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yodamom's review against another edition
3.0
Audiobook- narration 5 stars, Story a strong 3 stars
I really didn't think I'd like this. I'm not a fan of Gladiators/battle/fight stories. This one offered something more an interesting world with characters I couldn't help but want more of. I enjoyed it but not enough to continue the series.
I really didn't think I'd like this. I'm not a fan of Gladiators/battle/fight stories. This one offered something more an interesting world with characters I couldn't help but want more of. I enjoyed it but not enough to continue the series.
neptunenad's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
nikrodee's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know how to rate this book.
The love story with Cai progressed a little fast for me, I feel like the book didn't leave itself open to the sequel, and there was only two real arena fights in the book. Not to mention she had sworn vengeance against the Romans and seems to forget about that when she arrives in Rome. I'm confused because even though I had these issues with the book, it was still such an amazing book.
The book was almost so final at the end it seemed like it was meant to be a standalone novel. I have a vague idea of what the second book will deal with but I feel like we were left with no real purpose she's fighting towards at the end of book one, except for her freedom. I'm left with so many questions about the whole book that I can only hope will be answered in the next one.
I feel like the relationship between Cai and Fallon is also a little rushed, but if you can get past that the only problem I have is that they made it clear they aren't supposed to be together but they made it very public towards the end after being so cautious.
I feel like I'm only commenting on the negatives, but as I said this book was SO GOOD even though I had issues with it. The plot is awesome, and can we talk about how I love a good strong badass heroine in a story? When she's taken from her home country into the slave trade and finally auctioned off to the highest bidder and taken to a Gladiatrix school where she trains to fight for Julius Caesar himself; I couldn't put the book down.
The love story with Cai progressed a little fast for me, I feel like the book didn't leave itself open to the sequel, and there was only two real arena fights in the book. Not to mention she had sworn vengeance against the Romans and seems to forget about that when she arrives in Rome. I'm confused because even though I had these issues with the book, it was still such an amazing book.
The book was almost so final at the end it seemed like it was meant to be a standalone novel. I have a vague idea of what the second book will deal with but I feel like we were left with no real purpose she's fighting towards at the end of book one, except for her freedom. I'm left with so many questions about the whole book that I can only hope will be answered in the next one.
I feel like the relationship between Cai and Fallon is also a little rushed, but if you can get past that the only problem I have is that they made it clear they aren't supposed to be together but they made it very public towards the end after being so cautious.
I feel like I'm only commenting on the negatives, but as I said this book was SO GOOD even though I had issues with it. The plot is awesome, and can we talk about how I love a good strong badass heroine in a story? When she's taken from her home country into the slave trade and finally auctioned off to the highest bidder and taken to a Gladiatrix school where she trains to fight for Julius Caesar himself; I couldn't put the book down.
kittykat1126's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
dembury's review against another edition
5.0
I wrote a full review of "The Valiant" on my blog, here:
http://deborahembury.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-valiant-by-lesley-livingston-book.html
I mention a couple things that happen later in the book, but it's nothing spoilery! :)
http://deborahembury.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-valiant-by-lesley-livingston-book.html
I mention a couple things that happen later in the book, but it's nothing spoilery! :)
edshara's review against another edition
3.0
So this was okay. It was well written with really nice imagery and I did enjoy the majority of the characters.
Fallon was a believable and likable protagonist. She was a bit stubborn but not annoyingly so. I liked her ability to adapt and grow. It was nice to see a girl, her age, desire to follow her own dreams, and not just abandon them for a relationship. Although for as much as she cared (and while I can understand the situation she was in), I felt some of her relationships progressed a little too quickly.
One of the bigger plot developments was easy to figure out, in my opinion, and I’m glad it was revealed sooner rather than later. Overall the book was interesting, however, I felt like the plot was a bit too tame/safe and at times it kind of dragged on.
Their were a few great moments, I just felt like I wanted and expected more. I’m also not really understanding the purpose of the sequel. Sure, the world is interesting, but honestly, why? So for now continuing this series is up in the air.
Fallon was a believable and likable protagonist. She was a bit stubborn but not annoyingly so. I liked her ability to adapt and grow. It was nice to see a girl, her age, desire to follow her own dreams, and not just abandon them for a relationship. Although for as much as she cared (and while I can understand the situation she was in), I felt some of her relationships progressed a little too quickly.
One of the bigger plot developments was easy to figure out, in my opinion, and I’m glad it was revealed sooner rather than later. Overall the book was interesting, however, I felt like the plot was a bit too tame/safe and at times it kind of dragged on.
Their were a few great moments, I just felt like I wanted and expected more. I’m also not really understanding the purpose of the sequel. Sure, the world is interesting, but honestly, why? So for now continuing this series is up in the air.
joana_stormblessed's review against another edition
5.0
Boy have I been looking forward for this book!!
I saw this on a blog post as a book to keep on your radar for 2017 and they were right.
This book follows Fallon, a young princess who loves being a woman warrior for her tribe. She is looking forward to joining her father's war band when unexpected events change her life around.
Fallon is sold into slavery and becomes a gladiatrix in Rome.
I don't really want to say more because I don't want to spoil this book for anyone, but let's just say that I inhale read this. If you look at how "long" it took me from start date to finish date you might think "yeah right it took you a very long time to read it" but in that period I only picked this up three or for times. I read 70% of the book in one sitting! I couldn't put it down. Even though I predicted some events, I still loved this novel and I am so glad I read it!
Looking forward to the sequel
I saw this on a blog post as a book to keep on your radar for 2017 and they were right.
This book follows Fallon, a young princess who loves being a woman warrior for her tribe. She is looking forward to joining her father's war band when unexpected events change her life around.
Fallon is sold into slavery and becomes a gladiatrix in Rome.
I don't really want to say more because I don't want to spoil this book for anyone, but let's just say that I inhale read this. If you look at how "long" it took me from start date to finish date you might think "yeah right it took you a very long time to read it" but in that period I only picked this up three or for times. I read 70% of the book in one sitting! I couldn't put it down. Even though I predicted some events, I still loved this novel and I am so glad I read it!
Looking forward to the sequel
astheplotthickens24's review against another edition
3.0
"I will endure to be burned . . . to be bound . . . to be beaten . . . and to be killed by the sword."
This was a promising start to a new series, the fact that it was about the female gladiators of Ancient Rome made it even more interesting. I never knew that such thing existed.
The Valiant, was one of those books that once you started, you could never put down. You could easily get lost to the author's writing style and be absorbed by the world that you've been reading.
Fallon, was a strong female character but she needs to grow more as one. She was mostly okay but she annoys me for so many reasons I couldn't really point out because I don't know them myself, all I know is that I dislike her sometimes.
The romance of this book was lousy, it was rushed and two dimensional. Two people who fell in love with each other just because the author said so. There was no development towards their feelings. One moment they were enemies then afterwards they were not.
Some scenes were overly done, others were quick and hastily made. There were some inconsistencies but it was still a good read.
The first book was an okay read, it was entertaining and educational. I'm looking forward to the second book. I hope it was better than the first one.
