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Age of the Andinna
Age of the Andinna Volume One
Begin the journey of Mave Lorren, Champion of the Colosseum, slave of the Elvasi Empire, and the personal property of the Empress. She was the reason her people, the Andinna, lost the War against the Elvasi Empire and found themselves enslaved. She’s the boogeyman of her own people, killing on the sands to survive another day.For a thousand years, she’s stood alone.And that’s all going to change.Mave is about to embark on a journey of growth, becoming who she needs to be to free her people. She’ll meet lovers, family, friends, and allies along the way. She’ll be pushed to her limits as the battles take their tolls and she’ll need to find the strength in herself to fight for something far more than survival.The Elvasi Empire forged a weapon in the pits of the Colosseum. For years, they pointed that weapon at their slaves.Now she’s aiming for them.This set includes books one through three of the Age of the Andinna series. All of these books are well over four hundred pages a piece and they only mark the beginning of Mave’s story.-The Gladiator’s Downfall-The Mercenary’s Bounty-The Warrior’s AssaultAll books are full length novels, ranging from 130,000-145,000 words.Age of the Andinna is a reverse harem epic fantasy series. The female lead will collect her lovers as the series progresses. There is triggering content in this series including but not limited abuse, violence, mature language, and sexual content. It’s recommended for mature audiences.
1372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2020
178 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Kristen Banet
27 books1,390 followersKristen Banet has a Diet Coke problem and smokes too much. She curses like a sailor (though, she used to be one, so she uses that as an excuse) and finds that many people don’t know how to handle that. She loves to read, and before finally sitting to try her hand at writing, she had your normal kind of work history. From tattoo parlors, to the U.S. Navy, and freelance illustration, she’s stumbled through her adult years and somehow, is still kicking.
She loves to read books that make people cry. She likes to write books that make people cry (and she wants to hear about it). She’s a firm believer that nothing and no one in this world is perfect, and she enjoys exploring those imperfections—trying to make the characters seem real on the page and not just in her head.
She might just be crazy, though. Her characters think so, but this can’t be confirmed.
Check out her social media to catch what's going on in the worlds inside her head. She drops teasers, new covers, and opens ARC reader slots through her Facebook group, The Banet Pride.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kristenbanet...
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBa...
She loves to read books that make people cry. She likes to write books that make people cry (and she wants to hear about it). She’s a firm believer that nothing and no one in this world is perfect, and she enjoys exploring those imperfections—trying to make the characters seem real on the page and not just in her head.
She might just be crazy, though. Her characters think so, but this can’t be confirmed.
Check out her social media to catch what's going on in the worlds inside her head. She drops teasers, new covers, and opens ARC reader slots through her Facebook group, The Banet Pride.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kristenbanet...
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBa...
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 14, 2022
3.5/4 stars for the whole series. When I'm stressed, I start binging romances for some fluffy escapism and picked this up because I needed some distraction from work stress and this author wrote the Kaliya Sahni series which I love (still waiting for Destiny!). I finished this in 2-3 days and I enjoyed it a lot! It's a reverse harem and I'm usually really not into these types. The Book of Firsts was the only reverse harem I enjoyed.
The series is a bit more of a bildungsroman of the main character, Mave, with romance as a subplot. She finds freedom, gains community, develops powers, finds her place in her society, becomes a leader. Surprisingly, for a reverse harem novel, the romance and smut is a backseat thing compared to Mave's growth. I very much enjoyed the thorough lore, especially the very detailed social customs and mores of the Andinna. Their society is structured a little bit like the Raksura from Martha Well's The Cloud Roads. From the gender roles (matriarchal, polygamous default), to their religion... it was a treat to read about. The series goes into lots of plot twists and some real tragedies too.
Characterization was also strong. Mave is fantastic and very well-written. The cast of secondary characters are very likeable and each have their own arcs. I'm impressed by how much development many of the secondary characters got, actually.
I also really like the themes Banet always writes about. This novel deals a lot with mental illness and trauma, community, love (not just romantic), kinship, and morals. I LOVE how much this series focuses on family.
A side note that Mave's character arc deals a lot with slavery, and the Andinna are coded as being POC (dark-skinned, 'barbaric', 'primitive', sexual and aggressive) while the Elvasi are imperialists and they're also pale-skinned and more 'cultured'. I was quite worried about the potentially deeply racist implications but luckily the author handled it ok. Mave unlearns the racism she had internalized, and slavery was never just a plot gimmick, but she deals with the very real consequences -- PTSD and trauma, and it becomes a motivating force for her - to fight for freedom for her race.
I gave it a 3.5/4 because of pacing issues. The first book was fantastic but the next few books, especially the middle few, are very slow. I skimmed large chunks where nothing much happens. Secondly, although the romance was secondary, I felt that it was seriously sidelined compared to the main plot. I thought Mave could have had lesser husbands because they basically became trophy wives to Mave by the last book. Also wish we could have see some of the scenes in the last book's epilogue fleshed out more.
The series is a bit more of a bildungsroman of the main character, Mave, with romance as a subplot. She finds freedom, gains community, develops powers, finds her place in her society, becomes a leader. Surprisingly, for a reverse harem novel, the romance and smut is a backseat thing compared to Mave's growth. I very much enjoyed the thorough lore, especially the very detailed social customs and mores of the Andinna. Their society is structured a little bit like the Raksura from Martha Well's The Cloud Roads. From the gender roles (matriarchal, polygamous default), to their religion... it was a treat to read about. The series goes into lots of plot twists and some real tragedies too.
Characterization was also strong. Mave is fantastic and very well-written. The cast of secondary characters are very likeable and each have their own arcs. I'm impressed by how much development many of the secondary characters got, actually.
I also really like the themes Banet always writes about. This novel deals a lot with mental illness and trauma, community, love (not just romantic), kinship, and morals. I LOVE how much this series focuses on family.
A side note that Mave's character arc deals a lot with slavery, and the Andinna are coded as being POC (dark-skinned, 'barbaric', 'primitive', sexual and aggressive) while the Elvasi are imperialists and they're also pale-skinned and more 'cultured'. I was quite worried about the potentially deeply racist implications but luckily the author handled it ok. Mave unlearns the racism she had internalized, and slavery was never just a plot gimmick, but she deals with the very real consequences -- PTSD and trauma, and it becomes a motivating force for her - to fight for freedom for her race.
I gave it a 3.5/4 because of pacing issues. The first book was fantastic but the next few books, especially the middle few, are very slow. I skimmed large chunks where nothing much happens. Secondly, although the romance was secondary, I felt that it was seriously sidelined compared to the main plot. I thought Mave could have had lesser husbands because they basically became trophy wives to Mave by the last book. Also wish we could have see some of the scenes in the last book's epilogue fleshed out more.
Read
December 16, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/16/2020)! 🎁
May 7, 2021
Mace es la diosa de la Guerra
Desde el primer libro empieza un día cualquiera en una vida de miseria para convertirse en una verdadera campeona rendí el último libro esperando lo peor y ocurrió no voy a poder vivir si leer el resto de la serie. Un poco fuerte en violencia pero la historia vale la pena.
Desde el primer libro empieza un día cualquiera en una vida de miseria para convertirse en una verdadera campeona rendí el último libro esperando lo peor y ocurrió no voy a poder vivir si leer el resto de la serie. Un poco fuerte en violencia pero la historia vale la pena.
Read
September 18, 2022*also read book 4.
Tw:
Trauma, sexual trauma, ptsd, unbalanced power dynamics in relationships.
Wow. Ok.
This. This is gonna be a hard review.
This book is equal parts gripping and equal parts problematic.
I don't read many high fantasy books, i usually get bored, and only picked this up cuz RH is the closest thing I could find to poly in this cruely devoid of poly world. But this was well done. Mostly.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Lets start with the good.
The story elements! (which is one heck of a good).
Main character:
A traumatised, buff, badass women is my weakness.
The whole physically strong vs. emotionally weak thing.
And wanting to be close to people even though theyve already hurt her.
Like yes, I'm a sucker for characters who rage to the people who hurt and wronged them. Twas nice.
Also the whole gladiator thing as the starting point I also loved, there's a lot of potential themes I like with that type of begining.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
World:
Story worlds are admittedly my least focused-on subject. It doesn't matter to me as much as other story elements like character, tension and main theme/goal.
I firmly believe the world is suppose to be the circumstances for your main theme. As in, what needs to be in the world for me to eventually be able to say this is wrong and this is right (the main theme). And perhapes, a lot of writers put a large emphasis and details in it but it doesnt serve the theme.
This defenitely did.
It made the world interesting, relevant and Real.
Because it was relevant, i could see the consequances and benefits of this world, which is what gave it legitimacy and the "real" feeling.
Ex:
The Andinna are a matriarchal people (world fact) --> main antoganist hates Andinna because she's a woman who is powerless compared to the men in her own race (relevance).
Even small things:
The Andinna are a race who fly and therfore build their settelments on mountain sides --> our MC cannot fly at the begining of the series and it alienates her from others and makes life harder.
The capital of the Elvasi empire (where the collosium was) was all white walls and buildings and our MC hated it. The Andinna hideout settelemnt was covered in white during the winter from all the snow, but --> our MC loved it even though it's cold and inconvenient.
A word for their routines. There were three/four times a day training in the gladiator pits. Called three-a-days and four-a-days respectfully, for the amount of training. Not only does the three-a-day or whatever speak of familiarity and routine (we all name things in our routine, ex: mathematics to math) --> four-a-days were a form of collective punishment, usually issued because of our MC.
