September 2010, Bodley Head (UK publisher)
128 pages, Hardback
Review copy
Children's, Historical, 9+
Drama, ancient Rome, mad emperors, misunderstanding, tense moments, family ties and support, some humour
Summary from Random House Children's Books (UK)
Marcus is a young baker in Ancient Rome, living with his family in the shadow of the murderous Emperor Littleboots. When a slave boy shoves the reins of a sleek, beautiful horse into Marcus’s hands seconds before he is killed by a soldier, Marcus knows he’s in danger – because the horse is Incitatus, the Emperor’s most prized and powerful animal.
Will Marcus find a way to keep Incitatus hidden? Are the rumours of Littleboots’s death true – or is it all a trick? And how can Marcus save himself, and his family?
Nayuleska's reasons for loving Marcus...he's one plucky boy, although some might see him as unfortunate when Incitatus decides he likes Marcus & won't leave his side.
Is there another character who deserves a special mention? Incitatus - that horse has such character!
How evil/nasty is the enemy? I'd say pretty evil considering how Marcus could be executed at any moment.
Are there plenty of plot twists and surprises? It's surprising how much a small book took me by surprise. Never just a book on the number of pages!
One of my favourite parts was...when it ended. I could finally breathe a sigh of relief and not worry about Marcus.
I give this 9/10 - the illustrations added to the sense of action throughout the book.
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