This was a pretty good book. Also, Romans? That is really cool. Usually YA books are fantasy, contemporary or sci-fi/dystopian while history can be a setting that is just as great. I believe this is only the third childrens/YA novel I've read that is about this time period.
The tagline suggests a huge rebellion, but that's not what this book is about. I liked that. There are so many books about that already.
Instead, it is filled with traveling and clever schemes. Cassia and Marcus are witty and manage to sneak around Europe while transporting fugitives. I was suspicious of Marcus in the beginning, but once the perspective switched I almost laughed. Silly Marcus collected all kinds of little clues and drew a hilariously wrong conclusion.
I did not like the ending, however. The author basically goes "Did they survive or are they dead? Did the others live happily ever after or not? You know what, you decide!" Which makes no sense because the narrator lives long enough to know all the answers.
And I would have liked to see more of Silvio. He just disappears halfway and he was such a nice character. ( )

This book is sort of aimed at the Year 8 level but the students need to be warned that the main character is treated like a possession ( i.e sexually she belongs to her Roman owner). Once they understand/accept that Mature theme as it is part of history, then they can proceed. If it is too much then I'd advise not to read it until older...say Year 10.
Publisher's review: - "Walker Books. The story of a runaway slave girl and her dangerous journey through the murky underworld of Roman Britain, by Carnegie Medal-winning author Tanya Landman.
From Tanya Landman, author of the 2015 Carnegie Medal winner Buffalo Soldier, comes a heart-stopping tale of love, corruption and the power of choice. Blood on her lips. Blood on her tongue. Blood that is not her own. Cassia does not fear to die, but for her – for a slave who has maimed her master – there are worse things than death. Yet the mighty Roman Empire has its limits. Beyond her master’s estate, beyond the river, far to the north stands Hadrian’s Wall. And beyond the wall? Freedom. With dogs on her trail and a bounty on her head the journey seems impossible. But then Cassia meets Marcus – slick, slippery, silver-tongued – a true and perfect son of Rome. And her only hope."

Basically she is betrothed to a wealthy roman and bites his ear off before she escapes. Because she is dressed in finery, she is able to pass through the town unhindered...
Like the fact that Marcus is a bit of a mystery - why is he helping her, what's in it for him? The same or kudos (if he captures her) or money ( if he captures her). Landman keeps us guessing as to his motives. ( )