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Arena

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Arena

By: Simon Scarrow, T. J. Andrews
Narrated by: David Thorpe
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About this listen

Arena is a Sunday Times best-selling novel from Simon Scarrow, author of Invictus, Centurion and The Gladiator, and T.J. Andrews. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell.

It is AD 41. The city of Rome is a dangerous place.

Optio Macro of the Second Legion, recently decorated for courage on the battlefield, can't wait to leave the teeming city behind. He's dismayed when he's compelled to stay in Rome to train Marcus Valerius Pavo, a young gladiatorial recruit.

Though fearless Pavo has fought for his life before, he's a novice in the arenas. But he's a driven man, with a goal dearer than survival - to avenge his father's death at the hands of a champion gladiator. Will he live to face his nemesis?

©2013 Simon Scarrow (P)2013 Headline Publishing Group Ltd Fiction Historical Fiction Rome

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Critic reviews

"Ferocious and compelling." ( Daily Express)
All stars
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as always a good action packed story with plenty of chuckles. macro is a favourite of mine with or without cato .very good

love it

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Once again Simon Scarrow writes a good story, well worth a listen & he includes some of cast of his other books, in short it's a good side issue one that could be followed on into a whole new collection of stories

Another good one from Scarrow

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A little like the Starwars film this story id out of sequence When such a popular duo as Macro and Cato have been created to then go back before they meet can only ever be a fill in money spinner until tbe next Eagles novel. A good listen but not as good in my opinion.

Good but.....

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What did you like most about Arena?

My son thought this was a thrilling and fast moving story. He particularly liked the tricky Greeks called Palllas and Marena(?) who could never be trusted to do what they said.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Macro (of macro and Cato fame) who was always straight to the point and took any disaapointment in his stride.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The best bit was when Marena got his come uppance at the end... In a truly Roman way.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Much better than Gladiator

A devious tale

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One of the best of Simon Scarrow's outstanding books with plenty of scheming, double crossing by the Emperor's freedmen and gladiatorial action. It sets the scene at the end for Macro to take his centurion posting with the 2nd legion on the Rhine for the start of the brilliant Eagle series. I loved this book

Ever wondered what being a gladiator would be like

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I needed a good long audio book to keep me going. I always enjoy Simon Scarrow especially the Ancient Roman series. Arena was an interesting and enjoyable tale especially as it has Macro in it. Lots of plot twists and action. looking forward to the next one.

A good long story

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top knotch stuff, start to finish, great prequel to the eagle series aswell. would be good to hear a story of macro's child hood training with a gladiator

Great

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loved it. great story well written perfectly delivered. great addition to the series and very entertaining

perfect read

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I really enjoyed this audioook. the story was quick paced and interesting. What made it, however, was the narrator. having listened to over 200 audio books so far I think this could be my favorite narrator yet. His voice is very easy to listen to but he also has the range needed to voice different characters. It is like listening to your dad read you a bedtime story... except its a story about violence!

Great story. Exceptional Narration!

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It is a very nice side story from the Eagle and Sword epic. What was not so good was the constant changes in volume of the narrative.

Good side book

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