Vita and The Gladiator

by Ally Sherrick

Vita longs to write plays and poetry – but as a high-born girl in Roman Londinium, her fate is marriage and children. Then her father is murdered, her mother and brother disappear, and Vita flees from a shadowy enemy. Disguised as a slave at the gladiator’s arena, she forges an unlikely bond with Brea, a native Briton gladiatrix – and her wolf. Together, they resolve to discover and bring the killer to justice before Vita’s identity is revealed ...

Genres: Historical, Historical Fiction

Unknown Binding

About the author

Ally was born in Epsom, Surrey, where the famous Derby horse race takes place and Epsom Salts are from. When she was growing up she wanted to be an Egyptologist and dig up mummies. But instead, after a degree in medieval history, English and French, she worked in public relations and marketing, writing press releases, editing magazines, organising events and taking part in radio interviews. In 2010 she took a career break and studied for an MA in Writing for Children. This led on to the publication of her award-winning first novel, 'Black Powder', a page-turning adventure about young Catholic boy, Tom's desperate quest to save his father from the hangman's noose at the time of the infamous Gunpowder Plot.

Ally's second novel, 'The Buried Crown', is set during World War Two and tells the story of a brave evacuee boy, George and his refugee friend, Kitty and their bid to outwit the attempt of a band of Nazis to steal a priceless Anglo-Saxon crown.

'The Queen's Fool', her exciting new Tudor England-set adventure, will be published in February 2021.

Reviews

[Nathalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My students will love it!! The female lead was refreshing and the references to Boudica were nice.

[Barbara Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brings the Roman period to life beautifully - and Londinium is such a wonderful setting. I particularly loved how the plight of a young girl reliant on her own wits was handled - promised in marriage to a much older man and determined to find out the truth about her father's assassination. I was hooked!

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

VITA AND THE GLADIATOR brings Londinium and the world of gladiators to life in this action-filled story.

Gladiators are, I think, a fascinating part of Roman history - celebrities but deeply looked down upon. Plus the many dangers they faced makes for plenty of thrilling moments in the arena and out of it as Vita tries to survive the school. I particularly liked that Vita wasn't thrown into becoming a gladiator, but instead we see the school through the outsider-to-the-ranks' perspective, which felt like a very different approach.

This book is partly a mystery - who killed Vita's father and why. There are a lot of players, including the mysterious group out in the marshes. There are a lot of clues and red herrings to follow in order to put it all togher!

It is also a tale of friendship between unlikely people thrown together. It gives the book real heart, particularly when lies and secrets spun early in fear threaten it.

There are various stories threaded through this book. From a myth that is referenced here and there to Vita's love of story-telling - and her very Hamlet-esque plan to trap her father's killer! It's like a nested set of wooden dolls, and a great way of bringing out that aspect of her character.

The story inspirations for this book (explained in the informative and nicely long historical note) are fascinating. I love seeing how books come to be, and the way various ideas and events were woven into this story are great.

[Sinéad O'Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ally Sherrick is so gifted when it comes to bringing historical periods alive on the page, and this novel is no exception to that 'rule'. Vita's comparatively privileged life is upended when her father is murdered in their home, and Vita - 'mistaken' for a servant - is sold into slavery, working as a drudge in a gladiatorial training school in Londinium. Her journey to avenge her father's death, put together the shattered sherds of her family, and survive in a world so alien to anything she's ever experienced, makes for a truly gripping story. I loved it - but then, I've loved all of Ally's books, so that's hardly as surprise!

My thanks to Ally and to Chicken House for gifting me an early copy of this book for review purposes; this has not affected my review.

[Eve McDonnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent the weekend in Roman Londinium, following Vita’s journey from riches to rags as she fights to survive Gladiator school & the toughest trials of her life. Brilliant children’s historical fiction. I can still hear the clang of swords & roars of spectators!

As always, Ally has created a truly believable world, this time in Roman Londinium, and the story blends so subtly with historical references both in its setting and politics. Vita is a brave warrior but also astute and loving in equal measure. Ally’s storytelling is brave too, bringing the true horrors of Roman life to the page. Bravo!

[Anna Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful book full of adventure, heart and gladiators. My son is just coming nine and he adored it - we read it together, but I think it's appropriate for this age upwards. I actually think it would be great for young teens too as Vita is 14. But I'm 44 and I loved it - so really, everyone should read it haha! That cover too! Well done Ally Sherrick on a brilliant adventure.

[Mary Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story telling with details that transported to ancient Roman Britain

[Johanna ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book as I love reading about anything to do with Ancient Rome but sadly I didn't enjoy this as much as I was expecting. Because I love the history so much, I've read a LOT of books that take place in Ancient Rome. I think if this is your first introduction into that world then you'd be more set up to enjoy it. But here's what I struggled with in this book... 1) I felt like I'd already read this story 10 times over before. It's got all the basics to make it fit with the time period but doesn't add anything very new or exciting. 2) The writing was very juvenile. I know I can't really complain about this one as I'm not the target audience, but there's a reason I still enjoy reading middle grade novels as a teenager, because when they're done right, they can be enjoyed by readers of any age. However, the writing here was lacking character and distinctness so overall just felt very bland.

I would recommend this book to a younger audience as an introduction to Ancient Rome, but if you're looking for something a little more creative and fun, I'd recommend checking out Caroline Lawrence's Roman Mysteries instead. Happy Reading :)

[Kitchen Sink Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Great adventure, set in Roman London, Vita, daughter of a high-born Roman is n the run for her life, disguised as a slave she quickly finds herself on the wrong side of life and in a cell with a gladiator.

Gripping adventure, a great historical detective adventure with plenty of thrilling moments which leave you desperate to know how it will all work out.

[ali :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

love a historial fiction which isn’t a romance.

a woman? without a man?? No way

I loved the characters, loved the story and also the attention to detail. I felt very emotionally attracted.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was good, but I needed a bit more, though art might be because I’m older than the target audience.
It was still a good book and if recommended it to primary school children