What do you think?
Rate this book
The Gladiator's Honor
A hardened survivor of more than a dozen gladiatorial combats, Valens's raw masculinity fuels many women's sexual fantasies. He is outside polite society, and Roman noblewoman Julia Antonia knows she should have nothing to do with a man who is little more than a slave.
But with a wisp of scandal clinging to her stola, Julia is drawn inexorably toward the forbidden danger he represents. For Valens, Julia is a tantalizing reminder of the life he'd been torn from. To claim her, he must fight one final time—and win!
But with a wisp of scandal clinging to her stola, Julia is drawn inexorably toward the forbidden danger he represents. For Valens, Julia is a tantalizing reminder of the life he'd been torn from. To claim her, he must fight one final time—and win!
295 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2006
6 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Styles
128 books200 followersBorn and raised near San Francisco Califorinia, Michelle Styles currently lives a few miles south of Hadrian's Wall with her husband, three children and menagerie of pets. An avid reader, she became hooked on historical romance when she discovered Georgette Heyer, Anya Seton and Victoria Holt in her school's library. Michelle enjoys writing stories in a wide range of time periods including Roman, Viking, Regency and early Victorian. Her website can be found at www.michellestyles.co.uk
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 15, 2023
Come un vera e propria ventata di aria fresca, Questo è il primo libro in assoluto che leggo ambientato in questo periodo storico, e in mezzo a millemila regency , spicca come una colomba in uno stormo di corvi. Ed è proprio questo a essere il punto di forza di questo lavoro. Le descrizioni sono quasi scenografiche,e per tutto il tempo di questa graziosa lettura mi sono ricordata i vecchi film girati a Cinecittà e per quasi tutta la durata del libro ho avuto in mente la colonna sonora di Ben-Hur, a scandire il passo fiero dei tribuni ,e lui Valente aveva il bel volto di Russel Crowe . In Valente ritrovo il buon vecchio maschio etero , che tanto mi era mancato , che domina solo nell’arena ma che è tenerissimo con la bella Giulia Antonia , una splendida matrona romana , dolce ma ferrea , fragile ma appassionata.
Ho adorato le descrizioni che di lei ha fatto l’autrice a partire dal vestiario sino ai trucchi… abituata a un altro periodo storico tutto quello che leggevo riguardo gli abiti e le descrizioni della moda che allora mi sembrava nuovissimo, e anche molto interessante , tanto che sono andata a fare una piccola ricerca ritrovando riscontro nella accuratezza delle descrizioni.
Giulia Antonia si sistemò meglio sul capo un lembo della palla rosso scuro e lisciò le pieghe della stola di lana verde, assicurandosi che sia il manto quadrato che copriva la testa e le spalle, segno distintivo del pudore, sia la lunga veste che nascondeva il piede come si confaceva a una matrona, fossero drappeggiate in modo appropriato a una donna del suo ceto.
Giulia si riscosse e, liberandosi da quell'abbraccio, si mise ginocchioni, cominciando a raccogliere il pettine d'avorio, quattro spilloni d'osso per fermare i capelli...
Giulia prese un pennello pulito e cominciò a spolverarsi le ciglia con polvere di gusci di conchiglia, per rendere lo sguardo più luminoso.
Anche le descrizioni di Valente sono molto cinematografiche:
Valente indossava l'equipaggiamento completo donato da Cesare ai gladiatori... l'armatura d'argento che gli copriva il petto e ne seguiva i contorni, una manica che riparava il braccio usato per impugnare la sica, la spada ricurva usata dai traci, e che ora reggeva, uno scudo rettangolare, alte protezioni agli stinchi e alle ginocchia, una fascia di cuoio al polso sinistro e una cintura, anch'essa di cuoio, sulla quale erano incastonati medaglioni di bronzo. Con la mano destra reggeva l'elmo scintillante che portava incisa una scena di guerra. Sembrava un dio.
Per il resto la storia riecheggia chiaramente quella di ridley scott, anche se in una versione molto più semplicistica e meno dark. Si capisce quasi subito il retaggio di valente e si capisce facilmente come andrà finire con il suo principale antagonista.
Tuttavia rimane un lavoro garbato, carino che mi ha accompagnato in questi giorni concitati in cui ho davvero avuto pochissimo tempo per leggere.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ho adorato le descrizioni che di lei ha fatto l’autrice a partire dal vestiario sino ai trucchi… abituata a un altro periodo storico tutto quello che leggevo riguardo gli abiti e le descrizioni della moda che allora mi sembrava nuovissimo, e anche molto interessante , tanto che sono andata a fare una piccola ricerca ritrovando riscontro nella accuratezza delle descrizioni.
Giulia Antonia si sistemò meglio sul capo un lembo della palla rosso scuro e lisciò le pieghe della stola di lana verde, assicurandosi che sia il manto quadrato che copriva la testa e le spalle, segno distintivo del pudore, sia la lunga veste che nascondeva il piede come si confaceva a una matrona, fossero drappeggiate in modo appropriato a una donna del suo ceto.
Giulia si riscosse e, liberandosi da quell'abbraccio, si mise ginocchioni, cominciando a raccogliere il pettine d'avorio, quattro spilloni d'osso per fermare i capelli...
Giulia prese un pennello pulito e cominciò a spolverarsi le ciglia con polvere di gusci di conchiglia, per rendere lo sguardo più luminoso.
Anche le descrizioni di Valente sono molto cinematografiche:
Valente indossava l'equipaggiamento completo donato da Cesare ai gladiatori... l'armatura d'argento che gli copriva il petto e ne seguiva i contorni, una manica che riparava il braccio usato per impugnare la sica, la spada ricurva usata dai traci, e che ora reggeva, uno scudo rettangolare, alte protezioni agli stinchi e alle ginocchia, una fascia di cuoio al polso sinistro e una cintura, anch'essa di cuoio, sulla quale erano incastonati medaglioni di bronzo. Con la mano destra reggeva l'elmo scintillante che portava incisa una scena di guerra. Sembrava un dio.
Per il resto la storia riecheggia chiaramente quella di ridley scott, anche se in una versione molto più semplicistica e meno dark. Si capisce quasi subito il retaggio di valente e si capisce facilmente come andrà finire con il suo principale antagonista.
Tuttavia rimane un lavoro garbato, carino che mi ha accompagnato in questi giorni concitati in cui ho davvero avuto pochissimo tempo per leggere.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 23, 2008
I loved the setting of this book. The research behind the story made it feel authentic but accessible without taking the emphasis away from the hero and heroine.
May 18, 2018
Before I begin, please forgive me for the amount of gushing I will be doing about this book. This is my second book by Michelle Styles, and oh my word what a doozy this is. I have quickly become a huge fan of Ms Styles work, I love her raw and vivid writing style. Her stories are wonderfully engaging, hugely romantic and flow with ease.
I hadn’t read a Roman romance before this and I can say with absolute honesty that I have been missing out on something, this is more than good. In fact, good is not the word for it, this is amazing! Everything about this era is very new to me, I have learnt so much from reading this book – and at times when something was mentioned I was intrigued and for the first time ever while reading a book, I did Google some of the items and terms, thing’s that were mentioned so that I could learn more.
Set during ancient Rome in the reign of Julius Ceaser, after divorcing her abusive husband, Julia Antonia is now back living with her father and step mother. She is plodding along, trying her hardest to evade her step-mother; Sabina’s match making. She has her best friend Claudia – who is a real laugh out loud character and her faithful dog Bato, not quite as happy as she would like to be, she feels like a disappointment she is basically stuck in a rut the only good thing about her present existence is that she is free from her ex-husband Lucius. Her regular and boring routine is set off kilter when she meets devilishly sexy and Oh, so charming Gladiator Valen’s – who wears his toga way shorter than fashionable, leaving very little to the imagination.
Valen’s having been stolen from his past life and sold to into slavery, he has literally fought for his life to become one of the best and most respected Gladiators. He knows what his destiny is; to die in the arena, Valen’s also knows that if he can win these next games he can gain his freedom, as long as he can stay alive. He has everything planned out, that is until meets beautiful Julia and suddenly his life is far more complicated than he would like it to be.
absolutely love these two, they are passionate, sexy and so adorable. They fit together beautifully she is the calming beauty and light that his tormented heart and mind needs she soothes him and makes him realise that there is something else out there, something more than just fighting. She makes him believe that maybe there could be a future for him. Whereas he gives her something that she thought she would never have; to be able to feel alive again, to feel safe and secure and to feel loved. Something she has missed out on over the years.
Oh, my goodness; Valen’s! I don’t think I have ever come across a man who is as virile and alive as this seductive Gladiator. Valen’s is supremely sexy, quietly determined and masculinity personified – I mean his muscles have got muscles! He has secrets and a painful past that torment’s him and all you want to do is give him a huge hug. His steely gaze, saucy grin and grumbling voice could make any women with a pulse swoon, but he also has a wonderful mind, he is caring, very loving and protective. How he treats his friends and Bato the dog is sweet and tender, he shows that even though he is a huge, brawny man. A man who can kill when needed and man who wields a sword like it is a third arm, he shows that he can be gentle and sensual. Oh, how much have a fallen head over heals for him
I hadn’t read a Roman romance before this and I can say with absolute honesty that I have been missing out on something, this is more than good. In fact, good is not the word for it, this is amazing! Everything about this era is very new to me, I have learnt so much from reading this book – and at times when something was mentioned I was intrigued and for the first time ever while reading a book, I did Google some of the items and terms, thing’s that were mentioned so that I could learn more.
Set during ancient Rome in the reign of Julius Ceaser, after divorcing her abusive husband, Julia Antonia is now back living with her father and step mother. She is plodding along, trying her hardest to evade her step-mother; Sabina’s match making. She has her best friend Claudia – who is a real laugh out loud character and her faithful dog Bato, not quite as happy as she would like to be, she feels like a disappointment she is basically stuck in a rut the only good thing about her present existence is that she is free from her ex-husband Lucius. Her regular and boring routine is set off kilter when she meets devilishly sexy and Oh, so charming Gladiator Valen’s – who wears his toga way shorter than fashionable, leaving very little to the imagination.
Valen’s having been stolen from his past life and sold to into slavery, he has literally fought for his life to become one of the best and most respected Gladiators. He knows what his destiny is; to die in the arena, Valen’s also knows that if he can win these next games he can gain his freedom, as long as he can stay alive. He has everything planned out, that is until meets beautiful Julia and suddenly his life is far more complicated than he would like it to be.
absolutely love these two, they are passionate, sexy and so adorable. They fit together beautifully she is the calming beauty and light that his tormented heart and mind needs she soothes him and makes him realise that there is something else out there, something more than just fighting. She makes him believe that maybe there could be a future for him. Whereas he gives her something that she thought she would never have; to be able to feel alive again, to feel safe and secure and to feel loved. Something she has missed out on over the years.
Oh, my goodness; Valen’s! I don’t think I have ever come across a man who is as virile and alive as this seductive Gladiator. Valen’s is supremely sexy, quietly determined and masculinity personified – I mean his muscles have got muscles! He has secrets and a painful past that torment’s him and all you want to do is give him a huge hug. His steely gaze, saucy grin and grumbling voice could make any women with a pulse swoon, but he also has a wonderful mind, he is caring, very loving and protective. How he treats his friends and Bato the dog is sweet and tender, he shows that even though he is a huge, brawny man. A man who can kill when needed and man who wields a sword like it is a third arm, he shows that he can be gentle and sensual. Oh, how much have a fallen head over heals for him
July 31, 2013
This was short(ish) but sweet - I am a sucker for the setting, of course, but besides that, I loved both Julia and Valens who were sane, good, strong people who not only loved but respected each other. Worth a read!
February 12, 2009
A fun read about Ancient Rome. A page-turner.
February 11, 2019
Found it hard to get into the story. But I always finish a book.
March 16, 2011
This book probably deserves a 3.5 and while I normally try to round up, I just couldn't this time.
The story itself is interesting and the characters are likable and believable, but the editing was so bad that I could not get a fair sense of the author's voice. Words missing, words thrown in, wrong tenses, random, meaningless capitalization. It was distracting to say the least.
Another thing that struck me as odd was the disclaimer on the back of the title page -- yes, I sometimes read those -- about all the characters in this book being fictional and having no relation to any actual persons seems to be the wrong version of that disclaimer in a book set in Rome in 65 B.C. that has a character named Julius Caesar, who has some clout and is actually interacting with the characters in the book in a non-incidental way. Maybe it is a different Julius Caesar, but just in case, there is a version of the disclaimer that allows for reference to actual historical persons. Not that the publisher should be too worried about the Caesar estate taking action. I'm just saying.
