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The Gladiator of New York City
The games went on as they had for thousands of years, bloody and brutal, unknown to all but a select few - until one escaped. But this wasn't Ancient Rome or the days of Jesus Christ. It was 2017, and the coliseum was under New York City. Enter a world within a world, ancient and beautiful, where prostitution is a revered calling and young men and women are taught to satisfy the Patrons. But above all, there is the Arena. In this world one man rules unchallenged, with a singular purpose, evil and terrifying. It consumes him and will soon consume all!
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 26, 2017
23 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Shawn Raymond Poalillo
8 books66 followersShawn Raymond Poalillo is a retired Special Agent from the Department of Homeland Security with over twenty-four years of federal law enforcement experience. He spent the bulk of these years investigating drug smuggling, money laundering and terrorism cases.
Poalillo is certified in federal court as an expert in the areas of money laundering, bank record analysis and telephone toll analysis and can give expert testimony.
Having attended LIU/CW Post College, the author holds a BA in psychology and business and also graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, Georgia.
"Writing is a great joy, each word a small victory. In my first novel - Rerun: A New Face of Terrorism - I tried to bring the realism of true-life law enforcement, something lacking in most novels of the genre, while mixing in an outlandish plot. Cops have a great time all the time. Nothing was serious until it had to be and then it became serious quickly.
"This same quality is seen in my third novel - The Girl With The Black Mark, another Special Agent Michael Poe story.
"Completely different is A Selfless Man, which is a departure from the other two and a more heart wrenching story.
"My goal is to entertain and take the reader away, if only briefly, to a different place. Enjoy!"
Poalillo is certified in federal court as an expert in the areas of money laundering, bank record analysis and telephone toll analysis and can give expert testimony.
Having attended LIU/CW Post College, the author holds a BA in psychology and business and also graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, Georgia.
"Writing is a great joy, each word a small victory. In my first novel - Rerun: A New Face of Terrorism - I tried to bring the realism of true-life law enforcement, something lacking in most novels of the genre, while mixing in an outlandish plot. Cops have a great time all the time. Nothing was serious until it had to be and then it became serious quickly.
"This same quality is seen in my third novel - The Girl With The Black Mark, another Special Agent Michael Poe story.
"Completely different is A Selfless Man, which is a departure from the other two and a more heart wrenching story.
"My goal is to entertain and take the reader away, if only briefly, to a different place. Enjoy!"
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 2, 2017
One part Fight Club, one part Conan the Barbarian and a little bit of Pretty Woman thrown in for good measure. A book that nobody asked for, but everyone should read. Highly recommended.
A truly fresh work of fiction, this mash-up of mystery, adventure, and fantasy works well. My only complaint? It’s almost too quick of a read. But for anyone looking for a novel that truly wows, it’s the perfect brawling, bloody adventure.
Check out the rest of my review at BestThrillers.com.
A truly fresh work of fiction, this mash-up of mystery, adventure, and fantasy works well. My only complaint? It’s almost too quick of a read. But for anyone looking for a novel that truly wows, it’s the perfect brawling, bloody adventure.
Check out the rest of my review at BestThrillers.com.
November 30, 2017
Holy Smokes!
Up front, this is not the normal type of book I read. But, I was thoroughly impressed! It contained action, intrigue, fantasy, a little sex, gladiators and first and foremost, GOOD & EVIL! It's hard to give more of a description without giving away the story. So my advice to you, BUY IT and give it a read!
Up front, this is not the normal type of book I read. But, I was thoroughly impressed! It contained action, intrigue, fantasy, a little sex, gladiators and first and foremost, GOOD & EVIL! It's hard to give more of a description without giving away the story. So my advice to you, BUY IT and give it a read!
January 5, 2021
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A beautiful Greek reporter is Lois Lane to a super powered Gladiator as they face an ancient corrupt corporation with skills in demonology.
A comic book in print.
A beautiful Greek reporter is Lois Lane to a super powered Gladiator as they face an ancient corrupt corporation with skills in demonology.
A comic book in print.
January 2, 2018
When I first started reading it I didn't know what to expect. Plot lines went in all directions. I couldn't label it a mystery, a thriller or a fantasy. Turns out it was all three. But the main plot is awesome and is fed to the reader in bits and pieces throughout. Clanging swords and bodacious women running around NYC and elsewhere (won't spoil it) kept me reading. Finished it in two days. It's unique, not your typical cookie-cutter novel and well worth a sequel. Great job.
November 2, 2017
A great story with twists and turns, sending the plot all over.
Follow a gladiator's quest against impossible odds and an unimaginable foe. What got me was the melding of our world with the other world and feeling the character's disbelief to unbelievable events. The blood and guts and swordplay was very exciting. If you like fantasy and romance then don't miss this one.
Follow a gladiator's quest against impossible odds and an unimaginable foe. What got me was the melding of our world with the other world and feeling the character's disbelief to unbelievable events. The blood and guts and swordplay was very exciting. If you like fantasy and romance then don't miss this one.
November 1, 2017
Swords, magic, handsome gladiators, love and lust and the Bordello Santo (the Holy Whorehouse), a school of prostitution.
And the Arena is a twisted place of blood and death.
As usual, the author introduces numerous subplots, any of which could be the idea for a separate book and leaves you unsure where the story is going. But it keeps you riveted and finally comes together at the end. New York City, Paris, Venice, Rome and . . . but I won’t spoil it for you. And the villain - again I won’t spoil it. 5 Stars!
And the Arena is a twisted place of blood and death.
As usual, the author introduces numerous subplots, any of which could be the idea for a separate book and leaves you unsure where the story is going. But it keeps you riveted and finally comes together at the end. New York City, Paris, Venice, Rome and . . . but I won’t spoil it for you. And the villain - again I won’t spoil it. 5 Stars!
November 5, 2017
What a Great Book!
Where does this author come up with this stuff? Like Conan the Barbarian running a muck around NYC. Swashbuckling, magic, you can't put it down. But the story, which goes all over, is heartwarming and fun and at times is sad. And there are the supernatural elements that you won't believe. Whatever you do, don't read the ending.
Where does this author come up with this stuff? Like Conan the Barbarian running a muck around NYC. Swashbuckling, magic, you can't put it down. But the story, which goes all over, is heartwarming and fun and at times is sad. And there are the supernatural elements that you won't believe. Whatever you do, don't read the ending.
February 21, 2018
Goodreads Kindle Copy Win
It is 2017 in New York City where thoughts of gladiators, Ancient Rome and coliseum were in the past, But somehow the coliseum finds itself under the New York City and a gladiator surfaces to the scene.
Past and present collides as a world of men and women caught up in surviving through prostitution and fighting. One man fights for a terrifying purpose as it consumes him. Even falling for someone cannot change his path in the world of the fittest one is left standing.
This takes you on a journey of the past yet with modern ties.
It is 2017 in New York City where thoughts of gladiators, Ancient Rome and coliseum were in the past, But somehow the coliseum finds itself under the New York City and a gladiator surfaces to the scene.
Past and present collides as a world of men and women caught up in surviving through prostitution and fighting. One man fights for a terrifying purpose as it consumes him. Even falling for someone cannot change his path in the world of the fittest one is left standing.
This takes you on a journey of the past yet with modern ties.
February 22, 2021
The realm between fiction fantasy and reality realism is astonishing in this story. What is above is below, yet evil and righteousness was one course.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews