Series: Blood and Sand #1
Author: C.V. Wyk
Published January 16th 2018 by Tor Teen
Goodreads Synopsis
Forged in battle, from the dust of the arena, a legend will rise...
Roma Victrix. The Republic of Rome is on a relentless march to create an empire―an empire built on the backs of the conquered, brought back to Rome as slaves.
Attia was once destined to rule as the queen and swordmaiden of Thrace, the greatest warrior kingdom the world had seen since Sparta. Now she is a slave, given to Xanthus, the Champion of Rome, as a sign of his master’s favor. Enslaved as a child, Xanthus is the preeminent gladiator of his generation.
Against all odds, Attia and Xanthus form a tentative bond. A bond that will spark a rebellion. A rebellion that threatens to bring the Roman Republic to its end―and gives rise to the legend of Spartacus...
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
Any and all books about Ancient Rome will automatically be on my radar, and this was no different. In a genderbent retelling of Spartacus, we follow Attia, once princess of Thrace, after she, and her people, have been enslaved by Rome. She is given to Xanthus, the champion of Rome, and once of the greatest gladiators the empire has ever seen. Attia has her own training, and will not just submit to the might of Rome, or to Xanthus. Her main aim = to escape, rise up, and reclaim her lost kingdom. As both she and Xanthus understand what it is to be enslaved, they form an agreement, and soon grow closer. However, their agreement will lead to one of the greatest uprisings Rome ever saw, and Attia will do just about anything to get what she wants.
I loved this book so much! Attia and Xanthus were both expertly written and researched. Thrace was one of the greatest kingdoms in the Ancient World, famed for its strength and warriors - both male and female. Attia perfectly embodied a princess and warriormaiden from this kingdom, and I loved reading her thoughts and processes throughout the book. When she decides to masquerade as one of the gladiators, known as Spartacus, she isn't faking her skill or resilience - it's all inherent in her from the get go. Xanthus, too, doesn't hide what he's been trained for, and all of the fight scenes, etc., are so details, but not overly graphic is if to provide a 'shock factor'. Attia and Xanthus together, I didn't think would work, because of the whole 'being gifted to him' arc. However, Xanthus never forces Attia into anything, and finds the notion of being gifted a girl abhorrent. The chemistry was undeniable, though, and I loved them together!
All in all, this was a fantastic debut, and I can't wait for book 2 to be published!
Dates Read:
January 9-10, 2018Rating
5 Stars
