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Mark Morris
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Spartacus: Morituri Mass Market Paperback – August 21, 2012

by Mark Morris (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 57 ratings
Drawn to the bloody violence of the fights, Crassus, an Equites who aims at the Praetorship, sets up his own gladiatorial school, while Batiatus and Solonius vie with each other for Crassus's favor. Original. TV tie-in.
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  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Titan Books
  4. Publication date
    August 21, 2012
  5. Dimensions
    4.2 x 0.77 x 6.8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0857681788
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0857681782
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"All the Little Raindrops: A Novel" by Mia Sheridan for $10.39
The chilling story of the abduction of two teenagers, their escape, and the dark secrets that, years later, bring them back to the scene of the crime. | Learn more

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mark Morris is the author of several novels, including Stitch, The Immaculate, The Deluge and four Doctor Who books. He is editor of the award-winning Cinema Macabre, a book of fifty horror movie essays by genre luminaries. Most recently he wrote the official tie-in novel to zombie apocalypse computer game Dead Island and a novelisation of the 1971 Hammer movie Vampire Circus.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Titan Books; Media Tie In edition (August 21, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0857681788
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0857681782
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.2 x 0.77 x 6.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 57 ratings

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Mark Morris

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
57 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book enjoyable, with one mentioning it's better than the TV show. Moreover, the writing is well-executed, with one customer noting how it successfully recreates the show's dialogue. Additionally, customers appreciate the book's graphic content and fast pace.

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12 customers mention "Readability"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, enjoying every page and appreciating the story, with one customer noting it's better than the TV show.

"...The book is bold and bloody and very exciting. I read it quickly and the pace was fantastic. Great book. I want more from Mark Morris...." Read more

"...I enjoyed every page! Very good story and it moved along at a good pace. I would love to read more of these types of short stories." Read more

"...Kind of predictable, but there are some twists that are interesting. It's just a fun exploration of what could have been an episode." Read more

"...Sword and Ashes, the two are not tied but make perfect sense in relationship with the series." Read more

4 customers mention "Language"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the language of the book, finding it well-written with a solid job of recreating the sound, with one customer noting it matches the show's dialogue style.

"...Something is going on but what? The book is written in the language of the show, created by Steven DeKnight an almost Shakespearean tone to it...." Read more

"...Morituri was well-written and fast-paced. Enjoyed it tremendously. I hope that Mark Morris writes another Spartacus book ASAP...." Read more

"...important to properly replicate the look and feel of the show's style, voice, and graphic content. Morris nails this area with no flaws...." Read more

"...Like his former predecessor, Morris did an outstanding job of capturing the sounds and slaughter of the TV series...." Read more

3 customers mention "Blood content"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the graphic content of the book, with one review highlighting the detailed bloody fights to the death scenes.

"...The book is bold and bloody and very exciting. I read it quickly and the pace was fantastic. Great book. I want more from Mark Morris...." Read more

"...intricate detail from the show is present in Morituri, the bloody fights to the death, the over the top sexuality, even Batiatus's comedic profanity...." Read more

"More blood and gore !Since the TV version has ended, this filled my appetite for more Spartucus stories....PLEASE WRITE MORE!" Read more

3 customers mention "Entertainment value"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, with one mentioning it has enough intrigue to keep them hooked.

"...It's just a fun exploration of what could have been an episode." Read more

"...this was the case with Swords and Ashes, albeit it was still an entertaining book that stayed true to the source material while not taking any..." Read more

"I Love the TV show and the book is good entertainment/light reading in between seasons.I do like this story better then the first spartacus book" Read more

3 customers mention "Pace"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the pace of the book, with one mentioning they read it quickly.

"...The book is bold and bloody and very exciting. I read it quickly and the pace was fantastic. Great book. I want more from Mark Morris...." Read more

"...I enjoyed every page! Very good story and it moved along at a good pace. I would love to read more of these types of short stories." Read more

