Gladiatrix by Russell Whitfield

In the introduction to later printings of The Poet by Michael Connelly, Stephen King writes about a book’s ability to hook readers… well, let me say, Gladiatrix hooked me from the start. Not only is the first short chapter of Gladiatrix thrilling in its cinematic violence, but is also an intriguing setup to the novel (a story which, at first glance, might not seem to be very original - you know, gladiators, albeit female ones, in ancient Rome - pretty sure that’s been done before). Gladiatrix may not be groundbreaking, but it is very entertaining. This book provides a nice mix of story, character development, sex, and violence… the last two elements in no way distracting from the first. We follow the brutal journey of a shipwrecked Spartan priestess as she becomes a slave and gladiatrix in ancient Rome… sure, there is more to the story, but that is the gist of it, and any other necessary details can be gathered from the book’s back cover, which I am recommending you pick up and at least check out during a future book store visit - Gladiatrix by Russell Whitfield looks to be available here in the US in April 2009.

Although I enjoyed the movie Gladiator very much, and was a big fan of HBO’s Rome, my reading in, and knowledge of, ancient Rome is pretty limited. This did not distract at all from my enjoyment of Gladiatrix. In fact, it has created a slight yearning to read more on ancient Rome - anyone have any suggestions? Any book that leaves me wanting more, either of the author or the genre, is a good thing in my mind (and lucky for me, according to the author’s website, a sequel is in the works). For those who enjoyed 300 or Gladiator, I am sure Gladiatrix will be a very entertaining read… the arena scenes are graphic and exciting. This is Russell Whitfield’s first novel, but it doesn’t often feel like one - he deftly develops the characters and moves the story along at a comfortable pace, never languishing too long on any one scene or character’s point of view, building nicely towards the novel’s satisfying and somewhat unexpected conclusion.

Gladiatrix may not be for everyone, although it has enough going for it to appeal to quite a few, and for those who enjoy historical novels set in ancient Rome, this book is a no-brainer.