Trigger warnings: physical & sexual abuse, suicidal ideation

I loved the premise of this - warrior princess Spartacus, heck yes!  There's a definite lack of historical YA, and I was super thrilled to read one set in Ancient Rome.  However, the author notes in the beginning that she's taken some liberties with historical accuracy, and actually lays a few out in detail in another note at the end of the book.  Originally, I thought the warning was odd and unnecessary (well, yeah, I mean, Spartacus wasn't a woman), but one inaccuracy in particular turned out to be the big sticking points for me.  It is worth a warning that this is the first in a series, which I didn't realize when I started reading this, so the abrupt cliffhanger ending and unfinished plot threads surprised and disappointed me.

I liked Attia, though at times I'm not sure why the other characters did!  She's brave, strong, and fierce, a kickass warrior princess,  though it seemed like she was missing the other leadership skills she'd need to lead the Thracians.  She does protect those she considers friends, though it took her time to come to trust pretty much anyone.  I also liked Xanthus, also, though I had problems believing his tragic backstory would have led to him being so kind-hearted and gentle.  He is, at heart, a good guy, and he treats Attia with respect, even when she's basically treating him like he's a monster.  He's also the de facto leader of Timeus' gladiators, who have trained together since they were first purchased as slaves.  He's kind even to Timeus' nephew, Lucius, who will, in all likelihood, be his next master, helping train him in sword fighting.  Xanthus seems to be a born leader, and he and Attia together seem to have all the skills to lead a slave rebellion!

Unfortunately, the romance between Xanthus and Attia didn't work for me.  I didn't feel the chemistry, and it all seemed to happen so fast.  I wish it would've been more of a slow-burn, because Ms. Wyk did such a good job of showing how alone and suspicious Attia was, that having her fall for Xanthus so quickly didn't jive.  It would've been nice to see them settle in to their friendship before going straight to deeply in love.  Besides Attia and Xanthus, the other characters very one-dimensional.  There's the darling little poppet who brings out Attia's maternal instincts, the aloof concubine, the slave woman who takes Attia under her wing, and the teen heir who hates his life.  I wish we'd gotten more about Xanthus' fellow gladiators.  They're not particularly well sketched out, but what was there was interesting, and I would've liked to read more about their backstories and early training together.

Unfortunately, I also found the plot predictable and a bit tortuous.  For instance, I found it very strange that Attia, who beat up her master, his bodyguard, and a slew of city guards shortly after she was bought at a slave auction, would then be given the job of being nursemaid to the master's young invalid niece.  It sometimes felt like people did things out of character just so a certain situation could be created for Attia or Xanthus.  Besides the predictable plot, the grand finale was the aforementioned historical inaccuracy that was just... strange.  To try to explain without giving away any spoilers, first off, we know from the historical record that basically anything that happened in that last bit would've been scientifically and geographically impossible.  I'm willing to suspend disbelief for a lot of things, and I'm certainly not expecting 100% historical accuracy, but it seemed like it was there just to make a big grand finale, and I would've preferred a more character-driven final climax.  There were plenty of other shocking things that happened at the end of the book that felt overshadowed by the event.

OK, so it sounds like I didn't like anything about the book, but in all honesty, it was entertaining and I did enjoy it while reading it.  I loved the action scenes.  There's one particular one mid-way through the book that I thought was particularly wonderful (you'll know what I mean when you get there!).   I also think it did a good job setting up the atmosphere of the Roman empire, the politics, and the oppression of anyone who wasn't Roman, and how it affected Romans and non-Romans alike.

Overall, if you're hungry for a YA historical with a smart and fierce heroine, and don't mind some historical inaccuracy, you will love this book!

When I saw this novel, I was immediately intrigued. I did not necessarily read a lot of books taking place in ancient Rome but this synopsis really made me want to learn more. How to resist a story of slaves, gladiators, rebellion and princess? I tell you right now, I can not!

Attia was far from suspecting that she would become a slave. Princess and heiress, she was supposed to succeed her father until Rome destroyed everything in its path to create an empire. She is now bought by one of the richest houses and is even given to another slave as a gift, a slave who is today the most famous gladiator in Rome. Xanthus finally hoped to die, to stop killing for those who destroyed his life, and yet when Attia arrives, he knows that he can not let her down, that his death would be synonymous with hers. They will learn to discover each other and while Xanthus knows the weight of the rebellion against his master, Attia will not stop trying to escape, to show her spirited spirit to anyone who dares to tell her that she has a master. Fortunately for her, nobody really knows her real identity.

I really enjoyed this story in an antique background like this. Rome, fighting in the arena, Pompeii … Many things that make me want to discover more. The relationship between the two characters is at first suspicious and fragile, but a link is created between them and it is true that I really enjoyed seeing them open to each other. Attia will understand that she is not alone and that Xanthus is her salvation. The two characters have their own goals but both want to make pay those who have wronged them.

Many things have been initiated here and I am curious to see the consequences of the recent events. I had a good time with this first volume and I confess that I am curious to discover what the author has in store for us.

After many wanna-be-badass novels, with average female leads and just a glimpse of the Roman Empire's glory, "Blood and Sand" came to prove that there are still novels out there that can present this ancient beauty in a supreme and magnificent way.

I genuinely enjoyed the writing style, as well as the references to Thrace and Aegean (sorry, biased Greek here). Also, the fact that the pacing wasn't slow, that there were ups and downs throughout the unfolding of the plot, as well as the whole theme of this book in general, made me enjoy this novel as a whole.

What bothered me though was the fact that I didn't feel like I actually connected with the rest of the characters, aside from Attia. To me, they seemed flat, representing the usual archetypes everyone expects to meet in that kind of books.

3.5 stars from me, for this unique novel.

<i> And so my dear, curious, clever reader, I implore you to ask questions and challenge narratives. Facts may be indisputable, but truth is a wily thing. Discover it for yourself, and maybe somewhere along the line, you'll see the world--and its possibilities-- in an entirely new light</i> -Author's Note

I honestly wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did. I've had a couple duds from Netgalley recently and this is a book I requested on a whim-- not remembering what it was that drew me to it. Yet, I'm kinda blown away by it.

It needs to be said that this isn't a book for people who like historically accurate narratives. The author takes many liberties here. This isn't to say nothing is historically accurate, it does feel like much research and studying took play for this book to come into fruition. Just, as the author even mentions in the notes, events are moved around, people are alive later than they should be, etc., but it makes a good story.

It is hard not to like Attia. She is a strong and independent character. Her time as a slave does seem beyond easy, but again, I'm willing to overlook it because I like her so much. I really wanted to see her kick ass more often, but what she does do is awesome. I'm hoping in the next book she will fight more. Xanthus is great too. Not the typical gladiator, but one who is ready to die-- unable to live with the guilt weighing on him.
Their relationship slowly blossoms and I absolutely loved it. It is subtle and slow moving. There were a few times I wasn't sure... how far the relationship progressed, so I wish those scenes had been written clearer, but their relationship is clearly defined.

While I thought the book took a while to set up, I was still somewhat invested into the book. The characters had me invested as I waited for the story to pick up and when it finally did it had me. So, I would say this is slow to moderate pacing, with a decent amount of action scenes with (Xanthus at least), then towards the end while things don't pick up, the suspense is there to hook you.

<b>Some warnings I want to throw out there: rape, abuse, slavery, attempted suicide </b>
There are some pretty heavy scenes, but this is ancient Rome, so it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

In conclusion, I'm totally going to read the next book and this is one I recommend to people who like historical fiction re-visioned, Old Rome, and strong female characters.

https://bookstalebyme.wordpress.com/2018/01/16/blood-and-sand-arc-review/

I cannot recall a moment during my read where I was waning and teetering on the edge of boredom. That didn’t exist for me. It had me engaged from page one and by the end I was rendered breathless.
I loved how the author let us into the history of Rome without bombarding us with facts. She just slides in the details, like the kingdoms and peoples the Romans massacred, the structure and layouts of the markets and palaces. The politics was one of the more trickier things to follow, but the author presents it to the reader in a simple way.
It’s Rome in all it’s sandy, bloody, brutal glory.
I loved Attia. I loved that she was unconditionally and un-apologetically herself and still admitted that she was no where near perfect. She was courageous, loyal, and intelligent. She acted impulsively perhaps too much for her own good and that got her into many, many sticky situations, but she was no doubt an amazing character to journey with.
Xanthus was a character that didn’t expect forgiveness for his sins, but asked for it anyways. He knew he was slave being controlled by a master puppeteer, but he didn’t let his humanity go. He kept a great deal of good, after suffering a great deal of bad. He sacrificed himself for others and he would rather lift others up, than be the glorified Champion of Rome.
There was a great cast of supporting characters. They brought to life the moments of cruelty so many experienced under the Romans. It was heart breaking and inspirational because you root for each of them to exact the revenge they deserve..
Now this book was bloody. The history of the Roman Empire itself is surely drenched in red and this book exemplifies that perfectly. The action of this book keeps you on your toes, no characters were invincible and the stakes were very high.
Everything was on the line.
The romance was a tender slow burn. Where our two love-birds have to get over themselves and their fears (and all the other angst) before they finally see clearly. That is when the magic happens. That is when the squeals come out. I really liked the ship. I especially loved how they tried to protect each other when they were both spectacularly capable of watching their own backs!
Overall, I am delighted. This book was true to its title. Bloody to the last page and sandy because it’s stuck in every corner of my mind. The author takes you on a ride in this brutal history on the backs of two people seeking revenge and their realization of just how hard that fight is. It’s suspenseful, it’s heart-breaking and I am begging for the sequel!

3.5/5

YA historical fiction can be so underrated. I wish there were books out there. So, when I found out that Blood and Sand was set in Ancient Rome, I knew I had to pick it up. While I wouldn't say that I was entirely enamored by the story, I found it to be an entertaining read, and I'm sure to pick up the subsequent books in the series.

I loved the idea of a female Spartacus, which was one of the primary reasons I was attracted to this book. Attia was a good character. I don't think she was as fleshed out as she could have been, especially when it came to her emotions, but on the surface level, she was a character with a lot of potential. There's a lot of bravery and fire to her personality, and I would loved to have connected with her on a deeper level. But even though I didn't feel like she stood out all that much, I think as we get to know her more as the story progresses, she'll turn out to be exactly the kind of character I want her to be. I liked the loyalty, kindness and strength that I saw in her, so I have hopes. She goes through A LOT in Blood and Sand, from witnessing the murder of her family, to being auctioned off as a slave, and through it all, she keeps her head high. I also really really liked Xanthus, a gladiator, who also happens to be a prized possession of the man who buys Attia. His story was heartbreaking and there were so many times I wanted to reach out to the guy and just give him a hug. Even though death and violence were part of his daily life, Xanthus was soft-hearted. The gentleness he exuded when it came to Attia, especially, made my heart ache in a really good way.

As you can probably guess, a romance develops between Attia and Xanthus, and fair warning, it happens fast. I do wish we had seen more of a slow-burn romance here between the two. That being said, I really did like Attia and Xanthus together, especially as they opened up more to each other. I'm hoping the romance will be better developed in the sequel. The plot started off a bit slow in the beginning, but picked up pace towards the end. There were lots of great action scenes, and the world building here was very interesting. For some reason though, I felt that the story was a bit disjointed, which led to me feeling disconnected to the story. I'm not quite sure exactly why. Perhaps it was my mood, or perhaps it was the writing. I'm also going to agree with other reviewers that this could have easily been a standalone novel with a couple of more chapters - I tend to prefer standalones as most of you already. 

All in all, Blood and Sand wasn't completely perfect for me, but the book still managed to keep me attached to the story and the characters until the end. So, I will most definitely be picking up the sequel. Definitely give this one a try if you want to read a historical set in Ancient Rome.

Trigger Warning - Slavery, Sexual Assault/Abuse, Physical Abuse, Suicidal Thoughts.

I need a minute to gather my thoughts here, okay? This one was an amazing, amazing story and such a wild ride. And that ending? Gosh, that left me needing more immediately. Can we have the next book right now? Because I would very much like for that to happen.

What I loved best about the book was Attia, for sure. Her character is absolutely amazing. She's defiant, stubborn and brave. She values honour above all and she's the last of her kingdom who is remaining after the Romans invade. I love how doesn't give her trust freely and doesn't have any naive notions of the life that's ahead of her. She's fierce and unafraid and she isn't scared to protect those who are dear to her even if it means fighting multiple men at once. She is a really good role model.

Xanthus made me really emotional more than once. All the guilt and pain he carries is a little too much. I'm surprised he's able to breathe after all that he feels. He's kind and caring - something the Romans were never to him. He's an honourable man in every sense of the word. He's such a good person beneath everything and it makes my heart ache that his life has been full of so much bloodshed.

The romance in this so subtle, at times I forget it's even there. I absolutely love the slow burn though. And I love how both Attia and Xanthus cross the bridge slowly. They first learn to trust each other and then they become friends, sort of, before crossing the line into becoming a couple. I love how easily they accept each other. Their relationship is really beautiful and I loved watching them grow throughout the story.

Now, the plot. It's really, really good! Somethings were predictable and I saw them coming but I enjoyed reading them unfold just the same because they were really well written. The pacing of the story is great and I didn't find myself wishing for it to go faster or slower. I didn't get bored. What I love is how the author didn't shy away from showing gore. The action/fight scenes were brilliantly written and I particularly enjoyed them. And that ending! GAH! Like I said, I need book two now!

This was a truly riveting read and you should definitely go grab it ASAP!

One of my favorite movies as a kid was the 1960 Stanley Kubrick film Spartacus. I watched it on two VHS tapes (shut up, yes I’m old) that I got out of the library with my first library card. This was the movie that inspired my love of ancient cultures and I spent years learning about first the Romans, then the Greeks and Egyptians. So when I was told that this book was a gender swap of Spartacus I was psyched.

Attia is the daughter of the War king of Thrace. Cool, you have my attention. But other than one daring escape attempt right at the beginning this book has a bit of a slow start. This book describes the very beginnings of “Spartacus” so the best parts don’t come along until over halfway through the book. But the thing that irritates me most? That Attia becomes Spartacus OVER A GUY.

You did not just cheapen her story by making a man her catalyst.

You.

Did.

Not.

Over everything else in this book I could not let go of how quickly this girl, a self sufficient warrior, could turn around and make her life all about one man. What happened to never wanting to marry? What happened to all your plans? Nope, all that character work gone. What a waste.

The rest of the book just came off as nothing special. It was fine, it hit all the points it needed to and there was one really good twist near the end. The action scenes were written pretty well and they keep my attention despite the problems I had with the characters.

Overall the story plotting was well done but I think the character development needed work. Attia needs other motivations than just a guy. Xanthus doesn’t need to be obsessed with her from the word go. These are two individuals, not love robots. Give them more individuality in their motivations!

I would definitely read the second book in this series. It had sufficient pull to keep me interested and by the end I’m pretty well invested. Is it a NEED TO READ sort of situation? No, not really. I have no problem waiting, I’m not ravenous for it. But I am interested and that’s something at least/

High 4 stars, almost 5. I loved this! Great use of historical settings and also gives a new twist to a famous figure like Spartacus. There is a particular eloquence to the descriptions of Ancient Rome and the author's characters. Their motivations are clear and their actions are in line with the characters' thoughts as the author presents them to us. I recommend this book to readers who like historical tales with a new twist.

Well, that was, unfortunately, not as good as it could have been. Though, if you’re simply hankering for a standard Young Adult novel with a flavor of Ancient Rome, I’m sure this book will no doubt serve its purpose. I just wish it hadn’t been so…hokey.

What do I mean by that? You could feel the intrusive force of the author’s hand, nudging her characters through to the desired storyline every step of the way. None of it felt organic, from the events that transpired to the relationships between the characters. It sucked all the joy and charisma out of what could have been an excellent novel.

The author begins with a note informing readers that many of the people and events that take place in the story are based on the historical record…except when it suits her needs. Don’t get me wrong, I read a lot of historical fiction and I know how it works; I don’t mind the occasional tweak here or there for the sake of making your story work better or more interesting. However, blatant manipulation of dates, say, for the express purpose of ending your novel on an “eruptive” note makes things seem far too contrived, if you know what I mean. This and other developments were “twists” I saw coming a mile away. Like I said, nothing unfolded organically; everything felt scripted.

Speaking of which, this segues perfectly into how I felt about the characters. The stars of Blood and Sand are Attia, a 17-year-old Thracian princess, and Xanthus, a Briton slave boy who grew to become the mightiest gladiator in Rome. Despite being a girl, Attia was chosen and trained by her father, the Maedi chieftain, to be his heir following the death of his wife and son. If the Romans had known, they would have killed her on the spot when they invaded her land and slaughtered her people, but they were expecting the Maedi heir to be a boy, which led to Attia to be captured and enslaved. In Rome, she was bought by Timeus, the dominus of a gladiatorial school, who wished to gift a beautiful Thracian girl to his best gladiator, Xanthus. Expecting the Champion of Rome to be a cruel violent brute, Attia prepares to fight tooth and nail to escape, only to find that Xanthus is nothing more than a misunderstood and tortured soul, soft-spoken, thoughtful, and gentle as a lamb (sigh…because of course he is). All her reservations about him miraculously disappear. The two of them spend literally one night talking, and suddenly they are madly in love.

There was nothing to convince me these two had formed any kind of complex or emotional connection beyond sharing a few details in a very strained, orchestrated conversation about their past. Nothing to convince me that Attia would throw away her all-consuming desire for freedom and revenge for the sake of a stranger she’s only known for a short time. This has become a common refrain from me regarding the state of Young Adult romances as of late, but there was simply no spark of chemistry.

For a novel being pitched as being a story about a “female Spartacus”, I was also profoundly disappointed by the lack of action we saw from Attia. We mostly got to see her kick ass in just one pivotal scene in the middle of the book, following a sequence of events that felt awkward and scripted in the manner they came about. Characters appeared to go out of their way to maneuver themselves into that very situation, even if their reasoning made little sense. Most of the supporting cast are also lightly sketched and felt like props for the author to use as she saw fit—namely, to make Attia and Xanthus look good. Xanthus’s gladiator brothers are hardly around except when they’re needed to talk up Attia’s beauty or battle prowess, and characters like Lucrezia and Rory felt written in for the sole purpose of being Attia’s charity cases.

Finally, this did not feel like a complete book. Early in the story, Xanthus is given the news that he will have an opportunity to face his sworn enemy in the ring, an event that never materialized, so presumably there will be at least one sequel where this will be covered. The novel instead ends with no resolution to any conflict, though to the author’s credit, she did seek to close things out with a spectacular bang—an effort in which she was successful, even if the ending left me with no sense of closure or satisfaction. There are loose ends aplenty, but somehow, I have a feeling I already know how a lot of them will resolve, given how predictable I found this novel.

Blood and Sand was a book I had high hopes for, and in truth, the first few chapters did make me think that perhaps I held a winner in my hands. With that said, perhaps the source of my frustration lies in the genuine potential for greatness that I glimpsed in this debut, if only it hadn’t been constrained by so many common first-timer mistakes as time wore on. My tepid response notwithstanding, I don’t think this was a bad book, just that it was too contrived for my liking, which killed a lot of my enthusiasm for the story and characters. Still, there’s room to grow with this series, so I’m not writing it off yet, but I’ll probably adopt a wait-and-see approach when it comes to the sequel.

WHOA. I am still reeling from this one. It's the perfect blend of historical fiction and pure fantasy - I mean, a genderbent retelling of Spartacus? Could there be anything better?

<i> "And then as one, ten thousand honored soldiers of Thrace -- Maedi warriors all -- fell to their knees before the girl. The red of their cloaks spread out like a sea of blood. Attia became her father's heir that day, the first future queen and swordmaiden of Thrace, destined to rule the greatest warrior kingdom the world has seen since ancient Sparta. She was seven years old." </i>

I loved Blood and Sand from beginning to end. Attia is a fierce warrior princess-turned-slave and she isn't about to call any man "dominus" (master). I was Team Attia pretty much page one and she only got better as the book wore on. I love fierce female protagonists, especially when they're all edges at first but learn how to not eat every single person around them as they come to realize that there are people in this world who are not crappy and deserve to be loved. Attia is all daggers and broken shards at first, but she really comes to care about the people in her new household (not all of them - her "owner" is definitely still a POS, but some of them are genuinely good) and that shifts her characcter ever so slightly. Instead of just being a feral-revenge-seeker she turns into a total BA vengeance-bringer who I am so totally rooting for in the next book (prediction: it's going to get crazy).

<i> "Broad pillars covered in chains adn harnesses stretched down the middle of the room, and nearly half a dozen men were bound to them. They weren't gladiators; they were fodder - their sole purpose to entertain by dying in sand and blood." </i>

Yes, the plot takes some liberties with history (the author is very upfront about that from the beginning), but it also gives a fascinating look inside the Roman Empire from the point of view of the conquered - not a viewpoint you see everyday. I lived in Italy for six months, so I am used to my share of Roman history, but I feel like most history focuses on the greatness of the Romans' civilization. It doesn't focus on the conquered. The slaves. The gladiators. The incredible oppression and bloodshed that fed the Roman Empire.

<i> "History only serves the winner." </i>

It's like peeling back a curtain to place the POV on the shoulders of a conquered man and woman, both forced into slavery and bonded together through their losses. Xanthus and Attia are both strong warriors in their own right, but where Xanthus feels immense guilt over the lives he's taken in the arena (albeit against his will) Attia feels nothing but hatred towards her captors and a desire to watch Rome burn for its crimes. Yet, despite their different outlooks, they fit together remarkably well. Xanthus brings out the softer side of Attia and she brings him hope for a brighter future, free from the land of their bondage. I am definitely shipping them.

Blood & Sand reminds me of Kiersten White's And I Darken. I know for a fact that Lada and Attia would have gotten along just fine (burning the whole world down in the process, probably), and if you like your historical fiction genderbent and ruthless, this is a perfect read for you. They're definitely different books, but they are in the same vein, genre-wise, and I hope it inspires a trend because it is delicious. Now I just need the release date for the sequel, because I can't wait to hold it in my hands and find out where this Spartacus goes next.

Rating: 5+/5 stars

BLOOD AND SAND is the perfect story for anyone craving more tales featuring historical figures or legends reimagined in a fresh way. In this case, Wyk reimagines Spartacus as a seventeen-year-old girl and if that doesn't immediately seize your interest, I don't know what else to say. Bold, and brutal, I can easily see this burgeoning new series appeal to a wide variety of people - from historical fiction buffs wanting to read more about eras not often touched upon in YA literature to lovers of quiet, balanced romances. There's something for everyone.

This book is about a 17 year old warrior princess named Attia and a gladiator named Xanthus.

Attia was destined to be a queen but in the new empire being formed she is reduced to a slave. She is given to Xanthus as a gift from his master for being the champion gladiator of Rome. The two form a bond that sparks a rebellion.

If you are looking for a strong female lead, look no further. *Minor Spoiler alert*Although in the beginning when she is bought by Timeus she ends up breaking his body guards leg and breaking his nose and running. She ends up killing a vigile before being captured. So it seems very farfetched that she would be allowed to live, yet the book still went on.

In the beginning of the ARC, it stated that many of the events in the book are based on historic records but the author put their own spin on them with the dates, events, names, etc. I absolutely loved that. I felt like I was learning a bit of Roman history while I was reading the book. It also made the book way more intriguing to me. This book is definitely a five-star read and I can't wait for the sequel!

I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

I freaking loved this book. Blood and sand was a pretty rapid read for me since I only received it a couple of day before the release date and like to be up to date my review. Anyway I read it within 10 hours without any kind of hardship despite being in a horrible bookslump.

The story is amazing, action-packed and has such an underlying intensity that you just can’t put it down. The whole book has a kind of gender-bender Spartacus retelling feel to it especially at the first half of the story but for me personally it’s not a problem. I mean one of my fave movies of all time is The gladiator so I just loved the setting and the atmosphere of the story. The plot basically revolving around a warrior princess and gladiators, there is plenty of fight scenes and they are described really vividly and with a lot of details which helped me picture some spectacular scenes. However if I have to be honest with you the pace of the story is not the fastest and also there is not much of a progression in it. Oh it’s nowhere near boring I would rather say it’s high strung and one of my problems with it was that after the build up during the whole book the spark, the conflict just was missing in the end.
The world building is not really detailed but it doesn’t even necessary because the plotline builds strongly on ancient roman history. Sure the author took some creative liberties here and there but it all was for the entertainment of the author, because let’s be honest if we were reading about the actual lives of roman slaves the story would be pretty bleak.

I enjoyed the writing style, it’s quite captivating and fluid. A couple of times I had the impression of reading a historical text but just a few times and it was an interesting twist on the usual writing styles. The narration is alternating between Attia and Xanthus POV and I personally preferred Attia’s side more still found the dual point of view a necessary tool. The only thing that I can mention here is that the POV changed without warning and sometimes even in an abrupt way. It’s not that it was hard to follow because the author made sure you knew instantly who is speaking but there were occasions where the change happened in the middle of an interesting scene and it bothered me a little bit.

I really liked the characters, especially Attia but her demonstrated constant defiance towards her masters would have gone over so well in real life. Yet her strong personality, her cunning and even her vulnerable side comes through perfectly creating and amazing main character. I liked Xanthus too with his kind and remorseful light but at the same time cocky and playful fighting. I really hope his fate turns out to be differently in the next book as it seems like now, but I see only a small chance of that.
However the romance between them was a bit strange and not really genuine. There wasn’t a spark or an insane attraction between them, their relationship came more out of convenience and companionship. But the lack of emotions was pretty much typical for the whole story. I still liked it.
I also loved the other gladiators and the brotherhood between them. I always love when there is such a bond demonstrated in my reads.

Blood and sand was a really enjoyable and intense read with plenty of action, intrigue and surprises and quite the few historically correct elements in it. I’m not in love with the cover however. It’s not the worst I ever so, it’s actually pleasing but I don’t think it’s serves the story justice.

Trigger warnings for physical abuse, sexual abuse, and suicidal thoughts.

I seem to be having a particularly good reading streak. I can't remember the last time I read this many 4-5 star books in a row. And Blood and Sand is right up there with them, a damn near perfect book in my eyes.

I have not watched the TV show Spartacus, nor did I know much about the historical figure, before I started reading this. I was simply entranced by "warrior princess," "gladiator," and "rebellion" in the blurb. Little did I know that this book would completely take over my existence during my waking hours until I was finished with it. (I would have read it in one sitting, but I made the mistake of starting it in the evening and needed sleep to make it through the second half. What can I say, I'm getting old.) What's more, I'm now left with a strong need to read up on the history of Spartacus and binge-watch the TV series.

You know what I think I loved most about this? Attia. She was a complete and utter BAMF. Raised to inherit her father's leadership, she was trained as a warrior, and she was one. From the very start, she was defiant and stubborn and ruthless, breaking bones like it was nothing. Sure, she ended up with a gladiator by her side, but she did not need him to protect her. Instead, they fought side by side. But she learned in this book that there is more than just the warrior side of her; she learned she could love as well.

I also adored Xanthus. I loved how strong he was, but also how much he cared – about the deaths he caused, about his "brothers", about Attia. He never took advantage of what little power he had. If anything, he resented it. The way his and Attia's relationship developed was a glorious slow burn that made my heart sing. (Oh wow, cheese much, Dani?) And then their love killed me.

"No, Attia. I could never let anyone take you, but if you don't want me, you only have to say so."

And this one...

"I'll come back for you," he said.
"I'll wait."

But it was not just these characters that Wyk breathed life into. Almost every single named character was given depth and facets. She could have easily painted the "masters" as cruel and heartless, and sure, some were, but there was variety amongst them. While some believed in the ownership of slaves, others felt uneasy over it. There was one particular conversation between Attia and Lucius, the nephew of Attia's 'dominus', that stood out to me because it applies to privilege and the ripples of colonisation today. But my favourite side characters were the other gladiators, Xanthus' brothers. Their personalities jumped out, and their dynamic was so much fun at times that I couldn't help but giggle out loud. I didn't expect to laugh in a book about slave rebellion.

The story itself built up gradually. While there was a deadline of sorts, and certain big events that would come eventually, the plot mostly focused on the development and unveiling of characters. It was done masterfully, though, and I never, ever felt bored. If anything, I wanted to dive into the story and witness more of the interactions between characters, the building of relationships, and not just Attia and Xanthus'. But there was definitely action thrown in, and it was thrilling. The final chapters were a heartbreaking surprise, and I am still in shock. I can't believe what happened actually happened...

I know we're only a week into 2018, but I do believe that Blood and Sand has a very good shot at making it into my favourite books of the year.

I don’t know much about Spartacus, or the history of the Roman Empire outside of what I’ve seen on television or the movies, but I highly enjoyed this take on history.

Attia is a strong willed warrior princess that saw her people killed first hand and was taken away and sold off in a slave auction. Right from the start she is a fighter, her will to survive is no joke. Attia is”gifted” to Xanthus, the gladiator champion.

Xanthus is a battle worn gladiator that just wants to die and he’s tired of the battles. He is tired of being a prized possession. He feels he has nothing to live for until he meets Attia, then his will to live and to survive return.

The action in the book was at a very good pace, it didn’t feel forced or rushed, and it was easy for me to visualize everything going on. It was a bit bloody, but it’s Roman Gladiators so that was somewhat expected.

I don’t normally care much for the “side characters” but in this book it was different, the other gladiators that fought and trained with Xanthus were his bothers in arms and you can tell that they all have been through hell before becoming slaves, and even after, but their bonds never wavered throughout the entire story. There were so many characters that Attia seems to have touched with her views and her spirit of not giving up and caving to being a slave.

The ending of the book was more of a surprise to me, the mercenaries that were hired turned out to be something more than what they appeared to be, and it was such a great setting to lead into the next book.

I was worried that this was going to be a standalone at first, but when I saw that there will be a second book I was thrilled, now just to wait for it.

This seems to be the sleeper book for the start of the year and more people need to add this to their TBR list and pick it up when it’s out.

BLOOD AND SAND just blew me away from start to finish. I loved following Attia’s journey as she headed towards revenge against the Roman Republic - quickly becoming an empire - for destroying her clan and leaving her princess of a nation swallowed by the growing Roman nation. This book loosely follows the story of Spartacus and focuses on the gladiators and fighters who are willing to challenge an empire that took them from their homeland. Following a historical bent like AND I DARKEN by Kiersten White and female warriors that are ready to fight for justice like THE VALIANT by Lesley Livington, BLOOD AND SAND blends fact and fiction to create an immersive, fast-paced adventure that will leave readers’ hearts pounding and blood rushing.

Told from a third person POV, BLOOD AND SAND begins with Attia, the princess of Maedi, seeing her home destroyed and being sold to slavery. To say she hates it is an understatement. The moment she is sold to Timeus, a Roman politician vying his way towards the top, she is ready to plan her revenge and assassination of the people who brought destruction towards her land. For now though, she needs to recuperate and heal while serving Timeus’s family… and the gladiator she was bought for.

“She’d been a warrior once, and free. Now she was the only one left, the last Thracian the world would never know. She wondered if history would remember the genocide of the Maedi, the annihilation of her people.
Doubtful, she thought. History only serves the winner.
Roma victrix.”

This gladiator is Xanthus, and he is NOT what I expected. Although he’s the champion gladiator of the time, he feels sorrow for every death that he causes. Xanthus is actually really sensitive and a kind soul at heart, despite his notoriety as a skilled gladiator. He initially rejects Timeus’s “gift” of Attia because forcing people to do things is the opposite of his nature. This just goes to show that it’s possible to write battle-hardened and skilled characters that aren’t just bulky Alphas - they can have more to their personalities than assertive and borderline-aggressive natures. As Xanthus and Attia discover each other’s strengths and hatred against the Roman Republic, they form a close bond against the people who think they own them. I really enjoyed their developing romance because of its foundation on balance and respect. Both warriors care about the other’s feelings and have a healthy communication with one another. You can tell I really like Xanthus’s character because I spent a whole paragraph on this man - he’s just so refreshing!

“Because maybe in this house, in this prison, they both wanted the same impossible thing: to be just a man and just a woman, standing free in the rain.”

The plot is always at a fast pace, nonstop with its action and fighting and plotting. The politicians of Rome are very conniving as they put on false smiles and plot against one another. The characters themselves are thoroughly explored, and I enjoyed seeing all their facets: from the miserly ways of Timeus to his son Lucius that is at crossroads, and even the lovely banter between the gladiators - Xanthus’s blood brothers. And speaking of the gladiators, they’re amazing and I love every one of them. We get brief glimpses of their personalities and that’s more than enough to feel their kinship and loyalty. There’s just something about Wyk’s writing and me that just clicked. Everything flowed so nicely, and I ended up reading the story in one go - staying up until 2 am to finish.

Attia herself is very well-written and an awesome character to follow! She’s very fierce and has a resilient nature that doesn’t falter, even when other characters encourage her to forget about her past. Her direct personality made her funny in subtle ways, and this bled to the straightforward dialogue that she wasn’t afraid to express. She has both the strength and smarts to survive… although she’s not invincible. Wyk writes Attia with flaws and her battle training doesn’t always save her, which I always appreciate in a character. Overall, I really enjoyed seeing her journey as she plans towards the downfall of the Roman Republic and can’t wait to see where she ends up in the sequel.

“‘I see their faces, Attia. I see them in the shadows. I see them when I close my eyes.’
Attia rested her forehead against his. ‘Then keep your eyes on me, champion. And we’ll face the shadows together.’”

Speaking of sequel, I’m ready for it NOW! While BLOOD AND SAND doesn’t have an extreme cliffhanger, it still leaves readers thirsty for more. Full of grit and tenacity, this book is an action-packed historical fantasy that will draw readers in from page one. The characters are all multifaceted and easy-to-like despite their flaws, and the constantly-moving plot make for quick page-turning. I really recommend it for readers looking for a fast plot and action that will leave them with an adrenaline rush - I’m getting one from just writing this review! In between this action is a wonderful mix of slow burn romance, character introspection, and the determined spark of rebellion that’s just waiting to uncoil.

Content Warning: abuse, heavy violence, animal deaths

Return to the age of gladiators with Blood and Sand, a take on Spartacus and a time when men fought to the death in the arena. Before I go any farther, I just want to say that this review is totally biased because I love anything related to gladiators and Spartacus (I swear I’ve watched the TV show on Netflix at least half a dozen times). So I went into this book already planning to love it.

Spoiler alert: I totally did.

Blood and Sand filled my need for all things ancient Rome. The world is grounded enough in history to feel authentic despite obvious liberties taken with the Spartacus persona and events that played out. Wyk really captured the feel of ancient times and looked beyond the “nobility” into the lives of civilians. At times, the story moved slower than I expected but the action picked up by about halfway through and it’s a quick read so I still flew through it.

There are aspects of this book that aren’t nice or pretty. There’s blood. There’s violence. But there’s also hope and strength and honor. There’s something bright in what could be a darker book. I think the strong themes of both slavery and freedom really pulled through and I loved the transformation the characters underwent.

Attia is absolutely fierce. A warrior princess taken as a slave and sold into a home to be the “prize” for a champion gladiator, her people killed, her hope of escape dimming by the day, she has a lot to fight against. And she does. This is a young woman who won’t let anything or anyone stand in her way. At the same time, her bias toward a certain people (Romans) shines through and she’s forced to question that bias and grow as a person, realizing that Romans are as different from each other as her own people were.

I expected the story to be solely from her perspective but it turns out that it alternates between her and Xanthus, the gladiator she’s given to. He’s fighting his own demons and now has to deal with a spitfire princess. They had a nice friendship develop over the course of the book and I think I would have preferred it to stay that way. Instead, it turned into a romance and I wasn’t feeling it. It felt underdeveloped compared to their friendship and a bit unnecessary too. This book is so good and I don’t think it needed the romance subplot added on.

Other than that. . . well, I may have freaked out a bit thinking this was a standalone because I’d heard nothing about a sequel and IT NEEDS ONE (it’s okay, though, because I learned it’s going to be a series and everything is right with the world once more). That ending was KILLER. I kept reading and reading and then it was just. . . over. And I felt a bit lost because I need to know what happens next. It was almost as bad as the cliffhanger from Fire Falling by Elise Kova.

This is a debut that you definitely don’t want to miss out on. A bit of drama, historical goodness, a dash of romance, and plenty of fierce ladies (and gentlemen too), Blood and Sand is a must read!