"...Morituri was well-written and fast-paced. Enjoyed it tremendously. I hope that Mark Morris writes another Spartacus book ASAP...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • WISHFUL THINKING
    5.0 out of 5 stars SPARTACUS MORITURI- Loved it!!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    This book was pure reading enjoyment. It takes place during the first season of Spartacus when Batiatus is still running the Ludus and Spartacus is now the champion of Capua. There is a new lanista in the town of Capua, Hieronymus. He wishes to have his gladiators take on Batiatus's gladiators. With Hieronymus is an odd sightless creature of a man named Mantilus. It seems many of Batiatus gladiators are getting ill and weaker and unable to fight with the usual strength and speed. Something is going on but what? The book is written in the language of the show, created by Steven DeKnight an almost Shakespearean tone to it. The book is bold and bloody and very exciting. I read it quickly and the pace was fantastic. Great book. I want more from Mark Morris. Loved this book!!!!!!!!!!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Savvy Shopper
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
    Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    An absolute good read! I love the show and decided to give this book a try. I enjoyed every page! Very good story and it moved along at a good pace. I would love to read more of these types of short stories.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Keaton Fletcher
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great if you love the show
    Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Great if you love the show. Kind of predictable, but there are some twists that are interesting. It's just a fun exploration of what could have been an episode.
    One person found this helpful
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  • A. Foster
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    While I will probably never get over the loss of the wonderful STARZ television series Spartacus (upon which this book is based), at least I can relive the glory through the books.

    Morituri was well-written and fast-paced. Enjoyed it tremendously. I hope that Mark Morris writes another Spartacus book ASAP. Or -- even better -- a book about the rock star gladiator Gannicus. Maybe a peek into the lost years between Gannicus gaining his freedom in the arena and when he joined the Rebellion?

    My will, your hands, Mark Morris. I would buy that book in a heartbeat.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • CDUB
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
    Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Kept right with the tradition of the Spartacus Starz Series. Also read Sword and Ashes, the two are not tied but make perfect sense in relationship with the series.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Hannibal0020
    3.0 out of 5 stars For The Fans
    Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2012
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    The last Spartacus novel `Swords and Ashes' wasn't a masterpiece, but it successfully scratched the itch for more insight into the incredible world Starz entertainment has created. It was an all-around solid read and fans appreciated the gesture. Now we have the second and supposedly final novel for the Spartacus television series. With the show unfortunately coming to an end with War of the Damned, Starz has given the fans one final hurrah before the epic finale in the form of Spartacus: Morituri.

    Morituri takes place during the show's first season, `Blood and Sand.' Meaning Spartacus is the current Champion of Capua, Batiatus is still among the living, and the show's general focus was on gladiator combat and all the political intrigue that goes on behind the scenes. The plot begins when Batiatus runs into the rich merchant, now turned lanista known as Hieronymus, and his harrowing assistant, Mantilus. After a rather unpleasant exchange on Batiatus's behalf, he quickly discovers Hieronymus's fortune is funded by the the illustrious Marcus Licinius Crassus, a figure in history that people most undoubtedly will recognize. With Hieronymus entering the shady business of a lanista, it seems like fair game for both Batiatus and Solonius. That is, until a strange sickness begins to affect the gladiators under both their houses. With no explanation in sight, blame quickly gets shifted to the presence of spirits affecting the living. With upcoming contest approaching against Hieronymus's ruthless Morituri gladiators and the men drained both physically and mentally, it's up to Spartacus to uncover the truth behind their decline, or else death will surely meet them all among the sands.

    I feel the real reason why many tie-in novels fail to truly wow me isn't because of the author's lack of skill (which Morris has plenty of), but rather the very limited sense of freedom they're given when writing about the show and its characters. With a storyline as tightly-woven as the one found in Spartacus, both Morris and Clements before him are given minimal liberty to experiment with the characters and make even more compelling stories, lest they make plot-holes and have fans of the series roast them and their work. I feel this was the case with Swords and Ashes, albeit it was still an entertaining book that stayed true to the source material while not taking any chances of its own. Because of this, there's nothing in either of these novels that will redefine the way you look at any of the characters or the show, nor is there any eureka moments where things fit perfectly together with the series mythology. With that said, even with the drastic creative handicap placed on Morris, he still managed to make a solid book that fans of the series will definitely enjoy.

    Anyone who's even remotely interested in reading this book will be among the hardest of the hardcore fans like myself. Because of this, I'm not going to bother going into detail about the show's iconic characters since everyone will already be familiar with them from watching the show. What's important is how well Morris is able to emulate their mannerisms to the point where their every action in the book comes off feeling natural, which he does, mostly. There were two characters inconsistencies that I found in the book, (though I'm such a dork for this show that I'll probably be the only one who does notice them.) The first was Oenomaus's respect for Spartacus as the Champion of Capua. At this point in the show's timeline, Oenomaus considered Spartacus an honorless dog for trying to defile his very way of life by escaping the ludus, thus making his inner respect for him stand out of character. The second issue also involves Spartacus; it was his nonchalant outlook on being a gladiator. After going through a tragic turning point in his life, there was a time in the first season where Spartacus actually enjoyed being the champion and the glory it bestowed upon him. Again, minor things that only the most avid of fans would probably notice, so I won't hold them against Morris. Aside from those two small mishaps, the characterization of the show's roster is spot-on, making Morituri feel like an authentic Spartacus episode.

    There's a great deal of work that goes into emulating the show's cast of characters and then shifting it into a literary format. Yet it's also monumentally important to properly replicate the look and feel of the show's style, voice, and graphic content. Morris nails this area with no flaws. Every intricate detail from the show is present in Morituri, the bloody fights to the death, the over the top sexuality, even Batiatus's comedic profanity. Serious props must also be given to Morris being able to mimic the show's dialogue. It's done very well and continues to reinforce the authentic vibe of the television show.

    Like the Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero who guest starred in Swords and Ashes, Morituri also sports an actual historical figure in the form of Marcus Crassus. While his role in the novel is quite limited, he still leaves a powerful impression, making his presence in the book help ground the novel in the realm of plausibility, thus making me even more excited to see him on the screen as the villain in War of the Damned.

    I also really liked what Morris was able to bring new to the table that hasn't and most likely will never be explored on the show. While he maintains the series' mainstays of gladiator fights and political backstabbing, he also manages to incorporate a light dose of mystery and superstition, completely befitting of a place and era whose culture was so heavily influenced by a sense of mysticism. These newer aspects are incorporated flawlessly into the already preexisting elements of the show, making it feel less like a retreading and more like a fresh new take on them.

    Like all tie-in novels, Morituri isn't going to blow your mind or anything, but it will satisfy fans of the show who need more Spartacus. The plot was solid all-around, though it won't rival the show's masterful writing anytime soon. But it provided enough intrigue to keep me hooked, even if the climax was rather lackluster. Yet despite a few glaring issues, the characters were well illustrated along with the show's style and personality, and overall it's a solid book.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • M. Papke
    5.0 out of 5 stars Spartacus Morituri
    Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2012
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    I Love the TV show and the book is good entertainment/light reading in between seasons.I do like this story better then the first spartacus book
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  • Scott C Jarvis
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good for fans, not as good as Swords and Ashes.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2012
    Fans of show should enjoy the book. Book focuses on house of Batiatus trying to figure out why all the gladiators are seemingly weakened upon arrival of a strange guest.

    Has a slow start, not as political or action packed as Swords and Ashes, but fans should still enjoy.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Debbie K. Seed
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 2, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    A pitch perfect and engaging story set late in the first series of Spartacus. I would've loved to have seen some of these new characters in the series as they blend so well with already established characters from the TV show. A cleverly plotted and ultimately satisfying read.
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  • Gareth Jenkins
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2021
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    Brilliant book just like the show
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  • obiwan_9000
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good fun if you liked the TV series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 11, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This story is set at the same time of the other Spartacus tie in novel - Sword and Ashes by J.M.Clements. Spartacus and Crixus have defeated Theokolus and Crixus is in the medicus recovering from his wounds.

    Batiatus and Spartacus, the bringer of rain, faces a new challenge from a Greek merchant wishing to create his own ludus and win the games using underhand measures.

    If you like the TV series you will get a kick out of this stand alone story. All your favourite characters from the TV series are in the story and Crassus himself makes an early appearance which is fine given he does not actually interact with Spartacus much, so no spoilers with War Of The Damned series.

    This novel is lot more fun than Sword and Ashes and has some great dialogue and fight scenes. I enjoyed it as much as any episode from the TV series and if you looking for more Spartacus fun and classic Batiatus phrases than look no further.

    The book states Book 1 of Spartacus so hopefully there will be more.
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  • Mr. Shane Walsh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 22, 2012
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    Absolutely amazing book, if your a fan of the TV series then this makes for a great read. Just as filthy and violent as the show with tons of sex. Great stuff, highly recommended :-)
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  • athena
    5.0 out of 5 stars A GOOD READ
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 17, 2012
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    If you are a fan of Spartacus, you will love this book. The author catches the humour of Varro and the greed of Batiatus perfectly. And Spartacus is wonderfully written. Can really recommend this one.
    One person found this helpful
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