Rating: 4.25 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | All Romance | Amazon UK
Length: Novella
Jace is a werewolf, held captive by the Enforcers for confessing to helping the Rebellion, but Jace is innocent and is merely protecting his pack leader. The only thing that Jace is guilty of is falling in love with the man he isolated himself from the pack for, the man who abused Jace and betrayed him by handing information to the supernaturals in authority who ensure that the “status quo” of their society remains intact.
Jace prepares himself for death, but instead he is bought by Elias, a powerful witch, who is intent on mentally breaking and controlling Jace by using him as a pet and sexually tormenting him.
Bought is the first in R. Phoenix’s Ripples in the Status Quo series. This week’s challenge for our Reading Challenge Month was to choose a new-to-me author and admittedly there were many authors I could have picked, but Phoenix is someone who I have recently heard much about on social media. Bought is only nine chapters long, which means that Phoenix has little time for complex world-building, despite the fact that this is a society very different from that of the reader. However, Bought is not really about this paranormal world; the story centers on the characters themselves and Elias’ evil intentions versus Jace’s defiance and courage.
Phoenix’s characterization is really successful. Elias is hateful because he is a masochist and I spent most of the novella wishing Jace could shift and rip his throat out! Jace is likeable because he has surrendered himself and even though blind love is clearly his weakness, we respond to his pain and the hopelessness of his situation.
Bought is definitely a story aimed at an adult audience. It is not a romance, although Jace and Spencer’s relationship is a secondary issue. Jace is kept caged up in Elias’ bedroom and the witch’s magic keeps him in human form. Jace is humiliated, not only because he has to refer to the man he detests as “master,” but he is forced to wear a collar and tail and subjected to a number of sexual acts. Bought certainly has graphic scenes and I am not a huge fan of erotica, but I felt Phoenix was able to enrich the sex by including Jace’s subconscious thoughts and I loved the fact that despite Elias’ constant cruelty, Jace’s contempt manifests through his challenging sarcasm:
“I’ve always wanted a dog,” Elias stated, and Jace shuddered at the sight of the witch’s smile. Had he ever seen something so casually malicious before?
“So get a fucking dog.” Hadn’t they already been over this? “Master.“
I knew Bought was a novella before I started, so to say it was too short would be wrong of me, but I would have liked a little more resolution, particularly when I discovered that the second story, Ravel, moves away from Elias and Jace. I have no doubt, though, that Phoenix will tie the series together in her own way.
In my opinion, the point of this week’s challenge is to discover a new author whose books I would like to read more of. Phoenix’s Ripples in the Staus Quo series is one I will definitely continue with, partly because I like character-driven stories, but also because I have been intrigued by Bought and its supernatural world.
This review is part of our September Reading Challenge Month for New-to-Me Author Week! Leave a relevant comment below and you will be entered to win a fabulous prize from Interlude Press. One lucky winner will receive a selection of signed print books, as well as a variety of ebooks by authors new to Interlude Press this year. Commenters will also be entered to win our amazing grand prize sponsored by Dreamspinner Press (a loaded Kindle fire filled with DSP books!). You can get more information on our Challenge Month here, and more details on New-to-Me Author Week here. And be sure to check out our prize post for more about the awesome prizes!
Thanks for the review! Â I am on the fence whether this is a book I would like. Â The setup sounds interesting but other aspects not as much. Â I like a lot of world building, so that might bother me since sounds like there is not much.
May I suggest starting with R Pheonix’ other book, Recoil? or Ravel? Both are longer, set the world up a little more and are similarly character driven. Not as dark as Bought. Ravel is romance, and Recoil is somewhere between Ravel and Bought in terms of how ‘mature’ and dark it gets.
Thanks!  I will  check those two out.
I downloaded this in the summer based on several recommendations but haven’t got round to reading it yet – time to give it a try, I think.
I hope you enjoy it Anna xx
This is a new author for me as well. Based on this review, I’ve added it to my wishlist!
I’m pretty sure that this one isn’t really up my alley, although, you almost make me want to give it a try.
It’s only $0.99 so, who knows, I might decide to give it a try. 🙂
Ooh, I’m torn about this book! I love me a happy ending, but I’m just so fascinated by the series arc. I’m definitely keeping this on my “in the right mood” list. 😀
I can’t wait to have more time to read the rest of the series and see how R Phoenix develops the plot 🙂
Thanks for the review. I have never read anything by R. Phoenix but I am not sure about the blurb though. Doesn’t seem like my typical reading.
I think that is why I have really enjoyed this challenge month. This book may have been one that just sat on my “maybe one day” pile else 🙂
Thanks for the review. I’ve heard of this author but never read one of their books. I’m not sure if this is theone I should start with since I do prefer an actual romance.
Thank you for the review, Kirsty. Phoenix is also a new author to me, and I find your review of the book intriguing. I’m sure I could like it a lot. I’m going to add Phoenix to my TBR list. You really help me to find some new and interesting writers!
Thank you Susana xx
I haven’t heard of R. Phoenix before, but you make a compelling case for this one, Kirsty. I think if I’m in the mood for character study (because I really don’t mind short reads or ones with minimal world-building), I’ll take a look at this one and the rest of the series.
I’m the same Carolyn but I think it is the characters who really make a story for me and I was lucky that Phoenix brought this to the table with this book xx
I’m not familiar with R. Phoenix, but this novella certainly sounds fascinating. Thanks for the review.
I always love finding a new author and this challenge was such a tough one as there are so many to discover 🙂
I can’t tell if it’s for me or not, but at least it evokes strong feelings for you–that may be a good sign!
Thanks for your review. i think this one is not for me. If there is a lot of worldbuilding necessary, a novella is too short imo.
I’m don’t think this one is for me but thanks for the review!
Thank you for leaving a comment xx
Thank you for the review, not sure if this is a book/serie i would like to read.
I’m not sure about the story. It’s a little too dark for my taste. But I’m willing to try if this author has a story a little less dark.
I have a feeling that the next few books in the series are less dark and more romance, and also longer. Really looking forward to giving them a try xx