WOLF'S EMPIRE: GLADIATOR imagines a distant future where the Roman Empire never fell. Women are still second-class citizens, military skills are prized, and slavery is thriving. In that world, 19-year-old Accala Viridius Camilla is driven by a desire to avenge the loss of her mother and brother in a war between ruling houses.

Authors Claudia Christian and Morgan Grant Buchanan have created a rich universe led by eight ruling houses and populated by billions of humans and aliens. Occasional quotes or references suggest some universal constants. We realize, for example, William Shakespeare still lived and wrote in this world. Reality television still exists, but it's a harsh gladiatorial version where viewers decide a player's life or death. In other ways, the Empire never progressed. Accala, like other women of her class, are expected to marry and produce children. A career of any kind, much less in the gladiatorial arena, is discouraged.

As you might imagine from the subtitle, gladiatorial games are front and center throughout the novel. Accala and others are fighting for their lives. The battles, even the training sessions, are vicious, intense, and bloody. Even as the teams fight for supremacy in a kind of winner-take-the-empire Olympics, they face an outside threat from an alien race that refuses to be subjugated.

In some ways, the story seems familiar, even formulaic. A highborn gladiatorial champion is reduced to slavery, goes through training with a new team, and faces certain death in a battle that will decide the future of the Empire. It's the hero's journey, a story as old as Roman mythology. If you're a fan of science fiction movies and literature, you'll recognize the stages of the story, and in a way, I found that disappointing. On the other hand, the imperial setting, the use of Roman history and culture, and the unique alien influences make it a fascinating story, and if anyone ever combines action videos with novels, this would be a prime first selection. The gladiatorial sequences would be amazing to see.

Fans of TV's "Babylon 5" will recognize author Claudia Christian's name. She played Susan Ivanova for four seasons of the popular series. Buchanan previous worked with Christian on her memoir, "Babylon Confidential."

I highly recommend WOLF'S EMPIRE: GLADIATOR for readers who enjoy alternate timeline novels, historically-inspired science fiction, and stories centered around a strong female character.