What do you think?
Rate this book
The Eye of Ra #2
Sol Invictus
Siblings John and Sarah barely made it home last time, but in their next time traveling adventure the challenge really heats up. Surrounded by clashing cultures on the ancient Roman frontier, they must fulfill their quest to unite the emperor with his enemy, an Alemanni barbarian, or risk being stuck in time forever.
An action-packed fantasy full of sword fights, chariot chases, fearsome wild animals, and high mountain survival. For graduates of the Magic Tree House looking for a thrilling middle grade page-turner, read Sol Invictus, book two of The Eye of Ra series!
An action-packed fantasy full of sword fights, chariot chases, fearsome wild animals, and high mountain survival. For graduates of the Magic Tree House looking for a thrilling middle grade page-turner, read Sol Invictus, book two of The Eye of Ra series!
300 pages, Paperback
Published February 2, 2021
9 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
Ben Gartner
4 books392 followersBen Gartner is the award-winning author of adventure books for middle graders. His stories take readers for a thrilling ride, maybe even teaching them something on the journey. Ben can be found living and writing near the mountains with his wife and two boys. More info at BenGartner.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
December 22, 2020
I’ve been eagerly anticipating book #2 of this series and I’m happy to say it was absolutely wonderful! If you’ll recall in book #1, siblings John and Sarah discover a symbol that transports them back to ancient Egypt. Well, in book #2, the siblings are transported to ancient Rome where they must accomplish tasks that initially seem impossible. Both books in this series contained a great deal of mystery and suspense. However, during Sol Invictus, I was even more drawn in and ultra aware of the dangers that every day people experienced in this time period. While many compare this series to The Magic Treehouse, I enjoy the greater level of maturity in The Eye of Ra series with more developed characters, more complex relationships, higher level vocabulary, and heart-pounding content that leaves the reader on edge, wondering how John and Sarah will avoid injury… or death! I’m so grateful we have this new series to bring history to life in ways young readers haven’t yet experienced. And I can’t wait to see what comes next!
Ben Gartner is currently working on a teacher’s guide for The Eye of Ra, so keep your eyes peeled for more information on that front either on his Twitter account or his website. You might also be interested in reading Ben’s blog post on MG Book Village (https://mgbookvillage.org/2020/03/25/...). (And as soon as I can find out who did the cover art, I’ll update this post because WOW aren’t both covers in this series beautiful!!) I would like to offer my thanks to Ben, Netgalley, and Crescent Vista Press for providing me with an e-ARC so that I could give my honest opinion of this book.
NOTE: We purchased a print copy of The Eye of Ra for the kids this Christmas, and I should remind everyone that it’s not too early to pre-order Sol Invictus since it will be released in ONLY SIX WEEKS! If you celebrate Christmas, just do what we often do and print a picture of the book cover, roll it up like a scroll, tie some neat ribbon around it, and hide it in your tree. VOILA! 🙂
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
Ben Gartner is currently working on a teacher’s guide for The Eye of Ra, so keep your eyes peeled for more information on that front either on his Twitter account or his website. You might also be interested in reading Ben’s blog post on MG Book Village (https://mgbookvillage.org/2020/03/25/...). (And as soon as I can find out who did the cover art, I’ll update this post because WOW aren’t both covers in this series beautiful!!) I would like to offer my thanks to Ben, Netgalley, and Crescent Vista Press for providing me with an e-ARC so that I could give my honest opinion of this book.
NOTE: We purchased a print copy of The Eye of Ra for the kids this Christmas, and I should remind everyone that it’s not too early to pre-order Sol Invictus since it will be released in ONLY SIX WEEKS! If you celebrate Christmas, just do what we often do and print a picture of the book cover, roll it up like a scroll, tie some neat ribbon around it, and hide it in your tree. VOILA! 🙂
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
October 12, 2020
I was so excited to read this second book in the Eye of Ra series and was not disappointed! It's a thrilling ride from start to finish as the brother and sister MCs travel back in time again, this time to ancient Rome where they have to accomplish a seemingly impossible task or be stuck in time. With tons of action, humor, excellent character development, and historical details that will make you feel like you've been swept back in time too, this is sure to be a winner for middle grade readers.
