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rosalind's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I loved these books as a kid and they are such a delight to re read after all this time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Body horror, Slavery, and Grief
Minor: Child death, Violence, Suicide, Murder, and Vomit
rigzin22's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
finnm4's review against another edition
3.0
Nostalgia for my childhood!
This book has all the charm and imagination of a book aimed for children and young adults. It firmly places you at the heart of the Roman Empire, and the characters are so likeable it makes you feel you are part of the Geminus Family and their extended friends. I enjoyed the story as it felt cosy and inviting to explore the city of Ostia and get involved in solving the mystery of the thief. However what stops it from being higher than 3 stars is I found some of the descriptions of Doctor Mordecai and his family to play on jewish stereotypes, snd also found the sudden introduction of the suicide of one of the characters without warning to be potentially triggering in a book which is essentially about children solving mysteries in Ancient Rome. Overall, a good read and would pick up again.
This book has all the charm and imagination of a book aimed for children and young adults. It firmly places you at the heart of the Roman Empire, and the characters are so likeable it makes you feel you are part of the Geminus Family and their extended friends. I enjoyed the story as it felt cosy and inviting to explore the city of Ostia and get involved in solving the mystery of the thief. However what stops it from being higher than 3 stars is I found some of the descriptions of Doctor Mordecai and his family to play on jewish stereotypes, snd also found the sudden introduction of the suicide of one of the characters without warning to be potentially triggering in a book which is essentially about children solving mysteries in Ancient Rome. Overall, a good read and would pick up again.
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
I missed these in my own childhood, but would have loved this sort of series. It's a wonderful first book to a series set in Ancient Rome, always a favourite period for primary students, and involving children solving mysteries and murders.
With Sherlock so popular at the moment, the detective genre should receive a boost, and the fact that this is quite instructive on life in Roman times as well as including a murder and several personable young amateur sleuths is in its favour.
Wealthy Flavia and her new neighbours find dogs killed in their street. Alongside the slave girl she rescues and a mute beggar boy, the quartet set out to find who has killed them and why, and of course, involving themselves in a bigger (and more dangerous) mystery.
I loved the historical detail, about every aspect of life from food and houses to slaves and books. The children are well written and not too eager or unrealistic in their language. The audiobook version I read is well-narrated with a talented actor giving distinct voices to all of the characters.
Great start to a series. I would read more if I were the right age, probably 9-12.
With Sherlock so popular at the moment, the detective genre should receive a boost, and the fact that this is quite instructive on life in Roman times as well as including a murder and several personable young amateur sleuths is in its favour.
Wealthy Flavia and her new neighbours find dogs killed in their street. Alongside the slave girl she rescues and a mute beggar boy, the quartet set out to find who has killed them and why, and of course, involving themselves in a bigger (and more dangerous) mystery.
I loved the historical detail, about every aspect of life from food and houses to slaves and books. The children are well written and not too eager or unrealistic in their language. The audiobook version I read is well-narrated with a talented actor giving distinct voices to all of the characters.
Great start to a series. I would read more if I were the right age, probably 9-12.
greenwoodspicers's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
els_tho2349's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5