Book Review: Venator

Reviewed by Tomi Alo | Content warnings: gruesome death, assault, abuse, slavery, violence, explicit scenes

An engrossing historical romance exploring the power and intensity of love in Roman-occupied Brittania

Senior centurion Decimus Maximus has been counting the days to his retirement. After decades in service, he is more than eager to return to Rome and spend the rest of his days raising horses and tending to gardens, away from the harsh realities of being a soldier. 

However, all that changes when he’s thrust into the path of Luciana, the fierce and devoted princess of the Cornovii tribe. What follows is an electric journey of passion, survival, duty, betrayal, and loss.

With unflinching realism and careful attention to detail, A.M. Swink transports readers back to the heart of a beautifully described ancient Britain. This is a vivid and immersive reading experience, made rich with the specific details of ancient customs and traditions, tribal politics, and the grandeur of Roman authority. This book is a testament to authentic and historically true research.

“Death is inevitable, but it is a rebirth. We are destined to be reborn in the Otherworld, where we can live beside our ancestors until we complete another rotation, when we shall be reborn into this.”

Decimus and Luciana’s relationship is a delight to read, their chemistry evident and intense on the page. It’s a treat to watch them (mainly Decimus) fight their feelings for each other at the early stages of the novel.

Decimus embodies everything you expect from a Roman soldier—strong, battle-hardened, and duty-bound—while Luciana is brave, outspoken, and fiercely loyal to her people. She wants the freedom of her people and will do anything to protect them. Even if they are on the opposite side of fate, they complement each other well and readers cannot help but fall in love with them. 

“You are everything I admire and everything I want in a man. I couldn’t possibly kill you, because if I did, I’d immediately have to kill myself.”

There are still a few questions left unanswered and subplots yet to be explored, so hopefully that means this book acts as a foundation for the next in a series to build on. 

All in all, Venator is a beautifully written, evocative debut that artfully blends ancient history and romance. Swink’s keen attention to detail and cast of dynamic characters make for a novel not to be missed, especially for historical romance fans seeking passion and depth in their stories.

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