The Gladiator's Downfall by Kristen BanetMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fantastic start to a new fantasy series
Sooooo good!! This book merges the best of two genres. It has the best of an epic fantasy series with a large cast of characters in a sweeping story-line in a brand new universe. It also has the best things about the reverse harem genre, that is the exploration about romantic and emotional feelings between multiple partners, not just between the males and female in the relationship but also between the males as well. Despite there only being one romantic tie explored in this book, there are potential ties dangled towards the end of the book and there are also the familial ties of both blood and choice explored too.
In this book the world we explore is small. It is the world of the Pits. The underground prison where the gladiators of the empress dwell, and the Champion, Mave, the only female gladiator who has reigned unchallenged for centuries. She is a 1000 years old and has been a slave since she was 5. She is Andinna and hated by her own people as she was the reason the war that cost them their freedom was lost.
Mave has spent her life in slavery, being abused, tortured and fighting for her life. Her own people could choose to support and educate her, but they instead hurl insults and seek to harm her physically at every turn. She has been alone for a 1000 years until the day when two new slaves arrive. They are Rainev and Matesh and they are the empress’ new slaves. Before them, Mave was her only personal gladiator. This tenuous link allows Mave to form her first bonds.
This book has so much pain and suffering in it, but it also has hope and warmth and joy. The author states that there will be 7 books in the series, so we know it’s going to be an epic storyline. I can’t wait to read the next one!
Borrow Free With Kindle Unlimited
Buy From Amazon UK
Buy From Amazon US
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, made after using the above links.
No comments:
Post a Comment