The Hawkes Adventures Podcast
Step into the arena.
Hawkes Adventures brings the historical worlds to life - beginning with The Lanista Chronicles to life—an epic historical gamebook series set in ancient Rome, where discipline is survival, brotherhood is fragile, and every decision carries a cost.
Follow Dakon, a gladiator forged by hardship and tested by loyalty, as he navigates the brutal politics of the arena, shifting alliances within the ludus, and the ever-watchful eyes of Rome. Each episode explores the weight of choice, the code of honor that binds warriors together, and the thin line between strategy and sacrifice.
This is not fantasy.
This is steel, sand, and consequence.
Expect immersive storytelling, behind-the-scenes insights into the creation of the gamebooks, historical context on gladiatorial life, and deep dives into the themes that define the series: courage under pressure, leadership earned through suffering, and the cost of becoming who you must be to survive.
If you value history with intensity, moral tension over convenience, and stories where choices truly matter—welcome to the arena.
Episodes
Feb 25, 2026
Feb 25, 2026
7 min
Gamebooks didn't die—they evolved. Discover why Choose Your Own Adventure disappeared, what actually killed the genre, and how a new generation of adult-focused gamebooks is rewriting the rules with tactical depth and historical grit. (AI-generated)
Feb 24, 2026
Feb 24, 2026
6 min
Find out why adult choose-your-own-adventure books are so hard to find—and how historically serious gamebooks are filling the gap with authentic settings, thorough research, and meaningful player choice that actually matters. (AI generated)