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131 Days #1
131 Days
Alternate Cover Edition for ASIN: B005GLEPN6
Strength.
Honor.
Death.
Once every year, in the city of Sunja, gladiators meet within the arena known as Sunja's Pit.
Men such as Baylus, Goll, and Halm enter for the lure of fortune. Others enter for the fame. And some simply for the fight.
The games continue for days, until a champion is finally crowned. Or all who are involved perish.
This is blood sport at its finest. At its worst. At its longest.
NOTE: This is a novella of approx. 130 pages or 39,000 words.
Some graphic language and violence.
Strength.
Honor.
Death.
Once every year, in the city of Sunja, gladiators meet within the arena known as Sunja's Pit.
Men such as Baylus, Goll, and Halm enter for the lure of fortune. Others enter for the fame. And some simply for the fight.
The games continue for days, until a champion is finally crowned. Or all who are involved perish.
This is blood sport at its finest. At its worst. At its longest.
NOTE: This is a novella of approx. 130 pages or 39,000 words.
Some graphic language and violence.
694 pages, ebook
First published August 8, 2011
137 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
About the author
Keith C. Blackmore
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
December 22, 2018
My only previous experience with Keith C Blackmore was his excellent Mountain Man series which narrated by RC Bray has remained a favourite of mine. This is a very different genre and indeed a very different narrator. As for the story it's a fantasy piece about four friends who number among the free-trained, the mongrels of the Sunjan gladiatorial games. They battle against the odds to set themselves up and survive against the settled establishment. While this is something very different overall some of the facets of the Mountain Man series can be found in this one too. Most obvious are the bloody and aggressive fight scenes both inside and outside of the arena as bodies are hacked apart in ever inventive ways. Next is Blackmore's ability to create thuggish, beered-up characters that you somehow warm to, one or two in this may well have you thinking back to the Mountain Man himself.
Blackmore is far more though than an author who writes fight scenes among louts though. I loved the clever and rather oblique way he chooses to introduce his main characters. It's something I have rarely seen before and the constant shifts in fortune and the way it's done mean that as a reader you can never be quite sure about which way a fight is going to go or how serious the results of it might be. On top of all this there is a richly detailed set of characters populating the city of Sunja where this all takes place. Schemes within schemes surround our unwitting protagonists.
Breathing a resonant life into all this are the rumbling tones of John Lee. I find he often has a slightly odd cadence to descriptive parts but he seems like a complete cast in a single man! Some really great voices bring these gladiators and the scheming house masters to life in a genuinely impressive performance!
So, different to what I have seen on Audible from Blackmore previously but as a start to a series this feels extremely promising.
January 6, 2015
Wow! What a yarn!
This was exciting from start to finish. I could hardly put it down for anything!
Just as I was starting to care about a character he was dispatched in the gladiator ring.
This is a very different and exciting concept about the gladiators themselves and the gladiator houses and schools, and best of all the Free Trained who fight only for themselves and the gold they get for it.
I can't wait to read more. Oh, and it was excellently written. My first experience with this author was the Mountain Man series so decided to try this. So glad I did! Looking forward to the next in the series. Keith C. Blackmore, I am a fan.
This was exciting from start to finish. I could hardly put it down for anything!
Just as I was starting to care about a character he was dispatched in the gladiator ring.
This is a very different and exciting concept about the gladiators themselves and the gladiator houses and schools, and best of all the Free Trained who fight only for themselves and the gold they get for it.
I can't wait to read more. Oh, and it was excellently written. My first experience with this author was the Mountain Man series so decided to try this. So glad I did! Looking forward to the next in the series. Keith C. Blackmore, I am a fan.
December 14, 2025
This was my third reading of this exceptional book. The great gladiatorial games take place in the arenas of Sunja in this fantasy grimdark novel. The.pace is unrelenting; the characters extremely well fleshed out. Some of the best battles take place in the city proper itself. Lots of intrigue and back-stabbing. I read this again to prepare for the next volumes in the series (6 volumes). Keith C Blackmore is one of the premiere writers in the self-publishing industry.
February 15, 2022
And I've finally finished it. Welcome back to grimdark!!!
I loved this book. Everything about it. It kept surprising me, kept throwing me to the curb.
Powerful storytelling. Nothing epic, but Brutal in its small-scaleness.
I didn't enjoy The Troll Hunter that much, even though it's set in the same world. The action is the same, but the narration style didn't suit me.
This, however, was a smooth journey almost all the way. I'm still not a fan of jumping POVs, so the missing star went down that hole. But other than that, honestly, this was a blissful journey.
I want more. Oh yes. And I've discovered a new "Author To Watch". Nice to meetcha, Keith C. Blackmore!
I loved this book. Everything about it. It kept surprising me, kept throwing me to the curb.
Powerful storytelling. Nothing epic, but Brutal in its small-scaleness.
I didn't enjoy The Troll Hunter that much, even though it's set in the same world. The action is the same, but the narration style didn't suit me.
This, however, was a smooth journey almost all the way. I'm still not a fan of jumping POVs, so the missing star went down that hole. But other than that, honestly, this was a blissful journey.
I want more. Oh yes. And I've discovered a new "Author To Watch". Nice to meetcha, Keith C. Blackmore!
October 26, 2014
A manly man's book
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The fight scenes are easy to visualize and the growing relationship between the four free fighters is entertaining.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The fight scenes are easy to visualize and the growing relationship between the four free fighters is entertaining.
July 22, 2025
What an amazing start to this series! I felt there was a perfect balance of seeing the gladiator fights in the pit, and high stakes personal stories. Plenty of action, both physical and mental! I really enjoyed seeing the character arc that Goll and Muluk went through. I was also surprised at how much humor I found in this book! Overall, I just love the style of Blackmore’s writing
May 29, 2019
I started this book with low expectations. I'm now reading book 4.
131 Days is a refreshing break from the superpowered, magnanimous masters of the magical universe plaguing the fantasy genre.
If you're looking for a hard-hitting (I mean hard, pot-helm smashing brutality), then look no further. 131 Days is a bloody mess of a good time.
131 Days is a refreshing break from the superpowered, magnanimous masters of the magical universe plaguing the fantasy genre.
If you're looking for a hard-hitting (I mean hard, pot-helm smashing brutality), then look no further. 131 Days is a bloody mess of a good time.
May 3, 2020
Amazing new favorite, I loved mountain man & KCB's other books,but 131 days has instantly become one of my favorite series ever. Highly recommend!
August 6, 2021
Blackmore is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors, I especially enjoyed The Mountain Man series and it seems that his talent for depicting blood and gore, together with interesting and believable characters has served him well here.
This series has me hooked and I'm loving it, the narrator is first class and extremely well suited to this story. It's a tale of gladiatorial matches, gruesome characters and devious games of subterfuge and treachery. The characters are fascinating to follow and don't always survive keeping you on edge. I can't wait for the next installment.
This series has me hooked and I'm loving it, the narrator is first class and extremely well suited to this story. It's a tale of gladiatorial matches, gruesome characters and devious games of subterfuge and treachery. The characters are fascinating to follow and don't always survive keeping you on edge. I can't wait for the next installment.
February 10, 2022
What an interesting story. Each character, whether short-lived, mentioned in passing or a main part of the story, was given life and purpose. Halm and Pig Knot are very intriguing, even Muluk, with their never-give-in and animal-like styles. Beasts without a purpose. Until ...
For the most part, I found disappointment with some "gladitorial" deaths but I also received great satisfaction with others as well as with some "bar room brawls". Hopefully, one of my favorite characters finds his way back to the pit but it's not looking good.
For the most part, I found disappointment with some "gladitorial" deaths but I also received great satisfaction with others as well as with some "bar room brawls". Hopefully, one of my favorite characters finds his way back to the pit but it's not looking good.
May 26, 2022
It's just one fight after another. Hardly any story at all. I like a good fight scene, but this was just over the top ridiculous.
I'm listening to the second book now (House of Pain) & am glad to report that while book 2 has plenty of fighting, there is an actual story to listen to as well.
I'm listening to the second book now (House of Pain) & am glad to report that while book 2 has plenty of fighting, there is an actual story to listen to as well.
April 15, 2023
Monotonous and superficial nonsense. The Mountain Man series is Blackmore's best.
October 29, 2024
This was one of those books that I wasn't sure if I quite fancied, but the subconscious part of me took over and promised I'd love it. And love it I absolutely did.
131 Days is what you'd get if Gladiator had been birthed by the fantasy genre and made to be entirely immersive and real feeling. I say that because you never really know if the protagonists are going to survive their next bout. It really is written in such a way that everyone, even the people you have never heard of, are built to be believable contenders. More than once I was certain a gladiator was a throw away character for someone to kill in a gruesome way, only to be surprised and wanting to know more about this nobody that's yearning to be a somebody.
The basic premise of the novel is that free-trained gladiators (those without a proper gladiatorial house backing them and training them) are the lowest of the low. They're treated like scum, frequently killed rather than spared by other gladiators, and just about as unwelcome in any place of decency as a turd is in an elevator. Four such men are trying to break away from these norms and forge an alliance with others such as themselves to create a bit of stability and safety amongst the free-trained. 131 Days is the story of those men and the established houses who yearn to stop these thuggish upstarts from rocking the boat.
This is one of those works that has clearly had a lot of thought gone into it by the author. The world itself feels very real and the vast array of colloquialisms on display gives credence to that. The world-specific insults and phrases really do make it feel like an entity in and of itself rather than just a fantasy world that's using our own world as a basis.
The overall pacing is good and the fight scenes are wonderfully written. If you're keen for a bit of a dive into a grim, violent world, the one created in 131 Days is certainly a world worth checking out.
131 Days is what you'd get if Gladiator had been birthed by the fantasy genre and made to be entirely immersive and real feeling. I say that because you never really know if the protagonists are going to survive their next bout. It really is written in such a way that everyone, even the people you have never heard of, are built to be believable contenders. More than once I was certain a gladiator was a throw away character for someone to kill in a gruesome way, only to be surprised and wanting to know more about this nobody that's yearning to be a somebody.
The basic premise of the novel is that free-trained gladiators (those without a proper gladiatorial house backing them and training them) are the lowest of the low. They're treated like scum, frequently killed rather than spared by other gladiators, and just about as unwelcome in any place of decency as a turd is in an elevator. Four such men are trying to break away from these norms and forge an alliance with others such as themselves to create a bit of stability and safety amongst the free-trained. 131 Days is the story of those men and the established houses who yearn to stop these thuggish upstarts from rocking the boat.
This is one of those works that has clearly had a lot of thought gone into it by the author. The world itself feels very real and the vast array of colloquialisms on display gives credence to that. The world-specific insults and phrases really do make it feel like an entity in and of itself rather than just a fantasy world that's using our own world as a basis.
The overall pacing is good and the fight scenes are wonderfully written. If you're keen for a bit of a dive into a grim, violent world, the one created in 131 Days is certainly a world worth checking out.
July 31, 2024
Gladiatorial fiction at its finest.
Having struggled to find engaging fantasy for many moons and taking solace in re-reads of favorites, it was an absolute pleasure to discover this gem. Seriously, this book deserves more exposure.
131 Days follows gladiators seeking for fame and for fortune, and in some cases hard men who just love to fight. All of that mixed with competing gladiatorial houses and new comers looking to establish themselves. The price of all this strife is the chance to make progress in the games and ultimately come out top of the pile.
There was much done right here. The writing was sharp, not overly descriptive but not skimming on important details either. As this is a book about fighters, one would expect lots of action, and my word, was it delivered. The writer did excellently setting the scene of the arena, with its explosive atmosphere and dark underbelly. The fights were almost cinematic in depiction and brought to brilliant life as a result.
The characters were vibrant, and their interactions were either engrossing or just so chuckle inducing. I liked the house/stable owners most of all, especially Dark Curge. There was always this electric and enthralling air about them.
The pacing near excellent as the book was without any exhausting lull, which was a surprise as fantasy books of this length usually have them. There was a proper blend of action and other story beats.
The action gets the most praise for me, it was just consistently remarkable. The way the fighter were described, their movements in the sand, the clash of weapons and the carnage that followed... just brilliantly done.
This was approaching five star territory, but I thought the ending did not live up to highs generated in the preceding parts. Having said that, I will dive into the next book with great haste.
Having struggled to find engaging fantasy for many moons and taking solace in re-reads of favorites, it was an absolute pleasure to discover this gem. Seriously, this book deserves more exposure.
131 Days follows gladiators seeking for fame and for fortune, and in some cases hard men who just love to fight. All of that mixed with competing gladiatorial houses and new comers looking to establish themselves. The price of all this strife is the chance to make progress in the games and ultimately come out top of the pile.
There was much done right here. The writing was sharp, not overly descriptive but not skimming on important details either. As this is a book about fighters, one would expect lots of action, and my word, was it delivered. The writer did excellently setting the scene of the arena, with its explosive atmosphere and dark underbelly. The fights were almost cinematic in depiction and brought to brilliant life as a result.
The characters were vibrant, and their interactions were either engrossing or just so chuckle inducing. I liked the house/stable owners most of all, especially Dark Curge. There was always this electric and enthralling air about them.
The pacing near excellent as the book was without any exhausting lull, which was a surprise as fantasy books of this length usually have them. There was a proper blend of action and other story beats.
The action gets the most praise for me, it was just consistently remarkable. The way the fighter were described, their movements in the sand, the clash of weapons and the carnage that followed... just brilliantly done.
This was approaching five star territory, but I thought the ending did not live up to highs generated in the preceding parts. Having said that, I will dive into the next book with great haste.
September 10, 2024
I've started the series because I loved the author's Mountain Man series. I must preface this by saying that is a masterwork. With that being said, I started this with very high expectations and at this point in the show I'm middle of the road. It took me a while to really get into the story and the characters which lost a star and a half or more right off the bat. I know world building takes a lot of time and the author did a really good job of doing that in the first book but that is what this book was to me. A world builder. I would never have read a gladiator book and I'm only doing so for the reason already stated. With that being said, there isn't a lot that the premise offers me that pickles my fancy. Still, the writing is fantastic and the scenes and characters are well fleshed out. I intend on going through the whole series from start to finish and I am confident that the Stars will grow along the way to work their way up to the full five. If you believe in the author then you don't even need my blessing. If you're not hopefully this review helps you make a decision if the series is right for you.
January 20, 2026
It's Starz's Spartacus 2.0!
After reading the first two He-Dog books of this author's several series, I then tried the 1st book in his post-apocalyptic series Mountain Man, and wasn't as impressed as his newer HE-DOG books, but will try Mountain Man 2 to see if it gets better.
Then I had to try this series, seeing as how I loved the old Spartacus movie and Starz TV series.
131 Days started well, but quickly became tedious with too much of the same thing that hurt his first Mountain Man book: too much drinking and carousing. Not enough forward movement in storytelling and expected action from this author.
In fact, after 300 pages, I put it down for a few months and read other books on my big pile of books.
Then I finally decided to finish it. It thankfully finally moved forward and got much better. Overall, this first book was better than Mountain Man #1.
And although I will continue with both series in the near future, I much rather prefer a new entry in his HE-DOG series.
After reading the first two He-Dog books of this author's several series, I then tried the 1st book in his post-apocalyptic series Mountain Man, and wasn't as impressed as his newer HE-DOG books, but will try Mountain Man 2 to see if it gets better.
Then I had to try this series, seeing as how I loved the old Spartacus movie and Starz TV series.
131 Days started well, but quickly became tedious with too much of the same thing that hurt his first Mountain Man book: too much drinking and carousing. Not enough forward movement in storytelling and expected action from this author.
In fact, after 300 pages, I put it down for a few months and read other books on my big pile of books.
Then I finally decided to finish it. It thankfully finally moved forward and got much better. Overall, this first book was better than Mountain Man #1.
And although I will continue with both series in the near future, I much rather prefer a new entry in his HE-DOG series.
March 13, 2024
4.5/5 stars
1/1 ★ for plot
1/1 ★ for characters and character development
1/1 ★ for writing style and narration
1/1 ★ for pace
0.5/1 ★ for world-building
This book was way better than I expected! I initially went in only knowing it was a bloody adventure featuring gladiators, and narrated by my fave narrator, John (Rafter) Lee. What I did not expect was the high level of suspense, humor, character development, and the best audiobook performance I've ever heard! I've never been so on the edge of my seat during an audiobook, nor have I laughed so much during one! The banter, insults, and training scenes were hilarious! I can't wait to continue this series!
1/1 ★ for plot
1/1 ★ for characters and character development
1/1 ★ for writing style and narration
1/1 ★ for pace
0.5/1 ★ for world-building
This book was way better than I expected! I initially went in only knowing it was a bloody adventure featuring gladiators, and narrated by my fave narrator, John (Rafter) Lee. What I did not expect was the high level of suspense, humor, character development, and the best audiobook performance I've ever heard! I've never been so on the edge of my seat during an audiobook, nor have I laughed so much during one! The banter, insults, and training scenes were hilarious! I can't wait to continue this series!
December 3, 2019
It took me quite a while to get into this which is unusual as I'm a big fan of Keith C Blackmore's writing, it wasnt until at least half way through that I warmed to the characters and the story.
I'm still not sure what the 131 days title relates to and what the significance of the new House's name is but as ever the action is fantastic for a Blackmore book although I thought the story in this was a bit 2 dimensional.
I'm also wondering if Blackmore is overweight in real life as the main hero in this and the Mountain Men books are real fatties!
I'm still not sure what the 131 days title relates to and what the significance of the new House's name is but as ever the action is fantastic for a Blackmore book although I thought the story in this was a bit 2 dimensional.
I'm also wondering if Blackmore is overweight in real life as the main hero in this and the Mountain Men books are real fatties!
January 14, 2025
Seriously flawed but oddly likeable characters
It took a while for ne to get into the spirit of the book, but as I got to "hang around" the different protagonists, I found myself being further drawn in. The character progression is not fast; it barely even started towards the final portion of the book. I think that is what hooked me: seeing the slightest glimpse of growth after growing accustomed a character's seemingly dead end lifestyle and poor decisions. In the end, I grew to like them all, especially fat Halm.
He is in dire need of a dentist, however.
It took a while for ne to get into the spirit of the book, but as I got to "hang around" the different protagonists, I found myself being further drawn in. The character progression is not fast; it barely even started towards the final portion of the book. I think that is what hooked me: seeing the slightest glimpse of growth after growing accustomed a character's seemingly dead end lifestyle and poor decisions. In the end, I grew to like them all, especially fat Halm.
He is in dire need of a dentist, however.
July 21, 2021
Gritty, raw, sometimes funny, but kinda boring.
Very simple plot, if it can be called a plot.
No twist.
If you like one fight scene after another, this is your book.
I think you’re 3/4 of the way through before hearing one female say one word. I’m no feminazi but you can’t make an eighteen hour book of nothing but men getting drunk, talking shit and fighting.
I don’t think I’ll finish this series
Very simple plot, if it can be called a plot.
No twist.
If you like one fight scene after another, this is your book.
I think you’re 3/4 of the way through before hearing one female say one word. I’m no feminazi but you can’t make an eighteen hour book of nothing but men getting drunk, talking shit and fighting.
I don’t think I’ll finish this series
November 30, 2019
A cracking book, a cracking series and a cracking author. How is this series not getting more hype?
I haven't seen his fantasy works on any fantasy lists yet they're so much better than most of the books that feature on those lists! I stumbled across this by accident and quickly devoured the series, soon followed by 'White Sands, Red Steel' and 'Troll Hunter'.
I haven't seen his fantasy works on any fantasy lists yet they're so much better than most of the books that feature on those lists! I stumbled across this by accident and quickly devoured the series, soon followed by 'White Sands, Red Steel' and 'Troll Hunter'.
October 8, 2021
Very Good story by Keith Blackmore. Not the normal type stories I listen to but this is a good old fashion gladiator, battle in the pits until death. The adventures of the characters have been very entertaining. The descriptions make the fight scenes easy to imagine. Looking forward to more adventures in this book series.
Worth checking into.
Worth checking into.
March 24, 2024
Yeah ok, it's Game of Thrones meets Gladiator. I agree.
Battles, schemes, backstabbing, honor, gold, and who will become the most powerful all make up this story.
I really enjoyed this book and can tell it's going to be a long epic read. I can't give too much away as there is a lot. Just take your time reading this and learn the characters.
Battles, schemes, backstabbing, honor, gold, and who will become the most powerful all make up this story.
I really enjoyed this book and can tell it's going to be a long epic read. I can't give too much away as there is a lot. Just take your time reading this and learn the characters.
April 15, 2020
Nothing will compare to the author's Mountain Main series, but while I'm waiting on the next installment, this satisfies my Blackmore craving quite nicely. I'm already on to the next in the 131 Days series!
February 28, 2024
3.5 stars. It was an interesting read but dragged in spots. The book follows multiple storylines associated with gladatorial fighters, corrupt training houses and a group trying to better themselves.
March 24, 2017
Great book! Definitely one of my favorites
If you've seen the movie Gladiator with Russel Crowe you will love this book. Kicks off early and takes you for a ride you won't see coming!
If you've seen the movie Gladiator with Russel Crowe you will love this book. Kicks off early and takes you for a ride you won't see coming!
September 30, 2017
Amazing!!!!!!!
March 20, 2019
A good solid 4 stars. Could have used a little more background info.
April 12, 2019
What a fantastic book. Really injoyed this book very much. Surprisingly never heard of this author but seen book on amazon for a pound and wasn't disappointed
June 11, 2019
Took me a while to get into it but once it got through introductions and setup it got rolling. Will read next in series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews