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 912 adventure story by debut childrens author Annelise Gray Twelveyearold Dido dreams of becoming the first female charioteer at the great Circus Maximus Shes 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 Romes 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 isnt over as she faces a powerful and terrifying new enemy the emperor CaligulaI loved this adventure full of brilliant horses and a determined heroine following her dreams against all the odds Looking forward to discovering whats in store for them next Pippa Funnell MBE