I am Axios of Sparta, and I was born to kill. At age seven, I left home to train with other boys where we were taught obedience, solidarity, military strategy, and how to withstand pain. My harsh upbringing stripped me of my weaknesses and forced me to become strong. Ruthless.But, I craved something greater—a life I could never have.Against all odds, and the toughest training a warrior could … could endure, I found an unexpected love in the arms of a fellow Spartan. He was the very air I breathed and the water that sustained me. Fighting side by side with him, we were invincible. Where he went, I followed.
However, there was no place for love in Sparta. Feelings were for the weak. The only life for a Spartan was one of battle and brutality with no guarantee of tomorrow. In times of war, all men were put to the test, but the greatest challenge for us was not one of swords and spears, but of the heart.
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An epic historical love story between two young Spartan men. Their story takes us on their journey of finding love, brotherhood, and loyalty in a culture where young boys at the age of eight leave their home and train for the next twelve years to become a warrior.
This story isn’t about the destination but rather all the years in between. Beautiful, heartbreaking, and brilliantly written. Tissues and wine needed.
This is the most BEAUTIFUL book I’ve ever laid eyes on!
It broke me into a billion tiny pieces, I never think I’ve cried so much from a book before.
Axios and Eryx’s love was EPIC, they touched my heart and soul and will stay with me forever!!
I have tried to find words to describe my feelings for this book, but right now I would not be able to give this book justice, maybe I write a better review when my feelings are not so raw, just writing this has me in tears again!
I strongly recommend this book!
Original review: https://myshelfbooks.wordpress.com/2019/04/06/axios-jaclyn-osborn/
I rarely read Historical books. For some weird reason I don’t enjoy that genre as much as any other. I’m capable of immersing myself in a contemporary book, or in a fantasy world or maybe in a far galaxy full of wonders. But when I have to surround myself with historical events I usually get dizzy and lose the North. So, in order to pick a Historical book, I need a carrot. In this case the carrot was a M/M Spartan tale.
The book is written from the point of view of Axios, a spartan boy who is forced to start his training to become a warrior as every other male in that city. He is different from the rest, though. He is not bloodthirsty and has dreams beyond the so-called glory of battle. The other side of the coin is represented by Eryx, who excels at everything during their training and is a firm believer of the Spartan way. The unlikely friendship between the two of them blooms into sexual attraction and later into deep love. We, the readers, are invited to follow that journey through serveral years.
First of all, I must congratulate the author on the perfect guide tour for that period of time. It is far from being a History lesson, but the readers will get tons of fun facts about the life in the ancient Sparta. And by fun I mean the mostly bloody, cruel and desensitize life they have to follow to a T. Before reading this book, my interest in Sparta was non-existent; but now I know it is much richer and surprsing than what movies have shown us. The fact that this book has made me curious about it is already a huge accomplishment. Thumbs up for teacher Osborn!!
The book has two main weak points that are greatly surpassed by the good ones. One of them is the beginning. The pace at first feels too slow. In order to easy the reader into the way of things of Sparta, the story of the characters has to start when they are pretty young. After that, we have time jumps of two years until they reach their early twenties. Those first chapters felt much longer than they actually are. I understand the need of them, but a faster pace for them would have been great. The other weak aspect of the book is the action or, better said, the lack of it. We are being told the tale of some Spartan warriors, but there are barely any fight scene in the book. The ones we get are usually rushed and just long enough to deliver some emotional blow. I guess I was expecting much more action from a book based on that period of time. With those two complaints it could look like the book could be boring, but nothing would be further from reality. The hard truth is that Axios is not a book about warriors from Sparta. It is a book about love between two people who shouldn’t be involved with each other.
So, when you embrace the truth about this story, you are up fro a treat. This is one of the most beautful love stories I have ever read. It is unexpectedly sweet and full of heart-melting gestures. Every time Eryx looked for Axios’s hand to reassure him before a big event, the butterflies in my stomach would perform several summersaults to applaud that simple gesture brimmig over with true love. The whole book is cramped with those. I will forever be grateful for having been given the chance of witnessing their story through several years. From their initial shy encounters to the full power of their passion during adulthood. From friendship to unbreakable loyalty to each other. I have enjoyed every moment of it: the happy moments, the storytelling, the games, the constant support, the doubts, the fights, the sad moments, the extremely sad moments, the please-kill-me-now moments (yes, the one that will leave you crying like a baby for hours…). All of it!!
It is not perfect, but I will treasure the memory of this book until the end of my days. Even now some tears are threatening to come out just remembering the whole story again. This is the first book by Jaclyn Osborn I have ever read, buy I’m going to make sure that it won’t be the last.
He was the very air I breathed and the water that sustained me. The anchor that kept me from drifting out to sea. My safe haven from the storm.
My warrior. My lover. My heart.
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Dear Author,
Thank you for bringing Axios and Eryx story to us (readers).
Following Axios and Eryx journey is like entering the past time that full of fantasy that we never know. Through your fascinating writing, you had made us entering the world that only exist in your fantasy and turned it into a reality. It’s so hard for me not to see all that happened in the story as just a fantasy. Because everything that happens in the book look very ‘convincing’ and real, as if that you just ripped their story right from the ‘book’ and showing us that they DO exist as part of history and wish to be known…
Did you know how many times I paused the reading just because I feel the urge to googled anything historical that mentioned in this book? And wondering on ‘how long you took the research’ and amazed on how accurate the scenes you picturing there?
Almost the whole reading!!!
And THAT makes Axios become the longest book to finish this year!
The book cover took my breath away right from the very first time I saw it! I’m SOLD instantly!
It stunningly beautiful in very masculine way. And that worth 5++ stars from this coverslut eyes.
Thank you for all the love we (especially ME!!!) feel right from the very start that grew slowly between Axios and Eryx. Thank you for let us be right there with Axios and Eryx in their whole happiest time and the worst.
Thank you for EVERY tears that rolling on our cheeks and those Kleenex that cannot hold our breakdown and leave us in speechless…
Thank you for let us taste this beautiful-heartbreaking story. Thank you for let us feel your love to Axios and Eryx, because now…we can also LOVE them as much as you do….
Eryx with his keen mind and protectiveness, and his storytelling things. And Axios with his kind and tender heart had touched my heart so deep. These guys will be forever staying in my heart…
All the stars above to Axios and Eryx love story and wish I could see Axios story made into a movie someday!!
Maybe you’re new author to me, and Axios was the first book of yours that I read…but I can assure you that it wouldn’t be the last book of yours that I read. Because from now on, your books will be on my top TBR list!
And like what Axios always did each time Eryx has new story to tell, I’ll turn into little Icarus and enthusiastically come to you, and waiting for you to say what Eryx always said….
“Do you wish to hear a story?”
And I would gladly say, “Yes!”
Sincerely,
Your new stalker.