Author: C.V.Wyk
Publication Date:January 17th 2018
Publisher: Tor Teen (Macmillan)
Part of a Series?: Yes, Book 1 on 2 of the Blood and Sand Duology
I Got A Copy Through: Macmillan Intl (THANK YOU!)
Buy Links: Amazon US || Barnes and Noble || The Book Depository || Wordery || Foyles || Kobo || Books A Million || Chapters Indigo || Google Books
Blurb Description: FORGED IN BATTLE...FROM THE DUST OF THE ARENA...A LEGEND WILL RISE
The action-packed tale of a 17-year-old warrior princess and a handsome gladiator who dared take on the Roman Republic―and gave rise to the legend of Spartacus...
For teens who love strong female protagonists in their fantasy and historical fiction, Blood and Sand is a stirring, yet poignant tale of two slaves who dared take on an empire by talented debut author C. V. Wyk.
Roma Victrix. The Republic of Rome is on a relentless march to create an empire―an empire built on the backs of the conquered, brought back to Rome as slaves.
Attia was once destined to rule as the queen and swordmaiden of Thrace, the greatest warrior kingdom the world had seen since Sparta. Now she is a slave, given to Xanthus, the Champion of Rome, as a sign of his master’s favor. Enslaved as a child, Xanthus is the preeminent gladiator of his generation.
Against all odds, Attia and Xanthus form a tentative bond. A bond that will spark a rebellion. A rebellion that threatens to bring the Roman Republic to its end―and gives rise to the legend of Spartacus...
The story continues in Fire and Ash, coming in 2019 from Tor Teen.
WELL HELLO NEW
ADDITION TO MY FAVOURITE BOOKS EVER LIST.
Let’s be honest – you can hear all kinds of GREAT things
about a book through hype or from your favourite reviewers, but everybody’s
reading experience is personal. Which
is why, despite ONLY having read four and five star reviews about Blood and Sand, I was a little skeptical
going in. (I’m skeptical about everything, though. #PessimistLife)
And yet, C.V. Wyk’s debut novel BLEW MY MIND and had me
SERIOUSLY INVESTED in her characters and at the edge of my seat, waiting for
more.
Which reminds me, IF SOMEONE COULD KINDLY HAND ME THE SEQUEL
NOW, IT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED.
HONESTLY.
Let’s break this down. MY
THOUGHTS:
1. The
pace of this book was STUNNING. It was fast paced but not brutal and there was
never a dull moment. I loved who C.V. Wyk unravelled and created this world,
made us fall for her characters and
their need to be free from their chains and IT WAS SUCH AN INSPIRING, WONDEROUS, BRILLIANT STORY.
2.
I
ABSOLUTELY LOVED ATTIA AND HER WARRIOR SPIRIT. She was truly an epic, unafraid,
weapon wielding badass who let absolutely NOTHING stand in her way and nothing
dampen who she was. Her pain was raw, her healing from her tragedy was
beautiful and GOD SHE WAS JUST SUCH A WONDEROUS CHARACTER TO FALL IN LOVE WITH.
3.
This book was set in Rome and there were
Gladiator brothers, scandals, politics, slaves and everything FELT SO AUTHENTIC
AND YET, there was no brutality, making this book suitable for younger readers
as well. Also, SPARTACUS WAS FEMALE. THIS BOOK HAD A FEMALE BADASS REBEL AND
UGH IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL.
4.
The
fierce undefeated gladiator, Xanthus, who is also the Champion of Rome was an
ADORABLE MUFFIN AT HEART and it took me all of one chapter in his point of view
to fall for him. I LOVED HIS PEACEFUL SPIRIT, HIS LOYALTY and most of all, HIS
RESPECTFULNESS TOWARDS ATTIA. Yes for boys in literature that show that
nothing is MORE IMPORTANT THAN CONSENT.
5.
The ending, the last scene and WHAT IT ALL MEANS
FOR BOOK TWO was mind blowing. I also don’t THINK that a certain aspect of the
ending will remain in book two and I’m really hoping for that.
6.
The only minus point to this book was the AMOUNT
OF SECONDARY CHARACTERS (like Xanthus’ gladiator brothers) that were introduced
so fast, I didn’t get to know them and I BARELY remember their names. (There
was a dude with ‘a’ and another with ‘I’? I don’t KNOW?)
Should you read this book?! YES. RIGHT NOW. GO. READ. IT.
An absolute masterpiece from a debut author that will make you fall in love, make you hope, leave you in awe and inspired by it's wonderful cast. 5 GLOWING, SWORD SHAPED STARS.
C.V. Wyk is the author of BLOOD AND SAND, debuting from Tor Teen in winter 2018. Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Wyk now resides on the east coast along with a precocious mini poodle and demanding guinea pig.
In her not-so-spare time, she enjoys playing MMORPGs, kayaking, coding, hiking, staring listlessly at blank walls, and nursing a totally healthy coffee addiction.
Find Wyk online at www.cvywyk.com.
What are some of your favourite historical fantasies?
Blood and Sand is already the SECOND Roman Inspired fantasy I've read this year and I've LOVED both of them.
Do you have any more recommendations for me?
Whatt have some of your favourite 2018 books been?
