Gladiatrix

"A great debut that shines an entirely new light on the glory and the bloodshed of the Roman arena . . . Gladiatrix makes Gladiator look very tame indeed!" —Simon Scarrow, bestselling author of A Death in Berlin The Ancient Roman public's hunger for gladiatorial combat has never been greater. The Emperor Domitian's passion for novelty and variety in the arena has given rise to a very different kind of warrior: the Gladiatrix. Sole survivor of a shipwreck off the coast of Asia Minor, Lysandra finds herself the property of Lucius Balbus, owner of the foremost Ludus for female gladiators in the Eastern Empire. Lysandra, a member of an ancient Spartan sect of warrior priestesses, refuses to accept her new status as a slave. Forced to fight for survival, her deadly combat skills win the adoration of the crowds, the respect of Balbus. But Lysandra's Spartan pride also earns her powerful enemies: Sorina, Gladiatrix Prima and leader of the Barbarian faction, and the sadistic Numidian trainer, Nastasen. When plans are laid for the ultimate combat spectacle to honor the visit of the emperor's powerful new emissary, Lysandra must face her greatest and deadliest trial. This is a thrilling first novel that combines fascinating historical detail with blistering action. "An action-packed, blood-soaked and sexy sapphic first-century saga . . . Think: girls gone wild-with swords." — Publishers Weekly "For its description of the games and the lives of gladiatrices, this is an intriguing and action-packed read." — Library Journal