Pompeii

Reader reviewed by Mairi

Marcus Attilius has just taken command of the Aqua Augusta after his predecessor vanished. A frantic plea for help from the daughter of a former slave brings the fact that there is sulfur in the Augusta to his attention. Attilius shuts down the water supply and, promising Pliny, the commander of the navy, that the water will be back in two days, takes a band of six men and sets off to the source of the problem- Pompeii.

This book was discussed by the high school book group long before I ever arrived at the high school. After several of this year's seniors recommended it to me, I decided I had to see what they were fussing about. I put it on hold at the library and forgot about it until it came in and I saw the pretty cover, which in no way does justice to the book.

This is an amazing book and I would highly recommend it to any high school student or adult, though I would be a bit uncertain about giving it to someone my little sister's age- it's not always all that appropriate.