QUEEN OF THE SILVER ARROW, by Caroline Lawrence. Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

Title: Queen of the Silver Arrow
Author: Caroline Lawrence
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Publication Date: 15 January 2016
Format: paperback

Caroline Lawrence has probably done more than any other living author to popularise ancient Rome in children's fiction. Her Roman Mysteries series starring the indefatigable Flavia Gemina needs no introduction.  It sold over a millions copies, was turned into a television series for the BBC and spawned a second series for younger readers called The Roman Mysteries Scrolls.

Her latest historical adventure goes back in time to the founding days of Rome and is based on sections from Virgil's Aeneid. It's the story of Camilla, a princess of the Volsci tribe. According to legend, and Virgil, her father Metabus was hounded out of his realm by his own people who were angered by his continous taxation. Coming to the banks of the Amasenus with the infant princess in his arms, he binds her to a spear and hurls her across the river. The baby Camilla lands safely on the opposite bank but must remain faithful to the goddess Diana for the rest of her life.

When the king dies, the growing child has to fend for herself in the forest, becoming a fearless hunter. Until one day she is befriended by a group of girls from the nearby city of Laurentum who treat her as a living legend and draw her out of the forest and on to the battlefield...

Lawrence can always be relied on to bring ancient history to life and this book hums with excitement. The authentic details of life in the ancient world, the bonding among the girls and the battles scenes with the invading Trojans are all brought brilliantly to life. This is great, fast-paced stuff that will leave the reader breathless for more.

Barrington Stoke specialises in dyslexia friendly books which also appeal to reluctant readers aged 12+. But Queen of the Silver Arrow will also find favour with more able readers of any age.  Princess Camilla forever!

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The Adventures of Achilles, by Hugh Lupton and Daniel Morden. Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta.

Hugh Lupton and Daniel Morden are well-known performers on the storytelling circuit, having wowed audiences around the world with their shows for many years. For those who have never managed to catch one of their live performances, Barefoot Books have produced this gutsy retelling of Homer's Iliad, based on one of their shows.

This is the story of Achilles, one of the greatest warriors in world mythology and certainly the biggest hero in ancient Greek culture.  We witness his birth, the son of Thetis, a nymph, and Peleus, king of the Myrmidons.  We follow him through childhood, focusing on the event where his mother dips him in the dark waters of the River Styx so that he would become invincible to spear and sword. And we join him as he leads fifty ships and an army of myrmidons across the sea to Troy.

Lupton and Morden's language switches effortlessly from poetic language inspired by Homer to pacy narrative as the story progresses.  This is a violent story and the authors do not shy away from the stark imagery.   During a battle, Achilles 'severs heads with every stroke of his sword.'  As he faces Hector, his arch enemy and slayer of his special friend, Patroclus, the Trojan notices how Achilles' armour is dripping with blood and gore.

But there is magic and enchantment here too.  The defeated warrior Cygnus turning into a swan at his dying moment! Zeus summoning a golden cloud to veil his tryst with Thetis! The gods presenting King Peleus with an army of Myrmidons, robot soldiers that look like men but act like warrior ants. And the symbolical ending describing a tree on Achilles' grave links the past with the present, highlighting the fact that this is a story for all time.

Aimed at confident readers, the book is available in paperback and hardback with two audio cds.  Carole Henaff's illustrations, mostly inspired by Greek pottery and laid out like tapestries, make it an ideal gift book for older children too. Highly recommended.

Book Details:
Title: The Adventures of Achilles
Authors: Hugh Lupton, Daniel Morden

Illustrator: Carole Henaff
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Publication Date: October 2012 [paperback]
  

 

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