Scan barcode
bog_walker's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.5
heathersnerdyworld's review against another edition
4.0
I love the concept of a Gladiator story for YA. I haven't read anything with that theme before and find it a fascinating historical period for fiction.
An easy read with a plot that never slows. A good spring/summer read, that is a breeze to get through.
3.5 /5
An easy read with a plot that never slows. A good spring/summer read, that is a breeze to get through.
3.5 /5
theowlerybooks's review against another edition
4.0
I LOVED this story!! The main character is so badass and this novel tells a story I have yet to see in any other book! The female gladiators were super interesting to read and about! Fallon is amazing and I love her development over the course of the story! I fell in love with the romantic and nonromantic relationships is this story they are so strong and the friendships are just girl power to the max!
thelibraryskeeper's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my gosh.
I'm already ready for book two. I completely devoured this book becoming so quickly caught up in the characters and just how well written it all was. The story was incredible and left me wanting to know what comes next.
I'm already ready for book two. I completely devoured this book becoming so quickly caught up in the characters and just how well written it all was. The story was incredible and left me wanting to know what comes next.
kristinecanwrite's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting and vivid YA novel about a Celtic warrior-princess turned gladiator. This is the first book I've listened to on audiobook in a long time and I really enjoyed it while working on very unenjoyable projects. The author pays close attention to the different possible experiences of the many women and girls Fallon encounters, and it makes the world feel rich and dynamic. While I called the main twist from the beginning of the book, I was genuinely stressed in the lead up to the reveal, and that's the best kind of tension.
ameserole's review against another edition
3.0
..that ending was such horse shit.
The Valiant has been one of those books that I keep wanting to read.. but never did. Then when I did, I was so freaking excited. HOWEVER, that ending just pissed me of. It was definitely a, "wait, what?" moment. I still feel this way and it has been a couple of days since I finished it.
For most of this book, it was good. It definitely had it's boring moments because I would realize way too late that I zoned out of something.. and then I would have to back track to figure out what I exactly missed. Fallon was a pretty interesting character and she seemed like a bad ass. I'm glad that she was so freaking devote to her god.. like I am to wine. It made us two peas in a pod.
Besides her, the book and the rest of cast of characters were enjoyable. Up to a point, I mean. Because trust me, I ended up getting frustrated with this book. Especially with that ending. It made hesitant to start the next book. Heck, I still haven't started it and I have no desire at this point either. Maybe I'll dive into next month but I have zero promises on that.
Overall, that damn ending ruined it for me.
The Valiant has been one of those books that I keep wanting to read.. but never did. Then when I did, I was so freaking excited. HOWEVER, that ending just pissed me of. It was definitely a, "wait, what?" moment. I still feel this way and it has been a couple of days since I finished it.
For most of this book, it was good. It definitely had it's boring moments because I would realize way too late that I zoned out of something.. and then I would have to back track to figure out what I exactly missed. Fallon was a pretty interesting character and she seemed like a bad ass. I'm glad that she was so freaking devote to her god.. like I am to wine. It made us two peas in a pod.
Besides her, the book and the rest of cast of characters were enjoyable. Up to a point, I mean. Because trust me, I ended up getting frustrated with this book. Especially with that ending. It made hesitant to start the next book. Heck, I still haven't started it and I have no desire at this point either. Maybe I'll dive into next month but I have zero promises on that.
Overall, that damn ending ruined it for me.
vidhi26p's review against another edition
4.0
Hands down one of the best historical fiction stories I have ever read. It is an action packed novel with romance to give it some extra flavor, NOT the other way around. It captures the vitality and brutality of the infamous Roman Empire and its Caesarean era. Even if history isn't your thing, it's a classic YA novel with a badass main character. One particular thing I enjoyed with this novel was it's lack of a resolution. The climax comes to an explosive end and the novel ends there. There is no descriptive aftermath of the climax nor imagery illustrating the lives of the characters after their fated moment, yet an extremely satisfying ending awaits.