Bound (The Clipped Saga #2), Devon McCormack
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Publisher: Wilde City Press
Genre: Gay Erotic Paranormal/Fantasy
Tags: Fantasy – Immortals, Fallen Angels, Other Beings, Reverse Religion, Sword and Dagger Fights, Violence, Kink, Big Cocks, Eek! Where’s The Lube? Tentacles, Series
Length: 96,333 Words
Reviewer: Kazza K
Purchase At: amazon.com (coming soon), Wilde City Press 23rd September)
Blurb:
On the eve of the impending war between Heaven and Hell, the demon Kinzer and his mortal ally Maggie hunt for a powerful weapon that could destroy all of humanity. Devastated by the loss of his greatest love, Kinzer doesn’t believe he’ll ever find happiness again. But when he meets the immortal Hayde, he discovers all hope might not be lost after all.
The angel Treycore’s ex-girlfriend abducted his lover Kid and dragged him into the bowels of Hell. Now, Treycore searches for an entry into the immortal realm. But only one creature can assist him on his quest: Eilee, the most beautiful of the angels and another of Treycore’s previous lovers. After the war between Heaven and Hell, Eilee lost her mind and went on a murderous rampage. With her guidance, Treycore descends into Hell and battles God’s earliest creations as they journey to save Kid from the sadistic clutches of his villainous ex.
Review:
Bound picks up where Clipped finished – Maggie is the mother of the Christ, who was taken from her by Veylo and co. after he was born. Treycore is out to find Kid, who Vera, Treycore’s game-playing, manipulative ex, teleported to Hell. Kinzer is dealing with his feelings about a lot of things – mortals, being a clipped, Dedrus’ death, the Janka revelation.
So Bound follows two main paths – Kinzer and Maggie in their search for Veylo and the Christ. Killing the Christ when they find him. The Morakes problem, the fact that they are going to tear up mortals and Earth. How to stay off the radar of the Almighty and his cohorts, and who to trust. And Treycore’s quest – he’s off to find someone who can take him through the right portal to Kid. Not everyone has that access, but Treycore is prepared to do what it takes to get to the mortal who has grabbed his immortal heart.
Kinzer and Maggie have become closer, living together post her “baby” being taken, after death and betrayal. Kinzer is also feeling somewhat disheartened. He’s been teaching Maggie sword skills for when she encounters immortals again, because these immortals love their big swords. He’s come to like and understand mortals a whole lot better because of Maggie and Kid. He’s been selling himself to gain serum to stay off the radar from the Council as well. In the search for Veylo, who Kinzer believes is the starting point for a lot of answers and solutions, they meet with one of the first mortals Kinzer encountered when he was clipped – the arsehole slaver, Jerry. He believes Jerry knows Veylo’s whereabouts. This sets in motion some highly action-packed circumstances for Kinzer and Maggie. In the mix of all of this is a flit, Hayde, another immortal being. Hayde and Kinzer have (fucked up) chemistry from the get-go. They also have a common being in their life and they have major trust and connectivity issues. Not least of which is the fact that Kinzer was made to perfection by the Almighty after beings like Hayde were deemed a less… successful creation. In true Clipped Saga style, Kinzer and Hayde have some rather spectacularly unlubed and violent sexual encounters. They also smoke everything up when they aren’t tearing each other apart – emotionally and/or physically.
Meanwhile, Treycore is in Ireland looking for another of his ex lovers who was a (former) high-ranking higherling – the dove-loving Eilee. She was on the Council, is banished, and is
somewhat batshit crazy…. and who holds a heck of a long grudge. Oh, and is incredibly narcissistic. But Eilee can help Treycore with a portal to Hell which he desperately needs if he’s going to locate Kid. Vera holding Kid hostage means sadistic things will be occurring because that’s Vera’s MO. So time is of the essence. Treycore knows he’ll do anything, including going to Eilee, facing Vera, and going into Hell to get his Kid back. Eilee agrees to help Treycore. With conditions. One being that she has to go along and see the look in Vera’s eyes when Treycore says he loves Kid. That he wants vengeance on Vera – Eilee is pissed at being dumped by Treycore for Vera. Hell has no fury…. And that’s heightened even further when she discovers that Kid is a mortal.
“You had the most beautiful of the Almighty’s creations at your disposal, and you surrendered her for a fallen. I could accept that. I had to accept that, but at least it was one of His prides. At least it was a being he had worked hard to bring into existence. But a mortal? You choose a mortal over me?”
And, of course, it wouldn’t be the Clipped world without violence towards some poor orifice by some being, like the freaking glippers. Or a sword.
Two of Finter’s tentacles slipped under Treycore’s shirt, massaging his back and abdomen. Moist and textured, they were like tongues creeping across his flesh.
Raph pressed the sword a quarter of an inch within him and twisted. Treycore groaned as blood rushed down the sword’s sides, flowing down the blade to its hilt. “No!” Finter shouted. He took the sword from Raph, slid it out of Treycore’s ass, and tossed it aside. “You’ll spoil her! You always spoil them!”
Nothing is easy for any of the main characters. There’s lots of obstacles for all of them.
Although Maggie has signed on to help Kinzer kill the Christ, the child she bore, it’s always 
going to be tricky. And though the theory is sound, saving the Earth, offing the bad guys, the practice isn’t so easy; killing a baby you carried and brought into the world. On top of this, looking at her baby, with his blue eyes, his baby face, makes Him seem like an ordinary baby. Being around her baby gives Maggie a high like she got when she ‘used’ before. It’s not a normal mother-baby bond feeling either, and it’s problematic on several levels.
I would have to say that if you don’t like books touching on rape triggers, if you don’t like violence, if you are religious and like your religion vanilla, then think twice about starting Bound. All of above are in Bound, just like Clipped. Oooh, and Kinzer does a Lorena Bobbit. Okay. Ouch!
And… AND…. there is this –
Treycore pulled away, Spit in his hand, and rubbed it across the head of his dick.
Oh, God.
“Hey, hey,” Kid said, reaching into his pant pocket and pulling out a bottle of lube.
But if you’re on team lube? Don’t get too excited.
Overall:
Bound is slightly more action, slightly less sex than Clipped. Not much different but a slightly different ratio. Oh, it’s still there, and team pain is winning that fight. It’s most definitely erotica but the fantasy elements have ramped up somewhat. There’s a lot of action, a lot of different beings, all within the Almighty’s social/hierarchical structure. It progresses 
the story and characters from Clipped with characters such as Maggie shining through, and the romance aspect of Treycore and Kid is heightened. New characters are introduced, I did love Hayde. This is a fantasy/paranormal read with an OTT action movie-esque quality throughout… with a touch of The Seventh Sign.
Bound’s subtext does cover vanity, social structures, our flawed attitudes towards ourselves and others – judgement, self-doubt, that paradise is not always what it’s cracked up to be, that physical beauty can be overrated. And, of course, there’s a look at religion from the flipped-Clipped angle. Let’s not forget the sword fights, tentacles in places they shouldn’t be, slimers, violence, powerful (and crazy) women, big dicks, notions of love – in various forms – and betrayal. Who the freaking heck can you trust? Will a couple of characters get over themselves? Please! It all adds up to another rollicking fun and kinky Clipped series read – with some added depth. Bring on book #3. 4.5 Stars!
On Top Down Under’s Tumblr for some extra zing.
E-book supplied by the author in return for an honest review.
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I LOVE your review. I can’t wait to jump back into the Clipped world. I have a special place for Kid, as you know 😉
Great review. Great pics and quotes.
Kid and Treycore. I loved seeing them again. I know you loved Kid. Treycore is on a mission for his “Kid.” Awww 🙂 I do have a big old soft spot for Kinzer.
I look forward to swapping behind the scenes notes with you 🙂
Oh, and come on… Tumblr zing is hot 😀
Yes, Tumblr is hot as hell. I do love when you play on Tumblr. hehe
Thank you so much for reviewing Bound, Kazza K! I’m so glad you enjoyed the read. I do adore Hayde. He’s my new hubby, so I’m glad you liked him. 🙂
“But if you’re on team lube? Don’t get too excited.” Hahaha. So true. And I think maybe I should add a Lorena Bobbitt warning before the book.
Thanks again for the review.
Can’t give team lube too much hope, lol.
You’re welcome for the review, Devon. I totally enjoyed my time spent with swords – both meanings intended – and these crazy beings I’ve grown so attached to… but I’m coming for you. You know why *scowls*
Hayde IS such a good character.
I do love tumblr, Yes, I do, he he.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, I love these pics and the naughty gif. Flawless!