Having read and enjoyed Russell Whitfield's Gladiatrix, I was pretty excited to give this a go. You can't have too much of a good thing, and women figHaving read and enjoyed Russell Whitfield's Gladiatrix, I was pretty excited to give this a go. You can't have too much of a good thing, and women fighting each other in Roman times makes a very exciting story. Throw a conflict such as two women who love each other being forced to fight each other and it's doubly interesting.
But at the same time having read a similar twist before, it made this book a tad predictable. On top of that, the heroines do not actually becomes gladiatrixes until about 65%, so calling this Sword of the Gladiatrix seems a little like false advertising.
That being said, I did enjoy the story. For some reason I connected with Afra way more than I did Cinnia. Cinnia's parts began with her fighting for Boudica. I should have loved this, but her parts fell flat for me and I didn't care for her flashbacks or dreams. Afra's scenes took place in Africa and began when she worked for her Kandake. Circumstances with her stepsister lead to her being enslaved and taken to Rome where she works wonders on a pair of hunting cats. I really liked her character. Cinnia rubbed me wrong a few times and she also ruined the romance for me by getting it on with another chick in the story. What kind of love is that?
"You should pierce my heart now, Marcus Cordovis, General of Rome." Her dark eyes flashed. "Because if I live, I will not hesitate to kill you."
Wow. "You should pierce my heart now, Marcus Cordovis, General of Rome." Her dark eyes flashed. "Because if I live, I will not hesitate to kill you."
Wow. Touch chick. That's the heroine of this book, Ademeni, a Dacian princess turned slave after her nation is conquered by the Romans. So how does she go from threatening to kill the hero to warming his bed and fearing for his life?
Never judge a man solely by the actions of the group as a whole. Marcus does have a heart, unlike his brother in law. The evil BIL sets Ademeni in Marcus's home and sets him up for fall. He claims to the Emperor that Marcus has fallen in love with the slave (true...) and has changed his loyalties... (eh...sorta..)
See, Marcus realizes for the first time what Rome does to others. His loyalty as a soldier is not in question. He has a job to do and knows it, but as he falls in love with the head strong slave, he realizes...
A short read, but entertaining, Mask takes place in the time of Caligula. He was famous for his cruelty and sexual perversions. When this vile emperorA short read, but entertaining, Mask takes place in the time of Caligula. He was famous for his cruelty and sexual perversions. When this vile emperor of Rome sets his sights on Livia, a young widow, he uncle announces he is marrying her off to Senator Titus whether she likes it or not.
She doesn't like it... why? Cause she has her desires reawakened by a Gladiator in the arena. One meeting and they are "getting it on." A bit quick, that.. But what she doesn't know if that her gladiator is Titus. He's got a scheme to take down Caligula and she can either cooperate or get in the way.
Also confused me to no end. From Diomedes to Achilles to Menelaus... what's the deal? I think something was losAll telling + no showing = not for me.
Also confused me to no end. From Diomedes to Achilles to Menelaus... what's the deal? I think something was lost in the translation cause I couldn't figure out what was wrong with the last man... ...more
This is the sequel to Gladiatrix, a book I absolutely loved. This brings back some of the main players.. I say some because well, some of them died inThis is the sequel to Gladiatrix, a book I absolutely loved. This brings back some of the main players.. I say some because well, some of them died in book one.
There's Lysandra. She was once the greatest gladiatrix in the arena and is yet unbeatable. However, years have gone by and she is now getting "soft" and rather lost in her cups. She's got a weakness for the drink. She also doesn't fight as much as she used to and has become a paper pusher. When she receives a summons from Rome to fight the new, unbeaten, gladiatrix prima, she decides she needs to do it because she the "heady drug of victory was stronger than wine." She's tough, arrogant, but sometimes makes a fool of herself.
This is very similar to Moran's starting with Selene being forced to go to Rome, continues with childhood in Rome, ends with similar situation regardiThis is very similar to Moran's starting with Selene being forced to go to Rome, continues with childhood in Rome, ends with similar situation regarding Juba. (No spoilers here.) However, it was more entertaining and I liked the author's writing style better. There is the same intrigue involving Julia and forbidden romance and all that, but a bonus is lots of politics and religious history regarding Rome and their hatred of Isis as Augustus attempts to oppress the religion that Selene wants to "resurrect."
