Nova Praetorian by NR Walker
Historical Fiction/Romance M/M
BlueHeart Press | October 24, 2018
About the Book:
Quintus Furius Varus is one of the best lanistas in Rome. Tall and strong in build, fearsome in manner, and sharp of wit, he trains the best gladiators bound for the arenas of Rome. When Senator Servius Augendus seeks personal guards, he attends the Ludus Varus for purchase of the very best. He puts to Quintus an offer he cannot refuse, and Quintus finds himself in Neapolis, contracted as a trainer of guards instead of gladiators.
Quintus and Kaeso forge a bond that far exceeds the collar at Kaeso’s neck, and together they discover the senator’s move for promotion has an ulterior motive. Thrown into a world of politics and conspiracy, of keeping enemies close, they move against time to save Rome before traitors and the gods themselves see to their end.
Nova Praetorian is an excellent perfect Birdie Bookworm love story. It has two people who fall madly for each other, and refuse to let anything come between them. I so love when fictional strife isn’t romantic, and that’s exactly how it was with Quintus and Kaeso.
I was especially impressed, since there was so much that could have come between them!
Nova Praetorian takes place in historical Rome, with Quintus a trainer of Gladiators and Kaeso a slave, owned by the Senator our hero Quintus is indebted to. Kaeso’s life is not his own, and while Quintus is a freed man, he has no control over Kaeso’s survival. Still, they never ever doubted they’d find a way to end up together. It was really beautiful.
However, with that said, the plot against the Senator’s life which keeps Quintus with Kaeso wasn’t really believable. I think I went into this read hoping the intrigue and back story would remind me of Captive Prince. I didn’t need it to be as good, I don’t think that’s possible, but I did hope I would feel an investment. I didn’t. It wasn’t hard to put this book aside.
Loved the romance.
Lukewarm about the story.
That about sums it up.
Birdie Bookworm 