There is nothing stronger than the heart of a Doxie, and at the same time, there is nothing more fragile. And when it breaks? The shards cut deep, and the wound never heals. Just when you thought the betrayal couldn’t go any deeper, it reaches all the way to Purgatory.
Warning: The ending of this installment is HFN but abrupt. And this timeline will not pick up until Bound Gods 10 which is where all the storylines merge for the final apocalyptic battle for the survival of the Doxies.
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.
Frankly I'm gobsmacked that a series I initially categorized as purely spank bank fodder has now progressed to the point where I'm mostly skimming the sex to get to the story. Well played, Adrienne Wilder. Well played. There's still a whole lot of sex, though-orgies, impact play, monster cocks, chastity/orgasm denial and spanking-for those playing along at home.
Things are still up in the air but this installment does at least end happilyish, though there is definitely a war coming and the horizon does look a wee bit bleak. Strap in, kids. Things will probably get worse before they get better. The details are murky at this point but I'm guessing someone has an ax to grind with Alton. Truth be told, I kind of want to donkey punch Alton myself. Periodically.
Granted, it's substantially less than I want to mummify Sonny in duct tape. Sonny is the reason I generally don't read YA. He's impulsive and reckless, selfish and immature and short sighted to the detriment of others, particularly Kaleb. I feel badly that he was hazed by his training godlings but that wasn't enough to redeem him. I struggled with his storyline throughout and am hoping he plays a lesser role in the future.
Overall, this plot continues to hold my interest. I want to know what the bad guy's endgame is and if the baddies in Purgatory are already joined or will join forces with The Tide people. Purgatory and how it's constructed holds a lot of interest for me too. Who or what's in the other levels and why does no one ever see them? Those could prove to be powerful allies to Taurus and Co. in this war.
My main criticism continues to be the scattershot focus of these books. I wish the Kaleb/Aaron/Leo/Chimera storyline was tighter so that I didn't have to wade through books primarily focused on characters I have little to no interest in to find out what happens to them. I also think this book could've used another edit because of the overabundance of interior decorating, most of which felt like filler, and sloppy proofing.
In a nutshell, poor Kaleb! I hate Sonny. I seriously don’t think I will ever forgive him and I wouldn’t mind seeing his blood spilled. Alton has always been in a gray area for me and while I understand his motives and why he does what he does, he is playing with fire and manipulating lives. I love Aaron and Taurus and their group down in Purgatory. Finally, that ending!!
Kaleb has reached rock bottom and has nearly given up. He’s been betrayed by people he loves, he’s being manipulated by those who are supposed to be putting his well-being at the forefront and he finally breaks. His shocking actions here, just after it seems he finally embraced what it is to be a Doxie, lead to more revelations about Alton, Leo and the Chimera.
I was trying to give Sonny the benefit of the doubt being young and all, but his self-centeredness and lack of empathy towards Kaleb continues to grow. The fact that Kaleb has always fought for him and saved him from the life their father had planned seems to mean nothing at all. He reaches a new low here and although I understand he has his own issues to deal with, he refuses to listen to anyone or show any respect for Kaleb until it’s too late.
Back in Purgatory, Taurus continues to garner support while Aaron continues to miss Kaleb and collect a new group of Doxies to help soothe him. Taurus uncovers more of Wolf's sinister plan and mass violence appears imminent. I really need Taurus to have a place with Aaron when all is said and done here. My heart would break if these two are ever separated for good.
While Alton's motives may be pure as far as saving the Doxies and hopefully the gods and the civilization he has built at Sanctuary, his thought process doesn't seem to bode well for Kaleb's well-being. Kaleb is put through the wringer in this story, but there is light at the end of it (the light at the end of the tunnel that ends on a cliff if you know what I mean).
I am so excited to see how this war will play out. The story is getting closer to worlds colliding on so many levels, in Purgatory, up above on land and up above in the skies. The look at the sky in this story was fascinating – I was hoping for a glimpse of Pandora but I’ll try and remain patient. Adrienne Wilder has done an amazing job of building anticipation and setting up a story that has carried through all eight books. SOOOO much happened here, questions are answered and new ones are raised and there is so much still to come. It’s a credit to this storyline that I’ve barely even mentioned the rampant and varied inventive sex that has been going on the last few books with doxies, gods and monsters, but be assured it’s still there. This series is a must-read for anyone who has few limits and enjoys a complex and emotional storyline punctuated with plenty of kinky sex.
Emotional roller coaster. Nervous and excited about what’s to come. Fucking sonny, i hipe he just dies and everyone forgets he ever existed. He ruins everything. And alton. Asshat. Love taurus and aaron, kaleb, the other doxies, The Priest, malum...such awesome characters
Ok i devoured the books from 1 to 8 and I’m really surprise because I honestly thought I wouldn’t like it so much. Well I’ll be honest, from book 2 I skipped most of the sex because that is just ridiculous! But the story line is very interesting and the characters just kept you going!