All that aside, I did enjoy the book enough to would read something else by this author.
The story itself is interesting and the characters are likable and believable, but the editing was so bad that I could not get a fair sense of the author's voice. Words missing, words thrown in, wrong tenses, random, meaningless capitalization. It was distracting to say the least.
Another thing that struck me as odd was the disclaimer on the back of the title page -- yes, I sometimes read those -- about all the characters in this book being fictional and having no relation to any actual persons seems to be the wrong version of that disclaimer in a book set in Rome in 65 B.C. that has a character named Julius Caesar, who has some clout and is actually interacting with the characters in the book in a non-incidental way. Maybe it is a different Julius Caesar, but just in case, there is a version of the disclaimer that allows for reference to actual historical persons. Not that the publisher should be too worried about the Caesar estate taking action. I'm just saying.
All that aside, I did enjoy the book enough to would read something else by this author.
April 6, 2020
05/04/2020
Come si dice in inglese, questo libro è un page turner... sì, perché non sono riuscita a metterlo giù, pur essendo una rilettura, fino a che non ho visto la parola "fine".
Finora è l'unico romance ambientato nell'Antica Roma che sono riuscita a reperire, spero ce ne siano altri tradotti in italiano...
Roma è Roma... magica!
Confermate le 5 stelle.
03/02/2019
In questo libro c'è tutto: amore, vendetta, coraggio, rivalsa... In più è scritto molto bene e quando un romance è scritto bene le 5 stelle a mio avviso se le merita tutte.
Come si dice in inglese, questo libro è un page turner... sì, perché non sono riuscita a metterlo giù, pur essendo una rilettura, fino a che non ho visto la parola "fine".
Finora è l'unico romance ambientato nell'Antica Roma che sono riuscita a reperire, spero ce ne siano altri tradotti in italiano...
Roma è Roma... magica!
Confermate le 5 stelle.
03/02/2019
In questo libro c'è tutto: amore, vendetta, coraggio, rivalsa... In più è scritto molto bene e quando un romance è scritto bene le 5 stelle a mio avviso se le merita tutte.
August 29, 2022
Roma, 65 a.C
Caio Gracco Valente è un gladiatore sopravvissuto ad innumerevoli combattimenti mortali nell’arena.
È ammirato dagli uomini ed amato dalle donne ma rimane sempre considerato da tutti alle stregue di uno schiavo.
Giulia Antonia è una nobile patrizia e sa benissimo che con un gladiatore non dovrebbe averci niente a che fare ma il fascino dell’uomo è irresistibile.
La Styles con gli storici è una spanna sopra a tutti quanti. Punto forte di questo romanzo sono le descrizioni: gli abiti, i luoghi, le abitudini… mi è sembrato proprio di essere stata catapultata nell’antica Roma e di assistere in prima persona agli scontri. Circondata dall’essenza stessa del “panem et circenses”
Ovviamente, per quanto mi riguarda, Valente me lo sono sempre immaginato come Massimo Decimo Meridio (Russel Crowe nel film “Il Gladiatore” di Ridley Scott) quindi i miei occhi sono stati a cuoricino per tutto il romanzo.
Mi è piaciuta molto la sua backstory: figlio di una famiglia di Patrizi, reso schiavo e venduto al migliore offerente.
Giulia Antonia forte e fragile al tempo stesso che sa cosa vuole e sa non farsi mettere i piedi in testa da nessuno.
Libro letto in una sola seduta che è riuscito a tenermi incollata alle pagine.
Caio Gracco Valente è un gladiatore sopravvissuto ad innumerevoli combattimenti mortali nell’arena.
È ammirato dagli uomini ed amato dalle donne ma rimane sempre considerato da tutti alle stregue di uno schiavo.
Giulia Antonia è una nobile patrizia e sa benissimo che con un gladiatore non dovrebbe averci niente a che fare ma il fascino dell’uomo è irresistibile.
