Blood Oath by Chris Priestley
Roman Britain, north of Hadrian's Wall, 180 AD. A teenage boy has witnessed the killing of his father by a savage warrior from a rival tribe. Blind with range and grief, he swears vengeance. When the chance comes to train as a Roman legionary, he jumps at it, desperate to learn. He is a natural fighter, but can he acquire the self-control he will need to become a true warrior and defeat his sworn enemy? And just how far will his conscience allow him to take the fight against the tribe? Blood Oath is part of the HEROES series - created with series editor Frank Cottrell Boyce and specifically written to engage and captivate less confident readers. An epic adventure packed full of action and cliff-hangers that boys and girls will not be able to put down. A great solution for reluctant readers and encouraging reading for pleasure. A real page turner which manages to put many real historical elements into a blood thirsty adventure. I liked the way the author has mixed historical fact with an emotional journey. Sally Atkins, St Michael's Middle School, Dorset A well paced story which ties in well with the history topic of The Romans... Boys will love the constant action of the book and the jacket definitely shouts 'pick me up and read me'! Sue Canty, Caedmon School, Whitby