The Savior's Champion by Jenna Moreci (The Savior's Series #1)
Read in May-June 2025
Genre: Dark Romantasy
Spice Level: 0.5 🌶️
Rating: ★★★½ (3.5/5)
Summary:
Tobias enters the Savior’s Tournament—a brutal, deadly competition where the victor wins the hand of the mystical Savior and untold riches. But he’s not in it for glory; he’s doing it to support his mother and sister. The arena is dangerous, but what’s even more treacherous is falling for someone he shouldn’t… especially when she might not be who she seems.
Tropes & Archetypes:
- Tournament of Champions
- Hidden Identity
- The Chosen One (Subverted)
- Forbidden Romance
- Assassin Gladiators
- The Everyman Hero
- The Warrior Woman
- Tyrannical King
World-Building:
Most of the story unfolds in the labyrinthine tournament arena and later within the castle. While the scope of the world is intentionally limited, the political intrigue shines. The idea of a king plotting to assassinate his daughter—the Savior—to hold onto power is chilling and brilliantly executed. The Romanesque aesthetics added a gritty historical flavor I loved.
Characters:
Tobias is the quintessential "good guy"—loyal, hard-working, and moral. While that’s admirable, I struggled to emotionally connect with him. Leila, the healer/love interest, is fierce and skilled, but her emotional depth didn’t hit home for me. She came across a bit whiny, and the chemistry between her and Tobias never quite sparked.
What I Liked:
- The tournament structure kept the stakes high
- Political tension was satisfying
- The Savior lore and royal family dynamics were fascinating
- The Roman influence was a nice touch
What I didn't Like:
- Characters lacked depth and emotional resonance
- Romance felt flat and lacked tension
- Predictable plot twists
- Took me a month to finish—not a good sign for my reading pace!
Cover Art:
A solid 4/5 stars! The red hands are directly tied to scenes in the book, which made the cover feel meaningful and connected. It stands out in the dark romantasy genre with bold imagery.
Would I Reread This Book?
Probably not. I’m also on the fence about continuing the series.
Would I Recommend It?
Only if you’re into romance-light fantasy that leans more on plot than character depth. If that’s your jam, you’ll enjoy the tournament vibes and palace politics.
If you liked The Selection by Kiera Cass or To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo, you might enjoy The Savior's Champion.