On another note (I went a bit overboard with the examples, but they were good ghfujv):
There was a glossery.
Addmitingly, I was very sceptic from the glossery in the begining of the book, but it was interwoved very well.
Really, the world building was great.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
POV:
I really enjoyed the changing POVs. It gives variety and we can see the emotional impact on the different characters I've come to love when a new event accures. It gives insight, and not just in the whole 'way of thinking and seeing things' the character has, but also tells me what's important to this character. If the author chose to write this scene from this specific POV, that means it's important. It's going to mean something even more later on. I loved it.
It unfortantely did give me a :/ feeling whenever our MC POV came up, which happens a lot, but Idk how to combat it, so.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Story Progression:
Pacing was good. A lot of series always rush things towards the next book but this was consistent and didn't overwhelm me (even though I can see some people wanting more action or to "get there already" in some of these books. Which didn't happen to me since till we "got there" we had more insights and progress on relationships. Which I absolutely love in books).
It was a good balance of action progress and relationship progress. A very tricky thing to succeed in.
Ex:
Gladiator action and escape --> travel together on boat --> mission to get resources for winter --> wintering together...
I'm not sure if it's the best way to write books, since you want everything to be intertwined and not make the reader skip the parts he doesnt like, but if everything was tension-y and downtime-y at the same time, it wouldve been boring. So, maybe it is.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Theme:
After reading Iron Widow and The Grisha Triology, it occured to me that not all writers necesarily want to write a theme and main character who is good. Which is rediculous imo, why would you choose to spread bad, but whatever.
This theme is good.
It's about freeing a people from oppression.
Hopefully u think that's good too. If not, ig I wont be reading ur book!
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Some other good stuff/interesting:
So far Ive found RH books to put emphasis on community, and how we need relationships and people around us. I absolutely love it. This also gave room and legitimacy to adoptive and found family relationships. Which, yay!
It was also interesting to see a matriarchal dynamic, which I havent really sean before (but more on that later).
The first gladiator scene. Where the 2 warriors were lovers and had to fight eachother. It sounds cliche but we only knew they were lovers towards the end of the scene and it was a good not too tragic begining to the life and reality of our MC.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Now, onward to the bad.
Editing:
These books need some editing.
The most glaring issue for me was switching to 1st pov mid paragraph and some repetetive words. After awhile, you just get used to it.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Emphasis On Sex:
There is Way, WAYYY too much emphasis on sex, sexual dominance and female/male.
There is no such thing as woman or man in this series. It's only male or female. Like actual animals. It's gotton to the point where it's repeated sm that in my head I've only been saying male/female too. Took me like a day to get back to normal. Wtf.
It's everywhere too. There isn't a chapter where these 3 things aren't touched. On one hand, it speaks of the world building - the amount of significance it has. But on the other, it's too much and very problematic. How sexual dominance is a sign of power and status. The amount of sexual slurs. It's... so bad... oml.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Unbalanced Power Dynamics:
Tbh, it's interesting reading about a society that is matriarchal. It also had some worldbuilding bg to it too. (Ratio of man/woman is 1:8 is the least problematic reason).
But there is a family unit that can revolve around the women and a completely unbalanced power dynamic in the houshold. The men are completely devoted/submissive/have to listen to the woman. It's a bit sickening. The laws in this world allow manipulation and (what in our modern times would be considered) abuse against men. I hate it.
It doesn't seem angry, like the author is looking for revenge, but it's def a fantasy.
Some of it was fine (a lil devotion, with emphasis on lil, is nice), but most of it wasn't. Some men completely lost their personality once they entered a relationship. It's like, the sin of a lot of male authors writing a women, but reversed. It was just too much. And it was everywhere. Where's the equalityyy.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
The Relationships.
Yup, this is where it gets reallyyyy problematic, for me at least. Which is saying smth honestly.
Putting so much emphasis on relationships and their different dynamics gives a lot of room for things to get problematic. Unfortunately, this didn't pass.
Aside from the fact the relationships were a bit underdeveloped (we were suddenly family/lovers/idk without showing so much how we got there) and some of the romance lacked tension, there are some romantic relationships which were just. Bleh. Ew. Yuck.
Mainly:
Brynac / MC. Why?
Age gap, Brynac was tutored/half raised by MC's father.
This shouldve also been a sibling / parental / mentor relationship dynamic.
Alchan / Rainev. Why?
Age gap, defined mentor & protege relashionship.
It was also problematic in the sense that Rainev has some sexual trauma and Alchan is like, prime real estate to trigger that trauma since he's Extra "dominant" or whatever. Like, author, what are you trying to say? Especially combined with the other problematic things in this relationship.
These things were adressed, but it doesn't change the end result, they still got together. And for me, even w/o the adressing, that's a big nono.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
The was just there
The lifespan.
The Andinna and the Elvasi could live up to ~5000 years. That's incomprehensible and I find it hard to believe someone who has lived for over a thousand years won't be a jaded, traumatised and mostly tired mess.
Also, I just can't even fathom worldbuilding smth that can accomodate how impactful this is. Idk.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
The names:
The author used a neat trick of creating names that are fantastical but will still be able to take root in our memory.
She just added another one or two letters to common names, and shortend them when calling them by nickname.
Ex:
Luykas - lucas
Jesvena - jes
Rainev - rain
Matesh - mat
Quite smart.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
To sumerize:
This series has A LOT of problems, some I didn't completely adress, but it's mainly shown in the little things. Story design wise, it's quite good. Up to u to read or not obviously, this is just my very long and typoed two cents.
Tw:
Trauma, sexual trauma, ptsd, unbalanced power dynamics in relationships.
Wow. Ok.
This. This is gonna be a hard review.
This book is equal parts gripping and equal parts problematic.
I don't read many high fantasy books, i usually get bored, and only picked this up cuz RH is the closest thing I could find to poly in this cruely devoid of poly world. But this was well done. Mostly.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Lets start with the good.
The story elements! (which is one heck of a good).
Main character:
A traumatised, buff, badass women is my weakness.
The whole physically strong vs. emotionally weak thing.
And wanting to be close to people even though theyve already hurt her.
Like yes, I'm a sucker for characters who rage to the people who hurt and wronged them. Twas nice.
Also the whole gladiator thing as the starting point I also loved, there's a lot of potential themes I like with that type of begining.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
World:
Story worlds are admittedly my least focused-on subject. It doesn't matter to me as much as other story elements like character, tension and main theme/goal.
I firmly believe the world is suppose to be the circumstances for your main theme. As in, what needs to be in the world for me to eventually be able to say this is wrong and this is right (the main theme). And perhapes, a lot of writers put a large emphasis and details in it but it doesnt serve the theme.
This defenitely did.
It made the world interesting, relevant and Real.
Because it was relevant, i could see the consequances and benefits of this world, which is what gave it legitimacy and the "real" feeling.
Ex:
The Andinna are a matriarchal people (world fact) --> main antoganist hates Andinna because she's a woman who is powerless compared to the men in her own race (relevance).
Even small things:
The Andinna are a race who fly and therfore build their settelments on mountain sides --> our MC cannot fly at the begining of the series and it alienates her from others and makes life harder.
The capital of the Elvasi empire (where the collosium was) was all white walls and buildings and our MC hated it. The Andinna hideout settelemnt was covered in white during the winter from all the snow, but --> our MC loved it even though it's cold and inconvenient.
A word for their routines. There were three/four times a day training in the gladiator pits. Called three-a-days and four-a-days respectfully, for the amount of training. Not only does the three-a-day or whatever speak of familiarity and routine (we all name things in our routine, ex: mathematics to math) --> four-a-days were a form of collective punishment, usually issued because of our MC.
On another note (I went a bit overboard with the examples, but they were good ghfujv):
There was a glossery.
Addmitingly, I was very sceptic from the glossery in the begining of the book, but it was interwoved very well.
Really, the world building was great.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
POV:
I really enjoyed the changing POVs. It gives variety and we can see the emotional impact on the different characters I've come to love when a new event accures. It gives insight, and not just in the whole 'way of thinking and seeing things' the character has, but also tells me what's important to this character. If the author chose to write this scene from this specific POV, that means it's important. It's going to mean something even more later on. I loved it.
It unfortantely did give me a :/ feeling whenever our MC POV came up, which happens a lot, but Idk how to combat it, so.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Story Progression:
Pacing was good. A lot of series always rush things towards the next book but this was consistent and didn't overwhelm me (even though I can see some people wanting more action or to "get there already" in some of these books. Which didn't happen to me since till we "got there" we had more insights and progress on relationships. Which I absolutely love in books).
It was a good balance of action progress and relationship progress. A very tricky thing to succeed in.
Ex:
Gladiator action and escape --> travel together on boat --> mission to get resources for winter --> wintering together...
I'm not sure if it's the best way to write books, since you want everything to be intertwined and not make the reader skip the parts he doesnt like, but if everything was tension-y and downtime-y at the same time, it wouldve been boring. So, maybe it is.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Theme:
After reading Iron Widow and The Grisha Triology, it occured to me that not all writers necesarily want to write a theme and main character who is good. Which is rediculous imo, why would you choose to spread bad, but whatever.
This theme is good.
It's about freeing a people from oppression.
Hopefully u think that's good too. If not, ig I wont be reading ur book!
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Some other good stuff/interesting:
So far Ive found RH books to put emphasis on community, and how we need relationships and people around us. I absolutely love it. This also gave room and legitimacy to adoptive and found family relationships. Which, yay!
It was also interesting to see a matriarchal dynamic, which I havent really sean before (but more on that later).
The first gladiator scene. Where the 2 warriors were lovers and had to fight eachother. It sounds cliche but we only knew they were lovers towards the end of the scene and it was a good not too tragic begining to the life and reality of our MC.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Now, onward to the bad.
Editing:
These books need some editing.
The most glaring issue for me was switching to 1st pov mid paragraph and some repetetive words. After awhile, you just get used to it.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Emphasis On Sex:
There is Way, WAYYY too much emphasis on sex, sexual dominance and female/male.
There is no such thing as woman or man in this series. It's only male or female. Like actual animals. It's gotton to the point where it's repeated sm that in my head I've only been saying male/female too. Took me like a day to get back to normal. Wtf.
It's everywhere too. There isn't a chapter where these 3 things aren't touched. On one hand, it speaks of the world building - the amount of significance it has. But on the other, it's too much and very problematic. How sexual dominance is a sign of power and status. The amount of sexual slurs. It's... so bad... oml.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Unbalanced Power Dynamics:
Tbh, it's interesting reading about a society that is matriarchal. It also had some worldbuilding bg to it too. (Ratio of man/woman is 1:8 is the least problematic reason).
But there is a family unit that can revolve around the women and a completely unbalanced power dynamic in the houshold. The men are completely devoted/submissive/have to listen to the woman. It's a bit sickening. The laws in this world allow manipulation and (what in our modern times would be considered) abuse against men. I hate it.
It doesn't seem angry, like the author is looking for revenge, but it's def a fantasy.
Some of it was fine (a lil devotion, with emphasis on lil, is nice), but most of it wasn't. Some men completely lost their personality once they entered a relationship. It's like, the sin of a lot of male authors writing a women, but reversed. It was just too much. And it was everywhere. Where's the equalityyy.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
The Relationships.
Yup, this is where it gets reallyyyy problematic, for me at least. Which is saying smth honestly.
Putting so much emphasis on relationships and their different dynamics gives a lot of room for things to get problematic. Unfortunately, this didn't pass.
Aside from the fact the relationships were a bit underdeveloped (we were suddenly family/lovers/idk without showing so much how we got there) and some of the romance lacked tension, there are some romantic relationships which were just. Bleh. Ew. Yuck.
Mainly:
Brynac / MC. Why?
Age gap, Brynac was tutored/half raised by MC's father.
This shouldve also been a sibling / parental / mentor relationship dynamic.
Alchan / Rainev. Why?
Age gap, defined mentor & protege relashionship.
It was also problematic in the sense that Rainev has some sexual trauma and Alchan is like, prime real estate to trigger that trauma since he's Extra "dominant" or whatever. Like, author, what are you trying to say? Especially combined with the other problematic things in this relationship.
These things were adressed, but it doesn't change the end result, they still got together. And for me, even w/o the adressing, that's a big nono.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
The was just there
The lifespan.
The Andinna and the Elvasi could live up to ~5000 years. That's incomprehensible and I find it hard to believe someone who has lived for over a thousand years won't be a jaded, traumatised and mostly tired mess.
Also, I just can't even fathom worldbuilding smth that can accomodate how impactful this is. Idk.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
The names:
The author used a neat trick of creating names that are fantastical but will still be able to take root in our memory.
She just added another one or two letters to common names, and shortend them when calling them by nickname.
Ex:
Luykas - lucas
Jesvena - jes
Rainev - rain
Matesh - mat
Quite smart.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
To sumerize:
This series has A LOT of problems, some I didn't completely adress, but it's mainly shown in the little things. Story design wise, it's quite good. Up to u to read or not obviously, this is just my very long and typoed two cents.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2021
NO BUT THIS BOOK LEFT ME SPEECHLESS AND IN AWE.
Kristen, you have with a doubt outdone yourself with this one.
I can’t even remember the last time I was THIS obsessed with a series and I was literally CAPTIVATED from the first page.
Mave has been a gladiator slave her entire life and she is the reigning champion in the pits, wherein she’s been fighting and enduring abuse for over 1000 years.
As the only female who is thought to be the blame for the Andinna slavery within the empire, the other male Andinna gladiators are beyond cruel to her.
I absolutely REVEL in the graphic, brutal, and bloody introduction to Mave’s life; as the Empresse’s most prized possession and champion, she is undefeated and legendary in the fighting pits.
Her strength, brutality, and cunning are a few of the many things I adore about Mave.
She holds her own and she doesn’t cower in the face of adversity.
Matesh and Rainev show up as new recruits and they are the only ones to approach her and treat her with respect. It takes some time to warm up to them but ultimately, she feels responsible for their lives in there and she considers them allies (and family)!
Shit gets crazy down there, so much suspense and raw emotion, I nearly chewed all my nails down to quick.
She easily builds a strong bond with the two males, Rain as a little brother she never had and Mat as the lover she always wanted.
Rain is literally the sweetest most loving man, I just want to squish and protect him from everything.
Mat I want to climb like a tree, plus their intimate connection really brings this story to life.
I was FLOORED to find out that TREVAN, my boy was plotting this entire time to get her rescued; low and behold he fucking pulls it off with the help of Zayden, Rain’s dad! I hope him and Dave can both get some justice for helping her escape, it was so epic and I did not see it coming. I already know Trevan is going to have a hard time at it in the pits but I believe he will pull through (praying).
Then other mercenaries of the Ivory Shadow Company aren’t very fond of her at first, they don’t know what to expect or make of her.
The champion of the pits.
The empresses property.
The gladiator “whore”.
She has been through hell and back although they may not all like her (* cough* Alchan), they can acknowledge that she is a badass warrior; thus, they invite her to work for their company of mercenaries.
She has found a new family and I’m so pumped to see how things shake out between them all.
OKAY, SO FAR:
We know Rain is a little brother and bestie to Mave (love that for them) and deff NOT in the harem.
Matesh is ABSOLUTELY in the harem and I’m still on the fence with Luykas; seeing as he had to make things more official (without her consent - but saved her life) with them with a blood bond.
I also wonder about Alchan because he’s cold towards her but I’m willing to bet she will thaw his heart out with time.
Brynec seems to share some of her past as a slave and so, he can connect more intimately with her on that level; this may lead to a romantic relationship, or he could be another bestie like Rain, not sure yet!
Also can we take a moment for Nevyn and Varon?? I absolutely adore a cute gay couple.
Overall book one was such an inspiring and phenomenal read that I struggled to put it down; I’m virtually bowing down to Kristen, for ensnaring my heart and soul with this incredibly unique world she plucked from her mind and put to paper.
~5 brilliant stars~
Kristen, you have with a doubt outdone yourself with this one.
I can’t even remember the last time I was THIS obsessed with a series and I was literally CAPTIVATED from the first page.
Mave has been a gladiator slave her entire life and she is the reigning champion in the pits, wherein she’s been fighting and enduring abuse for over 1000 years.
As the only female who is thought to be the blame for the Andinna slavery within the empire, the other male Andinna gladiators are beyond cruel to her.
I absolutely REVEL in the graphic, brutal, and bloody introduction to Mave’s life; as the Empresse’s most prized possession and champion, she is undefeated and legendary in the fighting pits.
Her strength, brutality, and cunning are a few of the many things I adore about Mave.
She holds her own and she doesn’t cower in the face of adversity.
Matesh and Rainev show up as new recruits and they are the only ones to approach her and treat her with respect. It takes some time to warm up to them but ultimately, she feels responsible for their lives in there and she considers them allies (and family)!
Shit gets crazy down there, so much suspense and raw emotion, I nearly chewed all my nails down to quick.
She easily builds a strong bond with the two males, Rain as a little brother she never had and Mat as the lover she always wanted.
Rain is literally the sweetest most loving man, I just want to squish and protect him from everything.
Mat I want to climb like a tree, plus their intimate connection really brings this story to life.
I was FLOORED to find out that TREVAN, my boy was plotting this entire time to get her rescued; low and behold he fucking pulls it off with the help of Zayden, Rain’s dad! I hope him and Dave can both get some justice for helping her escape, it was so epic and I did not see it coming. I already know Trevan is going to have a hard time at it in the pits but I believe he will pull through (praying).
Then other mercenaries of the Ivory Shadow Company aren’t very fond of her at first, they don’t know what to expect or make of her.
The champion of the pits.
The empresses property.
The gladiator “whore”.
She has been through hell and back although they may not all like her (* cough* Alchan), they can acknowledge that she is a badass warrior; thus, they invite her to work for their company of mercenaries.
She has found a new family and I’m so pumped to see how things shake out between them all.
OKAY, SO FAR:
We know Rain is a little brother and bestie to Mave (love that for them) and deff NOT in the harem.
Matesh is ABSOLUTELY in the harem and I’m still on the fence with Luykas; seeing as he had to make things more official (without her consent - but saved her life) with them with a blood bond.
I also wonder about Alchan because he’s cold towards her but I’m willing to bet she will thaw his heart out with time.
Brynec seems to share some of her past as a slave and so, he can connect more intimately with her on that level; this may lead to a romantic relationship, or he could be another bestie like Rain, not sure yet!
Also can we take a moment for Nevyn and Varon?? I absolutely adore a cute gay couple.
Overall book one was such an inspiring and phenomenal read that I struggled to put it down; I’m virtually bowing down to Kristen, for ensnaring my heart and soul with this incredibly unique world she plucked from her mind and put to paper.
~5 brilliant stars~
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2021
Phenomenal
If I could give this series of books a standing ovation I would. In fact I am.
Beautifully written.
Gripping.
The most beautiful storytelling.
Reverse harems are picking up in popularity, and they are often sex heavy, plot thin, poorly written and two a penny.
This is not that.
This is all encompassing, entertaining, shocking, horrifying, beautiful, funny and more.
The sex scenes are fairly light, but the storytelling. Oh my lord the story telling.
I am in love with all of the characters. A beautiful film played out in my head.
Just phenomenal.
Thank you to Kristen for creating this world.
If I could give this series of books a standing ovation I would. In fact I am.
Beautifully written.
Gripping.
The most beautiful storytelling.
Reverse harems are picking up in popularity, and they are often sex heavy, plot thin, poorly written and two a penny.
This is not that.
This is all encompassing, entertaining, shocking, horrifying, beautiful, funny and more.
The sex scenes are fairly light, but the storytelling. Oh my lord the story telling.
I am in love with all of the characters. A beautiful film played out in my head.
Just phenomenal.
Thank you to Kristen for creating this world.
September 14, 2021
I chose this book because I tought that it was a reverse harem romance, one of that the main character fall immediatly in love with the three o four man around her and that's it.
I found a fantasy novel, rich of story and plot, with a strong female character who grow and change each books. I honestly love it.
It's not a masterpiece, but it involved me, I wanted to know that all the characters I loved went unscated till the end, my interest was picked and I couldn't stop to read it.
And yes, the romance it's in this book, but it's a part of the plot, not the main plot.
So four star for me.
Don't read if you look only for the sex scenes.
I found a fantasy novel, rich of story and plot, with a strong female character who grow and change each books. I honestly love it.
It's not a masterpiece, but it involved me, I wanted to know that all the characters I loved went unscated till the end, my interest was picked and I couldn't stop to read it.
And yes, the romance it's in this book, but it's a part of the plot, not the main plot.
So four star for me.
Don't read if you look only for the sex scenes.
January 28, 2022
A rich story with deep roots
Normally when you see something advertised as a fantasy reverse harem series, You're really looking at literary porn with a thin veneer of plot.
That is not this series.
This series has incredible depth of character. Almost every character in it has a complex and important backstory. The world building is good, but the character building is truly outstanding. The treatment of trauma and PTSD is likewise amazingly accurate and well done.
This is the kind of series that you read over and over again, and think about 10 years later.
Normally when you see something advertised as a fantasy reverse harem series, You're really looking at literary porn with a thin veneer of plot.
That is not this series.
This series has incredible depth of character. Almost every character in it has a complex and important backstory. The world building is good, but the character building is truly outstanding. The treatment of trauma and PTSD is likewise amazingly accurate and well done.
This is the kind of series that you read over and over again, and think about 10 years later.
July 20, 2021
No words a thousand stars
This is honestly one of the BEST series I’ve ever read and I’ve read over 350 books just this year!! I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Mave and her men. I can’t wait to see who she adds on, hoping one is the king. Absolutely love reading all the other characters points of view. I’ve never read a book like that and I love Rain, can’t wait to see what happens with him and Trevan! Read the series you won’t regret it.
This is honestly one of the BEST series I’ve ever read and I’ve read over 350 books just this year!! I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Mave and her men. I can’t wait to see who she adds on, hoping one is the king. Absolutely love reading all the other characters points of view. I’ve never read a book like that and I love Rain, can’t wait to see what happens with him and Trevan! Read the series you won’t regret it.
January 7, 2022
Took me a week
But I finally finished the first three books! Great series and bingeing all 3 books was great! Definitely some some tough content - trigger warning for sure, but has been beautiful to watch Mave grow and change. Definitely will be reading the next book to see if another certain mutt joins her mayara if she can get past his secret, and if Trayvon and Dave will be reunited with the champion as well. Amazingly written, hat off to the author!
But I finally finished the first three books! Great series and bingeing all 3 books was great! Definitely some some tough content - trigger warning for sure, but has been beautiful to watch Mave grow and change. Definitely will be reading the next book to see if another certain mutt joins her mayara if she can get past his secret, and if Trayvon and Dave will be reunited with the champion as well. Amazingly written, hat off to the author!
November 19, 2024
Amazing
I don't normally leave a written review but this was worth it I loved the story and can't wait to get on the next I hope mave gives luk a chance she's a tough broad but I jist want them to be happy! .the story is fantastic it's the same vibe as rise of the iliri another of my favorite I found this by accident reading a comment on a Facebook site thanks for that I didn't even go on my running machine because I needed to concentrate 😀 on to the next one ❤️
I don't normally leave a written review but this was worth it I loved the story and can't wait to get on the next I hope mave gives luk a chance she's a tough broad but I jist want them to be happy! .the story is fantastic it's the same vibe as rise of the iliri another of my favorite I found this by accident reading a comment on a Facebook site thanks for that I didn't even go on my running machine because I needed to concentrate 😀 on to the next one ❤️
Read
March 2, 20232nd time reading this series...
And I love it even more than the first time I read it a year ago! There's so much darkness but it's the light that shines against all odds that keeps me coming back... And the humor, the love, and the ability to do what's right despite the terrible odds! If you haven't read this yet... Well hurry up cause it's absolutely Fantastic!
And I love it even more than the first time I read it a year ago! There's so much darkness but it's the light that shines against all odds that keeps me coming back... And the humor, the love, and the ability to do what's right despite the terrible odds! If you haven't read this yet... Well hurry up cause it's absolutely Fantastic!
July 8, 2021
Fantastic!
I am in love with this series. I had been looking for exactly this for so long. Mave is absolutely the FMC I have been wanting to get to know. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series. Thank you Kristen for giving us this world and these characters.💗
I am in love with this series. I had been looking for exactly this for so long. Mave is absolutely the FMC I have been wanting to get to know. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series. Thank you Kristen for giving us this world and these characters.💗
August 21, 2021
This is an exceptional saga
This is so well.written. With engagingantagonist and supporting characters. I couldn’t put it down and am still engaged with all of them. I will continue to read this wonderful saga. So glad I found it
This is so well.written. With engagingantagonist and supporting characters. I couldn’t put it down and am still engaged with all of them. I will continue to read this wonderful saga. So glad I found it
April 24, 2023
Fantastic
An epic series with a solidly built works, interesting characters, and a great plot. It's worth noting that there's trigger warning worthy stuff so these books could be difficult reading for some.
An epic series with a solidly built works, interesting characters, and a great plot. It's worth noting that there's trigger warning worthy stuff so these books could be difficult reading for some.
June 1, 2024
Captivating!
I absolutely loved the first three novels of this series. The world building is incredible and the storyline sucked me in from the jump. I’m excited to see where we go from here. BUCKLING UP FOR THE RIDE🥹
I absolutely loved the first three novels of this series. The world building is incredible and the storyline sucked me in from the jump. I’m excited to see where we go from here. BUCKLING UP FOR THE RIDE🥹
December 10, 2025
Well written, interesting world.
Not quite what I was expecting. Bit of a slower burn and more drama oriented but definitely gripping. Highly recommend if you are looking for a strong character driven series.
Not quite what I was expecting. Bit of a slower burn and more drama oriented but definitely gripping. Highly recommend if you are looking for a strong character driven series.
August 13, 2020
I absolutely love this book ..it reminded me of games of thrones....so many twists and the character were so real and loveable but also had some much more .....gotta go on to book 4
December 29, 2020
AAAAAHHHHHH
I love this series very much and I can’t wait to read more! Book 3 had an absolutely insane plot twist at the end that I wasn’t even thinking about and now I REALLY need to read more.
I’ve been thinking about who else could join Mave’s mayara and I hope at least one of them does. I like him a lot.
I love this series very much and I can’t wait to read more! Book 3 had an absolutely insane plot twist at the end that I wasn’t even thinking about and now I REALLY need to read more.
I’ve been thinking about who else could join Mave’s mayara and I hope at least one of them does. I like him a lot.
January 19, 2021
In love with everything, just perfection, this is now in my top favourite book series and looking forward to reading the rest 😍❤
December 28, 2021
See individual reviews for each book
January 14, 2022
AMAZING
This is my first by this author! It was absolutely fantastic! I am loving the storyline and characters so much. Off to snag book 4
This is my first by this author! It was absolutely fantastic! I am loving the storyline and characters so much. Off to snag book 4
April 23, 2022
An Epic tale
These books deserve far more recognition. The story is deep and meaningful. I feel so invested in all the characters and can't wait to see how it all ends.
These books deserve far more recognition. The story is deep and meaningful. I feel so invested in all the characters and can't wait to see how it all ends.
May 2, 2022
Slave
I truly enjoyed reading about the Andinna. I love how this author created a world that hits on issues in real life.
I truly enjoyed reading about the Andinna. I love how this author created a world that hits on issues in real life.
January 23, 2025
DNF in book 3. Strong start but it is incredibly slow-moving. More of a fantasy that includes an RH than an RH romance.
July 21, 2025
Top 3 book series I’ve ever read! <3
I’ve read this series multiple times and own the whole series in paperback as well! 10/10! Just wish there was an audio book as well so I could listen to it!
I’ve read this series multiple times and own the whole series in paperback as well! 10/10! Just wish there was an audio book as well so I could listen to it!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews