LitPick Review
Atticus, a twelve year old boy, and his father were taken away from their village by the Romans and sold as slaves. Atticus was purchased by Master Lucius Opimius, an influential political figure and close friend of the Emperor. As the favored slave, Atticus begins to spy on high ranking figures for Master Opimius. By spying Atticus and his master learn that the Emperor is in great danger. They warn the Emperor and prevent him from being killed in an assassination attempt. To reward Lucius Opimius and Atticus the Emperor invites them to be his guests at the Gladiator games. At the games Atticus discovered that his father was sold as a gladiator and was about to be killed. Atticus screamed out his father's name and the Emperor decided to spare the gladiator's life. Even though his father is saved, Atticus can not save the life of his master because Lucius Opimius becomes poisoned and dies at the end of the novel.
Opinion:
The novel's plot starts slow and thick, like a muddy swamp that the reader must force them self to get through. There is no conflict mentioned until the second half of the book which leaves the reader wondering in the beginning what the point of the story is. If the reader does get through the thick, drab swamp of words they will find adventure, treachery, suspense and pain waiting for them. The second half of the novel will keep the reader on the edge of their seat as the story takes them on Atticus's journey of saving the Emperor's and his father's lives. Also the reader will find throughout the novel that their vocabulary will been expanded from words such as "noxious" and "emboldened". The author, Barry Denenberg may begin the novel dull and boring, but the reader will feel that it was worth the wait when they get to the journey, danger, anxiety and sorrow that come near the end of the novel.
