Sand of the Arena, by James Duffy

James Duffy has extensive knowledge of Roman gladiators, and has a deep interest in the history of the gladiators and of the Roman Empire. Sand of the Arena is a well researched novel Sand of the Arena, by James Duffy that dispels with many of our aged-old preconceptions of gladiators.

Set in the era of Nero, 63-67AD, Sand Of The Arena revolves around a young Roman gentleman, Quintus Honorius Romanus, from a wealthy ship owning family in Rome. Quintus is 15 years and an avid fan of the gladiatorial matches in ancient Rome. More than anything, he wants to become a gladiator. As well, he has been trained by a household lifeguard and has aquired the basic positions and skills of sword fighting.

However, when the family along with their household slaves embark on a trip to Britannia, young Quitus’ life situation changes dramatically. The ship capsizes and claims the lives of almost everyone on board. He loses both his parents, and is deprived of his inheritance due to treachery by one of the slaves, Lucius. Thus, he starts a new life in a gladiator “school” in Britannia.

This historical fiction novel has all an excellent historical fiction novel ought to have: Good background descriptions, an interesting plot, good storytelling, and good characterizations. As well, it has interesting relationships – friendships, mentorships, conflicts – that adds spice and gives life to the story. I read this book in two sittings. I was very fascinated by it. It makes you feel that you experience how the life of a gladiator is lived. And, of course, it also has a number of the most rousing fight scenes I've read. Sand of the Arena is a very impressive book!

Links to James Duffy's Gladiators of the Empire series at amazon US, amazon UK, and amazon CAN.

The Fight for Rome, by James Duffy

In this second novel in the Gladiators of the Empire series, which continues The Fight for Rome, by James Duffy to tell the story of Quintus Honorius Romanus, the gladiator going by the name of Taurus, we meet again the key characters of James Duffy’s first novel, Sand of the Arena. We meet Quintus, Lindani and Amazonia only a few months after the events in the first book.

It is now AD 69, and it is the Year of the Four Emperors. Emperor Galba has been assassinated, and Otho is engaged in a fight against Vitellius for the throne. But Otho has too few soldiers on his side, and now gladiators are recruited as soldiers for Otho.

At the same time, at a gladiator ludus in Africa, Quintus' arch-enemy, the slave Lucius Calidius, gets a second chance. Julia, who is newly widowed and now sole owner of the Romanus shipping business, comes to rescue Lucius, and soon they find themselves in comfortable circumstances in Alexandria and Caesarea, courting Vespasian, the fourth contender for the Roma throne.

The Fight for Rome is a good and very entertaining novel. However, the plot is a little farfetched – as it places a gladiator in the center of the vast struggle for control over the Roman Empire. But if you accept the plot, this is a good, pretty well researched and very interesting novel. The fighting scenes seem very realistic and the relations among the characters are very interesting and well described. The Fight for Rome is a good historical fiction novel which I recommend.

Praise:

"A well-written story of ancient Rome, comparable to novels written by Simon Scarrow and Michael Curtis Ford . . . an exciting portrayal of gladiatorial combat."

— The Historical Novels Review

"Duffy combines a sure sense of character and narrative with an extraordinary knowledge of the world of the Roman arena. It's an exciting, thrilling novel. I'm looking forward to more in the series."

— John Maddox Roberts, Author,
SPQR historical fiction series