It's a master and slave sex fantasy gone very twisted and wrong. It is the premise for slightly sci-fi-ish story set in an alternate contemporary world where slavery is legal and acceptable. Some people are born slaves, and some are relegated to slave status for crimes. This title is actually book 2 in the Belonging series, and I read them out of order, but it doesn't really matter since they're set in the same world but with different characters and stories.Set in England, Brooklyn is a former free man,cop, and amateur boxer who has been sentenced a slave for a deed that was more accident than crime (brought about by those with more political pull and personal grudge). His owners make him serve by boxing for them as one of their slave champions and leasing him to high paying buyers for sex. That is how he meets Nathaniel, a lawyer who is interested in seeking justice for him.The book is well-written overall, concise and capturing emotion without being over-sentimental. There is a nice mix of action tying in the boxing, good character interactions, and just enough drama but not too much. Brooklyn is an intriguing and conflicted character yet sympathetic, feeling guilt and remorse for the accident and a lot hate and resentment for his status. The dark and disturbing topics are handled well, capturing just enough to convey without glorifying or over-sensationalizing, and the story does not obviously moralize, capturing better the ambivalence. From what I've seen of slave fiction, these stories usually explore elements of BDSM beyond just rough or kinky sex, especially the importance of consent, reciprocation, and trust. Voinov does capture more of the story's world throughout and better than book 1, and this book does better overall with telling a story, though I still cannot see how slavery developed world-wide in this story's world.I read this as an ARC through Netgalley This is the second time am reading this...what can i say except that this is beyond brilliant.BROOKLYN, just about blew me away, i loved how he talked, his smug attitude, his pride....he never really conformed into being a slave, he took whatever was thrown at him with his chin held high, it wasn't always easy but he stood his ground......whats there not to love.then there's NATHANIEL, at first i didn't know what to make of him,didn't want to trust him just yet,didn't know what his agenda was but as i read on, i saw he was very and truly interested in BROOK and it just warmed my heart that he had to go through this round-about way just to let BROOK choose for himself. i just loved it.The story in itself was mainly sport oriented but it wasn't all about that, the writer found the perfect mix for both i.e romance and sport, even the supporting characters brought in their own spice that just made this whole book PERFECT.am gonna take a little break then re-read it for the 3rd time just because i can......lol
What do You think about Counterpunch (2011)?
The plot is so smooth and logical. Everything makes sense in the book. Love the characters too.
—Clark
This book stays with u. Wow packs quite a punch
—Kenneh
Enjoyed this so much. Review to follow
—nickiewick
