Review: Blood and Sand by C. V. Wyk

Synopsis:

Forged in battle…
From the dust of the arena…
A legend will rise

The action-packed tale of a 17-year-old warrior princess and a handsome gladiator who dared take on the Roman Republic—and gave rise to the legend of Spartacus…

Roma Victrix. The Republic of Rome is on a relentless march to create an empire―an empire built on the backs of the conquered, brought back to Rome as slaves.

Attia was once destined to rule as the queen and swordmaiden of Thrace, the greatest warrior kingdom the world had seen since Sparta. Now she is a slave, given to Xanthus, the Champion of Rome, as a sign of his master’s favor. Enslaved as a child, Xanthus is the preeminent gladiator of his generation.

Against all odds, Attia and Xanthus form a tentative bond. A bond that will spark a rebellion. A rebellion that threatens to bring the Roman Republic to its end―and gives rise to the legend of Spartacus…

My Review:

4/5 ⭐️

This book was SO GOOD. Like really good, though it did drag just a bit for me. I love a gender-bent retelling though and Attia did NOT disappoint, she can rival even Mia from Nevernight in fierceness. This book was also super short which didn’t help with the dragging, which was why I knocked it down a star.

~My surprise at Attia’s fierceness~