Description
Ancient Roman province of Britannia, AD 84. Twelve-year-old orphan Livia has to keep a promise made to her late father: to take a mysterious key to her estranged uncle Marcus. She sets out with the key, her old horse Pegasus and her father's doctoring kit, only to learn that her uncle has left for a town further north. By the time she reaches it, her uncle has gone, and she can't find out where until a boy named Mato informs her that he knows.
But he refuses to tell her unless she takes him with her. As the two young people journey on the trail of Livia's uncle, they start to suspect that the key holds a very dangerous secret. And now Livia and Mato must keep their wits about them, in a deadly game of cat and mouse. But figuring out who is friend, and who is foe, is the greatest challenge of all... An exciting historical novel by multi-award-winning author Sophie Masson.
Review
Set in and around the ancient Roman province of Brittania in AD84, this is a novel that will be enjoyed by those that love historical stories.
Livia is a young orphan girl who is on a mission to fulfil a promise she made to her father on his deathbed - to take the mysterious key to her uncle Marcus, as he will know what to do.
But when she can't find her Uncle Marcus, Livia finds herself in a dilemma. A young slave boy, Mato, who she encounters on her quest to find her uncle, promises Livia that he will help her but that she must take him with her. Can she trust him?
They set off together on a dangerous journey, never knowing who to trust along the way.
Livia's father was an eye doctor, and he taught her everything that he could. She uses this knowledge on their journey, helping others as payment for food. She is a feisty girl, who shows so much spirit and conviction in her efforts to keep her promise to her father. But will her eagerness to fulfil this promise get her, and those she encounters, in trouble?
With many ancient names and places, the glossary at the back will certainly be useful as you piece together all the people and places mentioned. This is a story that will be enjoyed by lower secondary students.
Teacher Notes supplied by the publisher are available for this title on our website.
Reviewed by Sam
