Bensin, a teenage slave and martial artist, is just one victory away from freedom. But after he is accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he is condemned to the violent life and early death of a gladiator. While his loved ones seek desperately for a way to rescue him, Bensin struggles to stay alive and forge an identity in an environment designed to strip it from him. When he infuriates the … authorities with his choices, he knows he is running out of time. Can he stand against the cruelty of the arena system and seize his freedom before that system crushes him?
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Book two of Bensin’s world is both terrible and fantastic. Terrible because of how the world is run – by cruelty, bloodlust and mercenary money makers and those that condone the awfulness that is a slave’s life. And fantastic due to the wonderful storytelling of bravery, love and sacrifice.
Extremely well written with fabulously real characters that battle in various ways to survive in this despicable world. It’s steeped in action, adventure, suspense and emotions, and done so well that it hooked me from start to finish, as did book one.
I don’t give spoilers but will say that it’s an excellent tale and not just for YA readers. I am looking forward to the next book.
Highly recommended.
The Gladiator and the Guard is the second book of Annie Douglass Lima’s Krillonian Chronicles, and it centres on the same main characters as the first book – Bensin, Ellie, and Coach Steene.
Here, Bensin – now aged 18 – is framed for a crime he did not commit and is sentenced to die in the gladiatorial arena. But, trained as he is, he wins, earning a spot by the other condemned criminals of the Red Arena. To survive, he is forced through relentless training regimes, gruelling punishments, and constant bloody battles.
Being a fan of bloody and adrenaline-filled action scenes, this was right up my alley, and I really enjoyed this part of the story, or Bensin’s plotline in general. But since I previously listened to the first book, this felt like a pretty dark shift, as though the intended audience might be a little older with this book than what it was with the first. Not that I mind; it is merely an observation.
The only thing I’d grumble about in The Gladiator and the Guard is the fact I struggled a bit to connect with Bensin due to his new, more abrasive personality.
But all in all, this was another great instalment of the Krillonian Chronicles. I really enjoyed listening!
I’ve previously reviewed the first book in this series and loved it. I’ve been excited to return for part 2. The setting is 4 years after book 1, though it plays very little into the story. The only reason I can see is to age up Ellie a bit.
Book 2 wastes no time with introductions and just jumps into the action. While Bensen is struggling to keep his head above water, his dad (pretty much) and sister are desperately trying to figure out how to get him out. It adds a sense of urgency to the story as you’re left wondering if/how they’ll succeed.
The one thing I disliked about this book was the cliffhanger ending. Book 3 isn’t on Audible at the time of this review. I don’t have the time to review a paperback copy, so I must wait which just makes it all the more insufferable because I have no idea how long that will be.
The narrator does an excellent job as before. Though I did notice at one point that Steene who normally has an accent didn’t have one during his inner monologue, which was odd.
If you’re reading this, you probably read and liked part 1. This book is more of the same, but better. Give it a read (or listen).
NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.