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Roman Arena #3
First Sword
The third novella in Simon Scarrow's ebook-exclusive Roman Arena series sees gladiator Pavo and mentor Macro fight for their lives amid a bloody revolt.
The imperial gladiator school in Capua: once the pride of the Roman Empire, lately driven to the brink of ruin by a greedy lanista. Now the school welcomes its newest recruit: Marcus Valerius Pavo, the high-born gladiator with a string of impressive victories to his name, sworn to seek revenge for the brutal murder of his father. Meanwhile Lucius Cornelius Macro, the decorated optio of the Second Legion, has been appointed as the school's new lanista. Macro faces a race against time to turn the school around before the start of the games in Rome, held in honour of the new Emperor. But when a notorious tribal warrior sets in motion a violent uprising, Macro and Pavo find themselves caught in a desperate struggle for survival...
Simon Scarrow supports the Bansang Hospital Appeal – learn more at www.bansanghospitalappeal.org. He will be donating his earnings from the sale of this book to the Appeal.
The imperial gladiator school in Capua: once the pride of the Roman Empire, lately driven to the brink of ruin by a greedy lanista. Now the school welcomes its newest recruit: Marcus Valerius Pavo, the high-born gladiator with a string of impressive victories to his name, sworn to seek revenge for the brutal murder of his father. Meanwhile Lucius Cornelius Macro, the decorated optio of the Second Legion, has been appointed as the school's new lanista. Macro faces a race against time to turn the school around before the start of the games in Rome, held in honour of the new Emperor. But when a notorious tribal warrior sets in motion a violent uprising, Macro and Pavo find themselves caught in a desperate struggle for survival...
Simon Scarrow supports the Bansang Hospital Appeal – learn more at www.bansanghospitalappeal.org. He will be donating his earnings from the sale of this book to the Appeal.
88 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2013
21 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
About the author
Simon Scarrow
173 books2,170 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 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 10, 2013
After finishing book 6 of the Dresden files I was searching for something to read when I discovered that Simon Scarrow's latest had hit my kindle. Yeah! I was excited to get back into the world of Macro and Pavo. I liked it but I'm sad to say that it didn't grip me in the way that I had hoped for. It was, I think, the weakest of the Arena books. They are all short stories, but I wanted more. Long story short, Pavo and Macro survive a gladiator rebellion. I guess it did kind of set up the next story which was nice. Regardless, it was lots of fun. I have no doubt that I'll read it again in a few years. Pros: great writing, lots of action, strong Roman flavor (you really feel like you are there). Cons: the story was a bit too short and simplistic.
March 23, 2021
Ludicrous fun
Pavo and Macro arrive at his imperial majesty’s ludus. There’s a naughty Thracian gladiator and an incompetent commander of the guard to deal with. Fast paced fun you’ll scroll through it and feel at the end it was one set piece. Not as good as the previous but still on point.
Pavo and Macro arrive at his imperial majesty’s ludus. There’s a naughty Thracian gladiator and an incompetent commander of the guard to deal with. Fast paced fun you’ll scroll through it and feel at the end it was one set piece. Not as good as the previous but still on point.
October 30, 2023
Uprising and fight for life.
Like the first two books another easy five stars. The characterisations are once again spot on. The action is breathless and savage without being over the top. Once again the two heroes are faced with formidable foes and further trials in the future.
Like the first two books another easy five stars. The characterisations are once again spot on. The action is breathless and savage without being over the top. Once again the two heroes are faced with formidable foes and further trials in the future.
December 2, 2019
Another phenomenal installment
Gripping compelling Marc and Paco make a excellent always as good as macro and cato. Cant wait to read the next one
Gripping compelling Marc and Paco make a excellent always as good as macro and cato. Cant wait to read the next one
September 10, 2021
"Ringraziando gli dei, il segreto della forza dell'esercito di Roma non sta nelle armi o in quello che chiamano le doti di comando dei nostri generali. Sta tutto nell'addestramento".
October 13, 2022
Typical Simon Scarrow book fantastic
Yet another great book from Simon Scarrow. Full of blood and guts a great read. Highly recommended as a good read.
Yet another great book from Simon Scarrow. Full of blood and guts a great read. Highly recommended as a good read.
March 21, 2013
Another splendid little story containing our fav soldier Macro, Pavo the aristocrat turned/ forced into service as a Gladiator is also becoming a fast fav. I find that Pavo can be a bit like a young cato, and that give me some nice nostalgic moments.
As usual we have Simons unique fast paced story, with great action and witty little scenes that have you laughing one min and wincing the next. Macro is the perfect irreverent hero, he is his own man and screw the world. I thought it a shame that certain characters will not make it beyond the last page, certain gladiators were really good bad guys, and as I'm watching the latest Spartacus drew some really nice comparisons.
I'm really looking forward to book 4 in May
(Parm)
As usual we have Simons unique fast paced story, with great action and witty little scenes that have you laughing one min and wincing the next. Macro is the perfect irreverent hero, he is his own man and screw the world. I thought it a shame that certain characters will not make it beyond the last page, certain gladiators were really good bad guys, and as I'm watching the latest Spartacus drew some really nice comparisons.
I'm really looking forward to book 4 in May
(Parm)
May 8, 2013
The third book in Simon Scarrow's Arena series of e-book exclusives, this (like the previous two) only consists of 9 chapters and so is a pretty short read.
Unlike the last entry, however, Macro plays more of a role in this story, which is set in and around the running of a lanista (Gladiator 'school') rather than in an Arena. Again, the culmination of the novel is a fight between two Gladiators: this time, though, they are fighting in the grounds of the lanista (one for survival, the other to escape) rather than in the Arena for the amusement of the mob ...
Unlike the last entry, however, Macro plays more of a role in this story, which is set in and around the running of a lanista (Gladiator 'school') rather than in an Arena. Again, the culmination of the novel is a fight between two Gladiators: this time, though, they are fighting in the grounds of the lanista (one for survival, the other to escape) rather than in the Arena for the amusement of the mob ...
June 19, 2014
Slightly better written than the first two, this third installment is just as ludicrous for the most part and one part in particular is plain unbelievable. Don't be surprised if you see a very pale shadow of Spartacus shown on Starz. One line of dialogue was outright stolen.
February 1, 2015
Not Scarrows best work but still entertaining.
March 25, 2013
Another excellent addition to the Gladiator novellas by Sumon Sparrow.
June 8, 2013
Quite enjoyed it, but got irritated with careless proof reading. Enjoy the two main characters in these short stories
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews