Axios: A Spartan Tale

By: Jaclyn Osborn

Narrated by: Adam Stubbs

Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

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 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.

©2017 Jaclyn Osborn (P)2018 Jaclyn Osborn

Loved every minute!

The story was incredible! The narration superb! If you decide to pick this one up you will not be disappointed.

My Heart!

This book is heartbreakingly beautiful. I don't like to spoil but you should know this book will break your heart!

Thoroughly enjoyable male love story

From the perspective of a gay male I found the story really enjoyable. However, the narration lacked heart even though the narrator was a professional. As such, the listener should make their own effort to ‘hear’ the depth and complexity of the love the author (seems to) intend to convey. The historical setting seemed well researched and very pl@usible. I would have preferred a more erotic direction, but it was nevertheless a very enjoyable listen. So much so that a few months afterward I still remember the characters fondly and feel touched by the story.

Unexpected!

I decided to listen to this as an audio book while on vacation abroad. I sat by the pool for 3 of my 5 days and listened to this wonderful, well detailed and character rich book. I don’t regret my decision the book had me clutching my pearls a few times, enjoying the friendships that developed and of course I was an emotional wreck at the end. Thank you! I enjoyed this a lot.

A love affair for the ages

This is an epic tale spanning decades. The writing was so adept and the narrating so excellent and emotive that the end has continued to resonate with me and in me. And I'm sure it will for days to come. The narrator ruined me for my immediate next lesson because I either have to hear him again or someone of his caliber, otherwise I can't be satisfied. The skill of this guy was breathtaking.
The book seemed to be repetitive to me some time after the halfway mark, so I paused to listen to other books. Then when I returned I didn't want to listen to anything else. The story is long, but you realize why later when you realize you have been brought into the story so fully and know everyone so well and care about them immensely. This is not your traditional lalala- little-bit-of-conflict-then-HEA book.
I hesitate to even mention this, but, just in case someone misses how this book is listed, there is M/M sex in the book lovingly rendered many times. Don't buy the book if that's a problem for you.

Achingly Beautiful, heartbreakingly tender.

The story of Ax and Ery is the story of love in a time and place where love and affection were frowned upon as a weakness. But Ax and Ery love each other fiercely, against all odds and to the very end.

"I will see you in the stars, my warrior".

WOW

What a story, it kept me interested and wondering, I am not knowledgeable about this history, but I t didn't matter. narration was excellent. I definitely recommend

Where to begin...

This is the first time I’ve listened to a book by this author and I was not disappointed. This story grabbed my attention from the first sentence and dragged me in. The narrator was new to me as well and I just have to say he was perfect for this book! He definitely brought the story to life and gave it the dynamic it needed. I don’t usually read books like this but I was so enthralled with Ax and Ery’s love that I couldn’t stop once I began listening.

sweet and beautiful Love story

listen to entire life from boyhood to manhood it's wonderful want her to how they died I started to cry.

Masterpiece!

What an experience this has been. A Masterpiece of a story created by Jaclyn Osborn.......a love story set in hard, brutal times yet we were able to see beyond the harshness to their innermost souls and devotion to each other. I do not have enough words to adequately express how wonderful this story is.
The narration by Adam Stubbs was perfection. He gave life and personalities to each character... I could see them as well as hear them as each one spoke and I loved that he could make this happen.
I highly recommend this Audiobook.