Gladiatrix, by Russell Whitfield

August 18, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: book review, historical fiction 

The main character is Lysandra, a Spartan priestess who is captured and sold into Gladiatrix, by Russel Whitfield slavery to a school for female gladiators – i.e. gladiatrices. Lysandra, of an ancient Spartan sect of warrior priestesses, becomes the property of Lucius Balbus, owner of the foremost Ludus for female gladiators in the Eastern Empire.

The tale in Gladiatrix begins with a very brutal battle between her and another woman in the arena. Lysandra is a skilled sword fighter, and manages to stay alive. She is then brought to the facility that trains women to fight. This is where most of the story takes place, and where we learn more about Lysandra and the other women held captive there.

The training is hard and at times brutal. The rivalry between the women as well – and as they come from all parts of the Roman empire – there are lots of conflicts among the women, both based on differences in background and in differences in status. Lysandra is both beautiful and arrogant, and makes enemies left and right. As well, her beauty attracts unwanted attention from the male trainers.

Lysandra is an intriguing character. Being Spartan, she frequently reflects on the superiority of her own intelligence, education and upbringing. She considers everyone else her inferior. Her physical prowess is extraordinary. Her primary weaknesses are her complete lack of empathy and her startling tactlessness and her aloof pride.

It is an interesting tale, of gladiatorial training, bloody and brutal fighting, of life as slaves, of violence and humiliation, as well as of courage, love, sex, and relationship. It is a very violent tale. There is a great deal of killing in the book, as well as some very violent rape scenes. There is also a lot of eroticism and sex in the book, including some lesbian love scenes. And the language is very blunt. So this is an explicit, colorful and tough book.

Despite the rough edges of the book and its toughness, I liked the book. Gladiatrix is a thrilling first novel, well written, and combines fascinating historical detail with blistering action. Readers who like Bernard Cornwell and Simon Scarrow will find much to enjoy in Gladiatrix.

(For more about gladiators, see also Sand of the Arena, by James Duffy.)

Praise:

“A great debut that shines an entirely new light on the glory and the bloodshed of the Roman arena…It’s exciting stuff, with well rounded characters, nail-biting duels to the death and vividly depicted settings. Gladiatrix makes Gladiator look very tame indeed!”

–Simon Scarrow, author of Under the Eagle

Links to books by Russel Whitfield at amazon US, amazon UK, and amazon CAN.

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