The Gladiator [Audio CD]

Gladiator is the latest of Simon Scarrow's Under the Eagle series starring two Roman centurions, young Cato and his mentor, Macro. The book pick up right from where the last book of this series as they tried to return to Rome from their encounter with the Pathians. This time they are caught on an island of Crete after a major earthquake, dealing with a major slave revolt led by a former foe from one of the previous books. Like all of his books, Scarrow writes in a fast, engrossing tale of how our two favorite Roman centurions save the day.

Although the book is well written and a definite page turner, it is clearly gear for people who have read Scarrow's earlier books. If you are looking of character development and all that, best read Gone with the Wind or some other great American/British novels. The story got a light fast moving plot line and it definitely put our two heroes into a major trouble. This book continued to evolved Cato into another stage as his girlfriend Julia from the previous book, lies in constant danger. The book also reflect slightly on the trouble institution of Roman slavery during those time although I don't think Scarrow was making any political statement here. Obviously, the author took his cue from Spartacus' Revolt when writing this book. The book ends with a big bang, fast and furious although it may be too confusing for some as the writing here fails slightly. Of course, the ending clearly earmarked Cato and Marco for another adventure that will guarantee another book forthcoming.

If you enjoy this series, buying this book is definite must. If you never read this series, I would strongly recommended that you start from the first book, Under the Eagle and work your way to this one. Otherwise, you will not have the enjoyment that most veteran readers of Cato and Marco. This is not a stand alone book but part of a series.

As someone who read all of Simon Scarrow's Rome series, I have to say that I'm very disappointed with this one.

Although the historical aspect of the book is interesting, as all of Scarrow's books are, the story part of it is severely-lacking. It seems as if it were rushed through, and is very basic.

Characters are also very basic, as are their interactions with each other. Often, the characters are acting as if written by a 10-year old.

The plot is very predictable at times, and cheesy at others.

I did read the book all the way through relatively quickly, but that's because the historical parts were interesting, and, as in the previous Rome novels, I was hoping for some really interesting stuff just around the corner (it never really came).

From the feel of this book, I fear that Scarrow has exhausted this series, which would be a shame. If the next book in the series is also a disappointment, I'm done with the series.

I have read all of the books in the eagle series and this one left me a bit short. The other's focused on the day to day life in the legions whereas this book seems to be moving into the realm of a romantic novel. Worst of all was the predictable outcome with the saving of Julia- call it an anti-climax.

Honestly, it smacks of the old super villan gloating over his captives only to have them escape while he waxes lyrical about what he is going to do to them.

Get rid of the romance, concentrate on the historical fact and make these the good old battle stories they were and you will be back on course.