Gio has killed. Now she is to be broken by Ryke, the King’s Own Lawgiver, a hooded, scarred man who exterminates people as if they were insects underfoot.
She will pay for her sins with her body, spill her secrets, and sob out her misery on Ryke’s spears.
The man has his ways. Though he reserves special treatment for his females, no one has ever escaped being broken.
Clinging to hope, Gio prays she can still save her people.
But is there more to Ryke than torturer extraordinaire? Does a heart hide beneath the cold exterior?
Deep in the Underdeck of the royal landship, Ryke and his new toy, Gio, will wrestle with secrets from his past and maybe, just maybe, discover a way for his despicable people to salvage what’s left of themselves and find peace on Aerthe.
Inspired by the Gor series by John Norman
Warning. This is a dark romance with complete power exchange.
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.
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Book three. Not a standalone. Each book in the series features a different couple. However, the world keeps building & evolving off the first book. My review of Book One and Book Two.
Story:
Part of what makes this such a good story IMO is the world. It is a blend of harsh conditions, magic, and science. The struggle for survival makes the world setting dystopian but the magic gives it a touch of fantasy. And the advance science blended in gives it something uniquely it's own.
Main Characters:
Gio, heroine, she has been a side character in the series since book one. I'd best describe her as a scientist with an analytical type of thought process.
Ryke, anti-hero, a new character or if he was featured before it was small & I don't remember it. His role is the King's torturer, assassin, and the one called when information is needed from a prisoner. He also has an analytical type of mind but different than Gio.
Gio analyzes looking for how things work, and scientific reasoning. While Ryke analyzes people, and how best to get information out of a personality type.
Both come across as cold & emotionally distant, with feelings playing small to none in decision making.
Romance Erotica:
The romance is a slow build, and never one I'd consider sweet but it fit the characters personalities. The erotica in this book was my least fav out of the series. Mostly due to it being the least dark, IMO.
Overall:
I never felt for any of the characters, but I still enjoyed the story being told & the world it's set in.
Recommended:
Definitely a series I'd recommend to fans of Science Fiction & Dark Erotica.
(Review is on ARC version gifted to me by the author. A review was not required or requested.)
Holy Crikey. Where do I even begin? I am so invested in this world and its link to Aerthe. This is by far my favorite of the series which says a lot considering that I have gobbled up the first two books in the series.
This author piques my interest. I want to crawl inside her head or be a fly on the wall and watch how she works. Her world building truly is some of the best that I have ever read. I am in awe. If I close my eyes I can picture everything as if it was something that I would encounter daily. That is a remarkable feat considering they are far from things in this world.
This story was about Gio and Ryke. And what a story it was. Gio was a strong feisty woman. This author knows how to make strong characters, Ryke. Good lord he was deliciousness. Dominating but not as hardened as he thought. he had a weakness and that was Gio. the chemistry and pull between these two characters was palpable.It was hotter than A billy goat's ass in a pepper patch. This author can write steam so well that it could run a locomotive engine. Yet, what probably impresses me the most with this author is her ability to make me want to become more adventurous (not on a new world mind you but she sparks me to be open.)
This is a long book ( I am not sure that this author knows how to write short ones --which I love!) I highly recommend this series and especially this book. Outstanding.
This is arguably my favorite of Silverwood's novels and by far her most complex. She starts the book with Ryke tasked to get portal info from Gio with whatever means necessary, and turns the book into a suspenseful and riveting political thriller.
Gio is one of Silverwood trademark smart females, but what sets her apart is her analytical nature. Ryke realizes the political ramifications of people getting a hold of what Gio knows, and goes into hiding with her. You learn more about the Mekkers people that will change how you might have felt about the evil invaders of Aerthe. Its heartbreaking in parts, and Silverwood demands that you sympathize. The parallels to today's political landscape are beautifully written and Silverwood's strongest writing to date. You realize that the Mekkers people just want a home of their own.
Don't be mistaken, this is definitely a love story. She uses another one of her trademark moves by hiding another strong feminist character behind some of the sexiest domination and submission scenes out there today. Gio CHOOSES to help Ryke at one point, and Ryke asks why hes so obsessed with Gio, making the argument: Who truly has the most power in this relationship? You question it to the very end of the book.
Science and mythology collide beautifully in this book. Aerthe itself is Silverwood's greatest creation. A living breathing world surrounded by mythology. If I was to use one word to describe the book? Hope.
This is my favourite book of the series so far. I just loved the mind games and manipulation by both parties, though Gio was too caring to ever succumb to doing anything truly bad or evil. Ryke on the other hand did bad things for good reasons, or just because he wanted to. I could happily live in this book, I wanted it to never end. The detailed world building, the tiny little touches that seem insignificant at first but that will prove to be important later, the wonderful, strange, demented, naughty and twisted things that have been dreamt up and included all just roll together into an amazing read.
If this was a contemporary romance, based on Earth with Ryke as a human, I would consider him morally depraved and somewhat evil. He carries an air of menace and dark about him, exploiting the attraction between Gio and himself in order to manipulate her. However, since this is based in another universe I really liked him instead. I'd run screaming in the opposite direction if I met Ryke, but my word he did some hot things to Gio.
I loved Gio, her mind was a constant whirl of plans, worries, analysis and pushing crap into boxes to ignore forever or to examine later. I adored her mental debates with herself, and how honest she was in these. She was so scarily rational. So ration in fact that it didn't take her long to accept what Ryke did because, well damn, she enjoyed it.
You can really feel the plot building in this story, with lots of political and Aerthe machinations occurring as sub-plots. Towards the end these almost pull us away from Gio and Ryke, but those final scenes make it clear that this was (I think) deliberate by the author, reflecting Gio's feelings of being adrift and purposeless, perhaps of abandonment too. Whilst there is a scene that suggests the title refers to Gio, it could equally refer to Ryke and his marked role as the KOL (King's Own Lawgiver), the belief that he is the prophet or even the Dekkers with their blue etchings from their livelihoods, or following Aerthe's manipulation of them. That is the wonder of Cari Silverwood's writing. She opens so many doors for your mind to travel through, scattering little breadcrumbs to lead you on the most fantastical of journey's. It doesn't harm that she writes damn good kinky scenes too.
If you ever join this authors facebook group DON'T LET ON WHAT SCARES YOU. She is more sadistic than Ryke and merrily wove mechanical 8-legged creepy-bots and claustrophobia inducing headgear into the story, just to torment her readers (evil woman, lol). However her brief homage to The Hitchhiker's Guide made me forgive her. Well that and all the really good naughty stuff in here.
The world building in this series continues to amaze me. While questions are answered, more arise with further complexities. In some ways this is frustrating - as someone who wants to have all the answers immediately - but it is also riveting. The author writes in such an evocative way, that the world unfolds in my imagination rather than as a specific image. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but it makes for very interesting reading.
Mekkers have invaded Aerthe eons ago, but remain unable to truly thrive there. Their society is hideous, full of evil, immorality, and decay. The main male protagonist in this book, Ryke, is immensely unlikable throughout most of the story - and, to be honest, I'm not sure he ever really became all that likeable for me. Gio, the human slave we meet in the first book, Acquired Possession, has suffered so much at the hands of Mekkers it's hard to believe she is still able to function rationally. She is not only rational, but extremely pragmatic - quite an admirable, if slightly puzzling character.
The overarching story is amazing, and I can't wait to see how this world will evolve, but the central relationship was not quite as interesting to me. It works well as dark erotica, but as a romance I was left feeling less satisfied. Gio could have done worse - much worse actually - but, for me, she and Ryke have a ways to go before I can cheer for their relationship.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
I read this out of order simply because I had to find out what happened to Gio after the first book in the series. I don't think that harmed my enjoyment of the book at all - the author does a great job of filling in the backstory from the other two books without massive info-dumps that marr so many books in a series. So don't be afraid to read out of order. This book is wickedly wonderful. The author terms her hero, Ryke, an anti-hero in the Glossary, but I actually think Ryke is a fallen hero who redeems himself in the course of the story. Watching that redemption was heart-warming and evoked a couple of happy tears. It's always a good thing when a dark romance can make me cry! Gio's guilt and conflict is also heart-warming (or heart-wrenching) and her arc is just as wonderful to see. The book really takes it time developing these characters, and this world. Aerthe is such a rich setting and the author makes it an integral character in this book. I absolutely loved seeing that develop, because the worldbuilding in some scifi romance can be a little light. Not here. This is an expansive setting that the author takes the time to explore. So well done. Don't be afraid to take the plunge into this dark, wonderful read! I can't wait for the next book and am only sorry that's the end of the series!
Every time Cari has another story,i jump with joy. Because,let’s be honest,what she comes up with? Magic,pure and simple. Branded Possession is a great example of that Magic. Set in the world called Aerthe,this is the story of Gio and Ryke. She killed the portal maker and Ryker,as the King’s Own Lawgiver,is given the task to break her in order to get every little bit of knowledge she has. Her strenght surprises him,and he finds he likes it...to see how far he can take her without breaking her. When betrayal sends them down to the underdeck of the landship,his goals change and Gio starts to see another side of him,one that confuses her.....But his domination of her,and her struggle to submit,that remains. My head is still spinning from all that happened and my heart is still pounding from everything Ryke did to Gio. This series is the best and i can’t wait for Exquisite Possession,JI’s story! I was so happy to see him! Even if it was just a short visit,it was at the right time....
Ryke and Gio. The Kings Own Lawgiver and ruthless killer, and the Slave who killed the portal mage. When Ryke rescues Gio from certain death, she realizes he did so for the secrets she harbors. In the claustrophobic world of the Royal Swathe a dance between political intrigue, Ryke's very own "interrogation technique", and the resistance of Gio begins. This time we learn much more of the inner workings of the Swaths, their population on all levels, their believes and their secrets. With time and the close proximity between Ryke and Gio their relationship changes slowly, inexorably, and the truth of it fought by both of them. When the time for the Great Gathering approaches, things come to a head and both their roles change dramatically. Find out how!!!
Ryke may be the "nicest" of the nasty guys in this series. And Gio may be the sweetest of the women. However, they get themselves into some really messed up situations. And of course, there will be spankings and worse.
It was very cool to learn more about the workings of the ginormous landships.
The ending sets the stage for the finale in the next book.
I wish we could give more than just 5 stars to any book. I would totally give this one 42.
Cari Silverwood does some amazing world-building. Her worlds are so layered and textured and rich that it's like rubbing your hand over thick and textured velvet. Is there an equivalent feeling for your brain? If so, that's what it is. I mean, the only way it could get better is if Tom Hiddleston read to me, while holding me in his lap, and feeding me dark chocolate. Oh, or Jason Mamoa.
Gio was the human who created the portals who brought all the humans to Aerthe to end up as slaves to the Mekkers. Through testing, she tried reversing the portals and lost part of her fingers. She managed to perfect the process and was able to send one person back, with his lover. Then, Gio killed her owner, Drette, so no more portals would be opened and no more humans can be taken. She gets taken prisoner for killing Drette and sent to a bloodsnack room to be killed.
Ryke, the King's Own Lawgiver, is the phantom in the shadows. It's his job to do things to people to get the answers that those in charge of him need. He's been tasked to get Gio and find out the secrets to making portals from her. He's allowed to do anything he wants to her to get the info that he's told to get. Ryke likes to break his female "clients". He never has sex with them, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't use sex as part of his repertoire. So, when it comes time to get what Gio knows? Ryke pulls out all the tools, spears, hoods, collars, and all.
Branded takes us a lot further into the world of Aerthe, Mekkers, Scavs, and Grouders. We learn more about the Mekkers than we ever have before and see how things are really done on the landships. We also get more info on Aerthe. It's a really interesting story, and creates all kinds of interesting places to go from here. I don't know if this is the end of the series or if Cari Silverwood is planning on taking it further, but I love what's happened. I love how Ryke and Gio's story ended. They really are perfect for each other, even if it seems they both kind of want to kill the other sometimes. I have to say that I have a personal affinity for Ryke's brother's name. :)
If this is the last we are going to see of Aerthe, I'm going to be quite sad, because I've liked the world, and I really want to see more of it. While you're reading, make sure to keep your eyes open for easter eggs. There are a few hidden in there.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review but will be buying a copy when released.
Another fantastic book in Cari Silverwood's Machinery of Desire series. This book is about Gio, the human female who helped the Mekkers make portals to bring humans to Aearthe. Ryke, the Kings Own Lawgiver is given the task to break Gio and find out how to create portals.
Needless to say, Gio is not thrilled with Ryke or helping the Mekkers to make more portals. Gio is going to do everything in her power to not give away what she knows and Ryke does what he can to not fall for Gio. What they both don't realize is Gio will play an important role in uncovering Ryke's path that he had long buried.
Not only is there lots of steamy sex, there's a great plot and characters that you find yourself instantly attached to.
Unlike many of the alien-abduction romances, this one is truly dark with the male MC, Ryke, having a capacity for cruelty and no issues with exercising it to meet his objectives. That said, the dystopian world of the swathe and shift in the relationship between Ryke and Gio is brilliantly crafted and believable.
This series get's better and better!!! Wow just wow! Cari continues to immerse you into the SciFi world of Aerthe. A type of very adult SciFi Alice through the Looking Glass/ Star Wars. If you have read the first two books..you know that Gio is the one who perfected the portals that brought humans to Aerthe. Another land which is possibly in another dimension. Humans are made slaves because their blood can save the lives of the Mekkers. Now she is paying penance for killing the man who made the portals. Ryke is the one that has been given that privilege..the King's Lawgiver he is to break her and learn what she knows, So they can continue to make the portals and bring the priceless humans to Aerthe. Ryke finds that he must protect her from others that are desperate to know her secrets. Ryke has secrets too, which Gio will find as they continue their journey. Gio and Ryke's story is horrifying, passionate and sooo HOT and steamy. This series is sooo compelling...you will have to say MORE BOOKS PLEASE!!
Aerthe what a wondrous world Ms. Cari has created for us. The Machinery of Desire series Branded Possession being book 3.
Gio a slave in a world that isn't her own and her own people in danger of being just what she is. A slave. How can she keep that from happening? Can she?
Ryke is the epitome of scary with a coldness that he wears like a second skin, he's the King's executioner/interrogator and he's tasked to find out the secrets Gio a human is hiding. In spending so much time with his new toy, will Ryke be able to stay the emotionless killer he's honed to perfection?
Mekkers need the additive in human blood to live, though humans are precious doesn't mean they are treated as such.
Such an intriguing and interesting storyline darkish, steampunkish. some intense hot scenes and secrets to be told.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and found well wrote, balanced between detail, story, hot scenes and passionate need.
I read this about a week ago and I've waited to put my review up, only because I was a little lost for words other than, that was bloody brilliant again. How boring to just say that!
As usual the crafted characters birthed through Ms Silverwood's highly imaginative imagination had me squirming, shocked by their actions yet loving them all at the same time. I always feel more warped after I've read this author's work hahahaa. A happy warped I might add ;)
So, before we've met some dark antiheroes on Aerthe but I've got to say, none quite so dark in my opinion as Ryke. He was set on doing his job, and getting the most out of his captive as he saw fit and sometimes I felt extreme angst towards what he put through Gio through. Yet Gio, the not quite innocent heroine found herself on a journey of her own. Can't see me ever forgetting the F-Spear, or indeed the horrid hood! Gio is a strong heroine, intent on helping the people on earth, both her and Ryke are focussed on their own goals, Gio is determined to save her people, whereas Ryke is determined to play torturer to his latest 'toy' and get the information he needs. This is what makes for some rather messed up hotness that Cari pens oh so well.
I now also hold a soft spot (alongside J1 who was brilliant to have back) for Aunty M, gah I love these machines of Cari's! They bring about a certain sort of normalcy, how weird is that!
