The Gladiator and the Guard (Krillonian Chronicles, Book 2)

By: Annie Douglass Lima

Narrated by: Joseph Baltz

Length: 16 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

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?

©2016 Annie Douglass Lima (P)2021 Annie Douglass Lima

Clean, Exciting Adventure

Sometimes the second book in a trilogy can be a let down, but not so in this case. This second book is just as amazing as the first, I can't wait to read/listen to the final book! Not only is there plenty of adventure, but it is full of compassion and friendship that is willing to sacrifice even to the death. The characters are wonderful. There is never a dull moment. It also has some tear jerker moments, so be warned if you prefer rainbows and unicorns. There is some violent content and I wouldn't recommend it for a young audience. But I loved this book and can certainly recommend it for adults. There is no inappropriate language or content. Great read!

The narration was great and brought the characters and story to life.

I requested this audio book from the author and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

The Gladiator and the guard

An action packed sports and rescue story and he was rescued just in time before he was to have to if hit to stay alive as his top boss wanted his dead. Read it to find out just how it all came about.

An unforgettable sequel!

Bensin’s story continues in this intense, unforgettable sequel.

This is one of my favorite YA books, and the audio version does not disappoint. The first book was a great introduction to the Krillonian empire, and the sequel concentrates on some of the darker, deadlier aspects of the world. Bensin, a teenage slave, is accused of a crime he didn’t commit and is sentenced to death in the gladiator arena. When he sees a chance to change his fate, he finds himself in a life- changing situation that might separate him from Ellie and Coach Steene forever. At the same time, Ellie and Coach search desperately for a way to save him.

This book is even more intense than the first in the series. Four years have passed and Bensin is now eighteen, and the book reflects the maturity of the main character. The plot is darker as Bensin wrestles with internal conflict and spiteful thoughts of his old mentor, Steene. He’s also forced to fight in the merciless gladiator games, which turn out to be more brutal and bloodier than Bensin believed. His skill with a Cavvarach might save him in the arena, but the bigger danger and more interesting conflict comes from Bensin deciding whether he will let the arena change him.

The book has the perfect amount of tension. There were parts when I felt total stress for the main characters, and I never could tell how they would overcome their problems. It builds to the most exciting, nail-biting climax, and ends with a cliffhanger, leaving you scrambling for the third book.

The audio narration was just as good as the first. Again, I didn’t love some of the accents, but that’s just a personal preference. I thought he did a great job.

I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys thrilling plots, found family, and complex social issues. Annie Lima’s characters jump off the page and I love them to pieces. They’re like old friends, and I know I’ll be listening to this book many times in the future.

Baskerville Book Reviews

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.

4.5/5 Stars YA Action/Dystopia

Summary:
Bensin gets accused of a crime he didn't commit. He's sentenced to death in the arena and winds up as a gladiator. Meanwhile, Coach and Bensin's sister are trying desperately to find a way to free him before it's too late.

Additional Comments:
- 4/5 Stars Main Characters: Bensin goes through a brief time of being a complete jerk, but he thankfully gets over that. Ellie’s cute, but in audio it’s just painful. That’s not the narrator’s fault. He does whiny girl well, but oy, still painful. Coach Stein’s a hapless but nice guy. These are all characters you can root for.
- Plot 4.5/5 Stars: It’s a very long book, but there’s excellent flow to what happens. There’s also good balance between the two stories: Ellie/Coach and Bensin.
- Performance 4/5 Stars: Joseph Baltz does a lovely job with distinguishing the characters. There were some annoying parts where he tries to convey speaking while somebody is chewing. I get that, and he does it well. Still doesn’t make those parts less annoying.
- World Building 5/5 Stars: The Krillonian Empire isn’t exactly one you’d like to live in, but it’s well described and very interesting.
- 4/5 Stars Cover and Title Fit: very well.
- 3/5 Stars Sense of Closure: You do get the sense that this ch closes, but there’s clearly a third book. It’s not exactly the sort of series you’d be okay to read out of order.
- 2/5 Stars Preview: This is probably just a pet peeve of mine. I find previews of future audiobooks terribly annoying, especially if the audiobook isn’t ready yet.

Conclusion:
A very, very, very long but good entry in an excellent series.

*I received a free copy of the audio. I have freely chosen to review. All thoughts are my own.

Freedom comes with haunting sacrifices

Received as an audio review copy from the author, this is an honest review. Narrated once again by Joseph Baltz, whose gorgeous and chilling performance of the second book of his trilogy makes the story's all the more haunting and memorable. On the cusp of earning his own freedom, Bensin ponders what his future could hold with one path could be a professional fighter; but after he is brutally assaulted, Bensin's future is altered forever. Falsely accused of trying to murder in the same assault of his tournament rival; Bensin is sent to die in Red Arena, against the fierce gladiators he once admired. Bensin's coach, sister and friends are deeply shattered by the outcome and are left emotionally reeling of a future without Bensin. Harrowingly switching back and forth, we witness the darkly ruthlessness and abuse Bensin and his fellow gladiators endure; with Bensin struggling to figure out what kind of fighter does he wanted to become. Can he still be a kind person when the system keeps beating you down? What happens to Ellie and Bensin's former coach is so poignant and realistic you feel their sadness, trauma and determination to find a way to rescue Bensin... no matter the cost or sacrifice its calls upon to make. This already beautiful series gets hellishly gritty and dark that has you looking at this world in a fresh and difficult way, highly recommended.

Excellent, clean read!

Enjoyed book two as much as book one! This is a great series for middle grade/young adult guys in particular. But as a middle-aged female, I still really enjoyed it! Will make a great read aloud for a family as well.

Well written characters that you will either be cheering for or jeering for. I took one star off due to more internal thought then seemed necessary. Occasionally tedious.

Also, one scene toward the end of the book where time is excruciatingly crucial, there was a lot of talking and reminiscing going on that did not seem realistic to the pressure of the moment.

But those are very minor things in the scheme of an interesting and relatable world, where there are familiar things and technologies, and backwards and medieval things like gladiators and slavery.

The story will definitely provide an impetus for many good and healthy conversations about character without being preachy or trite.

Highly intense

Very intense and gripping along with some major heartaches. The character development is well done as is the world building.

wonderful continuation of a good story

I love this series. The narrator does an excellent job of bringing it to life.

More violent than the first, but still great

I very much enjoyed listening to this book and finding out what happens to Bensin and Ellie! This book takes place 4 years after the first book, so they’ve both grown up quite a bit since then. Life seems to be going fairly well, but of course things can’t keep going that way! Through tragedy and betrayal, their lives are turned upside down. It was hard for me to see Bensin give in to bitterness and let it control him, but the way he turned it around in the end was so beautiful! It was also great to see Ellie’s and especially Steene’s character growth. About half of this book takes place in a gladiator arena or training center, and it is more violent than the first book, so I generally made sure to listen when my young children weren’t in the room (unless I was sure the scene wasn’t going to be bloody), but I do believe it would be appropriate for teens. I look forward to reading the next book!