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Roman Hearts #1
A Gladiator's Oath
She will fight for her freedom. He will fight for her life.
Mila might be slaveborn, but she has no intention of remaining a slave. Impatient for her freedom, the nineteen-year-old takes matters into her own hands. Armed with the combat skills her half-brother taught her, Mila ignores the pleas of her family and takes to the arena. She is prepared to do whatever is necessary, prepared for anything—except Remus Latinius.
Raised inside the greatest gladiator school in Rome, Remus fought hard for his freedom. He earned it the only way he knew how—in the arena. Now he is content training others to do the fighting—or so he thought. Something changes the night he meets a slave girl desperate to prove herself. He should walk away, but the gods have other plans.
This is the first book in the historical action romance series Roman Hearts. If you enjoy a moving love story with strong female characters, then you will love A Gladiator’s Oath.
Mila might be slaveborn, but she has no intention of remaining a slave. Impatient for her freedom, the nineteen-year-old takes matters into her own hands. Armed with the combat skills her half-brother taught her, Mila ignores the pleas of her family and takes to the arena. She is prepared to do whatever is necessary, prepared for anything—except Remus Latinius.
Raised inside the greatest gladiator school in Rome, Remus fought hard for his freedom. He earned it the only way he knew how—in the arena. Now he is content training others to do the fighting—or so he thought. Something changes the night he meets a slave girl desperate to prove herself. He should walk away, but the gods have other plans.
This is the first book in the historical action romance series Roman Hearts. If you enjoy a moving love story with strong female characters, then you will love A Gladiator’s Oath.
Audible Audio
First published June 3, 2018
312 people are currently reading
1754 people want to read
About the author
Tanya Bird
24 books489 followersTanya Bird is a RUBY award-winning author who lives in Brisbane with her hubby, three lively boys, a quirky greyhound, and a lazy whippet. Amid the chaos, she writes across a range romance sub-genres including historical, contemporary, and speculative. She is best known for her dark worldbuilding and high-emotion storytelling. A lover of horses, pancakes, and satire, Tanya dreams of one day attacking her rather long bucket list.
You can find her on Facebook @TanyaBirdAuthor, Instagram @tanyabirdauthor, TikTok @tanyabirdauthor or hiding in the pantry with her stash of chocolate.
Exclusive free reads available at tanyabird.com
You can find her on Facebook @TanyaBirdAuthor, Instagram @tanyabirdauthor, TikTok @tanyabirdauthor or hiding in the pantry with her stash of chocolate.
Exclusive free reads available at tanyabird.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
March 20, 2020
This is
historical fantasy fiction
if you will, because there is nothing that is historically accurate. So if you're looking for a modern take on Roman times with costumes, this might interest you. Me, not so much.
January 2, 2021
I liked the premise and strong female characters but the story didn't see entertain me very much. Couldn't really focus on the audio book
November 28, 2025
I always enjoy a book set in ancient Rome. In this novel Mila is a slave who wants to earn her freedom. The only way she sees it possible to earn enough money to buy her freedom is to fight as a gladiator. However her fighting as a gladiator disgraces the family that owns her and she is torn from her family and everything she has known. She ends up being sold to a woman who is obsessed with gladiators and trains her to fight. Mila ends up falling in love with her teacher and then the unthinkable happens.
A solid novel. Definitely not my favorite of all that I have read in ancient Rome but it held my interest and I would be interested in reading the second novel.
A solid novel. Definitely not my favorite of all that I have read in ancient Rome but it held my interest and I would be interested in reading the second novel.
Want to read
November 3, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/3/2019)! 🎁
Read
June 24, 2024DNF 16%
Although this seems well written and I like the characters so far, I’m realizing that reading about women gladiators fighting in the arena just isn’t my scene.
Plus a few side things that make me raise an eyebrow, like how other women (not the FMC) fight with bare chests, the depressing situation of Roman slavery, how the MMC is flippant about frequently sleeping with random women (before he gets to know the FMC, but still), etc.
“Remus’ thoughts went to Mina. That was happening a lot lately and it did not matter how many women he snuck into the barracks late in the evenings, nothing was enough to rid him of her.”
