Spartacus: Swords and Ashes by J. M. Clements

J. M. Clements' novel is a complement to the first season of the gladiatorial drama on Starz. Titan Books sent me this copy for review.

Spartacus, recently crowned the Champion of Capua, must participate in a graveside fight of a wealthy Neapolitan who was murdered by his own slaves. The always ambitious Quintus Batiatus sees an opportunity to seize the dead man's estate and consolidate greater wealth and power.

The series is known for its scenes of visceral violence, explicit sex and over-the-top storylines fueled primarily by greed. Spartacus: Sword and Ashes holds up that standard faithfully. The erotic scenes mirror that of the series: gratuitous and void of sensual feeling as Romans exert their power over others. The violence is harsh and gruesome, perhaps even more so in book form as Clements goes all out to describe mutilations, amputations and decapitations. The language structure is archaic – as it is in the series – but it flows well enough. It was easy to imagine hearing John Hannah exclaim how Jupiter's – ahem – member has violated him once again.

In the middle of it all is Spartacus, the chief bringer of death. But whereas the violence and mayhem that surrounds him is chaotic and seemingly void of purpose beyond exploiting one's power over another, Spartacus maintains a strong moral fiber that guides his conduct. He kills on command, but reasons it as a means of universal justice or on a primal level: his own survival. He must kill or be killed. Thanks to prose, Clements is able to take readers deeper into the gladiator's mind and reveal his thoughts and actions.

The television series is not for everyone and neither is the book. Fans of the show will enjoy the novel more than non-fans, and it certainly helps to know the principle characters from the first season before turning to Page 1. Nevertheless, it’s an entertaining read and an excellent companion to the series.