Circus Maximus: Rider of the Storm by Annelise GraySynopsis: “Dido gallops headlong into her third adventure, following her escapades in the riveting and action-packed Race to the Death and Rivals on the Track. Dido is reconciled to leaving the racing track and staying at home to train horses with Scorpus and Parmenion. But a storm is brewing. It brings with it a fiery black stallion, uncannily like Dido’s beloved Porcellus. Word arrives from Rome that her cousin, Abibaal, a talented young charioteer, has been recruited to compete for the evil emperor, Caligula. To save Abibaal, Dido must return to the great Circus Maximus track where she once drove to glory herself, confront her enemy Caligula, and face the toughest, most dangerous race of her life. For 9+. ‘Rich in period detail, with a few real historical characters – its principal invention the idea that a woman might have been a charioteer – this is an involving, well characterised tale that feels original’ Sunday Times, Children’s Book of the Week”

My Review

I loved this third book in the Circus Maximus series, that follows Dido a young teen in the Roman Empire when Caligula is the Emperor.

Just like in the first two books Dido is  a great character, she wasn’t annoying or stroppy like some teenagers can be, although she did have her moments of being quite headstrong in dangerous situations! 

In this book she’s matured somewhat and resigned to staying put in Utica (present day Tunisia) and training horses with her uncle Scorpus rather than being a charioteer. Until that is, a strange horse turns up during a storm, and then someone from her Mother’s past as well. Meanwhile one of her cousins has become a charioteer in Rome, and it seems he is racing for the Emperor Caligula. Dido is horrified, and following an incident with her uncle at home, she decides she needs to return to the Circus Maximus to try and resuce her cousin from the Caligula’s clutches!

Just like the previous books the story is rich in historical detail making me feel like I was in both Utica and Ancient Rome. Bronwen Pricer’s narration was superb, she brought all the characters to life perfectly!

If you love horses, mysteries and all things Ancient Roman you’ll definitely enjoy this series, especially on audio!

Book 2 of 20 Books of Summer