The Valiant by Lesley Livingston

My edition: Owned Hard Cover
Pages: 372
Series: The Valiant #1
Genre: Historical Fiction, YA
Rating: 5 stars
Buddy Read: Kayla, Graceling Accountant

Synopsis:

Princess. Captive. Gladiator.

Fallon is the daughter of a proud Celtic king, the sister of legendary warrior Sorcha, and the sworn enemy of Julius Caeser.

When Fallon was a child, Caesar’s armies invaded her homeland, and her beloved sister was killed in battle.

Now, on the eve of her seventeenth birthday, Fallon is eager to follow in her sister’s footsteps and earn her place in the fearsome Cantii war band. She never gets the chance.

Fallon is captured and sold to an elite training school for female gladiators-owned by none other than Julius Caesar. In a cruel twist of fate, the man who destroyed Fallon’s family might be her only hope of survival.

Now Fallon must overcome vicious rivalries and deadly fights- in and out of the arena. And perhaps the most dangerous threat of all: her forbidden yet irresistible feelings for Cai, a young Roman Soldier.

Next in series: The Defiant (coming soon)

Review:

Wow!! I am speechless again. I didn’t think I would have another 5 star book this soon but I do.

The story is awesome. Totally badass heroine who at first I was on the fence about but she came through. I love the attention to details the author wrote about. The world building is amazing. It was as if I was really there. Plus she kept history straight. Which I really love.

I want to talk about this but I can’t fathom words to write. The next book needs to be out like now.

I love gladiator stories and I haven’t read many of them, but this is the first one to have a female character. It worked. So glad I picked this book. Not only was the heroine a strong lead but so was the supporting characters. Had several strong willed women. Loved that. Loved seeing women warriors.

Do go check out Kayla’s review who I buddy read this with. Her review is much better than mine. I posted her blog up in the details. While doing that go check this book out. Probably will will my November best read this year.

Second book The Defiant will be out in 2018.