Teenagers Hanno and his best friend, Suniaton have skipped out on a
meeting in Carthage to go fishing. Having filled their boat with tunny,
they drink some wine in celebration and fall asleep. Unfortunately for
them a storm comes up and sweeps them further out to sea.
Meantime in Italy, 16 year old Quintus is out to prove he is a man by
tracking and killing a bear. His 13 year old sister Aurelia is jealous,
thinking that she could do the same. Quintus is successful and as a
reward, he is given the opportunity to buy a slave in Capua. His new
slave's name is Hanno. In the coming weeks each would save the other
and forge a special bond.
While Hanno is making a new friend, his father and brothers are taking
part in a siege led by Hannibal on one of Rome's allies. Before long,
Rome and Carthage have declared war on one another. Quintus' father has
joined Scipio preparing to fight Hannibal, who manages to escape into
the Alps. Quintus manages to gain the release of Suniaton, who has been
injured in gladiator fighting. Unable to join Hanno in an escape to
Carthage, he suggests that Quintus and Hanno go in search of Quintus'
father.
As they go north and Hannibal's army advances through the Alps how will
the friendship of these two unlikely friends be tested? Will it stand
the test of time?
Author Ben Kane leads the reader through the struggles of Hannibal's
army as it makes its march through the Alps and into northern Italy and
the ensuing fight between his army and that of Rome. Well written,
intense and a worthy read for any fan of historical fiction.
No comments:
Post a Comment