Freeing Luka by Victoria Aveline

Summary of Freeing Luka:

Luka has spent his life researching fertility in the hopes of discovering a cure for the Clecanians’ low birth rates. After years of working tirelessly with little progress, he becomes enraged when he uncovers a sinister plot to abduct compatible species from their home planets. But before he can tell anyone what he’s discovered, he’s captured, drugged, and thrown in a cell.

It’s just Alice’s luck that when she finally begins to get her life on track, she’s kidnapped by reptilian creatures and forced into a cell with a fierce incoherent alien for some kind of breeding experiment.

Even though they aren’t able to communicate, Alice and Luka find solace in each other’s company. As the days drag on, it becomes harder to keep her heart locked away, until she can’t help but wonder what a life with Luka might look like outside their dark prison. When an opportunity to free herself, Luka, and the other human prisoners presents itself, Alice takes it.

Once free, can Alice and Luka’s tenuous relationship survive on this planet? Will the evil men that held them prisoner ever see justice? And can they play a part in the rescue of the other women being held captive around this strange new world? Alice knows only one thing for certain—her life will never be the same again.

Length:

307 Pages

Reading Speed:

4 hours and 45 minutes

My Opinion of Freeing Luka:

Freeing Luka turned from a 2 to a 3.5.

In a series, people often compare the first book with the second. When a book features other people as the main characters, they want the same personalities in different situation but in the same world.

Rarely is that the case.

The reason why authors feature other characters with different personalities is to cover multiple tropes, let’s get into it.

Writing style:

This, from my last review of the first book, Choosing Theo, has not changed one bit. Victoria Aveline, the author, has a way of placing you among the characters. It creates a sort of intimacy and caring for the characters.

The one thing that I didn’t like is how much she relies on the whole “mating” thing. It creates a sort of forced connection between the characters before they even get to know each other.

Plot:

Look, the idea is good. It really is. It continues off the Choosing Theo, but you don’t really need to read Choosing Theo to understand it. Victoria Aveline explains any relevant information in short sentences that would make sense for new readers. The continuous of the choosing Theo is tracking down the captors creates a flow that weaves through all the books.

Shared trauma is not really a trope I often enjoy and honestly, I did not enjoy it here. Mainly because I saw how wasted its potential was. I don’t remember them discussing what happened to them or even being affected by it.

They were kidnapped and enslaved. Luka was tortured and Alice should have been living in constant fear and yet, as soon as they are free, everything is willy-nilly.

Main Female Character:

I get that she wanted to make Alice different than Jade from choosing Theo. I’m currently reading the third book, saving Verrako, and you can clearly see a difference in personalities, something I’ve been enjoying a lot.

However, Alice was too sympathetic to Luka, right from the start. I get that it wasn’t his fault and that he isn’t in control. But if I was told that I would be put into a room with a man filled with sexually stimulating drugs, who thinks I am his one true mate and therefore is entitled to touch me… That man could be in chains, underwater, and in a cage and I would be screaming and kicking not to be put in the same room as him. Nevertheless, touch him.

I don’t care if she is the nicest person on earth. Don’t care that Victoria Aveline wanted to portray her as this overly caring and sympathetic person. Not placing her own survival, yes I’m calling it that, was just plain stupid.

The whole feeling aroused by Luka, even though he was chained and she was forced to touch him so he doesn’t get electrocuted didn’t sit right with me. She couldn’t have had the physical attraction start after they escaped?

I did enjoy how while getting to know each other, she set clear boundaries. She mentions having had bad experiences and needing to improve on herself and how much bullshit she allows.

One thing that irked me as well is how calm she was about being on an alien planet. Like, once I would like someone to faint or to have a panic attack upon that discovery.

Main Male Character:

I thought he’s be smarter.

Don’t get me wrong, their date was sooooooooo cute. And he did show off his knowledge then. But everyone describing him, or talking about him were saying about how logical and focused he is. I didn’t get that feeling.

I’m sure some were disappointed he isn’t like Theo. Moody, grumpy, insecure, rough around the edges… But if I wanted another Theo, I’d just reread the book. Luka teased Alice more often, listened to her, and respected her more. He was conversational and an utter romantic.

Romance:

I wasn’t impressed at first. The whole being aroused during captivity really put me off and I thought it was going to continue that way throughout the book.

I am very pleased, however, to discover that they took the time to get to know each other. They went on dates and talked often. They discussed their future and past. They set boundaries and established that they both would still like a career.

One thing I’ve also noticed is a pattern in shared childhood trauma. Jade and Theo both shared guilt over the death of their mothers. Luke and Alice both got material love instead of quality time from their parents. And I’m sure the pattern of the books will continue that way. It sets that the mating and their physical attraction isn’t the only thing keeping them together.

Bonus:

Just like choosing Theo, it’s also free with an audible subscription.

My Recommendation for Freeing Luka:

Anyone starting out reading romance books, the Clecanian Series is absolutely right for you.

And if you want a cute date and a man who puts in effort, then Freeing Luka is the book for you.