Review: Lycan Gladiator by Eva Gordon

Title: Lycan Gladiator (Wolf Maiden Saga #1)
Author: Eva-Gordon 
 Source: Author Request
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance
Release Date: August 20, 2013
Reviewer: Jasmyn

During a time of bloody gladiator games and treacherous schemes, a secret society of lycans live amongst the Romans.

When Ulric, a lycan gladiator, meets a mysterious human woman with green eyes, he’s drawn to her fiery beauty, enraptured by her alluring aroma. Unfortunately, Ulric and the beauty are slaves. To make matters worse, he can mate only with someone marked with the sign of the wolf.

Cassia’s hidden wolf mark burns in the presence of the handsome gladiator. While her heart yearns to be near Ulric, logic warns her against it—having a slave as a mate is against the lycan society’s plans for her.

In spite of the lycan society’s rules and the emperor’s brutal plots, their love grows … but their passion just may cost them their lives.

Ancient Rome is one of my favorite time periods to read about.  The culture was rich and the people seemed to have such interesting lives.  Eva Gordon captured this perfectly in Lycan Gladiator, but added her own little werewolf twist.  Her werewolf society pulled in a lot of the traditional lore, but she gave them a fantastic twist.  Lycans were mated to wolf maidens, humans that were born with a special mark, and once in a very great while a special wolf maiden was born with the power to heal.  Cassia is one of the very special women and her protector is determined that she will be safe and find her true mate.  

But Rome is dangerous already, when you throw in an evil werewolf overlord type of character.  A wolf that isn't afraid to just take whatever he wants, Cassia's situation becomes much  more difficult.  When she realizes her true mate is actually his slave - forced to fight as a gladiator things get super interesting.

This book balanced the history and paranormal aspects beautifully, tying in real events to make the story more believable.  With characters that came to life and stayed with you long after the final page.  I hope Eva continues the series because I know it will be a hit.