I can't recommend this series enough if you like the darker side of steamy reads melded seamlessly with a fantastical world created by a clever mind. The Machinery of Desire books aren't for the faint hearted who like roses and petals between the sheets, because all you'll get is a bucket load of thorns and manipulation to the extreme. They're brilliant!
Branded Possession brings us back into the creative mind of Cari Silverwood and to the complex sci fi world of Aerthe.
This is my favorite book of the series so far I loved the power play of Gio and Ryke and I adore the fact that no one knows of Ryke's existence as the Kings assassin except two people, the King and his advisor, now it's three. Gio. So Gio knows that staying alive isn't really in her favour especially when Gio is sentenced to die and sees the face of the Kings unknown Lawgiver.
I love how you can read all the books in the series independently but yet all the stories are interlinked which adds so much depth to the series. How Cari Silverwood can create so many different versions of the dark genre amazes me. It's like it's the sex first then the plotlines etc revolves around that. Then it's the plotlines etc that revolves around the sex. You can't have one without the other, it all just fits!
5 stars read that'll leave you definitely wanting more.
“You are,” he told her, enunciating every syllable, “My f*** hole from now on. I will use whichever hole I want to. Is that clear?” Le sigh - That Ryke sure knows how to sweet talk a girl. ;) He may be a bit scary, but he’s such a product of his world; this planet called Aerthe which is definitely a harsh place to live in its Mad Max-esq environment. There’s a lot of dubcon in this book (this series), but it’s done intelligently and as part of the character’s persona, weaving into the story and adding to the environment and overall feeling of the book. This series is absolutely fantastic and creative in its imaginative world building of a cognitive, almost literal Mother Aerthe, anthropomorphic mechlings, and elemental defying waik crystals.
We met Gio in book 1 of the series, and I was pleasantly surprised to see her getting her story. Ryke is a ruthless and merciless man, and he knows how to get what he wants, especially from Gio. It's dark and twisted, yet the conflicting emotions between these two makes them an explosive duo. And their TPE was so gloriously sexy! Gio held it together and fought him every step of the way, bravo for her! I think Ryke's story is one of redemption, and I really love seeing the transition and changes in him as things progressed. A tainted knight, for sure!
Read as part of the complete Machinery Of Desire series set available from Amazon.
This one took a while to click for me, I didn't relate to Gio as well as i did to central characters in the previous books, but we got there in the end. I love the world Cari has created here.
Book #3, The Machinery of Desire. A return to Aerthe brings magic, horror, and endless possibilities! Cari Silverwood shines!
SPOILER ALERT: WHILE THIS BOOK IS ESSENTIALLY A STANDALONE, THE BACKSTORY OF ONE OF THE MAIN CHARACTERS IS PROVIDED IN BOTH ACQUIRED POSSESSION AND CLAIMED POSSESSION. IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THESE BOOKS, THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.
Aerthe...beautiful, grotesque, magical, horrific, and a human's worst nightmare!. When Drette, a mage, reached through the very first portal to Earth and grabbed Gio, she was nothing, the first in a line of humans who became the hottest of commodities. But Gio's so much more. She, and only she, can make the portals stable. But in doing so, she becomes damned. Hated and reviled by her fellow humans, nothing more than a slave to the Aertheans, she lives a half life between two worlds. Her one dream? Return to Earth. Is that even possible? When she proves it is, her dreams are dashed. In helping Sawyer and Aribelle escape, she's sealed her own fate. Drette's now dead by her hand. And the Mekkers don't take kindly to murder! Beaten, tortured, and sentenced to death, all seems lost. Then comes Ryke. The question is, is he better or worse? As the King's Own Lawgiver, there are no rules. He's killed, tortured, unleashed his unique brand of justice on whomever he wishes whenever he wants. And what he wants from Gio is precious beyond measure. Gio's unlike any other "client" Ryke's encountered. While Gio's under no illusions about who Ryke is and what he wants, circumstances soon pit Ryke against the most powerful man short of the king himself. In a desperate ploy, he retreats to the Underdeck with Gio in tow. This is where Ryke's life began, a place of magic, seemingly endless possibilities. But, unwittingly, both have stepped into a world with the power to destroy them. Badh, Ryke's brother, now leader of the deckers. is none too happy to see Gio. Slaves aren't allowed, and death looms again. But there's far more at stake than an unwanted slave and the King's Own Lawgiver among the deckers. Circles within circles, plots and hidden agendas lurk around every corner. As Gio's abilities surface once again, is there a glimmer of hope? Is there be a way for the deckers, indeed all the Mekkers, to finally find peace and acceptance on Aerthe? When the ultimate betrayal forces secrets buried for decades to light, the answers lie within reach. But is anything ever that easy? Nothing of consequence comes without great risk. And the true question is, just how far are Ryke, Gio, the deckers, and indeed all the Mekkers, willing to go for a dream that may just kill them all?
Branded Possession is phenomenal, and Cari Silverwood is brilliant! Aerthe may be an alternate reality filled with wonder, beauty, and magic. But it's also cruel and unforgiving. Aerthe herself, not the Mekkers, Scavs, grounders, or humans, holds all the power. And that's the rub. Aerthe hates the Mekkers. She may tolerate the Scavs and grounders. The humans? As yet, an unknown factor. As a result, Aerthe is capable of the most benevolence and violence conceivable. Gio is beyond fascinating. She's built with layer after layer of complexity. Capable of great strength, cunning, intelligence, and raw power, she's also adept at hiding her talents. And, as she learns of her true nature, she's shocked to find facets of herself she never knew existed. Ryke? Cruel, cold, unfeeling, and relentless, he too learns he's not what he thinks. His is the greater journey of the two, and it's beyond intriguing. One of the central themes of this story is denial. Denial of these two characters' very natures, desires, hopes, wishes, and dreams, denial of the possibilities that abound if faith and trust are employed. There's a level of hatred and animosity that, at times, seems to be self-destructive. At others, there's a synchronicity that's seamless in its simplicity. As always, Ms. Silverwood has created people who are deliciously complex yet simultaneously simplistic in the most basic of ways. Another driving theme is the moral ambiguity facing both Ryke and Gio, haunting them. The ending? Totally unpredictable! I was convinced I knew exactly how this book would end. Ms. Silverwood again proved me wrong! I adored this book from beginning to end. Congratulations, Ms. Silverwood! You've exceeded all expectations. Once again, you've proven just how exceptional you are! Branded Possession deserves far more than five stars!
One final note. Be an informed reader! This is an ADULT book. It contains explicit language dark themes, noncon/dubcon sexual scenes, and violence. If you don't enjoy this genre, this book may not be for you. There are book synopses and reviews available on Goodreads and Amazon. 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 very hard to provide a quality work product. If you know you'll object to a book's subject matter before you buy it, you're doing yourself and the author an extreme disservice.
Branded Possession is book 3 in The Machinery of Desire Series. This is Ryke and Gio’s story. Ryke is the King’s own Lawgiver. Only 3 people know of Ryke’s existence and that is the King, the King’s advisor and Gio. Gio was sentenced to die by the courts because she killed the portal maker. She is rescued at the last moment by Ryke. Ryke isn’t a nice guy but, then if you had the job that he does you probably wouldn’t be nice either. He saves her because she has information that they need.
Ryke has his own interrogation techniques that he uses. I can’t tell you what it is but, sometimes too much of it is not a good thing.
There is a lot of story to tell in the fantasy world that Cari Silverwood has made up. The characters in this series are out of this world. Branded Possession is suspenseful, sexy and hot mixed in with a lot of kinkiness that just makes this book hotter.
While this book isn’t my favorite. So far Book 1 Acquired Possession has my vote for favorite. I still enjoyed reading Branded Possession. I give this book 4 stars and look forward to what Cari Silverwood writes next.
Great addition to this series! I love getting transported to Aerthe and learning more of it’s mysteries. This is Gio and Ryke’s story. Gio is the one who helped bring humans to Aerthe where they ended up as slaves. When she helps someone return and kills Drette so no more humans can be brought she is sentenced to death. Ryke is the King’s Own Lawgiver and does what he must to get answers for the King. Will he be able to get the information he needs from Gio? We also learn more about the Mekkers and how the ship operates. Ryke and his family are lower level Mekkers and one day hope for a better life. Will Ryke be the one to help them achieve their dream? This read can be read as a stand-alone however I highly recommend reading them in order. The stories are fast paced with plenty of drama, suspense and humor. The story and the characters (even the mechanical ones) really draw you into the story. The chemistry between Ryke and Gio is steamy and intense. I was hooked from beginning to end. Loved it and looking forward to more!
The third book in the Machinery of Desire series and this book features Gio and Ryke.
Gio, we know as the one who helped the Mekkers to creates portals to bring humans into the world of Aerthe. Now she is taken prisoner. Ryke is tasked with the job to find out more.
Gio and Ryke are fighting a battle of two strong wills. Who will win? They are complex and layered characters and things aren’t always what they seem. Both of them have secrets and their own agenda of getting what they want. Like any Cari Silverwood book, Ruke uses very inventive and not average methods on Gio to get her to talk, to punish and just because he wants to.
I loved finding out more about the world and how everything worked and connects in ways I didn’t think about before.
Four Blazing Stars For Possession Passionate - Powerful - Poignant - Perfect This picks up with Gio after she has been sentenced for killing Drette Ryke is assigned as her "jailer"- his job is to get the information by any means necessary .. and boy is he creative In my opinion out of the three in this series to date - this one had a different tone to it -more emotional - I felt wrung out and exhausted at the end as though I actually was there with them through their journey - It was that good exhaustion 😉 If you enjoy the darker aspects of dystopian romance- this series is a definite must read May I suggest beginning at the beginning - book 1 - Acquired possession It makes the read much more meaningful and the connection to the characters will be on a deeper level - definitely worth it
Where to begin - Cari Silverwood is a master story teller. Branded Possession is the third book in the Machinery of Desire Series and is probably the best book so far in the series. This book is about Gio and Ryke . When reading Cari Silverwoods books she is a master at bringing you into the story so that you know all the ins and outs of the world. It is like you are right there. Gio and Ryke are two very strong characters written to be very deep and both have secret and in true Cari Silverwood form you can't turn the pages fast enough to see what Ryke is going to come up with next to punish and deal with Gio. This book is a must read. Cari Silverwood is a Genius as a writer. Get Book 1 and read this series you will not want to stop until you have read all three. This series is outstanding.
Branded Possession is Cari Silverwood’s third book in her Machinery of Desire series, a dark erotic adventure on another world where humans are slaves. Gio is waiting for death. The Mekkers have her tied to a wall, but she’s taken by a man who intends to break her. Ryke is the King’s Own Lawgiver, and he plans to discover everything she knows about portals by any means necessary. But Gio is a lot stronger than Ryke thinks and both Ryke and Gio have secrets to be shared. This book, and the series, is loosely based on John Norman’s Gor series. If you don’t like dark (and this is deliciously dark!) romance, be forewarned. But Cari goes for the jugular and this goes about as dark as you could imagine. But it’s oh so yummy!
Now that Drette is dead Gio finds herself in trouble. Under the torture of Ryke who works for the king she must survive without losing her secrets. Ryke wants the secrets of portal making that he thinks Gio has but will he find the answers he seeks or will he discover something else within his captive?
This book had so much stuff going on! I loved the underdeck and the whole storyline about Ryke's mother. I really loved Gio she was badass and could play mind games just as well as Ryke. Ryke for his part was a bastard but I still liked him. At the end when the Gathering happens and the chapters after that were surprising and really cool. A very interesting story with lots of twists and turns I loved it.
Cari has continued with this great sci fi world in this book. She has brought us closer to an ending with this installment but has also brought us a better understanding of this world. This story had some dark elements to it but it was very well written and flowed very nicely. I cannot wait for the last book in this series to come out. Well done.
This is the one I have enjoyed the most in this series. Ryk and Gio who can open the ports and how they traverse the fine line of right and wrong as dictated by society. The suspense of wanting to know who is pulling the strings. Loved that we got to know Ryk's history and taken into his world. An excellent read.