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The Pompeiian Horse
Prime Centurion Vettius returns to Pompeii, his hometown, after many years away, fighting countless battles to keep the Roman Empire safe. During this almost forced vacation, he discovers something he wasn’t expecting in the populous sea resort. He debates between accepting it and leaving Pompeii, because facing the implications of his discovery is too complicated.
Equus the Stallion is a former gladiator living a different life now. He’s Pompeii’s sweetheart, beloved and adored by almost everyone. Those who don’t love him envy him or have even darker motives to wish him ill. Still, he’s a celebrity and stays in everyone’s mind and heart.
When Equus and Vettius discover what they are to each other’s past (one spared the life of the other a long time ago), their present becomes conflicted in more than one way, because life is not easy in the Roman Empire, especially when you are on opposite ends of the social ladder.
Readers beware; this story contains mock battles, real battles, and gory battles. It also contains naughty man-on-man foreplay in secluded places and “throw your sandals away” intercourse. All characters portrayed in this book are age 18 or older. For adults only.
Equus the Stallion is a former gladiator living a different life now. He’s Pompeii’s sweetheart, beloved and adored by almost everyone. Those who don’t love him envy him or have even darker motives to wish him ill. Still, he’s a celebrity and stays in everyone’s mind and heart.
When Equus and Vettius discover what they are to each other’s past (one spared the life of the other a long time ago), their present becomes conflicted in more than one way, because life is not easy in the Roman Empire, especially when you are on opposite ends of the social ladder.
Readers beware; this story contains mock battles, real battles, and gory battles. It also contains naughty man-on-man foreplay in secluded places and “throw your sandals away” intercourse. All characters portrayed in this book are age 18 or older. For adults only.
164 pages, ebook
First published June 1, 2016
27 people want to read
About the author
Gabbo De La Parra
32 books69 followersBorn a Sagittarius in the fabulous year of the Rooster of ’69, at the hour when his cat was about to become a complete dragon, Gabbo de la Parra landed on the Caribbean Coast of the outlandish Republic of Panama to start the adventure of life.
Love and the Internet brought him to Middle Tennessee to embrace the American Dream and his husbandly romance. Writing has been an important part of his life since a very early age, and it’s a pleasure to share his stories with others thanks to the wonderful opportunities this land provides.
Gabbo cherishes Life with a southern gentleman in a townhouse (crowded with the spirits of his characters), close to a man-made lake and with their pets: street-smart Russian Blue Bella and rambunctious Rottweiler Alex.
Love and the Internet brought him to Middle Tennessee to embrace the American Dream and his husbandly romance. Writing has been an important part of his life since a very early age, and it’s a pleasure to share his stories with others thanks to the wonderful opportunities this land provides.
Gabbo cherishes Life with a southern gentleman in a townhouse (crowded with the spirits of his characters), close to a man-made lake and with their pets: street-smart Russian Blue Bella and rambunctious Rottweiler Alex.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 23, 2016
Beautifully lyrical, and bawdily brilliant. I was entranced by the story of Prime Centurion Vettius, tired of battle and returning to Pompeii to visit his cousin. Vettius is more than a little irked by the celebrity status of former gladiator Equus.
Unbeknownst to him, their paths crossed previously during the ransacking by the Roman Legion of the Renke clan. The boy whose life Vettius spared years ago is currently the sweetheart of Pompeii famed for gladiatorial skills and generosity of spirit.
Horse is now held under contract at a local whorehouse and renamed as a play on his former gladiator name, 'Equus the Stallion'.
Vettius and Equus are at either ends of the Roman social order in Pompeii, and yet they find themselves drawn against their better judgment to one and other.
Alone they can dispense with titles and know each other simply as Janus and Ehren even as they realise a long term relationship is probably out of the question for them both.
I was charmed by the 'omens' that Janis notes that guide him in his decisions about Ehren past and present. This is juxtaposed with Ehren's decision to eschew both the Gods of his tribe and those of the Romans.
The banter throughout the story delighted me, particularly between Ehren and Janus, and not to mention the bawdy exchanges between Ehren and his fellow whores as they discuss the proclivities of their patrons.
Whilst Ehren is popular, someone seems determined to bring him down. Janus wishes to help him survive however he can.
The gladiatorial battle scene staged for paying client (and the deadly gladiatorial combat) is fabulous. Brilliantly depicted they include great asides as the protagonists take their lives into their own hands.
The language within the story has a euphonious quality that merged modern language in a style that also seemed historically authentic. Sometimes though, the wording had me wondering whether the placement was reflecting the structure of a more ancient language and at others it seemed purely to be typos. Whilst this pulled me out of the story a little to ponder over prose, my delight with the full tale was constant.
My only misgiving is whether Ehren and his fellow gladiators turned whores could truly survive the inequities of their lives and emerge so apparently psychologically unscathed.
The equanimity with which Ehren approaches life means I certainly can appreciate why Janus is so smitten with him.
Initially I thought this story worthy of a solid four stars but on reflection I am bumping it to five glowing stars, the extra added for the glorious glossary which is not only informative but humorously points out that in ancient times the description of an intimate moment between lovers (as shared by Janus and Ehren) is likened to Ouroborus the infinity snake holding his tail within his mouth (because LXIX just won't do). Hahaha. Simply brilliant kudos to the author.
Wisely stated in the preamble 'the characters might sound and think like us, but we need to understand their culture is not ours'. The Pompeiian Horse is a fascinating peek back through the mists of time. I loved it, whilst I remain doubtful that the affects of the psychological trauma endured by gladiators is so easily overcome. This however does not detract from the story.
Recommended heartily for swords, sandals and glorious gladiators. This is an exhilarating love story about overcoming stigma, treachery and danger, and set in decadent Pompeii. All kinds of interesting historical facts are woven into the story.
I was gripped from the first sentence to the last and based on this, I am looking forward to checking out more titles by Gabbo De La Parra.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review as part of the Male/Male Romance group's Don't Buy My Love event.
Unbeknownst to him, their paths crossed previously during the ransacking by the Roman Legion of the Renke clan. The boy whose life Vettius spared years ago is currently the sweetheart of Pompeii famed for gladiatorial skills and generosity of spirit.
Horse is now held under contract at a local whorehouse and renamed as a play on his former gladiator name, 'Equus the Stallion'.
Vettius and Equus are at either ends of the Roman social order in Pompeii, and yet they find themselves drawn against their better judgment to one and other.
Alone they can dispense with titles and know each other simply as Janus and Ehren even as they realise a long term relationship is probably out of the question for them both.
I was charmed by the 'omens' that Janis notes that guide him in his decisions about Ehren past and present. This is juxtaposed with Ehren's decision to eschew both the Gods of his tribe and those of the Romans.
The banter throughout the story delighted me, particularly between Ehren and Janus, and not to mention the bawdy exchanges between Ehren and his fellow whores as they discuss the proclivities of their patrons.
Whilst Ehren is popular, someone seems determined to bring him down. Janus wishes to help him survive however he can.
The gladiatorial battle scene staged for paying client (and the deadly gladiatorial combat) is fabulous. Brilliantly depicted they include great asides as the protagonists take their lives into their own hands.
The language within the story has a euphonious quality that merged modern language in a style that also seemed historically authentic. Sometimes though, the wording had me wondering whether the placement was reflecting the structure of a more ancient language and at others it seemed purely to be typos. Whilst this pulled me out of the story a little to ponder over prose, my delight with the full tale was constant.
My only misgiving is whether Ehren and his fellow gladiators turned whores could truly survive the inequities of their lives and emerge so apparently psychologically unscathed.
The equanimity with which Ehren approaches life means I certainly can appreciate why Janus is so smitten with him.
