Ok so this was a whole new departure for me. One, it's by a new to me author and two it's nothing like the dungeon type books that frequently pop up featuring punishment of a sexual nature. Not for those easily offended and so far out of my comfort zone with non consensual medical procedures and forced pleasure and yet I have to admit I was totally gripped and read this book in one sitting!
The story is set on a futuristic Earth after an asteroid strike that changed the world forever. Whilst trying to clean up the water supply scientists discovered that not only has civilisation as they know it been swept away but the ability to conceive is only found in a rare few women. These women are strangely altered and considered to be terrifying freaks but their lives are now of vital importance to the future of mankind. These Breeders as they are known are closeted away within the Colonies seemingly living good happy lives but the truth is far more sinister as they are treated worse than cattle and their pitifully short lives are violent ones.
Rowan is a Breeder and our journey begins when she is wrongfully accused of murder. Her punishment is truly vile and here's where I couldn't believe quite what I was reading. Definitely not erotic but scenes of cruelty and degradation. The outcome though is a twisted plot to give Rowan on loan to one of the more fertile barbarians living in a settlement outside the main Colony. Silas despises the way the corrupt Colony runs but as leader of his village needs the medicines and technology that they can provide. Silas is determined to provide the two children he has agreed to sire but has no intention of getting close to the green eyed female who constantly challenges him. No Rowan needs to learn her place but Rowan is anything but ordinary. She is bright, plucky and determined that now she's outside she is never going back to the cruel life she left behind. What can I say? The physical abuse is aborrant to me I admit and totally unlike any other erotic book that I have read and yet I could not put this book down. Yes there are times when I thought "oh no please don't do that " but the two central characters captivated me. Rowan is a fabulous heroine made to feel less than human and yet she rises above all that . Silas is not as savage as he wants Rowan to believe. Yes in his society punishment is of the physical nature and females seem to be at the mercy of men but even as the story begins we get his point of view and he is clearly far more compassionate than he thinks he is. This is futuristic so I suppose I can refer to it as sci fi but although there is different technology in play it's not gobbledygook or too much in the readers face. Yes it's a stark world the author takes us to with very dark undertones and there's scenes of a sexual nature that will appal many readers but it's a story of hope, triumph over adversity and ultimately love. Hard to read at times but I'm so glad I persevered I was gifted a copy in the exchange for an honest review