bookish_infusion's review
DNF at 60%
Got bored with it, the story was too slow and repetitive
Got bored with it, the story was too slow and repetitive
wisecraic's review
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
valleylore's review
i felt absolutely no connection to the characters, and the plot is just too predictable.
noelleyew0605's review
4.0
I'm so weak for stories set in Rome and this didn't disappoint at all. Gaidres's progression from hate to love was so good and also 🥵🌶️🌶️🌶️
poplora's review
4.0
3 stars for the story, 1 star for the research because holy shit that was a LOT of effort.
kaje_harper's review
4.0
This was an engrossing story of Caelius, a Roman politician who inherits his uncle's slaves and finds among them a gorgeous gladiator,Gaidres, whom he brings to his bed (and floor, and walls.) Gaidres was not born a slave but was captured by Caelius' uncle, losing home, lover and freedom. He hates Caelius as a relative of the man who destroyed his past, and while willing to have sex with Caelius, is biding his time with the intent to kill him. The initial heated sex scenes show how these men's physical needs are definitely are a good fit, even while they are strangers to each other. But gradually, over the course of some conversation and (a lot of very hot) sex, they come to see each other as individuals, and forge a very different relationship.
This story is full of details of Roman life, and they are very well placed, giving an authentic feel without appearing to show off the research, as in some historicals. Rehabilitating a slave-owning character to modern readers as a romantic lead is tough, and Caelius almost bends over backwards (and often bends over forwards) to show his egalitarian attitude. I enjoyed this story, became fond of the MC's and wished them well in their HEA.
This story is full of details of Roman life, and they are very well placed, giving an authentic feel without appearing to show off the research, as in some historicals. Rehabilitating a slave-owning character to modern readers as a romantic lead is tough, and Caelius almost bends over backwards (and often bends over forwards) to show his egalitarian attitude.
Spoiler
I did wonder about his willingness to let everyone know he was being fucked by his slave, rather than the other way around. The statement is made that if this were known to his rivals it would have very serious, perhaps even fatal, consequences. And yet he makes absolutely no effort to conceal it, sometimes around slaves whom he only recently acquired and does not know well. He was idealistic, but that felt unacceptably careless with his and Gaidres' safety.There are a couple of slightly convenient deaths. It would have been interesting if Caelius' sword stroke at the end was forced to be intentional and not a happy accident. However in general the plot was clear and interesting.walford's review
2.0
DNF 50%
Oh how I wanted to like this one; started out well, good characters and period, hot sex, etc. What you want from a gladiator story, right?
Well, I got bogged down in the authors' attempt to make a true-love story happen where such a huge power imbalance was built into the premise. Could no longer suspend disbelief.
Maybe they succeeded and maybe it's worth your while to find out, if you really like this kind of thing.
Oh how I wanted to like this one; started out well, good characters and period, hot sex, etc. What you want from a gladiator story, right?
Well, I got bogged down in the authors' attempt to make a true-love story happen where such a huge power imbalance was built into the premise. Could no longer suspend disbelief.
Maybe they succeeded and maybe it's worth your while to find out, if you really like this kind of thing.