karlakolumna

This was my first "slave genre" read. Well,to be honest, before Counterpunch I started reading Counterpoint by Rachel Haimowitz which has some kind of slave plot as well. I didn't finish it, I just couldn't get into it, but I guess I'll try again when I'm in the mood for some fantasy/slave elves plot ;)As I said, it was more or less my first book in this genre and I didn't expect it to be that good. I actually decided to read it, because I recently started reading the Special Forces Series by this author (i.a.) which I liked very much. I guess, without the "author bonus" I wouldn't have bought it ;) - which I certainly didn't regret. The book is entertaining and captivating. Both MCs are likable, although I must admit that I have ambivalent feelings toward Nathaniel. He talks about the discrepancies in a society, in which some people are mere objects, without a free will, without a free life. On the other hand, he owns a not insignificant number of slaves himself. And while he is trying to free Brooklyn and his daughter, he didn't once seem to think about the others. And his endeavour/effort to free those two isn't really due to some altruistic reasons, but rather due to selfish ones.If I remember correctly, he never says that a society with slaves is totally wrong. He rather wants slaves to have the chance to earn money and to be able to become free after some time; he draws a comparison with the Roman Empire, where/when e.g. gladiators were able to fight for their freedom in the arena, which would be fairer/more just. I know, it's fiction, thank God.Besides that, I really enjoyed the British English (instead of the usual American English). It's nice to read words written the "right way" again, e.g. "behaviour" instead of "behavior", as I've learned at school (BE is taught in German schools).And luckily I'm a huge fan of British televison (I simply love the black humour) so that I actually didn't have any trouble with the sometimes colloquial language ;)Unfortunately, the ending felt somewhat abrupt/sudden. And the slave-to-freeman solutuion was very, erm, convenient?, or rather fast. I don't know, I guess, I was hoping for more? Hmm.Boy, when re-reading my review one could get the impression that I didn't like the book that much at all. But I assure you, it's really worth your while (and money). The fact that I have mixed feelings about a MC doesn't neccessarily make a book bad or good. I actually prefer my "heroes" with flaws. Noone is entirely good or bad in real life, and I rarely enjoy a book with perfect MCs. Boring.I really like the darker atmosphere in this book.All in all I give Counterpunch 4.5 stars.I really recommend it, even to those who wouldn't usually pick a slave plot ;)