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A.H. Hadley
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When We Were Kings (The Wolf of Oberhame Book 1) Kindle Edition

by A.H. Hadley (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 out of 5 stars 2,048 ratings

On the first day, she met her match. Then she killed 16 men.

When tossed into the gladiator arena, the delicate girl in the fancy pink dress should be the first to die. She has other plans. Surviving is at the top of Leyli's list. Revenge is a close second.

Having grown up behind the sheltered walls of the Oberhame Palace, she knows what the crowd wants. Her country was built from the scraps of their neighbors. Gladiators are just one part. Evidently, political coups are another, and she's just become a pawn in the games of men. But why is she still alive? They've killed the heir to the throne. Have they gotten to her father? Is the king dead?

In the cell beside her, the man known as the Lion is impressed. The first day, they all cry. Men, women, it doesn't matter. But this one is different. Her tears don't slow her down. They make her stronger, and when he looks in her eyes, he sees it. Her desperation is feral. It means she won't hesitate to do what she has to. She might be cornered, but this bitch is the kind who'll bite.

When he offers advice, she takes it. When she manages to survive, he's pleasantly surprised. Little does he know, he's about to become her best weapon. Leyli isn't merely trying to live through the games. She also wants to protect her father's throne - but to do that, she needs to become someone else. She can no longer be the Princess.

The Lion has to forge the Wolf.

** A.H. Hadley is the fantasy persona of the international best selling author Auryn Hadley.

**When We Were Kings is the first novel of a complete trilogy, without a cliffhanger ending.**
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    The Wolf of Oberhame
  2. Print length
    314 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    September 23, 2015
  6. File size
    5.6 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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  1. The guard called her a wolf.  Little did he know it was the beast that adorned her family crest. She would become the Wolf.
    Highlighted by 69 Kindle readers
  2. "I'd never noticed that before." "Yeah," she agreed.  "Kinda like I never noticed how much space there is behind me until he wasn't there to fill it."
    Highlighted by 58 Kindle readers
  3. She was the Wolf of Oberhame.  She would be their nightmare, and he was going to show her how.
    Highlighted by 56 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This page turner will keep you up to read 'just one more chapter' until late in the night. This particular book is in my top ten..." ~ Veronika Adkins, Rochelle's Reviews (spf.rochellesreviews.com)

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B015QX2DZU
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Spotted Horse Productions
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 23, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.6 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 314 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1956455137
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ The Wolf of Oberhame
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 2,048 ratings

About the author

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A.H. Hadley

A.H. Hadley

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A.H. Hadley is the fantasy persona of the international best selling author Auryn Hadley. Known for rich plots and intricate world building, crossing over from romance to writing fantasy - and sometimes science fiction - only makes sense.

Biologist by education, horse person by choice, and an author because her muses simply won't shut up, A.H. Hadley merges her eclectic love of science and magic together to create books that will allow you to escape the doldrum of daily life. Currently living in Texas with her husband, four dogs, four cats, and a small herd of huge horses, A.H. Hadley is best known for writing strong women, intelligent men, and stories where the families we find are the ones that matter most.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
2,048 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book engaging with well-developed characters, particularly praising the strong female lead, and appreciate its exciting action and all the twists and surprises. Moreover, the writing is well-crafted, with one customer noting there are no grammatical errors, and the pacing is fast. Additionally, the world-building is wonderful, and customers value the emotional depth, with one review mentioning how the writing flows with passion.

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144 customers mention "Story quality"144 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's story engaging and entertaining, with an excellent plot that keeps them excited to read the next chapter.

"Love this book! I’m excited to read the next! It really daws you into the world. Worth adding this author to your favorites list." Read more

"...in the next books ❤️ Who cares about the steam level when the story is this good?!" Read more

"...I love this author's ability to world build. It's an immersive read that will bring out real emotion. I believe a fairly believable heroin and hero...." Read more

"...This book actually kept me up reading half the night and then I promptly downloaded the second in the series. Oh, it wasn't perfect...." Read more

92 customers mention "Character development"92 positive0 negative

Customers praise the well-developed characters in the book, particularly noting the strong heroine and the class system they inhabit, with one customer highlighting the authentic emotional connection between them.

"...The way she builds a world up with the most fascinating and inspiring characters that you just can't help but fall instantly in love with is beyond..." Read more

"...I got to know and enjoy the characters...." Read more

"...always refreshing to read a book with a strong, resilient and intelligent female lead. It's especially enjoyable when her character is likable...." Read more

"This is a good read. The characters are likable and have good interaction. The storyline is interesting and keeps the pages turning...." Read more

63 customers mention "Romance"57 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book, praising its wonderful tale of love, exciting action, and all the twists and surprises.

"...Thus far, this one is ripe with sexual tension, leaving the deed as yet undone. I suspect that won't remain the case...." Read more

"...Every word flows with passion and every scene is gripping - and there was no part at all in the entire book where I felt my attention wane for even..." Read more

"...Very very slow burn but it's building a true romance that doesn't feel forced. Very violent and adult themes but no explicit sex scenes...." Read more

"I thought the premise of this story was an interesting one...." Read more

36 customers mention "Writing quality"31 positive5 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting it is well written and easy to read, with one customer mentioning there are no grammatical errors.

"...It was so good. I'm crying and staying up late to start book two. We'll written, nice character depth, and so interesting I read it in a day." Read more

"...Auryn’s writing it wonderfully nuanced, nothing is forced, and literally the only complaint about any of her books is that a couple of times in Rise..." Read more

"...It had a great story - it was well written - and it kept my interest thru all 3 books. I would buy from this author anytime...." Read more

"This story is so true it has to have happened some time some where. Well told and so life like in the telling I sometimes forgot I was reading and..." Read more

30 customers mention "Pacing"27 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, describing it as fast-paced and well-plotted, with one customer noting it can be read in 24 hours.

"...This book is primarily set in a gladiators arena, and is appropriately violent...." Read more

"...political mess that monarchy storylines love so much, but it stayed surprisingly simple and was all the more effective for it...." Read more

"...This author has an expansive imagination that is both theatrically rich and nuanced. She creates worlds I both want to live in and completely avoid...." Read more

"...Oh, it wasn't perfect. Although the World was nicely portrayed, I had to sometimes suspend belief...." Read more

27 customers mention "Imagination"27 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's world-building, describing it as mesmerizing with an interesting setting that draws readers in.

"Love this book! I’m excited to read the next! It really daws you into the world. Worth adding this author to your favorites list." Read more

"...The way she builds a world up with the most fascinating and inspiring characters that you just can't help but fall instantly in love with is beyond..." Read more

"...I love this author's ability to world build. It's an immersive read that will bring out real emotion. I believe a fairly believable heroin and hero...." Read more

"...That allowed not only good world building, but also the character depth required for a reader to get properly involved in their lives...." Read more

27 customers mention "Strength"27 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the strength of the characters in the book, particularly noting the strong female lead, with one customer describing it as a solid 4.5 story.

"...cell next to hers, The Lion, to help her survive and an incredibly strong will to live, so that she can one day revenge the death of her brother,..." Read more

"...It's always refreshing to read a book with a strong, resilient and intelligent female lead. It's especially enjoyable when her character is likable...." Read more

"...Leyli had so much strength and the way she worked as a character in tandem with Tristan...." Read more

"...I just love strong women and the man beside her. It is amazing as they save each other. Full novel although the story continues...." Read more

21 customers mention "Emotional depth"21 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the book, noting its compassion and grit, with one customer describing how the writing flows with passion.

"...There are mentions of other sorts of violence, but not graphic, as shown here: "Those pale blue eyes, that's why they were so empty...." Read more

"...Every word flows with passion and every scene is gripping - and there was no part at all in the entire book where I felt my attention wane for even..." Read more

"...I felt immersed in the society. I felt the cruelty and brutality of the Arena. I got to know and enjoy the characters...." Read more

"Action, tears, fight, survive . . . this is not old, hackneyed, drivel It is a fresh tale of what can occur. How you can survive..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Jill Hallet
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I first read this book years ago! I loved it so so much! But I read several books a week, so remembering the name of the book was next to impossible. Recently, I started thinking about it and had to take it to the web to ask other book lovers if they knew what I was talking about. Luckily, my work paid off, and here I am reading it for a second time. I'm so happy I went looking for it!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Goth Gone Grey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another world from this delightful author
    Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I appreciate the similarities and the differences in this author's works. There's a recurring theme of strong women and men creating their own families, yet those families and worlds are each distinctive and fully formed.

    I'm looking forward to this world continuing in the next books. Thus far, this one is ripe with sexual tension, leaving the deed as yet undone. I suspect that won't remain the case.

    This book is primarily set in a gladiators arena, and is appropriately violent. There are mentions of other sorts of violence, but not graphic, as shown here:

    "Those pale blue eyes, that's why they were so empty. It wasn't just the deaths in the arena, it was so much more. At that moment, she realized dying wasn't the worst thing that could happen to a person. Death was final. Some things tore at a person for the rest of their life, festering until they made a quick end look like the better option."

    I have affection for the author's later work, and can see the hallmarks of her writings in this earlier text. I was torn between 4 and 5 stars, but went with 5 because I'd happily reread this series as well as her other ones.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Glad I took the chance!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    When I started this series, I had no idea what to expect. I kept waiting for the plot to thicken into the tangled political mess that monarchy storylines love so much, but it stayed surprisingly simple and was all the more effective for it. This isn’t a story of a princess becoming a queen, it’s the story of a sheltered girl becoming the warrior her people need.

    My only complaint is that sometimes things worked out a little too nicely. For how much work the author put into making the setting feel really harsh and real, there’s kinda a bubble around MC and everyone she cares about that guarantees that all their wounds will be recoverable and all their problems will work themselves out. It made the consequences of all their actions feel a little less meaningful to me.

    There are some scenes of SA (not to MC) and there’s a lot of gore, but it’s not overdone for the setting. I was very pleasantly surprised by this series.
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  • shantel sexton
    5.0 out of 5 stars loved it!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Love this book! I’m excited to read the next! It really daws you into the world. Worth adding this author to your favorites list.
    Helpful
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  • Laerke
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gladiator Adventure At Its Best
    Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I read an excerpt of this book a while ago, loving it but writing it off because I had heard that it was more YA than NA (meaning a little too PG-13 for my taste).

    But I never forgot about the young girl, stuck in the dungeons of the gladiator arena, and forced to fight for her life against men twice her size and way more skilled than a young princess could ever be. Armed only with the advice of the prized fighter in the cell next to hers, The Lion, to help her survive and an incredibly strong will to live, so that she can one day revenge the death of her brother, she fights with all that she has and more than she ever knew she was capable of to become The Wolf of Oberhagen.
    Her fighting spirit was so impressive that I never forgot about her, and I just had to know what happened to her and the Lion, while they were fighting as gladiators to one day gain their freedom.

    Let me just say, I was not disappointed!!! What a fantastic story! I already knew Auryn Hadley was an amazing author after reading her Dark Orchid series, but I am even more in awe of her talent than ever after reading this book. The way she builds a world up with the most fascinating and inspiring characters that you just can't help but fall instantly in love with is beyond impressive. Every word flows with passion and every scene is gripping - and there was no part at all in the entire book where I felt my attention wane for even a second, which is a rarety, especially with an audiobook.

    I already can't wait to see what happens in the next books ❤️ Who cares about the steam level when the story is this good?!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • The Cartwrights
    5.0 out of 5 stars On par with the rest of her work which is a good thing.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    With her other series this author has set a high bar for herself. This first book did not disappoint. Very very slow burn but it's building a true romance that doesn't feel forced. Very violent and adult themes but no explicit sex scenes. Triggers are personal so I don't promise none but should not trigger many. There is some reference to forced male prostitution not graphic though. I love this author's ability to world build. It's an immersive read that will bring out real emotion. I believe a fairly believable heroin and hero. The author did not make the mc a pathetic pity case which I'm glad of. It's a decent trope but overused imo. This author has an expansive imagination that is both theatrically rich and nuanced. She creates worlds I both want to live in and completely avoid. My only issue is one that I have had throughout her many books. She tends to get wordy especially as a series progresses. Long repetitive inner monologues and rehashing of the same issues again and again. This book did not feel that way so much as it fits the formula of other series. So we will have to wait and see what the next books bring. On the whole I recommend this book as I would recommend any of her work. Because nothing is ever perfect but she always meets the mark. Always immersive and entertaining.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • MIA
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story
    Reviewed in Germany on February 16, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I absolutely loved reading this book!

    You follow Layni as she is thrown into a new, horrible life. You struggle with her as she tries to adapt, tries to survive. You can't imagine she can do it, but neither can she.
    The story is fast paced, strong and makes you feel as if you were in the arena yourself, you can almost smell the sweat and the blood, hear the cheers and the cries.

    But to the author: chapter 11 was a bit too much for my taste, and too early. I'd have preferred a slower development of the situation in that part of the book. Just shortly before everything was completely different, it was kind of unrealistic.
    In general, you could add many more small stories and details about the characters, especially those besides Layli and Tristan, while not changing the main story at all. I like to have such extras, and your characters seem to offer more than enough possibilities. While it's nice to barely have to wait for something new to happen, it makes the story a lot shorter and even though I enjoyed the book a lot, I don't feel like I really got to know the characters and their world. Readers also need time to adjust and repetition to remember.
    I already purchased the next book and hope you are working on a third. Thank you.
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Epic story telling
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 6, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A strong leading character you root for, a hot ideal male lead, lots of action and a high tension romance. Could not stop reading the entire trilogy in one go.
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  • Talarah Grace
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a story!
    Reviewed in Australia on July 19, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This is my second series of Auryn's and I am still amazed at the quality of work that she produces.

    This is the story of a princess who was sold to a gladiator ring and bought by a master. She finds a best friend and let's be real I so want them to be together but I don't know if it will happen. This books is slow burn but the burn feels so good, you'll be lapping up every drop that the authors gives you.

    The way that the FMC is cultivated is intriguing and her story so interesting. She is strong willed yet worried about her reputation until she meets The Lion and then it's all about their bond and survival. Such an enrapturing story that made me fall in love with the characters and feel their story.

    Now in this book 2 because I need to know what happens to them!
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  • Matchli 46
    5.0 out of 5 stars amazing!
    Reviewed in Canada on January 8, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    What a great story. Loved the characters, could not put it down. I can’t wait to read the next one.
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  • Tibule
    5.0 out of 5 stars Trop génial !
    Reviewed in France on July 25, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Tout d'abord, il faut savoir que ce livre fait partie d'une série : même s'il ne finit pas en cliffhanger, on attend avec impatience la suite... et heureusement, elle est déjà sortie !

    J'ai adoré l'histoire, on ne s'ennuie pas un seul instant. L'héroïne est forte et intelligente comme je les aime. Le héro est tout ce que l'on attend d'un héro.

    Bref, je vous le recommande chaudement, et je pars lire la suite !
    Report

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