I'm fond of saying..."If you are going to entertain me for 4 days (aka 600 pages), you better grab me from the get go." I do have a very short attentiI'm fond of saying..."If you are going to entertain me for 4 days (aka 600 pages), you better grab me from the get go." I do have a very short attention span and I hate extremely lengthy paragraphs describing dresses and trees and clouds. (YAWN) I will say one thing in this book's favor. It did grab me from the get go even tho I thought it was kind of weird.
Why weird? The narrator is 100 years old. (He also narrates book 2 so I guess he is about 115 or 120 at that point.) That's strange itself, but the man/woman and the little oracle boy that kills birds and reads their entails... VERY WEIRD. Nevertheless, I was hooked because the book was different and the heroine, Livia Drusilla, tho unlikeable, is strong... BUT...
"Before the Tudors, there were the Borgias." Um, where are they? They really weren't in this book all that much to make that claim...
Anyways, this nov"Before the Tudors, there were the Borgias." Um, where are they? They really weren't in this book all that much to make that claim...
Anyways, this novel is about and told from the viewpoint of Francesca. Her father was the Cardinal Borgia's poisoner. Upon her father's death, Francesca not only vows to exact revenge on his murderers but she also kills the competition for the poisoner job and SHE becomes the Cardinal's right hand poisoner and security expert you could say. Very strong heroine. She comes across as a bit cold tho and throughout the novel, she is rather hard to "get to know."
The plot is about Cardinal Borgia wanting to be pope and asking Francesca to err.. speed up the dying process of the current pope so Borgia can take the position. By agreeing to the task, Francesca finds herself thoroughly engrossed in intrigue and secrets regarding the pope, the pope's sinful habits, and also finds herself stuck in the middle of the tension between the Catholic church and the Jews that have come to Rome to escape the Spanish Inquistion (or so they hope).
The Cardinal makes a few brief appearances. His son, Cesare makes about three appearances and Lucrezia is mentioned here and there but she is a child and has no real bearing on the story. I was surprised at how little the Borgias actually pop up. As I mentioned above, I also had a hard time "getting to know" Francesca. Despite the narrative being from her point of view, she manages to reveal very little of herself or her thoughts and feelings. I got that she was having a lot of inner religious questions and guilt issues, but how does she really feel about Rocco?? What's going on there exactly? And if she loves Rocco, why is she in bed with Cesare? Her true thoughts and feelings were very vague.
Not awful, but not great either. However, I did learn a lot about the Roman politics, the dirty deals of the papacy, and the trials the Jews faced during this time. There was also a great "Mission, Impossible" type escape into a moat that was very exciting. Three stars....more
A decent read, but def. aimed at the young crowd. However, I think some parents may want to read it first as it is quite violent at moments with the tA decent read, but def. aimed at the young crowd. However, I think some parents may want to read it first as it is quite violent at moments with the tribes chopping off and carrying around souvenir heads on their belts and ponies.
Victoria is the daughter of an Iceni woman and a Roman man (or so she thinks) and has grown up Roman. The Romans are in the process of taking over the world of course and the native people of ancient Britain are getting pretty upset. When Romans defile their beloved Boudica, there is a revolt. Victoria's loyalty is torn in two tho because tho she has grown up Roman, her mother's family, the Iceni tribe, has taken her in to their midst to prevent her unwanted marriage to an old Roman fart. What will she do? Stay with the Icenis and attack her Roman friends and Roman sisters or flee and warn the Romans that the Iceni are coming?
Personally, I think she makes the wrong decision, but readers need to decide for themselves. It is a good book, but rather quick and could use some editing. I sometimes had to read the same line a few times to get the gist of it. The prose is somewhat backwards at times and often words seem inserted where they don't belong. I think the rest of the series may be better as Victoria becomes a gladiatrix. This was pretty much just about her conflicting loyalties and her training to fight....more
"Let her copy the behavior of a dog who always has his heart and his eye upon his master: even if his master whip him and throw stones at him." That i"Let her copy the behavior of a dog who always has his heart and his eye upon his master: even if his master whip him and throw stones at him." That is an excerpt from the book. It was in a wedding ceremony, spoken to the bride of course. What a lovely time that must have been to be a woman! I liked this book very much due mostly to the fact it is about an amazingly strong, courageous, and gutsy woman. She struggled like no other heroine I have yet read about. The first half of the book has more personality and really focuses on her, her thoughts, her feelings, and her trials. The last half of the book bored me to tears in some places, as it tends to go on and on about the papacy and a lot of war. That was the times and what was occuring during that part of her life, but I wish it had a more personal feel like the first half of the book. NOTE: be aware this is very controversial and when you are overheard discussing it with your close buddy, some very opinated, know it all male is going to butt in and give his two cents and deny her existence. To each their own I say. I BELIEVE. ...more
This is by far, the best Boudica book I have yet read. Boadicea is the spelling in this particular version of the warrior woman's life. She is a CeltiThis is by far, the best Boudica book I have yet read. Boadicea is the spelling in this particular version of the warrior woman's life. She is a Celtic queen and priestess. The novel starts with her as a young girl who loves to hunt and prove she is the best in all things. She learns to ride, use a slingshot, wield a sword, speak to gods, and all the while, experiences young love and loss. Eventually, the novel shows a married, mature Boadicea with warrior daughters of her own.
