What do you think?
Rate this book
A Captive's Portion
"Entertainment is the very heartbeat of Sanvar, and we are the blood, and as long as it remains that way, whether we live or die is immaterial."
In the Greco-Roman culture of Sanvar, a tale unfolds that follows the story of two orphans: one incredibly important, the other apparently insignificant.
Isla Eliseus is the Iram of Sanvar, and among the most powerful people in the entire empire. Despite the honor and influence of her position, Isla wrestles with a prospect too monstrous to ignore: the exploitation of children, orphaned as she was. Determined to act, Isla agrees to spy for a rebel organization committed to ending the vile practices of the orphanages.
Silas Carter's life is wholly different. Raised in obscurity within a state-run orphanage, he was trained to fulfill a single task: to serve Sanvar. Like other orphans, he knows how wrong it is to kill, but has no other choice when he's sent to the regional colosseum as a gladiator, forced to live out his own worst nightmare.
Although separated by social class and fortune, Silas and Isla are connected through their past. Spotting each other at a colosseum, they rekindle their friendship, meeting again for the first time since childhood: Isla as Iram, and Silas as gladiator-slave, destined for death. Using her influence in Sanvar and position as spy to the rebellion, Isla promises Silas his freedom, setting in motion a series of terrible and thought-provoking events that will make them realize the immense cost of their actions.
In the Greco-Roman culture of Sanvar, a tale unfolds that follows the story of two orphans: one incredibly important, the other apparently insignificant.
Isla Eliseus is the Iram of Sanvar, and among the most powerful people in the entire empire. Despite the honor and influence of her position, Isla wrestles with a prospect too monstrous to ignore: the exploitation of children, orphaned as she was. Determined to act, Isla agrees to spy for a rebel organization committed to ending the vile practices of the orphanages.
Silas Carter's life is wholly different. Raised in obscurity within a state-run orphanage, he was trained to fulfill a single task: to serve Sanvar. Like other orphans, he knows how wrong it is to kill, but has no other choice when he's sent to the regional colosseum as a gladiator, forced to live out his own worst nightmare.
Although separated by social class and fortune, Silas and Isla are connected through their past. Spotting each other at a colosseum, they rekindle their friendship, meeting again for the first time since childhood: Isla as Iram, and Silas as gladiator-slave, destined for death. Using her influence in Sanvar and position as spy to the rebellion, Isla promises Silas his freedom, setting in motion a series of terrible and thought-provoking events that will make them realize the immense cost of their actions.
470 pages, Paperback
Published September 27, 2019
3 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 20, 2019
In A Captive’s Portion the reader is thrust into the world of Sanvar. A Greco-Roman-like/classical empire, Sanvar is a world power.
Sanvar is ruled by a mysterious but dangerous man named Bandero. His power and political legacy is most apparent in his building of the orphanages which house many of Sanvar’s forgotten or discarded youth. These orphanages train the forgotten and discarded youth to serve the state in some way. For those that show true promise they may be placed in Bandero’s Imperial Guard, the elite warriors of Sanvar. For others it may mean placement in the Sanvarian Army, which is often considered a relief. For many, the awful reality is that the orphanages often mean preparation for placement into the gladiatorial games. These viscous games are public duels between gladiators, to the death, as entertainment. These gladiators are seen as public and civil servants and propagated that way to the masses.
In the book we meet Silas who is about to graduate from one of the lesser-known orphanages. He and his two friends are waiting where they will go on the day of graduation. Silas is selected to be a gladiator and is told he holds true promise. During the story we will follow Silas as he finds his place in this world while deciding how to stand up for the value of his friends and fellow orphans. He knows it needs to stop. But, he faces decisions on all sides. Will he take the easy way out and serve Sanvar? Or, will he decide to secretly work for one of the many resistance groups that are working underground to undermine Bandero and rid Sanvar of this wretched practice?
The book also follows Isla. She too, like Silas came from the orphanages, but was chosen to be a part of Bandero’s Imperial Guard. Isla is very gifted, respected, and good at her job but finds herself in a difficult position. She knows the evils of the orphanages and wants to do something about it. In the story we follow her journey as she wrestles with decisions about loyalty, betrayal, love, and how to fight for what is right. Isla must work through complex difficulties and make decisions that may end up losing her everything. Will she risk all that she has for those that do not have a voice?
Formal Review
Below I will rate different aspects of this book. I do strongly recommend that this book is worth the time and investment. It was a tremendously enjoyable read with a strong finish leaving readers wanting more.
Plot & Story – 9/10
The story of A Captive’s Portion is intriguing and keeps you engaged throughout. It has a familiar setting but in an unfamiliar place. The author is smart in using a classical world setting to create the feel for his book while also creating unique elements that set it apart. In some ways the story will remind readers of the Hunger Games while in other ways readers may be reminded of more traditional fantasy writers that world-build with larger conflicts and longer vision. He blends both together for a truly interesting read.
The conflict and tension of the book is immediately set up. It being the first book in a series it does take some time to set us in place, but none of it feels trivial or unnecessary.
Once the conflict is set up and the characters become known, the story moves at an exhilarating pace. Written in first-person, the book begins to really fly. The twists and turns taking place are smart and feel true to the characters. I kept wondering after every few chapters, “what will be so-and-so’s next move?
The plot really surprises in some moments while also not frustrating or letting readers down. The balance struck in that way is strong. But, in my mind, the final 150 pages are worth the entire book. You need the first 2/3 of the book, but the finish is incredible. It was a page-turning read towards the end with a conclusion full of emotions. The author concludes the story well, in a satisfying way, while also creating a lot of excitement for the upcoming book.
Characters & Human Experience – 9/10
To me, the most important part of the book, is the human element. Without good characters, the book only has so much enjoyment. A Captive’s Portion did not disappoint.
Both characters are wildly different, and yet completely human. You see their failings, frailty, mistakes, and even their hopelessness. But, you also witness their resilience, character, humor, and personality. Silas and Isla, as well as the other characters, begin to feel like people you know by the end of the book. That they are people, out there, somewhere.
Silas and Isla are relateable, real, and worthy of admiration. Through their lens you see all of human experience. You see how they deal with relationships, good and bad. You see how they process moral decisions or hardship. Loss, gain, love, war, and betrayal are all at the forefront.
But, we cannot forget the villain. To me, the best stories have a villain you kind of like. During the story Bandero is shown to be somewhere in the gray area. Or at least, you don’t think he is as bad as the resistance groups seem to think. To me, the book’s crowing achievement is the presentation of the villain. A foe that is powerful, dangerous, but not totally unrelateable. There is something there that pulls at you. At least it did me.
Writing Skill – 8/10
The writing of this book is very good. The author spends time describing the inner life of his characters without it stalling the story. The combat sequences are written particularly strongly. Giving you vivid and helpful descriptions while not being too awkward or lengthy. The dialogue is not wooden (such a problem in fantasy literature!) and comes off as real and effective. Some very minor improvements can be done but none of those improvements harm the book or the reader’s experience.
Overall Rating – 8.6/10 (5 Stars)
In Conclusion I fully recommend this book! I believe it will be enjoyed by anyone that reads it. On top of that, it is an enriching book as it deals with questions of human worth and value, state or civil religion, civil obedience/disobedience, and how we should respond to it. There is a lot of depth to this book and one well worth the read.
You can find the book in print on Amazon or Kindle. It is available on Google Play as well. Find links below! Get the digital version for just $8.99! Support a new author and read a great book!
Sanvar is ruled by a mysterious but dangerous man named Bandero. His power and political legacy is most apparent in his building of the orphanages which house many of Sanvar’s forgotten or discarded youth. These orphanages train the forgotten and discarded youth to serve the state in some way. For those that show true promise they may be placed in Bandero’s Imperial Guard, the elite warriors of Sanvar. For others it may mean placement in the Sanvarian Army, which is often considered a relief. For many, the awful reality is that the orphanages often mean preparation for placement into the gladiatorial games. These viscous games are public duels between gladiators, to the death, as entertainment. These gladiators are seen as public and civil servants and propagated that way to the masses.
In the book we meet Silas who is about to graduate from one of the lesser-known orphanages. He and his two friends are waiting where they will go on the day of graduation. Silas is selected to be a gladiator and is told he holds true promise. During the story we will follow Silas as he finds his place in this world while deciding how to stand up for the value of his friends and fellow orphans. He knows it needs to stop. But, he faces decisions on all sides. Will he take the easy way out and serve Sanvar? Or, will he decide to secretly work for one of the many resistance groups that are working underground to undermine Bandero and rid Sanvar of this wretched practice?
The book also follows Isla. She too, like Silas came from the orphanages, but was chosen to be a part of Bandero’s Imperial Guard. Isla is very gifted, respected, and good at her job but finds herself in a difficult position. She knows the evils of the orphanages and wants to do something about it. In the story we follow her journey as she wrestles with decisions about loyalty, betrayal, love, and how to fight for what is right. Isla must work through complex difficulties and make decisions that may end up losing her everything. Will she risk all that she has for those that do not have a voice?
Formal Review
Below I will rate different aspects of this book. I do strongly recommend that this book is worth the time and investment. It was a tremendously enjoyable read with a strong finish leaving readers wanting more.
Plot & Story – 9/10
The story of A Captive’s Portion is intriguing and keeps you engaged throughout. It has a familiar setting but in an unfamiliar place. The author is smart in using a classical world setting to create the feel for his book while also creating unique elements that set it apart. In some ways the story will remind readers of the Hunger Games while in other ways readers may be reminded of more traditional fantasy writers that world-build with larger conflicts and longer vision. He blends both together for a truly interesting read.
The conflict and tension of the book is immediately set up. It being the first book in a series it does take some time to set us in place, but none of it feels trivial or unnecessary.
Once the conflict is set up and the characters become known, the story moves at an exhilarating pace. Written in first-person, the book begins to really fly. The twists and turns taking place are smart and feel true to the characters. I kept wondering after every few chapters, “what will be so-and-so’s next move?
The plot really surprises in some moments while also not frustrating or letting readers down. The balance struck in that way is strong. But, in my mind, the final 150 pages are worth the entire book. You need the first 2/3 of the book, but the finish is incredible. It was a page-turning read towards the end with a conclusion full of emotions. The author concludes the story well, in a satisfying way, while also creating a lot of excitement for the upcoming book.
Characters & Human Experience – 9/10
To me, the most important part of the book, is the human element. Without good characters, the book only has so much enjoyment. A Captive’s Portion did not disappoint.
Both characters are wildly different, and yet completely human. You see their failings, frailty, mistakes, and even their hopelessness. But, you also witness their resilience, character, humor, and personality. Silas and Isla, as well as the other characters, begin to feel like people you know by the end of the book. That they are people, out there, somewhere.
Silas and Isla are relateable, real, and worthy of admiration. Through their lens you see all of human experience. You see how they deal with relationships, good and bad. You see how they process moral decisions or hardship. Loss, gain, love, war, and betrayal are all at the forefront.
But, we cannot forget the villain. To me, the best stories have a villain you kind of like. During the story Bandero is shown to be somewhere in the gray area. Or at least, you don’t think he is as bad as the resistance groups seem to think. To me, the book’s crowing achievement is the presentation of the villain. A foe that is powerful, dangerous, but not totally unrelateable. There is something there that pulls at you. At least it did me.
Writing Skill – 8/10
The writing of this book is very good. The author spends time describing the inner life of his characters without it stalling the story. The combat sequences are written particularly strongly. Giving you vivid and helpful descriptions while not being too awkward or lengthy. The dialogue is not wooden (such a problem in fantasy literature!) and comes off as real and effective. Some very minor improvements can be done but none of those improvements harm the book or the reader’s experience.
Overall Rating – 8.6/10 (5 Stars)
In Conclusion I fully recommend this book! I believe it will be enjoyed by anyone that reads it. On top of that, it is an enriching book as it deals with questions of human worth and value, state or civil religion, civil obedience/disobedience, and how we should respond to it. There is a lot of depth to this book and one well worth the read.
You can find the book in print on Amazon or Kindle. It is available on Google Play as well. Find links below! Get the digital version for just $8.99! Support a new author and read a great book!
September 12, 2019
A Young Adult, Fantasy novel, A Captive's Portion combines the best elements of the Young Adult and Fantasy genres to create a story that uniquely covers the some of the most important, yet challenging aspects of living. It's a story of friendship, of love, of reuniting that which was separated. It's a story the pits these elements against the challenges and evils of implacable foes. It pits character against character, forcing each of our protagonists into decisions where both sides seem worthy, but only one is right. It, above all, is a story of character, and of human value, and of morality. It is eminently human, in all that is beautiful and most ugly about fallen humanity. If you take the time to read A Captive's Portion, I promise that you'll come away unable to put it down.
A Captive's Portion follows the story of two characters, Silas Carter and Isla Eliseus. Both grew up within the walls of the orphanage, but had impossibly disparate paths. Isla would grow up to become one of the most powerful in the empire, while Silas would remain in the orphanage until his graduation at the age of 19 when he becomes a gladiator.
Silas, wrestles against his own morality in spite of his training at the orphanage, knowing that to kill is wrong. Even so, to resist fighting would only result in his death, and a life lived unworthily, so he fights, he kills, but above all, he hates it.
Isla is fortunate. She isn't forced to kill those that are innocent, and those that she grew up with. She became the Iram of Sanvar, a member of the Imperial Guard, and among the most powerful people in the entire empire. She isn't forced to kill, but fights to protect the Veritas of Sanvar, the man that built the orphanages, and created the colosseums. It is because of this that she has forgotten where she came from, and even more so, those that she grew up with.
It is through these two stories, these two backgrounds, that the entire plot of A Captive's Portion hinges. It is through this friendship, one akin to brother and sister, protector and friend, that the rest of the elements are exercised. We see betrayal, pain, challenge, and moral depravity, but through it we see those things that are most beautiful about life. We see brotherhood and fatherhood, friendship and love, loyalty and honor. We see the created order, in the way it was meant to be, through a mirror darkly.
It is a story about life, and all that comes with it, but it also has an important truth to tell, and it was this truth that informed my entire writing of this book. It is a book that is larger than the mere pages on which it is written, and isn't that the true beauty of writing? Of stories? The meaning behind them. An entertaining story is easy enough. A story with a deeper truth is hard. If this sounds like something you'd be interested in reading, I implore you to take a look, because I know you won't be disappointed.
A Captive's Portion follows the story of two characters, Silas Carter and Isla Eliseus. Both grew up within the walls of the orphanage, but had impossibly disparate paths. Isla would grow up to become one of the most powerful in the empire, while Silas would remain in the orphanage until his graduation at the age of 19 when he becomes a gladiator.
Silas, wrestles against his own morality in spite of his training at the orphanage, knowing that to kill is wrong. Even so, to resist fighting would only result in his death, and a life lived unworthily, so he fights, he kills, but above all, he hates it.
Isla is fortunate. She isn't forced to kill those that are innocent, and those that she grew up with. She became the Iram of Sanvar, a member of the Imperial Guard, and among the most powerful people in the entire empire. She isn't forced to kill, but fights to protect the Veritas of Sanvar, the man that built the orphanages, and created the colosseums. It is because of this that she has forgotten where she came from, and even more so, those that she grew up with.
It is through these two stories, these two backgrounds, that the entire plot of A Captive's Portion hinges. It is through this friendship, one akin to brother and sister, protector and friend, that the rest of the elements are exercised. We see betrayal, pain, challenge, and moral depravity, but through it we see those things that are most beautiful about life. We see brotherhood and fatherhood, friendship and love, loyalty and honor. We see the created order, in the way it was meant to be, through a mirror darkly.
It is a story about life, and all that comes with it, but it also has an important truth to tell, and it was this truth that informed my entire writing of this book. It is a book that is larger than the mere pages on which it is written, and isn't that the true beauty of writing? Of stories? The meaning behind them. An entertaining story is easy enough. A story with a deeper truth is hard. If this sounds like something you'd be interested in reading, I implore you to take a look, because I know you won't be disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews