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Lucius Marcius Phillipianus, son of Consul Quintus Marcius Phillipianus, had recently arrived in the province of Britannia with his wife, Aelia Paula, and their children: ten-year-old Marcia, seven-year-old Gaius, and five-year-old Marcilla-Gaia, along with their personal slaves. Gaius chose a slave named Verluccus, whom his father disapproved of because he believed Verluccus was too old for his son. Unfortunately, Verluccus escaped. Nine years later, Marcus Marcius Phillipianus, Lucius' brother, captured Verluccus and returned him to his owner. Verluccus attempted to kill Gaius, so Gaius' family wanted the slave dead. However, Gaius felt a strong connection to Verluccus and refused to allow that to happen. Gaius' goal was to make Verluccus obedient and tame throughout their journey. If he failed, he would reluctantly have to give the slave to his father, who would do as he pleased with him.
In her book, Taylor dives into the dynamics of the master-slave relationship, highlighting the irony and hypocrisy surrounding the practice of slavery. She portrays how a master views a slave's rebellion as a means to create an outcome that could be even worse than remaining a slave. In the master's mind, if a slave does not rebel, their situation can be as painless as possible. The author exemplifies this dynamic through the characters Gaius and Verluccus, delving into their thoughts and feelings to help readers connect more deeply with them. Additionally, Taylor introduces an interesting element at the beginning of the book when Gaius' father foreshadows that Verluccus might pose a problem for them. This device adds depth, as a character's prediction of another character's potential threat influences the storyline. Readers will appreciate this book for its many twists and turns, which keep them on the edge of their seats.
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