Showing Getorix: The Eagle and The Bull by Judith Geary

Getorix, almost fifteen, marches beside his father, a defeated Celtic leader, in the Roman triumph -- a celebration ending in death. He has this one chance to win a hero's welcome into the Otherworld and earn his father's regard, by facing the sacrifice with courage. Instead, the gods hurl a different challenge.
Can Getorix accept friendship with the Roman who spares his life if the cost is his honor?
Set in the turbulent years at the end of the Roman Republic when threats of foreign invasion and conflicts within led to the erosion of civilization's most celebrated experiment in representative government, this story takes readers the hand and leads them into a strangely familiar world. Modern readers will related to the challenges these youths from opposing cultures face in reconciling their differing world views and value systems. The ancient Roman setting lends a fantastic quality, yet the political turmoil and social upheaval parallels our own time.

Compelling tale of ancient Rome.
The fully-realized characters make the past come alive for readers of any age.
– Sharyn McCrumb, best-selling author of The Ballad of Tom Dooley

Authentic setting, dialogue, and characterization
beckon readers to travel to worlds of long ago. ... the themes...
are as applicable today as they were in the past.
– Foreword Magazine

Thoroughly grounded in the world of ancient Rome, ... gives the reader a contemporary sense of being there ... mental adventure film keeps the pages turning.
– Gloria Houston, best-selling author of Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile

"Provides the reader with an astonishingly vivid and well-realized glimpse at Rome during the first century B.C.E. – a glimpse filtered through the eyes of a young Celtic slave, whose passions and problems will resonate with teenagers today. It’s a side of ancient Rome we hear about and know existed, but seldom see: a wonderful synthesis of today’s sensibilities and the facts of yesteryear." – Tom Deitz, author of twenty novels of speculative fiction including the David Sullivan series.

Compelling story of two boys on the verge of manhood who find themselves caught in a conflicting web of duty, honor and a most unlikely friendship. Geary gives the reader a feel for ancient Rome that rests not only on solid research but also on a story-teller's ability to bring the sights and sounds of the city to life. The story stands alone quite well but also leaves the reader eager for the next installment." – Albert A. Bell, Jr., author, Exploring the New Testament World & All Roads Lead to Murder.

This is a well-crafted first novel by an author who understands her audience. ...This reviewer ... and can highly recommend this book, as well as its ancillary educational aims. And she thoroughly enjoyed the suspenseful story, and looks forward to the sequel! -- Irene B. Hahn, Roman History, Books and More. Read the complete review at: http://romanhistorybooksandmore.freeservers.com/r_getorix1.htm