The Arena by R.B. Ellis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cael Brenion is an accomplished and deadly fighter. He does not just kill for pleasure, but to protect his younger brother. Cael eventually becomes a target and a pawn in a much bigger game than just the game for survival. Agenayus is a high priest who has be living among humans for a long time, struggling to keep that barrier that protects the humans from falling. That magical barrier protects the human world from much sinister creatures than they could imagine. When the two happen to meet, they discover each other’s motives and drives and eventually join forces to fight for the safety of their charges.
Plenty of references to Rome and gladiator games were made by other reviewers and they are not wrong. Throw in actual magic to the Roman empire and the volatile time that was full of intrigue, politics and violence and you will have an explosive mix just waiting for the write set of characters to shine. The author certainly delivered, and I truly enjoyed this book.


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