Some are super annoying (yeah I’m talking about you Sonny... teens are the worst!) Some are shady (this is you Alston. Still don’t know if you’re good or bad!!) Some I love and I want to protect at all cost (Aaron and Kaleb my little doxies. Well most doxies here to be fair. They’re just cute little horny puppies) Some badass that I really love and hope will last until the end! (Leo. Cerberus. Taurus and Malum... ) And some need to die a horrible and painful death!!!
Anyway. I’m going to book 8 because I’m not stopping now!
I'm so freakin confused right now. Ms. Wilder has to much going on in these last two installments. If you're interested in this series you must, start from the beginning.
There is one thing that I don't like, she's introduced a while lot of new characters. Not gradually adding them, no just new characters we get to know about now because that are essential to the end game and for me it is hard to keep up. In the middle of the series she did elude about Purgatory, The Sphinx and some of The Gods but damn lady you are giving information overload here. Two weeks, just two weeks.
I don’t know if I can write an effective review for this because it’s pretty all over the place but in a good way. There’s multiple stories threading in and out, making a larger story.
And gosh, I have to say the way everything is woven together is mind blowing and crazy and so genius! The plot thickens! Truly!
Oh, wait, I gotta say.... Um... Kaleb, did you lose all your words too? Why can't you explain fire to the Chimera? You know, get warm? Cook some food? Warm some water? Fire, you remember what that is right?
After finishing God of Monsters, I have come to the conclusion that Adrienne Wilder hates me. Why else would you put all that in one book then say it ends on an HFN. Pffft! You call that a ‘happy for now’? I call that ‘Hey let’s screw with the readers and see how far I can push them before the hate mail starts rolling in’.
Leo, Kaleb, and Aaron. Sigh. Why do bad things keep happening to them?! Well, more like Kaleb. Poor guy just lives underneath the biggest, unlucky, black rain cloud known to man or god. Just when I think he might get a little joy in his life, BOOM! It instantly goes bad. Same goes for Leo or the Chimera. Again, a happy moment there to be snatched away. However, unlike the first time around where I turned into a sobbing pile of goo, this time I got angry. REALLY! Really?! You have to go and do that AGAIN to me Adrienne. If I read one more book in this series where you yank that particular rug out from under me, and honestly I don’t care that a certain little nugget was dropped by Anton, I may have to stalk you all the way to your doorstep and discover my inner Misery.
And speaking of Anton… Standing O here to Kaleb. I don’t care about the consequences he will now need to face. Bravo! As to Sunny, I have been on the fence about you. I get you are in a particular predicament being a god, trying to hide from others what you are. BUT! You I was far from being a fan of in this reading. The stunt(s) you pulled… Karma honey. Karma. I hope it comes back and bites you hard.
The only one of the three that seems to be experiencing any joy is Aaron. I’m in a toss-up if I would like to see him back with Leo and Kaleb or stay with Taurus. As miserable Purgatory is, I can’t help but feel his life is better with Taurus, who worships him, than he ever would be with Leo. Speaking of Purgatory, Yowza! Who knew there was that many Doxies tucked away. Alton is not the only one who can host a scorching hot Gathering. Actually, the further in the series it gets the lest jaw-dropping sex there is. Not to say there isn’t sex. It’s just now there is more meaning to the whole Gods, Doxies and all the plots afoot and less porn-o-rama. It either that or my brain can now longer be shocked with what a god can do to a Doxie.
So much happens in this book so of course, it just has to end on a cliffy. One where you see the words ‘End – for now” and you start screaming. Now normally, I give myself some recovery time between books so that I can write the review and calm the eff down. But not this time because heck, Kaleb and his dang rain cloud. Am I going to get my answers? Oh, noooo. Next book is about yet another god. *Bangs head on desk* Fine, whatever. But please note Adrienne… You’re killing me Smalls, you’re killing me.
Stars- 5 Because now I lose sleep when the latest book comes out. Flames - 5 Because I can no longer be shocked on what gods can do to Doxies.
Felt more like filler for the finale, but of course I'm off to read that one now...
I do have to say that I'm not happy with the decision to send Kaleb since it seems like there's one set of rules for the gods regarding than there is for Doxies. Because what he did to Alton, IMHO, well, it seems like the asshole deserved it...and it wasn't for Kaleb's "personal gain." Have to give credit to Sonny though for stepping up and trying to take the blame - as it really WAS what he revealed & how he did it that made Kaleb snap finally. (Although, yeah, as much as I dislike that character I wouldn't have wished how he was - because that's exactly what it was - on anyone.)
Anywho, at least now Kaleb can , maybe?
Also, again, feeling good about my original opinion of Sonny's roomie...looks like he's the only one (so far) worthy of getting the Ambrosia and joining the rest of the gods. (Maybe the newbie, too.) Brice and the rest need to be culled.
I read books 6-8 in two days flat and cannot wait for this story to continue. This sequence of books introduced yet more complex and intriguing characters, expanding the story with great world building. It’s now three strands winding together and whilst book 8 is HFN (books 6/7 were most definitely cliffhangers) the story ends at a point where you want to know more but don’t feel bereft.
