Vanquished

by S.E. Green

A secret island. A sadistic society. And the woman who defies all odds to bring it down.

Yesterday, her worst problem was getting her sister to school on time.

Today she’s a slave in a perverse new place ran by the rich and elite.

And an even worse fate awaits her sister if she can’t become a cold-blooded killer.

On a private island, the world’s most powerful people recreate their deviant fantasies in a cosplay environment. Forced to fight and maim for others' enjoyment, her only hope of survival is to embrace the ruthless teachings of the cold, watchful man assigned to train her.

The only way to gain her sister’s freedom is to become one of them.

But can she transform into a monster, or will she lose the only thing that she loves?

WHAT REVIEWERS ARE

5 Stars! "Holy hell, I am speechless. I don't think I have ever read anything like this and my head is still spinning. With a strong female lead, this is a dark and fantastic read that will have you on the edge of your seat." ~E.L., Goodreads Reviewer

5 Stars! "If you're looking for an engaging, suspenseful, and original book that will grip you emotionally, then definitely read it!" Sam, Amazon Reviewer

5 Stars! "This is by far my favorite. Read in two days. Didn't want to put it down! Gore, hate, violence, but passion! Truly a great story. Would recommend to any mature crowd that can handle it." ~Emily, Amazon Reviewer

5 Stars! "Well, that totally took me for surprise in a fabulous way! I absolutely LOVED this! WOW! Think one very twisted Fantasy Island!" ~Melissa, Goodreads Reviewer

5 Stars! "With dark romance, survival, action and adventure, Vanquished is by far one of the best I've read so far this year--maybe even THE best!" Sarah, Literary Meanderings

Genres: New Adult, Survival, Dystopia, Romance, Dark, Fantasy, Thriller

312 pages, ebook

First published November 10, 2015

About the author

S. E. Green is the award-winning and best-selling author of young adult and adult books. She grew up in Tennessee where she dreaded all things reading and writing. She didn’t even read her first book for enjoyment until she was twenty-five. After that, she was hooked! When she’s not writing, she's usually traveling or hanging out with a rogue armadillo that frequents her backyard.

Reviews

[Melissa (Mel’s Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that totally took me for surprise in a fabulous way! I absolutely LOVED this book! WOW!

Think Hunger Games meets Sparticus! Valoria wakes up in a strange place and is auctioned off to the highest bidder. There she must become a warrior, and fight for her freedom and the freedom of her sister, who has been sent off to be a sex slave. Valoria must meet multiple foes and fight to the death. She must also figure out a way to escape this horrible place with her sister.

I don't want to give too much away, but AWESOME!!! Note though, this is NOT YOUNG ADULT! Don't go letting your 14 year old read this! There are explicit raunchy scenes and a HUGE amount of gruesome violence! Also, if you are sensitive to the topics of violence, slavery and other atrocities, you may want to think twice about this book. However I actually think the author did a really good job writing those horrible scenes quite tactfully.

I want to mention that I was REALLY glad this book was not the first of a series. I was expecting it to continue on and end in a cliff-hanger like most of these types of books do, so I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that it ENDED. Sure, there is always the possibility of a sequel, but it had an extremely satisfying ending! And the fact it was a stand alone was so great! Sometimes you just want the story to end, you don't want it dragging on for 3 books and 4 movies!

The characters were awesome! I really got engrossed in the relationships that Veloria had. I absolutely LOVED the romance! GOOSEBUMPS!!! I think the author pulled it off really well! There is something about forbidden/hopeless love... And the twist near the end? Genius! Didn't see that one coming!

There were a few good themes in there that were explored too, slavery, ownership, the class system, violence as entertainment, humanity etc etc.

Would I recommend Vanquished?

Yes! For any fans of adventure/violence/thriller/gory novels that keep you up ALL night to finish them in one sitting! Loved it!

Many thanks to author S.E. Green via XPRESSO blog tours for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

For more reviews check out my blog
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[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valoria awakens to find she has been kidnapped and being taken to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Her only concern is finding what has happened to her little sister and trying to get back to her so she tries to be bought from the person she thinks has her sister.

After the bidding Valoria is taken to a private island owned by the rich and sadistic. For a price those in charge can get their darkest desires, they hunt humans for game, attend gladiator-style fights, or participate in elaborate orgies all within a cosplay environment of ancient times. Valoria finds herself fighting to the death to try to buy her freedom off the island and save her sister.

Vanquished came with the warning that it was for mature audiences only and it certainly needed that label. A new twist on human trafficking where people are taken from their lives and tossed into living in a hellish environment all for the enjoyment of the rich. It wasn't too overly graphic but there is a lot of sex and violence in it despite not being overly described.

The entire read is action packed from start to finish as Valoria has to fight for her life and the life of her little sister right from the start. What it really could have used to help the story out though was a bit better world building within the story. Having the main character wake up and immediately be tossed into this world it almost felt like a dystopian or fantasy read but is actually set in the real world but the island is like one giant role playing area, this could have been explained a bit better in the book early on.

Overall, a pretty twisted, action packed, page turner following a strong female fighting to survive a world that defies imagination.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....

[Siobhan Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valoria (not her real name) and her sister Lena are kidnapped and taken to a mysterious island where the rich and powerful rule supreme. If you are not one of the elite you are either a slave or a recruit/warrior. Valoria doesn't know where her sister is so she makes a deal with her captor Dominus and becomes his most prized warrior possession.

I was intrigued when I read the premise and couldn't resist requesting a review copy, even though I hoped it wouldn't be too gruesome. The themes are dark and twisted but not too graphic, thank God; I would not have had the disposition to read it otherwise. The elite are disgustingly depraved and most of their actions were totally deplorable. Valoria was a great MC. She had to make some very tough choices, but her sole motivation was her desire to find and rescue her little sister. She tried hard to hold onto her sanity, her conscience, and her humanity. Not an easy task in a world without morality.

At first I struggled to visualize the world and I was a little confused as to what was going on - was it all a fantasy or an actual real place? As the story progressed, it was made clear that it was an actual place, hidden from society at large, where the rich could indulge their sick fantasies. The scary thing is I don't think this is beyond the realm of plausibility. (Shivering profusely.)

The author keeps us guessing over Alexior and his real agenda - was he a friend or a foe? Initially, I thought Camille had a dual agenda as she told Valoria that Dominus had bought her sister when that wasn't the case. But it all made sense in the end. Character development is strong and there are some very decent secondary characters.

The first half of the book dragged a little in parts and I found myself skimming but the second half more than made up for that, and I really enjoyed the last few chapters in particular. The very end felt rushed and I would have liked more of a glimpse into the future - I can't imagine the trauma and stress of having lived through an experience like that and I wonder how the characters adjusted.

The writing was very good and overall this was an enjoyable read.

Thanks to the author and Inkslinger PR for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest review. This review will be posted to my blog on 14th November. http://myyanabookobsession.com

[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vanquished was an extremely enjoyable read. Whilst there were a few things I wasn’t quite content with, as a whole I had a lot of fun.

In my eyes, Vanquished is what happens when people try to create The Hunger Games in the real world. It is lacking the dystopian aspect, yet there is just as much death and destruction to be seen. I probably shouldn’t have been making as many comparisons to The Hunger Games as I was when reading this, yet it was extremely hard not to notice the parallels between the two.

Both have a strong female lead. Both have training to make warriors. Both have battle scenes that only end when opponents are dead. Both have a younger sister influencing the choices made. Both have a ruling system that is corrupt and power hungry. Both have a group of elites that enjoy violence far too much.

Despite all the parallels, this book was not The Hunger Games. There are the aforementioned similarities, but it left me with a very different kind of feeling. Dystopian novels are very much an escape from reality, yet if you’re willing to suspend your belief ever so slightly this book is a possibility. Perhaps not quite in the way it played out, but this kind of thing could happen. Thus, it leaves you with a chill as you consider the possibility.

Being taken from your life, finding yourself on an island where you have to fight to survive. It is a chilling thought, and this book brings the notion to life so well. From the very start I was pulled into the story, finding myself unable to put the book down for any length of time. Every time you think you’re coming to terms with the story, with the island and the inhabitants, something more is thrown your way. Each new element that is introduced takes the story to darker levels, leaving me truly gripped and wanting more.

Truthfully, the wanting more aspect is what left me unable to love this book as much as I wanted to. It was a brilliant read, yet it didn’t go to quite the depth I had wanted it to. It glossed over certain things. Scenes that could have been amazing were cut short. Aspects of the story that could have make it even darker were simply referenced. It felt as though through making the story so short and sharp, things reached the point of being overly snappy. Yes, one event quickly leads on to the next; however, it never quite opened up to the level it could have if the book had been longer and certain aspects were allowed to develop fully rather than simply existing.

This mostly highlights how I wanted more of the world. It really was so dark and twisted – and I wanted more. I feel as though I was cheated through it being over so quickly, mainly because I didn’t want it to be over at all.

Honestly, I really did have fun with it.

The story moved at a wonderful pace. The way in which the world came to life was brilliant. The characters were truly amazing. Without a doubt, one of my favourite set of characters in this genre for a while. They were complex, we got to watch them develop, and the interactions were wonderful. The only aspect I disliked about the characters was the romance. It felt forced, I didn’t have any real connection to it. It simply was – you knew it was going to happen from the start, you could feel it building in the back of your mind even though there wasn’t much by way of emotional evidence on the page until quite late in the story – and I feel as though the book could have done without it.

Overall, this was a great read. It’s certainly worth a read if you’re looking for something gritty outside of the crime fiction genre.

[Mellea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. I was a little on the fence the first half, but boy did the second half redeem itself. Full of fighting, blood, guts, and pure evilness from the villains. Valoria started off a bit brash and unlikable, but in all fairness who wouldn't be in her situation. She completely grew on me and I loved the bonds and alliances she formed with her fellow gladiators/slaves. Great revenge story.

[WTF Are You Reading? · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take every great gladiator movie that you have ever watched, make every kick-ass hero a heroine, add a dash of Caligula, and you have S. E. Green's awesome adult adventure, Vanquished.
At a time in both Adult and New Adult fiction when the hot and steamy romance reigns supreme. It is quite the refresher,when an author goes the extra mile to bring readers an action-packed, mile-a minute survival story, set on a fantastical Roman themed island.

Main character Volaria begins her journey toward heroic infamy in modern day Miami. She and her sister Lena, in search of gainful employment and a place to live, answer the ad of one Mr. Vasquez.
After which, there is some drugging and Volaria wakes to find her sister gone and herself on auction to the highest bidder.

She proves to be quite the scrapper from the start, and ends up in the clutches of Dominus, a man whose living is made on the backs of those in his fighting stables. This is where things really start to get both interesting and personal for our girl. There is a great deal of rivalry among the fighters, friendships, secrets, lies, and lets not forget the plots...oh the plots.

Much more distressing however, are the tyrannical 'elite'. Able to rule with an iron fist; these 'elite' go out of their way to prove that their depravity knows no bounds. They take special delight in any type of sexual deviance or bloodsport.

It is in fact, the descriptions of said bloodsports, and our heroine's involvement in them, that make up the majority of the story.

The only detraction that is to be had in this great adventure; the fact that the world building takes a back seat to character development just before the book's midpoint. Though this does allow for the introduction and fleshing-out of wonderful players on both the heroic and villainous sides of things. It also narrows the scope of the novel to a rather predictable conclusion.

This is a very quick read that is sure to appeal to the underdog lover in us all.

[Connected By Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

“No one is ever really free . . . “

WOW!!!! That’s all I can say about this action-packed thriller. Although I adored the blurb, I wasn’t sure the author will deliver, but she truly did. It’s one of those dark books that make you think and leave you with a sense of unease.

Vanquished tells the story of Valoria, not the heroine’s real name, and her quest to find her sister an ultimately escape from the place she’s held captive in. It’s not an easy task and Valoria has to do anything in her power to survive – that includes fighting till death and even more gruesome acts. Here she forms unexpected friendships, with people who in the end might just help her with her final mission.

I loved Valoria – she’s a strong character who doesn’t need a man to guide her through this journey, but a collection of characters, every each one playing an important part in her development. Alexior, Sera, Ignatius, Camilla and the others all have their roles in this book and I enjoyed reading about them. But ultimately, it was Valoria and her stubbornness that made me love this book. No matter what life threw at her she fought against it and in the end was a true victor.

The writing was amazing – it flowed naturally, there was a good balance between the action packed scenes and the descriptive ones. I felt like I was on that island with the characters, I could picture every single building, hole, tree and I just wish there was more books like this.

Vanquished is not for the faint of heart. It’s a story about a girl’s journey of self discovery in a twisted environment where there are no rules for the rich and where people like her are always dispensable. Through the power of love she survived day in and day out and in the end that’s what drove her to her final act of valor. She might just be one of my all time favorite heroines and that’s saying a lot.

***ARC received in exchange for an honest review

4.5 stars

[Arely · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This book surprised me. When I read the blurb, I thought that I wasn’t going to be into it. In fact, I purposefully postponed reading this book in favor of other books that I purchased. But once I read the first few sentences of this novel, I knew I’d be hooked.

With many books, I can tell by the first few pages if I’m going to be entranced in it. This book did that in just a few lines. The author so eloquently wrote the story that I forgot I reading a story. Many times I found myself with my Kindle a few inches from my face because I was so into what was happening. I felt for all of the characters.

Valoria is kidnapped and sent to this world called Saligia. Saligia is truly a world where society explores their darkest desires, but completely non-consensually. All of the “slaves” held there are there against their will, made to service and please the “elites.”

Valoria lives for her sister. The only reason she makes it as far as she did is for her sister—to get her out of this world, to help her, to see her alive and well. So it is for her that she does anything she has to in order to survive. Valoria is such a special character. She is incredibly strong—not just physically, but mentally. She went through so much and was able to still keep her humanity where many would have lost it. There were parts that I thought she’d die or submit to the craziness, but she never did.

Valoria made friends: Camille, Gem, and a few others. I never really thought much of Camille and Gem in the beginning, but mostly because we, as readers, were seeing Valoria develop and we needed more backstory. Once that was established, we got to see more of other characters being fleshed out. Camille and Gem were also strong, but they kept their humanity as well. It was really nice to see some kindness between these girls because this book was filled with so much horrible things happening to everyone. Camille and Gem were the kindness of this book.

I didn’t know what to think of Alexior for a very long time. He was such a mystery—being nice but then following the orders of the “elites” to train the warriors. I never really knew if he was on the “good guy” side until more towards the second half.

Sera was a curious one. I originally disliked her because of the things that she did and said to Valoria. However, I acknowledged that she was just as much a victim as everyone else was. Sera acted in ways that I did not predict, and I didn’t see her as an “ally” until more towards the end of the story, though I never saw her as evil like I saw the elites.

I really liked Ignatius’ backstory. I can’t say much more without spoiling things, but he was a great character.

Dominus is the man who oversees the people here, with a few exceptions. He is one of the elites, and I hated him with every fiber of my being, especially after we discovered what he’d done.

