Well Written Roman Slave Story

I’m usually put off by stories that have polyamorous and group sex scenes but this is really worth a read so don’t be put off. This book is the first in a four part series and develops the characters in strength and detail. The series is called an m m romance and the first book certainly sows the seeds into how this relationship will develop.
Alle is a very likeable character and the reader becomes invested in him, so much so that you actively dislike Gaius and need the arrogant slave owner and General to be brought down a peg or two; I certainly hope this happens later in the series as the power dynamic is very one sided( as it would be in Ancient Rome but I am a modern reader). The supporting cast are interesting and well developed and there are mysteries that need to be solved in the rest of the series.
All in all would highly recommend. The only criticism I have of the audible is that Alle’s voice did not sound right; it wasn’t light and attractive but slow and a bit dumb but maybe this is deliberate because Ally is playing a game.

1 person found this helpful

fantastic story, terrible narration

An attention grabbing story of ancient roman times, of patrician Roman and conquered Dacian slave. Vivid and many layered story just starting in this first book of a series. Great world building with accurate and brutal historical detail. Unfortunately the narration is terrible with awful voices chosen to portray the 20 something male slaves and women that really distracts from the story as they play vital parts.

Spoilt by English narrator

Having visited many Roman and ancient British sites, thought this tale sounded interesting. Sadly the English narrator sounds like he'd be more at home voicing a garden show about planting turnips and mangelwurzels. With so many good English narrators (Gary Furlong, Shane East or North whichever one he is currently using and others), one has to wonder why he was chosen to spoil this book. Only lasted an hour.

I loved this story.

I loved this story, when I read it way back. I may have been one of the very first readers.

I love the series, and have read all the snippets on JPK's website.

I am not a fan of audio books in general but this one is pretty damn good. The voices are extremely fitting.

I would say to you read or listen. You won't regret it!

Historical romp with a modern twist

This is a well-written, engaging and steamy historical romp. It’s sensual yet moving, following the friendships and passionate liaisons of Gaius Fabius, a Roman commander in the time of Emperor Trajan, and his pleasure slaves and friends. There’s humour, there's heat, there’s also plenty of emotions and feelings. This book introduces a multitude of characters and sets up the story, with the beginning of a slow-burn romance between Gaius and Allerix, a captured prince who is now a slave. The story is told from a variety of POVs, which sometimes changes mid scene.

Hannibal Hills provides the excellent narrative voices for the main ancient storyline and Nick J Russo narrates the modern scenes of the archaeological dig in Rome.

Fun story set in Ancient Rome

Fun story that took me a while to get in to. Many characters and also different names for each of them got me confused in the beginning.
But after a while I got more in to the story and it was entertaining.

Nick J Russo only does the prologue and epilogue that is set in modern days. And just after this first book I don’t really understand the connection of that to the main story. But I love Nick’s narration.

Hannibal Hills narrates the main story and does it well. There are a few high pitched voices that don’t suit me, but that is personal taste. My main problem is that he uses accents for some side characters that I have a hard time to follow as a non native in English. But as I got more and more into the story it was easier to understand and therefore enjoy.

Highly recommended

I loved this book when I read it but it has been brought to life with this narration. Highly recommended!!

Loved this book

I have always been a sucker for History add I a bit of male romance and you havey attention. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the narrator was quite amusing.

Remarkable story

3.5 Stars

At first I wasn't sure how to rate this. The narration was excellent. Some of the sex slave voices had me cracking up, to be honest, but overall, they all sounded so different it was easy to keep in mind who was talking.

The story itself started out in Rome as a battle has been won and Gaius learns of a sex slave sale. He ends up finding a man there that was taken prisoner and waiting to be sold as a slave. After spending too much money, Gaius wins as highest bidder, then takes his new toy, Alle, back to his home by the sea. Once there, Alle plays a fool, pretending not to speak the language, not understanding what is asked of him, but when he finally sees Gaius for the first time as his owner, he can't leave.

Gaius lives in a world plagued by ancient battles and aristocracy. He's one of the soldiers that fights battles and comes home the victor. He's well known and his brother is next in line for the throne. But in every life, there are politics that keep people uninformed and dangerous.

Once he tries to break in Alle, his newest toy, he realizes how much he's wanted someone just like him, to have and enjoy. But when his world gets turned upside down, he's not sure how much he can take and survive.

I loved the writing. It was so well done. My only downside was how much sex there was (a lot!) and how the story didn't really get going until more than halfway through. I felt I knew a lot about the history of Rome, but wanted more in the way of story line. Otherwise, the characters were actually redeemable and endearing for the most part.

Roman era in all its glory

This is an interesting and engaging story set in a very well described historical world, you almost feel like you’re there. I like that you get to see both the good and the bad, and that most of the people are described as having both good and bad traits. In the mirror of our own time the whole issue with slaves and their owners is a bit... disturbing, but you know that going into this book. However, it made me like Allerix a bit more than Gaius, but this is the first book in a trillogy, so I might warm up more to Gaius. As it was I still find the truthfulness of the book so much better than if those not so savory aspects had been glossed over, this is after all a historical book.

I really liked Hannibal Hills’ narration, he brought an extra dimention to this book and made me even more feel that I was actually there, not merely had it read to me.