This wasn't too bad. I wouldn't have named the antagonist Verres when one of the protagonists is named Varro, but that may just be me. A bit slow at the start, but it had a decent end, but on the whole in keeping with the series. And that may well be the problem with the book - because it takes place in the midst of the series (after Spartacus summoned the rain but just before Sura arrives), nothing can happen that changes the situation for any of the characters - they cannot leave the story any better or any worse off than they came in because the book cannot be made necessary to the show. Any growth or character arc must, perforce, be on characters not seen in the show - which isn't why one picks up a book based on a show! Still, the author captured the sounds and personalities of the characters, and the tone of the show fairly well. ( )