Far from home, Jesse and Abigail find themselves faced with the dilemma of what to do when adversity strikes.  Book two picks up seamlessly where book one finished off, and we find Jesse and Abigail are still in Rome.  Neither has chosen the life they live and each struggles to live the faith they saw in their parents.  Each would escape their surroundings in a heartbeat if given the opportunity.  This is an unashamedly Christian historical fiction story. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is incorporated very clearly into the story line.  However, this book would be an entertaining and educational story for anybody who enjoys historical fiction. 

The author, Savannah Jane McCrary, tells the story through the lives of several young people who are often faced with peril and persecution from the Roman government.  With several characters from different walks of life, the story is explored from many different sides: rich, poor, slave, parent, and soldier.  Each of the characters intersects in some form or another–often impacting each other without even realizing it–some by being kind, some by being a good listener, and some by speaking their convictions.  The story flows well, moves quickly, and the characters each grow as we listen to their thoughts, heartaches, fears, and hopes.

The violence in this second book is ramped up a little because the reader is introduced to Nero and his circus.  Savannah has done an admirable job keeping her young audience in mind; however, it is recommended for older readers (see age recommendation and content for more information).  This series could also be a good addition to a homeschool reading course or even a read aloud for the family with children who are ready to hear about death. 

Sadly, this story ends in the worst way for people who love to read.  The author writes the characters so that they feel like old friends; then the story ends and we have to wait for book three to be written to find out what happens next.  Thankfully, Savannah has started on the next one so hopefully we won’t have long to wait.  Although this book can stand alone, book one, The Fire and the Trial, is worth going back to read to get the full story.  As a young adult and a homeschool graduate who loves to read, Savannah Jane McCrary has a passion to encourage young readers and has written at least five books, all of which would be worth taking the time to read.  You might also want to check out her blog.

Review of an Advance Reading Copy

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by the Author

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None 

Violence/Gore:  An older teen girl is pushed, the girl falls and scrapes her knees, mention of blood; at least four fights take place, 3 men are killed, emotional, blood mentioned, some detail but not gory; a young man is whipped one stroke; mention of a man who was previously beaten, no blood or descriptions; mention of a man who previously beat and imprisoned people for their religion, at least one man killed, blood mentioned; soldiers raid a home, people arrested, one man knocked out with a sword handle; multiple mentions of people (men, women, & children) who were killed for sport, mention of people torn apart, blood, no descriptions of dead people; an older teen girl notices blood on the ground; rumors that Christians cast spells, eat human flesh, and drink blood; a man knows he will be killed if he becomes a Christian; mention that a man was killed by his master because he became a Christian, no details but implied gruesome; mention of the place where dead bodies are collected, mention of the smell; a young girl tells a coworker that her brother has died; a man is whipped for a crime. 

Sex/Nudity:  None

Mature Subject Matter:

Slavery, death of a slave, death of parents, religion (Christianity), gladiators, prisoners, men, women, & children killed for sport, religious discrimination, man sells son. 

Alcohol / Drug Use:

None