Nice.
Content-
Language- No swearing so far.
Spice- Other reviewers say this is clean/fade to black.
Narrator- male for both POV and I like his performance.
Although this seems well written and I like the characters so far, I’m realizing that reading about women gladiators fighting in the arena just isn’t my scene.
Plus a few side things that make me raise an eyebrow, like how other women (not the FMC) fight with bare chests, the depressing situation of Roman slavery, how the MMC is flippant about frequently sleeping with random women (before he gets to know the FMC, but still), etc.
“Remus’ thoughts went to Mina. That was happening a lot lately and it did not matter how many women he snuck into the barracks late in the evenings, nothing was enough to rid him of her.”
Nice.
Content-
Language- No swearing so far.
Spice- Other reviewers say this is clean/fade to black.
Narrator- male for both POV and I like his performance.
March 17, 2020
3.5 stars
June 3, 2018
A Gladiator’s Oath is the newest novel (and series) by Tanya Bird. I was really excited to receive this as an ARC and I was not disappointed!
Tanya Bird has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her Companion Series was amazing. So much love, heartbreak, twists, politics and just a beautifully written series. So when she started teasing in her newsletters a new series she was starting I knew it would be torture to wait for her to finish...and it was...but the wait was worth it.
A Gladiator’s Oath is a historical drama set in ancient Rome and centers around a young slave girl fighting her way to freedom. Mila is born a slave and has decided that the only way she can buy her freedom is to fight as a female gladiator. Remus is one of Rome’s greatest gladiator fighters. He was born a slave but actually fought his way to freedom. Now a free man he trains slaves to become gladiators at one of Rome’s greatest gladiator schools. By chance Mila and Remus cross paths and their lives are forever changed.
A Gladiator’s Oath is excellent. The fight scenes are very intense and very detailed. There was so much tension! I could not put the book down once I started reading it. The romance between Mila and Remus went from cute to sweet to HOT to OMG NO, WHY!!?? to this makes me very happy and sappy and lovey! I LOVED Felix, he reminded me of a certain Lannister. I couldn’t really decided who I wanted to give the villain hat to but ultimately the true villain was Rome. A dirty, brutal city that bred cruelty, corruption, entitlement and had no problem turning its citizens into bloodthirsty spectators who cheered for the deaths of their own people. There are actual human villains in the story, Prisca, Aquila, practically anyone with a heartbeat in Rome. I’m not sure if Ms. Bird wrote Rome with the intention of it being its own character in her book but the City was like a specter that haunted the characters to the last page. Rome never fully released our MCs to live their lives on their terms and that leaves the opening for book 2.
A Gladiator’s Oath does not end on a cliffhanger but there is an opening for the next book in the series. This is a clean book, a little sexy time but nothing explicit. I’m excited for this new series, I love historical romance books that are more heavy on the history than the romance and Gladiator’s Oath is the perfect blend of well researched history and sweet romance.
Tanya Bird has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her Companion Series was amazing. So much love, heartbreak, twists, politics and just a beautifully written series. So when she started teasing in her newsletters a new series she was starting I knew it would be torture to wait for her to finish...and it was...but the wait was worth it.
A Gladiator’s Oath is a historical drama set in ancient Rome and centers around a young slave girl fighting her way to freedom. Mila is born a slave and has decided that the only way she can buy her freedom is to fight as a female gladiator. Remus is one of Rome’s greatest gladiator fighters. He was born a slave but actually fought his way to freedom. Now a free man he trains slaves to become gladiators at one of Rome’s greatest gladiator schools. By chance Mila and Remus cross paths and their lives are forever changed.
A Gladiator’s Oath is excellent. The fight scenes are very intense and very detailed. There was so much tension! I could not put the book down once I started reading it. The romance between Mila and Remus went from cute to sweet to HOT to OMG NO, WHY!!?? to this makes me very happy and sappy and lovey! I LOVED Felix, he reminded me of a certain Lannister. I couldn’t really decided who I wanted to give the villain hat to but ultimately the true villain was Rome. A dirty, brutal city that bred cruelty, corruption, entitlement and had no problem turning its citizens into bloodthirsty spectators who cheered for the deaths of their own people. There are actual human villains in the story, Prisca, Aquila, practically anyone with a heartbeat in Rome. I’m not sure if Ms. Bird wrote Rome with the intention of it being its own character in her book but the City was like a specter that haunted the characters to the last page. Rome never fully released our MCs to live their lives on their terms and that leaves the opening for book 2.
A Gladiator’s Oath does not end on a cliffhanger but there is an opening for the next book in the series. This is a clean book, a little sexy time but nothing explicit. I’m excited for this new series, I love historical romance books that are more heavy on the history than the romance and Gladiator’s Oath is the perfect blend of well researched history and sweet romance.
March 25, 2020
A well-written story with a lovely romance. I haven't read many stories that take place in ancient Rome, and I will now be looking for more. Ms Bird has created a vibrant and likeable pair of characters to follow, and secondary characters that I cared about as well. Her descriptions of battles in the arena were action-packed and beautifully done.
The romance between Mila and Remus is very believable, and not without more than a few hurdles thrown in their path.
All-in-all a very pleasurable read! I will definitely be reading more in the series.
The romance between Mila and Remus is very believable, and not without more than a few hurdles thrown in their path.
All-in-all a very pleasurable read! I will definitely be reading more in the series.
June 6, 2018
Unforgettable Read!
Gladiators? Ancient Rome? Yes please!
Tanya Bird brings it all together in a wonderful, action packed romance between current and former gladiators Mila and Remus. Rich in detail, characters with depth, and a plot with twists. I fell into their world and their story easily! Loved every word!
Gladiators? Ancient Rome? Yes please!
Tanya Bird brings it all together in a wonderful, action packed romance between current and former gladiators Mila and Remus. Rich in detail, characters with depth, and a plot with twists. I fell into their world and their story easily! Loved every word!
August 15, 2018
Read. This. Now.
That is all.
That is all.
February 16, 2021
I loved the historical atmosphere of this novel, and the arena scenes were top notch! I don’t see nearly enough Ancient Rome romances, and so this hit the spot for me.
My only “complaint” was the lack of steam between Mila and Remus, and I really wish we had gotten more of a peek at their intimacy instead of one closed-door scene. This probably won’t bother most, but when reading a romance, I want to see the steam on page just as much as we saw the action and gore. Otherwise, fantastic story!
My only “complaint” was the lack of steam between Mila and Remus, and I really wish we had gotten more of a peek at their intimacy instead of one closed-door scene. This probably won’t bother most, but when reading a romance, I want to see the steam on page just as much as we saw the action and gore. Otherwise, fantastic story!
July 28, 2022
I was wandering blindly about attempting to find a good read and stumbled upon this book. I was pleasantly surprised when it was something that I truly enjoyed. One of my biggest pet peeves is when a book has come to a stop but the story hasn’t. Tanya Bird does a fabulous job of wrapping up her stories and tying all the pieces together. After this book I felt the story was complete. Many of the other reviews mention that this story isn’t very historically accurate, which is true. In the authors defense, she does note at the end of the book that it was intentional to add some modern day vocabulary for the purpose of reaching a larger audience. If you are looking for something they follows the historical facts to a T then you may want to pass, but if you looking for entertainment A Gladiator’s Oath is a promising choice.
June 16, 2018
*Tanya Bird kicks dust again*
I honestly couldn't wait for her to come out with another book after i read "The Companion series" and i honestly can say she's become one of my favorite authors!
I *love* a good, edge of your seat love story, especially stories set in early Rome where cruelty was a norm to survive. I also appreciate a talented author who can make historical events come to life with such strong believable characters with so much to give. Here in this novel is proof that authors are able to write first rate romance stories without needing obscene language. Beautifully done!
Gladiator's Oath was a great start to hopping a new series, although it can be read as a standalone.
Really enjoyed reading this book and can't wait for the next~!!!
A story about a strong, fearless girl....
....to win her freedom in the gladiator arena.
June 7, 2018
What an amazing story, Mila the strong, determined heroine desperate to win her freedom and Remus the powerful Gladiator who has won his freedom. This is their story and wow, it really pulled me into their world. I loved it and l just couldn't put it down. It has left me wanting more, so am really looking forward to the next book in this Roman Hearts Series. Well done Tanya, another fantastic book.
June 2, 2018
simply love the story. mostly i love the way you( tanya bird) present it in the book. everyone aims for their own choice of freedom like mila or like prisca but u contented the story with emotions and feeling being a slave in front of destiny. i am a big fan of not just you but all your books and specially the companion series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2018
This was amazing. I enjoyed every minute reading this story. Tanya Bird has definitely joined my list of favorite authors.
May 9, 2021
Fun distraction, but not historically accurate and had very low stakes considering the topic.
March 10, 2021
A Gladiator's Oath (Roman Hearts Book 1) by Tanya Bird
This is a new author to me and I look forward to reading more of her books! I really enjoyed being transported back in time when the world gathered to Rome’s coliseums to watch and be entertained by the infamous gladiators and the wild exotic animals as they fight to the death. It starts out with Mila who is a slave and a gifted street fighter with one goal which is to earn her freedom from slavery. Mila got that opportunity when she was bought as a slave by a woman who herself dreamed of fighting as a gladiator when she was younger but was denied because, of her upper class status. So, vicariously she paid for Mila’s gladiator training by the best gladiator of the time and contracted an agreement if she won the one fight she would give Mila her freedom. If only it was that easy. The storyline is engaging and well written with great attention to world building detail and, the plot has a couple surprising twists I didn’t see coming. I loved the charming chemistry, witty banter, and the slow burn romance between the admirable and heart felt protagonists. This story is touching and tells of the power of believing in oneself, and the strength and fortitude to keep going through extreme physical and emotional pain, and the metal to never give up and to never give in. I’m looking forward to the next book. Happy Reading!
This is a new author to me and I look forward to reading more of her books! I really enjoyed being transported back in time when the world gathered to Rome’s coliseums to watch and be entertained by the infamous gladiators and the wild exotic animals as they fight to the death. It starts out with Mila who is a slave and a gifted street fighter with one goal which is to earn her freedom from slavery. Mila got that opportunity when she was bought as a slave by a woman who herself dreamed of fighting as a gladiator when she was younger but was denied because, of her upper class status. So, vicariously she paid for Mila’s gladiator training by the best gladiator of the time and contracted an agreement if she won the one fight she would give Mila her freedom. If only it was that easy. The storyline is engaging and well written with great attention to world building detail and, the plot has a couple surprising twists I didn’t see coming. I loved the charming chemistry, witty banter, and the slow burn romance between the admirable and heart felt protagonists. This story is touching and tells of the power of believing in oneself, and the strength and fortitude to keep going through extreme physical and emotional pain, and the metal to never give up and to never give in. I’m looking forward to the next book. Happy Reading!
April 22, 2025
🌶️/5
This story follows Mila, a slave in a Roman household, in her quest for freedom for her and her family. She trains as a gladiator in an attempt to win her freedom in the colosseum. When her first battle doesn't go as planned and she is sold, Mila, under ownership of a new lady of Roman high society, starts training under Remus Latinius, a former gladiator who won his own freedom. As she trains, intrigue, betrayal and politics loom before her as she goes for freedom, but also love grows in unexpected places.
Note: It is historical fiction, but it is loosely historical based. There is only one historically based character and it is the Emperor who is in the story only a short time. For those readers who want a good dose of history with their fiction, this may not be for you. It is historical adjacent.
This story is a cute, easy YA romance. There is quite a cast of characters (Felix the dwarf grew on me as the story went on) that I feel are pretty dynamic for the most part. I like the importance of family woven in the story, but it also weaves a great "family isn't always by blood but by choice" story as well.
If you are looking for a quick, love story that happens to take place in the sands of Rome among blood and fighting, I recommend this story.
This story follows Mila, a slave in a Roman household, in her quest for freedom for her and her family. She trains as a gladiator in an attempt to win her freedom in the colosseum. When her first battle doesn't go as planned and she is sold, Mila, under ownership of a new lady of Roman high society, starts training under Remus Latinius, a former gladiator who won his own freedom. As she trains, intrigue, betrayal and politics loom before her as she goes for freedom, but also love grows in unexpected places.
Note: It is historical fiction, but it is loosely historical based. There is only one historically based character and it is the Emperor who is in the story only a short time. For those readers who want a good dose of history with their fiction, this may not be for you. It is historical adjacent.
This story is a cute, easy YA romance. There is quite a cast of characters (Felix the dwarf grew on me as the story went on) that I feel are pretty dynamic for the most part. I like the importance of family woven in the story, but it also weaves a great "family isn't always by blood but by choice" story as well.
If you are looking for a quick, love story that happens to take place in the sands of Rome among blood and fighting, I recommend this story.
July 29, 2023
It’s been a while since I’ve liked a FMC like Mila and I was hooked by this book from the beginning until the very end. To me this was an historical fiction with a sprinkle of romance between the young slave Mila and the ex-gladiator Remus.
Mila always wanted something more for her life –she wanted to be free, to have the choice of doing whatever she wanted and not staying as the slave girl who also happens to be the out-of-marriage daughter of a senator. Mila wants to buy her freedom and to accomplish it, she trains with Remus, an ex-gladiator who won it by fighting in the arena.
In her training with Remus, Mila meets a dwarf gladiator called Felix, and Fausta, another female gladiator who was a prostitute before fighting in the arena. Both of them worry about her small frame but they know her tenancy will get her to places.
Mila’s half-brother, Nerva, also helps begrudgingly helps her and with her guardian Albaus and the small kid Nero, they basically take care of Mila and support her the best way they can, considering they’re also slaves and her only fight in the arena will decide her fate.
What I loved the most about this book was the interaction between Mila and all the characters around her. I could picture everybody and their loyalty and friendship was so important to me. It wasn’t heavy on the romance and Remus was a nice man who did care for Mila and helped her whenever she needed it.
The plot twists also made me gasp and I feared what would happen.
Overall, I’m proud of Mila and everybody in this book, and how they founded their own family, set by their own rules. Of course the fact that we see women gladiators had me screaming with joy! Absolutely recommend it!
Mila always wanted something more for her life –she wanted to be free, to have the choice of doing whatever she wanted and not staying as the slave girl who also happens to be the out-of-marriage daughter of a senator. Mila wants to buy her freedom and to accomplish it, she trains with Remus, an ex-gladiator who won it by fighting in the arena.
In her training with Remus, Mila meets a dwarf gladiator called Felix, and Fausta, another female gladiator who was a prostitute before fighting in the arena. Both of them worry about her small frame but they know her tenancy will get her to places.
Mila’s half-brother, Nerva, also helps begrudgingly helps her and with her guardian Albaus and the small kid Nero, they basically take care of Mila and support her the best way they can, considering they’re also slaves and her only fight in the arena will decide her fate.
What I loved the most about this book was the interaction between Mila and all the characters around her. I could picture everybody and their loyalty and friendship was so important to me. It wasn’t heavy on the romance and Remus was a nice man who did care for Mila and helped her whenever she needed it.
The plot twists also made me gasp and I feared what would happen.
Overall, I’m proud of Mila and everybody in this book, and how they founded their own family, set by their own rules. Of course the fact that we see women gladiators had me screaming with joy! Absolutely recommend it!
December 19, 2019
This book left me breathless. I loved every moment of it from start to finish. When it finally ended, my only consolation is that this is only the start of a series. It is one of those books that moved in a measured pace that can't be described as fast, yet it isn't slow either. It simply draws you along and compels you to go on, weaving you deeper into the story until you'll feel like you're standing in the arena right beside Mila, breathing in the dust and debris, fighting for your life. It's one of those books that I simply couldn't put down. The fight scenes were enthralling and the plot kept me at the edge of my seat. And the love story? It was emotionally provocative, and extremely sensual, even though the scenes were subdued.
What a masterpiece, Tanya Bird. Easily one of my best reads for 2019! Highly recommend for lovers of historical romance.
What a masterpiece, Tanya Bird. Easily one of my best reads for 2019! Highly recommend for lovers of historical romance.
June 24, 2020
Heart story with a taste of history
Although fiction, this story could come off as real. The characters, scenes, actions, everything is believable. I have seen Gladiator with actor Russell Crowe and the storytelling of this book takes me back to that film. I can visualize using that film as a reference. All Mila wanted was freedom. Being an illegitimate daughter of a senator and raised in his household automatically made her a slave. Not fair right? So having a half older brother Nervus groomed to be the next senator infatuated with gladiators made Mila his sparring partner. This is Mila’s story and her chance for freedom and the love she found along the way. Plus imagining a sexy gladiator Remus doesn’t hurt either. Book two is about her younger sister and orphaned Nero.
Although fiction, this story could come off as real. The characters, scenes, actions, everything is believable. I have seen Gladiator with actor Russell Crowe and the storytelling of this book takes me back to that film. I can visualize using that film as a reference. All Mila wanted was freedom. Being an illegitimate daughter of a senator and raised in his household automatically made her a slave. Not fair right? So having a half older brother Nervus groomed to be the next senator infatuated with gladiators made Mila his sparring partner. This is Mila’s story and her chance for freedom and the love she found along the way. Plus imagining a sexy gladiator Remus doesn’t hurt either. Book two is about her younger sister and orphaned Nero.
April 12, 2022
This is the first book I've read by the author. It was a great story! We go back in time to ancient Rome where gladiators fought to their death and freedom for the lucky ones.
In this story we meet Mila, born a slave who yearns of freedom for herself, her mother, and younger sister. Mila having gained combat skills by sparring with her half- brother is now earning coin by fighting boys in hopes of making enough to one day buy their freedom. We also meet Remus, a famous gladiator, who fought his way to the top and earned his freedom. He still resides and now trains future gladiators where he grew up. He's never really lived outside of the confines of being a gladiator. Mila and Remus's lives will intersect. One will teach the art of combat and the other will teach one to live, love and hope for a different life!
In this story we meet Mila, born a slave who yearns of freedom for herself, her mother, and younger sister. Mila having gained combat skills by sparring with her half- brother is now earning coin by fighting boys in hopes of making enough to one day buy their freedom. We also meet Remus, a famous gladiator, who fought his way to the top and earned his freedom. He still resides and now trains future gladiators where he grew up. He's never really lived outside of the confines of being a gladiator. Mila and Remus's lives will intersect. One will teach the art of combat and the other will teach one to live, love and hope for a different life!
April 9, 2025
4⭐️ This historical fiction (with a tiny side of romance) was certainly interesting! I liked reading about women gladiators and life in Ancient Rome. It was mostly about a slave turned gladiator, than the woman gladiator lifestyle, but we do get to see a retired Gladiator and what his life is like at the school. This definitely wasn’t an incredibly accurate period piece, but it piqued my curiosity!
There was some romantic tension but mostly the story was about being enslaved and hard living situations.
I loved the ending for Mila and Remus and it ended in a way that this could stay a stand alone story if you’d like, or it sets up for the next book nicely as well.
**Warning: enslavement, gore, animal death, mention of sexual assault**
Expect:
-Ancient Rome
-historical fiction
-enslavement
-gladiator school
-women gladiators
-forced proximity
-little romance (no spice)
There was some romantic tension but mostly the story was about being enslaved and hard living situations.
I loved the ending for Mila and Remus and it ended in a way that this could stay a stand alone story if you’d like, or it sets up for the next book nicely as well.
**Warning: enslavement, gore, animal death, mention of sexual assault**
Expect:
-Ancient Rome
-historical fiction
-enslavement
-gladiator school
-women gladiators
-forced proximity
-little romance (no spice)
October 16, 2024
I've re-read the Companion Series more times than I can count. I started this one a long time ago but stopped, because a woman gladiator was not my thing, but I like Tanya's writing so much that I gave it another chance (after... yes! Finishing the Companion Series yet again).
Strong points: the writing. Glad to see this author is keeping up with her level.
Weaker points: the topic is not so interesting to me, but it's completely a matter of taste. It was only a book, so the characters didn't grow on me as in the other series. Also, I missed the world-building... But again, by no means this is the author's fault, just my personal preference!
I'm not sure I'll read the continuation. Maybe I need to give it some time...
Strong points: the writing. Glad to see this author is keeping up with her level.
Weaker points: the topic is not so interesting to me, but it's completely a matter of taste. It was only a book, so the characters didn't grow on me as in the other series. Also, I missed the world-building... But again, by no means this is the author's fault, just my personal preference!
I'm not sure I'll read the continuation. Maybe I need to give it some time...
September 4, 2020
An epic journey to love
Oh, how I cried, laughed and cheered while reading this book! It takes you on an adventure that has twists and turns all over the place.
You cheer for Mila and Remus, both gladiators who fight for their freedom. You want the best for Mila’s family and want nothing more than for slaves to find a way to freedom.
This is not an easy book to read because it’s uncomfortable. This is a part of Roman history that is not often discussed, but it was done so here with great care.
I see myself reading this again and again while also reveling in the next books in the series.
Oh, how I cried, laughed and cheered while reading this book! It takes you on an adventure that has twists and turns all over the place.
You cheer for Mila and Remus, both gladiators who fight for their freedom. You want the best for Mila’s family and want nothing more than for slaves to find a way to freedom.
This is not an easy book to read because it’s uncomfortable. This is a part of Roman history that is not often discussed, but it was done so here with great care.
I see myself reading this again and again while also reveling in the next books in the series.
September 8, 2020
Tanya is one of my favorite authors. The Comoanion series is my absolute favorite along with a couple others. I love stories taking place in ancient Rome so I was thrilled about this. Though I did find it difficult to connect with Mila and most of the characters. Felix became an absolute favorite and Remus is the next on the list along with Nero but the rest I just felt disconnected with then.
Nonetheless I did enjoy the books d the setting along with the story and much like the Comoanion series it's an easy ook to read and didnt let me get bored at all. Specially the arena scene was amazing and had me on edge.
Can't wait to start the next one.
Nonetheless I did enjoy the books d the setting along with the story and much like the Comoanion series it's an easy ook to read and didnt let me get bored at all. Specially the arena scene was amazing and had me on edge.
Can't wait to start the next one.
November 24, 2023
This was just…unbelievable? The characters two dimensional? How do you have a character as a slave the rest of her family free who sits by without a care in the world as she’s sold off and completely okay with her….being a slave? Like, I needed way more explanation.
And then the insta love between her and Remus was just…ugh. Could you give me ANYTHING other than “I see you and YOU ARE MINE BECAUSE I FEEL A PULL TO YOU.”
Just not my cup of tea. And as others have also pointed out, VERY little historical accuracy to be found which just…annoyed me.
And then the insta love between her and Remus was just…ugh. Could you give me ANYTHING other than “I see you and YOU ARE MINE BECAUSE I FEEL A PULL TO YOU.”
Just not my cup of tea. And as others have also pointed out, VERY little historical accuracy to be found which just…annoyed me.
July 29, 2019
A one day page turner
After reading the companion series and falling in love with the unique content & the storylines behind each character, I wanted to explore more from Tanya Bird. The 1st Roman book was just as wonderful as the companion books were. The descriptions being so thorough that I almost felt transported back in time. I read this 1st book in a day, I’m now just ordering the 2nd. I can not recommend this author any higher than to say, I want to read everything she’s ever written, and I’m excited to get my teeth in to another series. The way each story is different, but weaving all the characters we love in to them is such a beautiful style of writing. Soul happy books.
After reading the companion series and falling in love with the unique content & the storylines behind each character, I wanted to explore more from Tanya Bird. The 1st Roman book was just as wonderful as the companion books were. The descriptions being so thorough that I almost felt transported back in time. I read this 1st book in a day, I’m now just ordering the 2nd. I can not recommend this author any higher than to say, I want to read everything she’s ever written, and I’m excited to get my teeth in to another series. The way each story is different, but weaving all the characters we love in to them is such a beautiful style of writing. Soul happy books.
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