyone that harms them, be it god or mortal, earns a death sentence. At the same time, they are stripped of everything and made to serve for the pleasure of and at the will of the gods or the mortals rich enough to contract them. They are at the same time, both nothing and everything to these people.
Poor Kaleb is in way over his head. I don’t know how many times I yelled “Don’t do it!” in just the beginning of the book. Kaleb’s father is horrible and I’m already hoping to see him die a slow and painful death. Kaleb is clueless about everything that is happening and a virgin with a pure heart. Leo is cognizant and concerned, but it won’t stop him from doing what needs to be done; breaking Kaleb down and building him back up. It’s not “a BDSM lifestyle”, there are no safewords. Leo is in control and will decide when Kaleb has reached his limits. Kaleb has no power, no say. Kaleb is both terrified of Leo, yet inexplicably drawn to him; he sees that he has the power to affect Leo through sex and that confuses things even more. Leo sets him up to fail and punishes him. Leo pleasures him and then hurts him because it pleases Leo.
Adrienne Wilder knows how to write dark stories with plenty of emotion. She had me wanting to cry with Kaleb at one moment and me wanting to see him submit to Leo in all ways the next. So wrong at first, but undeniably hot as Leo jumps right into Kaleb’s reeducation. There is a strong connection that both of the men are only starting to feel and already you can tell Leo will never be able to let him go and Kaleb soon won’t want him to. The sex is intense, dosed with plenty of kink (pain, humiliation and exhibitionism to start) and there is nothing romantic about it.
I was glad to get both Kaleb’s and Leo’s points of view. Without being in Leo’s head, he would likely come off as nothing but an evil monster. Leo is complex. We see compassion from him towards Kaleb and the others in his house, but he is also a killer and in his job as a Master, cold and cruel. We are given some background on him, but he still remains mostly a mystery. There is a mission that arises at the end of this book that will presumably take Leo away from Kaleb. Leo is not thrilled at the prospect of leaving Kaleb during his training, but we do get to see just a bit of the feelings and possessiveness he is already developing for Kaleb in spite of all of his intentions to leave this world behind.
There are some secondary characters that make quite an impression including Kaleb’s transitioning younger sister, now known as Sonny. He is only on page briefly but is obviously strong, feisty and very protective of Kaleb. We are also introduced to one more of the gods, Zen, who has his own powers and flair. I absolutely loved the little bit we got of this sexy troublemaker and hope there will be a lot more of him to come. Finally, there is also Alton, the man behind the Association. Part businessman and part scientist, he is one of those characters that you’re not sure if he’s good or bad (he’s probably somewhere in between) or what his motive and end game are.
This is the first book in a serialized story that will consist of at least 4 parts. There was a lot of initial setting up of the characters and the world, but it didn’t overwhelm the story and I had no trouble understanding what was happening. I was immediately drawn in and taking sides. With a bit of mystery developing at the end of the installment and the promise of getting to know more of the gods and see into the depraved world of the Association, I’m really looking forward to continuing on with the story.
-
4.5 stars
-
A promising and intense start to this series. I'm intrigued.
-
Whelp.. Can't say I wasn't warned. I bet this story as a whole is amazing. However.. I feel disturbed and I don't know if I'll continue..
2.5 stars (because of enjoyment level, not skill or writing. This just isn't my thing.)
3 on the spice scale -
A great start to this paranormal series. Clearly a strong erotica BDSM vibe which has been beautifully written- there's a delicious edge to these characters... I'm hooked for book 2 !
-
What have I got myself into...
This book is difficult to read but it won't let me stop. Maybe I've become addicted to the Ambrosia!
I don't know what to make of Leo. He seems to want redemption and freedom from the Association but the monster still lurks beneath the surface. I'm hoping Kaleb will draw out his goodness. Fingers crossed. -
~3.5~
Up to 50%—4 Stars The buildup of Kaleb’s father’s trangressions and selfishness leading to his son’s 10 year servitude was riveting. His dad is the worst
After 50%—3 stars
It was well written and intriguing, but the subject matter made me uncomfortable, and I couldn’t move past the indignation of a “God” owning a Doxie. And there’s no way around it, but to accept it. No “I fell for you so let’s be equal.” Just an ongoing process of Leo “breaking and rebuilding” Kaleb in various sexual and controlling acts. I did like that Kaleb was conflicted between curiosity, pleasure and anger, rather than being the perfect submissive doxie. It wouldn’t be easy to shed all autonomy that nurture creates, even if it’s in one’s nature to be submissive.
The Chimera, the beast within Leo that craves death and sex, is a rare and unique ability of a god bestowed on Leo, and the Chimera/ambrosia conflict was another interesting aspect of the story that I’m curious to learn more of. However, I’m not sure if I can continue on with the series if it’s more of this BDSM/slave theme and heavily focused on the sex. Book 4 sounds more like what I’m looking for... -
4 Stars
I honestly didn't expect to like this book as much as I did; dub-con is and has always been a hit/miss proposition for me. That said, I think the alternate universe aspect really made it easier to allow myself to just fall into the story...and I'm glad I did.
Definitely going to move the second one up in the TBR queue. -
Ugh. This wasn’t BDSM. This was pure humiliation and torture porn, crossing the line into non-con territory. Not sure I will ever continue this series, even though the plot (whatever little there was of it anyway) seemed promising. I can’t deal with abusive relationships and ‘justified’ slavery right now, and I think that’s the theme of this series. Pass for now.
-
This is the first book by this author and this was a nice introduction to her. Can't wait for the next book.
-
Well. That went out with a bang.
-
Frigging brilliant! My only complaint is that Kaleb is not suffering the change of scenery enough. He must have had friends, he must have had hopes and ambitions and plans, like being in college, obtaining freedom from his father. Maybe the reality is yet to settle in? :D
Looking forward to the next installment.
PS
There are problems with editing, but I am choosing to ignore them since they were not too bad.
Mixed up "he, she" in reference to Kaleb's trans male brother drove me bonkers. There should be "He" in this book with this particular set of characters, no way around it. I almost took a star off just for that :/ -
*4.5 stars*
Love seeing things from the beginning and the little hints of things to come. ❤️
***
Original review notes:
Great start to this series! Very intrigued by this connection between Leo and Kaleb. Quite yummy indeed. A lot of info in this first one on the world being created here...hopefully this will make more sense as the series progresses. Can't wait for more. -
3 Stars
Really don't have much to say but this was just okay for me.
I thought the world-building was lacking, didn't think it was that dark, and thought the kink was a little underwhelming. Some parts moved way too fast IMO. It's obviously not a romance yet but I hope book 2 is more interesting.
Also, it bothered me how Kaleb's transgender brother, Sonny, was constantly misgendered/deadnamed. So TW for that and something to keep in mind before reading.
Series:
Book 1:
The Chimera → 3 Stars
Book 2:
Chained → tbr
Book 3:
Betrayed → tbr
Book 4:
Reborn → tbr -
Well this was certainly darker than I expected and most assuredly NOT a romance novel.
The paranormal aspects were fascinating but the Doxie "training/sexual torture" just made me uncomfortable.
As the author said, this isn't BDSM where there's a power balance between the Dom and the sub but rather a total disrespect and disregard for the very important entities Doxies are. One would think that with the way they are invaluable they would be treated better but nope. Treated like trash and expected to like it because "that's how doxies are".
Look at me , expecting kindness in a dark erotica book... Lol! This series might not be for me. -
gods walking amongst humans? I'm intrigued.
Although I can't help but notice some errors here and there (misspellings, punctuations etc) but that's okay ig. -
Mmhmm. This is the start of a series I'm pretty sure I'm going to luuuurrrrrrve.
Kaleb's father owes some serious cash to The Association and it's time to pay up. Unfortunately (or fortunately for us?) he can't pay. He gives up his collateral instead: Kaleb. Kaleb is given in Leo for training as a doxie. He'll have no rights. He'll be an owned object. A plaything. His father easily gave Kaleb up to this fate. I seriously hate that man. I'm hoping he gets what's coming to him.
The Association is a group of men who are gods. They take ambrosia to maintain their immortality. Ambrosia is created from these doxie when they have high amounts of adrenaline. They are special and kept sacred in the Association. They have no say or rights in anything that's done to them. They are owned by these men, but kept safe from serious harm. Leo is a part of this group, but he also has a beast living inside him, the Chimera.The Chimera revels in training the doxies. Loves hearing the pained cries from his boys. Bascially, Kaleb's really in for it.
-
There's no easy way to describe this story. Because it's not a story, it's only the beginning of one and it is freaking amazing. Take everything you think you know about the world and shake it upside down, and then you have the day that Kaleb finds himself with. Not only has his ultra-rich father been in a debt for years, that debt is due now, and he is the collateral that is to be surrendered when his father won't pay. He is a doxie, a slave, for the next ten years, the first under the training of his new master, the very mysterious and sexy Leo, who has just ended a slavery of his own to the Association and an addiction to ambrosia.
Oh my freaking GOD!!!! This book was hot as hell, pushes so many boundaries, but still remains sweet and hopeful. Then . . . it was over and I was just gasping because it was no where near resolved and so up in the air. This is episode 1 of an Epic Mini-Series and I am hooked!! -
The Chimera was not what I expected At. All. It was absolutely amazeballs! I got that it was a M/M story but I wasn’t paying attention to the part about ‘After the Great Economic Collapse’. Reading the book I get that the Bound Gods series is dystopian which, has quickly becoming one of my favorite genres. The story itself is explained very well in the blurb but here it is again. Kaleb’s father has a debt with an underground group, the Association. He can either pay up or offer up his son for 10 years as a Doxie slave. He chooses to keep his wealth (Bastard!). As a Doxie, Kaleb will have no rights or say of what will happen to him yet he will be a very valued commodity. His first year would be spent in training, breaking him down and building him into a Doxie. Leo has broken his addiction to ambrosia and is close to escaping from the Association. Kaleb was supposed to be his last assignment as a Doxie Master but there’s something about Kaleb that calls to him…something that calls to him and his inner darkness.
It’s very hard to not like Kaleb or Leo. Starting with Kaleb he’s just has this sweetness to him, this innocence without being too goody-goody. Leo is most definitely not a Dom but a Master, yet in his masterness (Is that even a word?) there is still a gentle, concerned side. Most Masters in DE reads tend to be sadistic bastards. However, Leo doesn’t to exactly fit description although his Chimera does. HAH! Bet you’re wondering what I meant about that. You’ll have to read the book to learn it on your own. And while I’m not going to tell you what it means, I will say it’s one of the most interesting parts of this story and I can’t wait to learn more about it.
Now besides Leo and Kaleb, there are a few more secondaries worth mentioning. Sonny, Kaleb’s younger ‘brother’, and Zen, a friend of Leo’s . Both of them have struck my curiosity and I’m really hoping we see more of them because I have questions. Will Sonny get what his heart most desires? How much of a real friend is Zen to Leo? Oh yeah, there’s one more person: Kaleb’s father. I REEEEEALLY hope he pops up again in the series if for nothing else so someone can put a bullet to that selfish, self-serving bastard’s head!
I’m trying to think how to describe the sex because the whole things feels very is but isn’t. Yes, I know that didn’t make much sense so bear with me. It’s not exactly non-con but then again it is not exactly consensual either. As a Doxie, Kaleb is more a slave and less a sub although my initial impression feels it’s actually somewhere in between. Doxies have no say but they are revere. The situation has a feel of a Dark Erotic but it still feels there is lightness to it. There is sex play is of the BDSM variety but there is no safe word. Using the phrase BDSM almost isn’t right either. There’s dungeons, cuffs, whips and one very interesting cock cage (that had me feeling squirrelly!) which are things one associates with the BDSM lifestyle. However, once you eliminate the safe word you need to stop thinking consensual D/s relationship. Final thoughts about the sex - you just need an open mind and accept this is just a piece of fiction.
The Chimera is my first book by Adrienne Wilder who has caught my full attention. Really, I’m already combing through GR to see what other books might appeal to me. Certainly, I am going to want to continue Bound Gods series and currently have the next book queued up in my Kindle to devour. For those who like their M/M romances/erotica/PNRs on the not so easy to describe level, The Chimera is a absolute must read.
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
