Tanya Landman talks about her latest book

Carnegie-winning author Tanya Landman has been talking to ReadingZone about her new book, Beyond the Wall, a powerful story for readers aged 15+, set in Roman Britain.

In her earlier novels including Apache and the Carnegie-winning Buffalo Soldier, TANYA LANDMAN delves into history to explore how injustices of the time shaped its people. In BEYOND THE WALL, Landman returns to the past, this time to Roman Britain when the local population lived in thrall to the Roman Empire. With the empire stretching as far as it did, freedom could be no more than a dream for the peoples the Romans enslaved and in Beyond the Wall, Landman gives an unflinching exploration of what this would have meant especially to the enslaved women and children. When one slave does the unthinkable and finds her way back to her ancestral home - to those lands beyond Hadrian's Wall - she gives hope to those still enslaved by the Romans and the roots of rebellion are sewn. Follow the link, below, to read the full interview with Tanya Landman. Beyond the Wall review by Sue Wilsher: Cassia, slave to Cornelius Festus, attacks her master instead of submitting to her role as his mistress. Leaving him maimed, she escapes with the help of Marcus, a Roman trader. Why he helps her to escape and to liberate others is a mystery, but will she make it beyond the wall and to freedom or is there something that Marcus is hiding? This is quite simply an excellent story! A gripping, full on adventure, rich in historical detail, Beyond the Wall is a book which you can't put down! Cassia is an inspiring heroine - her determination, her loyalty, her fierce pride and spirit make her story compelling. Tanya Landman does not shy away from the brutality of life for slaves, particularly women and children, in the Roman Empire and shocking details about their treatment form a backdrop to the narrative which demands empathy and compassion, making the reader support Cassia every step of her journey. An interesting mix of friend and foe, Marcus's story is revealed slowly, offering an insight into his motivations and actions. Also scarred by the might of the Empire, although in a different way, Marcus has his own demons to come to terms with. The wall referred to in the title is Hadrian's, separating England from the land to the north, representing the power of Rome and the bonds of slavery. Once past this, they both are free to pursue their lives. Whether the events in this story would have been possible or not, this is an amazing tale of courage, passion and the desire for freedom, vividly brought to life by a master storyteller. 304 pages / Ages 15+ / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher. Read Tanya Landman's full interview here: