Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Blood and Sand
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://www.cvwyk.com/
CITY:
STATE: MD
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
https://www.cvwyk.com/contact/; publiscist: Alexis Saarela of Tor at, alexis.saarela@tor.com
RESEARCHER NOTES:
LC control no.: no2018003456
Descriptive conventions:
rda
Personal name heading:
Wyk, C. V. (Christine Isabel Van)
Variant(s): Wyk, Christine Isabel Van
Van Wyk, Christine Isabel
Van Wyk, Isabel
Wyk, Isabel Van
Located: Maryland
Place of birth: Los Angeles (Calif.)
Field of activity: Young adult literature
Fuller form of name
Christine Isabel Van
Profession or occupation:
Authors
Found in: Wyk, C. V. Blood and sand, 2017: title page (C. V. Wyk)
title page verso (by Isabel Van Wyk) book jacket inside
back cover (C. V. Wyk ; Born in Los Angeles, California,
she now lives in Maryland. Blood and Sand is her first
novel.)
MacMillan publishers web site, Jan. 9, 2018: (C. V. Wyk ;
Born in Los Angeles, California, she now lives in
Maryland. Blood and Sand is her first novel. Caption
under her photo says Christine Isabel Van Wyk, although
her author heading says C. V. Wyk).
Associated language:
eng
================================================================================
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS AUTHORITIES
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20540
Questions? Contact: ils@loc.gov
PERSONAL
Born in Los Angeles, CA.
EDUCATION:Vanderbilt University, B.A.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer.
AVOCATIONS:Hiking, caving, gaming, coding, kayaking.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
C.V. Wyk, whose full name is Christine Isabel Van Wyk, is a writer of novels for young adults. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University. An avid gamer originally from Los Angeles, CA, Wyk is now based in Maryland.
In 2018, Wyk released her first novel, Blood and Sand. The volume finds her retelling the story of Spartacus, the legendary fighter from the days of the Roman Empire. In Wyk’s book, a young girl named Attia takes on the details of Spartacus’s life. Attia is seventeen years old and lives with her privileged family in Thrace. She is considered a warrior princess. When another clan sacks her town, Attia is abducted and placed in an auction for slaves. The House of Timeus buys her at the auction, with the intention of giving her to a famous gladiator named Xanthus. Xanthus is also known as the Champion of Rome. However, Attia’s captors underestimate her great strength, and Attia overpowers them. She breaks free and runs for her life, scaling buildings in order to keep her captors from catching her again. She does not evade her captors for long and is ultimately captured again. Attia resigns herself to the fact that she must remain a slave for a time, but she begins planning revenge on her captor, Timeus, and the man who killed many of her people in the massacre, Crassius Flavius. Through Attia’s service as a slave, she learns more about Xanthus. She is surprised to discover that Timeus made him a slave, too. He is planning to fight the evil Decimus, who killed his people. Chemistry develops between Attia and Xanthus, but a devastating volcano eruption means they must focus on their survival rather than romance.
Blood and Sand received mixed reviews. Jonathan Ryder, contributor to Voice of Youth Advocates, commented: “The characters are somewhat flat, with little subtlety or nuance. The action is well paced, but predictable.” Ryder noted that the book would appeal to “readers seeking stories with strong female characters.” “This is a textbook epic novel. … And it’s a textbook that’s fun reading on an after-chores Saturday or a curl-up-in-bed Sunday,” asserted a Kirkus Reviews critic. A reviewer in Publishers Weekly praised Wyk’s development of the book’s protagonist, stating: “Attia makes an irresistible Spartacus, an accomplished fighter and a fearless young woman.” A critic on the Paper Fury website remarked: “It’s powerful and feministic and Attia will punch you for assuming she is a lesser being. Her comebacks are GOLD and the entire book was just empowering and exciting. (With a few cute scenes thrown in to make you ‘aww’.) Definitely an epic read.” Beth McIntyre, writer in Booklist, suggested: “The fights and battles are clear, exciting, and plentiful … and the love story … is deeply felt.” “This stunning series starter reads like a movie, with lengthy action scenes and strong imagery that allow readers to enjoy the narrative on a different level,” wrote Kristin Unruh in School Library Journal. “Blood and Sand was thrilling from start to finish,” asserted a contributor to the Love Is Not a Triangle website. The same contributor added: “Attia and Xanthus are the perfect compliment and despite the horrible situation they are both in, their romance is slowly building and beautiful to watch.” The contributor also stated: “Also, in general, this book felt well researched and present in Ancient Rome, even though historical events have been shifted around (admittedly by the author).” A critic on the Pretty Dead Reviews website asserted: “Wyk can write incredible dialogue and banter.” The same critic concluded: “If you like historical fiction and want to read about a gender-bending gladiator, I wholeheartedly recommend Blood and Sand. It may not be perfect, but it’s tragic, it’s fun, and it’s exhilarating.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, October 15, 2017, Beth McIntyre, review of Blood and Sand, p. 50.
Kirkus Reviews, December 1, 2017, review of Blood and Sand.
Publishers Weekly, November 13, 2017, review of Blood and Sand, p. 65.
School Library Journal, January, 2018, Kristin Unruh, review of Blood and Sand, p. 91.
Voice of Youth Advocates, February, 2018. Jonathan Ryder, review of Blood and Sand, p. 71.
ONLINE
C.V. Wyk Website, https://www.cvwyk.com (March 21, 2018).
Love Is Not a Triangle, http://www.loveisnotatriangle.com/ (January 16, 2018), review of Blood and Sand.
Macmillan Website, https://us.macmillan.com/ (March 21, 2018), author profile.
Paper Fury, http://paperfury.com/ (January 29, 2018), review of Blood and Sand.
Pretty Dead Reviews, http://www.prettydeadlyblog.com/ (December 28, 2017), review of Blood and Sand.
C. V. Wyk
Christine Isabel Van Wyk
C. V. Wyk graduated from Vanderbilt University with a BA in English Literature and European History. Blood and Sand is her first novel. Born in Los Angeles, California, she now lives in Maryland. Look for her online on Twitter and Tumblr.
C. V. Wyk was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. She has lived in five states in the continental US (and hopes to add a few international locales to that list). Prone to wanderlust and getting lost, Wyk likes to explore local hiking trails, mountain ranges, dark caves where nefarious mythical creatures undoubtedly reside, and libraries. She currently lives in Maryland with a precocious mini poodle and a demanding guinea pig.
In her not-so-spare time, she enjoys playing MMORPGs, kayaking, coding, staring listlessly at blank walls, and nursing a totally healthy coffee addiction.
About
Suggest Edits
INTERESTS
Personal Interests
YA, historical everything, pirates, bullet journals, YouTube hobbies, all of the puppies, movie soundtracks, dinosaurs, mountains...
CONTACT INFO
http://www.cvwyk.com
https://twitter.com/icvwyk
MORE INFO
Release Date
January 16, 2018
Affiliation
Tor Teen
About
Author of BLOOD AND SAND (Tor Teen). Gamer, soul-mate, wallflower. I like doggies and mountains and books, oh my!
categories
Writer
QUOTED: "The characters are somewhat flat, with little subtlety or nuance. The action is well paced, but predictable."
"readers seeking stories with strong female characters."
Wyk, C.V.: Blood and Sand
Jonathan Ryder
Voice of Youth Advocates. 40.6 (Feb. 2018): p71.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
Full Text:
Wyk, C.V. Blood and Sand. Tor Teen/ Macmillan, January 2018. 320p. $17.99. 978-0-7653-8009-8.
3Q * 3P * J * S
Attia was a proud Thracian princess. Skilled in the combat, she was trained to be both noblewoman and warrior. Unfortunately, her happy existence was brought to an end by Roman invaders who conquered her land, killed off most of her people, and sent her into slavery. Now, she must survive in the household of Timeus, a wealthy Roman with political ambitions. Along the way, she is given as a tribute to Xanthus, a strangely tenderhearted gladiator who is the Champion of Rome, who hides a dark secret. Will Attia be able to avenge her people? Is she truly the last of her tribe? What is the secret behind Rory, a mysterious girl hidden in Timeus's household?
This is a retelling of the Sparticus legend with a female central figure. This story is told in alternating perspectives, mostly from Attia, but also significantly from Xanthus. The characters are somewhat flat, with little subtlety or nuance. The action is well paced, but predictable, with astute readers being able to figure out major plot points far in advance; for example, the action moves to the city of Pompeii a short time before the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. The gladiatorial combat more closely resembles a Hollywood movie action scene than fighting in an actual arena. The ending makes it clear that this is intended to be the first in a series. The story deals with issues of vengeance, family, and romance. The narrative will appeal to readers seeking stories with strong female characters of the Katniss Everdeen mold. It is an acceptable addition for most middle and high school library collections. --Jonathan Ryder.
QUALITY
5Q Hard to imagine it being better written.
4Q Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses.
3Q Readable, without serious defects.
2Q Better editing or work by the author might have warranted a 3Q.
1Q Hard to understand how it got published, except in relation to its P rating (and not even then sometimes).
POPULARITY
5P Every YA (who reads) was dying to read it yesterday.
4P Broad general or genre YA appeal.
3P Will appeal with pushing.
2P For the YA reader with a special interest in the subject.
1P No YA will read unless forced to for assignments.
GRADE LEVEL INTEREST
M Middle School (defined as grades 6-8).
J Junior High (defined as grades 7-9).
S Senior High (defined as grades 10-12).
A/YA Adult-marketed book recommended for YAs.
NA New Adult (defined as college-age).
R Reluctant readers (defined as particularly suited for reluctant readers).
(a) Highlighted Reviews Graphic Novel Format
(G) Graphic Novel Format
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Ryder, Jonathan. "Wyk, C.V.: Blood and Sand." Voice of Youth Advocates, Feb. 2018, p. 71. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A529357186/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=b7c10e5e. Accessed 4 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A529357186
QUOTED: "This is a textbook epic novel. ... And it's a textbook that's fun reading on an after-chores Saturday or a curl-up-in-bed Sunday."
Wyk, C.V.: BLOOD AND SAND
Kirkus Reviews. (Dec. 1, 2017):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Wyk, C.V. BLOOD AND SAND Tor Teen (Children's Fiction) $17.99 1, 16 ISBN: 978-0-7653-8009-8
Though the back cover sells this book as a woman-centered take on Spartacus, readers will get the impression the author repeatedly played "Gladiator" and "300" video games while writing this story.
It's the tale of 17-year-old Attia, the educated, Roman-enslaved daughter and only living child of Thracian warrior ruler Sparro, who named her the heir to his kingdom when she was 7 and later died battling the Romans, who annihilated her particular people, the Maedis. The warrior princess almost successfully battles her own way to freedom from sexual and household slavery until she's recaptured by the watchmen of her new owner, the ruthless Timeus, a wealthy barker for the gladiatorial fights. Timeus buys Attia to emotionally tie his champion gladiator, 19-year-old Xanthus Maximus Colossus, to his own slavery and, by extension, to keep winning in the arena and increasing Timeus' political capital. This is a textbook epic novel--sweeping fact, such as the volcanic destruction of Pompeii, and fiction into a tale of two heroes motivated by love for each other and conquered-nation pride. And it's a textbook that's fun reading on an after-chores Saturday or a curl-up-in-bed Sunday.
In this era of Katniss Everdeen, 300's Gorgo, The Matrix's Trinity, and the recently rebooted Wonder Woman, it takes more than a female Spartacus to make a thoughtfully feminist adventure. (Historical fiction/romance. 13-18)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Wyk, C.V.: BLOOD AND SAND." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Dec. 2017. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A516024575/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=8f991ee7. Accessed 4 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A516024575
QUOTED: "Attia makes an irresistible Spartacus, an accomplished fighter and a fearless young woman."
Blood and Sand
Publishers Weekly. 264.46 (Nov. 13, 2017): p65.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Abstract:
* Blood and Sand C.V. Wyk. Tor Teen, $17.99 (320p) ISBN 978-0-7653-8009-8
Full Text:
In an action-packed debut novel, Wyk reimagines the legendary story of Spartacus. It's a dark day when 17-year-old Thracian warrior princess Attia is sold into slavery to the House of Timeus, after the Romans slaughter her people and kill her family, including her father, the Thracian king. After being branded, Attia is presented as a gift to Josias Neleus Timeus's champion gladiator, Xanthus Maximus Colossus, who is also enslaved and who loathes the killing he must do for his master. As Attia gets to know those in the household--especially Timeus's mistress Lucretia, whose abuse at his brutal hands is heartbreaking--her plan to kill the man responsible for her people's slaughter is shadowed by new purpose and new love for the honorable and kind Xanthus. Attia makes an irresistible Spartacus, an accomplished fighter and a fearless young woman determined to forge her own destiny. Revelations in the finale pave the way for what promises to be an epic battle in the next book. Ages 13-up. Agent: Sandy Lu, L. Perkins Agency. (Jan.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Blood and Sand." Publishers Weekly, 13 Nov. 2017, p. 65. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A515326079/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=2991f6aa. Accessed 4 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A515326079
QUOTED: "The fights and battles are clear, exciting, and plentiful ... and the love story ... is deeply felt."
Blood and Sand
Beth McIntyre
Booklist. 114.4 (Oct. 15, 2017): p50.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm
Full Text:
Blood and Sand. By C. V. Wyk. Jan. 2018. 320p. Tor Teen, $17.99 (9780765380098). Gr. 9-12.
This satisfying series starter set in Ancient Rome reimagines Spartacus as a 17-yearold girl. When Attia is sold as a slave to the House of Timeus, no one knows she's actually the warrior princess of Thrace and the last of her people. She is given to Xanthus, a fellow slave and gladiator champion of Rome, as a gift from his master. Attia and Xanthus begin to build a trust through their shared skill in combat and a driving desire to seek revenge on the Roman leaders who wiped out their respective homes. While their burgeoning love leaves them both with something to lose, Attia never takes her eyes off her goal of vengeance. The fights and battles are clear, exciting, and plentiful without being terribly graphic, and the love story, while a little quick, is deeply felt. Attia is a strong and skilled protagonist who, as the fiery ending indicates, has the tools and motivation to lead a rebellion.--Beth McIntyre
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
McIntyre, Beth. "Blood and Sand." Booklist, 15 Oct. 2017, p. 50. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A512776212/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=7d33a90a. Accessed 4 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A512776212
QUOTED: "This stunning series starter reads like a movie, with lengthy action scenes and strong imagery that allow readers to enjoy the narrative on a different level."
WYK, C.V.: Blood and Sand
Kristin Unruh
School Library Journal. 64.1 (Jan. 2018): p91.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
* WYK, C.V. Blood and Sand. 320p. Tor Teen. Jan. 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780765380098. POP
Gr 8 Up-'Weaving two stories together--that of Attia, a 17-year-old Thracian warrior princess, and of Xanthus, a gladiator--Wyk crafts a cast of relatable characters whose lives have been thrown together as a result of massacre. Within a matter of days, Attia goes from being the princess of Thrace to being a slave girl in a gladiator household. She is purchased at an auction by the House of Timeus to be given as a gift to Xanthus, the Champion of Rome. A skilled fighter, Attia immediately escapes by breaking the bones of her captors, climbing buildings, and running as fast as possible. She is ultimately caught and branded and learns that she needs to follow instructions and lie low until she is able to kill Timeus and seek revenge on Crassus Flavius, the man responsible for the murder of her Thracian comrades. Meanwhile, Attia gets to know Xanthus, only to find out that he is also a slave to Timeus, bought as a child and forced to learn how to fight as a gladiator. Xanthus is training for the fight of his life: a chance to battle the man who murdered his people, Decimus. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius changes everyone's plans and each character must fight to survive. A surprise ending will leave readers wanting more. Only slightly similar in theme to Marie Rutkoski's The Winner's Curse, this debut is a unique addition to Ancient Roman historical fiction. This stunning series starter reads like a movie, with lengthy action scenes and strong imagery that allow readers to enjoy the narrative on a different level. VERDICT Recommended for all young adult collections.--Kristin Unruh, Siersma Elementary School, Warren, MI
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Unruh, Kristin. "WYK, C.V.: Blood and Sand." School Library Journal, Jan. 2018, p. 91. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A521876248/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=4491ee5e. Accessed 4 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A521876248
QUOTED: "Blood and Sand was thrilling from start to finish."
"Attia and Xanthus are the perfect compliment and despite the horrible situation they are both in, their romance is slowly building and beautiful to watch."
"Also, in general, this book felt well researched and present in Ancient Rome, even though historical events have been shifted around (admittedly by the author)."
Friday, January 19, 2018
Blood and Sand by C.V. Wyk
Blood and Sand
by C.V. Wyk
Read: January 4 - 16, 2018
Published: January 16, 2018 by Tor Teen
Source: NetGalley
Category: YA, Ancient Rome, Legends, Retellings, Gladiators,
Find: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Indiebound
FORGED IN BATTLE...
FROM THE DUST OF THE ARENA...
A LEGEND WILL RISE
Book Description: 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.
___________________________________________________________________
Blood and Sand was thrilling from start to finish! Right away I loved Attia’s strong spirit and refusal to be broken, despite being the sole survivor of the destruction of her people. Then even more, she finds herself sold as property in a slave market. Only things don’t go smoothly at all, and Attia escapes, leading a huge manhunt through the city. Eventually she is recaptured and taken to the home of a Roman Patrician where she is given as a "companion" to his champion gladiator.
Xanthus is the other narrator of this story. Called the Champion of Rome he is a fierce competitor in the Colosseum. By all appearances he is a hardened warrior. But despite Xanthus’s acclaim as a gladiator, he is still a slave too. As a reward for his wins, Xanthus is given Attia by his master. This is an uncomfortable arrangement for both of them, and neither of them expects the connection that they will form with each other.
Below are 5 more exciting things about this book:
1) Blood and Sand has moments of high intensity and action that kept me on the edge of my seat from page one. Attia and Xanthus have been forged by war and survival and loss and rage, and it was thrilling seeing them both in action, especially when they fought together. But this story is also deeply character focused, and getting to know the heart of both Attia and Xanthus in the quieter and even painful moments made this book for me.
2) I adored the romance between these two. Attia and Xanthus are the perfect compliment and despite the horrible situation they are both in, their romance is slowly building and beautiful to watch. It begins through trust, and as they open up to each other, they start to care for each other. Even though they are thrown together against their wills, I could completely understand their connection and why they fell for each other. I’d also like to point out that though there are lots of other males in this story, there is absolutely zero love triangles or drama in that way. No one else even expresses interest in either of them. It was a major relief and honestly, these two didn’t have time for any more angst in their lives.
3) This is an origin story, which I didn’t realize until I got into this book. And it is so clever and fun to see how Spartacus comes to life. I cannot wait for more of her evolution! Also, in general, this book felt well researched and present in Ancient Rome, even though historical events have been shifted around (admittedly by the author).
4) Although the story is very focused on Attia and Xanthus, I also found so many of the secondary characters intriguing. I loved Xanthus’s camaraderie with his gladiator brothers and Attia’s friendship with Rory, while Lucretia’s circumstances were a heartbreaking contrast to Attia’s situation. I’m so curious what becomes of many of the characters, and I’m hoping we get to see more of them in the next book.
5) Thank goodness this is not the end of the story! We are just at the start of Attia’s journey and I cannot wait to see what’s next. Also there are so many unanswered questions and unresolved situations that need to be fleshed out, and some things I'm going to ignore and assume they'll be worked out in the next book. I think my only complaint about this story is that the last 10% of the book moves so quickly, there’s no time to process anything!
I am absolutely freaking out to get the next part of this story!! I cannot wait to find out what’s coming for Attia and co.
Love Triangle Factor: None
Cliffhanger Scale: Medium - More with anticipation than any immediate danger
QUOTED: "It’s powerful and feministic and Attia will punch you for assuming she is a lesser being. Her comebacks are GOLD and the entire book was just empowering and exciting. (With a few cute scenes thrown in to make you 'aww'.) Definitely an epic read."
Blood and Sand by C.V. Wyk || Genderbent Spartacus Retelling + Stabbing!
29th Jan 2018 by Cait @ Paper Fury 55 Comments (5)
Blood and Sand was an actual bloody explosion of sand (SURPRISE) and epicness.
This is absolutely a good time for us all to wave swords around and shout “SPARTACUS!” valiantly as Rome falls. Epic, okay? It was all so epic. I also have such a weakness for genderbent retellings, and this one is a historical retelling Spartacus. It reminded me of And I Darken, also a favourite, and I wish for 501 more retellings like this. *
This book also manages to be at least a little bit frikkin’ devastating. Excellent.
* Someone do an Alexander the Great = but as a WOMAN. I also could totally be down with the Napoleon wars okay?! Little time jump there, but we’re keeping up.
+ So HI we have Rome and Gladiators and slaves and rebellion.
Stab stab stab. This is a recipe for an epic book or an epic caesar salad! Exciting! I grew up reading historical fiction set in Rome, so it wasn’t startlingly “new” for me but I LOVED the spin on it and pretty much glued it to my face. (Also it smelled good. I don’t know if that counts for a good book, but it should.) The details of the Roman life and history felt super realistic and carefully done — although, full warning, this isn’t a “fully accurate tale”. The author’s note says there are creative liberties done. But HEY if you weren’t there in 79 AD, how do you even know what went down, hmm? This totally could be 100% honest.
C’MON I HAD TO USE THIS GIF.
+ It is pretty dark, but not graphic.
Look the Romans weren’t nice and the book definitely doesn’t shy away from mentioning the horrors people went through, especially the slaves. Conquests were not chill. Gladiators did not walk away from fights calmly. It talks about rape and murder and torture of slaves (but I think it kept it very YA geared).
+ Attia was flippin’ epic.
She’s the badass heroine I long to read about: equal parts terrifying and also emotional. She’s been raised a Thracian war princess, but she still has a HEART. Even if she tries to deny it. Basically what went down:
Attia: I will cut out your heart.
Attia: I will have revenge and bath in the blood of my enemies.
Attia: I will–
Servant: ok but you have to be nursemaid to your master’s 6yo niece
Attia: I hate children
Child: *whispers* hi
Attia: omg
Attia was not faking the badassery and every scene where she fought was BRILLIANT. But she also was super protective over the little girl she has to look after while she’s enslaved and Attia’s aesthetic is basically: KNIVES BUT ALSO HEART EYES.
+ The other narrator is Xanthus who is a cute and deadly cinnamon scone.
I’m calling it: he’s such a Hufflepuff. Loyal to people who haven’t even earned it (DUDE) and super sweet when he can be (DUUUUDE) and yet a gladiator and completely terrifying (D U D E). He’s so respectful of Attia and even though she’s gifted to him as “his slave” he never never presumes anything of their relationship except to help her if he can. I only wish his storyline had been a bit deeper.
+ The romance was good but too fast.
The book is only 300pgs, and to get Attia who hATES EVERYTHING to fall for a guy she just met and was literally gifted to him as a bed slave…like. My dude. That takes some time getting over. But they went from “hey don’t touch me or you get a knife in the ribs” to “I WOULD DIE FOR YOU” super fast. Anyway, I liked them both! Just not sold on them together.
+ The story did seem slow despite being so short.
I definitely enjoyed it but felt not enough was always happening to move the plot in a direct fashion!? OR AM I JUST PICKY. It wasn’t boring but just some scenes were only Attia stewing in her soup and Xanthus would just be having an identity crisis somewhere else because he’s A BAD GLADIATOR but wants to be GOOD. I swear. He’s so freaking precious.
+ There were a lot of characters.
With a lot of Roman names. I have 7 people in my family and I don’t even have a clue what their names are half the time. So books with a hUGE cast and very similar names (Lucius, Lebuin, Lecretia???!?!?) have me frantically sweating.
+ And I don’t think you have to be a history nerd to enjoy it!
And by “history nerd” I just mean know ANYTHING about Spartacus (which I didn’t…ah hahahah). This is still epic and gripping and full of bloody and excellently complex characters.
Basically a heckin’ yes to this book.
It’s powerful and feministic and Attia will punch you for assuming she is a lesser being. Her comebacks are GOLD and the entire book was just empowering and exciting. (With a few cute scenes thrown in to make you “aww”.) Definitely an epic read and I would like mORE THANKS.
THANK YOU TOR TEEN FOR THE REVIEW COPY. Blood and Sand by C.V. Wyk was published January 2018.
QUOTED: "Wyk can write incredible dialogue and banter."
"If you like historical fiction and want to read about a gender-bending gladiator, I wholeheartedly recommend Blood and Sand. It may not be perfect, but it’s tragic, it’s fun, and it’s exhilarating."
Book Review: Blood and Sand by C.V. Wyk
Posted December 28, 2017 by Bekka in book review / 1 Comment
Book Review: Blood and Sand by C.V. WykBlood and Sand by C.V. Wyk
Published by Tor on January 16th, 2017
Genres: historical
Pages: 320
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
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....
Roma Victor. The Republic of Rome is on a relentless march to build 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...
I hadn’t heard of Blood and Sand when the publicist contacted me about it, but as soon as I read the words “female Spartacus” I knew I had to read it. I’m really not that knowledgeable about Roman history, but it does fascinate me, so I went into reading this very, very excited. I was ready for bloodbaths and beautiful imagery, and I got exactly that.
My favorite part of Blood and Sand was the main character, Attia. She is a Thracian princess, the last surviving Maedi, and in the beginning of the novel, she is being sold at auction as a slave. I loved her from the get-go. She is a fierce fighter and her lifetime of training comes out right away. She starts the novel swinging, literally breaking legs and faces and killing men with her bare hands. It’s hard not to cheer for someone like that. She was raised to be a killer, a warrior, and she’s really, really good at what she does. But because that was all that was expected of her, she has learned to close herself off from others. Over the course of the novel we get to see her break down her walls a bit, build relationships with others, and show some vulnerability. One of her major tasks as a slave is to care for the domina’s daughter, Rory, and that relationship was especially touching. I also particularly loved her friendship with Lucretia, the slavemaster’s mistress and apparently, that target of his most violent urges. The two of them share an incredible bond and they help pull each other away from the edge more than once. I only wish that this relationship had built up from the beginning, so we could see even more of it.
The main relationship between Attia and Xanthus was the major selling point for me when I read what this book was about. I was excited to see two lethal fighters bond together and go on to create the legend that is Spartacus. While I really did love their friendship and the ways they supported one another, I didn’t ship it as hard as I wanted to. There were some great scenes with really beautiful writing and profound ideas, and if I felt all the emotion, I would have fallen head over heels. But there just wasn’t enough time spent together on the page for me to ship it as much as I wanted. However, their flirting was FANTASTIC. Wyk can write incredible dialogue and banter. Given more time to develop, I’m sure I would have loved this romance. I really enjoyed Xanthus’s fighting scenes, where he’s physically at battle with an opponent in the arena, but also at battle with himself. This is a character archetype I LOVE. I fucking love tragic heroes, and Xanthus is a great example.
There was a group of gladiators who trained and fought and lived with Xanthus, who Xanthus considered brothers. A lot of other reviewers really liked this dynamic and thought the friendship between these men was a high point for the book. But for me, it really fell short. First, there were just too many men for me to keep track of. And they’re all battle-worn fighters with no real personality differences. When they were all together, the writing became clunky. I wish there had been less, maybe two instead of five, so the friendships could have been explored deeper. I also didn’t like that they fell on misogynist and homophobic jokes to pass as humor.
The final third of this book was simply too good for me to put down. The stakes were so high and things were moving so fast. My heart was pounding as I pushed forward. There is a major historical event within these pages that everyone should be familiar with and I absolutely loved reading it. It’s during this event that Attia is fully realized. She becomes a hero, a legend.
If you like historical fiction and want to read about a gender-bending gladiator, I wholeheartedly recommend Blood and Sand. It may not be perfect, but it’s tragic, it’s fun, and it’s exhilarating.