by Manda Scott
First published 2010
Sebastos Pantera witnesses something that will haunt him forever: at age twelve, he watches his father meet with conspirators at a Jerusalem tomb, where a wounded revolutionary emerges alive. Twenty years later, Pantera returns to Rome after five years as an undercover assassin in Britannia. His former mentor Seneca assigns him to hunt down the revolutionaries stirring unrest in the capital. Pantera uncovers a shocking truth. The leader of the conspiracy is Saulos, his closest friend, who has converted to Christianity and plans the most devastating act of terrorism Rome has ever faced. Pantera must choose between loyalty to his friend and duty to the empire. Ancient secrets, forbidden manuscripts, and the threat of apocalyptic fire converge as Pantera races against time to prevent the destruction of Rome itself.
Genres: historical-fiction, adventure, action, ancient
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, loyalty
Setting: Britannia, Jerusalem, Rome
Period: 20 years later
400 pages · Paperback · Bantam Press