《学校图书馆杂志》(School Library Journal)书评
Gr 4-7-Flavia, Jonathan, Lupus, and Nubia return for the fourth entry in this entertaining series. Jonathan and his father have always believed that Jonathan's mother had been killed during the siege of Jerusalem when he was a toddler. When his Uncle Simeon passes through town on his way to Rome and tells the boy he believes she is alive and is enslaved there, Jonathan goes with him. Accused of being an assassin and wanted by the authorities, Simeon is really on a mission to warn the Emperor of a plot to kill him. Jonathan's three friends soon follow him, and their adventure leads them to the Golden House, home of the Emperor, where the assassins are at work. The modern language, peppered with Roman and Greek terminology (a useful glossary is included), will keep readers' attention, and the authentic setting will give them an accurate flavor of the times. This fast-paced adventure is a welcome addition to the series.-Karen T. Bilton, Somerset County Library, Bridgewater, NJ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
《儿童读物杂志》(Horn Book)书评
This rip-roaring mystery set in ancient Rome and Pompeii follows the four children from [cf2]The Thieves of Ostia[cf1] as they try to solve a mysterious riddle and survive the eruption of Vesuvius. The book is geared to maximum readability, with historical description made palatable by the fast-moving action and each chapter ending in a (sometimes overdramatic) cliffhanger. From HORN BOOK Spring 2004, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
《书目》(Booklist)书评
Gr. 5-8. It's A.D. 79, and the four motherless friends from previous books in the Roman Mysteries series are back again: Flavia, the sea captain's daughter; Nubia, once Flavia's slave but now freed; Lupus, the fierce mute boy; andonathan, the son of aewish doctor and secret Christian. On the eve ofonathan's birthday,onathan's uncle Simeon arrives, bringing tales of an assassin stalking the emperor Titus, of Titus' cruelty during the siege oferusalem, and of Titus' enslavement ofewish women.onathan's curiosity about the fate of his mother, who stayed inerusalem after the rest of the family left, leads the friends on a vivid adventure in Rome. Lawrence seamlessly slips a good deal of Roman history and lore into the narrative, along with a variety of words and concepts through explanations to Nubia, who is learning Latin; a glossary is appended. Consider this a strong addition to the series. --GraceAnne DeCandido Copyright 2004 Booklist