The Savior's Champion (The Savior's Series Book 1)

To save his family, Tobias enters a Bachelorette-esque competition, with a deadly twist. Visceral violence, steamy romance, and hidden agendas! Try not to get too attached to anyone, everyone is fair game. I’m not sure if I can survive the wait until the next book!

Consider what you know about conventional writing and throw it out the window; Jenna has written an instant classic and gives me hope for the future of Fiction in general. The story was seamless and carried me from page to page. If I didnt have to work, I'd have read this like I did all the other books I read, and devoured it until the end. Cant wait for the rest of the series!!!

This was a great journey. Very engaging tale well told. I did not see where it was going and it left me wondering what was coming next. My only small quibble was that the protagonist was a bit thick when it came to reading his own or others feelings. But this is a rather common occurrence in literature. I will be waiting for the next book in the series!

I have so many feelings about this book....just SO many but it was so very worth it. This book is beautifully written; the descriptions are impeccable, the relationships are realistic and relatable, it's so easy to be completely immersed in this world of chaos and heartache and love. I'm making everyone I know read this book because everyone deserves to experience this.

A solid second book from Jenna. My gripes about this book are few.

Tobias is a day laborer, former artist's apprentice. He works hard for his family's sake--his sister, who was paralyzed in an accident, and his mother, who is her sole caretaker. He DGAF about the Savior or the Savior's Tournament, but enters it anyway because the families of the champions get an allowance, and the one who emerges victorious will win twenty thousand coins, enough so that Tobias can provide for his family's well-being. Except a wrench is soon thrown into his plan--he falls for a pretty palace Healer named Leila, yet there is no leaving the tournament. Either he dies during it, or he becomes the champion and marries the Savior, Cosima--a woman he despises.

This is a spoiler-free review, so no worries there.

I read Jenna's debut novel, Eve: The Awakening, and absolutely adored it. Stayed up late at night to finish it, and I kept imagining things like "I want to be Eve's friend and help her fight the aliens!" or "Eve and Jason need to just get married already," or "Armando is my favorite character--he's so cute!" This time around, however, it was less "OMG I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT" and more "I saw that coming from a mile away, but I'll keep reading because I respect Jenna and am a fan of her channel and I'd feel guilty not having finished this book."

As a writer myself, it's easier for me to find flaws in books, and this one was no exception. The prologue was awash with what us fantasy authors refer to as "Capitalization Syndrome," needing to capitalize everything including pronouns and names and everything, to the point where it can be confusing and give you a headache. Yes, as you read on, you find out that the only capitalization besides names were pronouns and things in reference to the Savior, but even capitalizing things like "woman" and "me" and "her" and "she" felt unnecessary and got annoying after a bit (like I'd see "She" capitalized in the middle of a sentence and think that it was a proofreading error because there was no period, then read the sentence again and be like "Oh, that She is referring to The Savior, so that's why it's capitalized.").

I had a problem with Tobias' motivations to enter the tournament to begin with. He spends the entire first chapter insisting he won't enter, and we see how, even though he spends all day working, he's still able to make enough money to support his family. It's not a lot, but it's not as if we're given the impression that they're poor or destitute. Tobias' salary is enough to pay for extra medicine for his sister when her health takes a tumble, they have enough to eat every day, etc. His mother even forbids him from entering. But then, at the end of the first chapter, it only takes him about two sentences to change his mind, and I had trouble following his logic at that point. I kept reading, and eventually, a few more chapters in, it was mentioned that the families of the champions would get an allowance during the tournament itself, but do they get the allowance even after their family member dies? Does the allowance stop at that point? How was Tobias going to guarantee his family's well-being if he died during the tournament? Because at pretty much every opportunity, he (and the reader) are reminded that he's not expected to win, etc. because he's the underdog, the artist, the weak one with no fighting skills.

There wasn't anything in the book that was a DNF (Do Not Finish) moment, but I didn't really root for any of the characters. I'd like to say it was because of such a large cast. In Eve, there were a lot of characters who were named, but we were allowed to get to know the main five-ish people really, really well: Eve, Jason, Hayden, Armando, and Percy, and we were invested in their story. Here, we had twenty champions (all named) plus the Sovereign, the Savior, Tobias, Leila, Delphi, Pippa (who ended up being completely pointless to the story overall--she vanished at one point after comforting Tobias and we never heard about her again, so it felt like she was one of those characters who just needlessly increased the number of people we were expected to remember), Naomi, Tobias' mother, etc. I also kept confusing the Savior and the Sovereign because both started with "S," and I kind of wish Jenna had chosen a different title for one of them.

At one point, Tobias is implied to have a crush on Pippa, which made no sense because by that point in the book, he'd already declared his love for Leila. I don't know if young men Tobias' age actually do think about this stuff a lot, but as a woman reading it, I got pretty tired of all the champions, including Tobias, talking about the breasts of all the female characters, jacking off, calling each other (insert euphemism for male anatomy here) to the point where it got really annoying. daydreaming about sleeping with a woman after meeting her once, etc. Okay, yeah, I can accept that most of that is just typical locker room talk, but I wish they'd at least toned down on the comments objectifying the various females they sometimes came into contact with.

Leila irked me pretty much up until the very last page. She was being all secretive, and at one point, we learn that she's sneakily trying to assassinate as many of the Sovereign's councilors as she can (which, by the way was called the Senate, which didn't help the "Savior, Sovereign, Senate" all starting with S). I remember at one point, I was 97% of the way through the Kindle version and thinking "Wait, I'm almost at the end and we still haven't learned about Leila's secrets. Is this book going to end on a cliffhanger in that aspect??" (Yes, we do learn about her secrets in this book, not to worry--it happened a few pages after I noticed that) But at one point, she and Tobias are having a total make-out sesh, it's all going great, they're kissing and having a great time, and all of a sudden she's just like "Nope, sorry," and runs away. It's implied that Tobias said something to upset her, but he actually didn't, and there was no reason for her to run away at that point. (Tobias wasn't trying to force himself on her, and in fact, the most he actually wanted to do at that point was just kiss. They weren't in danger of being discovered by the other champions, and it just didn't make any sense at all.)

But the book ended on a small cliffhanger in another way. I know I promised this would be a spoiler-free review, but I do have to stick one spoiler in here.

<spoiler>

The Savior turns up at Tobias' house after he tells her about his sister, and she's like "I think I can heal her," but then we never see if she really does get healed. Considering that Tobias entered the tournament in order to provide for his sister, I felt a bit cheated by that.

</spoiler>

Maybe it's just because I feel like I know Jenna so well since I watch all her videos, but I saw every single plot twist coming a mile away. At one point, we learn about the Sovereign's true relationship with his daughter, and I was just like "Yeah, I saw that coming like, fifty pages ago." Pretty much every champion dies along the way throughout the book, but none of them were really all that heartbreaking. Of course, some of the champions were complete (insert choice swear word here) and villainy types and it was like "Yeah, finally! That a**hole died!" but when the good ones were killed off, I wasn't like "OH NO WHY DID THIS CHARACTER HAVE TO DIE I'M SO SAD." like I usually am with character deaths in books. I think it goes back to the issue of there were simply too many characters and I didn't get a chance to get to know any of them. At another point, Kaleo gives us some insight into his motives (and it's obviously meant to be a plot twist--Tobias is shocked and everything, so you assume the reader is supposed to be shocked, as well), and I'm just like "That's not a surprise at all lol." Or the plot twist about who killed the Queen all those years ago--I predicted it something like a hundred pages before it was actually revealed.

Of Eve and TSC, I would say I'm more likely to re-read Eve over re-reading TSC. Of course, this was a good book on its own and I would recommend it, but I don't see myself re-reading TSC anytime soon, whereas I am looking forward to going back to my parents' house and getting the copy of Eve that I left there so I can read it again. It was an interesting story, most definitely, and I would recommend it if anyone asked, but unlike Eve, it didn't wow me with its writing or surpass any of my expectations. It met my expectations and nothing more.

Of course, I'll continue to read more of Jenna's stuff because I'm a fan of her work in general, but there was so much hype around this book that I had really high expectations for it. I was under the assumption it'd be even better than Eve, which, honestly, I liked Eve better.

TL;DR: An interesting story worth picking up, but too many characters to be able to connect with any of them and a few issues with some characters' motivations kept this from being the five-star I wanted it to be.

I enjoyed it. Lots of blood and gore--think George R.R. Martin if he was writing a sweeping romance in a roman-esque world--but it all serves the plot. The central romance is wonderfully healthy and sexy, the characters are complex, and the plot is put together well, if occasionally predictable. A definite must-read for mature fantasy lovers.

I loved this book and simply couldn't stop reading it! Its phenomenal and perfectly paced. I didn't mind the adult content, either of course, but be aware that it exists. I did, however, see the big plot twist coming from like, chapter five, unfortunately. But that's really the only reason I didn't give it five stars. A near perfect book!

Loved this! Great writing, action-packed plot, beautiful romance! Only problem was I called the twist at the very beginning so it lacked that shock value at the end! But I would recommend to anyone and everyone!

Amazing book! Definitely worth the read. It was engaging and thrilling from start to finish and had a really solid story. I feel like a lot of YA novels tend to cling to troupes but this book was a great exception and very immersive. Can’t wait for more of this series!!

This book is amazing. The characters and writing style is flawless. Jenna Moreci is amazing at building characters that you love and hate. It had been awhile since I have read a book that has been this captivating. Each page had me yearning for more. A highly recommended read.

Wonderfully written story with vibrant characters that jump off the page and draw you into this dark world of intrigue, danger, and adventure. Jenna Moreci has outdone herself with this novel. Can't wait for the sequel.

This book is amazing. The characters and writing style is flawless. Jenna Moreci is amazing at building characters that you love and hate. It had been awhile since I have read a book that has been this captivating. Each page had me yearning for more. A highly recommended read.

Engaging characters...even the ones there to be despised. Action packed plot...complete with perfectly timed twists and turns. I can't gush enough about this book. Why are you wasting time reading reviews? Just get the book already! You will regret nothing :)

Wonderfully written story with vibrant characters that jump off the page and draw you into this dark world of intrigue, danger, and adventure. Jenna Moreci has outdone herself with this novel. Can't wait for the sequel.

A great read! Highly engaging cast of characters and a story full of surprises big and small that keeps you turning page after page. An easy read that flows naturally and holds your attention all the way through.

*****WARNING: SPOILER ALERT*****

I’m just gonna start off with that amazing twist at the end when it’s revealed to us that Leila is The Savior. WHAAAAT?! LIKE OMG! My mind was blown. BLOWN! I did not see that coming. One of the best twists I’ve read in a long time. The excitement I had while reading that chapter had me jumping up and down. It was amazing! It was perfect!

One thing made me really sad while reading this book was getting to know certain characters only to have them removed from the story. Throughout the book I was like, “I’m starting to really like this character. Aaaaaaaaand he dies...or leaves...or is just COMPLETELY OUT OF THE PICTURE.” Really? REALLY?! JENNA, WHY YOU DO THIS TO ME? STOP PLAYING WITH MY EMOTIONS! Every character I grew to love leaves *cries in a corner*

I really liked how the story is set where majority of people are just…complete idiots or maybe ignorant about the whole tournament mess. How sometimes tradition clouds people’s judgement. My blood boiled while reading the conversation between the royals. It made the world these characters lived in more believable, and you can see the struggle to fight for justice and humanity and bring up the topic of how screwed up this world these characters live in. And it just made Tobias’s character so much more appealing. I loved his smart-ass comments when insulting the royals. It was absolutely satisfying to read.

I’m glad that there weren’t too many crazy fight scenes like her last book Eve: The Awakening. When I read Eve, I’d skip a few paragraphs (maybe even a few pages) just to get away from all the fighting. I found it a bit too much. TSC had the perfect amount of fight scenes.

The romance in this book was perfect. I loved Tobias and Leila. I also loved Enzo and Zander *cries again* why did their love end so fast?! The moment I knew about those two I shipped them like crazy and hoped that they would have had a happy ending. Sadly, that was not the case :(

The antagonists in TSC were wonderfully horrible. I did not expect Brontes to be the main antagonist. This whole time I thought it was Kaleo. So even that was a nice small twist. I enjoy books that catch me unexpectedly, makes them more interesting and keeps me wanting more.

I want to totally see this book as a movie or TV show, the only problem is that JENNA NEEDS TO BE THE DIRECTOR FOR IT ACTUALLY BE GREAT! Overall, I love TSC and can’t wait for the next book to come out.

Not worth the money. Not worth the hype. Honestly really bad.

Main critiques: Underdeveloped plot, characters, and world. Cliches, cliches, and more cliches. A novel with a lot of potential, but Jenna Moreci needs to learn some fundamental aspects of storytelling before I can read anything else of hers.

Disappointing that I preordered this in hardcover too.

I received an advance copy in return for an honest review. 4.5/5*

The Savior's Champion follows a young man named Tobias as he faces trials and danger in the Sovereign's Tournament; men competing to win the hand of the Savior. These men join for various reasons, knowing that danger lies ahead.

There are many characters, and each one is unique. Their individual traits and voices make following along with who is who easy and seamless. The world, as experienced by our main character, is grand and well described.

Through many scenes I found myself on the edge of my seat. I also laughed, gasped, and even cried at one point. It was an enjoyable read, and I look forward to the next installment.

I recommend this book to adults who enjoy suspense and action, sweet romance, and who aren't squeamish or bothered by cussing.

I received a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This story grabbed me from the very beginning. Jenna's writing style is fast and easy to read, which is especially important when you're jumping into a fantasy realm that you've never been to before. There are no info dumps here. TSC is one part love story, one part hero's journey. Oh, and it's 100% like a gladiator-style fantasy version of The Bachelorette.

The characters are fully formed and their motivations are clear. The world building in this book is so strong that it's easy to envision the setting as well as how the magical elements come into play. And the plot is so seamlessly interwoven with the character development that there's never a moment where you're taken out of the story because you realize the author did something just to advance the story. TSC is very unputdownable. There are cliffhangers in nearly every chapter, and the stakes are constantly being raised.

TSC follows Tobias, an artist-turned-laborer in order to support his family. He enters the Sovereign's Tournament, a tournament held to win the hand of the Savior of the realm, simply to get money to care for his mother and sister. He's thrust into a world where he's a constant underdog, not just because of his low class rank, but also because he's not a trained fighter.

As the story progresses, we meet the other competitors in the tournament, and we get a glimpse into their motives for entering as well. They are consistently given new and harrowing obstacles and challenges to win the tournament so that they may marry the Savior. But as the tournament progresses, competitors die left and right. The action sequences are well done, and easy to envision. The fights are described well and there's never a moment where the reader is left to wonder how a character was able to pull of a maneuver because it didn't make sense when described. And kudos to the author for consistently creating interesting challenges for the characters to overcome.

And in the midst of all this violence, a love story blossoms. The romance is handled well, with the characters experiencing equal attraction as two consenting adults. There's never any super gross or weird moments, which is often a problem with the romances in fantasy novels.

I recommend this book to readers who enjoy fantasy, romance, action, and humor. TSC is a very strong start to a fantasy series, and I can't wait to read the next book!

I received an advance copy in return for an honest review. 4.5/5*

The Savior's Champion follows a young man named Tobias as he faces trials and danger in the Sovereign's Tournament; men competing to win the hand of the Savior. These men join for various reasons, knowing that danger lies ahead.

There are many characters, and each one is unique. Their individual traits and voices make following along with who is who easy and seamless. The world, as experienced by our main character, is grand and well described.

Through many scenes I found myself on the edge of my seat. I also laughed, gasped, and even cried at one point. It was an enjoyable read, and I look forward to the next installment.

I recommend this book to adults who enjoy suspense and action, sweet romance, and who aren't squeamish or bothered by cussing.

Firstly, I was given an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, so here we go.

Tobias lives a simple life. A former promising artist, he puts his dreams on hold to become a labourer to support his mother and sister following a tragic family accident. He does what he can to help his family, putting them first and foremost in his life. While he misses his art, he has no plans at all to leave home or change his current profession.

The Sovereign's Tournament turns all of that upside down. Tobias has no interest whatsoever at first, not until he learns that just by entering he could make a huge difference in his family's life. For that main reason, and also with some convincing by his best friend, he soon finds himself one of twenty men in a bloody, no-holds-barred tournament fighting for the hand of a woman he's never even met.

With each challenge - and each brush with death - Tobias quickly realizes he's in over his head. The complex and diverse relationships he finds along the way, both with his co-competitors and the Savior's entourage, only make things even more conflicting. Especially his dealings with Leila, the healer who takes care of the men in between challenges. Will he be able to see the tournament through to the end? Does he want to, even?

Author Jenna Moreci has done a fantastic job with world building in this book, the first of a series. The lore of Thessen and culture and practices of its inhabitants unfolds organically as you progress through the novel, never feeling forced or heavy-handed. You learn all the higher society protocols and customs along with Tobias, along with the myriad rules and technicalities of the tournament.

The characters are all well-developed and distinct from one another. While there are a plethora of names and personalities to remember, it never feels overwhelming or confusing. Moreci deserves extra credit for this; in a novel that features twenty tournament participants, not to mention the many Savior's companions, that's quite a difficult task.

Tobias is especially well written. He has his flaws, but he stays true to his character throughout the work. Whenever something happens that makes him question his thoughts and loyalties, he does so, and he grows as a character because of it. Likewise, his relationship with Leila, the other main character, is beautifully done here. It isn't rushed, nor is it dragged out, and they struggle with the ups and downs of life and love together in an extremely realistic fashion, even if this is a work of fantasy.

The pacing is on point throughout. There's a great balance between action and exposition, allowing for character development in between the breakneck pace of the brutal challenges. You'll want to keep reading for 'just one more' challenge, and the next thing you know you've been reading for hours at a time.

Speaking of the challenges, if you're a fan of vicious, descriptive combat scenes, then look no further. This book has it in spades. There is a -lot- of death in this book, as one would expect given the nature of the Sovereign's Tournament, and the author does a fantastic job of driving home just how deadly and unforgiving the world of Thessen can be. It's not overly gory or violent for the sake of shock value, but it's very realistic and powerful. Likewise, the violence has a real and lasting impact on the characters here (well, the ones with a conscience, at least).

The ending of the book (no spoilers here) will leave you wanting more, and feeling glad to know that this is just the first book in a series. There are still questions to answer at the end, but nothing that leaves you feeling cheated or unsatisfied with the book; there's just so much more left to discover and explore in this amazing universe.

If you're a fan of fantasy, or just good writing in general, don't miss this book.

HellloOOOoo everybody!! I usually don’t like fantasy novels but I bought this one because I love author Jenna Moreci and it’s a unique plot. Twenty men fighting to the death, gladiator style, for the love of a woman whom they’ve never laid eyes on. There are creative obstacles the men need to survive and other behind the scenes sources at work throughout the novel. The fantasy aspect of the book was not very ‘in your face’. I was never bored reading it and finished it in 2 days. The cast of characters is long (I suggest watching Jenna’s two videos on YouTube on this topic ) but each have their own distinct personalities so it’s easy to keep them separate.
I haven’t felt that ‘I miss this book’ feeling in a long time but this book made me fall in a ‘I’m missing something’ feeling for the last few days.
Jenna Moreci is an amazing person who has taught me almost everything I know about being a writer via her YouTube channel and other social media. Jenna, I can’t wait for part two. <3