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The Crescent: Victory Over Adversity
In a violent time where respect was taken at the tip of a sword, and gladiators were the rockstars of their era, two women will stake their claim in a sport of death dominated by men to fulfill their respective destinies. Nadja the slave girl, as sensuous as she is savage, captured and forced into training to become a gladiator. She fights hard and well, intent on attaining a long sought freedom. Liza, the Queen, as passionate as she is powerful, married into royalty but her adventurous spirit leads her down the path of the gladiator. Mindful of her husband, the King she shields her identity and fights in secrecy. Two goals, one victor. They are a parallel of ability and a paradox of style...who shall succeed?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
289 pages, Paperback
Published May 17, 2014
186 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Vespia
40 books113 followers"Original Cyn" Cynthia Vespia is a multi-award nominated author. She writes fantasy novels with bite including urban fantasy vigilantes and heroic adventure fantasy. Her books have featured a secret group of superhero renegades; the dark underbelly of Las Vegas; and a duo of demon hunters fighting supernatural beings. Cyn's latest is an exciting new fantasy adventure series about a slayer of dragons who has a change of heart.
Rayna the Dragonslayer was a Top 5 Finalist in The Next Generation Indie Book Awards and ranked #1 in Amazon’s fantasy adventure fiction category. She’s previously received a "Best Series" nomination for her fantasy trilogy Demon Hunter. Her novel Karma ranked #1 on Amazon twice in several distinct categories including superhero urban fantasy, science fiction adventure, paranormal & urban fantasy. She has been published in anthologies such as Skelos Press and Dark Eclipse.
Cyn's characters are outcasts and anti-heroes with depth and real vulnerabilities. The worlds Cyn creates are a gritty mix of fantasy, magic, and the supernatural while exploring the theme of “success through struggle. Every plot is designed to give heroes a challenge and villains a purpose. It's escapism entertainment at its best keeping pages turning and hearts pounding.
Cyn has also written content for Microsoft, UFC, WWE, HBO, Netflix, and more. As a former fitness competitor she still enjoys keep active through training but can also be found getting lost in a good story. Cynthia is available for conventions, interviews and workshops.
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cynthiavespia.com/free-story
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Rayna the Dragonslayer was a Top 5 Finalist in The Next Generation Indie Book Awards and ranked #1 in Amazon’s fantasy adventure fiction category. She’s previously received a "Best Series" nomination for her fantasy trilogy Demon Hunter. Her novel Karma ranked #1 on Amazon twice in several distinct categories including superhero urban fantasy, science fiction adventure, paranormal & urban fantasy. She has been published in anthologies such as Skelos Press and Dark Eclipse.
Cyn's characters are outcasts and anti-heroes with depth and real vulnerabilities. The worlds Cyn creates are a gritty mix of fantasy, magic, and the supernatural while exploring the theme of “success through struggle. Every plot is designed to give heroes a challenge and villains a purpose. It's escapism entertainment at its best keeping pages turning and hearts pounding.
Cyn has also written content for Microsoft, UFC, WWE, HBO, Netflix, and more. As a former fitness competitor she still enjoys keep active through training but can also be found getting lost in a good story. Cynthia is available for conventions, interviews and workshops.
Sign up for the newsletter and receive a FREE e-book:
cynthiavespia.com/free-story
Follow on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cynth...
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 10, 2014
Great page-turner that keeps you gripped full review here - http://guardianlv.com/2014/07/the-cre...
August 13, 2024
An entertaining read which I enjoyed.
June 21, 2016
Weak characters- Nadja only good character
It started out with a pretty descent storyline and plot, but the weak characters dragged it down which was turning to be 2.5 stars, but with how the ending went it lost that half star.
Just before the ending....I thought finally some character growth....when nadja and Liz finally start talking to each other,but the ending destroyed that growth.
Character weaknesses
Nadja- is the only descent character and her two friends Millie and the Viking. At least she is fighting for survival and we do find out a little about her family.
Liza-spoiled princess ornament that somehow becomes one of the best gladiators ever with just a few months of training. Very minor growth at the end, but she loses it quickly. She feels trapped as a queen with no power...so she tries to get herself killed in the arena by volunteering not for any noble reason but to feel the rush like a drug addict.
The king is a weak and abusive husband...he is mentally and physically abusive to his wife....,if he was the only weak character...ok, but he was just one in a long list. He also has no idea how to rule frankly I am surprised he is still alive.
The Kings brother started out ok, if but a cliché and shallow villain who turned stupid at the end.
I might read another book by her...she needs to redo this rough draft.
It started out with a pretty descent storyline and plot, but the weak characters dragged it down which was turning to be 2.5 stars, but with how the ending went it lost that half star.
Just before the ending....I thought finally some character growth....when nadja and Liz finally start talking to each other,but the ending destroyed that growth.
Character weaknesses
Nadja- is the only descent character and her two friends Millie and the Viking. At least she is fighting for survival and we do find out a little about her family.
Liza-spoiled princess ornament that somehow becomes one of the best gladiators ever with just a few months of training. Very minor growth at the end, but she loses it quickly. She feels trapped as a queen with no power...so she tries to get herself killed in the arena by volunteering not for any noble reason but to feel the rush like a drug addict.
The king is a weak and abusive husband...he is mentally and physically abusive to his wife....,if he was the only weak character...ok, but he was just one in a long list. He also has no idea how to rule frankly I am surprised he is still alive.
The Kings brother started out ok, if but a cliché and shallow villain who turned stupid at the end.
I might read another book by her...she needs to redo this rough draft.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews