Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine spotlighting upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

The youngest daughter of a proud Celtic king, Fallon has always lived in the shadow of her older sister Sorcha's legendary reputation as a warrior. But when Fallon was a young child, the armies of Julius Caesar invaded the island of Britain and her beloved older sister was killed in battle.

On the eve of her seventeenth birthday, Fallon is excited to follow in her sister's footsteps and earn her rightful place in her father's royal war band. But she never gets the chance. Instead, Fallon is captured by a band of ruthless brigands who sell her to an exclusive training school for female gladiators—and its most influential patron is none other than Julius Caesar himself. In a cruel twist of fate, Fallon's worst enemy, the man who destroyed her family, might be her only hope of survival.

Now, Fallon must overcome vicious rivalries, chilling threats and the dangerous attention of Caesar himself to survive the deadly fights that take place both in and out of the arena—and claim her place in history among the Valiant.

If you haven't heard of Lesley Livingston's The Valiant yet, be prepared to hear so much more about this YA historical fiction novel this winter! The Valiant already has a loyal war band of followers from some very early reviews, and it's got me yearning for this book so badly. Female gladiators, the Roman Empire, and a bloody fight to survive—I absolutely can't wait to meet Fallon. Doesn't The Valiant sound utterly amazing?! Be sure to add this one to your TBR and 2017 lists right away.