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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
Great end to this fun series. I will miss Fallon and the other Gladiatrices.
Great ending to an strong female, action packed trilogy. There were unexpected enemies as well as allies. I liked how some historical figures and events were tied into the story and was changed to fit the story.
Review from Tenacious Reader: http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2018/01/23/audiobook-review-the-defiant-by-lesley-livingston/
This has been such a fun series and this final installment was not a disappointment. Fallon continues to be a fierce warrior and leader, I love her and her fellow gladiatrices . We also get to see more of Cai in this book, which is always a plus.
Speaking of Cai, some time has passed between the end of the second book and the beginning of this one. During that time, Fallon has felt rejected by him, and while she doesn’t understand what happened, she accepts it even though she obviously still cares deeply for him. When Fallon learns that Cai is in trouble, she will do whatever it takes to help him without hesitation.
This is one of the characteristics that I love about Fallon, her unwavering support for those she loves as well as what she believes is right. After a very catastrophic event in Rome, she she learns that Cleopatra is in grave danger, so of course takes on the mission of ensuring Cleopatra’s safety as they journey to Egypt where she will be safe.
This is a book that really tests allegiances and friendships. There are some great twists of both betrayal and unexpected support. It makes you realize you can’t always know who to trust, but sometimes trust is the only way forward.
Between working to save Cai , the events leading up to the need to escort Cleopatra to Alexandia, as well as the journey itself, the book provides ample (and well utilized) opportunity for a good deal of action and fighting and danger. Then there is an additional threat towards the end of the book that leads to even more action. If there is one thing this book is not lacking, it is conflict. There’s plenty of it, and when one threat gets resolved something else is immediately there to endanger Fallon and those she loves.
My only concern with the book is that it felt like a lot happened, so much that it seemed rushed at points. It’s that fine line of keeping a fast pace and the level excitement up and feeling like major events are just flying by so quick it was hard to fully appreciate everything. This is the reason that I gave this book a slightly lower rating than the first two in the series. I feel like in sections, particularly the end, it was so much, so quick that it was all over before I realized. I couldn’t help but wonder if this could have been expanded to be a 4 book series (or maybe I was just sad it ended).
I do want to stress that overall, this is an amazing series, and while I may feel this is the weakest book of the three, it is still an incredible journey that has a magnificent ending. Highly recommend all of the books and I can’t wait to find out what Livingston writes next.
This has been such a fun series and this final installment was not a disappointment. Fallon continues to be a fierce warrior and leader, I love her and her fellow gladiatrices . We also get to see more of Cai in this book, which is always a plus.
Speaking of Cai, some time has passed between the end of the second book and the beginning of this one. During that time, Fallon has felt rejected by him, and while she doesn’t understand what happened, she accepts it even though she obviously still cares deeply for him. When Fallon learns that Cai is in trouble, she will do whatever it takes to help him without hesitation.
This is one of the characteristics that I love about Fallon, her unwavering support for those she loves as well as what she believes is right. After a very catastrophic event in Rome, she she learns that Cleopatra is in grave danger, so of course takes on the mission of ensuring Cleopatra’s safety as they journey to Egypt where she will be safe.
This is a book that really tests allegiances and friendships. There are some great twists of both betrayal and unexpected support. It makes you realize you can’t always know who to trust, but sometimes trust is the only way forward.
Between working to save Cai , the events leading up to the need to escort Cleopatra to Alexandia, as well as the journey itself, the book provides ample (and well utilized) opportunity for a good deal of action and fighting and danger. Then there is an additional threat towards the end of the book that leads to even more action. If there is one thing this book is not lacking, it is conflict. There’s plenty of it, and when one threat gets resolved something else is immediately there to endanger Fallon and those she loves.
My only concern with the book is that it felt like a lot happened, so much that it seemed rushed at points. It’s that fine line of keeping a fast pace and the level excitement up and feeling like major events are just flying by so quick it was hard to fully appreciate everything. This is the reason that I gave this book a slightly lower rating than the first two in the series. I feel like in sections, particularly the end, it was so much, so quick that it was all over before I realized. I couldn’t help but wonder if this could have been expanded to be a 4 book series (or maybe I was just sad it ended).
I do want to stress that overall, this is an amazing series, and while I may feel this is the weakest book of the three, it is still an incredible journey that has a magnificent ending. Highly recommend all of the books and I can’t wait to find out what Livingston writes next.
A simple read with gladiator finesse. I wasn’t disappointed by this last installment but I was over the moon either.
The plot was like scattered short stories al of the place strung together in sequence and packaged as a whole book. It felt like too much anxiety without much substance. If that makes any sense.
There was only one portion of the book that I truly was invested in and reread it about 8 times before moving on because I found myself caring for these characters again.
I don’t completely blame the author since I read the first two books a while ago, but Lesly Livingston should’ve made more of an effort in the last book to capture your emotions.
The plot was like scattered short stories al of the place strung together in sequence and packaged as a whole book. It felt like too much anxiety without much substance. If that makes any sense.
There was only one portion of the book that I truly was invested in and reread it about 8 times before moving on because I found myself caring for these characters again.
I don’t completely blame the author since I read the first two books a while ago, but Lesly Livingston should’ve made more of an effort in the last book to capture your emotions.
It has been several months since the gladiatrices won back Ludus Achillea from Pontius Aquila. However, for Cai’s part in the uprising, he has been stripped of his rank and sentenced to fight as a gladiator in Caesar’s ludus...until Caesar is assassinated. With Caesar dead, Fallon and her gladiatrix sisters find themselves without any sort of protection in Rome and Fallon realizes that her dear friend, Cleopatra, is in mortal danger as well. Fallon rallies her war band, consisting of her fellow gladiatrices, some Amazonian warriors, and Cai and his friends, and sets off to Alexandria, Egypt to deliver Cleopatra to the safety of her homeland. Once in Alexandria, everyone is offered positions in Cleopatra’s royal guard, and they each must decide for themselves whether they want to stay in Egypt or follow Fallon back to her tribe.
FROM ANCIENT ROME TO ANCIENT EGYPT. Oh my goodness. The Triumphant is the final installation of Fallon’s trilogy and even though I’m happy I got to see how the story ends, I know I’m going to have a major book hangover now. Read these books if you’re into strong female leads, Ancient Rome and Egypt, and a whole lotta action.
FROM ANCIENT ROME TO ANCIENT EGYPT. Oh my goodness. The Triumphant is the final installation of Fallon’s trilogy and even though I’m happy I got to see how the story ends, I know I’m going to have a major book hangover now. Read these books if you’re into strong female leads, Ancient Rome and Egypt, and a whole lotta action.
Find this review and more on my blog.
“You are from a world, Fallon, that values honor over everything else. Rome is not that world.”
Following their victory, the gladiatrices of the Ludus Achillea are once more favoured by the masses in Rome, but Cai has not been so lucky. Patricide is not a crime treated lightly amongst the Romans, no matter the reason, but with Caesar’s intervention, Cai is dismissed from the legions and sent to train as a gladiator. Fallon is very unhappy with the turn of events, but before much can be done, Rome is plunged into chaos. History takes its course, and when Caesar is assassinated, Fallon knows that Rome is no longer safe for her or her sisters, not now that the privilege and protection they enjoyed from Caesar is gone. In graver danger however, is Cleopatra, the Queen of Aegypt, and the girls of the Ludus Achillea leave Rome for the last time, setting out on a mission to get the queen home safely.
For the past two years, Fallon has rebuilt her life around the ludus and the arena. And when all of that is taken away in the blink of an eye, she is forced to consider where her path lies, who she truly is. I particularly love how conflicted Fallon was about Caesar’s death – as a slave, she should be rejoicing at her enemy’s fall, but her new life as Victrix is all due to him. Fallon as a character has come so far, and in this book, I could finally see the warrior princess make a reappearance. That goes for all the characters, particularly Elka, whose friendship with Fallon really shines. As for Cai, I think I might have liked him even more than Fallon in this book! Despite the fast pacing of these books, I’m always surprised to realize just how attached I’ve gotten to these characters!
The Triumphant is filled with some excellent fight scenes and battle sequences – both in the arena and out of it. Apart from the fighting though, I really did like how the Ides of March was used as the turning point for this last book, and how everything moving forward is driven by this. Marc Antony’s cameo was interesting, and I would have liked to see more of his character considering how crucial he was to the events of this time period. It was also nice to see Kassandra again, though, between her name and the fact that she was having visions, it was a huge giveaway what her purpose in the story was going to be.
This time around, the book was not as short and it felt like a much more well-rounded adventure. However, I thought that the ending was too fast and too easy. There was such potential for that final conflict and while what was portrayed was definitely good, I felt more could have been done – after all, Fallon returning home after two years – spent in Rome no less – should be a pretty big deal. I’d hoped for atleast a little family drama there.
Overall, this was a satisfying conclusion to a wonderful trilogy. Fallon's journey has been a wonderful one to follow and I was quite happy with how everything was wrapped up. I would definitely recommend this series for historical fiction fans and also for those newer to the genre. Such an action-packed series is a great place to start before getting into the deeper novels.
“You are from a world, Fallon, that values honor over everything else. Rome is not that world.”
Following their victory, the gladiatrices of the Ludus Achillea are once more favoured by the masses in Rome, but Cai has not been so lucky. Patricide is not a crime treated lightly amongst the Romans, no matter the reason, but with Caesar’s intervention, Cai is dismissed from the legions and sent to train as a gladiator. Fallon is very unhappy with the turn of events, but before much can be done, Rome is plunged into chaos. History takes its course, and when Caesar is assassinated, Fallon knows that Rome is no longer safe for her or her sisters, not now that the privilege and protection they enjoyed from Caesar is gone. In graver danger however, is Cleopatra, the Queen of Aegypt, and the girls of the Ludus Achillea leave Rome for the last time, setting out on a mission to get the queen home safely.
For the past two years, Fallon has rebuilt her life around the ludus and the arena. And when all of that is taken away in the blink of an eye, she is forced to consider where her path lies, who she truly is. I particularly love how conflicted Fallon was about Caesar’s death – as a slave, she should be rejoicing at her enemy’s fall, but her new life as Victrix is all due to him. Fallon as a character has come so far, and in this book, I could finally see the warrior princess make a reappearance. That goes for all the characters, particularly Elka, whose friendship with Fallon really shines. As for Cai, I think I might have liked him even more than Fallon in this book! Despite the fast pacing of these books, I’m always surprised to realize just how attached I’ve gotten to these characters!
The Triumphant is filled with some excellent fight scenes and battle sequences – both in the arena and out of it. Apart from the fighting though, I really did like how the Ides of March was used as the turning point for this last book, and how everything moving forward is driven by this. Marc Antony’s cameo was interesting, and I would have liked to see more of his character considering how crucial he was to the events of this time period. It was also nice to see Kassandra again, though, between her name and the fact that she was having visions, it was a huge giveaway what her purpose in the story was going to be.
This time around, the book was not as short and it felt like a much more well-rounded adventure. However, I thought that the ending was too fast and too easy. There was such potential for that final conflict and while what was portrayed was definitely good, I felt more could have been done – after all, Fallon returning home after two years – spent in Rome no less – should be a pretty big deal. I’d hoped for atleast a little family drama there.
Overall, this was a satisfying conclusion to a wonderful trilogy. Fallon's journey has been a wonderful one to follow and I was quite happy with how everything was wrapped up. I would definitely recommend this series for historical fiction fans and also for those newer to the genre. Such an action-packed series is a great place to start before getting into the deeper novels.
It was a good ending although it felt a little bit rushed mainly the war/battle at the end, Pontius Aquila died to quick and easily, 10 pages or more and that would be perfect.
There were sad moments, very, very sad moments... which made the story more compelling.
The only thing that made me a little meh was Acheron because I didn't trust him from the beginning and I was right (I hate being right).
There were sad moments, very, very sad moments... which made the story more compelling.
The only thing that made me a little meh was Acheron because I didn't trust him from the beginning and I was right (I hate being right).
I can’t decide between 3.5 or 4 stars. I thought it was a good ending to the trilogy. Well done with lots of action and it came around full circle nicely. I cried/teared up a lot.
I was super excited about this finale and it was pretty much everything I wanted! I'd greatly missed Fallon, Cai, and the Ludus ladies, and was thrilled to see them all again. The story was fast-paced, action-packed, and full of heart.
The story picked up fairly quickly from where the previous books left off, leading to a series of events that saw the girls of Fallon's ludus on the run to new places and fighting for the people they love. Old and new characters emerge, and while I found the ending to be a little to short, in comparison to the other action scenes filling the story, it was no less what I wanted.
The characters continued to grow, with Fallon, Cai, and Elka each battle for top spot in my heart. Fallon did the most growing of course, as she needed to come to terms with letting others help her and not being responsible for every bad thing that happens. Cai was a swooning romantic, as always, and Elka is the gladiator bestie we all wish we had in our groups.
I would have liked a little more time with the villains so I could understand their motivations, but there was one that was a bit of a surprise to me. I also think the book could have been longer, but it clearly wanted to wow the readers with its great action scenes, and in that aspect, it certainly succeeded!
I'm truly going to miss these gladiator girls and their adventures. These are some of my favourite types of books and I really want to see more of them on shelves. But until then, I'll have epic memories of some of my favourite warrior ladies!
The story picked up fairly quickly from where the previous books left off, leading to a series of events that saw the girls of Fallon's ludus on the run to new places and fighting for the people they love. Old and new characters emerge, and while I found the ending to be a little to short, in comparison to the other action scenes filling the story, it was no less what I wanted.
The characters continued to grow, with Fallon, Cai, and Elka each battle for top spot in my heart. Fallon did the most growing of course, as she needed to come to terms with letting others help her and not being responsible for every bad thing that happens. Cai was a swooning romantic, as always, and Elka is the gladiator bestie we all wish we had in our groups.
I would have liked a little more time with the villains so I could understand their motivations, but there was one that was a bit of a surprise to me. I also think the book could have been longer, but it clearly wanted to wow the readers with its great action scenes, and in that aspect, it certainly succeeded!
I'm truly going to miss these gladiator girls and their adventures. These are some of my favourite types of books and I really want to see more of them on shelves. But until then, I'll have epic memories of some of my favourite warrior ladies!