The night Emery is taken she is reading emails in bed. Aerthe, another world, the world of the Swathe, the moving cities of the Mekkers.
Blind on arrival and naked. No one touches her until the Mekkers decide humans aren’t people, and therefore can be bought and traded. The journey through the portal alters humans, shines them all pretty. Humans glimmer.
Emery’s bright hair and nails will forever mark her as alien. Her freedom is gone. Though her sight returns, she becomes a possession of House Oren.
But someone else wants to own her, the House Master, Mako, a man who uses whips and canes like most people use a knife – daily, with efficiency and casualness.
She vows to never give in.
Banned from marrying. Banned from having playing too intimately with the house possessions, Mako holds himself back. He mustn’t. Shouldn’t. His job is to punish, to control, to keep the House in order.
But when Emery runs and takes with her a most dangerous war machine, one not seen since the Last Days of the War… Mako is the man they turn to.
To chase her down. To bring her back, lamed, dead, or mostly alive.
Inspired by the Gor series by John Norman.
Warning: This is a dark romance. If you don’t understand where dark stories can go, this might not be for you.
I am not sure how to characterize this story as it was something new to itself. A BDSM relationship set in a post-apocalyptic, scifi world. It was not wholly steampunk, it was not truly paranormal or alien abduction, but something in a class of its own.
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Emery is lost, beyond terrified, and doesn’t understand a thing. One minute she’s with her friends on Earth preparing for a wedding. The next, she’s blind, naked, on a complete different world where she’s been force fed their language. It’s like she and her friends stepped through some magical door and ended up in the world’s most terrifying episode of the Twilight Zone. Only this is no dream. She’s now a slave with a sadistic overseer in charge. Humans are prized on Aerthe for one thing and one thing only. When her friend, Fern, makes a desperate bid to escape, Emery sees just how horrific her new life is. What can she do? There’s no way back to Earth! Separated from her friends, what chance does she have for escape? What are her chances of survival on an alien world where she knows no one and nothing? Mako’s the House Master in charge of the slaves for Basteer Oren, Emery’s owner. Mako’s cruel, sadistic, a former military man. He’s no problem using extreme pain, violence, and terror as weapons to control his master’s slaves. But Emery isn’t like the others. Humans are rare and prized. She’s no meek doormat. Rebellious? Defiant? Oh, yes! But Mako’s determined to force her submission. Only how? He’s never encountered anyone like her before, particularly in one very significant way. And Oren has placed limits on how far Mako can go with his sadism and cruelty. Yet despite Emery’s fear, contempt, and revulsion; despite Mako’s torture and cruelty; there’s something between the two. Hatred? Yes. Loathing? Definitely! Fear? For Emery, absolutely. On a world that’s beyond Emery’s comprehension. can she find a way out? How? Who’s going to help a slave that stands out from all others? And who will save her from Mako and herself? But things aren’t what they seem. Help can come from the most surprising avenues. The question? Is Emery willing to do whatever it might take to help herself? The risks are life-threatening. And Aerthe’s justice system is unforgiving, particularly towards slaves. Just how far is Emery willing to go? What will Mako do to ensure that she doesn’t succeed? His job and future are on the line, but Emery’s life hangs in the balance. Who will win? And, in the end, will it even matter to Emery?
Acquired Possession is the beginning of a new series (The Machinery of Desire) for Cari Silverwood. It’s a dark erotic steampunk story set in a completely different world, and I absolutely adored it. Cari Silverwood again shows her versatility and took me on a journey I never saw coming! Acquired Possession is a dark, erotic story, and I absolutely loved this book. Once I started reading, I was captivated. The character development is outstanding. Emory’s in the most untenable of situations. She’s terrified, and rightfully so. But she holds on to her humanity and hope. Mako? I hated him from the very beginning. That these two could find any kind of common ground when one is from Earth and the other has lived a life filled with anger, hatred, revenge, and cruelty is nearly incomprehensible. But Cari Silverwood not only makes this work. She excels at the seemingly impossible! The fear, desperation, frustration, utter desolation, small moments of joy and even delight from both Emery and Mako are captivating. This story had me on the edge of my seat from the first page. Predictable? Not in any way! The depths of despair, hopes, and uncertainty will keep you enthralled to the very end. I can’t give Acquired Possession anything less than five stars! Thank you, Cari Silverwood, for such an unexpectedly wonderful reading experience. You’re versatility and talent are beyond impressive, and your writing ability is exceptional!
One final note. Please be an informed reader and consumer! This is an ADULT book. It contains explicit language and some extremely dark, nonconsensual sexual scenes. If you don’t enjoy this genre, think hard before buying any book you know you won’t enjoy. There are book synopses and reviews available on Goodreads and all booksellers’ websites. USE THESE RESOURCES. DON’T LEAVE A NEGATIVE REVIEW WHEN YOU KNOW YOU WON’T ENJOY THE BOOK. IT’S NOT FAIR TO THE AUTHOR! She works extremely hard to provide a quality work product. If you know you’ll object to the book’s subject matter before you buy it, you’re doing yourself and the author an extreme disservice.
Thanks for reading my review and happy reading!
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