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amsw223's review against another edition
5.0
Who would have thought a children's story about chariot racing in the Roman empire would portray emperor Caligula more accurately than the Roman Empire Netflix series? I certainly didn't, but I welcomed the familiar portrayals here! The author mentions in the end notes that she referred to classical sources for her portrayals of Caligula, Macro, and Cassius Chaerea, and it definitely shows! I also very much enjoyed seeing Incitatus (Porcellus) take a leading role for once!
It would have been difficult for a horse-mad girl raised around the chariot factions to get her chance in the traces and Dido's story, while fanciful and fun, did reflect those difficulties and limitations experienced by her sex. Dido's story had plenty of intrigue intersecting with the historical timeline and I enjoyed every single character, fictional and nonfictional!
Great read for Cheltenham week - I look forward to moving through the rest of the series just as quickly!
It would have been difficult for a horse-mad girl raised around the chariot factions to get her chance in the traces and Dido's story, while fanciful and fun, did reflect those difficulties and limitations experienced by her sex. Dido's story had plenty of intrigue intersecting with the historical timeline and I enjoyed every single character, fictional and nonfictional!
Great read for Cheltenham week - I look forward to moving through the rest of the series just as quickly!
johanna_b's review against another edition
4.0
When I was younger, I was obsessed with Caroline Lawrence's series, The Roman Mysteries, which is a middle grade book series set in Ancient Rome. While I highly recommend those books, this one brought back all the memories in the best way possible. Annelise Gray is such a talented writer and the way she weaved the history of the Emperor Claudius and the Circus was so immaculate! Especially in a middle grade book this is such an important thing to nail because it makes the story that much more accessible to anyone who might want to pick it up and doesn't necessarily leave it to those who already know the history.
Additionally, I loved the down-to-earth feel that the story had. This is something else I love to see in a middle grade book. Ancient Rome was a dark place and I really appreciated how the author didn't try to sugar coat it but instead told it how it was and in doing so retained an authenticity that only comes when you aren't afraid to dive into the "nitty gritty". It also helps to gain a wider audience because it's written in a way that makes it great for kids but also leaves the door open for teens and adults to enjoy it as well.
While reading, I was also surprised to find that this book holds a very modern feel for being set in ancient times. I can't really explain it but I enjoyed how it didn't feel like a stretch to place myself inside the story even though the events that take place had happened near a thousand years ago! I'm so happy that my library already has copies of the sequel available and you can count on me reading that one very soon! Happy Reading :)
Additionally, I loved the down-to-earth feel that the story had. This is something else I love to see in a middle grade book. Ancient Rome was a dark place and I really appreciated how the author didn't try to sugar coat it but instead told it how it was and in doing so retained an authenticity that only comes when you aren't afraid to dive into the "nitty gritty". It also helps to gain a wider audience because it's written in a way that makes it great for kids but also leaves the door open for teens and adults to enjoy it as well.
While reading, I was also surprised to find that this book holds a very modern feel for being set in ancient times. I can't really explain it but I enjoyed how it didn't feel like a stretch to place myself inside the story even though the events that take place had happened near a thousand years ago! I'm so happy that my library already has copies of the sequel available and you can count on me reading that one very soon! Happy Reading :)
adaora_ble's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Blood and Stalking
daniela_dy06's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
cara_p's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book in two or three days, but only because I was delayed by the inconvenience of having to attend to everyday life.
Circus Maximus is the story of the daughter of the trainer of one of the Circus Maximus's chariot racing teams. The problem is that Dido, being a girl, can't race, and when her father is caught up in the middle of a plot to fix the races, Dido is forced to flee Rome. She ends up with the man her father used to race against, but the plot goes much higher into the echelons of Roman society than any of them could have imagined and Dido is forced to pretend she is dead and pass herself off as a boy. And being a boy, there's now no reason why she can't return to Rome and have her revenge from the sands of the Circus Maximus. . .
I really enjoyed this book. It's clear that the author took time to research both horses and Roman culture and as a result, the book was believable and satisfying. I appreciated that though Dido is a girl who wants to race horses, this isn't a ragingly feminist book, it's about a girl who loves horses and wants to avenge her father. She's not angsty either, she's capable but feminine and I'd happily read more books with all of these characters in them. Setting it during the time that Caligula became Emperor was a good call too, because it added a lot of tension (for me anyway), knowing how erratic and often brutal he was. It sort of added something of a wildcard to the plot (to my shame, it took me a while to remember who Cassius was in real life -_-). That said, the story was well put together and flowed very naturally. All of the characters were very distinct and engaging and I liked that there were good characters who made poor choices (or chose ignorance) as well as questionable characters who (sometimes) did the right thing. The fact that the bad characters got their comeuppance, but it wasn't Dido that did it was a nice change from having main characters consumed by revenge.
If you enjoyed the Roman mystery books and like horses, then this is a great book for you. If you aren't as bothered by horses, but love Roman history and a good bit of tension and action, then you'll also like this book a lot.
For content, be warned that there is a little violence. The Circus Maximus was no picnic and sometimes drivers in the races where hurt by other drivers or severely injured/killed when their chariots were destroyed. Also, Caligula was a real jerk (to put it mildly). The violence is present in this book, but handled in such a way that a 10+ year old won't be too upset by it. It's clear what is happening without going into too much detail.
I highly recommend this book, but it comes with the warning that you should make sure you have a large block of time to read it in, because it's really not easy to put down.
I give this book six out of seven golden dolphins.
(I received this book as a free ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, regardless of how the Emperor feels about it.)
Circus Maximus is the story of the daughter of the trainer of one of the Circus Maximus's chariot racing teams. The problem is that Dido, being a girl, can't race, and when her father is caught up in the middle of a plot to fix the races, Dido is forced to flee Rome. She ends up with the man her father used to race against, but the plot goes much higher into the echelons of Roman society than any of them could have imagined and Dido is forced to pretend she is dead and pass herself off as a boy. And being a boy, there's now no reason why she can't return to Rome and have her revenge from the sands of the Circus Maximus. . .
I really enjoyed this book. It's clear that the author took time to research both horses and Roman culture and as a result, the book was believable and satisfying. I appreciated that though Dido is a girl who wants to race horses, this isn't a ragingly feminist book, it's about a girl who loves horses and wants to avenge her father. She's not angsty either, she's capable but feminine and I'd happily read more books with all of these characters in them. Setting it during the time that Caligula became Emperor was a good call too, because it added a lot of tension (for me anyway), knowing how erratic and often brutal he was. It sort of added something of a wildcard to the plot (to my shame, it took me a while to remember who Cassius was in real life -_-). That said, the story was well put together and flowed very naturally. All of the characters were very distinct and engaging and I liked that there were good characters who made poor choices (or chose ignorance) as well as questionable characters who (sometimes) did the right thing. The fact that the bad characters got their comeuppance, but it wasn't Dido that did it was a nice change from having main characters consumed by revenge.
If you enjoyed the Roman mystery books and like horses, then this is a great book for you. If you aren't as bothered by horses, but love Roman history and a good bit of tension and action, then you'll also like this book a lot.
For content, be warned that there is a little violence. The Circus Maximus was no picnic and sometimes drivers in the races where hurt by other drivers or severely injured/killed when their chariots were destroyed. Also, Caligula was a real jerk (to put it mildly). The violence is present in this book, but handled in such a way that a 10+ year old won't be too upset by it. It's clear what is happening without going into too much detail.
I highly recommend this book, but it comes with the warning that you should make sure you have a large block of time to read it in, because it's really not easy to put down.
I give this book six out of seven golden dolphins.
(I received this book as a free ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, regardless of how the Emperor feels about it.)
sim0nes's review against another edition
4.0
The start was a bit tough with many characters being introduced. After that, I couldn't put it down.
johanna_b's review
4.0
When I was younger, I was obsessed with Caroline Lawrence's series, The Roman Mysteries, which is a middle grade book series set in Ancient Rome. While I highly recommend those books, this one brought back all the memories in the best way possible. Annelise Gray is such a talented writer and the way she weaved the history of the Emperor Claudius and the Circus was so immaculate! Especially in a middle grade book this is such an important thing to nail because it makes the story that much more accessible to anyone who might want to pick it up and doesn't necessarily leave it to those who already know the history.
Additionally, I loved the down-to-earth feel that the story had. This is something else I love to see in a middle grade book. Ancient Rome was a dark place and I really appreciated how the author didn't try to sugar coat it but instead told it how it was and in doing so retained an authenticity that only comes when you aren't afraid to dive into the "nitty gritty". It also helps to gain a wider audience because it's written in a way that makes it great for kids but also leaves the door open for teens and adults to enjoy it as well.
While reading, I was also surprised to find that this book holds a very modern feel for being set in ancient times. I can't really explain it but I enjoyed how it didn't feel like a stretch to place myself inside the story even though the events that take place had happened near a thousand years ago! I'm so happy that my library already has copies of the sequel available and you can count on me reading that one very soon! Happy Reading :)
Additionally, I loved the down-to-earth feel that the story had. This is something else I love to see in a middle grade book. Ancient Rome was a dark place and I really appreciated how the author didn't try to sugar coat it but instead told it how it was and in doing so retained an authenticity that only comes when you aren't afraid to dive into the "nitty gritty". It also helps to gain a wider audience because it's written in a way that makes it great for kids but also leaves the door open for teens and adults to enjoy it as well.
While reading, I was also surprised to find that this book holds a very modern feel for being set in ancient times. I can't really explain it but I enjoyed how it didn't feel like a stretch to place myself inside the story even though the events that take place had happened near a thousand years ago! I'm so happy that my library already has copies of the sequel available and you can count on me reading that one very soon! Happy Reading :)
llama3's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
secre's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I honestly think the publishers are selling themselves short by describing this as a children's book or a middle grade book. As a 34 year old adult, I absolutely adored this book and would put it on par with much of the adult fiction I've read and better than a lot of the young adult stuff. It's got a fantastic plot, characters that leap off the page at you, wonderful descriptions and a vividly imagined setting in Ancient Rome. Marketing it as a middle grade book is frankly a waste, when there is so much here for adults to love.
Dido is a character who absolutely springs off the page; energetic, charismatic and completely obsessed by the horses and chariot races of the time, her love for the horses and as a by product for the sport, shines off the page. When her father is murdered, she is forced to flee the life she knows and loves, finding refuge with an unexpected ally. But the horses are never far from her mind and she her new life offers unexpected opportunities to both follow her dream and put her father's memory to rest.
This is a really strong novel. Gray doesn't shy away from the brutality of the chariot racing scene. The way both horses and riders are treated unfairly isn't glossed over, yet the excitement Dido feels at the race still manages to shine through. The races themselves are nail-biting, the stakes often life and death for both horse and rider. Likewise, the personal struggles of Dido and those she surrounds herself with felt real and drew me into the narrative fully. The novel mixes fiction and fact well, depicting a realistic view of Ancient Rome through the eyes of a teenage girl. And the cut-throat Roman politics also play a part, making for a deeper and well-rounded story.
I also loved the way the horses themselves were depicted; anyone who has spent times with animals knows they all have their own quirks, personalities and idiosyncrasies and this is depicted stunningly well. The horses are just as important as characters as the humans, which isn't an easy thing to write.
All in all, this is a stunning novel. It's well researched, fast paced with a gripping narrative and wonderful character depictions. Don't be put off by the fact that it's officially a 'middle-grade' novel. There is a huge amount here for adults to love.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my free review copy of this title.
Dido is a character who absolutely springs off the page; energetic, charismatic and completely obsessed by the horses and chariot races of the time, her love for the horses and as a by product for the sport, shines off the page. When her father is murdered, she is forced to flee the life she knows and loves, finding refuge with an unexpected ally. But the horses are never far from her mind and she her new life offers unexpected opportunities to both follow her dream and put her father's memory to rest.
This is a really strong novel. Gray doesn't shy away from the brutality of the chariot racing scene. The way both horses and riders are treated unfairly isn't glossed over, yet the excitement Dido feels at the race still manages to shine through. The races themselves are nail-biting, the stakes often life and death for both horse and rider. Likewise, the personal struggles of Dido and those she surrounds herself with felt real and drew me into the narrative fully. The novel mixes fiction and fact well, depicting a realistic view of Ancient Rome through the eyes of a teenage girl. And the cut-throat Roman politics also play a part, making for a deeper and well-rounded story.
I also loved the way the horses themselves were depicted; anyone who has spent times with animals knows they all have their own quirks, personalities and idiosyncrasies and this is depicted stunningly well. The horses are just as important as characters as the humans, which isn't an easy thing to write.
All in all, this is a stunning novel. It's well researched, fast paced with a gripping narrative and wonderful character depictions. Don't be put off by the fact that it's officially a 'middle-grade' novel. There is a huge amount here for adults to love.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my free review copy of this title.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Death of parent
nickimags's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a fab audiobook transporting me to Ancient Rome through the eyes of twelve year old Dido, and her desire to become a charioteer and race in the Circus Maximus.
This was such a good book full of thrills and drama and wonderfully researched details of ancient Rome. I read a book by the author years ago under a different name, also set in Ancient Rome, so I knew I’d be in for treat with this one.
Dido was a great character a teenager who wasn’t annoying but was very focussed on what she wanted in a very male world. I loved following her journey from daughter of a well respected chariot trainer to outcast and then what happens afterwards is so exciting. If you love horses and all things Roman you’ll definitely enjoy this book.
Eva Feiler’s narration was perfect, she really brought all the characters to life. I particularly liked her portrayal of Dido, Scorpus, Cassius, Justus, Atticus and the Emperor Caligula!
If you enjoy middle grade children’s books I highly recommend this fantastic book on audio and can’t wait to listen to book 2!
This was such a good book full of thrills and drama and wonderfully researched details of ancient Rome. I read a book by the author years ago under a different name, also set in Ancient Rome, so I knew I’d be in for treat with this one.
Dido was a great character a teenager who wasn’t annoying but was very focussed on what she wanted in a very male world. I loved following her journey from daughter of a well respected chariot trainer to outcast and then what happens afterwards is so exciting. If you love horses and all things Roman you’ll definitely enjoy this book.
Eva Feiler’s narration was perfect, she really brought all the characters to life. I particularly liked her portrayal of Dido, Scorpus, Cassius, Justus, Atticus and the Emperor Caligula!
If you enjoy middle grade children’s books I highly recommend this fantastic book on audio and can’t wait to listen to book 2!