La Styles con gli storici è una spanna sopra a tutti quanti. Punto forte di questo romanzo sono le descrizioni: gli abiti, i luoghi, le abitudini… mi è sembrato proprio di essere stata catapultata nell’antica Roma e di assistere in prima persona agli scontri. Circondata dall’essenza stessa del “panem et circenses”
Ovviamente, per quanto mi riguarda, Valente me lo sono sempre immaginato come Massimo Decimo Meridio (Russel Crowe nel film “Il Gladiatore” di Ridley Scott) quindi i miei occhi sono stati a cuoricino per tutto il romanzo.
Mi è piaciuta molto la sua backstory: figlio di una famiglia di Patrizi, reso schiavo e venduto al migliore offerente.
Giulia Antonia forte e fragile al tempo stesso che sa cosa vuole e sa non farsi mettere i piedi in testa da nessuno.
Libro letto in una sola seduta che è riuscito a tenermi incollata alle pagine.
July 28, 2023
I enjoyed the book more than I hoped that I would. The two main characters, Valens and Julia, were probable and understandable. Knowing the tropes and requirements for romance as a genre, I was impressed that Styles tossed out the "she must be a virgin" and "they must dislike each other at the beginning" ones to write something that I could tolerate and not feel was a harmful model for folks. The descriptions were just the right balance for me, you can tell that Styles did research but she doesn't overwhelm you with details so your imagination can work.
I try to hold off being too judgy when it comes to reading historical fiction, but there are some things that really annoy me. Luckily, this book only had two of those pet peeves – ignoring that slaves are slave (they are not servants) and giving women too much freedom for the time period.
I try to hold off being too judgy when it comes to reading historical fiction, but there are some things that really annoy me. Luckily, this book only had two of those pet peeves – ignoring that slaves are slave (they are not servants) and giving women too much freedom for the time period.
January 16, 2018
The Gladiator’s Honor was a pleasure to read: a lush, well-paced romance set in a Rome so well-researched I felt I was there. It was refreshing to read about a divorced heroine, and the exploration of the role of honor in Roman society made for a fascinating theme that threaded through the lives of both main characters with wonderful depth. The plot was fantastically wrought--lots of great twists kept me turning the pages and delivered me breathless to the wonderfully climactic end. Well done!
July 30, 2023
Absolutely delightful! I loved reading this so much. Julia was so sweet, and I loved how Valens supported her strength and helped her find herself again. The mystery of his past and everything they go through to be together was amazing to read.
Content warnings on StoryGraph.
Content warnings on StoryGraph.
November 24, 2013
Maybe it's just me, but it seems that every historical novel I read lately is full of anachronisms. This one had characters using sayings from Shakespeare and contemporary sources, often enough that it made it impossible for me to suspend disbelief.
I've also read too many books lately with characters who refuse to explain themselves.
Sorry to whoever recommended this one to me. I'm beginning to suspect I should stick to nonfiction for a while.
I've also read too many books lately with characters who refuse to explain themselves.
Sorry to whoever recommended this one to me. I'm beginning to suspect I should stick to nonfiction for a while.
February 11, 2011
This book was a quick, easy, no-emotion-eliciting read. Well, except for thankfulness my husband isn't a gladiator....
I enjoyed it, but probably would have been disappointed if I had blown off something like studying for school to read it.
I put this book in the (not-so-glamourous) not-sorry-I-read-it shelf.
I enjoyed it, but probably would have been disappointed if I had blown off something like studying for school to read it.
I put this book in the (not-so-glamourous) not-sorry-I-read-it shelf.
January 20, 2010
Ehhh.... this was a very quick read sort of on the boring side for being a story about a gladiator not mush action, there was only one good fight scene and it was all the way at the end... the love scenes were extremely lacking! Big disapointment!!!
Read
September 12, 2012Un romance davvero diverso dal solito come protagonisti, ma soprattutto come ambientazione...
December 29, 2013
1,5 stars. =w=
September 3, 2022
This had the potential to be good but got mired by poor editing and weird, anachronistic dialogue that belonged more in a 21st-century setting.
June 21, 2010
I didn't find this interesting at all. The characters seemed wooden and the plot farcical.
September 23, 2018
Otra gran historia ambientada en la Roma de Julio Cesar.
Valens me ha encantado como encara la vida y como conquista a Julia
Valens me ha encantado como encara la vida y como conquista a Julia
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews