Counterpunch (Belonging, #2) in Riptide Publishing

Oct 29, 2011 Darien rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-reads, fave-m-m-characters, piss-off-books-of-2011, pants-off-reviews, tie-me-up-and-use-me, fave-books-of-2011, my-m-m-lovin

^^ A SOLID KNOCKOUT!^^

More of my reviews and ramblings at PANTS OFF REVIEWS

4.5

I was excited to read this, not only for the awesmazing cover (count those abs) but because this would be my first book by Aleksandr Voinov. I had previously read a short story by him that was a part of an anthology; clearly, it was just a small slice of something big. Counterpunch had me freaking out, and I can say I was not disappointed. Mr Voinov has just become a must read author by me, I love his gritty writing ...more

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Nov 19, 2011 BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, purchased, slavery, bdsm

I'm not sure what my problem was in avoiding this book. I think my friends needed to kick my derriere a bit harder so I would have read this earlier. I resisted and I loathe to admit this, but I think it was because I didn't like the cover. Shallow, non?

I adored this book. It was very very good. It's a 4.5 star for me. The reason why it isn't 5 is because I probably won't be reading it again. I try to reserve books that I love and will read over and over again as 5 stars. Still, I will be recomm I'm not sure what my problem was in avoiding this book. I think my friends needed to kick my derriere a bit harder so I would have read this earlier. I resisted and I loathe to admit this, but I think it was because I didn't like the cover. Shallow, non?

I adored this book. It was very very good. It's a 4.5 star for me. The reason why it isn't 5 is because I probably won't be reading it again. I try to reserve books that I love and will read over and over again as 5 stars. Still, I will be recommending this book to many.

Brooklyn's situation is just all f-ed up. When the situation comes out as to why he's a slave, I'm just pissed. Really pissed. It's terrible. It's like Nicholas Cage in Con-air situation but even worse. Back to the story...I love pugilism so this story's theme suited just fine for me. I loved that this story took place in the UK. (As a side note, I think I'm so used to British "proper" English that I didn't even realise it was British English being used. I did find the Author's note about a reviewer all up in arms about the improper spelling to be amusing. Obviously that person hasn't traveled outside of the States were a good portion of the world uses British English rather than American English.)

I enjoyed how Mr. Voinov built upon this Slave world and gave us more insight to how it worked. The character development of Brooklyn, Nathaniel, Les and the "guards" was great. I could really see each of these characters in my mind. I wanted to shove the bloody shock stick (can't remember the name) up Curtis's friggin' arse. I was violently aggravated with that small dicked bully. Bloody wanker.

Les' attitude disappointed me. He's a rat bastard who should be shot. That's all I have to say. Well, okay, shove the pistol up his arse then pull the trigger. It's frustrating how people treat slaves. Human decency evaporates like water in a desert.

The BDSM scenes in this story was fun. It wasn't intense at all and I have to say, it caught me off guard and I enjoyed it. I don't categorize this story BDSM because of the slavery. I categorize BDSM because of the smexy scenes between Nathaniel and Brooklyn. HOT! I wish I was there to watch in person. I highly recommend this story to m/m lovers who want a good meaty story with plot, sorrow, debates on humanity and great sex scenes. ...more

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Nov 04, 2011 Dee Wy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: bdsm, m-m, sci-fi-futuristic-alt-universe, favorites, slave-captive-prisoner, will-read-again

If you are looking for a sweet romance, you will not find it here. However, if you are looking for a richly plotted story that focuses on the strength of the human spirit in the face of an unkind fate, then you will be well rewarded with Brooklyn's journey.

Early on I felt Brook lacked emotion, but I came to understand that if he allowed himself to think too much, or feel too much he could well have been unable to keep going. As an owned slave, Brooklyn has few choices other than to do what he's ...more

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Sep 17, 2014 Jody rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I'm a huge fan of Aleksandr Voinov and found his books to be darkly sensual, gritty, and almost lyrical in the emotions it creates in you. Counterpunch gave me many of the same feelings along with its vivid detailing of boxing matches and thought-provoking issues from an alternate world where slavery runs rampant with sex being the standard way they earn money for their masters. Into this dark and gritty world we meet charismatic boxer Brooklyn sent into slavery for killing a man in the ring and I'm a huge fan of Aleksandr Voinov and found his books to be darkly sensual, gritty, and almost lyrical in the emotions it creates in you. Counterpunch gave me many of the same feelings along with its vivid detailing of boxing matches and thought-provoking issues from an alternate world where slavery runs rampant with sex being the standard way they earn money for their masters. Into this dark and gritty world we meet charismatic boxer Brooklyn sent into slavery for killing a man in the ring and Nathaniel the freeman lawyer who's obsessed with him and finally gets to have a night of delights with him. From this night on they're both left changed and it will be a fight outside the ring to get them to their HEA.

Brooklyn once had it all and lost everything in the blink of an eye, but he's a survivor. He accepts his situation knowing he can't change it but his heart and soul is bruised, full of rage and anger at how far he's fallen and the damage he caused his family and the opponent that died. He's a strong and proud man in a society that wants to diminish him and it's only his continuing success in the ring that keeps him going. The boxing scenes are vivid, compelling, and pull you in completely to a world where Brooklyn is king. Outside of the ring Brooklyn soon senses that Nathaniel isn't like the other men who've claimed him before but still doesn't trust him completely as he's secretive and freemen tend to be untrustworthy. Even the small glimmer of hope Nathaniel offers doesn't mean Brooklyn's ordeal is over though as twists and turns lead him to the biggest fight of his life and leave readers cheering for this compelling hero.

Like another book in this series, Anchored, the freemen's personality is dwarfed by that of the slave's to where we know very little about him. His reasons for wanting Brooklyn seemed superficial early on and his ILYs were expressed too quickly and didn't ring true. I believe he was earnest in wanting to see justice done for Brooklyn though and I appreciated his ethical dilemma in the issues of sex and love with a slave. This moral ambiguity befalling Nathaniel showed a thoughtful and intelligent man whereas in Anchored the freemen seemed oblivious to the reality of this world.

The fighting scenes and Brooklyn himself are what have stuck with me long after the final page was turned. The fight scenes were vividly detailed and full of anger and energy. Brooklyn is larger than life, and though a slave, his strength and charisma is undeniable. Nathaniel is the one shining thing in his life, giving him hope of a life of freedom if he will just put trust in someone else, but in comparison Nathaniel fades into the background. Therefore their romance didn't feel all-consuming but rather a promise which made for a more realistic story and ending as the true test will be once they're of equal status. This was a fine addition to the Belonging Universe and in Voinov's capable hands I was once again lost in this gritty and engaging world that left me disillusioned by some and hopeful for others. Readers looking for a master storyteller in the m/m genre can put Aleksandr Voinov's name at the top of their list and add this to their bookshelf. ...more

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Sep 28, 2011 Cat rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: e-books, m-m, bdsm, sports, review

WOW. I am bowing down and taking my hat off to you Alek. This was a wonderfully written book. Brooklyn was great I don't know what else to say. I felt his hurt and pain. Boxing was his way of staying sane in the situation that he was in and Nathaniel while a mystery to his motives and who and what he really is at first becomes the light in Brooklyn's dark world. In the beginnig of the book you did not know exactly what put Brooklyn in the place of a slave. but as the story unfolds you begin to s ...more

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Jun 30, 2011 Alex rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: queer, romance, slave-master

What I love about Voinov's novels is that they are like a steak dinner, meaty and filling, so you sit back when you're done, pat your stomach, smile, and say, "That was delicious." Of course, I'm so satisfied that I don't even know where to begin in describing what made the meal so excellent. Was it the juicy steak (plot)? The perfect use of spices and seasonings (character)? The glass of wine that complemented the flavors in every bite (the sex)? Or maybe it was the small dessert at the end, th What I love about Voinov's novels is that they are like a steak dinner, meaty and filling, so you sit back when you're done, pat your stomach, smile, and say, "That was delicious." Of course, I'm so satisfied that I don't even know where to begin in describing what made the meal so excellent. Was it the juicy steak (plot)? The perfect use of spices and seasonings (character)? The glass of wine that complemented the flavors in every bite (the sex)? Or maybe it was the small dessert at the end, the perfect way to top off any meal.

Counterpunch was another gloriously satisfying meal. Taking place in the Belonging-verse already established through Rachel Haimowitz's Where He Belongs and Anchored, it expands the world from beyond United States borders. Despite the pre-existing world, Voinov doesn't take the reader's knowledge for granted and he seamlessly flows world and culture information into the story without dumping it all at once. The same is true for facts about boxing (which I know nothing about).

If you are looking for a meaty plot with a good mix of sex and hard emotions, then pick this up!

Strengths
Although Brooklyn is by no means a perfect character, his weaknesses make him human and any negative traits are balanced by his guilt for his involvement in a young woman's death, and his struggle to maintain his humanity by not losing his identity and "becoming a slave." While he's rough and distant in the beginning, it's easy to empathize with his crappy situation. When Nathaniel is introduced, the reader begins to see another, hidden, side of Brooklyn, broadening his likeability.

Most of the characters have multiple layers, even the minor ones, giving depth beyond the main pair. Characters are "good," but still human and make mistakes, take offense, and get revenge. The dynamic of all the characters together helps bring this dark story to life and throws rays of sunshine in along the way.

The plot, and its different strands, all weave together to form one cohesive plot. Something mentioned once in passing could later be used for an important plot point. The casual and yet dramatic way Voinov unveiled the story left me curious about how everything would unfold and eager to find out while enjoying each scene along the way.

Finally, I am not a boxer, nor do I find much thrill in the sport, although I can see how the brutality and power is attractive to some. That said, my greatest concern with reading this book was its focus on boxing and the sport's importance to the story. However, I found the scenes, both in the ring and just for Brooklyn's training, to be accessible, especially since the reader is given his perspective, personalizing the fight and the underlying emotions.

Weaknesses
For some, the fact that this isn't a traditional romance will make it less enjoyable, but I feel this has a strong enough romance thread that it satisfies all but the hardest classically romance fans. In addition, the ending may or may not satisfy some readers, but this is more a matter of personal preference than a failing of the novel.

Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog. ...more

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