What do you think?
Rate this book
Roman Arena #2
Challenger
The second ebook-exclusive novella in Simon Scarrow's Roman Arena series, following novice gladiator Pavo's next gruelling test, which will put mentor Macro's loyalties on the line.
Rome under the rule of the ruthless new Emperor Claudius is a dangerous place. Condemned to gladiator school Marcus Valerius Pavo, the son of a treasonous general, is a celebrated hero following a dramatic victory in the arena. Now he finds himself pitted against one of the greatest gladiators who ever lived: Decimus Cominius Denter. Though Denter has fallen on harder times he is still a formidable opponent, and it is up to newly decorated Macro to whip him into shape. But as the much-heralded fight descends into chaos and riots threaten to engulf the city, Macro must choose between his duty to Rome and his loyalty to Pavo...
Rome under the rule of the ruthless new Emperor Claudius is a dangerous place. Condemned to gladiator school Marcus Valerius Pavo, the son of a treasonous general, is a celebrated hero following a dramatic victory in the arena. Now he finds himself pitted against one of the greatest gladiators who ever lived: Decimus Cominius Denter. Though Denter has fallen on harder times he is still a formidable opponent, and it is up to newly decorated Macro to whip him into shape. But as the much-heralded fight descends into chaos and riots threaten to engulf the city, Macro must choose between his duty to Rome and his loyalty to Pavo...
ebook
First published December 27, 2012
28 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Simon Scarrow
172 books2,169 followersSimon 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 1, 2013
I quite like these new novella's, the fact that they allow Simon to release some work regularly for those fans of his work.
I did think the description of this one to be a little misleading; Macro is not in this one anywhere near as much as part one, something i would expect in a full novel, but the novella's are (as far as im aware a prequel about Macro's early career). The description leads me to think the book is a Macro book, but in reality its a Pavo book.
Now that gripe aside, Pavo is an excellent character and im more than happy to read about him, he brings a different dimension to Simon's Macro and Cato world. I think there could be more complexity to his character, but a novella may not offer the opportunity to explore it, as there is little room to do that , train and get to meat of the plot. Each book does reveal a little more depth to Pavo, there is a nice line in animosity within the ludus... not sure that can go anywhere now though?
And my final gripe: Pallas while in the background is clearly a key person in Macros life at this point, and yet None of this came up in Praetorian, I would have liked to have seen more of this animosity coming out and being told to Cato in that book.
But all of this aside, i really enjoyed the book, it was a one sitting read, always the sign of a good book, and i have pre-ordered books 3, 4 & 5.
Arena: First Sword (Part Three of the Roman Arena Series)
Arena: Revenge (Part Four of the Roman Arena Series)
Arena: Champion (Part Five of the Roman Arena Series)
Its a fast paced action packed Scarrow with his usual classy writing style... so buy it
Recommended
(Parm)
Product Description
The second ebook-exclusive novella in Simon Scarrow's Roman Arena series, following novice gladiator Pavo's next gruelling test, which will put mentor Macro's loyalties on the line. Rome under the rule of the ruthless new Emperor Claudius is a dangerous place. Condemned to gladiator school Marcus Valerius Pavo, the son of a treasonous general, is a celebrated hero following a dramatic victory in the arena. Now he finds himself pitted against one of the greatest gladiators who ever lived: Decimus Cominius Denter. Though Denter has fallen on harder times he is still a formidable opponent, and it is up to newly decorated Macro to whip him into shape. But as the much-heralded fight descends into chaos and riots threaten to engulf the city, Macro must choose between his duty to Rome and his loyalty to Pavo...
I did think the description of this one to be a little misleading; Macro is not in this one anywhere near as much as part one, something i would expect in a full novel, but the novella's are (as far as im aware a prequel about Macro's early career). The description leads me to think the book is a Macro book, but in reality its a Pavo book.
Now that gripe aside, Pavo is an excellent character and im more than happy to read about him, he brings a different dimension to Simon's Macro and Cato world. I think there could be more complexity to his character, but a novella may not offer the opportunity to explore it, as there is little room to do that , train and get to meat of the plot. Each book does reveal a little more depth to Pavo, there is a nice line in animosity within the ludus... not sure that can go anywhere now though?
And my final gripe: Pallas while in the background is clearly a key person in Macros life at this point, and yet None of this came up in Praetorian, I would have liked to have seen more of this animosity coming out and being told to Cato in that book.
But all of this aside, i really enjoyed the book, it was a one sitting read, always the sign of a good book, and i have pre-ordered books 3, 4 & 5.
Arena: First Sword (Part Three of the Roman Arena Series)
Arena: Revenge (Part Four of the Roman Arena Series)
Arena: Champion (Part Five of the Roman Arena Series)
Its a fast paced action packed Scarrow with his usual classy writing style... so buy it
Recommended
(Parm)
Product Description
The second ebook-exclusive novella in Simon Scarrow's Roman Arena series, following novice gladiator Pavo's next gruelling test, which will put mentor Macro's loyalties on the line. Rome under the rule of the ruthless new Emperor Claudius is a dangerous place. Condemned to gladiator school Marcus Valerius Pavo, the son of a treasonous general, is a celebrated hero following a dramatic victory in the arena. Now he finds himself pitted against one of the greatest gladiators who ever lived: Decimus Cominius Denter. Though Denter has fallen on harder times he is still a formidable opponent, and it is up to newly decorated Macro to whip him into shape. But as the much-heralded fight descends into chaos and riots threaten to engulf the city, Macro must choose between his duty to Rome and his loyalty to Pavo...
December 10, 2013
Very much enjoyed the second book in the Arena series. In this volume Pavo once again fights for his life and the lives of others. Although I enjoyed the action, the writing and the characters, I felt that the twists were a bit too much towards the end. It stretched my willingness to believe. That being said, another great booklet by Simon Scarrow and I already ordered the next one!
March 20, 2021
Another gripping and enjoyable novella
Pavo continues to adjust to life in a Ludus. A postcard villain as his new combatant. Fun, fast paced that makes it a joy to read. Nice touch to look outside of Rome albeit very briefly and the rivalry of the mob. Decent
Pavo continues to adjust to life in a Ludus. A postcard villain as his new combatant. Fun, fast paced that makes it a joy to read. Nice touch to look outside of Rome albeit very briefly and the rivalry of the mob. Decent
June 19, 2014
Good golly, if I could rate this book a minus score, I would. Hard as this is to believe, it's even worse than the first book in this series. Dialogue continues to be woefully inappropriate (wrong) for the time period. The gladiatorial training and dietary resources are ludicrous. This perception brought on by the series Spartacus that gladiators ate slop for the most part is terribly inaccurate and Scarrow should have known better. That he didn't showed he's lazy in his research. Gladiators were a ludus's star athletes. They were well fed. An undernourished gladiator could hardly become strong and make for a formidable fighter after all. The politics behind the storyline are pretty preposterous, too. Awful awful awful. One of the worst books I've read. The lone good thing about this book is the action scenes are not as shoddy as in the first book.
May 7, 2013
The second novella in Simon Scarrow's 'Arena' series of books, this picks up almost directly after the events of the first.
It also follows pretty much the same pattern as before, with Pavo (who, despite the impression given by the blurb, is the main character rather than Macro) training for another bout in the Roman Arena, while political machinations go on in the background, and with the final chapter concerned with that bout alone.
It also follows pretty much the same pattern as before, with Pavo (who, despite the impression given by the blurb, is the main character rather than Macro) training for another bout in the Roman Arena, while political machinations go on in the background, and with the final chapter concerned with that bout alone.
February 12, 2013
Not a bad read, it would have been nice if there was some time spent in the two gladiators training to show some character building and to get a feel of the improvement they would have gone through. But still a really good book.
February 11, 2013
Second novella in the Roman Arena series. I enjoy the interaction between Macro and the powers that be and with Pavo. Really instructive concerning the Roman infrastructure.
July 10, 2013
Again great story and I'm looking forward to reading the next ebook
June 6, 2013
Enjoy this series of novellas
Macro hardly appears in this book, mainly about Parvo.
Macro hardly appears in this book, mainly about Parvo.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews