The Impossible Gladiator (Time Keys, book 3)

By Author / Illustrator

MG Leonard, illus Manuel Sumberac

Genre

Mystery & Detective

Age range(s)

Publisher

Macmillan Children's Books

ISBN

9781035024377

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

12-02-2026

Synopsis

The action adventure of Gladiator meets the time travel of Doctor Who in the third title of the epic Time Keys series by bestselling award-winner MG Leonard. Perfect for 8 to 12-year-old fans of Adventures on Trains. Supports the curriculum. Illustrated throughout in black and white by Manuel Sumberac.

Sim, Jeopardy and Nelson are enjoying an amazing holiday in Rome, until they they are swept up in the mysterious disappearance of world-famous illusionist Kinetic. He vanished during a live broadcast from the Colosseum, but he never reappeared. When Kinetic's sister finds a strange description in a history book of a gladiator who sounds uncannily like her brother, the friends are determined to help.

They travel through secret time doors to the spectacular - and deadly - Colosseum in Ancient Rome, but can the brave trio survive long enough to find Kinetic and bring him home?

The Impossible Gladiator can be read as a stand-alone novel, or enjoyed as part of the thrilling Time Keys series written by M. G. Leonard. Follow Sim, Jeopardy and Nelson's adventures in Ancient Egypt, Hunt for the Golden Scarab, and Viking Norway in The Legend of Viking Thunder.

Find out more about Hunt for the Golden Scarab from author MG Leonard.

Praise for the Time Keys series: 'A complete triumph of imagination . . . readers are going to fall in love with this brilliant series' - A. F. Steadman, bestselling author of Skandar. 'A captivating adventure loaded with history and intrigue' - Abi Elphinstone. ''A cracking series with stunning illustrations' - Christopher Edge, bestselling author of Escape Room. Classic and fresh - a breathtaking adventure' - Eoin Colfer, author of Artemis Fowl. 'A thrilling time-travel adventure' - The Guardian.

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Reviews

Sue

Whilst enjoying a holiday in Rome, Sim, Jeopardy and Nelson are shocked when they hear about the disappearance of a famous illusionist called Kinetic. Having found a newly added line in an old copy of poems, Kinetic's sister, Soraya, is convinced that it is a message from Kinetic, trapped in ancient Rome. Determined to help, Sim, Jeopardy and Nelson find themselves on a race through time . . .

The Impossible Gladiator is the third adventure in the Time Keys series. Having already travelled to Ancient Egypt and Viking Norway, Sim, Jeopardy and Nelson find themselves in Ancient Rome. Impossible to put down, each book offers a cracking adventure, offering a wealth of historical information.

Perfect for enriching areas of the current KS2 History curriculum, readers will absorb details about the past, effortlessly learning whilst enjoying a great story. As well as being rich in history, family and friendship are at the heart of these stories. With the adults playing a significant role in the action, it is possible to see not only the children’s growth as characters, but also their family dynamics and with more hints about Sim's family and possible connection to Kane Wolf, this is sure to develop in the next book. A great addition to a brilliant series!

272 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher