Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Machinery Of Desire #2

Claimed Possession

Rate this book
Her family was top of the heap. Now Aribelle is on the bottom.

She had a man called Sawyer chained in her caravan, until a warband of Scavs attacked and took over.

He saved her life and now he’s free.
Though she tries to run, running from a man like Sawyer has a poor chance of success.
Sometimes a girl’s baser instincts point her entirely in the wrong direction.
He’s big and bad, and knows how to handle her…really well.

Revenge, lust and violent beginnings

On the world of Aerthe, where females are often toys or owned, Ari had it good. Not anymore.
Sawyer is ex Special Forces.
Human.
And brought to Aerthe against his will.

He didn’t appreciate being Ari’s prisoner. He’s getting what’s owed him, whether it’s served hot, cold, or bent over the hood of a truck scavenged from an ancient building.
War is brewing and things are about to get interesting for this one human male on a world of warriors, mechlings, and the landships of the Swathe.

Ari? She’s his, no matter how much she wriggles and squirms.

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 11, 2017

67 people are currently reading
192 people want to read

About the author

Cari Silverwood

100 books1,220 followers
Cari Silverwood lives in Australia and is a New York Times bestselling writer of kinky darkness or sometimes dark kinkiness, depending on her moods and the amount of time she's spent staring into the night.

Check out this page to avoid falling into the wrong dark and shocking book, because she really does write some weird stories: www.carisilverwood.net/my-books-liste...

Sign up to get sales and new releases plus various odd stuff she puts into it (and a free welcome book) at www.carisilverwood.net/

You can reach Cari at carisilverwood1@gmail.com
or
on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cari.silverwood

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
73 (45%)
4 stars
48 (30%)
3 stars
25 (15%)
2 stars
8 (5%)
1 star
5 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 49 reviews
Profile Image for Am4u ❀ ~ AprilMarie4u ~ ❀ .
89 reviews249 followers
October 14, 2017

Guest Review on ❥ CGSR Blog

Rating:

5 Stars

Main Genres:

Science Fiction, Dark Eroitca

General Info:

This book primarily focused on three things.

The world...
this author built is one of the best & unique alternate worlds I've read. It's a mixture of difficult & harsh living, but also a world with magic & mystery. It's not easy to describe because it's a complex world with many layers. It's a world I find both fascinating & intriguing, it's a little horrific also but that's part of the fun of reading it.

The main characters...
in this book are Sawyer & Aribelle. Like the world this is set in, both these characters are unique & complicated. Sawyer has thought of himself as a good man with strong morals, but the world of Aerthe is changing him. Aribelle's actions spoke louder than her words. I wanted a bit more dialogue from her, but it was a good show of character rather than a telling of.

The erotica...
is dark & twisty with a sadistic dominant male. It's definitely for those that like dub/non-con & non-con BDSM content.

Overall

I highly recommend this to those that love both alternate world settings & dark romance-erotica.


My Review of Book 1, Acquired Possession


(Review is on ARC version received in exchange for an honest review. A positive rating/review was not required or requested.)

Profile Image for Louise H's Book Thoughts.
2,039 reviews316 followers
October 5, 2017
This book had a different feel to Acquired Possession, whilst still being as captivating and well written. A large part of this is due to it being mostly written from the hero, Sawyer's, POV but also because it is set in the Scav 'part' of Aether. I'm also pleased that this was the case, as now I'm wondering both what will happen in Book 3 and when it will be out as I'm desperate for more of this world.

It was interesting to 'see' the male perspective on all the dubious consent and dominance 'stuff' and it involved my emotions in a very different way to Emery's story. I still felt the emotions and empathised with both characters, but I usually 'connect' more to the female character just because it is easier to put myself in her shoes. That in no way affected my enjoyment of the book, it was still full of action, had amazing pace and was incredibly steamy and it allowed this story to take us more into the world of Aether and its people.

Sawyers battles with his base desires, Scav expectations and his own morals turned him from what could have been a despicable individual into quite an attractive, and definitely one heck of a sexy, anti-hero. Despite the dubious consent aspects, and even at the start when he was still very angry, his scruples led him to protect and take care of Ari. I loved those moments, when he wasn't conscious of his actions, where he would hold her close to him for comfort.

We had enough of Ari's viewpoint to know she is an intelligent, feisty, caring and deep down brave woman. She is also a little naive and a lot confused by the lust she has for Sawyer and his treatment of her. That treatment and Sawyer's behaviour was depraved at times but somehow, given the setting, it felt acceptable, especially as he often battled with his conscience or drew a line where the Scav wouldn't have. This along with JI's emotional/mental growth raised some deep questions on how the thoughts and actions of society - or a lack of morals by those in charge, can affect our own behaviours. It posed similar questions or warnings to those raised by The Lord of the Flies.

There were so many unexpected twists in this story that it kept me gripped. That ending - it came out of nowhere for me, but it was perfect for the relationship Sawyer truly wanted with Ari. JI's ending was even twistier - and send disturbing shiver's down my back., he (it?) is no longer the person that Emery knew and cared for.

I can't even begin to guess where this story is heading but I know I can't wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews127 followers
Want to read
April 14, 2018
💝 FREE on Amazon today (4/14/2018)!💝

Blurb:
Her family was top of the heap. Now Aribelle is on the bottom.

She had a man called Sawyer chained in her caravan, until a warband of Scavs attacked and took over.

He saved her life and now he’s free.
Though she tries to run, running from a man like Sawyer has a poor chance of success.
Sometimes a girl’s baser instincts point her entirely in the wrong direction.
He’s big and bad, and knows how to handle her…really well.

Revenge, lust and violent beginnings

On the world of Aerthe, where females are often toys or owned, Ari had it good. Not anymore.
Sawyer is ex Special Forces.
Human.
And brought to Aerthe against his will.

He didn’t appreciate being Ari’s prisoner. He’s getting what’s owed him, whether it’s served hot, cold, or bent over the hood of a truck scavenged from an ancient building.
War is brewing and things are about to get interesting for this one human male on a world of warriors, mechlings, and the landships of the Swathe.

Ari? She’s his, no matter how much she wriggles and squirms.
Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews870 followers
October 11, 2017

4.5 stars

This second book in the Machinery of Desire series brings us further into the world of Aerthe, and leaves me amazed by the creativity and twisted mind of Cari Silverwood. She has created a foreign universe that is scientifically advanced, but supports a society that is surprisingly primitive. Where slaves are commonplace, death is rampant, and mechanical and living beings co-exist.

While Acquired Possession gave us a glimpse into the world of the Mekkers, confined to travel on their landships, Claimed Possession introduces us to the Scavs, a nomadic ground dwelling race that has enslaved Sawyer upon his arrival from Earth. After breaking free of captivity through cunning and strength, he finds the tables turned and his captor, Ari, is now his slave.

I found Sawyer to be an interesting character. At first, I was not a fan. He seemed too harsh, too sadistic, too ready to take on a persona that I felt could not have possibly been his. There is no way he could have acted this way on Earth, and his comfort with being such a brutal master came too easily. But as we got to know him and see that he did struggle with the ease in which he slipped into this role, it made him more human. To know that he battled an internal war with the way he enjoyed treating Ari as nothing more than a slave for his needs versus the way he should treat her as a person, it made him human. A harsh, sadistic human, but still one that had a heart beneath the wild exterior.

I also liked Ari. She was a strong woman who resisted being owned, and fought against the ties binding her to Sawyer, even when it became clear that she had feelings for him. She was an interesting mix of femininity and strength and I enjoyed watching someone with such backbone and spirit eventually bend to Sawyers domination. It clearly showed that the submissive was the stronger one in the relationship because in the end, she truly called the shots. My only complaint is that I wanted an epilogue with her and Sawyer. I cannot believe that the author left these two where she did. I have too many questions left about the future that I want answered!

And as for one of the most likeable characters in the story, I was glad to see JI again. As a “mech”, a robot that was becoming self-aware, he was interesting and humorous, and I was happy to see he was an essential part of this story. I cannot wait until the next installment of this series and am crossing my fingers that JI is the main focus of that book as I would love for this penis-obsessed, truth-loving, Shakespeare-quoting guy to experience a love of his own.

Profile Image for Becca.
521 reviews62 followers
October 2, 2017
This book continues to unfold the story that began in Acquired Possession. It is specifically about Sawyer the only male in the group of humans stolen by this very strange society. The more I read the more impressed I am with the world building skills of this author... it is a truly amazing, complex, and horrific world.

At the start of the story I didn't like Sawyer at all, despite the fact that he had clearly suffered as a slave and had good reason to want to punish Aribelle. I found myself feeling very sorry for Aribelle and felt Sawyer went too far in his treatment of her. It took awhile, but as the story progressed it became clear that both Sawyer and Aribelle were complex characters who were neither all bad or good. The choices they each made and the eventual outcome of their relationship worked very well for me. Though, to be honest, my favorite character is JI - I love him! Lucky for me his story looks to continue in future books.

I'm thoroughly hooked on this series and eagerly await the next book.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Profile Image for Nerine Dorman.
Author 70 books238 followers
Read
September 25, 2017
Another one for my "books I've edited" list – so obvs I can't rate it because that would be terribly obscene. And, as Ms Silverwood would say, "Goodness a compliment from you?" This book is a cracker. That is all. I LOVE the world building. I also want a zagg. Or whatever the hell the darned critter is called.
Profile Image for Cécile Smits .
1,464 reviews287 followers
October 8, 2017
What a wicked world Cari weaves....With this second story,Cari gives us a different view of Aerthe,one that’s just as deliciously dark and with a hero that i would love to meet....Sawyer,ex Special Forces,is a man you’d better not push too far,even when he’s enslaved. Unfortunately,Aribelle does just that and when circumstances change,she pays the price...under Sawyer’s hands. His very wicked hands...and a price that’s getting her confused....I loved their dynamic,the way they were both fighting their way out of a bad situation. And seeing an old friend back,JI....that really was a treat! Especially towards the end....This is a story you really,really have to read. It’s dark,it’s delicious,it’s wicked...it’s só good!
Profile Image for Chelon.
401 reviews10 followers
October 23, 2017
Love the tech, dystopian, alien mesh of Aerthe every detail is thought out, the world is fully formed as are the characters and their sexual proclivities. I wanted to tie Ari to tree and whip her myself for almost all of the book she just worked my nerves. Loved the sexy darkness in Sawyer and his ability to find his place on Aerthe. To be a fly on the wall in the mind of Cari Silverwood. This is a series to read.
Profile Image for Under the Covers Book Blog.
2,840 reviews1,343 followers
October 13, 2017
If you’ve read my review of Acquired Possession, the first installment in the Machinery of Desire series, you’ll know that I am an enormous fan of this new world that Cari Silverwood has created.  While I love all of her work, this series is becoming a fast favorite.  Claimed Possession furthers our exploration of the world of Aerthe, a land of humanoid beings, living machines, and lawlessness.  I’ve compared it to a Star Wars-esque world before and that description stands.  There is a mixture of old and new that I find more intriguing and complex than classic sci-fi.  And just as I love Star Wars, I love this world as well.

Claimed Possession takes us into a different realm of Aerthe.  We get to spend time with the Scavs, a group of nomadic opportunists, who, like the other groups, are known to take slaves.  Sawyer, a transplant from Earth, is thrust into a culture he must adapt to quickly or risk being killed, or worse yet, castrated.  As a former SAS soldier, he has skills and smarts that allow him to rise within the Scav culture and he is rewarded with a slave of his own, Ari. Ari is a native of Aerthe and a rudimentary healer. She’s feisty and sharp in her own way and doesn’t easily bend towards Saw’s sadistic ways.  But he has no qualms showing her who’s in charge, subjecting her to punishments and public sex in every form imaginable. Being the dubcon fan that I am, I really enjoyed watching Ari suffer while secretly or not so secretly enjoying her torments.  I liked both of their characters.

The return of the J1 mech we met in Acquired Possession was a great surprise (I secretly hoped we would see him again) and loved his use of Shakespeare.  He brings some comic relief to this world, but I’ve also found many of his moments to be among the most poignant and touching.  Kudos to Ms. Silverwood for creating such a complex and well-rounded world.  These touches are what make it so special and unique.  The ending blew me away.  It was completely unexpected and I was left with a huge smile on my face.  If you wanted an HEA and thought it was impossible here, she delivers.  There is a clear cliffhanger that leaves an opening for the next installment (Fern maybe?).  I hope so, and for Saw’s sake as well.  I’m very eagerly anticipating what comes next!

*ARC provided by author
Reviewed by Guest Reviewer Jennifer❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤
Profile Image for Candice Barrier.
252 reviews2 followers
October 5, 2017
Cari knocks it out of the park again!!!

Cari brings us back to her fantasy world with the next chapter, Claimed Possession. In this chapter we follow Sawyer who is a slave with a higher calling, being a former SAS agent. From the beginning he is up against the odds but keeps coming out on top. Even when Ari keeps trying to kill him. The sex is hot and decadent and leaves you all hot and bothered. A definite must read for fans of Cari and anyone who read her previous book, Acquired Possession.
Profile Image for Daria.
1,992 reviews42 followers
October 6, 2017
Cari once again takes us into a world she created with the second installment of The Machinery of Desire Series. Aether a world of warriors and machines, where if you don’t want to be a slave. You need to find a way to rise above it.
Sawyer a human “Slave” with plans on being changing his status. Ex military he has the know how and is patient and intelligent enough to pull it off.
Aribelle a bit sassy all in your face haughtiness. A “Dr.” of sorts and not a good one. (smiles) you can almost feel her sweet disdain for slaves.
When a War Band interrupts their travel its not only puts both Sawyer and Airbelle on a different “track” physically but mentally as well. For Sawyer its all about taking and claiming what’s is. For Airebelle ooh she’s fighting herself and feelings she just can put or wont put words to.
What a marvelous world and story setting. You can help but think Steampunk! Listen closely can you hear the clicks and spins of the gears. I really loved how the story was from his point of view. A great mix of detail, heat and action.
Profile Image for Lisa.
557 reviews16 followers
October 5, 2017
Travel back to Aerthe and discover more of this world with a completely different point of view and experience this epic adventure mainly though Sawyer the only male Earth slave that we know of.

Sawyer and Ari's relationship begins with an intensity that never waivers as owner becomes slave. Feelings tilt and swirl in the addictive heat of revenge, domination and mixed emotions. Ari is a strong woman torn by her own conflicting desires. At times Sawyer edges into behaviors that many will deem excessive and cruel but remember this isn't Earth--rules, morals and survival doesn't exist in the same way.

More and more of Aerthe is exposed to the reader and JI will leave you asking more questions than answers. I can not wait for more!
418 reviews1 follower
October 14, 2017
As we go back to Aerthe, a new story begins. This story is with Sawyer and Ari, and it can't be more different than book one. However, the details still dazzle, the relationships are still fascinating and the action has ramped up into a blistering take-your-breathe-away conclusion that you won't see coming.

Sawyer is a slave, and brother to Fern. Its clear right away that he has military experience, as he cons his way into becoming a fighter instead of a slave, and gaining Ari as HIS slave.

Its also obvious that Sawyer has certain proclivities regarding the female race? He uses Ari to get revenge for his slavery. The tables have flipped, yet Ari is another Silverwood character who is more than a pretty face. Never creating wasteful female characters, Silverwood writes about Ari's struggle. Even one of the female warriors goes to bat for Ari in the beginning.

There are tons of descriptive language that brings you right to the depths of a dystopian landscape. Broken buildings, leaning skyscrapers and remnants of bodies in cars will remind you of the real costs of war. Silverwood really makes you think about what would you do? Sawyer and Ari fight there questionable morals every step of the way.

The continued use of robots, or "mechs" as they are called, is really interesting. There is certainly a link to modern day robots, or CPU's that seem to have minds of their own. Its absolutely fascinating to read about the "powers" Ari seems to have. You wonder if she's fighting for her freedom or being corrupted by those around her? Silverwood never shys away from creating engaging power struggles between characters that aren't GOOD or BAD. She's more interested in exploring what's in between, with a healthy dose of kink. And yes, there are some scorching hot scenes that only she can deliver with a smirk on her face.
Profile Image for ᗩᑎᗪᖇᗴᗯ.
521 reviews71 followers
August 29, 2019
Read as part of the complete Machinery Of Desire series set available from Amazon.

I enjoyed this more than the first book. Cari writes D/s really well and the world-building here is great, great enough that I actually said "world-building" in a review!

Read the trigger warnings, if you feel you can handle it then *do* check out this series. Very recommended!

4.5 stars
Profile Image for Jennifer .
407 reviews1 follower
October 12, 2017
If you’ve read my review of Acquired Possession, the first installment in the Machinery of Desire series, you’ll know that I am an enormous fan of this new world that Cari Silverwood has created. While I love all of her work, this series is becoming a fast favorite. Claimed Possession furthers our exploration of the world of Aerthe, a land of humanoid beings, living machines, and lawlessness. I’ve compared it to a Star Wars-esque world before and that description stands. There is a mixture of old and new that I find more intriguing and complex than classic sci-fi. And just as I love Star Wars, I love this world as well.

Claimed Possession takes us into a different realm of Aerthe. We get to spend time with the Scavs, a group of nomadic opportunists, who, like the other groups, are known to take slaves. Sawyer, a transplant from Earth, is thrust into a culture he must adapt to quickly or risk being killed, or worse yet, castrated. As a former SAS soldier, he has skills and smarts that allow him to rise within the Scav culture and he is rewarded with a slave of his own, Ari. Ari is a native of Aerthe and a rudimentary healer. She’s feisty and sharp in her own way and doesn’t easily bend towards Saw’s sadistic ways. But he has no qualms showing her who’s in charge, subjecting her to punishments and public sex in every form imaginable. Being the dubcon fan that I am, I really enjoyed watching Ari suffer while secretly or not so secretly enjoying her torments. I liked both of their characters.

The return of the J1 mech we met in Acquired Possession was a great surprise (I secretly hoped we would see him again) and loved his use of Shakespeare. He brings some comic relief to this world, but I’ve also found many of his moments to be among the most poignant and touching. Kudos to Ms. Silverwood for creating such a complex and well-rounded world. These touches are what make it so special and unique. The ending blew me away. It was completely unexpected and I was left with a huge smile on my face. If you wanted an HEA and thought it was impossible here, she delivers. There is a clear cliffhanger that leaves an opening for the next installment (Fern maybe?). I hope so, and for Saw’s sake as well. I’m very eagerly anticipating what comes next!
Profile Image for Christine Morgan.
732 reviews4 followers
October 14, 2017
Aribelle is a free woman but things are going to change when her caravan is attacked by scavs. When the slave she was about to punish becomes the slave owner she finds out that she likes sex, a lot. Ari has to survive and so does Sawyer can they survive each other and the enemies around them?

This book was crazy! I loved the first book and thought it was dark but this book is another level of dark. I loved Sawyer right from the beginning and wanted him to slay all his enemies I also love that he's doing all the things he wants to to Ari all the things he can't do in the human world. He was a real ass but I liked him. Aribelle seems to like everything he does even when he's being mean to her. I loved that he freed her so she'd come back to him willingly. JI Mech! I love that guy but hated how his "innocence" is taken advantaged of. The ending was really creepy ugh. This was definitely a great story and I can't wait to see what other dark ideas Cari comes up with for her next book.
Profile Image for Shelli.
909 reviews51 followers
January 6, 2018
Start clutching your pearls and get ready to be shocked, because Cari really takes you down a dark path in this book! If you're not comfortable with non consent, or even dubious consent, keep on moving, this book is not for you! If however you can read darker and spicier books and appreciate the fiction that they are, then by all means grab this one, because it's good!
I really enjoyed watching Sawyer struggle with his behaviors and desires, trying to decide if his "Earth" morals belonged on Aerthe, or if it was ok for him to forget about them because Aerthe was so different. And Aribelle was one strong, stubborn woman who had to come to terms with the things Sawyer made her feel. And of course, we can't forget JI....I really am looking forward to hearing more about him!!
Profile Image for Laz the Sailor.
1,804 reviews80 followers
July 13, 2020
This second entry tells the story from the opposite perspective. A human male living on the ground (prev was a human female living in the landship), strives to maintain his morals which exploring his inner sadist. As a result, there is less exotic technology (though the evolving rifles were intriguing), and more living in the dirt that buried ancient cities.

Lots of spankings, bindings, and voyeuristic scenes to earn the "dark" tag, but there is very little evil - these characters are just trying to succeed in a dystopian world.

The ending left me wanting a little. Having returned to Earth, I wanted to see how they would adapt. Alternately, had they been trapped on Aerthe, I would have been intrigued about how they would survive. Either way, the author has held my attention, so no complaints.
Profile Image for Joce.
152 reviews23 followers
April 13, 2018
I wish I could give more then 5 stars its that good

I absolutely LLLOOOVVVEEDD this book!!! If I could give it more stars I would because this book deserves them. I couldn't get enough of it I even found myself skipping class because I couldn't stop reading. I wanted to know what happened next and I didn't want to wait.

This book is the 2nd installment in the Claimed Possessions series focusing on Sawyer and Aribelle story. I want to make a point to mention that I was able to quickly become a custom to the new world that they are in and the names of everything after reading the first book.

I enjoyed Sawyer and Aribelle connection it was a love-hate situation at times but I loved the infatuation Sawyer has for Aribelle. That being said I absolutely am in LOVE with Sawyer!!!... even though he had moments of being a jerk. I loved his determination from page one. Being forced to become a slave was not something he would take lightly and he was hell-bent on changing that. I like that he was able to stay strong even in moments of doubt and uncertainty. I guess the question is does he succeed in becoming a free man again? All I have to say is you have to read to find out and it is so worth the read I highly recommend this book. And look forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Michelle ♥ The Romance Vault ♥ .
1,166 reviews97 followers
October 13, 2017
I've been so looking forward to the next instalment in this series, the first book blew my mind it was that good, and DITTO with book 2! Absolutely engrossed from page one, especially the way Sawyer is the slave and Ari the boss with her quirky power!

I was extremely happy to be reading about JI again, I have a major soft spot for this mech! I worry for his future (said with a wink) because I think Cari has a story brewing for him that will leave me gobsmacked lol.

I loved the erotic dark between Ari and Sawyer, but I also, again, love the world that Ari comes from, the brilliant world building Cari has done. It's so realistic, yet other-wordly, it's perfectly brought to life.

If anyone goes into this series thinking it's all dark sex and sadistic acts, then they are in for a shock. Yep it definitely has dark sex galore and sadistic kinkery in spades (synonymous to Cari's deliciously warped mind, haha) but the reader gets far more than that and it's the little things you learn and Cari delivers that really leaves you knowing you've read an amazing book.

Don't want this series to end, I can't wait for the next one. I received a copy of Claimed Possession in return for an honest review and honestly if you love a good dystopian/sci fi story along with some dark erotic kink then you'll love the creative mind of Cari Silverwood.
752 reviews9 followers
January 22, 2018
This latest Aerthe story is a role reversal extraordinaire.
In the blink of a couple bullets the slave becomes free and the keeper of his former owner.
Since male/female relationships on Aerthe are by default D/s, this is the only way the former slave can keep his owner turned slave, for himself and becoming common property.
Living his dominant nature as he never could back on earth, he starts training his spitfire sub with catastrophic results.
But with time, and the understanding that they are by far safer together than apart, their relationship changes. Although neither of them trusts the other,their interactions go from scorching hot non-con, to a grudging work relationship.
By the absolutely surprising end, they are... Oh no, not going there!
You'll have to read it yourself!
But beware, you won't be able to put it down until you're finished.
And put the drip-tray under your melting reader!!! Just saying!
3,927 reviews31 followers
August 22, 2019
This world has been so wonderfully crafted. I feel like I could really see the existence of Aerthe. In Claimed Possession, we get the POV of Sawyer, the only human male of the group who was taken. He is a complicated man, with a serious libido, and I loved getting his story. I am really enjoying the way this series is going, and though this is not a direct sequel or follow-up to Acquired Possession, they blend together very nicely. I'd like to think of this as a high-tech Mad Max series with a healthy dose of sex drive pushing the characters to their OMG-erotic activity. Loving this series so far!
Profile Image for Pam.
401 reviews2 followers
October 11, 2017
We return to the mystical, mysterious alternative reality of Aerthe. A world that steals Earthlings through a one-way magic portal created by pure evil. A world where humans are prized, despised, desired, and enslaved by grounders, Scavs and Mekkers. When last we saw Sawyer, he'd been dragged from a courtroom. His sister, Fern, had just tried to kill the judge who'd passed judgment on her. Sawyer has two all-consuming desires. One, stay alive! Two, find Fern. On Earth, he was a member of the SAS, the best of the best. On Aerthe? He's a slave, a blood source for the desperately-needed Factor H. It's intolerably cruel. But he can't do a thing about it. Or can he? Enter Aribelle, a grounder, niece of Sawyer's owner. When she and Sawyer clash violently, Ari has the upper hand. But soon events turn both lives upside down. Their roles are completely reversed. Now it's Ari who's the slave while Sawyer works furiously to fit in with the Scavs who've captured them. With these changes, his new compatriots, the raw violence surrounding him, Sawyer finds himself changing, losing his hold on ideals and morality, perhaps even his sanity. But he's not on Earth anymore. There's no way to return. To survive on Aerthe, he must adapt. Ari's inability to accept her new role as slave, particularly to Sawyer, drives her to extremes. She also distracts Sawyer from his single-minded focus. There's some kind of attraction between the two but neither understands it, much less can handle it. Where is this all headed? There are so many circles within circles, hidden agendas, unknown motives. No one seems able to see the full picture, not even those seemingly in charge. And truth appears nonexistent, especially between Ari and Sawyer. Just as it looks like Sawyer and Ari have worked out a sort of peaceful coexistence, life literally blows up around them. Sawyer's life, in particular, seems to self-destruct. Who's friend or foe? The ultimate goals of every single person surrounding these two are completely unknown. The better question is just what defines the relationship between Sawyer and Ari? Is it even a relationship at all? As the world crumbles around them, is there any way Sawyer and Ari can come together, as a team, maybe something more? Or will they lose everything, everyone, even their lives? In the end, can there be any kind of trust? That's what it will take for these two to survive the horrors that surround them!

Cari Silverwood is brilliant! I was absolutely blown away by the second book in this series. I am in awe of her creative ability. Aerthe is an alternate reality, so similar to Earth in some ways but so opposite in others. There's true beauty and wonder on this planet. The converse is also true. Violence, hatred, evil, and death abound. There's also so much uncertainty and mystery. As always, her characters are deliciously complex and beyond merely interesting. The people on Aerthe, especially the humans, are far from perfect. I felt a clear connection to Sawyer and Ari. One of the driving themes of the book, for me, was the relationship between Sawyer and Ari. Their struggles, the moral ambiguities facing them, haunting them, the uncertainty surrounding them, are all captivating. There was also another unique character from both books who is delightful and absolutely enchanting. (Nope, not telling that secret. You'll have to read the books to find out who I'm referring to.) And the ending? I'd never have imagined the ending Ms. Silverwood created. I adored this book from beginning to end. Kudos, Ms. Silverwood, for again exceeding every expectation I had. You set the bar higher for yourself with each book. I didn't think you could do better than Acquired Possession but you've once again outdone yourself! Your talent is impressive, your writing ability exceptional!

One final note. Please be an informed reader and consumer! This is an ADULT book. It contains explicit language dark, nonconsensual sexual scenes, and violence. 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!
Profile Image for Tequila.
1,447 reviews28 followers
October 9, 2017
****I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review, but will be purchasing the book upon release****



If you really enjoyed reading Acquired Possession, then you're not going to want to miss Claimed Possession. It has a different feel to it than Acquired Possession, but that just makes this boo so much more special in its own way.

I love Sawyer and Aribelle. I wasn't much of a fan of Aribelle at first, but then she kinda grew on me. I fell in love with Sawyer right away, but then again I have a thing for assholey dominant men and Cari writes them oh so well. And if you're thinking "Well, I'm not a fan of assholey men", before you write this book off, Sawyer has a right to be an asshole, considering his circumstances.

Silverwood has created another amazing story with the people and creatures of the world Aerthe. There's some amazing colorful characters, some characters who get exactly what they deserve, and even better, JI is back! I have a soft spot for JI and I may or may not have made threats if something terrible happened to him.

But bottom line, read the book and love it.
Profile Image for Tanya Rae ~ TaSTy WordGasms.
2,518 reviews
October 9, 2017
For an out of this world book to read you need to read Claimed Possession! Cari Silverwood has this great made up world called Aerthe.

Sawyer is originally from Earth and is a slave. Ari (Aribelle) owns him and if you read the synopsis you will have known that she orders her men to castrate him. What happens is that Sawyer ends up saving her life and Voilà the tables are turned and now she is his slave and she owes him. The story goes on from there.

Cari Silverwood as a wonderful imagination and creates characters like mechlings, Scav warbands, and landships of the Swathe.

You do need to read Acquired Possession first so that you have a basis for this book. Also, this is a dark erotic story so keep that in mind if you should choose to read this book!

I love reading Cari Silverwood’s books they are enlightening, entertaining and full of her dark kinkiness. I give Claimed Possession 4.5 stars and can’t wait to read more of her books. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. But, I have my copy of Claimed Possession pre-ordered.
Profile Image for Debbie Chittenden.
1,096 reviews
November 5, 2017
Holy "switch"! I did NOT see this coming. I really liked this reversal though. Of course I think Sawyer is a Jackhole! Of course Ari, probably deserved some of the revenge fear.

I did find some of what Sawyer did completely unforgivable. Yet, had Ari succeeded in her original commands, her death would have been at his hands. No doubt!

I honestly loved this ending. It was truly perfect. Cari you have a flare for the wicked, devious, malicious, and vile. I don't know where you come up with this stuff, but I'm hooked on your writing style. Even if it makes me cringe and wish I was a character in your stories. Dilemmas, dilemmas!
17 reviews
Read
November 11, 2017
Perfect 2nd book in this series

The Machinery of Desire series by Cari Silverwood is wonderful. And this 2nd is even better than the first in MHO. She has a way with words that sucks you right into the story so you must read to the end to make sure the characters are ok. The end was so totally unexpected but perfect. Yes, it is dark so be warned.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 49 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.