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Free Men #2
The Soldier
Love is the strongest bond.
Three months. That’s all it took for Kai to forsake freedom and learn to love his new life as pleasureslave to a wealthy Thirskan Underlord.
Finding himself surrounded by his own people once more, he should have been happy, yet they are not how he remembers them. Distrustful and disgusted by his relationship with not one man but two, they make it abundantly clear Kai no longer fits in.
Beaten, starved, and tortured, when the chance comes to escape, Kai is barely strong enough to make the journey. Even if he succeeds, how could anybody ever love the thing he’s become in order to survive?
CONTENT WARNING: This book contains scenes of graphic violence. Reader discretion advised.
62,000 words.
THE FREE MEN SERIES:
THE SLAVE
THE SOLDIER
THE MASTER
Three months. That’s all it took for Kai to forsake freedom and learn to love his new life as pleasureslave to a wealthy Thirskan Underlord.
Finding himself surrounded by his own people once more, he should have been happy, yet they are not how he remembers them. Distrustful and disgusted by his relationship with not one man but two, they make it abundantly clear Kai no longer fits in.
Beaten, starved, and tortured, when the chance comes to escape, Kai is barely strong enough to make the journey. Even if he succeeds, how could anybody ever love the thing he’s become in order to survive?
CONTENT WARNING: This book contains scenes of graphic violence. Reader discretion advised.
62,000 words.
THE FREE MEN SERIES:
THE SLAVE
THE SOLDIER
THE MASTER
170 pages, ebook
First published October 26, 2014
60 people are currently reading
410 people want to read
About the author
Kate Aaron
37 books339 followersBorn in Liverpool, Kate Aaron is a bestselling author of the #1 LGBT romances What He Wants, Ace, The Slave, and other works.
Kate swapped the North West for the Midwest in October 2015 and married award-winning author AJ Rose. Together they plan to take over the world.
Kate swapped the North West for the Midwest in October 2015 and married award-winning author AJ Rose. Together they plan to take over the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
September 18, 2017
I cannot get enough of my three darling heroes! It was so amazing getting a chance to be inside Kai's head, reading about how he finally realized what Tam had been trying to tell him all along- that even if he go sold as a pleasureslave, he would not want for anything and actually enjoy more freedom than he could ever find anywhere.
*spoilers ahead*
The events that happened in the story were terrible and so heartbreaking, and while the way Kai thrived and succeeded left me in awe of him, the undisclosed reasons for Lysander leaving him behind is eating at me. I want to know why Lysander did what he did, what was the whole story about his marriage to Neemah, Otto's truth, and everything else.
I am seriously applauding the author's magnificent work in this trilogy. Not a single sentence leaves you feeling unsatisfied. Everything from start to end evokes one or another emotion in you.
Now I am finishing my barely coherent thoughts here and preparing to start the next and last book, finally from Lysander's POV.
*spoilers ahead*
The events that happened in the story were terrible and so heartbreaking, and while the way Kai thrived and succeeded left me in awe of him, the undisclosed reasons for Lysander leaving him behind is eating at me. I want to know why Lysander did what he did, what was the whole story about his marriage to Neemah, Otto's truth, and everything else.
I am seriously applauding the author's magnificent work in this trilogy. Not a single sentence leaves you feeling unsatisfied. Everything from start to end evokes one or another emotion in you.
Now I am finishing my barely coherent thoughts here and preparing to start the next and last book, finally from Lysander's POV.
February 19, 2018
2.25 stars
I saw many of my friends loved this book much more than the first, The Slave. Unfortunately I can't say the same. Actually I'm pretty disappointed. But that's what happens when you have too high hopes.
Lately I tried not to start new series with the same characters, knowing it's pretty hard for the authors to keep the flow from the first book. And it's great when the author knows how to bring new elements, unexpected turns and more suspense. Here we kind of got all of these, but I still couldn't help in feeling disappointed.
This second book is very different than the first one. I don't know why, but I enjoyed much more the lightness and hotness we got in The Slave. I usually prefer angsty books, and here we got A LOT of angst, BUT I got bored while reading this one. I also skipped some pages because I expected SO much more and this book didn't deliver.
When I finished The Slave, I was dying to read the next book. I was so curious about Kai's intentions towards Tam and their master.
The beginning of this one was way different than I expected. Kai, Tam and Lysander (their Master) were kidnapped and the mercenaries torture Kai to extract information. This book is told from Kai POV. We get how much he loved Tam and Lysander and how much he sacrificed himself for them, but they don't interact much and actually I was SO disappointed by their Master
This story has a lot of action, many cringing scenes and also torture. We do get some suspense and surprises on the way but I still got bored by all the pages full of descriptions and I really missed their interactions and hot scenes between them.
I don't think I'll read the next book, even if it's the last one in the series and it's told from Lysander - their Master's POV. I just don't really care how their story will end.
I saw many of my friends loved this book much more than the first, The Slave. Unfortunately I can't say the same. Actually I'm pretty disappointed. But that's what happens when you have too high hopes.
Lately I tried not to start new series with the same characters, knowing it's pretty hard for the authors to keep the flow from the first book. And it's great when the author knows how to bring new elements, unexpected turns and more suspense. Here we kind of got all of these, but I still couldn't help in feeling disappointed.
This second book is very different than the first one. I don't know why, but I enjoyed much more the lightness and hotness we got in The Slave. I usually prefer angsty books, and here we got A LOT of angst, BUT I got bored while reading this one. I also skipped some pages because I expected SO much more and this book didn't deliver.
When I finished The Slave, I was dying to read the next book. I was so curious about Kai's intentions towards Tam and their master.
The beginning of this one was way different than I expected. Kai, Tam and Lysander (their Master) were kidnapped and the mercenaries torture Kai to extract information. This book is told from Kai POV. We get how much he loved Tam and Lysander and how much he sacrificed himself for them, but they don't interact much and actually I was SO disappointed by their Master
This story has a lot of action, many cringing scenes and also torture. We do get some suspense and surprises on the way but I still got bored by all the pages full of descriptions and I really missed their interactions and hot scenes between them.
I don't think I'll read the next book, even if it's the last one in the series and it's told from Lysander - their Master's POV. I just don't really care how their story will end.
November 17, 2014
Wonderful, sensitive, beautiful Kai... I'm in awe...
back-burner-for-now
October 30, 2014Cover-gasm!
July 13, 2016
This book was a great continuation of the series. Definitely a different feel to the first book, much more emotional and tense, simply because of the situation our threesome find themselves in. This story pretty much covers the captivity of these men and how they survive. Being told from Kai's POV we learn alot more about where he came from and more depth into his feelings of himself and Master and Tam. It was heartbreaking hearing about how he was always an outsider and never felt expected anywhere other than those few months at Ortiz.
Kai is incredibly strong and loyal throughout this book and while it was tense and emotional throughout the whole book, it was wonderful to see his devotion and love push him through his trials.
The three of them do have their moments together but probably 30% of the book is just Kai travelling and seeking help, and i just wanted to see them all happy and reunited.
Also another plus point was, this book wasn't super dooper long which i appreciate when reading emotional books, because i don't think i could have handled to much more happening to Kai
off the read The Master
Kai is incredibly strong and loyal throughout this book and while it was tense and emotional throughout the whole book, it was wonderful to see his devotion and love push him through his trials.
The three of them do have their moments together but probably 30% of the book is just Kai travelling and seeking help, and i just wanted to see them all happy and reunited.
