Review: Just gets better
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 4, 2014
In this third episode of The Freedom Series, Droje and Larke have found safe haven aboard the Valiant, a spacecraft belonging to Droje's longtime family friend, Capt. Zerne.Zerne had been a mate on Droje's parents' trading vessel years ago--and barely survived the blast that killed Droje's parents. Along for the ride are fellow freedom fighters Gar and Fel, both male. Gar had been Droje's lover previously, but now he and Fel are intimate.Larke is just beginning to learn what it means to live with and grow attached to people. He'd never been close to his family, and it seemed that schoolmates and co-workers all suspected his 'drake' (gay) status. Being with Droje is intoxicating, but can Larke accept the love so freely lavished on him?Of course, when one of the crew turns treacherous, calling Corp Sec for Droje's bounty, and Larke's life is threatened Droje decides--rather imperiously I must say--that putting Larke off at the next port is the best plan. Sure, it'll kill Droje who already cares quite deeply for Larke, but anything that keeps Larke out of harm's way is a good plan in Droje's mind.Will Larke go along with it? Well, that depends...This episode is a good bit longer (~75 pages) and still proceeds at light speed. Yes, it has a complete story arc, with supersmexytimes and fun male gossip, but it's clear that the series arc is being advanced. I just really admire how introspective the characters are--and how willingly Larke opens to Droje. It's not easy for him to admit his real emotions--having needed to conform at all cost--but he really fights to gain what he desires: A life with Droje, and whatever danger that entails. The feline-man assassin, Fel, is a nice foil to Droje's heroism and Gar's overprotectiveness. Plus, a male in a kilt gets me every time. I'm enjoying the books so far.I received a review copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.