Title: The Gladiator’s Master
Author: Fae Sutherland & Marguerite Labbe
Genre: Ancient Rome
Length: Novel (233pgs Epub)
Publisher: Carina Press (19 September 2011)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: When Roman politician Caelius inherits a stable of gladiators, there is one who captures his attention above the others…one whose eyes gleam with hate, pride and desire.
Forced into slavery by Roman greed, Gaidres can barely conceal his contempt toward his new Dominus. Gaidres has a plan: kill Caelius and end the lineage of the Roman family that enslaved him. For his plan to succeed, he must make a show of respect and obedience—even when called on to service his master’s desires.
Gaidres is shocked to learn that in the confines of his quarters, Caelius doesn’t want to dominate his slave, but to be taken by him. The sex is explosive as they break society’s taboos and, to Gaidres’s dismay, they form a tenuous relationship. Even when Caelius learns of Gaidres’s plans for revenge, he knows he can’t live without his perfect lover. Is he willing to risk it all to tame his gladiator’s heart?
Review: This is an incredible piece of writing which is historically accurate. Gaidres is a Thracian who was forced to become a slave when his village was laid to waste by a Roman who wanted a Thracian in his ludus, as his Gladiator. Caelius is the new Dominus, inheriting from his uncle. He is not like most Romans as he actually cares about his slaves.
These two men come together and they strike sparks off each other. Caelius is determined that in the end he will have Gaidres’ heart and Gaidres is determined that he will kill Caelius. Gaidres is a man with no forgiveness in him after what happened when he was captured and he will make the Romans pay. But, as he gets to know Caelius he is greatly conflicted as his hatred and bitterness turns to something else and he feels guilt that he is betraying his lost love. This is far from an easy struggle for him and it tears at him greatly and it isn’t until he thinks that Caelius may be dead that he admits how he really feels. Caelius is a man who knows what he wants and he is different in how he wants it as he is submissive in bed, but he is a strong and capable man out of bed. He is also fair and compassionate and wants to change the way things are. Which is maybe a bit advanced for this timeline but then again someone has to start a movement to get it going.
The plot was fantastic; the sex is hot and explosive. There is rich detail and the character portrayals are brilliant and the way the history came alive as you got to know the characters and those they interacted with was incredible. Fae Sutherland and Marguerite Labbe you have brought another story to life. Thank you.
I recommend that everyone read this as it really is brilliant. I mean, come on, hot Gladiators, hot Dominus, sword fights, back stabbing plots, tragic disaster and cute kids this is a definite “must read”.