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Feb 15, 2017samcmar rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Note: I had the chance to read as an advance reader's copy. I am so excited that this is becoming a series, because daaaaaaaaamn The Valiant is a fun read. I've read nearly every book Lesley Livingston has written, but I swear she continues to up her game with each new book she writes. This book is about rad lady gladiators, and that alone makes me pretty amazing, let me tell you. I adored Fallon as a heroine, and I thought she was just amazing. She's strong, she has conviction, she demands the best of herself. She has such a strong will, making her someone I think that a lot of women can relate to or aspire to. I loved the politics in Livingston's version of the Roman Empire, and I think the book shows that a lot of research was done for the sake of historical accuracy. The world that Fallon lives in feels so hopeless, filled with hardship and terror. It makes the reader feel as though they are a part of Fallon's world. Also some of the twists and turns in this book? They were so awesome. They didn't feel predictable, they didn't feel out of place, and these moments really showed how great of a storyteller Livingston is. I just found myself so connected to Fallon and her world. I really also found myself disliking a lot of the male characters in the novel, because they were just dreadful human beings. Though, I did like the romance in this story, even if it felt a bit conventional at times. Can I also say I loved Nyx? Because I kinda loved her even if she was kind of malicious. She also just screamed kick butt woman with intense raw power. The sisterhood, the glory, the area, the characters, the history -- The Valiant really feels like a complete package. There is just so much action and suspense topped with excellent characterization. I seriously cannot wait for the arrival of book two given how this novel ended, and I can only image how much more fierce of a world of Rome will be. Seriously, if you love history and awesome ladies, pick up The Valiant ASAP.