Review: Gladiatrix
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 25, 2014
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.Xanthe is the daughter of a Sarmatian chieftain. A fierce warrior woman who believed in her skills so much that she left her people by herself in search of her captive brother. She is taken unawares by the Hun and taken captive. But not before she killed seven of her original ten attackers. When the Hun overtaken themselves by Roman soldiers it seems like her journey is just going to get harder. She is given as a gift to General Sextus who plans to use her as a gladiatrix (a female gladiator fighter) for the coliseum.Centurion Titus Valens has no idea why this warrior woman interests him so much. From the first moment he met her eyes he feels an instant connection of his soul to hers. Like they had known each other in some other lifetime. Afraid of what would happen to her without his help he agrees to take over Xanthe's training for the coliseum.I enjoyed the connection between Xanthe and Titus. Xanthe is a very strong woman. Confident that she can overcome any obstacle placed in her way towards freedom she refuses to give up. Life in Rome is not what either of them expected. There seem to be enemies around every corner. I adored Titus. From the start he was in Xanthe's corner. Wanting to ensure that she survived the coliseum he did everything in his power to help her.It was interesting reading a female gladiators perspective. If I had any complaints it would be that Xanthe fell for Titus so quickly in the story. With her being a prisoner I guess I was expecting for him to really have to work at getting her trust. But even that didn't bother me that much when you take in everything they had to go thru to be together.