Daughter of the Rebellion

by Jamie Ogle

In this stirring historical romance by award-winning author Jamie Ogle, a young woman imprisoned in a Roman gladiator school becomes a legendary warrior. But when not even her fame is enough, she must fight to save herself and those she loves.

Rome, AD 403. As a loyal daughter of the Visigoth tribe, Adelgard followed her father to war, hoping to win back her family’s approval. But after a clash with the Roman army, Adel is captured and sold to a gladiator school. Now she is the most famous gladiatrix in Rome, determined to keep the fickle love of the crowd and never again rely on anyone but herself for her own security. But beneath the fame lies a darkness and pain that holds her captive.

Felix despises Rome’s fascination with violence. But after returning from medical training to discover his father missing and his family desperate, he had little choice but to accept a position at the gladiator school managed by his uncle. He finds a kindred spirit in Adel and does what he can to preserve the humanity of the rebel fighters, but when he receives orders that further compromise his beliefs, he arrives at a crossroads.

Then Telemachus, a Christian leader, approaches Felix with an urgent message: if the Visigoth captives are not released, their army will invade Rome. Despite the risk, the emperor is bent on proving his power through a stunning, deadly day of gladiatorial games. As Telemachus seeks to save the Visigoth fighters, Felix and Adel join forces in a desperate rebellion that may define not only their own lives but also the course of history.

A captivating Christian romance novel perfect for fans of Francine Rivers, Lynn Austin, and Angela Hunt. Great for book clubs who enjoy ancient historical fiction by Tessa Afshar, Stephanie Dray, and Kate Quinn. Weaves together themes of sacrifice, courage, surrender, and faith. Includes discussion questions.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Romance, Historical, Biblical Fiction, Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

Published May 12, 2026

Reviews

[Samantha | samanthakreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Daughter of the Rebellion is a Christian historical novel set during the final years of the Roman Empire. I thought Jamie Ogle did a wonderful job with the historical setting, faith content, and depth she brought to the story. She's a talented writer who isn't afraid to tackle harder topics and does so in a way that never feels heavy.

I found the beginning a bit slow, so it took me longer to connect with the story. As I continued reading, I became more invested, but with the pacing and the use of more telling than showing, I felt that not as much was happening at times. Buddy reading this with a friend definitely helped me stay engaged and more interested.

Although I didn't connect with this one as much as I'd hoped, many of my friends loved it, so take my review with a grain of salt. I think Jamie Ogle is a talented author, and I loved the faith messages I'll take away from this story. I think Jamie is a great author for readers who have wanted to try Francine Rivers but find her books intimidating or too heavy.

I'll definitely read more books by Jamie, and I would recommend this one to readers who enjoy historical fiction with romance and strong faith content!

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book; all thoughts are my own.

Content considerations:

❤️‍🔥 No spice (kisses only)

🤐 No language (1 use of Wh*re)

⛔️ minorly described sexual assault (not graphic), violence, implied intimacy (past), death, injuries, drugging, imprisonment, Christian persecution

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is set in Rome in AD 403 and highlights Adelgard, a member of the Visigoth tribe, who becomes a war-daughter to win back the respect of her family. When life takes an unexpected twist during a battle, she finds herself in the Ludus Gallicus, a Gallic School for Gladiators, training to become the best to earn her freedom.

Things I appreciated:

💜the exploration concerning whether God’s presence can be felt in a place such as a gladiator school. Ogle introduces a Christian medicus who works in the ludus, as well as a monk, and both are instrumental to saving Adel, both physically and spiritually. Sometimes we find ourselves in places where we feel God is distant. Ogle reminds us that He is always with us.
💜the reminder that God often uses broken lives to save His people.
💜Ogle highlights redemption, forgiveness, and urges us to use grace and mercy instead of hatred and vengeance
💜To place our trust in what’s right because it will prevail in the end. It may not be easy, it’s always costly, but it’s never hopeless
💜We all struggle despite our outward appearance
💜Compassion is not weakness
💜Warning for us to be careful where we seek our worth
💜There’s value in seeing ourselves as God sees us

What I’ll remember most:

We can find ourselves in the same place as any Christian in that Colosseum. Just as they’d grown lax after a century of religious freedom, we too can experience unforeseen change. Circumstances change on a dime. Political climates change like the breeze. Will our convictions allow us to stand tall, or will we compromise to fit in? Wrong is wrong is wrong. Time won’t change God's opinion.

It was powerful to read about the push and pull created when Adel realizes that she’s always had to perform to earn her freedom as a fighter, a freedom that God freely blesses her with because she’s a valuable child of God.

I was gifted his copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[BookLoverAmanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughter of the Rebellion - Jamie Ogle
4 Stars
https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...

Thank you to Tyndale for a gifted copy of this book, all thoughts are my own.

I have really enjoyed Jamie's books on St. Valentine and St. Nicholas so when this was announced I was super pumped. This one took me a bit to get fully into, 30% or so, but once I got there, I was invested. I didn't know that female gladiators were a thing so this was very interesting to read about. Loved Felix and Adel's dynamic. Slow burn romance. Telemachus was really good too. Lots of Christian themes, courage and compassion. The arena also feels so real with the desperation of those trapped in Rome's game. Jamie really brings her stories to life. Overall, a good read for anyone who wants ancient-world Christian fiction with strong characters and faith content.

About the Book: Set in Rome, AD 403, Adel is captured and sold to a gladiator school. She is the most famous gladiatrix in Rome. Felix despises Rome's fascination with violence. He returns from medical training to discover his father missing and his family is desperate. He accepts a position at a gladiator school managed by his uncle and meets Adel. He gets orders that compromise his beliefs and is at a crossroads. Telemachus is a Christian leader who approaches Felix with with an urgent message, if the Visigoth captives are not releases, their army will invade Rome. The emperor is insistent to have a deadly day of gladiatorial games. Telemachus wants to save the Visigoth fighters and Felix and Adel join forces in a rebellion.

Content/Trigger Warnings: violence within gladiator arenas, violence, death, murder, themes of sexual assault captivity, war themes, mentions of past trauma, Christian persecution, drugs, clean romance, slavery

[Lotta Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers |Tyndale Fiction for this ARC! All thoughts are my own!

🎉 Publication Date: 12th of May 2026 🎉

🤍 Tropes 🤍
⚔️ Gladiator Games
❤️‍🩹 Healer MMC
🗡️ Gladiatrix FMC
💔 Family Drama
✞Christian
🤍Clean Romance

⚠️ Warnings ⚠️
╰➤ Violence
╰➤ Injuries
╰➤ Death
╰➤ Murder
╰➤ Themes of Sexual Assault
╰➤ Slavery
╰➤ Abandonment
╰➤ Drug Use
╰➤ Christian Themes

I’m going to start this by saying that this genre is not always my vibe, so don’t take my review as the gospel truth! I have been trying to branch out this year with some hits and misses and this one was somewhere in-between.

This was not a bad story, by any means, but I think I’m so used to fantastical elements in books that I just wanted a dragon to fly in, or someone to cast a spell … This had no magic and was a straight historical fiction book. There were no miracles or Greek gods appearing out of nowhere and causing mischief. (I really love Madeline Miller’s books for the fantasy elements in her historical fiction!)

I did on the whole enjoy the time period this book was set as I have previously studied Classical Civilisations. However, I think the the layman would struggle with some of the terminology used in this book without any background knowledge. I could not see in my ARC that a terminology glossary was included, but perhaps this will be added at a later date.

That aside! Adel was a great FMC, she is a Visigoth who has been captured by Romans, has a painful past, and is trying to make the best out of her Gladiatrix/slave status. Felix, the MMC, also has a difficult past with a lot of family drama and is a doctor of a sort at the Gladiator house. Their backstories were interesting to me and I found their character development quite good. The plot itself was also pretty well set up and executed. I just really missed the fantasy elements and this made the book a bit of a hard read for me! This would be great for someone who loves pure historical fiction for sure. I think my mind just cannot accept a book in this time period with no gods causing problems. I’m too used to that I fear!

Thanks all for reading!

🤍🤍🤍

[Heather Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved learning about a hero of the faith I knew nothing about and the end of the gladiators in Rome. What a cool story! The training schools, the ludi, are a mixture of safety and danger, home and prison, to the gladiators. So much barbarianism and innocent captives caught up in kill or be killed. I learned a lot on the journey the reader goes with Adel and Felix. They're faced with complicated questions without answers, doing the best they can in an impossible situation. And yet God's mercy and love shine through in even a dark place such as this.

thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an early copy and leave an honest review!

[yuvi (hiatus)]

I NEED THIS RNNNN😔🫴
😭😭😭

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

“You are a woman made in the very image of God. Chosen. Beloved. A woman worth fighting for. A woman He died for. If that does not make you the greatest of treasures, I don’t know what else could.”

On its surface, Daughter of the Rebellion by Jamie Ogle is a moving tale of sacrifice, faith, and love, set against the backdrop of fifth century Rome and its violent gladiator games. I was fascinated by the story of Telemachus that provides the framework for the overall plot, and the fact that it’s based on real history (he is featured in Foxes’ Book of Martyrs) made it all the more compelling. He is such an admirable character and I was truly inspired by what I learned about him. The other two protagonists in this novel – Felix (a medic for one of the gladiator schools) and Adel (one of its most legendary gladiatrices) – completely captured my heart, especially their easy banter that kept a grin on my face as their relationship developed. And oh my goodness… there were some intense scenes near the end that had me hardly able to breathe because I was so worried about them. (This is early Church fiction after all, where frequent martyrdom means a happily-ever-after isn’t guaranteed. Even more so when gladiator battles are in play too.)

Even if all of the above was the sum total of Daughter of the Rebellion, it would have been a riveting novel. But Jamie Ogle masterfully takes the story deeper, touching not only my heart but my soul too. There are some profound truths tucked away between the danger and the banter and the falling in love, truths just as relevant to us today as they were in fifth century Rome. For one thing, you don’t have to scroll very long on social media to see a striking comparison to the Roman Christians who either cheered for the death of fellow image bearers along with their pagan counterparts or simply ignored the evil altogether. I see it every day – hate and mockery spewed from the fingertips of people with ‘Jesus is Lord’ in their profile bios toward those who look differently or vote differently or live differently than they do. But even in the face of this level of dehumanizing others, greed, and rampant wickedness, another key truth shines brightly – that our value does not come from our successes (or our losses), our appearance, our bank account, our popularity, or what someone else says about us. Each of us is a treasure of great price simply because God thought we were worth dying for. The way Ogle weaves this through the narrative, particularly in Adel’s life, is exquisitely sweet and may be my favorite part of the book.

Bottom Line: Daughter of the Rebellion by Jamie Ogle kept my pulse rate high (those battles!), my oxygen levels low (because I couldn’t quit holding my breath), and my emotions on the edge. I loved the balance of heart-in-your-throat fight scenes, tender romance, witty humor, spiritual depth, and intriguing history that I found on these pages. Not to mention Felix, Adel, and Telemachus – the kind of characters who quickly capture your heart and stay with you after you’ve finished reading. Their journeys brought such rich layers to this novel, and I was struck often by their relevance to our modern lives as well. Such a moving story that would be a great next read for fans of Tessa Afshar, Francine Rivers, and Mesu Andrews!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie Ogle is one of my favorite writers of ancient historical fiction. I fell in love with her imagining of St. Valentine in Of Love and Treason, and of St. Nikolas in As Sure as the Sea. While this third book of Jamie’s is a bit different from the first two in a couple of ways. While we still have an early Church saint present, St. Telemachus was more of a secondary character in Daughter of the Rebellion. But I was equally fascinated with him as a character, both fictional and historical. Also, this story takes place in 404 A.D., when Christianity was no longer outlawed and was culturally accepted. So here, we see the Church not fighting to stay alive, but struggling to stay awake, to be alert and set apart from the secular society by which they are now accepted. Judgmentality, hypocrisy, and complacency have begun to infiltrate the Body of Christ in Rome.

Our two main perspective characters are Adelgard and Felix. Adel is a Visigoth captive who has been sold to a Roman gladiator school. She becomes a fierce gladiatrix known as the Amazon, driven by a desperate need for glory; not because she is arrogant, but because her heart cries to be valued, and to be famous enough to secure her own safety and security. Felix accepts a position as a medic for the gladiator school in which Adel serves when he returns home from medical training to find his father missing and his family in desperate financial straits. He has nearly as much strain and pressure on his shoulders as Adel, though their burdens differ greatly. And yet, the two have much common ground. Both are somewhat lapsed Christians. Both have very complicated feelings regarding their respective fathers. Which obviously complicates their views of God. Both Adel and Felix have to let go of their self-reliance and trust in God to see them through truly horrific trials. And then there’s the blossoming relationship between them, which I found achingly lovely.

Speaking of lovely things, there's a small but delightful little tie to Of Love and Treason. It’s only a line or two, but it brought me joy. And as with all of Jamie’s books, Daughter of the Rebellion is beautifully written, deeply researched, and profoundly moving. From the romance to the history, the character development to the faith, every aspect of this novel was wonderfully balanced and thoughtfully conveyed. The climactic scenes, set around the last of Rome’s gladiatorial games, were impeccably done. I was gripped by that entire section, and felt physically incapable of putting the book down until I could see how things ended.

I so enjoyed my time with Daughter of the Rebellion. Not only was it entertaining, it was educational and thought-provoking and deeply edifying. This is a heavy tale, one that goes to some dark places, but it does so in a way that brings light to that darkness and encourages readers to seek out similar dark patches in our own time, to do what we can to combat that darkness. And the levity provided through the banter was a lovely counterbalance. I can’t recommend this book, or Jamie’s other novels, highly enough.


Below are some of my favorite quotes from the book:

"If you do not fight for yourself, no one else will."

"Do not let your disappointment in people sour your worship of God."

"If only compassion was as contagious as the plague."

"In their century of religious freedom, many Christians had grown lax. Drawn to watch or simply ignore the bloody entertainment they’d once been the center of. And what was he doing about it? Could he claim to love and care for others if he did nothing while they were cut down in the arena?"

“Christians are not God, and thank goodness for that. We cannot judge God based on the actions of humanity.”

"The day is coming when loving our brothers means picking up a sword in their defense."

"I cannot help but think that this is what I deserve for trying to get it all on my own terms.”

"Not once did I surrender anything to God. I clutched my dreams in my fists, too afraid of losing them to let Him hold them.”

“Why does it feel wrong to pray now that I’ve gotten myself into a mess I cannot escape? As if I should make things a little better before I take it to God, so He does not have quite so much to undo...”

“But we trust that right will prevail in the end. It is rarely easy, always costly, but never hopeless.”

“We all die one day. Let us make our lives, however short, count for something bigger than ourselves. Join us!”

"A Christian empire ought not revel in such things. In blood and death and gore. You must refuse to fight.”

“Do not spit in the face of God’s mercy! How can you celebrate His gift of victory over your enemies by cheering on murder? He has given you peace and safety and this is how you choose to use it?”

[Jenelle Hovde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for endorsement! Spoiler alert: I loved it! Friends, I hope you add this one to your Goodreads list. Five sparkling stars!

[Ariana Politylo · Rating 5 out of 5]

You literally can't not give a Jamie Ogle book five stars. This book was so good. The beautiful display of God's heart for His children, and the way that influenced the romance between the mmc and fmc was absolutely amazing.

[The Bookworm Girl Bethany]

Review:

Thank you to Tyndale and Crazy4Fiction for a physical copy of Daughter of the Rebellion.

I enjoyed the faith content in this book. I felt that it was very powerful and emotive. How Ogle brought heart and Christian content into the story will move readers. I also really liked Telemachus's story and his POV. That was also impactful. In addition, Ogle's descriptions of the setting were immersive. I felt transported right into the time period.

The romance and pacing of the story were not my cup of tea. Honestly, I'm learning that reading tastes are often subjective! This is not the fault of the author, and I know people will enjoy the story. It just wasn't the right fit for me, but I do think readers will enjoy this, especially if they like this time period.

Happy reading,
Bethany the Bookworm Girl

TW: non-consensual touching/groping, sexism, slavery, some violence

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jamie Ogle’s ability to tap into a time in history and bring it to life is truly incredible. Her characters are vivid and relatable, and the setting was fascinating.

I know very little about the post-Constantine Roman Empire (or Emperor Honorius), so I really liked learning about this era. I usually tend to steer away from war-based books, especially ones with descriptive violence, but the gladiator and Visigoth storylines were really intriguing to me.

As far as male main characters go, I was a big fan of Felix — he’s lovable and courageous throughout. Adel’s character develops really well, and their love story is really sweet!

Since I had the e-ARC, my book didn’t include the portion in the back that gives extra details about which events or characters mentioned were historically accurate and which were fictional. So, I’d be interested to get my hands on a copy of the final book to read more about this time in history (and would love to find a good nonfiction book about it, if anyone knows)!

I really enjoyed this book! I think it’s official that Jamie is now one of my auto-read authors 👍🏼.

❗️Content considerations: minorly described s*xual assault scenes, physical marital abuse briefly referenced, physical intimacy briefly mentioned (closed door), war, violence and on page death, slavery, no language
💭 Age recommendation: adult

Thank you to NetGalley, Tyndale Publishing and Jamie Ogle for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story by Jamie Ogle! I felt like I was right in there with Adelgard.

[Melissa (christianbooksandcoffee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an amazing story! This is my first book by this author and I loved her writing style! Now this book is not the type of book I usually read but I was hooked! I loved it so much! It takes place in 404 A.D. Adelgard is a Gladiatrix, I didn’t know female gladiators existed. I love her character, she is so strong both physically and emotionally! I loved her interactions with Felix. Felix is a doctor for the gladiators. Felix and Adelgard are such wonderful characters. Another character is Telemachus who was a real person. He was a monk who tried to help the gladiators. The Christian content was great! There are some innuendos and ogling and such by the bad guys. Overall a great story and I definitely recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[peppermintandprose · Rating 5 out of 5]

•───── 5/5★ ─────•

««« 𝒞ℴ𝓃𝓉ℯ𝓃𝓉 »»»
➸ Spice: none. kisses only.
➸ Language: minor (wh*re 1x)
➸ Content ﹢ Trigger Warnings (sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀs!): sexual harassment, slavery, gore/violence, Christian persecution, implied past intimacy (no details), third party domestic abuse, drugging

««« 𝒟ℯ𝓉𝒶𝒾𝓁𝓈 »»»
➸ Genre: Christian, historical
➸ POV: third person head hopping, 3 povs
➸ Tropes ﹢ Themes (sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀs!): gladiatrix fmc, physician mmc, gladiator games, banter, slow burn, enemies to lovers, wound tending, grumpy x sunshine
➸ Age of FMC: not given
➸ Age of MMC: alluded to 25 years old
➸ Location: rome, italy
➸ Year: AD 403

•─────⋅°˖✧✿✧˖°⋅─────•

⋅𖥔⋅ 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚛, 𝚙𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚛, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙽𝚎𝚝𝙶𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚢 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚒𝚗 𝚊𝚍𝚟𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚊𝚗 𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠. ⋅𖥔⋅

[Lindsay♫SingerOfStories♫ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the concept and message of Daughter of the Rebellion, but unfortunately, I never felt fully connected or immersed in the story. The writing style is very straightforward. While that tone feels appropriate for the historical setting, I wanted more emotional depth considering how powerful this premise is.

Set in Rome in AD 403, the story follows Adel, a strong and proud woman captured, sold, and forced to train in a violent gladiator school. The male main character, Felix, is a medicus at the school. He is desperately trying to support his family in his father’s absence, despite hating the violence of the games. Tension rises when Telemachus, a Christian leader, approaches Felix with an urgent warning: if the Visigoth captives are not released, their army will invade Rome. As warriors begin disappearing before the deadly games, Felix, Adel, and undercover allies plan a rebellion to save lives and change history.

⭐ “Christians are not God, and thank goodness for that. We cannot judge God based on the actions of humanity.”

⭐ "If you do not fight for yourself, no one else will."

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, wow! If you’re looking for a story that just keeps building until the final pages and completely sucks you in, this is the one!

Adel is a gladiatrix famous for always winning, cheered on day after day as she fights for her life. But while the crowd loves her, it’s easy to forget she isn’t free...she’s a prisoner, and her suffering is their entertainment.

Felix takes a job at his uncle’s gladiator school, as a medicus, to help his family. He hates the fighting, but the longer he works there, the more he’s forced to compromise his beliefs. When he learns the upcoming games will be brutal fights to the death, he realizes he may have a chance to help the prisoners...but if he’s caught, the consequences could be deadly.

Adel has her doubts about Felix at first, but as he continues helping her and risking himself for others, she slowly starts to trust him. And as warriors begin disappearing before the deadly games, Felix, Adel, and a few undercover allies start planning a rebellion in hopes of saving lives and changing history.

This was definitely a slow burn romance, but also a slower build overall. Around the first 30%, I worried I wouldn’t fully get pulled in. But once the story picked up and the chemistry between the characters grew, I hit the point where I didn’t want to put it down. So good! My advice: give this story time because it is SO worth it!

I gave this 4.5 stars rounded up to 5!

I received a complimentary copy, but this review reflects my honest opinion.

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and publisher for this #gifted book!*
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Title: Daughter of The Rebellion
Author: Jamie Ogle
Genre: Historical Fiction
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Synopsis: Adelgard has made a name for herself in the games in Rome. As a renowned gladiatrix, the Amazon has learned to fight for herself when no one else would. But under her fierce exterior is a woman searching for strength, identity, and love in all the wrong places. When Felix finds himself as the medicus for his uncle’s gladiator training school, he find himself questioning if he’s compromising his beliefs. But soon he starts to see these slaves to the empire as who they really are—people loved by the Savior who gave his life for them. And the Amazon in particular has caught his attention. When the opportunity arises to save these fighters, Felix must decide if it’s worth it to risk it all to show these people their value—especially the very woman he’s come to love.

Analysis: Jamie Ogle writes my favorite love stories of all time. Why? Because they mirror perfectly the self-sacrificial love that models our Savior’s love for us. And Daughter of Rebellion perfectly captures that. I loved the historical attention to detail in this as Jamie explores the last known gladiator games. I learned much about how that came to be—and I won’t give spoilers because you’ll want to read it for yourself! This book is riveting and action packed. It does deal with the intense reality of gladiator training and fighting but in a way that’s respectful to readers and honoring to these precious people. When you get to the end, I think you’ll be surprised at some of the connections if you’ve read some popular middle grade+ novels. But perhaps these tell the true story even better—because Felix and Adel’s love points us to the One who gave up everything for us.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Abby | Life-Giving Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up! Review to come

[Beauty in the Binding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughter of the Rebellion by Jamie Ogle felt both compelling and entertaining. Adel’s life in the gladiator school was not sugar-coated, but also not as gory as it could have been. Her position as a respected gladiatrix gave her fame and a level of security, but as the plot unfolded, so did Adel’s heart. Themes about addiction and self-deception emerged, but the author redeemed the pain with a faith that led to true freedom. I liked the writing, the characters, and the romance, but it was the story’s spiritual themes that lingered with me.

I recommend Daughter of the Rebellion by Jamie Ogle to readers who are drawn to gritty historical fiction with powerful spiritual themes. If you liked Francine Rivers’ The Mark of the Lion series, you’ll probably enjoy Daughter of the Rebellion. Five stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from the author or publisher. My review reflects my honest opinion.

[Adina Corasaniti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review of Advanced copied from NetGalley
Publication date: May 12, 2026

This book takes place during the later years of the Roman Empire. The author uses a lot of accurate vocabulary to describe the different types of gladiators/gladiatrix/gladtrices. It was difficult at times to understand what was being described.

The story follows Felix, a medic, in one of Rome’s gladiator schools. He does not want to work there but must in order to pay off debt his father has accrued before leaving his family. Felix and his family have converted to Christianity and working at the school makes him question how devoted he is to his faith.

Adelgaard, Adel, is the female main character and a gladiatrix who was captured in a battle between Rome and the Visigoths. She is of the Visigoth tribe and is a force to be reckoned with. Adel is strong and guarded making it difficult for her to trust anyone, especially a Roman who is her sworn enemy.

The story was very long and it took about reading 60% of the book to become fully invested in the story. I felt as though it was a story going through the motions and it took a long time to get to the purpose of the story.

I really wanted to love this because historical fiction, specifically Ancient Rome, is a favorite genre of mine to read. Unfortunately I found it difficult to want to pick up and read.

[Jeanine Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, can we all just take a minute to appreciate this breathtaking book cover?!?! Isn’t just gorgeous! Jamie not only has beautiful covers, she also has stories that are just as stunning.

Jamie Ogle takes us back to the early beginnings of the Christian church where one’s faith may cost them their life. Daughter of the Rebellion takes place in Rome in 403 AD. Adel is captured during battle and forced to become a gladiatrix for the entertain of Rome’s elite. She quickly makes a name for herself and is much sought after. Dubbed the Amazon, Adel is shockingly defeat and lands herself in the infirmary where a young doctor treats her and soon becomes a friend.

Felix doesn’t agree with the Roman sport nor does he agree with the poor treatment of slaves. Yet he continues to work in order to support his family. When Adel is injured, Felix is brought face to face with the woman who will soon become his ally and weakness.

Felix’s orders conflict with his faith and he must decide if he will carry them out and survive or will he risk all to save those who cannot save themselves.

I loved this book so much. Jamie has way of bringing these ancient times to life and immersing the reader into the story. Gladiators, Rome, Visigoths, the early church: all extremely fascinating to me. And the slow burn love story will steal your breath away. It might also make your heart stop at one point. I can always count on Jamie’s books to put me through the emotional wringer!

I highly recommend this one for lovers of Christian fiction, early church history, Francine Rivers Mark of the Lion series, or just want a powerful, meaningful story of rescue and sacrifice.

Audio was great, too!

[Jess (Jessie’s World of Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars.

Jamie Ogle writes the early Christian era with such a deft familiarity & understanding that you feel like you're actually standing in Rome 1600 years ago! I absolutely adored As Sure as the Sea, and while Daughter of the Rebellion didn't quite achieve the same adoration, it was still a great and memorable book. I think if I read it at another time I would've given it five stars, but I went through bit of a reading slump which made me feel a little disconnected from all the books I was reading at the time.

The concept of female gladiators, or gladiatrix, was unfamiliar to me, so (cue one of my favourite parts of reading historical fiction) I learned a lot! Not only did this book prompt me to research more about gladiatrix, but it also prompted me to learn more about Saint Telemachus whom I had never heard of before.

Throughout the book Ogle brought attention to an interesting historical detail which was that despite the Roman Empire* officially being declared Christian, gladiator "games" still took place. Perhaps even professing Christians partook in the bloodlust that these events spurred. This raises an interesting question: Are those of us who should know better still viewing violence as entertainment? Even though violent media is not usually made using real violence there is still that gruesome fascination with gore & bloodshed that drove the masses of Rome to attend gladiator fights. Mind you, I'm not referring to all media that HAS violence in it.

That tangent aside, Daughter of the Rebellion was well written with a very interesting plot and compelling main characters. I loved Adel & Felix's character arcs, and I look forward to reading Jamie Ogle's next book!


*I'm not sure if the "Roman Empire" was still technically an empire at the time this story took place.
***I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lisa Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say enough good about this book. It is probably the best book I’ve read so far this year. And, I stayed up far too late reading more than once, it’s a book that can’t be put down.
The story was one of love, compassion, and faith. Throughout the characters journeys I got to experience every emotion and feel my heart break and mend along with them. Ogle did an amazing job showing the value of each image bearer of Christ and the importance of their individual souls. A must read.
*I received this book as an ARC. I was not required to leave a positive review, all thoughts are my own.

[Lindy Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was familiar with the story of Telemachus only through Adventures in Odyssey, so I was excited to see the story fleshed out in a deeper way (though he isn't the protagonist). This book showed a Rome in decline, and only hinted at the state of the church with Christianity legalized in the empire. Adel, a Visigoth captive and gladiatrix, was much different than Jamie Ogle's first two female protagonists, and rather than focusing on persecuted believers, this book took us through the tunnels of the arena to be immersed in the lives of Rome's last gladiators.

As always, Ogle does a wonderful job weaving a rich story around the life of a historical figure about whom little is known. I loved the contrast between the popular fascination with gladiators and the way Felix and Telemachus viewed them as people made in the image of God, deserving of dignity and value. Also Adel's initial confidence that she had finally found love and acceptance in her popularity as a gladiatrix, and her growing acknowledgement of the reality of her situation.

[SusanReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
This was a beautiful story of sacrificial love and courage with a glimpse into a little written part of history. I knew nothing about Telemachus or gladiatrices, but I’m so glad Jamie wrote this story.

[Rachel Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5 star! This author is a must read!!

[Finding Faith in Fiction (Chrissy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a wild ride! My first read by Jamie Ogle and it did not disappoint. It was utterly devastating at parts, but a story that reminds us that life as a Christian isn't always easy, but God is faithful.

Adelgard (Adel) is a captive of the Roman Empire turned crowd favorite Gladiatrix. Repressing her anger and depression helps her focus on the attention and fame she has acquired. It's easier to imagine she is a jewel of Rome, rather than the truth that she is a slave of Rome. Meeting the Roman medic Felix is dangerous, not only because he's handsome, but because he shatters the illusion she has carefully crafted to survive. As Adel begins to see the truth of her reality while also preparing for a fight to the death, she gets caught up in plans by an underground Christian network aiming to set her people free. If only all goes according to plan, she may have a shot at returning home and falling in love with Felix.

Adel goes through it in this story. She has built an amor of defense around her heart, and let her self be deceived into relying on fame and admiration. It's a feeble house of cards that comes crashing down throughout the book. She fiercely protects the other Gladiatrices. I enjoyed the faux hate banter she has with Felix, as she tries to play the impenetrable and cold warrior, and I loved that he eventually wears down her defenses.

There was moderate-strong faith throughout the story. There are strong themes of redemption, forgiveness, and trusting God in a dark, Godless environment. Felix, especially, has to rely on God to help him navigate a situation that could ultimately lead to his death in order to be obedient to what God has called him do.

What I enjoyed:
⚔️ Gritty, historical detail
⚔️ Roman Empire era setting
⚔️ Gladiator/Gladiatrix storyline
⚔️ Opposites attract romance
⚔️ Underground Christian "network"
⚔️ An emotionally devastating climax

⚠️ Content Warnings:
- Roman Empire cruelty, colosseum games
- Gladiator related gore, violence, injury, fighting, death
- Sexual harassment & sexual assault (mostly off page)
- Drug use (unintentional)
*Not appropriate for younger readers

My Rating: 4.5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
Writing: 5
Story & Characters: 4
Faith & Content: 5
Enjoyability: 4

It was a bit slow to start, but once you get a few chapters in, it was a riveting story! It's not an easy read, and there are events that will make you question if any kind of happy ending for any of the characters is even possible. But light shines in the darkness, and light always overcomes in the end. It's a bit reminiscent of the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers, both in content and writing style. I highly recommend this to any readers who like historically realistic plots with strong faith central to the story!

Thank you to NetGalley & the author for providing an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!

[♡ Emily ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️ I love Jamie Ogle

[Suzanne Roq · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her best novel yet! what an excellent, excellent book. It's possible I just finished my favorite book of 2026! Thank you to Netgalley and Tyndale House Publishers for providing a copy of Daughter of the Rebellion in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.