Initially I thought this story worthy of a solid four stars but on reflection I am bumping it to five glowing stars, the extra added for the glorious glossary which is not only informative but humorously points out that in ancient times the description of an intimate moment between lovers (as shared by Janus and Ehren) is likened to Ouroborus the infinity snake holding his tail within his mouth (because LXIX just won't do). Hahaha. Simply brilliant kudos to the author.
Wisely stated in the preamble 'the characters might sound and think like us, but we need to understand their culture is not ours'. The Pompeiian Horse is a fascinating peek back through the mists of time. I loved it, whilst I remain doubtful that the affects of the psychological trauma endured by gladiators is so easily overcome. This however does not detract from the story.
Recommended heartily for swords, sandals and glorious gladiators. This is an exhilarating love story about overcoming stigma, treachery and danger, and set in decadent Pompeii. All kinds of interesting historical facts are woven into the story.
I was gripped from the first sentence to the last and based on this, I am looking forward to checking out more titles by Gabbo De La Parra.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review as part of the Male/Male Romance group's Don't Buy My Love event.
April 9, 2017
I beta-read this story for the author, so I don't know if I'm violating some kind of ethics in rating it. I am rating it on my enjoyment while reading the rougher drafts and corrected version.
It is a little bit, only sort of, an enemies-to-lovers, fated love, rent-boy romance. However, the settting is in ancient Pompeii, pre-eruption, and firmly defined by the culture and customs of pre-christian Rome. There are no stereotypes or tropes used, or forced to fit into history. I learned new information that I wasn't familiar with, without ever feeling lectured or taught. It was an organic part of the dialogue and narration, making it easy to comprehend the meaning. It also has a little bit of mystery and suspense, as well as excitement and action, so it's kind of fun, too!
If historical fiction is your "thing", or you just like learning something new in a romantic way, this is well worth the read.
It is a little bit, only sort of, an enemies-to-lovers, fated love, rent-boy romance. However, the settting is in ancient Pompeii, pre-eruption, and firmly defined by the culture and customs of pre-christian Rome. There are no stereotypes or tropes used, or forced to fit into history. I learned new information that I wasn't familiar with, without ever feeling lectured or taught. It was an organic part of the dialogue and narration, making it easy to comprehend the meaning. It also has a little bit of mystery and suspense, as well as excitement and action, so it's kind of fun, too!
If historical fiction is your "thing", or you just like learning something new in a romantic way, this is well worth the read.
July 20, 2016
I received a free coy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
Janus Vettius, Prime Centurion for the Roman Empire returns home to Pompei after being away for many years. Upon arrival he is assaulted by rumors, admiration/adoration, and propaganda of the sweetheart of Pompeii, Equus the Stallion. Being away for so long he doesn't know about Equus or why the man is so beloved to the town. In fact, besides being miffed, he's annoyed and a tad bias against the man for having such a fan base.
Equus the Stallion, a former gladiator turned indentured prostitute lives his life a bit unfulfilled. He's not really sure what he is missing considering he is beloved by most for the deed that put him in the sex industry and the few who have something against aren't even worth worrying about.
When the two finally meet, the attraction is instantaneous. It's Equus, who connect the dots of their past and find that they've both been hoping for a reunion and more. But their reunion doesn't come easy. Equus's few enemies are coming out of the woodwork and would love nothing ut to destroy all that Equus has even if it means Janus will become a casualty.
It was an interesting read and I did pick up a few new interesting fact/words and also enjoyed reading about the life of a gladiator (more or less the fights). I enjoyed the fight scene and the intrigue that was happening in the book. The characters were all intriguing and I enjoyed reading their interaction among each other especially the ones occurring in the brothels.
I'm still a bit put off by Janus and Ehren's connection to each other. The two only met for a short time and I just wasn't buying them having such a loving intense relations because of that chance meeting several years before. It was like a thorn in the back of my mind when I was reading the story. I just felt very farfetched that that encounter could blossom into love without the two really getting to know each other.
The mystery aspect was well done and definitely caught and held my attention. I was intrigued and didn't really want to put the book down since I wasn't too sure how many people were involved in the plot against Ehren.
3.5 stars
Janus Vettius, Prime Centurion for the Roman Empire returns home to Pompei after being away for many years. Upon arrival he is assaulted by rumors, admiration/adoration, and propaganda of the sweetheart of Pompeii, Equus the Stallion. Being away for so long he doesn't know about Equus or why the man is so beloved to the town. In fact, besides being miffed, he's annoyed and a tad bias against the man for having such a fan base.
Equus the Stallion, a former gladiator turned indentured prostitute lives his life a bit unfulfilled. He's not really sure what he is missing considering he is beloved by most for the deed that put him in the sex industry and the few who have something against aren't even worth worrying about.
When the two finally meet, the attraction is instantaneous. It's Equus, who connect the dots of their past and find that they've both been hoping for a reunion and more. But their reunion doesn't come easy. Equus's few enemies are coming out of the woodwork and would love nothing ut to destroy all that Equus has even if it means Janus will become a casualty.
It was an interesting read and I did pick up a few new interesting fact/words and also enjoyed reading about the life of a gladiator (more or less the fights). I enjoyed the fight scene and the intrigue that was happening in the book. The characters were all intriguing and I enjoyed reading their interaction among each other especially the ones occurring in the brothels.
I'm still a bit put off by Janus and Ehren's connection to each other. The two only met for a short time and I just wasn't buying them having such a loving intense relations because of that chance meeting several years before. It was like a thorn in the back of my mind when I was reading the story. I just felt very farfetched that that encounter could blossom into love without the two really getting to know each other.
The mystery aspect was well done and definitely caught and held my attention. I was intrigued and didn't really want to put the book down since I wasn't too sure how many people were involved in the plot against Ehren.
August 2, 2016
It's an amazing book with an other worldly feel of Pompeii (so used to 'seeing' ancient Rome) during the Roman Empire. One man saves another. When they meet again later in life could this turn into hot sexy love even though they are of a different station in life? Even if one of them has insulted the other?
These guys were gladiators and so you know there bodies are perfection. This is not a standard M/M romance with trite old tropes. This is a short rhapsodic story that will linger in your mind and is more than worth the short read with action/adventure/mystery/paranormal/fantasy/M/M Romance satisfaction in abundance.
5 stars *****
Note: I bought this book in ePub format for my iPad at Smashwords.com which has lots of formats including .mobi format for Kindle readers.
These guys were gladiators and so you know there bodies are perfection. This is not a standard M/M romance with trite old tropes. This is a short rhapsodic story that will linger in your mind and is more than worth the short read with action/adventure/mystery/paranormal/fantasy/M/M Romance satisfaction in abundance.
5 stars *****
Note: I bought this book in ePub format for my iPad at Smashwords.com which has lots of formats including .mobi format for Kindle readers.
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June 21, 2016Author's Review.
I'm not going to give myself stars; that's for my fabulous readers to give.
This is the story of two men who must overcome the restrictions of Roman society to conquer love.
First, they will fight with themselves to accept what each one means to the other; after that, they shall fight for their lives because their unknown enemies have much power in Pompeii.
Join their adventure and root for their happy ending.
I'm not going to give myself stars; that's for my fabulous readers to give.
This is the story of two men who must overcome the restrictions of Roman society to conquer love.
First, they will fight with themselves to accept what each one means to the other; after that, they shall fight for their lives because their unknown enemies have much power in Pompeii.
Join their adventure and root for their happy ending.
August 4, 2016
I got this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review as part of the DBML program of the M/M Romance group at Goodreads.
I love this time period for historical book so I was already predisposed to like this but add in gladiators and a male brothel, I am even happier. Ehren/Equus/Horse is an ex-gladiator very famous in Pompeii, almost deity like worship of him. He works in the Zoo and all male brothel where all the whore has an animal name. Vettius is a Prime Centurion of the legions. The Prologue is set 15 years prior when believing an Omen of an eagle Dropping the Hare it caught meant he should release the young man mourning his mother.
15 years later Vettius return to Pompeii on leave. He see a lot about Equus on the street of Pompeii and is a little upset with all the attention he is receiving. When they first meet Vettius' Cousin Pompo hired Equus for Vettius. it Start with a gladiatorial fight and then when they return to Equus' room, Vettius realizes that Equus is the young man he let go 15 years ago. they slowly fall in love. Lion, another whore at the Zoo, Is murdered, there is no Love lost between Equus and Lion. Equus Just as Equus is about to be freed he is arrested for murdering Lion. The reader know he couldn't have done it because We hear the uproar as Equus is returned to the Zoo by Vettius. Vettius make use of an ancient right that if a patrician think there is an error in judgment he can join in the fighting of the condemned man and in this case if Equus and Vettius can defeat 20 opponents Equus is deemed innocent of the crime of murder. someone really had it in for Equus and/or Vettius, since someone bribed the Chief Magistrate after they defeated the 20 opponent to release a pride of Lions. they are badly injured but Survive. they figure out who actually killed Lion. Vettius and Equus move Away from Pompeii. in the epilogue the Character learn what history already know that Vesuvius erupted and destroyed Pompeii.
I love this time period for historical book so I was already predisposed to like this but add in gladiators and a male brothel, I am even happier. Ehren/Equus/Horse is an ex-gladiator very famous in Pompeii, almost deity like worship of him. He works in the Zoo and all male brothel where all the whore has an animal name. Vettius is a Prime Centurion of the legions. The Prologue is set 15 years prior when believing an Omen of an eagle Dropping the Hare it caught meant he should release the young man mourning his mother.
15 years later Vettius return to Pompeii on leave. He see a lot about Equus on the street of Pompeii and is a little upset with all the attention he is receiving. When they first meet Vettius' Cousin Pompo hired Equus for Vettius. it Start with a gladiatorial fight and then when they return to Equus' room, Vettius realizes that Equus is the young man he let go 15 years ago. they slowly fall in love. Lion, another whore at the Zoo, Is murdered, there is no Love lost between Equus and Lion. Equus Just as Equus is about to be freed he is arrested for murdering Lion. The reader know he couldn't have done it because We hear the uproar as Equus is returned to the Zoo by Vettius. Vettius make use of an ancient right that if a patrician think there is an error in judgment he can join in the fighting of the condemned man and in this case if Equus and Vettius can defeat 20 opponents Equus is deemed innocent of the crime of murder. someone really had it in for Equus and/or Vettius, since someone bribed the Chief Magistrate after they defeated the 20 opponent to release a pride of Lions. they are badly injured but Survive. they figure out who actually killed Lion. Vettius and Equus move Away from Pompeii. in the epilogue the Character learn what history already know that Vesuvius erupted and destroyed Pompeii.
August 15, 2019
3.5 stars
*I received a copy through the MMRG DBML program for honest review.
Vettius is a Prime Centurion who is on break from being a Centurion, and returns to the town he grew up in to visit his cousin. It has been many years since he was back, and things have definitely changed. One thing in particular that annoys Vettius is the fact that the blond "Stallion" or "Horse" seems to be everywhere, and revered by everyone he meets.
It turns out that Equus was a gladiator who now works in a house of pleasure. *snorts* (It took me a really long time to come up with an alternate word for "whorehouse". Much longer than it should have, in fact.) This house of pleasure only has male occupants, and a lot of them are former gladiators. The house offers fights and sex to anyone with the right amount of money.
Once Vettius meets Equus, he is enamoured with him, much like everyone else in Pompeii. Only his infatuation is more, and such that Vettius wants Equus, or Horse, as he is now known, to be his. His lover, his partner, his love. Unfortunately, it seems as though things are stacked against them, and someone doesn't want Horse to survive.
The author warns up front that although this takes place in the far distant past, the language is going to be modern. With most books, I would have an issue with this, but somehow the dichotomy worked. It may have been because of the warning, I'm not sure. And although the language was modern, the attitudes and reactions were more appropriate to the era in which the story took place. With that said...
I had issues with getting drawn into the flow of the story, yet I kept reading. (Perhaps if the story had been longer, I would have found the cadence, but I just couldn't match up.) I had trouble understanding the motivations of the characters, yet I kept reading. Things were happening all over willy-nilly plot-wise, yet I kept reading. And I kept reading, not because I needed to review this, but because I wanted to. I was invested in the characters, even if I couldn't really understand them. I wanted to see what would happen with all the plot lines, no matter how many there were. And even if I didn't quite get in line with the writing, it drew me onward and upward, and many other flourishing and dashing and descriptive lyrical, euphemistic words, which the story was filled with.
The secondary characters were well drawn, and not just thrown in to pay accolades to the main characters. They had their own lives, their own stories, their own foibles. And even though the story is told through Vettius and Horse, you can see how much the other characters influence them and steer them on their way to their stories.
Overall, I had a pleasant experience reading this, and would definitely check out something else the author has written...just, maybe a bit longer in length, so I could potentially match the unique rhythm the author writes in.
*I received a copy through the MMRG DBML program for honest review.
Vettius is a Prime Centurion who is on break from being a Centurion, and returns to the town he grew up in to visit his cousin. It has been many years since he was back, and things have definitely changed. One thing in particular that annoys Vettius is the fact that the blond "Stallion" or "Horse" seems to be everywhere, and revered by everyone he meets.
It turns out that Equus was a gladiator who now works in a house of pleasure. *snorts* (It took me a really long time to come up with an alternate word for "whorehouse". Much longer than it should have, in fact.) This house of pleasure only has male occupants, and a lot of them are former gladiators. The house offers fights and sex to anyone with the right amount of money.
Once Vettius meets Equus, he is enamoured with him, much like everyone else in Pompeii. Only his infatuation is more, and such that Vettius wants Equus, or Horse, as he is now known, to be his. His lover, his partner, his love. Unfortunately, it seems as though things are stacked against them, and someone doesn't want Horse to survive.
The author warns up front that although this takes place in the far distant past, the language is going to be modern. With most books, I would have an issue with this, but somehow the dichotomy worked. It may have been because of the warning, I'm not sure. And although the language was modern, the attitudes and reactions were more appropriate to the era in which the story took place. With that said...
I had issues with getting drawn into the flow of the story, yet I kept reading. (Perhaps if the story had been longer, I would have found the cadence, but I just couldn't match up.) I had trouble understanding the motivations of the characters, yet I kept reading. Things were happening all over willy-nilly plot-wise, yet I kept reading. And I kept reading, not because I needed to review this, but because I wanted to. I was invested in the characters, even if I couldn't really understand them. I wanted to see what would happen with all the plot lines, no matter how many there were. And even if I didn't quite get in line with the writing, it drew me onward and upward, and many other flourishing and dashing and descriptive lyrical, euphemistic words, which the story was filled with.
The secondary characters were well drawn, and not just thrown in to pay accolades to the main characters. They had their own lives, their own stories, their own foibles. And even though the story is told through Vettius and Horse, you can see how much the other characters influence them and steer them on their way to their stories.
Overall, I had a pleasant experience reading this, and would definitely check out something else the author has written...just, maybe a bit longer in length, so I could potentially match the unique rhythm the author writes in.
July 24, 2016
This story was received free in return for an honest review via the Goodreads Don’t Buy My Love program.
The Pompeiian Horse is a loosely based Roman historical. While I'm usually an avid lover of Gabbo's stories, perhaps my own hobby of medieval reenactment (and recent learnings of the Greeks and Roman sexual society) might have hurt in the reading. Since much of Pompeii's history is unknown, I tried to let the story lay out as the author imagined it might be.
The story revolves around Janus Vettius Crispus, Prime Centurion of the Fourth Legion and a male prostitute who goes by the name of Horse. There’s intrigue and murder, and some good, decent and so-so sex scenes. The battle scenes were well-written, although abbreviated.
Much of the story takes place in an all male whorehouse called The Zoo. It was an interesting imagining, with each man being given the name of an animal. I enjoyed the banter among the “whores”, and how the owner used prior gladiators as his "larges" and the younger, smaller men as his "smalls." I also liked the way MC Janus, viewed omens as signs as to how he should live and react to certain situations, while MC Horse/Ehren lived solely by doing right to others, believing in every action has a reaction. The romance, though entertaining, felt forced and rushed. However, in light of how the two met originally and their current positions in life, I can understand it to some point.
The author noted at the beginning that he planned to use informal language. While this was appreciated, I often felt it was too informal. And there was no consistency; some formal, some not. There were whole passages that reeked of the twenty-first century, and then I was thrown back into the first.
There was unfortunately also a lot of telling, with few truly emotional passages. Much of the intimacy was told to me, I never truly felt it. A fine tooth comb was seriously needed to rid the plague of grammatical errors pulling me out of the story.
Overall, a strong like, but there's definitely others better written by this author.
The Pompeiian Horse is a loosely based Roman historical. While I'm usually an avid lover of Gabbo's stories, perhaps my own hobby of medieval reenactment (and recent learnings of the Greeks and Roman sexual society) might have hurt in the reading. Since much of Pompeii's history is unknown, I tried to let the story lay out as the author imagined it might be.
The story revolves around Janus Vettius Crispus, Prime Centurion of the Fourth Legion and a male prostitute who goes by the name of Horse. There’s intrigue and murder, and some good, decent and so-so sex scenes. The battle scenes were well-written, although abbreviated.
Much of the story takes place in an all male whorehouse called The Zoo. It was an interesting imagining, with each man being given the name of an animal. I enjoyed the banter among the “whores”, and how the owner used prior gladiators as his "larges" and the younger, smaller men as his "smalls." I also liked the way MC Janus, viewed omens as signs as to how he should live and react to certain situations, while MC Horse/Ehren lived solely by doing right to others, believing in every action has a reaction. The romance, though entertaining, felt forced and rushed. However, in light of how the two met originally and their current positions in life, I can understand it to some point.
The author noted at the beginning that he planned to use informal language. While this was appreciated, I often felt it was too informal. And there was no consistency; some formal, some not. There were whole passages that reeked of the twenty-first century, and then I was thrown back into the first.
There was unfortunately also a lot of telling, with few truly emotional passages. Much of the intimacy was told to me, I never truly felt it. A fine tooth comb was seriously needed to rid the plague of grammatical errors pulling me out of the story.
Overall, a strong like, but there's definitely others better written by this author.
August 7, 2016
Book was provided for free by the author in exchange for an honest review.
***This review contains minor spoilers***
The Pompeiian Horse is a historical book set in ancient Pompeii. I love history, especially ancient history. That is the main reason why I was interested in reading this book.
This is a story about two men who stand in a very different place on the social ladder of ancient Pompeii and yet they fall in love. Two main characters discover that they have unexpected enemies. So this books tells us how they deal with that situation: first falling in love with someone who they should not fall for and how they survive their enemies plans.
Before I started reading this book I read the blurb, what triggers it may contain etc. Yet, I still managed to completly miss the point that one of the MC's is a whore, who works in a brothel called "Zoo". Yep. I completly missed that tibit of information. Generally I don't like to read about rentboys/prostitutes. Okay so there was that. And to be totaly honest if I've known what the ocupation of one of the MC's is, I would not have picked this book up.
I knew that Equus was a former gladiator, but the way the blurb worded it I thought that he was a free man now and of course he was not. So I got the second part that got me to pause, because I usually again don't like to read slave stories. Essentially it was a story about a free man and a slave falling in love. After reading the blurb I just expected something different. So I was very suprised to discover those things. I do think that the blurb is misleading a bit.
Now to the story. It was set in the ancient Pompeii, but sadly I didn't quite believe it. The same goes for the MC's love. I was told that they love each other, but I didn't feel it. I think the biggest problem for me with this book was that I just didn't connect to the historical setting and the characters. And for me this is a big problem. This book had parts that I liked, I just didn't connect with the story enough.
2,5 stars rounded up to 3 star.
***This review contains minor spoilers***
The Pompeiian Horse is a historical book set in ancient Pompeii. I love history, especially ancient history. That is the main reason why I was interested in reading this book.
This is a story about two men who stand in a very different place on the social ladder of ancient Pompeii and yet they fall in love. Two main characters discover that they have unexpected enemies. So this books tells us how they deal with that situation: first falling in love with someone who they should not fall for and how they survive their enemies plans.
Before I started reading this book I read the blurb, what triggers it may contain etc. Yet, I still managed to completly miss the point that one of the MC's is a whore, who works in a brothel called "Zoo". Yep. I completly missed that tibit of information. Generally I don't like to read about rentboys/prostitutes. Okay so there was that. And to be totaly honest if I've known what the ocupation of one of the MC's is, I would not have picked this book up.
I knew that Equus was a former gladiator, but the way the blurb worded it I thought that he was a free man now and of course he was not. So I got the second part that got me to pause, because I usually again don't like to read slave stories. Essentially it was a story about a free man and a slave falling in love. After reading the blurb I just expected something different. So I was very suprised to discover those things. I do think that the blurb is misleading a bit.
Now to the story. It was set in the ancient Pompeii, but sadly I didn't quite believe it. The same goes for the MC's love. I was told that they love each other, but I didn't feel it. I think the biggest problem for me with this book was that I just didn't connect to the historical setting and the characters. And for me this is a big problem. This book had parts that I liked, I just didn't connect with the story enough.
2,5 stars rounded up to 3 star.
August 9, 2016
Note: I was given a copy of this book through M/M Romance Group's Don't Buy My Love free for review program in exchange for an honest review.
This is a historical from an era that I rarely come across--Ancient Rome.
The beginning was a bit mystical and a little slow. But by the time I finished the story, I was able to appreciate the slower pace in the beginning. The world building was detailed but not overly meticulous. I enjoyed (from a story aspect) the well thought out descriptions of the arena battle.
Some of the minor character motivations were hidden with respect to some of their actions--so much so, that I was a bit confused until toward the end of the story. I wonder if a re-read after a while would help with this feeling.
There were also several errors--typos, missing words, slight grammar gaffs. I think that a few of what I perceive as errors may have been to try to make the language of the story to sound less modern. Still I do believe that a few are definite errors that could have been caught with another editing pass.
All in all, I liked reading this story that is somewhat outside what I normally gravitate to. It definitely a story that I'd read again it I have the itch or a reading challenge requirement. Gabbo de la Parra is an author who often finds a different perspective and even a few brave choices with the stories he tells.
This is a historical from an era that I rarely come across--Ancient Rome.
The beginning was a bit mystical and a little slow. But by the time I finished the story, I was able to appreciate the slower pace in the beginning. The world building was detailed but not overly meticulous. I enjoyed (from a story aspect) the well thought out descriptions of the arena battle.
Some of the minor character motivations were hidden with respect to some of their actions--so much so, that I was a bit confused until toward the end of the story. I wonder if a re-read after a while would help with this feeling.
There were also several errors--typos, missing words, slight grammar gaffs. I think that a few of what I perceive as errors may have been to try to make the language of the story to sound less modern. Still I do believe that a few are definite errors that could have been caught with another editing pass.
All in all, I liked reading this story that is somewhat outside what I normally gravitate to. It definitely a story that I'd read again it I have the itch or a reading challenge requirement. Gabbo de la Parra is an author who often finds a different perspective and even a few brave choices with the stories he tells.
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