Roman servant girl Minna has run away to the big city on her beloved horse, Silva. Hopelessly in love with the courageous commander Theo, her only thought is to gain his admiration – whatever it takes. Spying a magnificent horse stolen from the Roman army, she sees her chance: steal back the stallion and win Theo’s heart. But the horse is guarded by a wild band of thieves led by a ruthless warrior, and when Minna puts her plan into action, she sparks a deadly chain of events from which there can be no turning back.

Review: Second in the Roman Pony series this is an appealing read. The plot is simple yet completely engaging and contains plenty of action. With a strong, sometimes impetuous, female protagonist, horses and an element of romance this is likely to appeal to girls across a wide age range. Although its vocabulary is not unchallenging it will still be accessible to the less able older reader. Set in Roman Essex with recognisable locations it has added regional appeal.

2008-09-04