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Circus Maximus: Race to the Death

An Ancient Roman adventure
By Annelise Gray
Series: Circus Maximus
0.0 (0 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Circus Maximus: Race to the Death follows twelve-year-old Dido, a determined girl yearning to become the first female charioteer in ancient Rome. Against all odds and strict societal rules forbidding girls in the sport, she dreams of racing her beloved horse Porcellus in the famed Circus Maximus. After her father, the trainer of the Greens racing team, is murdered, Dido must seek unlikely allies while facing the terrifying threat of Emperor Caligula. A gripping adventure blending historical detail with thrilling horse racing action.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2499
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for children aged 9-12 who enjoy historical fiction, adventurous stories, and tales of brave young heroines. Perfect for readers captivated by ancient Rome and horse racing, offering a blend of action, history, and inspiration for aspiring young adventurers.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Circus Maximus, the greatest sporting stage of the ancient Roman world, where the best horses and charioteers compete in a race to the death, and one girl dreams of glory.

Circus Maximus, the greatest sporting stage of the ancient Roman world, where the best horses and charioteers compete in a race to the death, and one girl dreams of glory. Ben Hur meets National Velvet, in the ultimate 9-12 adventure story by debut children's author, Annelise Gray.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Circus Maximus, the greatest sporting stage of the ancient Roman world, where the best horses and charioteers compete in a race to the death, and one girl dreams of glory. Ben Hur meets National Velvet in the ultimate 9-12 adventure story by debut children's author, Annelise Gray.

Twelve-year-old Dido dreams of becoming the first female charioteer at the great Circus Maximus. She's lost her heart to Porcellus, a wild, tempestuous horse she longs to train and race. But such ambitions are forbidden to girls and she must be content with helping her father Antonius – the trainer of Rome's most popular racing team, The Greens – and teaching the rules of racing to Justus, the handsome young nephew of the Greens' wealthy owner.

When her father is brutally murdered, she is forced to seek refuge with an unlikely ally. But what of her dream of Circus triumphs and being reunited with the beloved horse she left behind in Rome? And the threat to her life isn't over as she faces a powerful and terrifying new enemy... the emperor Caligula.

'I loved this adventure – full of brilliant horses, and a determined heroine following her dreams against all the odds. Looking forward to discovering what's in store for them next' – Pippa Funnell, MBE

Series: Circus Maximus

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  • Circus Maximus: Rivals On the Track
    Dido is the only girl ever to have raced to victory at the Circus Maximus, Rome's greatest sporting arena. Now she and her beloved horse, Porcellus, are in hiding, and Emperor Caligula has put a price on their heads. Can she outwit the emperor and his bounty hunters? And will a shocking family secret stop her in her tracks, or...
    By Annelise Gray
    Hardback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Circus Maximus: Race to the Death
    Circus Maximus: Race to the Death
    Circus Maximus, the greatest sporting stage of the ancient Roman world, where the best horses and charioteers compete in a race to the death, and one girl dreams of glory. Ben Hur meets National Velvet in the ultimate 9-12 adventure story by debut children's author, Annelise Gray. Twelve-year-old Dido dreams of becoming the first female charioteer at the great Circus...
    By Annelise Gray
    Paperback
    $2499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Circus Maximus: Return of the Champion
    Historical Association Young Quills Shortlist 2025 Five Books BEST NEW BOOKS FOR KIDS 2024 Just Imagine REVIEWERS' BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2024 The conclusion of the Circus Maximus series set in Ancient Rome, full of fabulous horses, thrilling adventures, and an unforgettable heroine called Dido. When her beloved horse Porcellus sires a new foal, Dido hopes he will be the...
    By Annelise Gray
    Paperback
    Sold Out

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Critically acclaimed debut by Annelise Gray praised for its fast-paced, authentic historical adventure and memorable heroine. Fiona Noble calls it "dazzling" with "unforgettable" characters. Author A.M. Howell describes it as a "thrilling historical adventure" that fully immerses readers in ancient Rome. Gillian Cross highlights its convincing historical setting and heart-stopping excitement. Readers and historians alike laud the book's vivid horse scenes and gripping drama.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781800240582

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 September 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Zephyr

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 194.0mm

Weight: 273g

Pages: 384

Collections

Ancient & Classical History Annelise Gray Children's Books Children's Fiction Children's Historical Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational General Fiction Historical Fiction Series: Circus Maximus Young Adult

About the Author

Debut children's author Annelise Gray was born in Bermuda and moved to the UK as a child. She grew up riding horses and dreaming of becoming a writer. After gaining a PhD in Classics from Cambridge, she worked as a researcher for authors and TV companies on topics as varied as Helen of Troy, Russian princesses and the history of labradors. She's previously published a history of the women of the Roman Empire and a crime novel set in the Roman Republic. Annelise lives with her husband in Dorset where she teaches Latin.

Also by Annelise Gray

View all
  • Circus Maximus: Rivals On the Track
    Dido is the only girl ever to have raced to victory at the Circus Maximus, Rome's greatest sporting arena. Now she and her beloved horse, Porcellus, are in hiding, and Emperor Caligula has put a price on their heads. Can she outwit the emperor and his bounty hunters? And will a shocking family secret stop her in her tracks, or...
    By Annelise Gray
    Hardback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Odyssey of Phoebe Quilliam
    'An ideal class reader... Highly recommended' School Reading List'Truly original' English 4 – 11 Magazine'A fantastic mythical, timeslip adventure' Juno MagazineA mythical timeslip story about family, love, loss and memory, with an epic sea voyage at its heart, inspired by the legend of Odysseus.Phoebe dreams of becoming an artist like her grandmother, Cass, a brilliant storyteller who has passed on...
    By Annelise Gray
    Paperback
    $1899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Circus Maximus: Return of the Champion
    Historical Association Young Quills Shortlist 2025 Five Books BEST NEW BOOKS FOR KIDS 2024 Just Imagine REVIEWERS' BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2024 The conclusion of the Circus Maximus series set in Ancient Rome, full of fabulous horses, thrilling adventures, and an unforgettable heroine called Dido. When her beloved horse Porcellus sires a new foal, Dido hopes he will be the...
    By Annelise Gray
    Paperback
    Sold Out

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