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Roman Arena #5
Champion
Everything Marcus Verius Pavo has learned is about to be tested in the Primus of the Roman Games: his most prestigious contest yet. He will face Britomaris - the man who killed his father - for the second time, as well as the feared German warrior Armerius. Surely he cannot outwit two opponents on his own? To make matters worse, the devious imperial secretary Narcissus has enlisted Centurion Macro to train Britomaris in how to kill Pavo. Why is Narcissus so determined to see Pavo's demise? One thing is certain: the fight will be bloody to the bitter end, and it will continue far beyond the confines of the gladiatorial arena...
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First published June 20, 2013
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About the author
Simon Scarrow
171 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.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 10, 2013
The Arena series at its heart is a prequel to Scarrow's fantastic Macro & Cato series. As a prequel developed after the later books, it is not quite as good as the Macro & Cato books but the Arena books are still enjoyable. (Side note: if you like Romans and historical fiction, do yourself a favor and read the Macro & Cato series. Lots of fun.)
In the final book of the Arena series, Pavo finally gets to confront his nemesis, Hermes. And this is where the problems begin. Narcissus has talked the champion out of retirement. Pavo and Macro are now involved in a desperate power struggle between the Greek freedmen surrounding the Emperor. Narcissus wants Hermes to kill Pavo to disgrace his rivals. The Greek freedmen who had once tried so desperately to kill Pavo are now working double time to save him. Very interesting twist.
Unfortunately that was about the only twist there was. Having read the Macro & Cato series, by book five of this series I knew Macro would survive. I knew that Narcissus would defeat his rivals. I knew that after spending so much time developing Pavo as a character that the author would save him. So when Pavo defeats Hermes I wasn't at all surprised. The whole series was pointing this way.
One other major gripe with the story. I had a vague sense that Hermes was far too cardboard of a character. He was almost too villainous of a villain. I guess people can really be that nasty, but it would have been nice if he had been humanized somehow - a family that he loved, a pet. I don't know. Something. Combined with my comments above it just felt like he was propped up just so Pavo could knock him down.
Where this book nails it is the story's seamless integration into the broader world of Macro & Cato. Scarrow has built a world of Imperial Rome that is a pleasure to visit. This Arena series fits tightly within that world. Macro is promoted to Centurion. Then, and at the very end of the book he is expecting a rag-tag band of recruits to arrive at the 2nd legion’s encampment. (I'll give you two guesses as to who shows up as part of that band!) This integration is outside of how much fun Scarrow's writing, action and (main) characters are.
Three and a half stars rounded down to three after sleeping on it. Even with the strong link to the Macro & Cato series it just wasn't a four star effort. I love Scarrow's work, but I wasn't feeling this one. Good but not great.
In the final book of the Arena series, Pavo finally gets to confront his nemesis, Hermes. And this is where the problems begin. Narcissus has talked the champion out of retirement. Pavo and Macro are now involved in a desperate power struggle between the Greek freedmen surrounding the Emperor. Narcissus wants Hermes to kill Pavo to disgrace his rivals. The Greek freedmen who had once tried so desperately to kill Pavo are now working double time to save him. Very interesting twist.
Unfortunately that was about the only twist there was. Having read the Macro & Cato series, by book five of this series I knew Macro would survive. I knew that Narcissus would defeat his rivals. I knew that after spending so much time developing Pavo as a character that the author would save him. So when Pavo defeats Hermes I wasn't at all surprised. The whole series was pointing this way.
One other major gripe with the story. I had a vague sense that Hermes was far too cardboard of a character. He was almost too villainous of a villain. I guess people can really be that nasty, but it would have been nice if he had been humanized somehow - a family that he loved, a pet. I don't know. Something. Combined with my comments above it just felt like he was propped up just so Pavo could knock him down.
Where this book nails it is the story's seamless integration into the broader world of Macro & Cato. Scarrow has built a world of Imperial Rome that is a pleasure to visit. This Arena series fits tightly within that world. Macro is promoted to Centurion. Then, and at the very end of the book he is expecting a rag-tag band of recruits to arrive at the 2nd legion’s encampment. (I'll give you two guesses as to who shows up as part of that band!) This integration is outside of how much fun Scarrow's writing, action and (main) characters are.
Three and a half stars rounded down to three after sleeping on it. Even with the strong link to the Macro & Cato series it just wasn't a four star effort. I love Scarrow's work, but I wasn't feeling this one. Good but not great.
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April 6, 2021A fitting end
Pavo and Murena both get their just desserts. Hermes is a total plonker. Wish Scarrow could give us more Bestia in a future novel was my last thought which is probably a critique of some of the empty togas in this series. That doesn’t harm the enjoyment of this series though. Makes you want to jump straight into Under the Eagle (Five Star book!)
Pavo and Murena both get their just desserts. Hermes is a total plonker. Wish Scarrow could give us more Bestia in a future novel was my last thought which is probably a critique of some of the empty togas in this series. That doesn’t harm the enjoyment of this series though. Makes you want to jump straight into Under the Eagle (Five Star book!)
September 14, 2021
il modo migliore per prepararsi ad affrontare una battaglia era conoscere alla perfezione il proprio nemico.
"Dovrete improvvisare", rispose altezzosamente Murena. "Non è questo che voi soldati sapete fare meglio, del resto?".
Il giorno dopo, lo sapeva, quella gente avrebbe adorato un altro gladiatore.
"Dovrete improvvisare", rispose altezzosamente Murena. "Non è questo che voi soldati sapete fare meglio, del resto?".
Il giorno dopo, lo sapeva, quella gente avrebbe adorato un altro gladiatore.
November 5, 2023
The ultimate contest.
A captivating and satisfying finale to a magnificent series of novellas. The underhand tricks continue and the action is gripping and convincing. The series as a whole gives you an insight into the life of a gladiator which the author has diligently researched and depicted. Highly recommended to all with interest in ancient Rome.
A captivating and satisfying finale to a magnificent series of novellas. The underhand tricks continue and the action is gripping and convincing. The series as a whole gives you an insight into the life of a gladiator which the author has diligently researched and depicted. Highly recommended to all with interest in ancient Rome.
February 12, 2020
Great story
Second time I have read this full series and like the other books, I have thought enjoyed them all. Now of to read another one.
Second time I have read this full series and like the other books, I have thought enjoyed them all. Now of to read another one.
July 19, 2013
The final part of Simon Scarrow's Arena series of e-books, this wraps up the story of Marcus Verius Pavo and the pre-Cato (i.e. before Under the Eagle) Macro.
As before, it follows pretty much the same routine: the first half of the story dealing with Pavo's training for his Gladiatorial bout against the Gladiator who killed his father, and the final part of the story with that actual bout.
As such, it's an enjoyable enough diversion, with it also leading directly into Under The Eagle.
As before, it follows pretty much the same routine: the first half of the story dealing with Pavo's training for his Gladiatorial bout against the Gladiator who killed his father, and the final part of the story with that actual bout.
As such, it's an enjoyable enough diversion, with it also leading directly into Under The Eagle.
June 23, 2014
Improbable, predictable plot. Poor characterization. Silly dialogue. Unrealistic action scenes. Yep, this last entry in the series had everything bad that preceded it and even more. I can't recall when I was this disappointed in something from a (once) reputable author. Total waste of time and money.
August 26, 2013
The last of the Roman arena shorts. Pavo is freed and Macro returns to the Rhine as a centurion just in time to greet Cato and to begin the Eagle series.
July 21, 2013
The climax we all expected from this 5 part series! Another great Scarrow story, and it flows nicely into the novel UNDER THE EAGLE
September 8, 2013
Enjoyed the series of books about Pavo, as he finally faces his father's killer
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews