Kristie J’s review of The Gladiator (Galactic Gladiators, Book 1) by Anna Hackett
SciFi Romance published by Amazon Digital Services 23 Oct 16
A few years ago now there was this fascinating series called Spartacus. It was about a slave and gladiator named Spartacus and the various gladiators he fought with. I was both riveted and unable to watch it. It was extremely gory and people died in bloody and violent ways. On top of that, I could never quite figure out when it was on. Nevertheless, I found the premise of the series captivating. But for some reason I just never felt I had closure on it. I’d go back and rent it – but the gore. I just can’t watch gore, no matter how much I might be enjoying the series – see Game of Thrones.
So when I started reading this book, I immediately used this series as a visual. Only joy of joys, this is a romance book series, so all the things that kept me from watching Spartacus – even though I really, really wanted to – weren’t an issue at all. But instead of taking place in ancient Rome, this series of books is set in the future and it’s an intriguing mix of ancient Rome vibes with technology with a dash of Vegas thrown in.
The book starts in the future with our heroine, Harper Adams, working as security on some kind of space station travelling near the planet of Jupiter. The station is attacked by a particularly vicious alien species, and she is eventually sold to a gladiator unit where she is expected to fight in an arena with a group of other enslaved gladiators. There is one in particular she is attracted to, though repelled by the whole idea at the same time. But things aren’t always as they seem.
Raiden Tiago, the gladiator in question, was once a prince. But the same species that captured Harper murdered Raiden’s family and even destroyed his whole planet years ago and now his life is that of a gladiator. But wait! He is much more than that, but I shan’t say what. Instead, I insist you read the book, because I really, really, really liked it. It was the best part of Spartacus but only a romance.
Raiden is just yummy, yummy, yummy – a real warrior fighting for good. And Harper is perfect for him. It seems because of circumstances she can never go home again, but since she didn’t really have anything back on Earth anyway, she adjusted to her new life and even thrived.
I’ve always loved a good scifi romance and this book is exactly the reason why. This is a whole series and I’ve already started reading the second book. Although I have a number of Ann Hackett books on my IPad, this is the first time I’ve read any of her books and I’m just so darned excited to dive into the worlds she creates.
Grade: A
Summary:
Fighting for love, honor, and freedom on the galaxy’s lawless outer rim…
When Earth space marine Harper Adams finds herself abducted by alien slavers off a space station, her life turns into a battle for survival. Dumped into an arena on a desert planet on the outer rim, she finds herself face to face with a big, tattooed alien gladiator…the champion of the Kor Magna Arena.
A former prince abandoned to the arena as a teen, Raiden Tiago has long ago earned his freedom. Now he rules the arena, but he doesn’t fight for the glory, but instead for his own dark purpose—revenge against the Thraxian aliens who destroyed his planet. Then his existence is rocked by one small, fierce female fighter from an unknown planet called Earth.
Harper is determined to find a way home, but when she spots her best friend in the arena—a slave of the evil Thraxian aliens—she’ll do anything to save her friend…even join forces with the tough, alpha male who sets her body on fire. But as Harper and Raiden step foot onto the blood-soaked sands of the arena, Harper worries that Raiden has his own dangerous agenda…
Read an excerpt.
