*Shortlisted

Review by Ridwanah, Wellington Primary School, Tower Hamlets, London
Lupa or known as Brea or she-wolf was a character that I liked in this most wonderful story. She is a brave character, but also quite kind and caring too. She is accompanied by a wolf named Col, and met the main character, Vita near the start of the book. Brea is also a forgiving character, when Vita revealed her true identity that she had been hiding for a while Brea was a little disappointed that this was hidden from her but quite quickly forgave. She also has a strong belief in her own gods and is empathetic.

Each of the characters were amazingly written, but a man called Caisius Agrippa was one that I didn’t not like. Not because of how the author had written this character but its personality (the authors way of describing this man and how he was revealed to be the enemy was wonderful, I just don’t like bad characters?) He was a manipulative man, hiding many secrets. He was the one who had murdered both Vita and Brea’s fathers, and then blamed a steward in Vita’s home as the culprit of Vita’s father’s death. It’s honestly disgusting how he could do such a thing, but justice had been done and he has disappeared from the face of the earth. It is quite shocking that Agrippa was supposed to be Vita’s spouse…

This book was set in the Roman times, in London. During that time London, and other countries and places had different names. London was called Londinium then. I also found out that people then would get married at a young age, such as Vita who was supposed to be marrying that disgrace of a weasel (Cassius Agrippa) was only 14 years old. Which is considered young today. Also, some people called the soldiers eagle-men and were entertainment in the Roman times included acting and watching people fight.

I would 100% recommend this book to basically anyone, this book was one of the best ones I have ever read (along with Rebel Skies), this book is packed with suspense and mystery, betrayal, and chaos, and finally, victory.

I do not think there was anything I did not enjoy; I have savoured every last crumb of the magnificent story. The author is just too good!

Review by Mujtaba, Claremont High School, Harrow, Middlesex
In the story of Vita and The Gladiator, Ally Sherrick masterfully creates a story wrapped in resilience, courage, and emotional drama. As the plot unfolds, Sherrick weaves together elements of mystery, intrigue, and action, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Yet amidst the excitement, it is the bond between Vita and her new friends that forms the emotional core of the novel, reminding readers of the power of friendship and solidarity in the face of adversity.

At the heart of the story is Vita, a spirited and resourceful young girl who finds herself thrust into the hazardous world of gladiators and Roman politics. After the unexpected death of her father and the disappearance of her mother and brother, Vita is left to struggle on her own. Left with no options, Vita embarks on a harrowing quest for retribution, driven by a fierce determination to right the wrongs inflicted upon her loved ones. To achieve her goal, she adopts a daring disguise, infiltrating the perilous world of the gladiatorial arena where her fate will be decided amidst the clash of swords and the roar of the crowd.

Sherrick masterfully captures Vita's resilience as she navigates the challenges of her surroundings, from the bustling streets of Rome to the awe-inspiring arenas where gladiators fight for their lives. Central to Vita's journey is her encounter with the enigmatic Gladiator, whose mysterious past captivates both Vita and readers. As Vita forms an unlikely bond with Brea, Sherrick explores themes of bravery, loyalty, and the quest for justice in an unfair society.

Sherrick uses her story to mirror the inequalities that many face today. Vita is used as a beacon of hope to empower and encourage those today who feel helpless, and shows how with all the odds against them, victory is possible. In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and felt captivated from cover to cover. This book is a masterful display of an intricate storyline with a powerful, underlying message. 

Review by Bailey, Sheen Mount Primary School, Richmond, Surrey
I found the book Vita and the Gladiator very interesting because you never knew what would happen next. What sets the scene is when Vita’s (the main character) father died. However, I didn’t like how the father died and that she was kidnapped on her feast-day (her birthday). 

My favourite character was Brea because when we first met her, she was not very nice to Vita, but later she became her friend. The character that I disliked like the most was Master Otho because I didn't like the way he treated Vita. 

I learnt that if you were rich at the time of the Roman Empire you would be at risk of being killed. The plot was very serious because Vita and Brea had to try to escape the Colosseum. I noticed that Vita wanted to be a writer and she was very brave. 

I would recommend this book to people because if you like murder, history, and mystery then this is your book. I really enjoyed reading the book.