Bound to Gods

Aria, Freya, and the boys are trapped in a fake Valhalla, taunted and tormented by ghosts from their pasts. Old demons are awakened by these forced walks down memory lane, and the group needs to figure out how to stay together, how to keep their focus on fighting their captor rather than each other.

Bound to Gods is so rich in character and relationship development that I'm not sure what to do besides squeal and do a really awkward happy dance (obviously while no one is looking). Looking back at their pasts makes it impossible for the gods to continue overlooking or ignoring old tensions, and we finally (I know we've only been waiting for one book, but I'm impatient) learn the dark secret that keeps a wall between Baldur, Hod, and what role Loki's tricks have played in sewing discord within their mostly-functional family.

An unexpected but still great surprise was learning a little more about Freya. It only seems natural for Aria and the boys to take the spotlight, but there are some great moments where we get to learn more about Freya's history, fears, and what role she can still play in Aria's new life as a valkyrie.

The boys all get their own turns in the spotlight, and I was really excited that Thor was getting his chance to grow. I felt like he was a little one-dimensional in Claimed by Gods, with only some small hints that there was more to him than what meets the eye. Bound by Gods gave me everything I wanted for him- he gets a chance to really look at his past and there's some beautiful introspection about how others (especially Aria) might see him and whether or not that image is truly who he is and wants to be.

Baldur was another star this time around because we get the chance to see beneath his dreamy and positive exterior, to understand why he hides behind a mask of lightness instead of confronting his inner trauma.

I can't forget about Loki and Hod, for both of them continue to grow and, Hod fans, I think you're going to really like this book.

Bound by Gods had a wonderfully smooth balance. Even though characters are (sometimes literally) popping from one scene/memory into another, it's all seamlessly woven together because each of the characters is experiencing some kind of mental/emotional journey. This common theme helps them all relate to each other even though some of their histories are very different.

One of the aspects that I liked most was that Chase builds in some powerful moments (and a few surprises) that will make the reader and the characters question what's right and the limitations of forgiveness. It's fabulous when a book both entertains you and challenges you to think, so I really appreciated that.

Overall, I'm just so excited to be a part of reading this new series. Plot and character development are strong, the plot is adventurous and engaging, and Chase's final words bring you that edge-of-your-seat tension that makes you crave the next book. What more can you ask for?