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The Valiant #3
The Triumphant
The final book in the Valiant series takes Fallon and her warrior sisters on an epic journey from the corrupt Roman Republic to the wonder of the ancient world: Alexandria, Egypt.
“You are from a world, Fallon, that values honor over everything else. Rome is not that world.”
In the wake of their victorious fight to win back the Ludus Achillea, Fallon and her gladiatrix sisters have become the toast of the Republic. Only for Fallon, glory turns to ashes when she learns that Cai has been stripped of his Decurion rank and declared infamia, cast down to serve as one of Caesar’s gladiators. All because he chose his love for her over the life of his treacherous father during the ludus uprising.
But treachery in Rome runs far deeper than Fallon ever suspected. While she is fighting for Cai’s freedom, the unthinkable happens and the Republic begins to tear itself apart at the seams. In the chaos that follows, the Achillea gladiatrices lose any protection they might have had once and for all. They’re not the only ones.
When Fallon discovers that Cleopatra is in grave danger, she and her sister Sorcha rally their war band in an attempt to spirit the Queen of Aegypt out of Rome, embarking on a remarkable journey that will take them to Alexandria—the wonder of the ancient world—and beyond. Far beyond. Along the way, Fallon will have to decide where her heart truly lies, as well as what—and who—she is willing to sacrifice to get there.
“You are from a world, Fallon, that values honor over everything else. Rome is not that world.”
In the wake of their victorious fight to win back the Ludus Achillea, Fallon and her gladiatrix sisters have become the toast of the Republic. Only for Fallon, glory turns to ashes when she learns that Cai has been stripped of his Decurion rank and declared infamia, cast down to serve as one of Caesar’s gladiators. All because he chose his love for her over the life of his treacherous father during the ludus uprising.
But treachery in Rome runs far deeper than Fallon ever suspected. While she is fighting for Cai’s freedom, the unthinkable happens and the Republic begins to tear itself apart at the seams. In the chaos that follows, the Achillea gladiatrices lose any protection they might have had once and for all. They’re not the only ones.
When Fallon discovers that Cleopatra is in grave danger, she and her sister Sorcha rally their war band in an attempt to spirit the Queen of Aegypt out of Rome, embarking on a remarkable journey that will take them to Alexandria—the wonder of the ancient world—and beyond. Far beyond. Along the way, Fallon will have to decide where her heart truly lies, as well as what—and who—she is willing to sacrifice to get there.
416 pages, ebook
First published February 12, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
February 21, 2019
This book was crazy awesome! I very satisfying conclusion though the battle at the end did seem a bit rushed. However, it did not take from the plot or even the satisfaction at the end. There were some heartbreaking moments so the series ended in no way with every character readers have grown to love getting their happy ending. This has been one of my favorite series of the last for years and it just so empowering! Love it!
My quick and simple overall: absolutely engrossing finale to an amazing series!
My quick and simple overall: absolutely engrossing finale to an amazing series!
February 11, 2021
Destiny is not something that is given. It's something you prove yourself worthy of taking.
The Triumphant is the fast paced and glorious conclusion to the Valiant trilogy! This trilogy definitely needs more recognition. I loved the previous books and I didn't expect anything less from the finale tbh. I wasn't disappointed.
Again, this was fast paced but never felt rushed. It was a great mix of heart stopping action and emotional and soft dialogue. It didn't get boring once. Whenever things had slowed down for a while and I wasn't so sure about it, the action kicked back in and I was in for another wild ride (quite literally, considering we have an awesome chase and fight scene on horseback).
This being the third and last book I felt like I already knew the characters pretty well and I loved being reunited with this awesome group of fearless, badass warrior girls (and boys). They are so badass and unstoppable! Fallon is a great MC, she definitely has what it takes and the book being written in 1st person made for a pretty immersive reading experience. I felt like I was fighting alongside Fallon and the others, experiencing the action firsthand.
But what I love most about them is that they're not only sisters in arms, they're great and loyal friends too. And I love friendships in books. These girls would die for each other - and they did. There's quite a lot of death inside these pages, and at times, it was heartbreaking. I quietly shed a tear (or two) more than once. And alone for that the book deserves 5 stars. I love books that make me cry (sounds weird, but yeah). The deaths in this entire trilogy feel so real and personal in a way, I don't know how the author does that. But then, we're talking about gladiator fights here... lots of hand to hand combat and bloodshed, and these books show you that killing and death isn't nice and clean (finally, I think a lot of ya fails to do that).
But in the end, it's not all about gladiators. It's about friendship, family, honor and destiny. It's about a girl's journey. I wrote in my review for The Valiant that Fallon is searching for her place in the world. Now, after completing the trilogy, I can say she's found it. And I'm glad and happy (and yes, a little sad it's over because I loved those books). Clear recommendation!!
The Triumphant is the fast paced and glorious conclusion to the Valiant trilogy! This trilogy definitely needs more recognition. I loved the previous books and I didn't expect anything less from the finale tbh. I wasn't disappointed.
Again, this was fast paced but never felt rushed. It was a great mix of heart stopping action and emotional and soft dialogue. It didn't get boring once. Whenever things had slowed down for a while and I wasn't so sure about it, the action kicked back in and I was in for another wild ride (quite literally, considering we have an awesome chase and fight scene on horseback).
This being the third and last book I felt like I already knew the characters pretty well and I loved being reunited with this awesome group of fearless, badass warrior girls (and boys). They are so badass and unstoppable! Fallon is a great MC, she definitely has what it takes and the book being written in 1st person made for a pretty immersive reading experience. I felt like I was fighting alongside Fallon and the others, experiencing the action firsthand.
But what I love most about them is that they're not only sisters in arms, they're great and loyal friends too. And I love friendships in books. These girls would die for each other - and they did. There's quite a lot of death inside these pages, and at times, it was heartbreaking. I quietly shed a tear (or two) more than once. And alone for that the book deserves 5 stars. I love books that make me cry (sounds weird, but yeah). The deaths in this entire trilogy feel so real and personal in a way, I don't know how the author does that. But then, we're talking about gladiator fights here... lots of hand to hand combat and bloodshed, and these books show you that killing and death isn't nice and clean (finally, I think a lot of ya fails to do that).
But in the end, it's not all about gladiators. It's about friendship, family, honor and destiny. It's about a girl's journey. I wrote in my review for The Valiant that Fallon is searching for her place in the world. Now, after completing the trilogy, I can say she's found it. And I'm glad and happy (and yes, a little sad it's over because I loved those books). Clear recommendation!!
January 13, 2021
Again, I really enjoyed this one!!! I really liked seeing various historical events, travelling to Egypt and having everything come full-circle in the end. This was a worthy finale. :)
February 12, 2019
Review from Tenacious Reader: http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2018/0...
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.
March 13, 2021
I mean I loved it. 💗 The entire series just did it for me. All of the action scenes, the historical references, and the world building was just top-tier. I got a little weepy with a certain scene in this book, but I loved the ending. The Valiant series is definitely underrated.
(5) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
(5) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
February 16, 2019
The Triumphant was awesome, awesome and more awesome. It was totally worth my time.
February 10, 2019
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/02/10/...
Not my favorite book of the trilogy, but then again, final books in a series seldom are, mostly likely because of the high expectations placed on the ending. Still, this doesn’t mean The Triumphant wasn’t a great read, because it absolutely was, featuring all the incredible action and memorable characters I’ve grown to love. In a way, I did feel like the scope of the story was a little smaller and less epic in this one, but the conclusion was absolutely unforgettable.
Following the events of the previous book, Fallon and her fellow gladiatrices have become the darlings of the Roman Republic. That said, their victory did not come without some negative consequences, one of these being Cai’s dishonorable discharge from the army. Despite understanding the need for this, it still breaks Fallon’s heart to watch her lover now fight for his life in the gladiatorial arenas, knowing that he had given up his reputation and social status to stand with her against his traitorous father. Still, they know they have the favor of Caesar, which goes a long way in securing their livelihood and future as Fallon continues the fight for Cai’s freedom.
But soon, the Ides of March are upon them, and treachery in the senate threatens to throw the entirety of Rome into chaos. All the privileges and protection Fallon and her friends enjoyed are now lost, but in far greater danger is Cleopatra, who has gone from beloved of Caesar to his enemies’ greatest target. She needs to a way out of the city, and Fallon and her sister Sorcha are in a position to help. After gathering the other gladiatrices, they formulate a daring plan to escape Rome and make their way to Alexandria, the seat of Cleopatra’s power. Beyond that, Fallon does not know where her heart will lead her, but perhaps the Queen of Egypt is not the only one who needs to return home.
It’s not too difficult to figure out that the crux of The Triumphant is the assassination of Julius Caesar and the ensuing catastrophe it causes our characters, and in fact the event and its aftermath takes up the bulk of this story. While it is significant, Caesar’s death is also no big twist and thus I felt this final volume lacked a lot of the surprises that so delighted me in the first two books. Much of this one featured Fallon and her companions simply reacting to the reality of their new circumstances instead of driving the plot.
However, as with the previous novels in the series, Lesley Livingston has also added her own flourishes to the history to make things interesting, including familial drama, additional conspiracies, and a touch of the darkly mystical. The action is also top-notch with superb fight scenes and battle sequences. This has always been one of my favorite aspects of this series because the author has such a knack for describing the action so vividly that everything plays out like a movie in your mind.
At this point, I’ve also grown comfortably attached to all these characters, and yet it still surprised me how much it hurt whenever we lost someone. It’s a testament to how well they’ve been written and developed that I should feel so emotionally invested in their fates. In addition, the friendships that have been forged between Fallon and her gladiatrix sisters are those I will remember for a long time. I think it’s safe to say that our protagonist got the ending she’s earned for herself and the friends, and the final pages were deeply satisfying as a result.
All in all, I was very happy with The Triumphant and the way it concluded the Valiant trilogy, and I honestly can’t remember the last time I had this much fun with a YA series. Lesley Livingston is now a must-read author for me; anything else she writes, I’ll be there.
Audiobook Comments: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Fiona Hardingham rocks. Fortunately for me, she narrates a lot of YA and my heart always does a little cheer whenever I see her name listed for an audiobook I’m looking forward to. Her voice was absolutely perfect for Fallon: powerful, fierce, and full of strength.
Not my favorite book of the trilogy, but then again, final books in a series seldom are, mostly likely because of the high expectations placed on the ending. Still, this doesn’t mean The Triumphant wasn’t a great read, because it absolutely was, featuring all the incredible action and memorable characters I’ve grown to love. In a way, I did feel like the scope of the story was a little smaller and less epic in this one, but the conclusion was absolutely unforgettable.
Following the events of the previous book, Fallon and her fellow gladiatrices have become the darlings of the Roman Republic. That said, their victory did not come without some negative consequences, one of these being Cai’s dishonorable discharge from the army. Despite understanding the need for this, it still breaks Fallon’s heart to watch her lover now fight for his life in the gladiatorial arenas, knowing that he had given up his reputation and social status to stand with her against his traitorous father. Still, they know they have the favor of Caesar, which goes a long way in securing their livelihood and future as Fallon continues the fight for Cai’s freedom.
But soon, the Ides of March are upon them, and treachery in the senate threatens to throw the entirety of Rome into chaos. All the privileges and protection Fallon and her friends enjoyed are now lost, but in far greater danger is Cleopatra, who has gone from beloved of Caesar to his enemies’ greatest target. She needs to a way out of the city, and Fallon and her sister Sorcha are in a position to help. After gathering the other gladiatrices, they formulate a daring plan to escape Rome and make their way to Alexandria, the seat of Cleopatra’s power. Beyond that, Fallon does not know where her heart will lead her, but perhaps the Queen of Egypt is not the only one who needs to return home.
It’s not too difficult to figure out that the crux of The Triumphant is the assassination of Julius Caesar and the ensuing catastrophe it causes our characters, and in fact the event and its aftermath takes up the bulk of this story. While it is significant, Caesar’s death is also no big twist and thus I felt this final volume lacked a lot of the surprises that so delighted me in the first two books. Much of this one featured Fallon and her companions simply reacting to the reality of their new circumstances instead of driving the plot.
However, as with the previous novels in the series, Lesley Livingston has also added her own flourishes to the history to make things interesting, including familial drama, additional conspiracies, and a touch of the darkly mystical. The action is also top-notch with superb fight scenes and battle sequences. This has always been one of my favorite aspects of this series because the author has such a knack for describing the action so vividly that everything plays out like a movie in your mind.
At this point, I’ve also grown comfortably attached to all these characters, and yet it still surprised me how much it hurt whenever we lost someone. It’s a testament to how well they’ve been written and developed that I should feel so emotionally invested in their fates. In addition, the friendships that have been forged between Fallon and her gladiatrix sisters are those I will remember for a long time. I think it’s safe to say that our protagonist got the ending she’s earned for herself and the friends, and the final pages were deeply satisfying as a result.
All in all, I was very happy with The Triumphant and the way it concluded the Valiant trilogy, and I honestly can’t remember the last time I had this much fun with a YA series. Lesley Livingston is now a must-read author for me; anything else she writes, I’ll be there.
Audiobook Comments: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Fiona Hardingham rocks. Fortunately for me, she narrates a lot of YA and my heart always does a little cheer whenever I see her name listed for an audiobook I’m looking forward to. Her voice was absolutely perfect for Fallon: powerful, fierce, and full of strength.
April 8, 2019
★ true rating: 2.5 stars ★
This series had so much potential, but it just never lived up to it IMO. For the most part the premise of this series sounds amazing: Celtic princess sold into slavery, becomes Gladiatrix with lots of girl power and revenge... HOWEVER you never really get any revenge, or action for that matter. Each installment consists of a lot of getting to the action: literally 100s of pages of traveling and BS, just to get 1-2 chapters of action. This series is mostly about "political intrigue" and "there are good and bad people on both sides" tropes. I also never liked the love interests, so I was kind of mehhhh about things. As a historical fiction series, these books are fun and well written. If you are looking for an action packed revenge story about female gladiators, skip this series and read Godsgrave, Nevernight book 2.
-------------------------
The Valiant, #1 ★★★★☆
The Defiant, #2 ★★★☆☆
The Triumphant, #3 ★★★☆☆
This series had so much potential, but it just never lived up to it IMO. For the most part the premise of this series sounds amazing: Celtic princess sold into slavery, becomes Gladiatrix with lots of girl power and revenge... HOWEVER you never really get any revenge, or action for that matter. Each installment consists of a lot of getting to the action: literally 100s of pages of traveling and BS, just to get 1-2 chapters of action. This series is mostly about "political intrigue" and "there are good and bad people on both sides" tropes. I also never liked the love interests, so I was kind of mehhhh about things. As a historical fiction series, these books are fun and well written. If you are looking for an action packed revenge story about female gladiators, skip this series and read Godsgrave, Nevernight book 2.
-------------------------
The Valiant, #1 ★★★★☆
The Defiant, #2 ★★★☆☆
The Triumphant, #3 ★★★☆☆
July 26, 2019
Much better than the second book but not as good as the first. RTC after a few😉
April 17, 2020
This entire series has been consistent.
It was fast-paced, exciting, with good characters, fun action sequences and it was a perfect form of escapism.
This is a really good YA historical fiction series.
Full review to come.
It was fast-paced, exciting, with good characters, fun action sequences and it was a perfect form of escapism.
This is a really good YA historical fiction series.
Full review to come.
March 8, 2019
*Source* Library
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
The Triumphant is the final installment in author Lesley Livingston's The Valiant trilogy. This story takes place several months after the events of The Defiant which saw protagonist Fallon Ferch Viricio and her fellow gladiatrices win back the Ludus Achillea from a despicable man named Pontius Aquila, or the Collector as he is called. A man who had plans for Fallon for a long time now. A man who isn't patient in getting his revenge on her.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
The Triumphant is the final installment in author Lesley Livingston's The Valiant trilogy. This story takes place several months after the events of The Defiant which saw protagonist Fallon Ferch Viricio and her fellow gladiatrices win back the Ludus Achillea from a despicable man named Pontius Aquila, or the Collector as he is called. A man who had plans for Fallon for a long time now. A man who isn't patient in getting his revenge on her.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
Want to read
July 24, 2018I didn't think it possible that each cover would surpass the previous . . . but, whaddya know, I stand proven wrong and am thoroughly delighted by that fact!!
February 7, 2020
"Destiny is not something that is given. It's something you prove yourself worthy of taking."
3.5 stars.
The conclusion to the Valiant trilogy didn't connect with me as much as the first two books did, however it was enjoyable. In this we once again follow Fallon and she as the type of protagonist I really like, she is fierce, yet loving and doesn't just sit idly by when something happens. That does get me to something that was a little mehh for me, the pace of the book. So much happened in such a small amount of time I had trouble collection my thoughts. That does mean I went through it a lot faster, but it was hard wrapping my head around everything that happened.
That said the ending in general was a little rushed, yet not unsatisfactory. The characters got the endings they deserved and I enjoyed how real this book felt, whatever happened it felt as if you were right there. The plottwists were a little predictatble, however really well done and I enjoyed every minute of those.
In general I don't have too many feelings or thoughts, which really means it wasn't really good, but also not really bad. It was enjoyable and if you want a gladiator trilogy with fierce women, definitely give this trilogy a go!
April 19, 2019
Ah yes! okay so this may be my favourite of the trilogy. Thank you thank you thank you for bringing Cleopatra into the plot and incorporating it around such iconic and key events around her and Caesar. I love the twists and betrayal and the lingering background romance that was sweet but not distracting to the mc or plot. I loved where the book ended in this full circle.
March 6, 2019
Not as amazing as the second one but still pretty darn good.
February 14, 2019
"Rome could not have us. Rome—whatever it was to become in the dawning days—would not have us."
This was a fantastic finale to an incredible trilogy. I've loved following Fallon on her adventures and getting emotionally invested into this story. This finale takes place a bit after The Defiant ends, but the action doesn't take long to pick up.
This book had Fallon and the gang in all it's glory in probably the most action-packed of the series. The Ides of March are a crucial turning point to the plot, so Livingston used this historical event and created a great story around it. All of which lead to a very satisfying ending.
There are so many positive elements to this book and series. The writing and world are beautiful, and as a classics geek but also someone who loves anything with a strong female lead, I absolutely love getting this story with female gladiators. One critique I often have for female lead books is that the supposed strong female lead never gets to really reach that strong potential, but this book doesn't disappoint. These girls are badass, and it's wonderful.
The next element I love is the writing. Livingston writes such great action scenes, that it's hard not to picture the moments in all their glory. I love that this book features such great battle scenes, instead of just skimming over them.
The main plot and romance are also perfectly balanced. The romance never became overwhelming, but was meshed very well into the already existing story. The moments that do have romance, though, are more powerful because of that.
If you're on the fence still about this series, I encourage you to check it out. It's an underrated one, and deserves all the love it gets. Plus, it's Canadian!!
*book was provided by the publisher for an honest review*
Review can also be found on my blog!
This was a fantastic finale to an incredible trilogy. I've loved following Fallon on her adventures and getting emotionally invested into this story. This finale takes place a bit after The Defiant ends, but the action doesn't take long to pick up.
This book had Fallon and the gang in all it's glory in probably the most action-packed of the series. The Ides of March are a crucial turning point to the plot, so Livingston used this historical event and created a great story around it. All of which lead to a very satisfying ending.
There are so many positive elements to this book and series. The writing and world are beautiful, and as a classics geek but also someone who loves anything with a strong female lead, I absolutely love getting this story with female gladiators. One critique I often have for female lead books is that the supposed strong female lead never gets to really reach that strong potential, but this book doesn't disappoint. These girls are badass, and it's wonderful.
The next element I love is the writing. Livingston writes such great action scenes, that it's hard not to picture the moments in all their glory. I love that this book features such great battle scenes, instead of just skimming over them.
The main plot and romance are also perfectly balanced. The romance never became overwhelming, but was meshed very well into the already existing story. The moments that do have romance, though, are more powerful because of that.
If you're on the fence still about this series, I encourage you to check it out. It's an underrated one, and deserves all the love it gets. Plus, it's Canadian!!
*book was provided by the publisher for an honest review*
Review can also be found on my blog!
November 6, 2019
🏟⚔️🏺⛵️🏔
It’s...it’s over...? 🥺
Wowsers, what an epic finish to this series!! 🙌🤩😭🥰 It gave me everything I didn't even know I needed in this final book. Where The Defiant left me somewhat disappointed, this one more than made up for it! I loved every but if this!! Well...not every bit. Definitely some teary spots 😢😨 But all the same epic final installment gets handfuls of stars! 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠
We get more of our favorite characters, friendships, romance, action, and run-for-your-lives drama & bloodshed 🛡🗡🔱There's plenty of sweet moments, run-ins with old frenemies and evil Sons of Dis 🔪There’s a lot of traveling in this one 🌍 And we even get to go to Cleopatra's Egypt!! ⛲🏺🌴 Then off on a quest where time is a precious commodity they don't have ⌛
We get some parting of the ways, some in glorious death and others to meet again another day 😭
I just truly love all of the relationships in this series! 💗 Well and truly! 😍 Each and every one of them is precious! 💞
Also it was so amazing seeing Fallon's story come full circle 💫 The completion of her tribe's druid's prophecy 🔮It was fascinating how it all played out. She even states herself that it's like the last two years of her life are unspooling backwards 🧵I just loved all of it!
My only bone to pick is a certain someone was a totally obvious villain 💀 Other than that, this book was simply perfection!! 😇 And this series is definitely going on my "must-buy" shelf 💸
It’s...it’s over...? 🥺
Wowsers, what an epic finish to this series!! 🙌🤩😭🥰 It gave me everything I didn't even know I needed in this final book. Where The Defiant left me somewhat disappointed, this one more than made up for it! I loved every but if this!! Well...not every bit. Definitely some teary spots 😢😨 But all the same epic final installment gets handfuls of stars! 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠
We get more of our favorite characters, friendships, romance, action, and run-for-your-lives drama & bloodshed 🛡🗡🔱There's plenty of sweet moments, run-ins with old frenemies and evil Sons of Dis 🔪There’s a lot of traveling in this one 🌍 And we even get to go to Cleopatra's Egypt!! ⛲🏺🌴 Then off on a quest where time is a precious commodity they don't have ⌛
We get some parting of the ways, some in glorious death and others to meet again another day 😭
I just truly love all of the relationships in this series! 💗 Well and truly! 😍 Each and every one of them is precious! 💞
Also it was so amazing seeing Fallon's story come full circle 💫 The completion of her tribe's druid's prophecy 🔮It was fascinating how it all played out. She even states herself that it's like the last two years of her life are unspooling backwards 🧵I just loved all of it!
My only bone to pick is a certain someone was a totally obvious villain 💀 Other than that, this book was simply perfection!! 😇 And this series is definitely going on my "must-buy" shelf 💸
July 31, 2020
Después de recuperar de nuevo el Ludo Aquillea, Fallon y su hermanas gladiadoras siguen teniendo el favor de Julio Cesar, pero Cay ha quedado desprestigiado y el cargo de decurión se le ha retirado. Además la traición en la República es más profunda de lo que nadie imagina y quizás estar de lado de Julio César y Cleopatra no es la decisión más adecuada, cuando una guerra se está forjando en Roma. Sin saber a dónde pertenece realmente, Fallon se encuentra ante la decisión más difícil de su vida ¿qué camino debe seguir?
