Description

To taste glory, gladiators must bring a whole new flavor to the arena or die trying. Here in the Imperium Aeterna, Rome never fell and gladiators still fight. No one knows why the gods pulled the realm out of space and time, but centuries have passed and it's time for something fresh. Meet Maximilia, adopted daughter of the retired champion. Armed with protein powder and a cheeky grin, she opens a smoothie shop next to the coliseum. There, she takes on rude customers while learning there's a lot more to gladiators than guts, glory, and good looks. But the drama is just beginning. New territories are suddenly appearing, ripped from the world left behind. They bring dangerous warriors to the arena forcing Max to remember that blood can spill the same as juice. With lives and love on the line, she prays to the gods she didn't just hand her friends their last drink. Ingredients to expect - Slice of life - Drama, action, humor & tragedy - Found family - Gladiators vs other cultures - Complex characters & relationships - Flirting and romance/slow-burn (No harem) (Some queer representation: this is ancient Rome, people) Art by @andrewrussell_art Shop hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Bene advenisti! Welcome! While I've worked hard to incorporate historical accuracy, I am by no means an expert on the cultures, history, or combat depicted...(or Latin. I'm sorry!) So as a writer, I've taken some creative liberties. I also usually work on stories that are emotionally heavy with an extensive writing process. In contrast, Invictus Shakes is very much a project started for fun and to try something new...although it's not without its heartfelt moments. It's charmed me and I hope it charms you too. —Grātiās vōbīs agō (My thanks to you all!)

What readers say about Invictus Shakes: A Gladiator Slice of Life

“To the Stars! Instant classic. I simply could not read another chapter before rushing to gush about it. This is destined to become one of the greats. Style: Light and breezy prose. Easy to read, but able to pepper in vivid details when needed. It’s almo…”

AsteridsRoyal Road5.0 / 5

“A story that perfectly blends intense coliseum fight scenes with delightful slice of life moments about running a smoothie bar? Coming right up! Not only do the customer interactions feel incredibly familiar to anybody who’s worked customer service, but you…”

BookwormMadnessRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Community Reviews(2)

AsteridsRoyal Road

★★★★★ 5.0

To the Stars! Instant classic. I simply could not read another chapter before rushing to gush about it. This is destined to become one of the greats.
Style: Light and breezy prose. Easy to read, but able to pepper in vivid details when needed. It’s almost invisible, but unlike much else on the platform.
A cynical read of the style is that it could read a bit fan-fic-y, but that is also sort what is called for here. You want comfort for slice of life. But the level of stylistic polish is regardless, impeccable.
Story: Slice of life that knows how to keep the perfect amount of tension from one scene to the next (a rude customer, a stern father figure, etc). Great chemistry and dialogue between characters. Perfectly plotted. A short chapter to hook, then flashback, then right back to present story all without losing the reader for a second.
I haven’t even gotten to it the big inciting incident yet! I don’t need to. I’d read fifty chapters like this.
Grammar: no problems here. Author did their due diligence.
Character: I would die for Maximillia. Not only is she immediately endearing, but her backstory hits like Truck-kun towards a salaryman. The secondary characters are vivid, yet not exactly stock characters. Felix is appropriately gruff but earnest.
A kind of magic trick to have so much characterization packed into such a short space, and I can see the ways they could grow in the future. The prissy patron in CH2 also gave me flashbacks to my days slinging coffee as a youth haha
Overall: I’m gonna jump back in and read more. If the premise seems fun to you, you’re sure to love this. And the premise rocks.

BookwormMadnessRoyal Road

★★★★★ 5.0

A story that perfectly blends intense coliseum fight scenes with delightful slice of life moments about running a smoothie bar? Coming right up!
Not only do the customer interactions feel incredibly familiar to anybody who’s worked customer service, but you can tell the author did her research on the time period, keeping things remarkably historically accurate