October 28, 2020
Ben Gartner does it again in this second book! Readers will be turning pages quickly to find out where John and Sarah’s adventure takes them in ancient Rome. The story was full of action, mystery and great historical information! My middle grade readers are going to be waiting for a turn to read this!
February 11, 2021
I re-read this time travel adventure as part of the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge for a book published in 2021 and readers will be so excited to dive into this 2nd book in awesome series by Ben Gartner, due out 2/2/21. A powerful continuation in a devouring series for those middle grade readers who love mysteries, adventures, and amazing characters!
Kudos to the awesomeness of this 2nd book in The Eye of Ra series, written by Ben Gartner. The pulse pounding momentum of John and Sarah's adventures continue with the siblings landing in ancient Rome given the daunting task of bringing enemies together and saving the world. Readers will love the Roman gladiators in the ring, fighting with swords and spears. John still wears the pendant of Ra around his neck but others want that pendant and try to steal it. Gartner's new characters comprise the many peoples of ancient Rome; slaves, gods, venatores, gladiators, soldiers, barbarians, kings and princesses. A young boy, Crocus, saves them from becoming slaves of the Emperor Constantius and then oh do the adventures begin! I loved this second book so much and will be waiting in suspense to see where Joan and Sarah's travels take them!
Kudos to the awesomeness of this 2nd book in The Eye of Ra series, written by Ben Gartner. The pulse pounding momentum of John and Sarah's adventures continue with the siblings landing in ancient Rome given the daunting task of bringing enemies together and saving the world. Readers will love the Roman gladiators in the ring, fighting with swords and spears. John still wears the pendant of Ra around his neck but others want that pendant and try to steal it. Gartner's new characters comprise the many peoples of ancient Rome; slaves, gods, venatores, gladiators, soldiers, barbarians, kings and princesses. A young boy, Crocus, saves them from becoming slaves of the Emperor Constantius and then oh do the adventures begin! I loved this second book so much and will be waiting in suspense to see where Joan and Sarah's travels take them!
October 8, 2020
Sol Invictus by Ben Gartner is a fantastic follow-up that delivers! Keeping true to the spirit of the first book and its lovable heroes, this sequel to Eye of Ra ramps up the action, character growth, and overall stakes. Sol Invictus delivers a fun, page-turning adventure with sword fights, wolf pups, narrow escapes, and even ancient cheesecake! A fun time-traveling sibling adventure story with heart and heart-pounding action. I can’t wait to read what comes next for John and Sarah!
February 2, 2021
A museum trip turns to an adventure! Once again Ben Gartner brings history to life in an exciting adventure. Join a brother and sister as they once again travel through time. This is an excellent example of combining history with adventure and gaining the undivided attention of a reader.
February 15, 2021
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Sol Invictus by Ben Gartner is another marvelous written book, and I loved every minute of reading it.
Will John and Sarah achieve what they need to do in Ancient Rome?
Sarah and John
Sarah and John are back on a new adventure even if one doesn’t really want to do it. Well, let’s first talk about Sarah. Sarah is trying not to pay too much attention to John since she believes that John blames her for Egypt. She tries not to have too much fun in Rome, but I think she does and wants to help even if she doesn’t think she should.
John is the one that can’t wait to go and help the people that they are supposed to help. It’s more difficult this time than in Egypt. John is a great kid who is trying to make up for accidentally sending them there. He is doing his best in the time period that he is in despite not really knowing much about the time period that they went to.
I love how these two try their hardest to help with what they learned a bit before going there. Sarah and John have to help their new friends without affecting history.
Five Stars
Sol Invictus by Ben Gartner is phenomenally written, and I am in love with it. I tried so hard not to finish it as fast as I did The Eye of Ra; I wanted to savor it, which I accomplished. Mr. Gartner is a fabulous author, and I love how he makes it seem like you are there with the characters. He also researches the time periods that he includes, which’s fantastic since it shows how much he cares.
Don’t forget to try out the recipe at the back of the book!
First Book in Series
Will John and Sarah achieve what they need to do in Ancient Rome?
Sarah and John
Sarah and John are back on a new adventure even if one doesn’t really want to do it. Well, let’s first talk about Sarah. Sarah is trying not to pay too much attention to John since she believes that John blames her for Egypt. She tries not to have too much fun in Rome, but I think she does and wants to help even if she doesn’t think she should.