Brilliant continuation of a complex and unique story, with masses of kink but where it’s a necessary part of the world of Gods, Monsters and Doxies, and I bloody love it.
This was probably my least favourite of the series but I still can't wait for the next couple of books to be ready. This one felt like it didn't really move the story forward - right up until the end and it just didn't grip me like the rest of the series.
I don’t feel bad for sonny at all. He’s such a douche. I really can’t wait for the continuation of this timeline. I hope Leo wakes up and gets his Doxie back. For now I’m sure Aaron will take great care of Kaleb.
i am done and now I can finally go back to my regular schedule of showering, eating and generally interacting to people, all of which I barely did these last few days. This series consumed me.
While it starts as not much but spanking Vile, around book 3 it got a turned and the story became way more than the sex. There’s obviously still A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT of sex and I admit I skimmed a little (maybe more than a little) because somehow I was more interested in the actual plot than the sex. I know, I was shocked too.
There is a lot going on...lots of storylines to follow but surprisingly it’s not confusing, that is if you are following since book 1. I’m cheering for all the new characters and still hoping Alton dies a very miserable death because OMG I hate him. But not as much as I hate Sonny. God, that kid is insufferable. He’s selfish, he’s impulsive, he only thinks about himself and he fucking ruined his brother life twice. I want him to be evaporated, if that’s possible.
All in all, I’ll be lighting candles and starting my praying circle that my god Leo will be back because I’m still not over him. Please Adrianne, I need the next books. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
What in green hell is the bonkers, wildly addictive series????? I started book 1 two days ago, and just finished book 8. And no, I have accomplished nothing much in the past three days.
It's like this series is the ambrosia all the gods and doxies are after.
And whoever said that this ends in a sorta HFN you deserve to be in purgatory yourself! My poor, sweet Kaleb.
I honestly think I need to take a break before I finish this series up and I swear to god if Book 10 doesn't end with I will murder someone.
Another great installment about god's and doxies. What surprised me was there wasn't any sex until 10% in!
This book features alot in purgatory and features Aaron and his new god, who Aaron has took to quite happily.
Kalebs story is ongoing and his obsession with the chimera. I have no idea where this part of the story will end but I know how I would like it to, but not sure it could...
I have to say I've taken a dislike to sonny, finding him a little annoying now, not sure why exactly haybe something to do with an arrow!
There's a lot of story in this seriously kinky fantasy erotic book .
Onto next book.
Note - This is a series and you need to read from the start.
You have no idea how much I hate sonny. I never liked him since the very beginning but now? I just want to push him over a cliff. To an ocean full of sharks. Bleeding.
And honestly to me the story ended with a HNA (happily never after) in book 6 because as far as I see the story deviated a lot and the promises the author makes hold no value or truth. I think book 10 was released about 3 years ago? Idk and i dont know if it will continue. Sad because it was honestly very good how it started. The first three books were magnifique! But the rest? Just nope.
God of Monsters, Number 8 in the Bound Gods is a punishment to this reader, to Leo, to the Chimera, to Kaleb. I really like and recommend the Bound Gods series, obviously since I bought all 10 published books. Number 8 is like hitting rock bottom emotionally. So much betrayal and metaphorical doom hanging over everyones heads. I hope Adrienne Wilder write the next 2-3 books (11-13) that will pull all the story threads together and please please please bring Leo and the Chimera back to Kaleb.
When. Will. Kalebs. Suffering. End?!!! Goddamnit. I just want him for once to be happy 😭😭😭 And Alton, don’t get me started on that. That sob! I hate him so much honestly. And sonny, I’ve always hated him and I can’t help but feel a bit compassion towards him but I still hate his guts. No more than altons but gaaaaaa
I am just a broken shell right now. This series has really put me through the emotions. And several times I just wanted to give up. I think I’m at my limit. Kaleb and Leo’s story has just broken me. I don’t normally have such strong reactions to MC’s but the author has ripped out my heart and soul. And I’m really worried that this series is going to leave me hanging.
Number 8 is a punishment to the reader, Leo, the Chimera. I really like the Bound Gods series, obviously since I bought all 10 published books. Number 8 is like hitting rock bottom. I hope Adrienne Wilder will pull all the threads together and bring Leo and the Chimera back to Kaleb.
I am extremely grateful that the last several installments have been close together. I just can’t wait for more. Although this one is a bit of a HFN, so many questions still to be answered.
Can't get enough of this series! Been absolutely enthralled since book 1! Fabulous fantasy read, have so much trouble not finishing books in one session. Book #8 ended on a cliffhanger, but I know there's more to come. Can't wait for book #9!
Do not believe the author when he says this ends in a HFN! It does not, it ends in a maybe in the next book they could have a HFN, except the next book goes back in time!!!! It's terrible, I need more than that! It's a dirty filthy LIE!
This was probably my favorite in the series so far, even though it broke my heart. There's still a lot of steam, but there's also a lot more story between that steam and I really appreciated that.
Sex scenes aside (which I love) this story/series is engrossing. It is hard to put down. A book that gets you talking out loud while reading is always a GREAT read.