Gladiatrix

by Christine Crown

The spotlight of the arena fades as a teenage gladiator battles mythical beasts to prove she's more than just a star.

In an alternate Ancient Rome where gladiators are more like wrestlers and every battle is choreographed to perfection, Atalanta reigns supreme as the queen bee of the arena. Known for her dazzling performances and unrivaled prowess, Attie is a superstar in a world where the crowd’s adoration is as crucial as victory.

But when a new gladiatrix enters the scene and goes off-script, humiliating Attie in front of a bloodthirsty crowd, her carefully curated world unravels. With her reputation in tatters and her confidence shattered, Attie embarks on a daring quest to reclaim her former glory.

Joined by a band of aspiring heroes, Attie sets out to slay an enchanted boar that has been terrorizing a nearby town. As she battles mythical creatures and faces her own fears, Attie must confront the truth about her identity and prove that she is more than just a gladiatorial spectacle.

Gladiatrix blends the legendary Greek myth of Atalanta with the vibrant, high-stakes world of gladiatorial combat and a once-beloved celebrity desperately clawing for her adoration back.

Join Atalanta on her quest to reclaim her throne and discover what it truly means to be a hero. Get your copy today and step into a world where every fight is more than just a performance.

Genres: Fantasy, Mythology

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 29, 2024

Reviews

[Sylvie {Semi-Hiatus} · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!*

3.5 Stars!

I'm not usually a fan of Greek mythology or any other sort, and most of the time I have a like/dislike reltionship with the genre of books, but this one proved me wrong.

[Anastasia ｼ · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun, action packed

This was unique, and refreshing!
Gladiators being on a show rather than fighting to the death concept was really interesting.
I also enjoyed the world building!

[megzlibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was never one for Roman mythology but I might take a peek now.

Thank you to NetGalley, Christine Crown, and Pirate Unicorn Publishing for giving me the opportunity to this Advanced Reader Copy.

Gladiatrix is alluring, fascinating, audacious.
The concept of having gladiators out on a show, rather than fighting for their lives, is an interesting take on the ancient tradition. The world building is immaculate and I felt as if I was truly living in that world. The attention to detail regarding Ancient Rome, the surroundings and the feel was nothing short of incredible. I really want to commend Christine for throwing me into the world without giving too much at once.

I am a stickler for the pacing and flow of the story and the beginning of the book flows nicely. It does start to slow down after Atalanta meets the valorous heroes but quickly picks back up.

There were moments I felt dragged on a little too long and the vernacular is slightly off for Ancient Rome; however, since this is an alternate version of Ancient Rome, I think I can let it slide. I’m not sure if “guys” was used in that time but it did feel comforting.

All in all, I think this is a great YA book and can open the door for kids to learn more about Ancient Rome, even though this is not a 100% accurate depiction, it’ll open their minds to the world before!

[Chelsea Drumm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gladiatrix is such a unique take on Ancient Rome and Gladiators, and I found the world and the idea of Gladiators being actors super interesting. But the FMC was absolutely insufferable. Which, fine, is understandable in the beginning as she's the superstar of Rome and oblivious to real-world problems. But as the story progressed, she continued to have internal dialogue that felt very shallow and vapid, when I was hoping to see more character growth/more of a redeeming character arc by the end. The ending also felt very abrupt, *spoiler alert!* with the group of them taking care of the boar, but I feel like there were still unanswered questions (what happens when she goes back after the quest?? And does Justus get justice after playing Atalanta for a fool? Also, I have so many questions about Atalanta's connection to Diana?!) Despite my issues with the FMC and some of the various plot holes, this was such a fun read, and I loved the adventure of the quest that this band of characters goes on to rid the realm of the killer boar. Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christine Crown is my new favorite author !! This book was so fun. Usually, I love a romance, but this book made me want to read more adventure stories .

[Carrie Shields · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒅𝒎𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒎, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒕 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈.

All you people who don't read a synopsis and just dive in, how exactly do you do it? I took a chance with this one, and while the fault is mine, I won't be doing it again.

I love anything to do with ancient Rome, and having just finished another re-watch of the Starz series Spartacus, I snatched up this title right away. It started off strong...female gladiators? Yes! Fights are now choreographed because of a death in the ring? Yes! The main character being bested by a new rival who goes off script and causes real injury? Yes! The main character being Atalanta from Greek mythology? Wait. No.

After enduring humiliation and losing her Queen Bee status, the story then ventures into the familiar territory

[Abigail L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gladiatrix is an exhilarating tale that reimagines Ancient Rome with a dazzling twist. Atalanta, once the queen bee of the arena, starts on a thrilling quest to reclaim her glory and prove she's more than just a performer. I enjoyed the blend of myth and high-stakes combat, and the story’s powerful message about identity and resilience. This book kept me hooked from start to finish with its vibrant characters and intense action.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever thought gladiators could be rock stars? Gladiatrix flips the script with Atalanta's wild journey from the arena to battling mythical beasts! This book had me on the edge of my seat, rooting for Attie as she fights to reclaim her throne. The mix of fierce battles and heartfelt moments is pure magic. If you love a story packed with action and spunk, grab this book ASAP! 🏺⚔️

[Sue Wingate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great accomplishment for this first-time author! Loved the storyline. I wasn’t expecting it to be such a page-turner but it was a riveting story that made you want to finish it to find out how Atalanta fares. And I frequently smiled at the author’s extensive use of on-point humor and sarcasm. This book would appeal to a wide range of audiences.

[Ashling · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had a promising and unique premise but the execution was lackluster. Too much was going on and none of it explored to any depth. It also needed a lot more texture to the descriptions. Part of my love of good fantasy and/or historical drama are the descriptions of the surroundings, the clothing, etc. That want wasn't met at all in this book, sadly.

[Madison Haarsager · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love the concept behind this book! The idea that gladiators are just performers on a stage, it’s very unique. This was a very quick and easy read, and fans of Percy Jackson or other Greek adaptations will enjoy this book for sure.

[Christie Minor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading Gladiatrix! So fun to be transported to the world of Ancient Rome to follow Attie’s adventures through multiple twists and turns. Unique idea for a book with great writing. Excited for Christine Crown’s next release!