Meanwhile, there are chapters devoted to the life of Suetonius, a Roman general. These chapters start with Suetonius as a soldier and his life story and loves and losses show readers what Boadicea is up against. Suetonius's story also has its share of strong women, namely his mother.
In the last quarter of story, Boadicea and Suetonius meet. Do they meet in peace or on the battlefield? Perhaps both? Tho the Iceni may fall, they will not fall without a fight and thru Boadicea's eyes, we see that fight, that struggle, and feel that passion and thirst for freedom.
Ok people, key word in the synposis is "depravity." I wish I had paid closer attention. I spent this entire novel trying to find a character I could aOk people, key word in the synposis is "depravity." I wish I had paid closer attention. I spent this entire novel trying to find a character I could at least like if not relate to in some way. It didn't happen.
Thea is a Jewish slave that works for Lepida, a Roman "lady." Both Thea and Lepida develope lustful feelings towards the newest, fiercest, most famous gladiator, Arius. The first quarter of the novel really drew me in as Arius spurns Lepida (she has the eyes of a ferret, apparently) and begins a rather hot and steamy affair with Thea. I was really quite hooked until part two. At this point, the evil, vile, and incredibly disgusting Lepida (Can you tell how much I hated her?) has separated Thea and Arius and married a senator. From this point on, it just becomes a giant Roman orgy. Lepida is fornicating with so and so (a family relation and that is all I'm going to reveal) who was just fornicating with Thea who at this point, is fornicating with almost as many men as Lepida and that is a lot. Then Thea begins fornicating with the Emperor and Lepida wants to fornicate with him too. But alas, poor Lepida must settle for simply fornicating in the same room as the Emperor and Thea.
Both Thea and Lepida are also horrid mothers. Thea abandons her boy most of the time while Lepida tells her sick daughter to go have seizures in another room. Thea has a strange addiction to cutting herself, Lepida is addicted to sex, Arius just loves to kill people, and the Emperor is just plain demented and perverted. The only likeable people in the entire novel were Marcus and his daughter, Sabina but their roles weren't large enough to overcome my distaste at the bitter rivalry and power hungry bed hopping of Thea and Lepida.
Well written but not about characters I want to read about. Too much depravity for me....more
I do not like this book, or I should say I enjoyed this book fine until the Romans entered the picture. I am seeing a pattern in all books I read withI do not like this book, or I should say I enjoyed this book fine until the Romans entered the picture. I am seeing a pattern in all books I read with Romans in them. What a vile, disgusting lot. The first half of the book is Sancha and her childhood home, cruel father, a war fought with the french, an unwanted marriage to the Pope's son, and then she goes to Rome. In Rome, she discovers the Pope is having inappropriate relations with every woman that crosses his path, including his daughter. After observing this vile and incestuous behavior and warding off the Pope's advances, she professes her love to her husband's brother (the Pope's other son) and begins the same repulsive behavior. I would like to add, she had only met the fellow the night before. Come on!!! She continues to have relations with her brother in law while fending off the pope and even her OTHER brother in law at the same time. Little too much perversion for me. Surely there was more to running a kingdom than chasing women. You would not know it from this novel tho. Two start instead of just one due to the first half being pleasant enough. ...more
Gladiatrix is a fantastic story!! It offers an incredible look at what life may have been like for gladiatrices in early Rome, but amidst the details Gladiatrix is a fantastic story!! It offers an incredible look at what life may have been like for gladiatrices in early Rome, but amidst the details is a story. An intriguing one at that, full of drama, love, revenge, and war. The reader gets to know Lysandra, a shipwrecked priestess now a gladiatrix slave and her friends as well as enemies thoughout the novel and there is a suspensful build up to a battle to beat all battles, keeping the reader literally on the edge of their seat....