Welcome to my eight-part blog series about the main themes in An Undercover Dream. You may have read my previous blog series on the themes of Atlantic Split and At Liberty To Live, so now it’s the turn of book 3 in the series. You can find the links to the previous blogs at the bottom of this blog post. There will be some crossover between the three books. The first theme I will be discussing is central to An Undercover Dream – Independence. 

Warning: This blog contains spoilers.

When Luke left New York at the end of At Liberty To Live, he believed he was ready to embark upon an independent life away from his friends. However, he didn’t get too far being on his own. He came across Larry Rawlings, and though the part Larry plays in Luke’s life should’ve only been minor, Luke soon realised that having someone there to support him was exactly what he needed to be able to learn how to live independently.

However, Luke does truly get to become independent because he soon discovers a place he wants to move to, and that means being on his own with a new set of people who don’t know who he is. He’s fearful about it, but soon realises it’s exactly where he wants to be. And whilst there he isn’t exactly completely ‘independent,’ having that freedom is something he really, really enjoys. Being able to do things for himself, do new things, have new experiences. Have his own place to stay, make his own choices, live the life he always dreamt of and succeed in it by himself. Since he had so little freedom to make his own life choices when his family were dictating his life, being able to live his own life is a welcome change for Luke, and he absolutely loves it.

He begins to grow as a person, and having that independence plays a big part in that. It makes him feel much more able and capable. He’s no longer hindered and begins to feel extremely empowered in his new life. Even though he’s always been treated like a kid, he feels like he’s becoming an adult in An Undercover Dream (despite embracing his current age in the book). Having that extra freedom allows him to grow up and really start breaking away from the people he’s so heavily relied on before.

Though, for Luke being independent isn’t just about that freedom. It’s also about how he can become someone else and live a different life. He can live in a sense of normality, and for him, that’s a pretty big thing to be able to do. However, he soon begins to realise just how important having that independence is in shaping your own identity and giving you a purpose. When the chance of independence is cruelly taken away from him, Luke struggles having to live again without it, and he feels he’s regressing. It’s a big moment, but luckily for Luke, he’s got people around him to help him get back on his feet. After all, being independent doesn’t mean being alone.

I end this blog with a quote from An Undercover Dream about independence. From Luke who is thriving in his new life doing something he never imagined he’d be able to do whilst on the run.

“I was growing as a person and I could feel it. Luke Bright was finally growing up, in his own way and in his own time. Sure, I wasn’t an adult, but I was no longer a little boy with no idea how to live life without other people guiding him through his decisions.” Luke Bright – An Undercover Dream

Thank you for reading this blog, and next Thursday I’ll be back with the second theme of An Undercover Dream which is ironically about Dreams.

Atlantic Split Theme Blog Series Links:

1. Prejudice
2. Growing Up
3. Optimism
4. Courage
5. Friendship
6. Family
7. Bullying
8. Morality

At Liberty To Live Theme Blog Series Links:

1. New Beginnings
2.  Inner Strength
3. Following Your Passion
4. Rushing in too quickly
5. Feminism
6. Self Discovery
7. Making a Difference
8. Previous Themes

Atlantic Split, At Liberty To Live and An Undercover Dream, the first three books in The Luke Bright Series are available to purchase NOW! The final book of the series is to be revealed.

Please follow me on my blog and social media links below, and use the links on my website to purchase a copy of each if you have not done so. Don’t forget to leave a review! Thank you once again for taking the time to read this blog post.

N.A.K.