Also another plus point was, this book wasn't super dooper long which i appreciate when reading emotional books, because i don't think i could have handled to much more happening to Kai
off the read The Master
February 28, 2015
Kai. My poor Kai, what a brave and tortured soul you are. Strong, resilient, damaged...but you're no longer alone. Brilliant yet again from Kate. 5 stars.
Just one quote. 'Lost and damaged I may be, but some fragile thing fluttered in my breast, its wings broken and feathers torn, longing to be set free.'
Just one quote. 'Lost and damaged I may be, but some fragile thing fluttered in my breast, its wings broken and feathers torn, longing to be set free.'
June 7, 2015
This book is killing me....gah!
The Soldier is told from Kai's POV, it starts the same day The Slave concludes on its cliff-hanger.
Kai is explored so much more. What he endures, what he has already endured, is gut-wrenching. I was so heartbroken at times, so angry, so unsure what was going to happen....I lived it. There is less sexual interaction in this book, more stolen moments in an enemy camp, more psychological issues, self-doubts, expanded world-building, some sadistic moments, tension, and action. It leads beautifully into The Master with an excerpt from that book at the end - I think I am going to be an emotional wreck when I read it. There is no cliff-hanger ending here, but one critical factor is left up in the air and several other issues are purposefully left dangling. I cannot wait until November 24th.
You get some details from The Slave in this book, but you really need to read The Slave first to gain the full impact of this beautiful (ménage) relationship.
Longer review http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/...
The Soldier is told from Kai's POV, it starts the same day The Slave concludes on its cliff-hanger.
Kai is explored so much more. What he endures, what he has already endured, is gut-wrenching. I was so heartbroken at times, so angry, so unsure what was going to happen....I lived it. There is less sexual interaction in this book, more stolen moments in an enemy camp, more psychological issues, self-doubts, expanded world-building, some sadistic moments, tension, and action. It leads beautifully into The Master with an excerpt from that book at the end - I think I am going to be an emotional wreck when I read it. There is no cliff-hanger ending here, but one critical factor is left up in the air and several other issues are purposefully left dangling. I cannot wait until November 24th.
You get some details from The Slave in this book, but you really need to read The Slave first to gain the full impact of this beautiful (ménage) relationship.
Longer review http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/...
November 28, 2014
OMG this book tore me up inside, it was a difficult read, but also amazing and I could not put it down! LOVE LOVE LOVE
February 23, 2018
4.0 Stars
So, in my review of the previous book I complained a bit about there being a bit too many sex scenes. Well, that'll show me, won't it? Because in this installment there was hardly any sex. LOL. Feast or famine I guess.
Of course, I really liked the story in spite of this. (Or maybe because of it?) Having all of Kai's thoughts and emotions on display like that as he figured his shit out, decided what he wanted and how to go about getting it (even as he worried he wouldn't be loved in return) actually made me warm up to him more than I did in the last book. I loved the dedication he showed to Tam & his Master and given the context of his original purpose & his ambivalence (and sometimes hostility) toward them, it showed a lot of character development. That kind of growth endears me to a story more than any other aspect of a book.
Can't wait to read Lysander's part of the tale, especially since I think those mercenaries might have been on the right track about his origin/birthright...
(Just thought of something: Kai describes Tam as "sex"- like maybe sex incarnate, but not in a slutty or shameful way, more as a manifestation of love and lust and intimacy - and since the last book was Tam's bit of the story, I guess it fits that there would be a lot of sex scenes in that installment. Huh...I think I might need to re-read the whole series once I'm done with The Master to see what else I might have overlooked or not connected. Like how the violence and torture in this one fits with Kai's personality/history.)
So, in my review of the previous book I complained a bit about there being a bit too many sex scenes. Well, that'll show me, won't it? Because in this installment there was hardly any sex. LOL. Feast or famine I guess.
Of course, I really liked the story in spite of this. (Or maybe because of it?) Having all of Kai's thoughts and emotions on display like that as he figured his shit out, decided what he wanted and how to go about getting it (even as he worried he wouldn't be loved in return) actually made me warm up to him more than I did in the last book. I loved the dedication he showed to Tam & his Master and given the context of his original purpose & his ambivalence (and sometimes hostility) toward them, it showed a lot of character development. That kind of growth endears me to a story more than any other aspect of a book.
Can't wait to read Lysander's part of the tale, especially since I think those mercenaries might have been on the right track about his origin/birthright...
(Just thought of something: Kai describes Tam as "sex"- like maybe sex incarnate, but not in a slutty or shameful way, more as a manifestation of love and lust and intimacy - and since the last book was Tam's bit of the story, I guess it fits that there would be a lot of sex scenes in that installment. Huh...I think I might need to re-read the whole series once I'm done with The Master to see what else I might have overlooked or not connected. Like how the violence and torture in this one fits with Kai's personality/history.)
December 11, 2025
⭐️ 4 stars ⭐️
HA, I know I asked for more action, but I didn’t mean this much.
The Soldier was all action, angst and walking. Sooooo much walking. In the desert. Where nothing happens.
And while I appreciated getting to know more about our characters and their world, I miss the romance.
A lot of hurt and angst in this installment, especially with Kai. Reading from his POV was both great, because we get to learn more about him, but also so painful. He already went through so much, and the whole book is just hurt after hurt, emotional and physical. I’m glad it ended on a somewhat positive note, because my heart can’t take much more.
I’m hopelessly invested now and need to see them all happy and together. Ironically hoping book three brings back the romance. And the smut.
CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Violence
- Captivity
- Torture (graphic)
- Injury (burns)
- Insecurity/low self-esteem
- Homophobia
- MMM
- One sex scene
- Cliffhanger
We could never go back to the way life was before, but as long as Master and Tam would have me, I was theirs.
HA, I know I asked for more action, but I didn’t mean this much.
The Soldier was all action, angst and walking. Sooooo much walking. In the desert. Where nothing happens.
And while I appreciated getting to know more about our characters and their world, I miss the romance.
He loved Master. How could he possibly love me?
A lot of hurt and angst in this installment, especially with Kai. Reading from his POV was both great, because we get to learn more about him, but also so painful. He already went through so much, and the whole book is just hurt after hurt, emotional and physical. I’m glad it ended on a somewhat positive note, because my heart can’t take much more.
We were more than possessions, more than dumb animals or inanimate things. We were men: we got to choose who owned us. In that moment, we both chose him.
I’m hopelessly invested now and need to see them all happy and together. Ironically hoping book three brings back the romance. And the smut.
Lost and damaged I may be, but some fragile thing fluttered in my breast, its wings broken and feathers torn, longing to be set free.
CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Violence
- Captivity
- Torture (graphic)
- Injury (burns)
- Insecurity/low self-esteem
- Homophobia
- MMM
- One sex scene
- Cliffhanger
October 27, 2014
In my review of “The Slave” I tried to be objective and talk about the story and all the subjects it addresses without getting to gushy about it. I can’t do that again. Every review bone in my body is screaming at me to quote from and gush about this book, and so I will.
This is Kai’s story. We got to know him through Tam’s eyes in “The Slave”. In “The Soldier” we hear what happens after Tam, Master and Kai were attacked at the end of the first book, leaving both characters and readers on a knife’s edge.
This book takes us into the heart and mind of the soldier who lost the man he loved before being captured and sold as a slave. The sentiments with which he remembers those moments in the desert stole my breath.
“I wished it [the sand] would swallow me, wished I could disappear completely beneath the surface and sleep the eternal dreamless sleep.”
And that was just the first of many times Kai’s pain tore at me. Be prepared to have your heart broken as you watch him suffer. I almost wanted to curse Kate Aaron’s descriptive powers as I could almost smell his scorched skin, as his pain became so vivid I could almost feel it.
“I was my agony.”
Kai is a beautiful soul. His first concerns are always for the two men he’s grown to love during the three months of his enslavement. Being back among his own people doesn’t change that loyalty and neither does the torture he has to endure. His fears for their safety are bigger than concerns about his own life. Kai’s biggest fear is that the damage done by the torture he endures at the hands of his own people might turn both Master and Tam away from him in disgust.
“Yet, despite everything, I couldn’t find it within me to wish I’d never been his slave.”
With ‘The Slave’, Kate Aaron gave us a relatively pain and angst free story with a massive cliff-hanger at the end. The Soldier is anything but pain and angst free. Physical as well as emotional pain is visited upon all three men. Poor Kai is lost. While Tam and Master at least have the certainty of having been captured by enemies, Kai is left with what feels to him like nothing. The people who captured him are his own but don’t want him anymore. Tam and Master feel closer to his heart than any of those who hold them prisoner, but is he still with them now that the situation has changed?
“We could never go back to the way life was before, but as long as Master and Tam would have me, I was theirs.”
I did mention Master was an enigma in my review of ‘The Slave’, didn’t I? Well, an enigma he remains. More suggestions are made and a few veils are lifted, but the story seems to present more new questions than it answers old ones. Who the Master is and what his motives are remains something of a mystery. One which I guess won’t be solved until the final book.
Like I said, your heart will break, time and again and not just because of the ordeals Kai has to face and the feelings he is struggling with. Tam is suffering at least as much.
“I can’t do this again, Kai. I can’t. When they attacked, when I thought Master was dead and I was going to have to watch them murder you too, I couldn’t bear it. I wanted it to be over. When you hit me, before I passed out, do you know what my last thought was? (...) I thought you’d killed me, and my last thought was ‘thank you.’ – Tam
Kate Aaron’s language is beautiful whether she uses it to describe her men, the ordeals they face or Kai’s inner thoughts:
“Overhead, the rings glowed cold and white, indifferent to the toils of one small man lost and alone in the middle of the vast and unending desert.”
Oh Kai, how you broke my heart.
“I cried for what I could not have because if I allowed myself to cry for all the things I had lost, I feared I would never stop.”
And this, o my God, all the feels:
“Don’t tell me what you think I want to hear, because I want to believe you so badly, and if you’re wrong, it will only hurt me more.”
Just in case you’re starting to worry this book is all violence, pain and heartbreak, let me reassure you. There are moments of astounding tenderness, life confirming selflessness and pure beauty a plenty.
“We were more than possessions, more than dumb animals of inanimate things. We were men; we got to choose who owned us. In that moment we both chose him.”
I fell in love with Tam when I read his book. Now that I’ve read Kai’s story I feel like a bit of a traitor. I still adore Tam but my heart firmly belongs to Kai. The precarious balance between his strength when it comes to physical challenges and his fragility when dealing with matters of the heart touched me on a very deep level.
Four weeks from today the final part in this trilogy will be released. I will be marking of the days between now and November 24th. The world Kate Aaron has created has sucked me in. Her characters have lodged themselves in my heart. And her words, her beautiful words, have made me a fan for life.
This is Kai’s story. We got to know him through Tam’s eyes in “The Slave”. In “The Soldier” we hear what happens after Tam, Master and Kai were attacked at the end of the first book, leaving both characters and readers on a knife’s edge.
This book takes us into the heart and mind of the soldier who lost the man he loved before being captured and sold as a slave. The sentiments with which he remembers those moments in the desert stole my breath.
“I wished it [the sand] would swallow me, wished I could disappear completely beneath the surface and sleep the eternal dreamless sleep.”
And that was just the first of many times Kai’s pain tore at me. Be prepared to have your heart broken as you watch him suffer. I almost wanted to curse Kate Aaron’s descriptive powers as I could almost smell his scorched skin, as his pain became so vivid I could almost feel it.
“I was my agony.”
Kai is a beautiful soul. His first concerns are always for the two men he’s grown to love during the three months of his enslavement. Being back among his own people doesn’t change that loyalty and neither does the torture he has to endure. His fears for their safety are bigger than concerns about his own life. Kai’s biggest fear is that the damage done by the torture he endures at the hands of his own people might turn both Master and Tam away from him in disgust.
“Yet, despite everything, I couldn’t find it within me to wish I’d never been his slave.”
With ‘The Slave’, Kate Aaron gave us a relatively pain and angst free story with a massive cliff-hanger at the end. The Soldier is anything but pain and angst free. Physical as well as emotional pain is visited upon all three men. Poor Kai is lost. While Tam and Master at least have the certainty of having been captured by enemies, Kai is left with what feels to him like nothing. The people who captured him are his own but don’t want him anymore. Tam and Master feel closer to his heart than any of those who hold them prisoner, but is he still with them now that the situation has changed?
“We could never go back to the way life was before, but as long as Master and Tam would have me, I was theirs.”
I did mention Master was an enigma in my review of ‘The Slave’, didn’t I? Well, an enigma he remains. More suggestions are made and a few veils are lifted, but the story seems to present more new questions than it answers old ones. Who the Master is and what his motives are remains something of a mystery. One which I guess won’t be solved until the final book.
Like I said, your heart will break, time and again and not just because of the ordeals Kai has to face and the feelings he is struggling with. Tam is suffering at least as much.
“I can’t do this again, Kai. I can’t. When they attacked, when I thought Master was dead and I was going to have to watch them murder you too, I couldn’t bear it. I wanted it to be over. When you hit me, before I passed out, do you know what my last thought was? (...) I thought you’d killed me, and my last thought was ‘thank you.’ – Tam
Kate Aaron’s language is beautiful whether she uses it to describe her men, the ordeals they face or Kai’s inner thoughts:
“Overhead, the rings glowed cold and white, indifferent to the toils of one small man lost and alone in the middle of the vast and unending desert.”
Oh Kai, how you broke my heart.
“I cried for what I could not have because if I allowed myself to cry for all the things I had lost, I feared I would never stop.”
And this, o my God, all the feels:
“Don’t tell me what you think I want to hear, because I want to believe you so badly, and if you’re wrong, it will only hurt me more.”
Just in case you’re starting to worry this book is all violence, pain and heartbreak, let me reassure you. There are moments of astounding tenderness, life confirming selflessness and pure beauty a plenty.
“We were more than possessions, more than dumb animals of inanimate things. We were men; we got to choose who owned us. In that moment we both chose him.”
I fell in love with Tam when I read his book. Now that I’ve read Kai’s story I feel like a bit of a traitor. I still adore Tam but my heart firmly belongs to Kai. The precarious balance between his strength when it comes to physical challenges and his fragility when dealing with matters of the heart touched me on a very deep level.
Four weeks from today the final part in this trilogy will be released. I will be marking of the days between now and November 24th. The world Kate Aaron has created has sucked me in. Her characters have lodged themselves in my heart. And her words, her beautiful words, have made me a fan for life.
December 21, 2014
4.5 stars - Whoa! This 2nd book in the series follows immediately after the cliffhanger of book one. Where book one was in Tam's POV, this one is in Kai's more masculine POV. Now prisoners of the mercenaries who killed their guards and destroyed their home, Kai is tortured for information he doesn't have and Master and Tam are held in a single cell with no food or water. Amazingly, Tam comes up with a plan for their salvation. But it won't be easy.
Kai, the soldier, shows us he's not only loyal to his Master and Tam, but that he has the heart of a lion. He shines in this story, all the while worrying how they can still love him after his torture has left his manhood in question. I was deeply engaged in this story, on edge at what would happen next. A number of surprises here too. Couldn't read this one fast enough. Love this series!
Kai, the soldier, shows us he's not only loyal to his Master and Tam, but that he has the heart of a lion. He shines in this story, all the while worrying how they can still love him after his torture has left his manhood in question. I was deeply engaged in this story, on edge at what would happen next. A number of surprises here too. Couldn't read this one fast enough. Love this series!
February 3, 2016
Book 2 is told from Kai's perspective and it has a much different feel than book 1. For a good part of it, Kai is on his own trying to rescue Tam and Master and, as a result, there was very little intimacy between the three. On to book 3 where hopefully these guys find their HEA!
May 18, 2019
Review is for the series as a whole rather than the individual books that comprise it.
Gah, sooo damn good! Without a doubt the sweetest 'slave story' I've ever read. *happy sigh*
Gah, sooo damn good! Without a doubt the sweetest 'slave story' I've ever read. *happy sigh*
February 26, 2019
Eppure, il modo in cui mi baciò, il modo in cui Tam strusciò il naso sull'osso della mia spalla, il morbido tocco delle loro mani, così caute con la mia carne rovinata, mi diedero speranza. Non saremmo mai potuti tornare alla vita di prima, ma finché Tam e il padrone mi avrebbero voluto, io appartenevo a loro.
Lo so, non si dovrebbe fare, ma confesso che ho letto questo episodio saltando il precedente.
A mia discolpa, ho poi letto alcuni articoli che dicevano che l'autrice aveva scelto di scrivere tre libri, dando voce a ciascuno dei tre personaggi, e utilizzando anche uno stile differente. Inoltre, devo dire che, sia all'inizio sia durante la narrazione, vengono ripercorsi vari passi del primo libro (seppur visti attraverso gli occhi di Kai), per cui il lettore non si sente affatto spaesato.
Per quanto mi riguarda, sono stata assorbita subito dalla storia e non ho avuto alcuna difficoltà ad entrare in empatia con ambiente e personaggi.
Se il primo volume era stato dunque l'inizio della prigionia di Kai e il suo abituarsi alla nuova vita nella casa del padrone, insieme all'amato/odiato Tam, qui si riparte dall'assalto alla villa e dalla incursione dei mercenari nemici, che portano via con sè i tre come bottino (anche se la loro convinzione, come si capirà poi, è di ottenere un guadagno ben più prezioso).
Imprigionato in una sorta di limbo, in una terra di nessuno dove non ha più amici, nè alleati, nè padroni (in quanto lo stesso padrone è in cella quanto lui), Kai non sa davvero che fare. Oltretutto, credendolo una spia o un traditore, i soldati (suoi ex-commilitoni) si accaniscono in modo barbaro contro di lui, ferendolo nel corpo e nell'anima molto più che l'esperienza della schiavitù vera e propria.
Ma Kai comprende che, pur malridotto, resta ormai l'unica speranza di salvezza per i compagni che ama e accetta quindi di intraprendere più di un viaggio, a rischio morte, per andare a chiamare la famosa "moglie" del padrone.
Tale incontro, da un lato, può sbloccare la situazione, ma dall'altro potrebbe rivelarsi anche negativo per un proseguimento a lungo termine del particolare ménage Kai/Tam/Padrone.
Devo dire che mi aspettavo altro (ad esempio, più scene di sesso, che risultano invece molto più romantiche che fisiche, quasi sfumate), ma nell'insieme l'ho trovata una lettura originale e intensa, con descrizioni vivide e accurate, e con un gioco di sentimenti dosato con sapienza e per questo molto credibile. Una serie particolare, che spicca tra tante trame abbastanza simili.
Adesso sono curiosa di leggere il punto di vista del famoso padrone, colui che sembra possedere molto più di un segreto.
QUESTA COVER E' DAVVERO PERFETTA!!!
Le mie ginocchia stavano per cedere, la mia spina dorsale divenne liquida, ma il padrone mi tenne stretto nel suo potente abbraccio e io mi arresi. ogni cosa divenne sale e sudore, sangue metallico e dolce saliva, l'affilato spillo del dolore. Avrei voluto che quel momento non finisse mai.
Lo so, non si dovrebbe fare, ma confesso che ho letto questo episodio saltando il precedente.
A mia discolpa, ho poi letto alcuni articoli che dicevano che l'autrice aveva scelto di scrivere tre libri, dando voce a ciascuno dei tre personaggi, e utilizzando anche uno stile differente. Inoltre, devo dire che, sia all'inizio sia durante la narrazione, vengono ripercorsi vari passi del primo libro (seppur visti attraverso gli occhi di Kai), per cui il lettore non si sente affatto spaesato.
Per quanto mi riguarda, sono stata assorbita subito dalla storia e non ho avuto alcuna difficoltà ad entrare in empatia con ambiente e personaggi.
Se il primo volume era stato dunque l'inizio della prigionia di Kai e il suo abituarsi alla nuova vita nella casa del padrone, insieme all'amato/odiato Tam, qui si riparte dall'assalto alla villa e dalla incursione dei mercenari nemici, che portano via con sè i tre come bottino (anche se la loro convinzione, come si capirà poi, è di ottenere un guadagno ben più prezioso).
Imprigionato in una sorta di limbo, in una terra di nessuno dove non ha più amici, nè alleati, nè padroni (in quanto lo stesso padrone è in cella quanto lui), Kai non sa davvero che fare. Oltretutto, credendolo una spia o un traditore, i soldati (suoi ex-commilitoni) si accaniscono in modo barbaro contro di lui, ferendolo nel corpo e nell'anima molto più che l'esperienza della schiavitù vera e propria.
Ma Kai comprende che, pur malridotto, resta ormai l'unica speranza di salvezza per i compagni che ama e accetta quindi di intraprendere più di un viaggio, a rischio morte, per andare a chiamare la famosa "moglie" del padrone.
Tale incontro, da un lato, può sbloccare la situazione, ma dall'altro potrebbe rivelarsi anche negativo per un proseguimento a lungo termine del particolare ménage Kai/Tam/Padrone.
Devo dire che mi aspettavo altro (ad esempio, più scene di sesso, che risultano invece molto più romantiche che fisiche, quasi sfumate), ma nell'insieme l'ho trovata una lettura originale e intensa, con descrizioni vivide e accurate, e con un gioco di sentimenti dosato con sapienza e per questo molto credibile. Una serie particolare, che spicca tra tante trame abbastanza simili.
Adesso sono curiosa di leggere il punto di vista del famoso padrone, colui che sembra possedere molto più di un segreto.
QUESTA COVER E' DAVVERO PERFETTA!!!
Le mie ginocchia stavano per cedere, la mia spina dorsale divenne liquida, ma il padrone mi tenne stretto nel suo potente abbraccio e io mi arresi. ogni cosa divenne sale e sudore, sangue metallico e dolce saliva, l'affilato spillo del dolore. Avrei voluto che quel momento non finisse mai.
September 21, 2017
Better than the first.
April 18, 2017
Loved it! It's as simple as that!
Although I got really hooked by Kai's story after about 25-30%, it just flowed smoothly from there...
For me, this part of the Free Men trilogy was better than book 1 The Slave - maybe because this part's narrator, Kai, is so much more a complex figure than Tam...
He's tortured, he's damaged, he's troubled... and yet... He's also fierceless, resourceful and disarmingly, shyly devoted to the two men he grew to love.
I loved that little scene over the mountain pass when he... . It showed his other side, his former self - so vital to be brought back to Kai in those horrible, ugly moments of captivity and then his single-handed quest for a way to help set Lysander and Tam free.
This part of Kai's journey brought to my mind:
The choices he makes (both consciously and deep down in his big, stout heart), the way he fights and cares, and his warmth in dealing with those seemingly nonsignificant - Strawberry and Sara - it all makes me love Kai even more!
I'll definitely carry on with this beautiful, eventful story...
Although I got really hooked by Kai's story after about 25-30%, it just flowed smoothly from there...
For me, this part of the Free Men trilogy was better than book 1 The Slave - maybe because this part's narrator, Kai, is so much more a complex figure than Tam...
He's tortured, he's damaged, he's troubled... and yet... He's also fierceless, resourceful and disarmingly, shyly devoted to the two men he grew to love.
I loved that little scene over the mountain pass when he... . It showed his other side, his former self - so vital to be brought back to Kai in those horrible, ugly moments of captivity and then his single-handed quest for a way to help set Lysander and Tam free.
This part of Kai's journey brought to my mind:
The choices he makes (both consciously and deep down in his big, stout heart), the way he fights and cares, and his warmth in dealing with those seemingly nonsignificant - Strawberry and Sara - it all makes me love Kai even more!
I'll definitely carry on with this beautiful, eventful story...
June 3, 2017
*** This futuristic, fantasy, is devastating, and the dark side of Sci-Fi is riveting.
Magnificent descriptions of the events and terrain. We do see lots of abuse and torture that was so cruel, and we give our hearts to Kai.
He is a warm, tender-hearted, giving lover to Master and Tam, who deserves to be treated humanely, instead of looked down on at every turn. Plus we see the squalid conditions the men lived in the prison, no water of food, unless Kai could sneak it in. The leader where they are imprisoned is a slime named Andor, and with a plan in place they may be able to get Master's wife to pay a ransom.
Andor is greedy. Times are tough and none of the army or mercenaries are happy. Everyone is barely scraping by, except for the royalty. Kai must travel alone to the mistress and beg for the ransom. The trip is dangerous, but Tam and Master will die in the dire cell. Travel was easier once the two suns set. He reached the Mistress and got help. There are internal musings of Kai, and his insecurities, self doubt, and fears are shown, but his love for his men shines through. After the rescue, the bad guys try to sneak attack them on their way home.
The next book is the Master's turn to meld their relationship, and see how it all turns out.
Highly recommended ! ENJOY !
======================
Magnificent descriptions of the events and terrain. We do see lots of abuse and torture that was so cruel, and we give our hearts to Kai.
He is a warm, tender-hearted, giving lover to Master and Tam, who deserves to be treated humanely, instead of looked down on at every turn. Plus we see the squalid conditions the men lived in the prison, no water of food, unless Kai could sneak it in. The leader where they are imprisoned is a slime named Andor, and with a plan in place they may be able to get Master's wife to pay a ransom.
Andor is greedy. Times are tough and none of the army or mercenaries are happy. Everyone is barely scraping by, except for the royalty. Kai must travel alone to the mistress and beg for the ransom. The trip is dangerous, but Tam and Master will die in the dire cell. Travel was easier once the two suns set. He reached the Mistress and got help. There are internal musings of Kai, and his insecurities, self doubt, and fears are shown, but his love for his men shines through. After the rescue, the bad guys try to sneak attack them on their way home.
The next book is the Master's turn to meld their relationship, and see how it all turns out.
Highly recommended ! ENJOY !
======================
April 22, 2016
2.5 Not as good as Book 1. Most of this book is focused on the rescue, treks through the desert and other things I couldn't care less about. I also wasn't happy with one of the Master's actions about 75% through the book, and it tainted the rest of the book for me. Let's see if he redeems himself in Book 3.
December 3, 2018
See my last two updates. I am pissed off!!!!!!!!!
May 28, 2019
Recensione a cura di Leyla per Feel the Book
Questo libro è uscito diverse settimane fa e devo ammettere che è sul mio kindle da molto tempo, ma la verità è che non riuscivo a iniziarlo, ero terrorizzata dalla possibilità che anche questo, come il primo, terminasse con un cliffhanger spaventoso e sconvolgente. Devo dire che per fortuna in questo secondo libro il finale è molto più tranquillo, mi ha lasciato comunque in trepidante attesa del prossimo, ma non sono sconvolta come nel momento il cui ho finito “Lo schiavo”.
In queste settimane ho sentito molte opinioni su “Il soldato” e diverse persone mi hanno detto di aver preferito il primo libro della serie perché c’è più interazione tra i tre personaggi principali, io invece ho apprezzato molto di più questo, in cui ho potuto conoscere Kai in modo più completo e non solo attraverso gli occhi di Tamelik. Per lo stesso motivo non vedo l’ora di poter leggere il prossimo, in cui finalmente potrò approfondire anche la conoscenza di Lysander, il padrone dei due schiavi.
Il prossimo libro sarà fondamentale per comprendere le motivazioni che ci sono dietro alcune discutibili scelte del padrone che non sono riuscita a capire fino in fondo, conoscendo solo gli avvenimenti dal punto di vista di Kai.
Non ho intenzione di dire nulla della trama per non rovinare la lettura a chi ancora non ha avuto la possibilità di goderselo, ma ci sono stati momenti in cui avevo le lacrime agli occhi per Kai e ho odiato profondamente Lysander per le “scelte” che ha fatto: leggendo il prossimo libro, spero di poterlo capire e “perdonare”.
Ne “Il soldato” le interazioni tra i tre protagonisti sono molto limitate, infatti per lungo tempo Kai si trova lontano dagli altri due, ma non per questo la storia diventa noiosa, infatti scopriamo nuovi personaggi interessanti e alcuni particolari della vita di Lysander che nel primo libro ci erano stati preclusi, poiché Tamelik non ne era a conoscenza.
La tensione resta alta durante tutto il racconto e in alcuni momenti non si può fare altro che piangere per il povero Kai, solo e abbandonato a se stesso anche da chi dovrebbe amarlo, ma sono convinta che nel terzo libro tutto diventerà più chiaro.
Le scene hot non sono molte, ma non se ne sente la mancanza essendo questo romanzo molto più introspettivo rispetto al precedente.
Come il primo libro della serie, anche questo è ben scritto e ben tradotto, oltre ad avere una splendida cover.
Se non lo avete ancora fatto, vi consiglio di leggerlo e immergervi nelle emozioni di Kai, che è un personaggio veramente interessante.
Editing a cura di Cleo per Feel the Book
Questo libro è uscito diverse settimane fa e devo ammettere che è sul mio kindle da molto tempo, ma la verità è che non riuscivo a iniziarlo, ero terrorizzata dalla possibilità che anche questo, come il primo, terminasse con un cliffhanger spaventoso e sconvolgente. Devo dire che per fortuna in questo secondo libro il finale è molto più tranquillo, mi ha lasciato comunque in trepidante attesa del prossimo, ma non sono sconvolta come nel momento il cui ho finito “Lo schiavo”.
In queste settimane ho sentito molte opinioni su “Il soldato” e diverse persone mi hanno detto di aver preferito il primo libro della serie perché c’è più interazione tra i tre personaggi principali, io invece ho apprezzato molto di più questo, in cui ho potuto conoscere Kai in modo più completo e non solo attraverso gli occhi di Tamelik. Per lo stesso motivo non vedo l’ora di poter leggere il prossimo, in cui finalmente potrò approfondire anche la conoscenza di Lysander, il padrone dei due schiavi.
Il prossimo libro sarà fondamentale per comprendere le motivazioni che ci sono dietro alcune discutibili scelte del padrone che non sono riuscita a capire fino in fondo, conoscendo solo gli avvenimenti dal punto di vista di Kai.
Non ho intenzione di dire nulla della trama per non rovinare la lettura a chi ancora non ha avuto la possibilità di goderselo, ma ci sono stati momenti in cui avevo le lacrime agli occhi per Kai e ho odiato profondamente Lysander per le “scelte” che ha fatto: leggendo il prossimo libro, spero di poterlo capire e “perdonare”.
Ne “Il soldato” le interazioni tra i tre protagonisti sono molto limitate, infatti per lungo tempo Kai si trova lontano dagli altri due, ma non per questo la storia diventa noiosa, infatti scopriamo nuovi personaggi interessanti e alcuni particolari della vita di Lysander che nel primo libro ci erano stati preclusi, poiché Tamelik non ne era a conoscenza.
La tensione resta alta durante tutto il racconto e in alcuni momenti non si può fare altro che piangere per il povero Kai, solo e abbandonato a se stesso anche da chi dovrebbe amarlo, ma sono convinta che nel terzo libro tutto diventerà più chiaro.
Le scene hot non sono molte, ma non se ne sente la mancanza essendo questo romanzo molto più introspettivo rispetto al precedente.
Come il primo libro della serie, anche questo è ben scritto e ben tradotto, oltre ad avere una splendida cover.
Se non lo avete ancora fatto, vi consiglio di leggerlo e immergervi nelle emozioni di Kai, che è un personaggio veramente interessante.
Editing a cura di Cleo per Feel the Book
September 7, 2022
Overall book rating: 3.8
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 4
So maybe because I read the first installment a long time ago,
and only now get around to reading this one, I may have
kind of shifted my focus a tiny bit.
The first time I read this, Tam was the one who mostly
got my attention. This time around, I found myself
rooting for Kai more than Tam, and this book made
me so sad.
I still loved it. I enjoyed getting to walk this journey
with them ... but...
I know I'm going to get some backlash on this, but
it made me resent Tam. It made me focus on
how little one on one time Kai got with the Master
he gave so much to. It made me want to know
why Tam couldn't just for the love of peanut butter
give Kai a little extra focus and pampering and
not insert himself into every little moment they
had together. Didn't Kai earn his own personal
time with Lysander?
Didn't he deserve to for once, just have all of
Lysander's focus on HIM and not have Tam
be all over them?
You see? Yes, I am being a hatefully bitch.
I know. Because I understand that Tam
never tries to hurt Kai. That he wants him
to be happy, that he loves him. But the
way I feel now after reading this made me
want to just cry.
Now, I loved Cas! I think he is a really great
guy. Don't know how he ever fell in love
with Neemah because she is one cold hearted
stuck up woman. I didn't warm to her.
I don't like her.
But Cas I love. He deserves more than
her. He deserves to be happy.
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 4
So maybe because I read the first installment a long time ago,
and only now get around to reading this one, I may have
kind of shifted my focus a tiny bit.
The first time I read this, Tam was the one who mostly
got my attention. This time around, I found myself
rooting for Kai more than Tam, and this book made
me so sad.
I still loved it. I enjoyed getting to walk this journey
with them ... but...
I know I'm going to get some backlash on this, but
it made me resent Tam. It made me focus on
how little one on one time Kai got with the Master
he gave so much to. It made me want to know
why Tam couldn't just for the love of peanut butter
give Kai a little extra focus and pampering and
not insert himself into every little moment they
had together. Didn't Kai earn his own personal
time with Lysander?
Didn't he deserve to for once, just have all of
Lysander's focus on HIM and not have Tam
be all over them?
You see? Yes, I am being a hatefully bitch.
I know. Because I understand that Tam
never tries to hurt Kai. That he wants him
to be happy, that he loves him. But the
way I feel now after reading this made me
want to just cry.
Now, I loved Cas! I think he is a really great
guy. Don't know how he ever fell in love
with Neemah because she is one cold hearted
stuck up woman. I didn't warm to her.
I don't like her.
But Cas I love. He deserves more than
her. He deserves to be happy.
November 8, 2014
A review by The Blogger Girls.
Thank goodness, this book picks up right where The Slave left off, with all three now prisoners. It is told from Kai’s point of view, as opposed to the first story, which was told in Tam’s. This was every bit as captivating as the first book, but I had different feelings about it.
The men are now prisoners of a rogue band of the very people Kai used to fight for. So, while he is a prisoner as well, he is given a lot more leeway. He is somewhat free to roam the compound while Tam and Master are locked up. The conditions are horrible, and if it weren’t for Kai, they would probably have all died of hunger or thirst. It seems the leaders of the group believe they captured a missing prince (the Master) and are hoping for rich rewards.
Unfortunately, neither Kai, nor Tam, know any of this to be true. To them, Master is merely an Underlord. Kai is brutally tortured for information about this prince/his Master, to no avail. His injuries cause him great harm and distress, both physically and mentally, but Tam and Master are quick to reassure him.
With their release now uncertain and their worthto their captors seemingly nonexistent, the men must come up with a Plan B. Their only hope is to convince the leaders that Master’s wife would be willing to offer a reward to get him back. Much of this story is spent with Kai on his own trying to make that happen. He endures so much for Master and Tam, more than he ever would have thought possible. He has such incredible strength, and his feelings for the men really help him through.
We meet some of the other characters, such as Master’s wife, and learn a bit more about the circumstances surrounding their marriage, why she left, etc. It seems Tam was a bit in the dark about everything, and it will be interesting to see how things play out from here.
Just as The Slave pulled me into its world, so too did The Soldier. I didn’t love this quite as much as the first, for the mere fact that Kai was on his own for a lot of it, but the writing is just as wonderful, very descriptive and vivid giving you a real sense of being there or that such a place truly exists. This was another really fast read that I didn’t want to put down. Unfortunately, I now have to wait for the third installment, and I cannot wait to see what happens next!
November 27, 2014
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
This story switches us to Kai’s POV and it does a great job of not just continuing the main story arc, but giving us a window into Kai himself. The Soldier is much more action oriented than the first book and we see these guys in peril pretty much the entire time. Although the mercenaries don’t fully accept Kai, he is still not a total outsider and gets a little more freedom than Tam and their Master. So Kai works hard to help take care of the men he loves, as well as desperately searching for a way to free them. This story is fast paced with lots of excitement and tension as Kai works to save his men, risking his life over and over in the process.
One thing I noticed is how cleverly Aaron matches the tone of the story to the POV character. In The Slave, the book reads very sensually. There is a lot of sex, but also just a lot of intimacy and connections forming between the men. It is about Kai learning to love these two men, and the close bond they have with one another. They live in lush surroundings, swim in the beautiful pool, and have lovely possessions. It fits perfectly with Tam as our POV character because Tam just exudes sensuality and has a need for touch and comfort. In this book, the tone shifts much more toward action, again befitting a soldier like Kai. Although the feelings between the men are very clear, there is virtually no sexual intimacy between them. Instead this story focuses much more on action, on strategy, and on fighting to save all of their lives. It is such an interesting contrast and something that is subtle but works well.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
This story switches us to Kai’s POV and it does a great job of not just continuing the main story arc, but giving us a window into Kai himself. The Soldier is much more action oriented than the first book and we see these guys in peril pretty much the entire time. Although the mercenaries don’t fully accept Kai, he is still not a total outsider and gets a little more freedom than Tam and their Master. So Kai works hard to help take care of the men he loves, as well as desperately searching for a way to free them. This story is fast paced with lots of excitement and tension as Kai works to save his men, risking his life over and over in the process.
