Review: "Anchored" by Rachel Haimowitz

Note: This book was provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Anchored is the first book in the Belonging series and was written by Rachel Haimowitz. It was originally released in January of 2011 before being re-released in September of 2014 by its new publisher. This book came to my attention after having finished Counterpunch by Aleksandr Voinov, which is actually the second book in the series, and upon the recommendation Mr. Voinov. When I found out this was available for request on NetGalley, I clicked and voila! ^.^

When he was eleven years old, Daniel Halstrom was bought from his original owner by NewWorld Media, a well-known company. They saw that he had potential and a quarter of a century later, he's reached that potential by having his own news program and receiving perks that other slaves do not have easy access to. Still, he isn't so above the rest when he's leased out for a year to, of all people, his main rival in the ratings game.

Carl Whitman spent six million to have Daniel in his home, with him by his side. Daniel still carries the trauma of being sexually used and abused as a child slave and is fearful of what Carl requires of him. Even as Carl shows him that he means no harm and allows him a freedom other slaves would possibly kill for, Daniel is hesitant and becomes overly anxious whenever he's close to Carl. Sometimes, though, it may take the most dire of circumstances for one person to realize the truth about another person.

The concept behind Anchored and the series itself is original and was presented in an interesting and intriguing manner. I could feel Daniel struggle with the situation he found himself in. He truly did feel that he was above and beyond certain things because of who he was but when reality hit him that he was still, after all, a slave, it affected his work. NewWorld Media showing that he wouldn't be spared from castigation was a painful wake up call for him and it was equally painful to read, especially the second time he was punished.

I'll admit that Daniel's stiffness around Carl was frustrating at times, even after he saw evidence not just from Carl himself but from both Jane and Dave, Carl's two other slaves, that Carl was a kind and generous master. His experiences with his original owner traumatized him to the point that being around a man who Daniel assumes wants nothing more than sex had Daniel quite paranoid, leading him to being rather insubordinate towards Carl.

I did feel that Carl and Daniel's relationship was a tad rushed after the second punishment that Daniel received at the hands of NewWorld Media but I guess after all the hesitation from the time they become master and slave until Carl discovers what's happened to Daniel, it was time to speed things up a bit. As was the case in the second book, the ending here was open-ended, either leaving it up to the reader as to how they imagine the rest of the story would go OR leaving it open for a direct sequel. ^.^

While Anchored may not appeal to a generalized group of readers, it is a book worth reading. I enjoyed the story and would actually be more than happy to find out what else the author may have in store for Daniel and Carl and, maybe, just maybe, seeing these characters and those from Counterpunch in a crossover book. After all, Nathaniel Bishop (though he was Bishops here) was mentioned, so bringing them all together may turn out to be a compelling read! But I'm getting ahead of myself... My rating for Anchored is four out of five stars. ♥

Date read: 25 September 2014

Learn more about author Rachel Haimowitz here.

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