La verdad es que este libro me ha encantado igual que los dos anteriores pero si que he echado en falta algo más de acción o un final más apoteósico para cerrar esta historia. Lo que más me ha gustado sigue siendo la ambientación y la cantidad de información de la época que la autora incluye, esta vez además la autora incorpora uno de los sucesos más icónicos del Imperio romano a la historia. Además de la presencia de numerosos personajes históricos entre los que destaca como nueva incorporación, Marco Antonio. También me ha gustado que el mundo se amplíe, tenemos nuevos escenarios además de Roma, todos ellos muy bien descritos y que consiguen transportarte a la historia en todo momento. Aunque, en general, creo que esta historia tiene la misma estructura que los dos anteriores, con una parte que se desarrolla en alta mar aunque con algo menos de peleas de gladiadores y batallas. En cuanto a los giros en la trama, aunque muchos eran algo previsibles, los he disfrutado y creo que el final es el adecuado aunque me hubiese gustado conocer la vida de las gladiadoras después de algún tiempo. Los personajes también me siguen encantando, todos tienen una personalidad muy definida. Me gusta mucho la variedad de personajes que ha creado la autora ya que tenemos representantes de casi todos los niveles sociales y de todos los lugares conocidos durante el Imperio romano. Mis favoritos siguen siendo Cay y Quint, son dos amores de chicos, leales y fieles a la causa por la que luchan. Pero también me ha gustado ver las dudas que aparecen en Fallon, así como la incorporación de los nuevos personajes. Aunque Poncio Aquilla y su sociedad de Dis me sigue enfermando. En definitiva un final de trilogía increíble, en el que las mentiras y la traición te harán sumergirte por completo en la trama y que creo que le encantará a todos los amantes de la Historia.
La verdad es que este libro me ha encantado igual que los dos anteriores pero si que he echado en falta algo más de acción o un final más apoteósico para cerrar esta historia. Lo que más me ha gustado sigue siendo la ambientación y la cantidad de información de la época que la autora incluye, esta vez además la autora incorpora uno de los sucesos más icónicos del Imperio romano a la historia. Además de la presencia de numerosos personajes históricos entre los que destaca como nueva incorporación, Marco Antonio. También me ha gustado que el mundo se amplíe, tenemos nuevos escenarios además de Roma, todos ellos muy bien descritos y que consiguen transportarte a la historia en todo momento. Aunque, en general, creo que esta historia tiene la misma estructura que los dos anteriores, con una parte que se desarrolla en alta mar aunque con algo menos de peleas de gladiadores y batallas. En cuanto a los giros en la trama, aunque muchos eran algo previsibles, los he disfrutado y creo que el final es el adecuado aunque me hubiese gustado conocer la vida de las gladiadoras después de algún tiempo. Los personajes también me siguen encantando, todos tienen una personalidad muy definida. Me gusta mucho la variedad de personajes que ha creado la autora ya que tenemos representantes de casi todos los niveles sociales y de todos los lugares conocidos durante el Imperio romano. Mis favoritos siguen siendo Cay y Quint, son dos amores de chicos, leales y fieles a la causa por la que luchan. Pero también me ha gustado ver las dudas que aparecen en Fallon, así como la incorporación de los nuevos personajes. Aunque Poncio Aquilla y su sociedad de Dis me sigue enfermando. En definitiva un final de trilogía increíble, en el que las mentiras y la traición te harán sumergirte por completo en la trama y que creo que le encantará a todos los amantes de la Historia.
February 18, 2019
**Originally posted on The Fandom**
It’s the final run for Fallon and the gladiatrix sisters of Ludus Achillea in the action-packed, heartfelt conclusion to The Valiant trilogy!
With their freedom won, the victrix and her Ludus sisters will never be forced into the arena again. But just as Fallon is freed, Cai is cast down as a gladiator in service of Caesar to avoid a patricide charge. Fallon thinks her next great mission is to save Cai from his fate… but then the unthinkable happens. As Rome collapses, the Ludus Achillea gladiatricies make it their mission to save Cleopatra, but with many parties gunning for the queen’s demise and Pontius Aquila still out for blood, what will a world without the rules of Rome mean for them?
This series has always been a relatively unnoticed gem about sisterhood, strength, and carving your path in the face of adversity. It molds interesting characters, gives you relationships you can invest in, adds a feminist tilt to ancient history, and spins out a satisfying plot, all while keeping the action steadily coming. Thankfully, The Triumphant is no different from its sister novels in that sense. Lesley Livingston knows her cast of characters well and uses them to great effect, making us care about them even more along the journey and reminding us (like we could ever forget) that they’re total badasses.
Without giving too much away, the conclusion to the series takes us to new lands and forces Fallon and the other former gladiatrix fighters into new situations. While definitely an embellishment on history, I do enjoy that these characters explore different customs, come from a variety of different backgrounds and religions, and work to understand each other. It creates a bond that you can really feel. When the Sons of Dis come to disrupt their mission and raise hell all around, the Achillea warriors and their ex-Legionnaires fight fiercely not only for the Queen of Aegypt, but for each other. This allowed me to be invested in the action and the fates of the characters on a whole new level. Unlike the previous books, The Triumphant doesn’t offer up a ton of new characters, but the ones who do come along offer the story plenty of flavor.
Fallon and Cai (finally!) have a little more time for romance as well. Their moments together are incredible (even though they’re constantly interrupted! Ugh!) The mutual respect and understanding between these characters is definitely something more YA writers should strive for. Still, thanks to their sense of humor, my OTP miiiight be Elka and Quint.
The story isn’t perfect, of course. Though I thought the ending was smart, exciting, and satisfying, the events of the first ⅔ of the book felt pretty disconnected from the last ⅓. There are two plot lines and if not for one scene connecting them, they could’ve existed independently of each other. There was also a character twist that I called pretty early on. I love the books, but because of these things, I couldn’t quite get the finale to 5 stars.
I’d be remiss not to mention that I listened to the audiobook edition read by Fiona Hardingham. She is absolutely a narrator crush of mine and she hit this one out of the park, taking on a slew of different accents and voices with ease, really bringing these characters and this story to life.
I always recommended this series prior to The Triumphant, and I’m very happy to say that I’ll keep recommending it now that I’ve read (or rather, listened) down to the last page!
It’s the final run for Fallon and the gladiatrix sisters of Ludus Achillea in the action-packed, heartfelt conclusion to The Valiant trilogy!
With their freedom won, the victrix and her Ludus sisters will never be forced into the arena again. But just as Fallon is freed, Cai is cast down as a gladiator in service of Caesar to avoid a patricide charge. Fallon thinks her next great mission is to save Cai from his fate… but then the unthinkable happens. As Rome collapses, the Ludus Achillea gladiatricies make it their mission to save Cleopatra, but with many parties gunning for the queen’s demise and Pontius Aquila still out for blood, what will a world without the rules of Rome mean for them?
This series has always been a relatively unnoticed gem about sisterhood, strength, and carving your path in the face of adversity. It molds interesting characters, gives you relationships you can invest in, adds a feminist tilt to ancient history, and spins out a satisfying plot, all while keeping the action steadily coming. Thankfully, The Triumphant is no different from its sister novels in that sense. Lesley Livingston knows her cast of characters well and uses them to great effect, making us care about them even more along the journey and reminding us (like we could ever forget) that they’re total badasses.
Without giving too much away, the conclusion to the series takes us to new lands and forces Fallon and the other former gladiatrix fighters into new situations. While definitely an embellishment on history, I do enjoy that these characters explore different customs, come from a variety of different backgrounds and religions, and work to understand each other. It creates a bond that you can really feel. When the Sons of Dis come to disrupt their mission and raise hell all around, the Achillea warriors and their ex-Legionnaires fight fiercely not only for the Queen of Aegypt, but for each other. This allowed me to be invested in the action and the fates of the characters on a whole new level. Unlike the previous books, The Triumphant doesn’t offer up a ton of new characters, but the ones who do come along offer the story plenty of flavor.
Fallon and Cai (finally!) have a little more time for romance as well. Their moments together are incredible (even though they’re constantly interrupted! Ugh!) The mutual respect and understanding between these characters is definitely something more YA writers should strive for. Still, thanks to their sense of humor, my OTP miiiight be Elka and Quint.
The story isn’t perfect, of course. Though I thought the ending was smart, exciting, and satisfying, the events of the first ⅔ of the book felt pretty disconnected from the last ⅓. There are two plot lines and if not for one scene connecting them, they could’ve existed independently of each other. There was also a character twist that I called pretty early on. I love the books, but because of these things, I couldn’t quite get the finale to 5 stars.
I’d be remiss not to mention that I listened to the audiobook edition read by Fiona Hardingham. She is absolutely a narrator crush of mine and she hit this one out of the park, taking on a slew of different accents and voices with ease, really bringing these characters and this story to life.
I always recommended this series prior to The Triumphant, and I’m very happy to say that I’ll keep recommending it now that I’ve read (or rather, listened) down to the last page!
March 4, 2019
4,5 Full Circle Stars
I can't believe this is the end of this series. When I read the first book I had no idea it will take me for the amazing 3 year journey throug Ancient Rome (and other World's Wonders). As the two previous stories this one took my breath away, and left me in tears (maybe even more this time). I admire Lesley Livingston for taking the road she took (I mean I'm heartbroken, but also impressed). I would like a bit of a longer ending, or epilogue...but I'm just being greedy right now, and I don't want to put it down in all honesty.
I will be back in this world of fierce, warrior ladies and their adventures for sure, and I can't wait for what's next from this author. Fallon's story might be finished, but there is so much more waiting ahead.
I can't believe this is the end of this series. When I read the first book I had no idea it will take me for the amazing 3 year journey throug Ancient Rome (and other World's Wonders). As the two previous stories this one took my breath away, and left me in tears (maybe even more this time). I admire Lesley Livingston for taking the road she took (I mean I'm heartbroken, but also impressed). I would like a bit of a longer ending, or epilogue...but I'm just being greedy right now, and I don't want to put it down in all honesty.
I will be back in this world of fierce, warrior ladies and their adventures for sure, and I can't wait for what's next from this author. Fallon's story might be finished, but there is so much more waiting ahead.
March 13, 2019
Review can be found on *Milky Way of Books*
The fantastic finale to Fallon's story was a glorious adventure through the Roman Empire into Egypt and far off into the north. I seriously couldn't be more excited for a book that combined seamlessly my love for history, archeology, Egypt and gladiators!
Months have passed since Fallon's victory over their enemy gladiator ludus. But dark clouds of discontent are gathering and no one is safe. Soon Fallon, Kai, and their friends will have to escape Rome before war reaches them.
I enjoyed the fast pace of this book. I never got bored and obviously, I liked every interaction Fallon had with her fellow gladiators, their own stories and dreams for the future. Her relationship with Kai? One of the best filled with longing, equality and lots of fighting (in the training grounds). The combination of the book's plot with the occurrence of certain historical events also made the book very interesting. If you have read the series then you'll know what I mean.
But I did have a hard time dealing with the death of some characters because I WANTED THEIR HAPPY ENDING! IT WASN'T FAIR!
In conclusion, this was a great ending to an amazing series and I seriously can't wait for anything new by Lesley Livingston!
The fantastic finale to Fallon's story was a glorious adventure through the Roman Empire into Egypt and far off into the north. I seriously couldn't be more excited for a book that combined seamlessly my love for history, archeology, Egypt and gladiators!
Months have passed since Fallon's victory over their enemy gladiator ludus. But dark clouds of discontent are gathering and no one is safe. Soon Fallon, Kai, and their friends will have to escape Rome before war reaches them.
I enjoyed the fast pace of this book. I never got bored and obviously, I liked every interaction Fallon had with her fellow gladiators, their own stories and dreams for the future. Her relationship with Kai? One of the best filled with longing, equality and lots of fighting (in the training grounds). The combination of the book's plot with the occurrence of certain historical events also made the book very interesting. If you have read the series then you'll know what I mean.
But I did have a hard time dealing with the death of some characters because I WANTED THEIR HAPPY ENDING! IT WASN'T FAIR!
In conclusion, this was a great ending to an amazing series and I seriously can't wait for anything new by Lesley Livingston!
April 19, 2019
A fitting end for Fallon’s Cantii princess —> gladiator story. Some events can strain believability but credulity was never the aim of these books. Fun, entertaining, voice-y, shippy, & just plain readable despite all the liberties taken.
February 18, 2019
3.5 stars. Not my favorite of the three but a satisfying ending to the trilogy.
January 17, 2020
”Because I want to remember. I never want to forget any of the things that have happened to me. Any of the places I’ve been or the things I’ve done. No matter how horrible.”
3,5/5!
A good, solid ending to an entertaining trilogy! The Triumphant picks up a few months after The Defiant and continues the stories Fallon and her fierce band of gladiator sisters, who have to face all kinds of dangers as they are forced to leave their ludus when Rome is thrust into absolute chaos by a surprising, bloody assassination. It's, once again, a very fast-paced, enjoyable story with powerful girls, strong friendships, lots of action and a few moments of heartbreak.
Some stuff I really liked:
1. The best thing about this book - and this whole trilogy - is the friendship between the gladiatrices. The absolute loyalty and love they have for one another and how they would follow each other literally to the ends of the earth is so, so great. Love me some strong bonds between women. Elka and Fallon especially mean a lot to me, as do Sorcha and Fallon.
2. I finally found myself caring about Cai's character. I like the journey he went on in this book and how he began to really reflect on his past and what he did and took part in as a soldier of Rome. The books had not previously really dealt with the fact that Fallon is in a relationship with a man who fought in the army that tried to enslave not only her people but countless other peoples, so it was great to see the book address this and Cai realize what he has taken part in and work through that. I like that he
3. Sorcha and Charon. I love them. I love that
4. Fallon's growth. She too, like Cai, has to work through some stuff in this book. She is called out by Elka and Cai on her bullshit - her stubborn tendency to blame herself for everything that goes wrong and take responsibility for everything - and I liked that. She is very much a noble warrior hero but I like that she also has flaws and can be quite brutal if needed.
5. Cleopatra. She was fab in this story. And I like her friendship with Sorcha and Fallon a lot.
6. The inclusion of more historical figures - . The way the author described the chaos and turmoil that engulfed Rome and caused the gladiatrices to escape was also interestingly written.
7. Neferet and Antonia<3
Reasons why I'm rating this book only 3,5/5:
1. There was a twist in the book (and by that I mean ) which I saw coming from the beginning. I don't know if you were supposed to, but I did and it hindered my enjoyment a little bit.
2. The ending, though enjoyable (), felt a bit rushed. I wish there'd been a few more chapters that could've told us more about the individual endings of all the characters.
3. Though Cai was better in this book than he was before, I still don't care about his romance with Fallon, and since their relationship is a rather big part of the book, it does take away some of my enjoyment.
But all in all, I'm very fond of this trilogy and its characters, and I am sure I will miss these fierce gladiator ladies a whole lot now that there are no more books about their adventures.
3,5/5!
A good, solid ending to an entertaining trilogy! The Triumphant picks up a few months after The Defiant and continues the stories Fallon and her fierce band of gladiator sisters, who have to face all kinds of dangers as they are forced to leave their ludus when Rome is thrust into absolute chaos by a surprising, bloody assassination. It's, once again, a very fast-paced, enjoyable story with powerful girls, strong friendships, lots of action and a few moments of heartbreak.
Some stuff I really liked:
1. The best thing about this book - and this whole trilogy - is the friendship between the gladiatrices. The absolute loyalty and love they have for one another and how they would follow each other literally to the ends of the earth is so, so great. Love me some strong bonds between women. Elka and Fallon especially mean a lot to me, as do Sorcha and Fallon.
2. I finally found myself caring about Cai's character. I like the journey he went on in this book and how he began to really reflect on his past and what he did and took part in as a soldier of Rome. The books had not previously really dealt with the fact that Fallon is in a relationship with a man who fought in the army that tried to enslave not only her people but countless other peoples, so it was great to see the book address this and Cai realize what he has taken part in and work through that. I like that he
3. Sorcha and Charon. I love them. I love that
4. Fallon's growth. She too, like Cai, has to work through some stuff in this book. She is called out by Elka and Cai on her bullshit - her stubborn tendency to blame herself for everything that goes wrong and take responsibility for everything - and I liked that. She is very much a noble warrior hero but I like that she also has flaws and can be quite brutal if needed.
5. Cleopatra. She was fab in this story. And I like her friendship with Sorcha and Fallon a lot.
6. The inclusion of more historical figures - . The way the author described the chaos and turmoil that engulfed Rome and caused the gladiatrices to escape was also interestingly written.
7. Neferet and Antonia<3
Reasons why I'm rating this book only 3,5/5:
1. There was a twist in the book (and by that I mean ) which I saw coming from the beginning. I don't know if you were supposed to, but I did and it hindered my enjoyment a little bit.
2. The ending, though enjoyable (), felt a bit rushed. I wish there'd been a few more chapters that could've told us more about the individual endings of all the characters.
3. Though Cai was better in this book than he was before, I still don't care about his romance with Fallon, and since their relationship is a rather big part of the book, it does take away some of my enjoyment.
But all in all, I'm very fond of this trilogy and its characters, and I am sure I will miss these fierce gladiator ladies a whole lot now that there are no more books about their adventures.
May 27, 2021
Tras recuperar el Ludo Aquilea, Fallon y sus compañeras disfrutan de la fama y la atención de los romanos. Pero Fallon tiene otras preocupaciones ya que Cay tras haber terminado con la vida de su padre, es despojado de su título de decurión y es expulsado del ejército romano. Además es condenada a luchar como gladiador por su vida en uno de los ludos de César. Mientras en las calles de Roma el germen de una revolución empieza a surgir. Podrá Fallon escapar de las intrigas políticas y ser feliz junto a sus compañeras de ludo.
Esta tercera parte me ha gustado mucho y me ha parecido un buen desenlace para esta trilogía. En esta ocasión acompañaremos a Fallon y a sus compañeras de ludo en su viaje de huida de Roma y seremos testigos de las dificultades que sufrirán en este trayecto. Lo que más me sigue gustando del libro es la ambientación y la mezcla de realidad y ficción. Me ha encantado seguir recorriendo las calles de Roma con Fallon y visitar diferentes lugares importantes de esa urbe. En este libro la ambientación se amplía mucho más, además de Roma visitaremos Egipto y Prydain (Gran Bretaña), de donde es originaria Fallon. También me gusta mucho que la autora incluya en la historia sucesos importantes que han ocurrido en la historia de la humanidad, como por ejemplo en este tercer libro aparece un hecho que fue muy importante para el devenir de la República romana. Y la inclusión de personajes icónicos como Marco Antonio, Cayo Julio César y Cleopatra. Los personajes me siguen encantando, tanto los antiguos como las nuevas incorporaciones, me parecen que están muy bien. Aunque mis favoritos siguen siendo Quint, Cay y Fallon. La pluma de la autora también me ha gustado ya que es muy ágil y ligera lo que hace que te enganches a la historia. Como único aspecto negativo decir que el final me ha parecido un poco precipitado, todo se resuelve muy rápido y no sabemos nada de cómo es la vida de Fallon y sus compañeras después de los acontecimientos finales del libro. Creo que un epílogo hubiese estado genial para aclararnos estos hechos a los lectores. También me hubiese gustado que la autora hubiese incluido algún giro en la historia que fuese más sorprendente ya que en sí la historia es bastante predecible. A pesar de esto la historia la he disfrutado un montón y os la recomiendo leer tanto si sois amantes de la cultura romana como si no.
Esta tercera parte me ha gustado mucho y me ha parecido un buen desenlace para esta trilogía. En esta ocasión acompañaremos a Fallon y a sus compañeras de ludo en su viaje de huida de Roma y seremos testigos de las dificultades que sufrirán en este trayecto. Lo que más me sigue gustando del libro es la ambientación y la mezcla de realidad y ficción. Me ha encantado seguir recorriendo las calles de Roma con Fallon y visitar diferentes lugares importantes de esa urbe. En este libro la ambientación se amplía mucho más, además de Roma visitaremos Egipto y Prydain (Gran Bretaña), de donde es originaria Fallon. También me gusta mucho que la autora incluya en la historia sucesos importantes que han ocurrido en la historia de la humanidad, como por ejemplo en este tercer libro aparece un hecho que fue muy importante para el devenir de la República romana. Y la inclusión de personajes icónicos como Marco Antonio, Cayo Julio César y Cleopatra. Los personajes me siguen encantando, tanto los antiguos como las nuevas incorporaciones, me parecen que están muy bien. Aunque mis favoritos siguen siendo Quint, Cay y Fallon. La pluma de la autora también me ha gustado ya que es muy ágil y ligera lo que hace que te enganches a la historia. Como único aspecto negativo decir que el final me ha parecido un poco precipitado, todo se resuelve muy rápido y no sabemos nada de cómo es la vida de Fallon y sus compañeras después de los acontecimientos finales del libro. Creo que un epílogo hubiese estado genial para aclararnos estos hechos a los lectores. También me hubiese gustado que la autora hubiese incluido algún giro en la historia que fuese más sorprendente ya que en sí la historia es bastante predecible. A pesar de esto la historia la he disfrutado un montón y os la recomiendo leer tanto si sois amantes de la cultura romana como si no.
February 26, 2019
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!
February 25, 2019
The conclusion of a a wonderful trilogy. The Triumphant brings us full circle. Rome's fall of Caesar is brought into the story, as Fallon watches Caesar brutally murdered by Brutus and the senate. As chaos erupts in Rome, Fallon grabs Cai and the rest of Ludus Achillea and they flee Italia with a new purpose: to bring Cleopatra safely home. Though their story does not end in Aegypt. Fallon learns that her birth home is in danger by those who have caused Caesar's death, has caused them grief all the way back when she was first brought to Rome. After returning Cleopatra home, she realizes that she must save her father and her people. And lucky for her she is not alone. I think this was my favorite of the series. Like I said, everything comes full circle. Fallon struggled to find a place to really call home. She may have found love with Cai and a sisterhood with the Ludus Achillea, but never a physical place for all of them to really live. Their fights and journey have finally brought them back to her land. Though there are losses along the way, some more painful than others, in the end Fallon finds what she is looking for and a future to look forward to. A great conclusion to a fantastic trilogy.
March 29, 2019
These books are just not that great, but I have a bit of a soft spot for them. The writing is spotty (sometimes it feels almost middle grade, but others it's definitely meant for more YA readers), the characters all fit perfectly into their stereotypes (the main character is so special and strong and, for some reason, everyone always rallies around her), and the dialogue is very modern. This one struggled from a few pacing issues too. There was a lot of traveling, which can really bog down a story, and the climax at the end (that the last third of the book built up to) felt rushed and almost a little too easy? I was disappointed that we didn't get to see more of that.
I want to give it points though for girl power and for a fairly unique concept. The action sequences are well written, and even though the characters are all suuuuper trope-y, I still like them. (Even bland Cai) The font in this book is huge, so it reads quickly, and even with the pacing issues, the story still moves at a pretty decent pace (even the traveling scenes). I would probably recommend this to those who don't read a ton, but want something action-packed.
I want to give it points though for girl power and for a fairly unique concept. The action sequences are well written, and even though the characters are all suuuuper trope-y, I still like them. (Even bland Cai) The font in this book is huge, so it reads quickly, and even with the pacing issues, the story still moves at a pretty decent pace (even the traveling scenes). I would probably recommend this to those who don't read a ton, but want something action-packed.
May 10, 2020
I'm not a generally a rereader of books. I would seriously consider rereading this whole series! Thoroughly action packed with realistic love interests and character development. I loved the Roman history and how the Roman gods and goddesses were presented as a realistic belief system (not just mythological or archaic), as I imagine it must've been.
May 31, 2020
This whole series is quite exciting. This one had a lot going on and definitely moved fast. The Ides of March were, of course, going to come around eventually.
What I expected to be the main plot resolved about halfway through and then hey they've got another problem. It didn't feel tacked on though and helped resolve the whole thing.
Also Cleopatra is awesome.
What I expected to be the main plot resolved about halfway through and then hey they've got another problem. It didn't feel tacked on though and helped resolve the whole thing.
Also Cleopatra is awesome.
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