One thing I noticed is how cleverly Aaron matches the tone of the story to the POV character. In The Slave, the book reads very sensually. There is a lot of sex, but also just a lot of intimacy and connections forming between the men. It is about Kai learning to love these two men, and the close bond they have with one another. They live in lush surroundings, swim in the beautiful pool, and have lovely possessions. It fits perfectly with Tam as our POV character because Tam just exudes sensuality and has a need for touch and comfort. In this book, the tone shifts much more toward action, again befitting a soldier like Kai. Although the feelings between the men are very clear, there is virtually no sexual intimacy between them. Instead this story focuses much more on action, on strategy, and on fighting to save all of their lives. It is such an interesting contrast and something that is subtle but works well.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
November 3, 2014
There are no words to describe this book, but I will try. This is book 2 of the Free Men Series (Book 1 is The Slave) The Soldier is written in Kai's POV. The Soldier is heartbreaking and soul cleansing. Kai is so brave, so giving. I was somewhat shocked as I meandered through his mind in this book. In the first one we are in Tam's POV so we can only guess where Kai's mind is at. Kai is sacrificial is so many things in this tale. I cried CRIED reading this. You want to protect Kai and many times throughout you feel he is forgotten. That was the hardest part for me. I was overcome by the loneliness he carries. The second book in this saga is the meat to this story. Book 1 we were swept away in the pureness, hope, and love that is Tam. In The Soldier we are left breathless by the darkness, despair, and unknown adoration of Kai. God only knows what Kate Aaron has in store for us in Book 3. EXCELLENT BOOK!
February 11, 2019
Recensione in Anteprima
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4.5 - Voto
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«Quando ci hanno attaccati, quando ho pensato che il padrone fosse morto e che avrei dovuto guardarli mentre uccidevano anche te, non riuscivo a sopportarlo. Volevo che fosse finita. Quando mi hai colpito, prima di svenire, sai qual è stato il mio ultimo pensiero?» Scossi la testa, spaventato dalla possibile risposta. «Pensavo che mi avessi ucciso e il mio ultimo pensiero è stato “Grazie”. Grazie per aver messo fine alle mie sofferenze, prima che quegli uomini potessero ferirmi più di quanto non avessero già fatto.»
«Tam.» La mia voce era strozzata. «Non lo pensi davvero. Siamo qui, siamo vivi, siamo insieme. Deve pur significare qualcosa, no?»
Abbassò la testa. I suoi lunghi, bellissimi capelli erano arruffati e sporchi di sangue e polvere. Mi struggevo dal desiderio di fargli un bagno, di pettinarlo fino a quando la sua chioma non avesse brillato e di trasformarlo di nuovo nel meraviglioso uomo a cui mi ero affezionato più a fondo di quanto fossi in grado di ammettere perfino a me stesso. Aspettai, disperato, che concordasse con me, che mi desse qualche segno che aveva ancora speranza, qualcosa per cui riteneva valesse la pena vivere.
.
Oggi vi parlo del secondo libro di una serie che mi ha piacevolmente sorpreso per la sua originalità: Free Men, di Kate Aaron, che con il suo capitolo precedente Lo schiavo mi aveva fatto conoscere personaggi davvero intriganti.
Il soldato riprende la storia esattamente dove si era interrotta: la gente di Kai è arrivata alla tenuta del padrone ed è riuscita a sopraffare le guardie. Tam e il Padrone sono in gabbia, mentre Kai è costretto ad arrancare nel deserto, pungolato senza pietà da quelli che sono membri del suo popolo. Non soldati regolari, ma mercenari che hanno uno scopo ben preciso. Per la loro cultura, Kai è un uomo senza valore, disgustoso, perché ha accettato di giacere come schiavo di piacere non solo con un uomo, bensì con due e questo non gli può essere perdonato, non importa che uno schiavo non possa avere scelta. Eppure, il suo destino sarebbe anche peggiore, se si accorgessero dei sentimenti che questi due uomini sono riusciti a risvegliare in un soldato, che ha scoperto una libertà insperata proprio quando è diventato un prigioniero.
Kai ha lottato con tutte le sue forze i primi tempi, ma Tam e quel Padrone così indulgente lo hanno conquistato, per la prima volta ha potuto vivere senza preoccuparsi del cibo e della sopravvivenza. Inoltre, il Padrone gli ha insegnato a leggere, una cosa inconcepibile per un semplice e povero soldato. Quei mercenari sono la sua gente, eppure, per estorcergli informazioni, non esiteranno di fronte a nulla. Ci saranno momenti angoscianti, in cui avremo veramente paura per questo giovane uomo, che si rivelerà fedele come pochi. Lo vedremo, infatti, nella condizione di fuggire e dimenticarsi tutto, ma con incrollabile volontà farà tutto ciò che è in suo potere per salvare le uniche due persone che gli hanno permesso di essere se stesso, anche se questo vorrebbe dire forse perderle per sempre.
È un libro completamente diverso dal primo capitolo, in cui tutto si era mantenuto molto leggero e più piacevole. Il rapporto fra questi tre uomini si è fatto più intenso e Kai ha finalmente compreso che quei tre mesi di schiavitù gli hanno permesso di conoscere un modo di vivere che non avrebbe mai immaginato. Anche ora che è prigioniero, il Padrone cerca un modo per proteggerli ed esorta Kai a rinnegarli, facendo credere ai loro rapitori che li odia. Il soldato accetta solo per poter in qualche modo aiutarli, ma questo non lo protegge dall’essere torturato spietatamente da due odiosi personaggi. Sono pagine di intensa emozione e crudeltà, in cui nessuno dei tre scamperà al dolore. Le ferite di Kai sono tremende, gli causano dolori lancinanti, ciononostante egli comincia un viaggio pieno di pericoli, per cercare qualcuno che possa aiutare i due uomini che per lui hanno cominciato a contare moltissimo.
Kai si rivela un personaggio meraviglioso, la sua incrollabile determinazione nel volerli salvare si mischia alla sua paura di non poter più avere con loro quel rapporto appena nato, ora che il suo corpo è pieno di cicatrici terribili a vedersi. Non crede alla dichiarazione d’amore che Tam gli ha fatto prima di essere imprigionato, non capisce l’atteggiamento che il Padrone ha assunto nei suoi confronti e questo lo rende incerto.
Le interazioni fra i tre personaggi principali sono qui ridotte a poche pagine, piene di dolcezza ma anche di rimpianto, cominciamo a conoscere meglio quel Padrone di cui ora sappiamo anche il nome, Lysander, e scopriamo che ha un piano che porterà sicuramente altro dolore nel prossimo capitolo di questa serie, in cui sarà proprio lui il protagonista. Un uomo molto particolare, che sembra avere anche dei segreti che devono essere ancora rivelati. Sicuramente è molto intelligente, ma ha scambiato per riconoscenza il potente sentimento che i suoi due schiavi provano per lui.
È un capitolo in cui troverete davvero moltissima azione. Avremo modo di conoscere anche nuovi personaggi, alquanto affascinanti, di cui spero scopriremo di più nel Il padrone, l’epilogo di questa serie davvero originale e particolare.
Una scrittura estremamente piacevole, dei personaggi splendidamente tratteggiati che entrano nel cuore del lettore e ci fanno penare per la loro sorte e una trama che, in questo capitolo, si è rivelata piena di colpi di scena. Una serie intrigante che ha mantenuto tutte le sue promesse e che vanta delle cover bellissime in grado di emozionare.
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Lucia63 - per RFS
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4.5 - Voto
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«Quando ci hanno attaccati, quando ho pensato che il padrone fosse morto e che avrei dovuto guardarli mentre uccidevano anche te, non riuscivo a sopportarlo. Volevo che fosse finita. Quando mi hai colpito, prima di svenire, sai qual è stato il mio ultimo pensiero?» Scossi la testa, spaventato dalla possibile risposta. «Pensavo che mi avessi ucciso e il mio ultimo pensiero è stato “Grazie”. Grazie per aver messo fine alle mie sofferenze, prima che quegli uomini potessero ferirmi più di quanto non avessero già fatto.»
«Tam.» La mia voce era strozzata. «Non lo pensi davvero. Siamo qui, siamo vivi, siamo insieme. Deve pur significare qualcosa, no?»
Abbassò la testa. I suoi lunghi, bellissimi capelli erano arruffati e sporchi di sangue e polvere. Mi struggevo dal desiderio di fargli un bagno, di pettinarlo fino a quando la sua chioma non avesse brillato e di trasformarlo di nuovo nel meraviglioso uomo a cui mi ero affezionato più a fondo di quanto fossi in grado di ammettere perfino a me stesso. Aspettai, disperato, che concordasse con me, che mi desse qualche segno che aveva ancora speranza, qualcosa per cui riteneva valesse la pena vivere.
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Oggi vi parlo del secondo libro di una serie che mi ha piacevolmente sorpreso per la sua originalità: Free Men, di Kate Aaron, che con il suo capitolo precedente Lo schiavo mi aveva fatto conoscere personaggi davvero intriganti.
Il soldato riprende la storia esattamente dove si era interrotta: la gente di Kai è arrivata alla tenuta del padrone ed è riuscita a sopraffare le guardie. Tam e il Padrone sono in gabbia, mentre Kai è costretto ad arrancare nel deserto, pungolato senza pietà da quelli che sono membri del suo popolo. Non soldati regolari, ma mercenari che hanno uno scopo ben preciso. Per la loro cultura, Kai è un uomo senza valore, disgustoso, perché ha accettato di giacere come schiavo di piacere non solo con un uomo, bensì con due e questo non gli può essere perdonato, non importa che uno schiavo non possa avere scelta. Eppure, il suo destino sarebbe anche peggiore, se si accorgessero dei sentimenti che questi due uomini sono riusciti a risvegliare in un soldato, che ha scoperto una libertà insperata proprio quando è diventato un prigioniero.
Kai ha lottato con tutte le sue forze i primi tempi, ma Tam e quel Padrone così indulgente lo hanno conquistato, per la prima volta ha potuto vivere senza preoccuparsi del cibo e della sopravvivenza. Inoltre, il Padrone gli ha insegnato a leggere, una cosa inconcepibile per un semplice e povero soldato. Quei mercenari sono la sua gente, eppure, per estorcergli informazioni, non esiteranno di fronte a nulla. Ci saranno momenti angoscianti, in cui avremo veramente paura per questo giovane uomo, che si rivelerà fedele come pochi. Lo vedremo, infatti, nella condizione di fuggire e dimenticarsi tutto, ma con incrollabile volontà farà tutto ciò che è in suo potere per salvare le uniche due persone che gli hanno permesso di essere se stesso, anche se questo vorrebbe dire forse perderle per sempre.
È un libro completamente diverso dal primo capitolo, in cui tutto si era mantenuto molto leggero e più piacevole. Il rapporto fra questi tre uomini si è fatto più intenso e Kai ha finalmente compreso che quei tre mesi di schiavitù gli hanno permesso di conoscere un modo di vivere che non avrebbe mai immaginato. Anche ora che è prigioniero, il Padrone cerca un modo per proteggerli ed esorta Kai a rinnegarli, facendo credere ai loro rapitori che li odia. Il soldato accetta solo per poter in qualche modo aiutarli, ma questo non lo protegge dall’essere torturato spietatamente da due odiosi personaggi. Sono pagine di intensa emozione e crudeltà, in cui nessuno dei tre scamperà al dolore. Le ferite di Kai sono tremende, gli causano dolori lancinanti, ciononostante egli comincia un viaggio pieno di pericoli, per cercare qualcuno che possa aiutare i due uomini che per lui hanno cominciato a contare moltissimo.
Kai si rivela un personaggio meraviglioso, la sua incrollabile determinazione nel volerli salvare si mischia alla sua paura di non poter più avere con loro quel rapporto appena nato, ora che il suo corpo è pieno di cicatrici terribili a vedersi. Non crede alla dichiarazione d’amore che Tam gli ha fatto prima di essere imprigionato, non capisce l’atteggiamento che il Padrone ha assunto nei suoi confronti e questo lo rende incerto.
Le interazioni fra i tre personaggi principali sono qui ridotte a poche pagine, piene di dolcezza ma anche di rimpianto, cominciamo a conoscere meglio quel Padrone di cui ora sappiamo anche il nome, Lysander, e scopriamo che ha un piano che porterà sicuramente altro dolore nel prossimo capitolo di questa serie, in cui sarà proprio lui il protagonista. Un uomo molto particolare, che sembra avere anche dei segreti che devono essere ancora rivelati. Sicuramente è molto intelligente, ma ha scambiato per riconoscenza il potente sentimento che i suoi due schiavi provano per lui.
È un capitolo in cui troverete davvero moltissima azione. Avremo modo di conoscere anche nuovi personaggi, alquanto affascinanti, di cui spero scopriremo di più nel Il padrone, l’epilogo di questa serie davvero originale e particolare.
Una scrittura estremamente piacevole, dei personaggi splendidamente tratteggiati che entrano nel cuore del lettore e ci fanno penare per la loro sorte e una trama che, in questo capitolo, si è rivelata piena di colpi di scena. Una serie intrigante che ha mantenuto tutte le sue promesse e che vanta delle cover bellissime in grado di emozionare.
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Lucia63 - per RFS
October 30, 2014
I really liked this. Really, really. It's a sad tale and beautiful at the same time. What would you do for those you love? How much would you be able to endure? Kai goes through it all. I love him. He need a place where he's allowed to be himself, and where he's loved. He'd found that in the first book, only to have it ripped away. His journey to try and get even part of that happiness back, to save Master and Tam, is a hard road.
Book 3! I want it now. Until it's out, I'll miss Tam, Kai, and Master.
Book 3! I want it now. Until it's out, I'll miss Tam, Kai, and Master.
December 25, 2014
Dubcon/slave fiction is my guilty pleasure. I really enjoyed the 1st book in this series, and went immediately on to read this book, which I think was the best of the bunch (although the others were very well done). Much as I loved the sex scenes, it was the characterizations that really stuck with me in this series, and this book did the best job of putting the characters front and center for me.
I ended up reading all 3 books back to back over a weekend.Highly recommend (and I already have, several times!).
I ended up reading all 3 books back to back over a weekend.Highly recommend (and I already have, several times!).
April 7, 2016
4.25 stars.
First read on January 30, 2015.
Re-read on April 5, 2016.
Oh, Kai. You broke my heart into little pieces.
This one was certainly the best in the series.
First read on January 30, 2015.
Re-read on April 5, 2016.
Oh, Kai. You broke my heart into little pieces.
This one was certainly the best in the series.
February 12, 2016
I love me some scifi and dystopian and this delivers. I really loved reading from Kai's viewpoint and how he comes to terms with his new life is masterfully written. The sex is hot, the world building and what happens is even better, and I could not put this down.
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