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Circus Maximus #4
Return of the Champion
The conclusion of the Circus Maximus series set in Ancient Rome full of fabulous horses, thrilling adventures and an unforgettable heroine called Dido.
When her beloved horse Porcellus sires a new foal, Dido hopes he will be the missing piece in her quest to train the greatest team ever seen at the Circus Maximus. But grief and a desire for revenge are clouding her judgement.
Then her old friend Parmenion asks her to shelter the runaway son of her bitterest rival and help him fulfil his dream of becoming a charioteer. Can Dido and the boy, Damon, help each other find a way out of darkness?
And who will claim the right to be known as the sport's ultimate champion in one last battle for racing glory?
When her beloved horse Porcellus sires a new foal, Dido hopes he will be the missing piece in her quest to train the greatest team ever seen at the Circus Maximus. But grief and a desire for revenge are clouding her judgement.
Then her old friend Parmenion asks her to shelter the runaway son of her bitterest rival and help him fulfil his dream of becoming a charioteer. Can Dido and the boy, Damon, help each other find a way out of darkness?
And who will claim the right to be known as the sport's ultimate champion in one last battle for racing glory?
- GenresHorses
Audiobook
Published September 12, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 4, 2025
A very apt conclusion to the Circus Maximus series. As the first entry in the series was 'National Velvet, but ancient Rome' it is only fitting that the final book is 'International Velvet, but ancient Rome.'
The characterizations of Lucius (Nero) and Agrippina are quite compelling here - you get drawn into Agrippina's web of intrigue quite quickly and become spellbound by the fear-inducing power wielded by a very powerful woman in history.
Nicias's son makes for a very interesting protagonist. Seeing the journey Dido goes on to accepting and training him made for a page-turning main plot. This is a very well-rendered retelling of International Velvet - I actually prefer it to the film it's based on!
Porcellus's son, Orion, takes centre stage as the main equine protagonist of the novel, though the entire team become characters in their own right.
Every character we have come to love in the series is given a fitting conclusion here. Antigonus and Anna's children contribute to the plot in very charming ways, Hanno and his wife hold their own against Cyrus of the greens (yet another excellent villain for this book), Scorpus is treated with the dignity he deserves, and Parmenion finally manages to reconnect with Dido.
An excellent conclusion to a wonderful series. I hope this isn't the last time Gray marries ancient Rome and horses on the page!
The characterizations of Lucius (Nero) and Agrippina are quite compelling here - you get drawn into Agrippina's web of intrigue quite quickly and become spellbound by the fear-inducing power wielded by a very powerful woman in history.
Nicias's son makes for a very interesting protagonist. Seeing the journey Dido goes on to accepting and training him made for a page-turning main plot. This is a very well-rendered retelling of International Velvet - I actually prefer it to the film it's based on!
Porcellus's son, Orion, takes centre stage as the main equine protagonist of the novel, though the entire team become characters in their own right.
Every character we have come to love in the series is given a fitting conclusion here. Antigonus and Anna's children contribute to the plot in very charming ways, Hanno and his wife hold their own against Cyrus of the greens (yet another excellent villain for this book), Scorpus is treated with the dignity he deserves, and Parmenion finally manages to reconnect with Dido.
An excellent conclusion to a wonderful series. I hope this isn't the last time Gray marries ancient Rome and horses on the page!
April 10, 2025
I loved this final book in the Circus Maximus series, that follows Dido, a teenage girl living in Ancient Rome and Utica one of it’s North African outposts.
In this book she’s six years older and is breeding horses for chariot racing, instead of racing them. It’s a bittersweet moment writing this review as I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to Dido, Porcellus and the rest of the characters in this wonderful middle grade series. Once again this book transported back to Ancient Rome and Utica, it’s territory in modern day Tunisia, where Dido is sheltered away from harm.
This book features a young slave boy called Damon who is ‘friends’ with Emperor Claudius’ stepson Lucius. Of course they’re not really friends, but just a convenient playmate for Lucius when he’s wants to escape the palace and watch the chariot racing without his bodyguards. Lucius’ mother, Agrippa has big plans for her son, and really doesn’t want Damon hanging around and spoiling them. She finally snaps and orders Damon to be sent far away from Rome, and her son. Damon manages to escape and finds himself in Utica with Dido and her horses. However, when Dido discovers who his father was she wants nothing to do with him, especially not training him to race in the Circus Maximus!
This was a fantastic storyline for the last book in series, showing how Dido had matured but, still holds a grudge against a character from the first book in the series. It was really interesting to see how she dealt with Damon and all the memories of his father, even though he doesn’t actually know the truth about what his father was really like.
The ending was perfect, tying up a few loose ends, which made me listen to the first book again so I could refresh my memory. There’s also a lovely author’s note at the end of the book, about the inspiration for the series, and what happened to the real life Roman characters she wrote about.
Just like the previous books the story is rich in historical detail making me feel like I was in both Utica and Ancient Rome. As expected Bronwen Price’s narration was superb, she brought all the characters and the story to life perfectly!
Highly recommended on audio of you enjoy middle grade historical adventure stories.
In this book she’s six years older and is breeding horses for chariot racing, instead of racing them. It’s a bittersweet moment writing this review as I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to Dido, Porcellus and the rest of the characters in this wonderful middle grade series. Once again this book transported back to Ancient Rome and Utica, it’s territory in modern day Tunisia, where Dido is sheltered away from harm.
This book features a young slave boy called Damon who is ‘friends’ with Emperor Claudius’ stepson Lucius. Of course they’re not really friends, but just a convenient playmate for Lucius when he’s wants to escape the palace and watch the chariot racing without his bodyguards. Lucius’ mother, Agrippa has big plans for her son, and really doesn’t want Damon hanging around and spoiling them. She finally snaps and orders Damon to be sent far away from Rome, and her son. Damon manages to escape and finds himself in Utica with Dido and her horses. However, when Dido discovers who his father was she wants nothing to do with him, especially not training him to race in the Circus Maximus!
This was a fantastic storyline for the last book in series, showing how Dido had matured but, still holds a grudge against a character from the first book in the series. It was really interesting to see how she dealt with Damon and all the memories of his father, even though he doesn’t actually know the truth about what his father was really like.
The ending was perfect, tying up a few loose ends, which made me listen to the first book again so I could refresh my memory. There’s also a lovely author’s note at the end of the book, about the inspiration for the series, and what happened to the real life Roman characters she wrote about.
Just like the previous books the story is rich in historical detail making me feel like I was in both Utica and Ancient Rome. As expected Bronwen Price’s narration was superb, she brought all the characters and the story to life perfectly!
Highly recommended on audio of you enjoy middle grade historical adventure stories.
August 16, 2024
I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
RETURN OF THE CHAMPION is another thrilling adventure that passes the torch onwards to the next generation.
The focus of this book is Damon, a slave boy in the orbit of the empress and her son, who wants to be a charioteer but his friendship with the emperor's stepson makes him appear dangerous to those in power. I've really liked how this series has explored Roman politics (and how deadly it was) while also having the excitement of the races in there. This book provides a very interesting look at two notorious figures in Roman history - Agrippina and her son Nero (here known as Lucius.)
This book also explores the psychological damage from racing through a secondary character and the pressures put on people to perform for the bottom line. It also gave Dido a nice chance to have her victory and show how much she'd grown since the last time she'd had the same opportunity.
This is a torch-passing book. RIDER OF THE STORM feels like it finishes a trilogy with Dido's story coming to its primary conclusion. RETURN OF THE CHAMPION picks up with a new primary protagonist, and Dido is here as his trainer - while facing a few ghosts of her own past.
This is the final book of the series and this "next generation" feel to the book helps it land nicely. It is looking to the future and giving Dido a farewell that isn't a wrench but closes out with her on the cusp of adulthood and all that entails stretching before her.
RETURN OF THE CHAMPION is another thrilling adventure that passes the torch onwards to the next generation.
The focus of this book is Damon, a slave boy in the orbit of the empress and her son, who wants to be a charioteer but his friendship with the emperor's stepson makes him appear dangerous to those in power. I've really liked how this series has explored Roman politics (and how deadly it was) while also having the excitement of the races in there. This book provides a very interesting look at two notorious figures in Roman history - Agrippina and her son Nero (here known as Lucius.)
This book also explores the psychological damage from racing through a secondary character and the pressures put on people to perform for the bottom line. It also gave Dido a nice chance to have her victory and show how much she'd grown since the last time she'd had the same opportunity.
This is a torch-passing book. RIDER OF THE STORM feels like it finishes a trilogy with Dido's story coming to its primary conclusion. RETURN OF THE CHAMPION picks up with a new primary protagonist, and Dido is here as his trainer - while facing a few ghosts of her own past.
This is the final book of the series and this "next generation" feel to the book helps it land nicely. It is looking to the future and giving Dido a farewell that isn't a wrench but closes out with her on the cusp of adulthood and all that entails stretching before her.
December 28, 2025
Circus Maximus: Return of the Champion is a glorious and satisfying conclusion to Annelise Gray's acclaimed historical adventure series. Dido, now a seasoned but grieving horse-trainer, faces her greatest challenges yet: training a foal sired by her beloved Porcellus into a champion, mentoring the runaway son of her bitterest rival, and overcoming the desire for revenge to claim one last, ultimate victory at the Circus Maximus.
Gray masterfully blends breathtaking chariot-racing action with deep emotional stakes. The heart of the story lies in Dido's complex journey from darkness back to light, guided by her innate talent, the bond with her horses, and unexpected alliances. The meticulously researched Ancient Roman setting feels vibrant and alive, providing the perfect backdrop for a timeless tale of redemption, mentorship, and sporting glory.
A worthy finale that lives up to its “Young Quills Shortlist” and “Book of the Year” accolades. Unmissable for fans of historical fiction, horse stories, and fiercely determined heroines.
Gray masterfully blends breathtaking chariot-racing action with deep emotional stakes. The heart of the story lies in Dido's complex journey from darkness back to light, guided by her innate talent, the bond with her horses, and unexpected alliances. The meticulously researched Ancient Roman setting feels vibrant and alive, providing the perfect backdrop for a timeless tale of redemption, mentorship, and sporting glory.
A worthy finale that lives up to its “Young Quills Shortlist” and “Book of the Year” accolades. Unmissable for fans of historical fiction, horse stories, and fiercely determined heroines.
July 21, 2024
As I got to the end of Rider of the Storm I assumed it was the final volume and was surprised to see that there was another book to come. I wasn’t quite sure where the story could go. Well, that has now been answered.
This story has a different main character, Damon a stable boy with big dreams. Dido is still present and plays an important role, although it is about a third of the way in before she steps forward. It doesn’t always work when a new character takes a centre stage in an established series, here it works beautifully. We have all the elements from the previous stories, the horses, the racing, the plotting, but we also get to see how our favourite characters have developed a few years down the line. As a bonus there are a few loose ends satisfactorily tied up. A fitting end to a fantastic series.
This story has a different main character, Damon a stable boy with big dreams. Dido is still present and plays an important role, although it is about a third of the way in before she steps forward. It doesn’t always work when a new character takes a centre stage in an established series, here it works beautifully. We have all the elements from the previous stories, the horses, the racing, the plotting, but we also get to see how our favourite characters have developed a few years down the line. As a bonus there are a few loose ends satisfactorily tied up. A fitting end to a fantastic series.
January 12, 2025
Actual rating 2.5 out of 5
From the sudden change of 1st to 3rd person, a new MC introduced so late into the series and the clunky af pacing, it’s pretty hard to believe this is actually a Circus Maximus book. I would honestly have DNF’d but, because this is my favourite series as of late, it felt wrong to drop it.
From the sudden change of 1st to 3rd person, a new MC introduced so late into the series and the clunky af pacing, it’s pretty hard to believe this is actually a Circus Maximus book. I would honestly have DNF’d but, because this is my favourite series as of late, it felt wrong to drop it.
November 12, 2024
I can’t believe it’s the last one. I want more Dido, these books are wonderful!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews