Circus Maximus: Race To The Death

Author:

Annelise Gray

Illustrator:

N/A

Published by:

Zephyr

First Published:

2 Sept 2021

Ideal for readers aged

13+y

My Review

This is a fabulous series, bringing Ancient Rome vivdly to life, getting us up close and personal with emperors and horses alike. With a passionate female heroine, Dido, whose story links all four books in the series together, they follow the fortunes of one family in Rome whose horse riding abilities bring them close to the emperor and consequently embroil them in the intrigue and danger of the highest echalons of Roman society. At the other end of the spectrum, Dido's loyalty to her family is strong and the books celebrate sibling bands and the power of knowing where you belong. Enthralling, thrilling, and impossible to put down, these are my top pick for historical fiction set in Ancient Rome.

Heads Up!

First in a brilliant series of four books!

Publisher Review

Circus Maximus, the greatest sporting stage of the ancient Roman world, where the best horses and charioteers compete in a race to the death, and one girl dreams of glory. Ben Hur meets National Velvet in the ultimate 9-12 adventure story by debut children's author, Annelise Gray. Twelve-year-old Dido dreams of becoming the first female charioteer at the great Circus Maximus. She's lost her heart to Porcellus, a wild, tempestuous horse she longs to train and race. But such ambitions are forbidden to girls and she must be content with helping her father Antonius - the trainer of Rome's most popular racing team, The Greens - and teaching the rules of racing to Justus, the handsome young nephew of the Greens' wealthy owner. When her father is brutally murdered, she is forced to seek refuge with an unlikely ally. But what of her dream of Circus triumphs and being reunited with the beloved horse she left behind in Rome? And the threat to her life isn't over as she faces a powerful and terrifying new enemy... the emperor Caligula.