The Ancient Ocean Blues.

Deborah Dowson is a Canaadian children’s librarian in North Wales,
Pennsylvania.

Marcus is happy that his parents have chosen to send him from his village home to the Republic of Rome to live with his cousin Gaius. Although a successful lawyer, Gaius is also involved in political intrigue of various kinds, and the unwitting Marcus becomes involved in his schemes. Marcus finds himself sailing on a merchant ship to Athens along with Paulla, a girl to whom he is betrothed, who has stowed away to chase her true love, Aulus Lucinus Spurrinna. Another passenger is a Greek publisher named Homer, who is carrying Spurrinna’s story with him. The trio are shipwrecked, captured as slaves, escape, are captured by pirates, escape again, and finally defeat the pirates in battle. They have exactly the type of adventures that Marcus ridicules in Paulla’s favourite romance novels. Of course, Marcus become the hero and wins the heart of his betrothed.

Classics scholar Jack Mitchell certainly has the academic credentials to create convincing historical fiction set in ancient Rome and Greece, but he also has exceptional storytelling skills. The narrator’s dry wit and the author’s sense of irony set a light and lively tone that is entertaining throughout. The characters are clever, amusing, and engaging. Boys will love the unlikely hero, and girls will admire the strong, intelligent, and romantic heroine. The eye-catching cover art gives a wonderful first impression of a book that is as appealing as it appears to be. Highly recommended.