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The Last Gladiator
What makes a gladiator? Brawn? Showmanship? Skill? Heart? For Lucia Rhodanus Fortem, the arena is a ticket to fame, fortune, and belonging.
But the long familiar arena is changing, and gladiators are, quite literally, a dying breed. Their replacements - Mechagladiators - piloted constructs made of the best Roman technology, stand ready to take their place on the hard packed dirt of the Coliseum.
What humans can stand against the tide of progress? Who dares face down a mechanical beast? How can the power of human connection forge a bond stronger than steel?
The last gladiator in Rome faces the toughest challenge of all in this prequel novella for the Steam Empire Chronicles, Daniel Ottalini’s Roman Alternate History World.
This book is for anyone who enjoys reading about...
Gladiator Combat
Class struggle
Roman History
Alternate History
Love in a time of conflict
Fans of Pacific Rim, The Gladiator, and Rome will love this alternate history story.
But the long familiar arena is changing, and gladiators are, quite literally, a dying breed. Their replacements - Mechagladiators - piloted constructs made of the best Roman technology, stand ready to take their place on the hard packed dirt of the Coliseum.
What humans can stand against the tide of progress? Who dares face down a mechanical beast? How can the power of human connection forge a bond stronger than steel?
The last gladiator in Rome faces the toughest challenge of all in this prequel novella for the Steam Empire Chronicles, Daniel Ottalini’s Roman Alternate History World.
This book is for anyone who enjoys reading about...
Gladiator Combat
Class struggle
Roman History
Alternate History
Love in a time of conflict
Fans of Pacific Rim, The Gladiator, and Rome will love this alternate history story.
108 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2020
3 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Ottalini
12 books27 followersDaniel Ottalini is a teacher, writer, and amateur historian. His interests include reading everything from nonfiction to sci-fi and amazing others with his knowledge of random facts. When not working with his students, he is most likely writing some more or catching much needed rest. He lives in Maryland.
Ottalini's last novel - Laurel Emperor - brings the Steam Empire Chronicles to a close. From the award-winning Brass Legionnaire to the thrilling conclusion of Laurel Emperor, Ottalini deftly weaves a tale of intrigue, rebellion, a Mongol invasion, mechanical elephants, airships, love, and even togas. What more could you ask for in a series?
Be sure to check out his latest novella - the Last Gladiator - a prequel to the world of the Steam Empire Chronicles.
Ottalini's last novel - Laurel Emperor - brings the Steam Empire Chronicles to a close. From the award-winning Brass Legionnaire to the thrilling conclusion of Laurel Emperor, Ottalini deftly weaves a tale of intrigue, rebellion, a Mongol invasion, mechanical elephants, airships, love, and even togas. What more could you ask for in a series?
Be sure to check out his latest novella - the Last Gladiator - a prequel to the world of the Steam Empire Chronicles.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 2, 2020
Daniel Ottalini's Steam Empire Chronicles have an obvious appeal to me - writing fellow alternate history based on Rome - so I was quite glad to jump on the prequel novella.
What to expect
A story set in Ottalini's Steampunk version of the Roman Empire, but a few years before the events of the main novels. It focuses on Lucia Rhodanus Fortem, a woman with a shady past and a strong desire to become a gladiator even as the sport changes forever.
What I liked
I liked the alternate-history that Ottalini constructs, a Roman-flavoured world advanced through the centuries to the technical marvels of Steampunk. It's at once both familiar and bizarre, the perfect balance.
Though the novella starts focused of Lucia's main and last battle, that is only half the story. There is much more here than fights alone, and the character's life advances beyond that famous bout.
What to be aware of
Some of the other characters may be a bit flat (or even ghost-like, without a name), and some of the interactions of the world seem subordinate to the plot (ie. the reactions of people and institutions seem more about serving the story than about realistic social structures).
The ending raises quite a few questions, not quite a cliffhanger but certainly raises eyebrows (and the desire to read more). That is to be expected in a prequel novella.
Summary
It's a quick read, and does a good in job of introducing the world of the main Steam Empire series and Ottalini's storytelling style. If you like alternate history, steampunk, and the Roman Empire (in any combination), give this a try.
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to expect
A story set in Ottalini's Steampunk version of the Roman Empire, but a few years before the events of the main novels. It focuses on Lucia Rhodanus Fortem, a woman with a shady past and a strong desire to become a gladiator even as the sport changes forever.
What I liked
I liked the alternate-history that Ottalini constructs, a Roman-flavoured world advanced through the centuries to the technical marvels of Steampunk. It's at once both familiar and bizarre, the perfect balance.
Though the novella starts focused of Lucia's main and last battle, that is only half the story. There is much more here than fights alone, and the character's life advances beyond that famous bout.
What to be aware of
Some of the other characters may be a bit flat (or even ghost-like, without a name), and some of the interactions of the world seem subordinate to the plot (ie. the reactions of people and institutions seem more about serving the story than about realistic social structures).
The ending raises quite a few questions, not quite a cliffhanger but certainly raises eyebrows (and the desire to read more). That is to be expected in a prequel novella.
Summary
It's a quick read, and does a good in job of introducing the world of the main Steam Empire series and Ottalini's storytelling style. If you like alternate history, steampunk, and the Roman Empire (in any combination), give this a try.
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
Displaying 1 of 1 review