Street Fighter

Gladiator #2

by Simon Scarrow

It is settled. The boy is in your charge. You will train him to fight.

He must be able to use the dagger, throwing-knife, staves and his bare hands.

One day young Marcus may well become a gladiator in the arena.

But you must also teach him the ways of the street.'


Now a member of Julius Caesar's palace, Marcus's training continues in the city of Rome. The streets are plagued by vicious gang war attacks, and Caesar must employ his own gang leader, who learns of a plot to murder him.


Only Marcus can go in undercover. But he's in terrible danger. If the rival gang discover him the price will be fatal. Julius Caesar's isn't the only life at risk . . .

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Fantasy, Roman, Historical, Adventure

329 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Simon Scarrow is a UK-based author, born in Nigeria, and now living in Norfolk. He completed a master's degree at the University of East Anglia, and, after working at the Inland Revenue, went into teaching as a lecturer at City College, Norwich.

He is best known for his "Eagle" series. This is Roman empire military fiction, starting with the second invasion of Britain, and continuing with subsequent adventures in every corner of the empire. The stories are told through the eyes of two centurions, Macro and Cato. To date there are eighteen books in the series.

Scarrow has also written a series of four novels on the Napoleonic wars, focusing on the lives of Wellington and Napoleon.

Reviews

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and surprisingly realistic for a YA novel.

So Marcus is taken to Rome where he is to become the bodyguard for Julius Caesar's niece. But when Caesar starts to have political issues he turns to Marcus to help. 

Other than how quickly Marcus masters the different weapons and fighting techniques, I was really surprised how realistic the book was. The fighting came across as very real. When Marcus gets punched he sees stars, his vision blurs, there is a real effect to getting punched. If you get cut, you bleed and that weakens you. In so many books that doesn't happen. 

Also, Marcus comes across as a very real character. Even though he's young, he has a strong character and that comes through very clearly. He does what he has to do so that one day he can gain his freedom and then find and free his mother. 

As with most YA novels, the writing is simple and fast paced. The action starts right away and never lets up. The climax is rewarding and the end left me looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Read this book in 2012, and its the 2nd volume of the wonderful "Gladiator" series.

In this tale Marcus, after having been trained as a Gladiator for the arena, and now being a member of Julius Caesar's palace, his training will be the Streets of Rome.

Vicious gangs are a plague in the streets of Rome, and Caesar must have his own gang leader who can discover this murder plot.

Only Marcus is available to go undercover, but if the rival gangs discover him, his life will be in danger and that of Julius Caesar too.

What is to follow is a suspenseful and astounding YA Roman adventure which is told in a very understandable fashion by the author for the YA reader.

Highly recommended, for this is a great sequel to this wonderful series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Very Impressive YA Roman Read"!

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 2nd in the Gladiator series.

Marcus is now owned by Julius Caesar. Caesar is grateful to Marcus for saving his niece’s life and he also sees the potential Gladiator in him. Marcus is now being trained to be Portia’s bodyguard, but proves to be even more useful to Caesar as a spy in his political rival’s gang headquarters.

Living in an adult's world of politics and murder, Marcus must keep alert. This helps him in his quest to find his mother.

[Samantha (A Dream of Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the sequel to the bestselling 'Gladiator: Fight For Freedom' and is the second book in the series.

The book follows Marcus who has been sold into slavery and now finds himself under the command of Julius Caesar. Assigned to be Caesar's niece's bodyguard, he's also being trained to become a gladiator of the future. However, what Marcus wants more than anything else is to gain his freedom and that of his mother while trying to conceal the secret of his true heritage from Caesar himself.

Simon Scarrow brilliantly imagines the political intrigue and brutality of life in Ancient Rome. Slaves are brought and sold by the rich without any thought to the fact that they're human beings too and people are used as pawns in political mind games. The two factions of Julius Caesar on one side and Cato on the other are clearly depicted and Scarrow has obviously done his research well, as I found it easy to imagine myself in a bygone era where power is shared among the wealthy and influential, sometimes at the cost of other peoples' lives.

What really sold this book to me though was the central character of Marcus. He's tough, resiliant, determined and intelligent. Born free, he has been robbed of his freedom and is set on winning it back, willing to do whatever he has to do to achieve his goal. I warmed to him immediately and found myself experiencing all of the highs and lows he goes through right alongside him. Scarrow also gives a voice to the many other slaves who feature in the book, humanising them and showing them as real human beings with thoughts and feelings and cares of their own. Strong bonds are established between many of them, although for those whose lives are tough, death is often shown to be a welcome release.

Cleverly combining rich historical details of the period with an entertaining and enjoyable story, this book will particularly appeal to male readers who like their boy heroes tough and courageous. Having invested in Marcus's adventure, I can't wait to see where his journey will take him next!

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this one for my son but then read it before he did. Loved it and want the next book out really soon!!

[Jakob Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon Scarrow's "Marcus Gladiator: Street Fighter" transports readers to the grittier alleys and magnificent arenas of ancient Rome. Scarrow's realistic depiction of Roman society transports readers to a world full of suspense, adventure, and heart-stopping thrills. Every facet of Roman society is portrayed with authenticity and detail, from the busy streets to the gladiatorial bouts, making for an absorbing read. Marcus, a fascinating protagonist whose rise from a menial street fighter to a renowned gladiator, is at the center of the story, is both captivating and inspirational. Scarrow skillfully handles Marcus's setbacks and victories, creating a character that readers will support all the way to the finish. The story is further enhanced by the quick-paced action and masterfully performed combat scenes, which keep readers on the edge of their seats the entire time.Even with its pacing and character development issues, "Marcus Gladiator: Street Fighter" is nevertheless a fun book that will interest those who appreciate adventure and historical fiction. This book promises to have readers turning pages excitedly until the very end because to its vividly depicted location, engaging characters, and heart-pounding action.

[Tony Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being pleasantly surprised by the first book in this series, I found myself really looking forward to book #2. Having now finished Gladiator: Street Fighter I can confidently say that I'm looking even more forward to book #3.

The plot here builds organically upon the setup from book #1. Sure, the idea of a pre-teen gladiator rubbing elbows with famous historical figures like Julius Cseasar stretches the imagination a wee bit, but is that any more fantastical than the plot of some young adult fantasy novel?

As in the previous book, Scarrow pulls no punches here. Though it's categorized as a "Young Adult" novel, the storytelling is mature and the action is occasionally violent. If it being a YA novel gives you pause, don't let it. This reads like historical fiction for the most part. And good historical fiction at that.

This series has hooked me like nothing in recent memory. Bring on book #3.

[Taveri · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover on the book said "Gladiator" but when i noted the date was 61BC i realized it could be the ninith book in the "Eagles of the Empire" series.  It turns out the same author has a YA series called "Gladiator" and the book i sought was titled "The Gladiator".  This was the second in the seires "Streetfighter" about a son of ]spartacus being a slave to Julius Ceasar at age 11.  He was training to be a gladiator and adventures and mishaps.  The maps and drawings are better than in the other series.

[Layla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dit boek was een voorspelbaar vervolg op het vorige boek. Ook het verhaal zelf loopt heel erg volgens de geschiedenis. Dit is op zich prima, maar persoonlijk vind ik dat er meer op de personages en minder op de geschiedenis gefocust mag worden. Verder vind ik dat er in de vertaling veel onnodige taalfouten zitten en sommige zinnen lopen hierdoor niet lekker. Nu ben ik iemand die de serie wel wilt aflezen als je begonnen bent en dit zal ik dan ook maar gaan doen.

[David Bakos · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was really exciting and full of fighting. There were a lot of parts where you didn't really know what was going to happen so you couldn't stop reading it. It is a great book/series for anyone that likes books about roman times and fighting. In the book you can find real historical characters who lived in Rome. (Caesar, Crassus, Bibulus, etc.)

[Anthony Price Radford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty great. Scarrow is an easy read and there were many gripping moments in this book. Some nice twists and turns and far less predictable than the first. Also it is easier to root for Marcus in this book. For an interesting read on the other perspective on Caesars actions during this time read Robert Harris’ books on Cicero.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read.

Fast paced and thrilling.
In amongst the genre of stories about ancient Rome Simon Scarrow has fashioned his own niche. Its wonderful to want to know what is going to happen to Marcus next, the author doesn't disappoint, with building tension we are led from one act to another. Now for the next one........

[Javierdelar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Segunda parte de la serie de Gladiador. Este segundo tomo tiene más ritmo que el anterior. El autor introduce al protagonista en intrigas palaciegas. No deja de ser algo forzado la manera de actuar del protagonista (11años) pero a adolescentes es posible que les guste. Entretenida si no buscas nada más que pasar un rato.

[URSULA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Progress

This is a good read and progresses the story line of young Marcus quite nicely. I enjoyed the odd historical nuggets of information, catching me by surprise sometimes. I am amazed that after all the damage done to his body, his wounds heal without infection setting in. I am looking forward to the next books.

[Rock Pirih · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the series Gladiator is even better, because Marcus is shown as a person and his personality is alo further developed.
I really like the narration which is very fluent so that the books just wants to be read!

[Jesyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This second volume is a little less good than the first one but it is still very pleasant to read. This volume focuses more on political intrigues than on arenas. However nothing very convoluted since it remains a youth novel and English remains very accessible.

[Colin Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

very interesting and keeps you enthralled.
it is full of action and gives you a feeling or what it was like To live in that period.

[Josh]

Oh my god, he would have inspired me if I lived in ancient Rome in the Roman era I loved this book and can't wait for next!

[Eric Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read with Nathan

[Van Céline · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5⭐

[Kai de Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Gladiator: Street Fighter' by Simon Scarrow is the second book in the series 'Gladiator', and is a continuation of the first book 'Gladiator: Fight For Freedom'.

20 to 30 years before the story begins, a war between the slaves and Roman authorities took place. The leader of the slaves, Spartacus, was a notorious figure among the people of Rome - so feared that even after his death, it was said that his spirit would forever protect his followers, and he will return to claim the right/freedom of the slaves. Although it was 20,000 Roman soldiers against 2,000, the will power and the anger in the eyes of the unfortunate ran their blood cold, and allowed them to almost destroy the armies of Rome. Almost...


The protagonist, Marcus, is experiencing a very sudden change in his life; first, his father (an ex-soldier) has been murdered by tax collectors because he owned them money, and Marcus and his mother were kidnapped to live their future as slaves. When Marcus escapes, he was forced to leave his mother behind but promised her that he'll find her. Angry and desperate for revenge, Marcus decided to train as a gladiator in a small town in Italy where he would find out something that changed his life forever: he was the son of Spartacus...
Now, after going through hard training everyday, many obstacles have made it difficult for him to rescue his mother and take revenge on those who killed his "father"... Because he has discovered his true identity, his purpose has changed completely. Being around slaves more often has made him feel for them and slowly he decided to fulfill the legend of his real father, Spartacus.
In this book, the second of the series, Marcus is promoted as the personal body guard of Julius Caesar's niece, Portia. However, his task isn't as easy as it sounded at first; because of the political issues and powers, Julius Caesar has created a few very dangerous enemies that will try anything to take his power away from him - even if it meant killing.

Although I have read this book in a different language (Dutch), the use of terminology is informative for the reader and allows anyone to imagine that they're actually living in 69 B.C, in Rome. Sometimes very violent, yet accurate information is included.
Personally, it is a very enjoyable book to read and is recommended for (especially) teenagers interested in the history of Rome as well as a little bit of tension. Because of the protagonists' young age, I think many will relate with the same feelings he experienced throughout the book, which makes it easier to understand the concept.
The structure is outstanding - every detail is an important factor that leads to a clue later on. The writing style is easy to understand, however, (as I mentioned before) there are certain vocabulary words that we would not come across in our everyday life due to the setting in which the story takes place.

Swords, action and betrayal in the old Rome - Simon Scarrow is a master in it!

[Kimberly B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simon Scrow- Street Fighter [Gladiator#2] [Läsutmaning40]

Plot.

So I'm a huge fan of gladiators and especially the series of Spartacus, that brutal tv show with lots and lots of blood and sex. I just love the scenery in that serie, it's unnatural and fake in a gorgeous way. The blood scenes too, they're gorgeous.. ^^

That's the reason I picked up the first book in this book series, Gladiator, and I wasn't disappointed. It's written in a way that young kids can read it, but also adults. It's not as brutally described as a adult book, but it contains the same ammount of violence ( not sex though) so it contains the logic of a dangerous and unfair world of old Rome.

Characters.

Marcus is strong and brave, and does anything to reach his goal of freeing his mother from a life of slavery. To do that, he has to gain his own freedom first, and to do so: saving the life of his master and the enemy of all slaves: Julius Caesar.

So Marcus had to do a lot of hard stuff and see a lot of horrible things, but the situation is not described as terrible as it would in other books. It's strange, but at the same time a relief, to not have to read about an angsty teenager that you do all the time in YA books. So, it's weird, but it works, since Marcus is a bit used to living in a world where babies lies abandonded in the middle of the street and a corpse lies in the narrowest of allies along with dumpster and human feces.

Marcus is all right- more than all right, he's friggin awesome. I don't fins anything about him that I don't like- good to go Scarrow! As always, I'm a big fan of male characters and male authors.

Summary.

So over all it's a entertaining book, slow at the begining, but very entertaining the other half. The language is a bit childish and immature, but I'm sure it's because I read it in Swedish since I found it at the library. Though, I am going to finnish the series in Swedish since I'm sadly not going to buy the final book when it comes out.

#Lasutmaning40

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I eagerly awaited this sequel to Simon Scarrow’s young adult “Gladiator: Fight for Freedom”. Read that one first if you found this before that one. I thoroughly recommend it and this sequel.

Here is a great tale of Roman life and intrigue as Marcus, the young hero trained in a gladiator school after being enslaved by treachery, is now the slave of Gaius Julius Caesar – yes, that Julius Caesar. Thus we witness the machinations as the triumvirate shows its strains in the last days of the Roman republic.

Although this is a much written about period of Roman history, I cannot off-hand think of any treatment of the time for young adults, so this is a great book both because it is educational, but more importantly it is a great story. There is treachery, violence, and also friendships. There are gangs and political scheming, and at the heart of it an engaging tale of a boy struggling and fighting for his freedom, so that he can return and save his mother from slavery.

I thoroughly recommend this book. Perhaps a little more violent than the Roman Mysteries by Caroline Lawrence, this is nevertheless an excellent work that should definitely appeal to young adults and adults alike.

[Reetta Saine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taistelen tähtien ja mielipiteeni kanssa. Tässä osassa peruskuvio on jo selvä (ja jestas, että sitä toistetaankin niin monta kertaa ettei kenellekään jää epäselväksi että isä on murhattu jajajaja *släp*), mutta taistelutaidoille löytyy uusia ottajia.

Caesarin miehenä ja veljentyttären henkivartijana Marcus pääsee kurkistamaan suur-Rooman politiikkaan. Juoni on sommiteltu oikeinkin mukavasti Forumin ympäristöön ja oikeaan poliittiseen ilmapiiriin. Initiaatiot vedetään katujengien kanssa, soluttaudutaan vihollisen leiriin ja veri lentää jo aika hurjalla tavalla.

Hiukan kaipaan tähän sarjaan toimivaa naishahmoa, jolla olisi jotain oikeaa tehtävää, mutta ehkä se olen vain minä. Eikä hitto puoli ihmiskuntaa :p.

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

En ovanligt bra uppföljare som fortsätter i samma takt och anda som första boken. Ser redan fram emot nu att läsa nästa bok om hur Marcus kommer att klara av sitt uppdrag!

Read my full review at Book Obsession

[Mohamad Dahrouj · Rating 3 out of 5]

انه الجزء الثاني من المحارب مشوقة وممتغة كثير من المغلمرات ادت اخيرا الى ان ينال الفتى ماركوس حريته لكن القصة لم تنتهي ويجب ان لا تنتهي هنا على ماركس ان يبحث عن امه المستعبدة ويحررها وينتقم ممن قتل والده وباعه وامه في سوق النخاسة في الرواية مبالغة واضحة في قدرات ماركوس لكنها تستحق القراءة.

[Lady Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not quite as strong as the first book, this one certainly caught my attention and held it! Marcus' adventures continue to entrap me and I'm totally looking forward to book 3!

[Michelle (Clover Hill Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://cloverhillbookreviews.blogspot...

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only one female character in the entire book, and she exists to be married off and to be rescued. Disappointing.

[Simon Dupond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the first one but really liked it as well