Lioness

Lioness is a coming-of-age historical fantasy that follows Morgan, Princess of Britannia, as she grows up caught between her homeland and the brutal reach of the Roman Empire. The story is filled with battles, betrayal, espionage, political intrigue, and a touch of sweet romance, all wrapped in a setting that feels heavily inspired by real history. I’d rate this book around 3.5–3.75 stars, largely for its ambition and potential. The opening was a bit of a struggle for me due to heavy info-dumping and long, winding phrasing that sometimes felt overwhelming. However, looking back, this stylistic choice may have been intentional, as Morgan begins the story at just nine years old. Once I settled into the narrative and moved further along, the book became much harder to put down. One of the strongest aspects is the incorporation of historically accurate details about the Roman Empire. These moments gave the story a documentary-like feel and helped ground the fantasy elements. At times, the book feels less like a traditional fantasy novel and more like a historical drama with a light romantic subplot—almost like a mini TV series unfolding on the page. That said, the pacing can be jarring. The story moves very quickly, sometimes to the point of feeling confusing, and certain plot points feel rushed or underdeveloped. Morgan’s early experiences, especially given her age, occasionally stretched believability, and there were a few awkward moments surrounding romance that didn’t quite land for me. The synopsis and tags also led me to expect a slightly different kind of story, which may have contributed to my mixed reaction. Still, when approached as a historical intrigue or costume drama rather than a traditional fantasy, Lioness works much better. Watching Morgan grow from a scheming child under Roman rule into a wiser, braver leader was genuinely engaging, and I appreciated the scope of her journey despite the book’s relatively short length. Overall, Lioness isn’t quite my usual cup of tea, but it surprised me in a positive way. It’s a quick read that can easily be finished in one or two sittings and will likely appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction, political intrigue, and Roman-era settings with a light fantasy twist.

Lioness caught my attention right from the beginning. J. Ryan builds a world shaped by Rome and its power, and Morgan is the kind of heroine who pulls you in straight away. She is fierce, hurting, and determined. Her lifelong fight against Rome feels believable, and what really stood out to me was how the story handles loyalty, love and survival without ever losing sight of the human cost. The historical setting feels vivid without becoming too dense. The writing has a very cinematic feel that makes the battles, political shifts and emotional moments all hit with equal weight. I also liked the way the romance grows quietly in the background. It never takes over the story, but it adds something real and steady that helps balance the darker moments. There were a few spots in the middle where the pacing slowed for me, mostly in the strategy parts, but the final third made up for it. Once the story picked up again I read it in one sitting. The ending felt sharp and satisfying, and it left me curious to see where this world could go next. If you enjoy stories about resistance, complicated heroines and romance that grows in unlikely places, Lioness is a strong pick. Morgan is a character I will be thinking about for a while.

I enjoyed the story. Well paced, well written. the ending was a bit abrupt to me, i expect a cliffhanger, but this was less a cliffhanger and more, i turned the page and there was no more story. that aside, it was a well written, engaging story and I'd definitely want to read the next installment.