This book is full of surprises and always leaves you wondering if things will turn out well or not. But I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this novel. I raged, cried, hoped, and had my heart broken with Valeria. I recommend this book to people who aren’t put off by gore, but also like a relatively happy ending. It’s not what I would call a thriller—I’d call it more of a dark fiction type of novel. But all in all, this book was really good, and I recommend it to those who like action, thrill, and justice being served.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first saw this release , I was excited for two reasons - the first being the author as I loved her Spy Specialist series and also the first book in the Killer Instinct series . The second was the cover and the blurb. To me Vanquished is simply The Hunger Games meets Gladiator with the premise of Human Trafficking and Slavery. Every year thousands of boys and girls go missing and are trafficked , they are then sold off to the highest bid for the bidder's personal enjoyment whether it be for slaves, entertainment or sex. In Vanquished , girls and boys are being sold off and taken to an island where they are being trained to become fighters or house slaves. The fighters are those who are strong and have the ability and strength , they are used for the pure entertainment of the rich and wealthy - they are taught to fight each other and after each match - only one can live , whereas the other must die. It's a fight for survival. Valoria and her sister are those who have been taken and now Valoria has landed on the island with one goal in mind, to find her sister and get her out of here alive. Valoria strikes a deal, that if she can win enough money - the amount she was brought for - her sister and Valoria can go free. What happens though when she recieves bad news ? Will she stop fighting for her freedom and give in or will she stay strong, and be the one to lead the others in the Island - the others Vanquished to freedom ?

This was an awesome and fast-paced read , that kept your attention from the very beginning to the very last page. S. E Green is a definite must read author to add to those 2016 reading lists if you haven't read her already.

[E.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

( I received this book free from the author in exchange for my honest review )

Holy hell, I am speechless. I don't think I have ever read a book like this and my head is still spinning.

This is a dark fantastic read that will have you on the edge of your seat. Right from the start I was gripped. I couldn't put this book down, I had to know what the hell was going on and I had to find out about Valoria’s sister. My heart is on the floor. I can't, I'm utterly speechless.

The writing was smooth, the rhythm steady and the action and sinister aura never let up. I knew Valoria wasn't going to get what she wanted, I could feel the lies being feed to her. This was a dark world and the more I read, angrier got at these so called elite being able to do whatever the hell they wanted. It's amazing what you can get people to do.

Valoia is the female character I have been waiting for, strong, defiant, and takes no BS from anyone, doesn’t matter if they’re twice her size. She's a fighter, and when it comes to her little sister, she'll plow through anyone. She was a true star in this twisted take on human trafficking. In saying that, this book is not for a light of heart, there is a lot of sex and violence, and the girls are not always of age. This always hits me hard, because I believe children should held above the rest and not be exploited.

I highly recommend this book, as I said it is not to a faint of heart, and ahead to the warning, this is a mature read.

Happy Reading

-E.A. Walsh

[Sarahdactyl ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

• Find my reviews here: Literary Meanderings

- - -

For a price, the world’s most powerful people can explore their darkest desires. On a private island hidden in the ocean they may hunt humans for game, attend gladiator-style fights, participate in elaborate orgies, and freely indulge in all the deadly sins within the cosplay of ancient times.

Abducted from their life in Miami, Valoria and her younger sister wake up in this secret society, wherein Valoria is condemned to the fights and her sister is taken away to become a sex slave.

Now “property” of a sadistic tyrant, Valoria joins other men and women captives who are forced to fight and maim for others’ enjoyment, to run in their hunts, and participate in deviant fantasies. And she’s under the cold, watchful eye of Alexior, a hired trainer with his own agenda for being involved in the twisted decadence.

After surviving several near-death ordeals, a defiant Valoria focuses on her training and against all odds soon becomes a favorite. But she fights for one thing and one thing only—to be reunited with her sister and to be freed.

But promises of freedom are sometimes just manipulative lies . . .

- - -

Vanquished is, by far, one of the best books I've read so far this year—maybe even the best! I was floored during and after reading this book.

Saligia is an a private island owned by a rich sadist who I shall not name, since it is too spoilery. On this island, people are forced to participate in sexual activity, fight, and even kill. These people aren't there by choice. They are kidnapped and taken from their lives through various avenues as this gritty underground world of corruption runs deep.

This story revolves around a young woman named (by her captors) Valoria. She is extremely strong-willed and tough. From the moment she realizes she's been taken she is determined to gain her freedom by any means necessary. The snag in her attempts comes in the form of her 13 year-old sister, Lena. Lena was taken along with Valoria but was sold into sex slavery. Valoria takes matters into her own hands to try and bring her sister back, and to make it happen she has to become something she never thought she'd be... a killer.

There is no place for weakness here in Saligia.

Valoria's journey to bring her sister back to her is a rough one. We see this woman go through obstacle after obstacle, always trying to make her master, Dominus, happy. Dominus is a disgusting man who uses preteens for sexual pleasure and forces his slaves to fight to the death for the entertainment of the “elite” members of Saligian society. Dominus uses Valoria's weakness for her sister against her, promising her return and the absolution of revenge against those who took her. With this, he turns her into his ultimate warrior; a virtual killing machine.

The dynamic between Valoria and her master/captor is a strange one. There were moments of almost camaraderie between them and even some moments where I thought this guy might not be as evil as I originally thought. I am very impressed by the author's ability to make him so downright disgusting one moment, but almost tender the next—and believably so.

Valoria meets many a character while in Saligia. Some, such as Camille and Gem, are just like her—they loathe everything about Saligia and would run if given half the chance. These two women become her closest friends. Then there are the more seasoned fighters such as Ignatius and Sera. Both fighters are ruthless and have seemingly had all feelings and sentiments beaten out of them—they've become comfortable in their captivity so much that it now feels like home. Each character is extremely well written and very individual. Their personalities are stark in their differences, but united in the fact that they are each a captive and would ultimately leave if they truly thought they had a chance.

There is also a very slight romance to this book. There is a group of men who train and keep the slaves and fighters in line—they are called warriors. One of these warriors, Alexior, becomes a mentor to Valoria and while the two seem to hate each other at first, a slow connection builds over time, leaving them both feeling winded with the attraction and intensity they feel for each other. I was so so so impressed by this romance. It was so subtle that I barely saw it coming, but so intense that you couldn't see it happening any other way. Alexior has his own reasons for staying in Saligia and this is one plot twist you will never see coming!

The last thing I want to mention (aside from the bomb plot, amazing characters, and hint of romance) is the gory details, literally. This book is packed with violence and death. There is sexual deviance, bloody fights to the death, beatings, hangings, and more. It is very much adult and not suitable for anyone under the age of 18. That being said... holy crap, S.E. Green, did you do this well! The violence and such wasn't just done for shock factor. You could tell each fight and each gory detail was very well thought out and planned down to the T. Huge props.

Overall, Vanquished blew me away. I was on the edge of my seat (and by that I mean up all night with not a wink of sleep) the entire time I read this story. I want a sequel, and I want it now! The details were very meticulously put together, each character playing their part, each fight bringing us closer to the blowout ending. The characters are so very multidimensional and easy to connect with (impossible NOT to) and the sliver of romance is strong, yet understated—in other words, perfection. If you enjoy a book with lots of suspense, a crazy plot with crazy amazing characters, gore, and drama then this book is for you. A definite must read!! A favorite of the year, for sure.

Sometimes at night I stand and stare up at the stars, and I remember...

- - -

Book source: From the author for review
Publisher: Self-published

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[Booknista · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still thinking about Vanquished by S.E. Green. It reminds me of Fantasy Island, Hunger Games and Spartacus. I stand by that assessment.

It had all the elements that make a story so addicting for me. Where do I start? There is just too much to tell. Let's go...

There's this private island, Saligia, where rich people pay to cosplay like old time Romans. They have the warrior training houses (ludus), sex slaves, house slaves, slave auctions, and this horrible thing called The Hunts, an organized event to hunt slaves through the forests on the island. The awful man in charge of the island kidnaps women, children and men, from around the world, and brings them to this island. These are people with little to no family. They aren't missed much when they disappear. They are auctioned off and placed in any role the buyer sees fit. Our h, Valoria, is small, fast, strong and scrappy. She has been kidnapped, along with her sister. She doesn't know where her sister is, but is told she went with a particular buyer. Valoria puts on a show of strength at auction time and is bought by the Dominus of a house of warriors. She hopes her sister is there.

Really, it's SO much like Spartacus (the Starz series) when it comes to the warriors and their training. Even their lifestyle in the house. I loved that show! When I figured out where Vanquished was going, I was so excited to be in that world again. The warriors are training, like gladiators. They win fights for their master, the Dominus. The training is hardcore, intense, vicious and violent. The trainer, Alexior, is stoic. But from early on you know he's got a story, there's something admirable about him. He's helpful in that he just wants them to survive. He follows the rules and wants them all to live. He works hard for them and with them.

Valoria kicks butt.

She loses and learns. And then she just wins. And wins a lot. The crowds begin to chant for her. She's a champion. A champion on this ugly foul island that she hates. If you're number one in the worst contest ever, that's not great.

Vanquished isn't just about Valoria. There's Sera, the reigning champion who is determined to bring Valoria down. Ignatius, the scarred warrior who nearly burned to death in the the arena fighting, and cares for Sera. Valoria's best friends, Gem and Camille. And the trainer, Alexior, who finally reveals why he's on the island and it's just heartbreaking. There are so many twists and turns and action till the very end.

You can't be squeamish if you read this book.

There is rape. There is child abuse. There are graphic fight scenes. It all works together, and when you're reading, your anger builds with Valoria's. And there are sweet moments. Plenty of villains for the reader to hate, too.I literally read this book from beginning to end in one day into late night. Completely pumped up on adrenaline. Highly recommend!!

[Take Me Away To A Great Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank the author for providing me with a copy for an honest review.

Vanquished is a really unique novel, one that you wont want to miss reading. I loved that it was set in current times but then you felt like you reading a gladiator time period story because of the circumstances. This book is full suspense, action, heart-break and fight. This is not just fight in the physical sense but in the emotion one too.

Valoria wakes up and she is in a place she does not recognize, surrounded by people she does not know. Valoria soon is being auctioned off and she is trying to figure out what is the best option for her and how she can make it happen. All that she cares about is finding her 13 year old sister. When Valoria is told she is in one house she does everything she can think of to get bought by him.

FULL REVIEW GO TO:
http://takemeawaytoagreatread.com/201...

[Herman · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK solid effort not badly written, action adventure with the emphasis on action, Sword and Sandal slave ancient-Romish like sage but it's not, so can't give it anything more than three stars. This Book is done in the style of Barry Sadler's Eternal Mercenary series like male fantasy blood gore and sex run amok has some actually quite dark moments, which surprised me it's less expected of women writers to embrace the darkness of the human soul but S.E. Green used this story to pull up some rather deeply disturbing corners like extra spice tossed into what otherwise was a rather conventional good vs evil escape from story. The Author's imagination places her as an equal to the horror twin writing novelists of Michelle Garza, and Melissa Lason, but her story a pure Gladiator novel is not as good as Faith L. Justice Sword of the Gladiatrix but it was a good effort and I enjoyed the read even though it had no logic component that really linked it in my mind to anything remotely believable but you know you can say that about almost any vampire or Science Fiction book if the author really sells the story then for most readers that is enough. (Well not for me but what the heck it wasn't that bad) I might read more of this author's work especially if she decides to expand more into dark fiction realm I think she has shown she has the imagination for it.

[Sea Caummisar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story that the reader can get lost in.
The action starts on the first few pages and doesn't stop until the end.
Imagine being kidnapped and taken to an island to entertain rich elites by fighting, murdering, and/or sexing.
There is a ton of fighting, warrior style arena, and even though the story took place in modern day, it was weird reading because I truly felt like it was set in the past.
Not only is there enough death and injury to keep the story flowing, but you also get attached to the characters and my heart bled for a few of them...

[Stephanie Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Vanquished' is a New Adult thriller with a very intriguing premise - men and women are taken to a hidden island and then auctioned off to the highest bidder. Some of those taken are turned into warriors who fight one another, others are made into sex slaves, and several other "positions" for the rich visitors who come to the island to fulfill their twisted dreams and desires. Our main character, whose name is changed to Valoria when she's brought to the island, is stubborn and has a defiant temper that seems to keep getting her in trouble. She doesn't care what happens to her - the only thing she wants is to be reunited with her younger sister, who has been made into a sex slave by their mutual owner. With the elusive promise of freedom and reunification with her sister, Valoria masters her fighting skills and soon becomes a popular fighter. As always though, there's a catch behind every promise and price on the island - and Valoria is about to find out just how steep that can be.

I was drawn to this book because of the description - it sounded pretty fresh and original, and I was eager for some new material. The first thing that caught me off guard was the setting. We're told in the description that they're on a secluded island somewhere, which is true, but it's also like they've traveled back in time to the ancient Roman times - complete with slaves and owners, the attire everyone wears, and all of the tasks they're made to participate in. I wasn't expecting this at all - I figured it would be the opposite - maybe a really opulent island with all the latest and greatest the world had to offer, but definitely not a travel back to Roman times. That got me right from the beginning of the book and I have to admit that it effected my reading experience in a somewhat negative way.

The other aspects of the book were well done - Valoria's character was rounded with a very distinct personality. The story is also told from her perspective, so we get to know her on a very personal level - more so than any other writing style. (If you've read my other reviews, you know my stance on first person POV and it's benefits.) I enjoyed getting to know everything about Valoria - her memories, fears, hopes, determination, defiance, and so many other things - worked together to make it feel as if I knew her and was there experiencing everything alongside her and the others. Most of the other characters had some depth, but were mainly flat and stereotypical - and I couldn't connect with them very well. The plot itself had tons of potential and was a fascinating and thrilling read, but the aspects I mentioned above made it less enjoyable than it could have been. These are solely my opinions, and I'm sure lots of other readers will love the book much more than I did. I definitely recommend it to fans of fantasy, dystopia, romance, and somewhat historical fiction - it's well written and intriguing with a bit of something for almost everyone.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Kat Montemayor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a buddy read with the fabulous, B. Truly. I became interested in this because the blurb sounded similar to a book my friend, B. Truly is writing, Temptation Trials. The premise is similar; however, the reasons behind the society are completely different.

It begins with a character re=named Valoria, who finds herself abducted along with a group of other abducted people. They all have one thing in common: no extended family to look for them when they go missing.

The society they find themselves in is like Roman times. B. says it reminds her of Spartacus. There are sex slaves and warriors who fight each other. Everything they do is for the pleasure of the elite. If the elite want them to fight to the death, they do. If the elite want them to engage in orgies, they do. Valoria is trained to be a warrior and is promised to be reunited with her sister, who was sold into sex slavery. Valoria must make her master a lot of money so that she can get her sister back and buy her freedom. Of course, the elite are lying to them. No one ever goes free.






It took me a while to get into the story, but by fifty percent in, I was invested in the story. There is a lot of fighting and a lot of gore. (I don't mind gore, but too much fighting kind of bores me.) Some of the story was hard to swallow. Like Valoria and Sera could take down Zebulon who had killed every opponent he came in contact with, and Valoria surviving The Hole. Plus the fact that Valoria always got rescued right before she was forced to perform sexual favors. No one else did.



The conclusion is well-done and ties up the loose ends. If you like gladiator-style fighting combined with a Hunger Games feel, I recommend this.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one heck of a book. I don’t think my stomach ever stopped turning.

It’s as brutal as it sounds, and in fact worse, but not as bad as it could have been. It’s the most evil and sinful sort of society but I think Green is a bit lenient with it. (Well, as in serious injury and death count.) In any case, it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s creatively gory, pretty much throughout.

I did like all the secrets, lies, and manipulations. You never knew whether something would turn out to be good or bad, or better than something worse. Things turned out to be false later. Sometimes that was great news. Sometimes it was horrible but sort of good in a perverse way. Fun stuff!

There were tragedies, yes. A few. I came close to serious feels only perhaps twice. I’m just glad I didn’t know the characters enough to feel that sad. We learned enough to like but not enough to become completely invested in, which is good for this sort of book. Some people love being emotionally wrecked by books, but to tell you the truth, I’m a bit tired of it. I like my fairy tales and happy endings. (Then why am I reading a gore fest? Ha! I love them, that’s why.)

I liked Valoria. She was probably the best person to be in her position. She learned to toughen up just enough to be successful and powerful but she never lost her humanity and even when tragedy struck she didn’t become dead inside, like others did and like I would have done. It was admirable. I feel like it would be hard to be friends with her, but she was what they needed. The others felt appropriate as well, for what they were. They were all different—different reasons for doing what they did, different motivations, different personalities. Some were surprising.

Anyway, it was a good story. I liked it. It was long but not too long. And I was uneasy the whole time, but never overwhelmed by the gore. But there was always something new around the corner. You could never get comfortable. Still, it felt righteous.

See the full review on my blog, Awesome Book Assessment.

[Chelsea Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from a giveaway on Instagram from the author, in exchange for an honest review.

So I read S.E. Green's The Killer Instinct series and I really enjoy her writing style. Detailed without being too flowery and her characters just have this depth that is really intriguing. I saw her description of this book on Instagram and thought it sounded interesting if not a little horrific. From the description, I was sort of imagining The Hunger Games but with more brutal killing and rape. I was a little uncomfortable with that subject but I think Ms. Greenland handles the topics really well in this book.

It is a story about what it means to be human and have humanity but recognizing what happens when a person is pushed too far or perversions run too deep. I enjoyed the characters, especially the main ones, for their depth and personalities. Sera is probably my favorite out of the whole book just because you love to hate her but can really sympathize with her as well.

While I was afraid the story would feel like The Hunger Games or Divergent meant for adults, it really wasn't. It is a fresh new story that pulls together so many elements. It is not for the faint of heart, but if you like to explore the darkest sides of the human psyche and all levels of humanity, this is a story for you.

One thing I can see others not enjoying is the romance. However, the reality of the situation really makes me appreciate that side of it so much more. They're both heavily traumatized adults and the situation isn't ideal for a perfect, flowery relationship. It is hard, rough, and torn at the edges and I love it all the more for that.

If you are interested in dystopian stories, adventure, stories about human bonds through family or experience, or exploring ideas of trauma/PTSD, and how twisted humans can be I suggest this as a must read.

Enjoy.

[Michelle Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vanquished from S.E. Green is a 4 star read.
Dark and Twisted ~ Warning: For mature audiences only

Valoria and her sister Lena are kidnapped and taken to a mysterious island. Valoria wakes up in a dungeon with several other women but her sister is gone. She finds herself being auctioned off to the highest bidder. She doesn't know where her sister is so she makes a deal with her captor Dominus and becomes a warrior for him.

Valoria’s training with her father gave her the skills she needed to become a great warrior. She had to make some tough choices and tried hard to hold onto her sanity while searching for her sister.

You also couldn’t help but wonder what Alexiors plan was.

There were a lot of similarities to Spartacus and Gladiator. The writing was very good and overall this was a great read. The book doesn’t end in a cliffhanger, however I wouldn’t mind seeing another book showing where and how everyone has moved on with their lives.
Thank you S. E. Green for a great read.

**Received a copy in exchange for an honest review. Read and reviewed by MAustin for Alpha Book Club**

[Maia Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly gripping, dark and twisted read! I loved this book! Definitely not for the faint of heart, I actually love dark and sadistic books, so this one fulfilled quite a few of my psychotic desires! While it elaborates on some dark topics, it wasn't too gruesome and explicit though. The storyline was very original, the characters were extremely complex and the emotions were intricate and palpable. Fast-paced and with plenty of plot twists, I was absolutely enthralled from the very first page and stayed on for the gripping ride until the very end! This book definitely makes you ponder whether a place like this really exists- there's a definite possibility it might! The premise of either being a fighter or a house slave is a flashback to the earlier history of mankind and can definitely still be going on somewhere in the world right now. I really enjoyed this dark and depraved book that had me grasping for a glimmer of hope! I will definitely be checking out some more books from this author!

[|Stephanie| · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story and it's cast of characters. It's brutal, unforgiving and shows the horrors of what other humans can do to others. It's not an easy read and had me cringing many times but behind that was a story of survival, friendship and love. I adored the cast of characters. Each one (even the unlikeable ones) held a piece of my heart.
Valoria (not her real name) was an incredible heroine; strong, courageous and loyal. She would do anything for the ones she cares for and is the type of leader this band of misfits needs.
I devoured this book and the closer to the end I got the more I wanted to story to continue. The ending left me satisfied but I would have liked more. All in all I would definitely recommend this book if you're looking for something different that takes you out of your comfort zone. 4 Stars!

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept my attention from the start. I couldn’t put it down. It does have demented moments for sure ,but not all the time . One of the better books I have read in a long time and I payed a 1 on kindle . Was worth way more than that .

[Cynthia Hagist · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met this author at a book club after reading Killer Instinct, which is an YA book and very good. This is her first adult book and it was dark, mysterious, and action packed. It surprised me on so many levels and the story was unexpected. This is the kind of book that makes you sit on the edge of your seat, grit your teeth and pull for the underdog. Characters were strong and well developed. Great job Shannon! I can't wait for the next one.

[K.P. Knupp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong female character fighting for her life, family, and freedom. Pulls you into the story and captures every part of you. It's disturbing and detailed. You see every second of this gut wrenching action packed thriller. Amazing all the way to the end!! loved it all. You must read it!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this ARC from the author's website giveaway.

This book grabs you from the beginning and gives you an awesome read! It is action packed. I couldn't put the book down. I highly recommend this book.

[Jennifer Coffman Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Vanquished is terrifying, gory, action packed, exciting ... And pretty dark. It is a page turner.

[The Glassed And The Furious · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was completely surprised by this book. At first, I was a bit worried about the premise of this book. When I see the words 'dystopian', 'new adult', and 'romance' I tend to be careful not to expect too much. It seems YA dystopian is out and NA dystopian is in. But this was really a great story.

Imagine the Gladiator combined with the Patriot and Game of Thrones.... I found the idea that the richest of the rich keep an entire island they use for their perverse depravities quite interesting.

Valoria was a refreshing and strong character. She's driven by fear for her sister and that's the only thing that keeps her going in this hell. The shocking visual that comes with this book is both captivating and disturbing, but in a way that keeps you hooked and makes you want to know how this all will end. Once I got past the first few chapters, I was really immersed and couldn't put the book down.

I also enjoyed that Valoria, although the strong heroine of the book, makes mistakes. Sometimes more than once. She's not perfect and that's realistic. That's what I want to see.
I was also incredibly intrigued by Ignatius and wish he could have had a more central role. Alexior at times was a bit too stereotypical - the big, bad, silent brooding type. It's not that it was bad, but I guess I would have preferred a bit more depth to his character.

If there is something I think was missing from this book, in general, I'd have to say characterization. While I appreciate Valoria and her strength, I found her journey from scared, little girl to full blown champion too easy. She basically loses one fight, surrenders, gets thrown into The Hole for punishment and after that she is invincible. That was not realistic. No matter how driven she was to save her sister. The author tells us over and over again that she is small. She has no previous fighting knowledge. She has no strength. But somehow she suddenly wins every fight? That was too good to be true.
While I also liked the supporting characters, I sometimes wished that Green hadn't been so overly stereotypical. Of course, there's the one girl that's a uber-mean girl. She's arrogant and nasty to the heroine. Then there are the BFFs who show no depth. They're not really developed. Gem and Camille had so much potential but they were just used as sidekicks to Valoria so we never really learn more about them. Same with Razo.

In the end, while I enjoyed the ending, again I felt it was a bit too easy and convenient.

But I still really really liked the book. As far as NA dystopian books go it's definitely one of the best I've read in a while and I highly encourage everyone to give this a go.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is how you make a ragtag bunch of characters and make every one of them interesting or have a great story. Our main character "Valoria" is strong-willed, compassionate, empathetic, brave, and above all else a badass. She leads the story well and even though she is the main character and it is told for a first-person view it is not always just centred around her and the other characters are continuously featured in the narrative. The antagonists in this book are nothing short of vile, and they are written to show that some people just are not redeemable. Every character had a purpose and I find that important.

Storyline:

This one started with a bang, and it never stopped until the very last chapter. Valoria wakes up with a group of people who have all been kidnapped. They all end up in a modern slavery camp where they are trained to fight for the pleasure of rich people and their "owners". The story is great at always increasing the danger to the characters, not holding back with the horrible details of what happens to people, and it does great in making you feel uneasy at every point, and continuously worried of what will happen next. The fact that so many characters died without pause throughout is something I liked. I obviously hated their deaths but I feel a lot of authors struggle to kill anybody who has a slight presence within a story - this one was not that at all. My only thing is I would have liked a little bit more insight into some of the characters, but that is minor.

Pacing/Writing:

I feel this one was very good with pacing, there were never any points that I thought were dragged out or not needed to enhance the story. The writing at times felt a little juvenile but otherwise I have no complaints.

Ending:

The ending was well done and I think that everything was covered that needed to be. I do wish that we got to know a little bit more about the characters after the island as it was a very short explanation. I wouldn't change it, just a add a bit.

Emotional impact:

I was in it from the start! The author did very well of making you feel nauseous, scared, excitable, hopeful, and a lot of dread. I never stopped worrying for the main characters, or wishing disastrous things for the villains. It was tense from the first page and it didn't let go right until the end.

9/10 - my favourite book of the year so far.

[Kimberlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting, gory, and shocking, this story kept me entranced from beginning to end.

Saligia. An acronym of the seven deadly sins in Latin. That's the name of the Island that Valoria and her younger sister Lena is kidnapped, drugged, and taken to. The rich and elite have turned an island into a reproduction of an ancient Roman city. Their victims, children, teens, and young adults, are turned into fighters, house slaves, and sex slaves.

 “My name’s Camille,” the woman tells me. “I was assigned to care for you. They renamed you Valoria."

Very few are there willingly, and those that are agreed only to get out of what they thought was a worse situation. Others were tricked ... thought they were cast on a reality tv show.

 “So then, do you know where we’re at?” Camille asks. “No.” Gem shakes her head. “I knew I would be sedated and transported to an island where I would become a house slave in a role play environment.”

They quickly find out that they are here solely for the entertainment and pleasures of the rich, who are absolute monsters. They become slaves, and no longer have control over any part of their lives. They are forced to hurt each other, brutalized, beaten, raped, tortured, and killed at the whims of the masters.
 
 “You’re never leaving. None of us are. You seem to still be the only one who doesn’t realize that.”
 “These people,” he softly says, “they are both masterminds and sadists. It takes the combination to run a place like Saligia.”

If you liked the HBO series Spartacus you will love this book. The series taught me about places and things that happen in this story, and I had visual representations in my mind from it, which made it all the more horrifying.