Circus Maximus: Rivals On the Track: An Ancient Roman Adventure

By Author / Illustrator

Annelise Gray

Genre

Historical Fiction

Age range(s)

Publisher

Bloomsbury

ISBN

9781800240612

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

01-09-2022

Synopsis

Dido is the only girl ever to have raced to victory at the Circus Maximus, Rome's greatest sporting arena. Now she and her beloved horse, Porcellus, are in hiding, and Emperor Caligula has put a price on their heads. Can she outwit the emperor and his bounty hunters? And will a shocking family secret stop her in her tracks, or spur her on to make a daring return, helped by a one-eyed mare with a heart as brave as her own?

Horses, history, mystery, thrilling entertainment and sensational storytelling race neck and neck through the second pulse-pounding adventure in Annelise Gray's 9+ series set in Ancient Rome.

'I loved this adventure - full of brilliant horses, and a determined heroine following her dreams against all the odds. Looking forward to discovering what's in store for them next.' Pippa Funnell, MBE, three-time Equestrian Olympic medalist.

Find out more in this Video and Q&A with Annelise Gray Teaching Resource: Rivals on the Track

An Ancient Roman Adventure series: Circus Maximus: Race to the Death (book 1); Circus Maximus: Rivals on the Track (book 2); Circus Maximus: Rider of the Storm (book 3); Circus Maximus: Return of the Champion (book 4)

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Reviews

Jacqueline

Dido is back in Circus Maximus: Rivals on the Track, the second book of her adventures as a charioteer in Roman times. Whilst the title is all about the Circus Maximus, in this book it casts a long shadow, rather than appearing as the main setting. Dido and her family are now in danger because of her actions, riding as a woman in the chariot race. They travel from their home to stay with family in Thugga; which has its own problems as the family are estranged. In Thugga, a new circus is being built and Dido needs to go back to chariot racing in order to save the family stables.

This book is meticulously researched and whilst a novel, contains much that is true. A few of the characters were real people which makes it all the more interesting. I found myself looking up the places in the story (all set in modern-day Tunisia) and it was easy to imagine life in Roman times from the descriptions. I do not consider myself particularly interested in horses, but the chariot racing scenes are so exciting it is impossible not to be drawn into the tension and the excitement of race days.

Dido is an intriguing character, fighting against the norms of the time which dictated the role for women. In this book she is also on the run from Caligula himself and the target of bounty hunters, which adds still further to the tensions. I think this makes the book even more exciting than the first one, as Dido fights for survival for herself and her family and to hold on to her dreams of chariot racing.

344 pages / Reviewed by Jacqueline Harris