The Colossus of Rhodes (Roman Mysteries) [Hardcover]

Caroline Lawrence (Author)

Book Description

Series: Roman Mysteries | Publication Date: May 30, 2006

Lupus longs to travel to the Greek islands, to find his mother and fulfill his uncle's dying wish. When he and Flavia, Nubia, and Jonathan hear that freeborn children are being kidnapped, they set sail. Their mission takes them from Corinth to Rhodes, site of one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, where they encounter a slave-dealer known as "the Colossus"--and a deadly trap. Caroline Lawrence paints a vivid picture of the times, with a surprise around every corner.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'the usual appealing mix of mystery, history, humour, myth and adventure... keeps up the momentum of this excellent series.' -- Rowan Stanfield ACHUKA --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Caroline Lawrence is the author of eight previous books in the popular Roman Mysteries series. Born in California, she studied classical archeology at Cambridge University, and Hebrew and Jewish Studies at the University of London, where she still makes her home.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Roaring Brook Press; First Edition edition (May 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596430826
• ISBN-13: 978-1596430822
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,712,184 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Exciting Voyage, September 16, 2008

By 

D. A Wend (Arlington Heights, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Colossus of Rhodes (Roman Mysteries) (Hardcover)

The Delphina sets sail in The Colossus of Rhodes on a mission to free the children enslaved by Venalacius. On board are Flavia, Nubia, Jonathan and Lupus joined by Bato, one of the magistrates of Ostia, and Marcus Valerius Flaccus (a poet and future author of a version of the Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece) and his personal slave. Of course, Captain Geminus is at the helm but is a bit reluctant to bring the children along.

They are tracking a ship called the Medea (a good choice of name since Medea killed her children) and sail to Corinth, where the ship is hauled over the isthmus, and on to Rhodes without finding anyone who has heard of the ship. Along the way some accidents occur on board ship that convince the four friends that someone wants to prevent them from completing their quest. Presumably the saboteur is working for the elusive criminal behind the slave trade in kidnapped children - someone only know as the colossus. No one knows who this mastermind is but he has spies everywhere.

Along the way, the Delphina passes the island of Symi where Lupus and his family lived. He is anxious to return to the island but Flavia is determined to find and free the children first. This creates some tension between the characters and not only do they have to worry about a saboteur when a storm blows up that threatens the safety of their ship. And if the ship makes it in one piece to Rhodes, how will they defeat the colossus?

This is a very entertaining volume with vivid descriptions of Greece and the island of Rhodes where the ancient wonder - the Colossus of Rhodes - stood before being toppled in an earthquake. Caroline Lawrence also describes sailing in the ancient world with nice detail, and she provides a diagram of the Delphina along with a route map. This is an excellent adventure and provides a wealth of information.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Historical Fiction Mystery Series, September 27, 2005

By 

Vickie Ford "picky reader" (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Colossus of Rhodes (The Roman Mysteries) (Audio CD)

Caroline Lawrence outdid herself in creating these histicly accurate, fictitious, adventures for children and youth. Both girls and boys will love finding a character they can relate to. They are wonderful read aloud books, or about 4th or 5th grade and up silent reading material. As Flavia, Nubia, Johnathan and Lupas travel through different parts of the Roman empire in about 79AD, we learn many things about Roman History and culture. This book actually takes them on a trip through the Greek Isles to break a ring of slave traders who kidnap free born children and sell them into slavery.

While I highly reccomend this book, I do think it would be helpful to read the series in order. There is so much character development that takes place in the preceeding books.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So believable, October 18, 2007

By 

Lori Frostad "Animal" (Kirkland,WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Colossus of Rhodes (Roman Mysteries) (Hardcover)

We love these books in my house because they are very believable and my kids get so involved in them they don't want to put them down. Sometimes my daughter tells me she almost felt like she was living right there with the characters, even in the very frightening times, because she knows the things that happen to the kids really did happen in those times. That's what makes it real to them.