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chatterbookbabe's review
5.0
4.5
Breaking the Gladiator by Nicola Rose is a dark tale of forbidden love between a Gladiator and his Domina. This is the author's debut, but if you didn't know that already, you wouldn't be able to tell. I don't usually enjoy novellas that aren't a part of a series. I find them lacking in a number of ways. I don't care about the characters much, and I don't feel satisfied by the plot or ending. That was not the case here. I'm not going to lie. I was shocked at how much I loved it! It's dark, gory, and fucked up, and I enjoyed every damn minute of it!
Livia is the wife of a wealthy and powerful man, Felix, but her heart belongs to another. Cassian is Felix's champion gladiator. He is huge, hot, honorable, undefeated, and head over heels in love with Livia. She tries to maintain a certain distance from him emotionally, but it's clear when they are together he owns more than just her body.
Don't go feeling sorry for Livia's husband though. He is a cruel individual that treats his wife no better than a common whore off the street. Felix freely fucks his slaves in front of her. Sometimes, he even humiliates her in front of them or allows them to mock her openly.
Though he has many gladiators, Cassian is Felix's favorite. Maybe favorite isn't the right word. He only cares about Cassian as long as he's winning battles, and when he nearly loses one due to being distracted by Livia, Felix orders Cassian to die at the hands of a less powerful opponent. As if that wasn't bad enough, he sells Livia to his brother, Marcus, for the night following the battle to do with as he chooses.
In this society, men like Felix have absolute power. Livia and Cassian are at his mercy. No one would dare go against someone like Felix to help them. Do they have any choice but to accept their fate?
Blood, sex, deceit, love, sacrifice, murder, and mayhem, this book has it all! I didn't know what to expect out of a gladiator romance, but I can't imagine it being any better than this. It's fantastically written, the characters will make you feel a whole range of emotion, the story will have you on the edge of your seat, and the romance will grab ahold of your heart!
Breaking the Gladiator won't be the last thing I read by this author. She has a vampire romance coming out next, and you better believe I'll be devouring it as soon as I can. If any of what I've said sounds appealing to you, don't hesistate to give this a try! A threesome, a beheading, having sex while rolling around in the blood of their enemies, it's pure heaven! What does that say about me for holding such an opinion? I don't know lol, but I know there are plenty of sick bitches out there like me! If you're one of them, this one is for you!
ARC generously provided for an honest review.
Breaking the Gladiator by Nicola Rose is a dark tale of forbidden love between a Gladiator and his Domina. This is the author's debut, but if you didn't know that already, you wouldn't be able to tell. I don't usually enjoy novellas that aren't a part of a series. I find them lacking in a number of ways. I don't care about the characters much, and I don't feel satisfied by the plot or ending. That was not the case here. I'm not going to lie. I was shocked at how much I loved it! It's dark, gory, and fucked up, and I enjoyed every damn minute of it!
"I want him to hurt as much as I do. And then, when he can bear no more, I want him to hurt me right back. To use me and abuse me. I want the monster - all of him."
Livia is the wife of a wealthy and powerful man, Felix, but her heart belongs to another. Cassian is Felix's champion gladiator. He is huge, hot, honorable, undefeated, and head over heels in love with Livia. She tries to maintain a certain distance from him emotionally, but it's clear when they are together he owns more than just her body.
Don't go feeling sorry for Livia's husband though. He is a cruel individual that treats his wife no better than a common whore off the street. Felix freely fucks his slaves in front of her. Sometimes, he even humiliates her in front of them or allows them to mock her openly.
Though he has many gladiators, Cassian is Felix's favorite. Maybe favorite isn't the right word. He only cares about Cassian as long as he's winning battles, and when he nearly loses one due to being distracted by Livia, Felix orders Cassian to die at the hands of a less powerful opponent. As if that wasn't bad enough, he sells Livia to his brother, Marcus, for the night following the battle to do with as he chooses.
In this society, men like Felix have absolute power. Livia and Cassian are at his mercy. No one would dare go against someone like Felix to help them. Do they have any choice but to accept their fate?
"In the arena I'm free. There, I bow to no one. There...they quiver before me and beg for mercy. I'm loved. Adored. The crowd cheer and chant my name, because I'm someone. I am Death."
Blood, sex, deceit, love, sacrifice, murder, and mayhem, this book has it all! I didn't know what to expect out of a gladiator romance, but I can't imagine it being any better than this. It's fantastically written, the characters will make you feel a whole range of emotion, the story will have you on the edge of your seat, and the romance will grab ahold of your heart!
Breaking the Gladiator won't be the last thing I read by this author. She has a vampire romance coming out next, and you better believe I'll be devouring it as soon as I can. If any of what I've said sounds appealing to you, don't hesistate to give this a try! A threesome, a beheading, having sex while rolling around in the blood of their enemies, it's pure heaven! What does that say about me for holding such an opinion? I don't know lol, but I know there are plenty of sick bitches out there like me! If you're one of them, this one is for you!
ARC generously provided for an honest review.
ruth_miranda's review
5.0
This is how you do erotica right. What a great read.
This novella was like watching an episode of Spartacus. The whole setting was done perfectly well, and everything felt correct and well researched. The writing was just spot on.
This novella was like watching an episode of Spartacus. The whole setting was done perfectly well, and everything felt correct and well researched. The writing was just spot on.
mells_view's review
4.0
He’s breathtaking. Savage. Beautiful. Just the way he should be.
I was pleasantly surprised by this story. This is my first read from this author, and definitely my first gladiator read ever. It is definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s very bloody, and there is a bit of mutual domination/BDSM play gladiator style I guess you could say. There are definitely a number of things that could be considered triggers, so knowing that going in is probably best.
If you’re looking for quick, smutty, and intense then I highly recommend Breaking Gladiator!
I was pleasantly surprised by this story. This is my first read from this author, and definitely my first gladiator read ever. It is definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s very bloody, and there is a bit of mutual domination/BDSM play gladiator style I guess you could say. There are definitely a number of things that could be considered triggers, so knowing that going in is probably best.
If you’re looking for quick, smutty, and intense then I highly recommend Breaking Gladiator!
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