When We Were Kings

Leyli is a badass. Unrealistic, yes, because I doubt you can turn someone who hasn't done anything more strenuous than carrying a dress to a “lean, mean, killing machine” in the time-frame of this book. (E.g., just 2 weeks of training and then she has her first tandem fights with Tristan ... and then later on we find that it's only been 5 months-ish that has gone by, but now she's one of the best gladiators ever. I mean ... Okay then.

But still really enjoyable. Made scenes from Gladiator flash through my head from time to time, and also gave me a hankering for ancient Rome.