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Rosemary Bogdan reviews A Lion for the Emperor by Sophie de Mullenheim, new from Magnificat/Ignatius Press.

What’s for a 10-year-old boy not to like in a novel that includes lion hunting and attacking pirates? Right? That much alone would get him interested. Published by Ignatius Press and Magnificat, A Lion for the Emperor is the second book in the series In the Shadows of Rome.

Lion for the Emperor book

Flavius Octavius was commissioned to bring a magnificent male lion to the Emperor Diocletian for the games in the Coliseum. The story begins with the hunt for this lion in Leptis Magna in Northern Africa. Have you ever wondered how those unfortunate beasts were captured and brought to Rome? In this book you find out. “Ramus craned his neck forward, his nose twitching as though he were sniffing the air around him. Suddenly he stopped and slowly raised one hand. Behind him no one moved a muscle.” The tension is gripping and we’re only on page 3. “Then, in the darkness, one by one they at last could make out, just a few yards away, two orange-shaped pools of light.” Yes, it’s pretty terrifying, but I know my sons when young would have loved reading about this adventure.

Interestingly, the story is told from the viewpoint of the three young Roman men who are helping with the hunt and delivery of the lion. They are pagans and quite suspicious of Christians. Maximus is the son of a Roman senator. Aghiles was captured and sold into slavery. He now belongs to Maximus, who has become his good friend. Titus is a worshipper of all the Roman gods and the son of the merchant commissioned to get the lion.

The face-to-face encounter with the lion provokes some thinking among the young pagan boys.

As Maximus thought about this, he imagines those Christians, so calm and stoical, sometimes even smiling in the face of the beast. What inner strength they must have had not to scream in terror. What treasure could they have discovered that kept them from renouncing their faith? It was a mystery.             

 

Intrigue, betrayal, and danger, are all part of this story. It was a time when a Christian had to earnestly guard the secrecy of his faith. If revealed to be a Christian, a person’s life was in grave danger. On the ship back to Rome several passengers are suspected of being believers. One has a number of smuggled Gospels in his bags although he denies he is a Christian. Another is remarkably generous with his food and forgiving of offenses. We suspect he is the Catholic priest who is heading to Rome because the persecuted church is in such great need.

It’s interesting to hear the passengers talk about Christians and whether they ought to be fed to the lions. Justinian describes the games as barbarous. Titus replies that the Christians deserve it.

“Deserve it?” asked Justinian in astonishment. “That’s a bit much, don’t you think? They’re neither thieves nor pirates. Hardly even rebels.”

Titus shot him a haughty look. “So you support them?”

Justinian went a bit pale. This was always a touchy subject. He should never have opened his mouth. Especially to people he hardly knew.

“You misunderstand me,” he protested. “It’s just that they do no one any harm.”

 

The conversation continues as we see that there are differing opinions about the Christians.

On the voyage to Rome pirates overtake the small ship. Through the ingenuity of the crew and passengers and, with the help of the lion, a great battle ensues. I won’t spoil the excitement by telling you how it concludes.

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What’s for a 10-year-old boy not to like in a novel that includes lion hunting and attacking pirates? #catholicmom

This is a book for children ten and older. I think boys would especially enjoy it, but girls probably would too. I would have liked to see a little more background information presented, but a lot of facts are conveyed through the plot alone. Homeschool families could make a fascinating lesson on geography, church history, Christian persecution, and the early martyrs. Reading A Lion for the Emperor and the first book in the series, The Phantom of the Colosseum, could really make the lessons come alive.

Each chapter is only a few pages long, making it an easy read for even reluctant readers. It’s a series, so more books forthcoming could make for enthusiastic anticipation among the young readers. I want to find out what happens next myself. And I intend to go back and read the first book just to get the beginning of the story.

I recommend A Lion for the Emperor. The setting is fascinating. Pirates and Lions! How much more exciting could that be? The youth reading this book will have more to look forward to as they are inspired by the courage, determination, and faith of the earliest Christians. 


Copyright 2021 Rosemary Bogdan
Image: Canva Pro