Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Feb 2015
352 pages
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History
Publication Information
When Nic, a slave in the mines outside of Rome, is forced to enter a sealed cavern containing the lost treasures of Julius Caesar, he finds much more than gold and gemstones: He discovers an ancient bulla, an amulet that belonged to the great Caesar and is filled with a magic once reserved for the Gods -- magic some Romans would kill for.
Now, with the deadly power of the bulla pulsing through his veins, Nic is determined to become free. But instead, he finds himself at the center of a ruthless conspiracy to overthrow the emperor and spark the Praetor War, a battle to destroy Rome from within. Traitors and spies lurk at every turn, each more desperate than the next to use Nic's newfound powers for their own dark purposes.
In a quest to stop the rebellion, save Rome, and secure his own freedom, Nic must harness the magic within himself and defeat the empire's most powerful and savage leaders.
"Starred Review. The fast-paced, ingenious plot, charismatic hero and highly diverse cast of characters—including the ancient, eternal city itself—make this series opener a captivating joy ride." - Kirkus Reviews
"Set during the reign of Tacitus, the story is true to the political and social culture of the time without committing too closely to its political history. This maximizes Nielsen's scope for creating page-turning twists while evoking a milieu that retains its appeal for history buffs. Ages 10–14." - Publishers Weekly
"This genre mash-up of history, fantasy, and action/adventure is fast-paced and explores themes such as class struggles, familial ties, and the immorality of slavery. Readers will have lots to digest as they quickly flip through the pages to see how Nic will escape his enemies to become a free man." - School Library Journal
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Jennifer Nielsen, was born and raised in northern Utah, where she still lives today with her husband, their three children, and a perpetually muddy dog. She is the author of The Ascendance trilogy, beginning with The False Prince; the Mark of the Thief series, and the forthcoming A Night Divided. She loves chocolate, old books, and lazy days in the mountains.
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