John is the one that can’t wait to go and help the people that they are supposed to help. It’s more difficult this time than in Egypt. John is a great kid who is trying to make up for accidentally sending them there. He is doing his best in the time period that he is in despite not really knowing much about the time period that they went to.I love how these two try their hardest to help with what they learned a bit before going there. Sarah and John have to help their new friends without affecting history.
Five Stars
Sol Invictus by Ben Gartner is phenomenally written, and I am in love with it. I tried so hard not to finish it as fast as I did The Eye of Ra; I wanted to savor it, which I accomplished. Mr. Gartner is a fabulous author, and I love how he makes it seem like you are there with the characters. He also researches the time periods that he includes, which’s fantastic since it shows how much he cares.
Don’t forget to try out the recipe at the back of the book!
First Book in Series
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Sol Invictus by Ben Gartner.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
December 2, 2020
John and Sarah Tidewell are back for another adventure through time in this second installment in the Eye of Ra series. Shortly after their journey to Ancient Egypt, the Tidewell family packed their things and moved from Colorado to Maryland, a transition that was somewhat rocky, at first. One muggy summer day, the family ventures to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. to investigate an exhibit about the Ancient Roman Empire. In the midst of an unexpected fire drill, John and Sarah become separated from their parents and meet Aten, a grave robber from their previous adventure. Several cryptic comments and a frightening situation later, John and Sarah find themselves in the middle of an active, Ancient Roman arena. The siblings must rely on a new friend, Crocus, to help keep them safe while they complete a quest apparently set upon them by the gods—because they cannot return home until they do.
Fans of The Eye of Ra will love the quick return to history Sarah and John experience in this story. Diligently researched, Sol Invictus recounts historical events in a way that is captivating and engaging while simultaneously educating readers of all ages. As Sarah enters her pre-teen years, her emotions run high and are a frequent through-line in this story. Trapped in the transition between childhood and becoming a teenager, Sarah struggles to find her place, occasionally putting herself, John, and their new friends in danger in the process. There is more violence and discussion of death in this story than in the first book, and Sarah and John have no parental figures to guide them this time. Instead, both must embrace their increasing maturity and learn to be self-sufficient. The writing is richly detailed and fast-paced, placing readers in the middle of the narrative and giving the story the feel of an action film. After the story ends, readers will find a recipe for Libum, a sweet cheesecake introduced in the book. Additionally, a message from the author explains which pieces of history are true and which are not within the context of the story. Middle grade readers with a love of adventure and history are sure to connect with John and Sarah in this dynamic series.
Fans of The Eye of Ra will love the quick return to history Sarah and John experience in this story. Diligently researched, Sol Invictus recounts historical events in a way that is captivating and engaging while simultaneously educating readers of all ages. As Sarah enters her pre-teen years, her emotions run high and are a frequent through-line in this story. Trapped in the transition between childhood and becoming a teenager, Sarah struggles to find her place, occasionally putting herself, John, and their new friends in danger in the process. There is more violence and discussion of death in this story than in the first book, and Sarah and John have no parental figures to guide them this time. Instead, both must embrace their increasing maturity and learn to be self-sufficient. The writing is richly detailed and fast-paced, placing readers in the middle of the narrative and giving the story the feel of an action film. After the story ends, readers will find a recipe for Libum, a sweet cheesecake introduced in the book. Additionally, a message from the author explains which pieces of history are true and which are not within the context of the story. Middle grade readers with a love of adventure and history are sure to connect with John and Sarah in this dynamic series.
December 14, 2020
I did receive a free ARC to review, but have tried to make this review unbiased regardless.
There’s so much to say about Sol Invictus, mostly because there’s so very much to love! It’s a worthy successor to an excellent new series for middle-grade readers, and it'd be lovely to see it available in schools and libraries everywhere. My true review would be 4.6 stars.
I love the history and humor and the growth in both main characters. There’s so much action and humor, I can see this grabbing the attention of even reluctant readers, and the vocabulary is advanced in spots, which I like because it’s a chance to expand children’s vocabulary naturally in an interesting way. I also love the Non nobis solum- the theme of working together to succeed.
As a homeschooling parent, one of my favorite things to do is to bring a joy and love of learning to subjects, and my three kids have really picked up on it, loving multiple subjects that are stereotypically seen as dry, from math to grammar to history. S (age 9) especially loves history. One thing I really enjoyed about the story is that it reinforced the learning we had already done in our studies of ancient Rome in an entertaining way, and the kids quickly remembered terms like Gaul and Franks and their previous learning about the Tetrarchy and Constantine.
The humor was well timed, spattering through the story and lightening other heavy themes. The weighty situations provide a lot of discussion topics for the kids to think about and consider. Nearly every chapter produced audible reactions from the kids, from laughter and giggles to cheers or groans, and usually they were begging for another chapter. Toward the end, we nearly had a mutiny because of the cliffhangers!
The storytelling was engaging and interesting, and I really enjoyed how the kids acted like kids, including the all-too-familiar bickering. I love Sarah’s bravery even to the point of being rash, and I really appreciate John’s anxiety, since my youngest also struggles with anxiety.
The prose itself felt light, which seems pretty standard for a lot of MG books, and the two main characters felt kind of along-for-the-ride for much of the story as well, but again, that’s also fairly standard for a lot of MG books.
But really, overall the story was very strong and well written, and certainly equal in quality to other traditional published MG stories we’ve read with the boys. The history is a lot more immersive and detailed than in the Magic Treehouse series, including the Merlin Missions, and I like this series better as a result, especially since the main characters learn and grow. One of the great things about these books is the simple detail of the recipe at the end. There’s nothing quite like tasting history and it’s something we do when we’re learning history. By having the recipe at the end it helps kids to bring history and the story home and really make it real.
--------------------Spoilers ahead-------------------------------------
Kids’ Review below:
J (age 7) - 5 stars (well, technically he said 5,000 stars out of 5). But not as good as the Magic Treehouse.
S (age 9) - 4 stars. Better than the Magic Treehouse, but not as good as the Warriors series. (It needs a lot more talking cats to be 5 stars.)
A (age 12) - 5 stars! Way better than the Magic Treehouse. As good as the Eye of Ra. He loves it!
Overall thoughts: A really liked it. S is wondering if there are multiple eyes (like the eye of Zeus, etc.) J really likes it too and is waffling between liking this more or liking Magic Treehouse more.
Worldbuilding: S loved the Eye of Ra. A noticed that the dominus and the emperor ate the same dessert but he was thinking the emperor might have even better desserts. A liked the mysteries of Mythros. A thought the worldbuilding aided the story, and S and J said it made them curious to know more.
A said there were big cliffhangers like the cat books (Warriors series).
S - “but not as good as the cat books. Nothing can beat the cat books.”
J- “It’s better than Jack and Annie because the Eye of Ra is more portable than the Magic Treehouse.”
Plot: The battle at the end was hard to follow but everything else was easy to follow for S. A thought it was straightforward except for the battles. J had trouble with understanding some of the plot because he was introduced to new words.
Characters: A and S - roles were clear. A wishes he knew what happened to Aurora. They should have told her to write more stuff down so people would know more about them. All the kids really liked John and Sarah. S liked how John was worried about the other people trapped in time and he really liked how there were more time travelers, which made him wonder if there were more eyes, or if not, how did they get there? The kids also really enjoyed the side characters and that they each had their own motivations and showed nice and mean parts of themselves, not only good or only bad. Except Marcus.
Storytelling: Descriptions were rich and they could picture everything in their head. They really want to make libum cheesecake and eat it for themselves (we’ll definitely be doing this). They could imagine a lot of the action sequences and really liked that. J really liked imagining the eye of Ra necklace as they traced it over and over.
Immersion: The kid never wanted to stop reading. All the cliffhangers made them want to keep going, and the story was really interesting. S learned stuff during the reading, like more about marmots, and about hardtack, everyone learned more about the Roman empire and way of life, including new details from when we studied it.
Emotional Response: All had very strong reactions to the story, with lots of yelling and gasping and giggling and speculating throughout.
Thought Provoking: S wants to learn more about marmots and said it was very inspiring. J wants to know what happened to Aurora. A can see this book and the previous one as a movie.
Cover: They like the cover, but they thought John and Sarah looked a lot different.
There’s so much to say about Sol Invictus, mostly because there’s so very much to love! It’s a worthy successor to an excellent new series for middle-grade readers, and it'd be lovely to see it available in schools and libraries everywhere. My true review would be 4.6 stars.
I love the history and humor and the growth in both main characters. There’s so much action and humor, I can see this grabbing the attention of even reluctant readers, and the vocabulary is advanced in spots, which I like because it’s a chance to expand children’s vocabulary naturally in an interesting way. I also love the Non nobis solum- the theme of working together to succeed.
As a homeschooling parent, one of my favorite things to do is to bring a joy and love of learning to subjects, and my three kids have really picked up on it, loving multiple subjects that are stereotypically seen as dry, from math to grammar to history. S (age 9) especially loves history. One thing I really enjoyed about the story is that it reinforced the learning we had already done in our studies of ancient Rome in an entertaining way, and the kids quickly remembered terms like Gaul and Franks and their previous learning about the Tetrarchy and Constantine.
The humor was well timed, spattering through the story and lightening other heavy themes. The weighty situations provide a lot of discussion topics for the kids to think about and consider. Nearly every chapter produced audible reactions from the kids, from laughter and giggles to cheers or groans, and usually they were begging for another chapter. Toward the end, we nearly had a mutiny because of the cliffhangers!
The storytelling was engaging and interesting, and I really enjoyed how the kids acted like kids, including the all-too-familiar bickering. I love Sarah’s bravery even to the point of being rash, and I really appreciate John’s anxiety, since my youngest also struggles with anxiety.
The prose itself felt light, which seems pretty standard for a lot of MG books, and the two main characters felt kind of along-for-the-ride for much of the story as well, but again, that’s also fairly standard for a lot of MG books.
But really, overall the story was very strong and well written, and certainly equal in quality to other traditional published MG stories we’ve read with the boys. The history is a lot more immersive and detailed than in the Magic Treehouse series, including the Merlin Missions, and I like this series better as a result, especially since the main characters learn and grow. One of the great things about these books is the simple detail of the recipe at the end. There’s nothing quite like tasting history and it’s something we do when we’re learning history. By having the recipe at the end it helps kids to bring history and the story home and really make it real.
--------------------Spoilers ahead-------------------------------------
Kids’ Review below:
J (age 7) - 5 stars (well, technically he said 5,000 stars out of 5). But not as good as the Magic Treehouse.
S (age 9) - 4 stars. Better than the Magic Treehouse, but not as good as the Warriors series. (It needs a lot more talking cats to be 5 stars.)
A (age 12) - 5 stars! Way better than the Magic Treehouse. As good as the Eye of Ra. He loves it!
Overall thoughts: A really liked it. S is wondering if there are multiple eyes (like the eye of Zeus, etc.) J really likes it too and is waffling between liking this more or liking Magic Treehouse more.
Worldbuilding: S loved the Eye of Ra. A noticed that the dominus and the emperor ate the same dessert but he was thinking the emperor might have even better desserts. A liked the mysteries of Mythros. A thought the worldbuilding aided the story, and S and J said it made them curious to know more.
A said there were big cliffhangers like the cat books (Warriors series).
S - “but not as good as the cat books. Nothing can beat the cat books.”
J- “It’s better than Jack and Annie because the Eye of Ra is more portable than the Magic Treehouse.”
Plot: The battle at the end was hard to follow but everything else was easy to follow for S. A thought it was straightforward except for the battles. J had trouble with understanding some of the plot because he was introduced to new words.
Characters: A and S - roles were clear. A wishes he knew what happened to Aurora. They should have told her to write more stuff down so people would know more about them. All the kids really liked John and Sarah. S liked how John was worried about the other people trapped in time and he really liked how there were more time travelers, which made him wonder if there were more eyes, or if not, how did they get there? The kids also really enjoyed the side characters and that they each had their own motivations and showed nice and mean parts of themselves, not only good or only bad. Except Marcus.
Storytelling: Descriptions were rich and they could picture everything in their head. They really want to make libum cheesecake and eat it for themselves (we’ll definitely be doing this). They could imagine a lot of the action sequences and really liked that. J really liked imagining the eye of Ra necklace as they traced it over and over.
Immersion: The kid never wanted to stop reading. All the cliffhangers made them want to keep going, and the story was really interesting. S learned stuff during the reading, like more about marmots, and about hardtack, everyone learned more about the Roman empire and way of life, including new details from when we studied it.
Emotional Response: All had very strong reactions to the story, with lots of yelling and gasping and giggling and speculating throughout.
Thought Provoking: S wants to learn more about marmots and said it was very inspiring. J wants to know what happened to Aurora. A can see this book and the previous one as a movie.
Cover: They like the cover, but they thought John and Sarah looked a lot different.
January 25, 2021
If you could travel to any time and place in history, which would you choose, and why?
In Sol Invictus, Ben Gartner sends his protagonists, 10-year-old John and 13-year-old Sarah, back to ancient Rome during the reign of Constantius. Their mission is to unite the emperor with Crocus, an Alemanni determined to avenge his father’s murder, and beware a man called Alex. Drawing inspiration from history and taking advantage of gaps to take creative excursions, this middle grade novel’s high action and adventure plot makes a fun entry point into ancient history. John and Sarah fight against wild animals with venatores in the Colosseum, travel with Alemanni warriors, and battle the elements and Roman centurions to achieve their mission and return home.
Gartner also weaves into events the challenges of sibling relationships, from two perspectives: the younger sibling who feels left behind and the older sibling who feels guilty about moving on. John and Sarah's inner monologues put into words feelings and experiences that young readers may be going through but not know how to verbalize. Gartner also makes clever connections between modern and ancient skills that provide opportunities for contemporary readers to relate to past events even when they seem most alien.
This middle grade novel, the follow-up to Gartner’s The Eye of Ra, was a pleasure to read. Engaging and sensitively written, it would make a great addition to late elementary and middle school classrooms. It releases on Feb. 2. Many thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
In Sol Invictus, Ben Gartner sends his protagonists, 10-year-old John and 13-year-old Sarah, back to ancient Rome during the reign of Constantius. Their mission is to unite the emperor with Crocus, an Alemanni determined to avenge his father’s murder, and beware a man called Alex. Drawing inspiration from history and taking advantage of gaps to take creative excursions, this middle grade novel’s high action and adventure plot makes a fun entry point into ancient history. John and Sarah fight against wild animals with venatores in the Colosseum, travel with Alemanni warriors, and battle the elements and Roman centurions to achieve their mission and return home.
Gartner also weaves into events the challenges of sibling relationships, from two perspectives: the younger sibling who feels left behind and the older sibling who feels guilty about moving on. John and Sarah's inner monologues put into words feelings and experiences that young readers may be going through but not know how to verbalize. Gartner also makes clever connections between modern and ancient skills that provide opportunities for contemporary readers to relate to past events even when they seem most alien.
This middle grade novel, the follow-up to Gartner’s The Eye of Ra, was a pleasure to read. Engaging and sensitively written, it would make a great addition to late elementary and middle school classrooms. It releases on Feb. 2. Many thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
February 26, 2021
What I like about the book is that it simply has an uncomplicated plot that young readers can easily follow. It is well suited for middle grade to young adults. Though a work of fiction, Ben Gartner has blended his characters in a historical event which allow readers to explore this part of history. In some way, those who have read the book will not only experience the thrill of the adventure but will also emerge with added information and lessons learned from the characters.
I am happy to have been invited by the author himself to review this book which I truly find an impressively engrossing achievement.
I am happy to have been invited by the author himself to review this book which I truly find an impressively engrossing achievement.
February 12, 2021
After reading Eye of Ra (book 1 in the series), I was (im)patiently awaiting this book--and I was not disappointed. Lots of action, time-travel adventure, and some history, too--it's a win in my book. I would have loved this series as a kid, and love it thoroughly as an adult. Highly recommended for adventurers of all ages.
January 13, 2021
Ben Gartner is back with Book 2 in his Eye of Ra series. Now, his time-traveling characters, John and Sarah, are off to ancient Rome on a puzzling mission to reunite two seeming enemies. The action is immediate with the two kids transporting right into the center of a gladiators' bloody arena. They narrowly avoid death from swords and ferocious animals. Dangers mount exponentially throughout the book as John and Sarah, along with their two new friends, attempt to outrun Roman legionnaires bent on capturing them for being escaped slaves. Simultaneously, the kids must try to discover how to accomplish their mysterious mission and return home intact to twenty-first-century Maryland.
Gartner is an expert at describing fast-paced action that takes the reader right into the scene. Kids won't be able to put this book down until the end. And there are some humorous juxtapositions of past and present, such as when one character thinks John must worship the Greek gods when she sees the Nike swoosh on his shoes! For those who are interested in ancient Roman history, prepare for a fun way to learn history, well-researched by Gartner. But don't wear your good clothes. Blood, sweat, and spears abound.
Gartner is an expert at describing fast-paced action that takes the reader right into the scene. Kids won't be able to put this book down until the end. And there are some humorous juxtapositions of past and present, such as when one character thinks John must worship the Greek gods when she sees the Nike swoosh on his shoes! For those who are interested in ancient Roman history, prepare for a fun way to learn history, well-researched by Gartner. But don't wear your good clothes. Blood, sweat, and spears abound.
November 7, 2020
Sol Invictus was a stunning, breathtaking book filled with twists, turns, and tragedies. A pair of siblings, who recently moved from the mountains are caught up again in the past, this time trying to reunite two enemies to save the world. I love this book because while it is a sequel it follows a very different story line. I also liked that there were non fiction aspects to the story as well. Overall, an excellent book. Five Stars.
January 26, 2021
I received this book for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I read the previous book in this series (The Eye of Ra) and very much enjoyed it. So when this came up for review, it was an easy decision. No regrets. This book takes the previous book and expands upon the characters and world, which all leads to a satisfying conclusion. And it looks like there are more books coming, which is fine by me.
I loved the expansion of the main characters. The sibling relationship felt so real, and the emotions were genuine. I found myself cheering for the good guys and feeling badly for some of the bad guys. I love that this series isn’t black-and-white in terms of bad vs. good. Makes for very interesting reading.
All in all, this was developed well and a joy to read. I look forward to more in this series or from a new series by the author.
I read the previous book in this series (The Eye of Ra) and very much enjoyed it. So when this came up for review, it was an easy decision. No regrets. This book takes the previous book and expands upon the characters and world, which all leads to a satisfying conclusion. And it looks like there are more books coming, which is fine by me.
I loved the expansion of the main characters. The sibling relationship felt so real, and the emotions were genuine. I found myself cheering for the good guys and feeling badly for some of the bad guys. I love that this series isn’t black-and-white in terms of bad vs. good. Makes for very interesting reading.
All in all, this was developed well and a joy to read. I look forward to more in this series or from a new series by the author.
April 21, 2021
In this action-packed sequel to The Eye of Ra, we follow John and Sarah as they travel to ancient Rome! One day, while looking at an exhibition about the ancient Roman Empire at the natural history museum, Aten shows up and sends them on a mysterious quest, but not before an angry man called Lucus tries to take John's Eye of Ra necklace.
Something about how adventure-filled this book was really worked for me. At times I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happened to John and Sarah! I'm so glad this book dove deeper into the "rules" of the Eye of Ra and I cannot wait to see more explanation in Book 3!
I really love John and Sarah's family. While their parents play a minor role in the story overall, they add so much to how loveable this book is! Their dad, described as a "royal goofball," is bound to remind readers of their dad-joke-loving parents, who always laugh hysterically at their own jokes! I know it reminded me of my dad, who could talk for hours about the clever pranks he's pulled and jokes he's made. John's relationship with his mom is incredibly sweet and, while the nickname "Little Chef" will always remind me of Ratatouille, it's so nice to see how important that bond is to him and how much he loves to cook! I do wonder what they'll think if his new favorite dish to make does end up being Marmot...
Maybe I'm a little biased since we share a name, but Sarah is such an awesome character! The little details like how much she wanted a puppy were so cute! I smiled when, after mentioning her love of dogs, there were multiple similies like "She bounded up the stairs, John close on her heels like a new pup" and "Sarah cocked her head in surprise like a puppy who'd heard the keyword 'walk.'" What a fun addition!
I would definitely recommend reading The Eye of Ra first, as it provides important background on the characters and their time travel ability, and there are minor spoilers for Book 1 in this one.
Please pick up your copy of Sol Invictus today! You won't regret it. The fantastic familial relationships, adventures, and historical details are perfect for young readers! I can't wait to see more of the "errands" Aten sends them on.
*I received a free digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!*
Something about how adventure-filled this book was really worked for me. At times I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happened to John and Sarah! I'm so glad this book dove deeper into the "rules" of the Eye of Ra and I cannot wait to see more explanation in Book 3!
I really love John and Sarah's family. While their parents play a minor role in the story overall, they add so much to how loveable this book is! Their dad, described as a "royal goofball," is bound to remind readers of their dad-joke-loving parents, who always laugh hysterically at their own jokes! I know it reminded me of my dad, who could talk for hours about the clever pranks he's pulled and jokes he's made. John's relationship with his mom is incredibly sweet and, while the nickname "Little Chef" will always remind me of Ratatouille, it's so nice to see how important that bond is to him and how much he loves to cook! I do wonder what they'll think if his new favorite dish to make does end up being Marmot...
Maybe I'm a little biased since we share a name, but Sarah is such an awesome character! The little details like how much she wanted a puppy were so cute! I smiled when, after mentioning her love of dogs, there were multiple similies like "She bounded up the stairs, John close on her heels like a new pup" and "Sarah cocked her head in surprise like a puppy who'd heard the keyword 'walk.'" What a fun addition!
I would definitely recommend reading The Eye of Ra first, as it provides important background on the characters and their time travel ability, and there are minor spoilers for Book 1 in this one.
Please pick up your copy of Sol Invictus today! You won't regret it. The fantastic familial relationships, adventures, and historical details are perfect for young readers! I can't wait to see more of the "errands" Aten sends them on.
*I received a free digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!*
February 13, 2021
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
John and Sarah recently moved to Maryland, and they’re handling it okay. Sarah seems a lot moodier though, and she doesn’t want to spend much time with the family. It sounds like typical growing pains at first, but is there more to it?
When their parents decide to take John and Sarah to a museum, they end up in the ancient Roman frontier! This time, it is no accident. The gods are sending them on a mission, but they don’t want to time travel again. When they get there, they try using the Eye of Ra to return, but it doesn’t work! They decide that they probably have to complete the mission, but that seems impossible. They’re smart but I couldn’t see how they could complete this mission to get home.
John and Sarah make several friends while they’re in the ancient Roman frontier. I was hoping for more action in this second book, and I got it! I’m impressed with how the author incorporated a lot of history in Sol Invictus without it feeling like a history lesson. It didn’t slow down the story at all.
Sarah is having more and more trouble figuring out how to deal with the conflicting emotions she’s feeling and tends to walk off to be alone, forgetting how dangerous that could be. She made me so nervous running off like that! I enjoyed watching them grow throughout the book.
Sol Invictus is full of adventure that middle grade readers (and adults) will enjoy. It contains a lot of action and is a page turner. This time that John and Sarah are in is more dangerous than where they were in ancient Egypt, and they have to be on guard at all times. I’m looking forward to reading more books in The Eye of Ra series.
John and Sarah recently moved to Maryland, and they’re handling it okay. Sarah seems a lot moodier though, and she doesn’t want to spend much time with the family. It sounds like typical growing pains at first, but is there more to it?
When their parents decide to take John and Sarah to a museum, they end up in the ancient Roman frontier! This time, it is no accident. The gods are sending them on a mission, but they don’t want to time travel again. When they get there, they try using the Eye of Ra to return, but it doesn’t work! They decide that they probably have to complete the mission, but that seems impossible. They’re smart but I couldn’t see how they could complete this mission to get home.
John and Sarah make several friends while they’re in the ancient Roman frontier. I was hoping for more action in this second book, and I got it! I’m impressed with how the author incorporated a lot of history in Sol Invictus without it feeling like a history lesson. It didn’t slow down the story at all.
Sarah is having more and more trouble figuring out how to deal with the conflicting emotions she’s feeling and tends to walk off to be alone, forgetting how dangerous that could be. She made me so nervous running off like that! I enjoyed watching them grow throughout the book.
Sol Invictus is full of adventure that middle grade readers (and adults) will enjoy. It contains a lot of action and is a page turner. This time that John and Sarah are in is more dangerous than where they were in ancient Egypt, and they have to be on guard at all times. I’m looking forward to reading more books in The Eye of Ra series.
February 2, 2021
The exciting sequel to The Eye of Ra publishes tomorrow, and I was fortunate enough to obtain an early copy. John and his sister Sarah once again find themselves sent back in time and with a mission to finish.
They arrive into a battle scene inside a gladiator arena and this is a sign of how dangerous the Roman Empire will be for them. They encounter animals in the arena, a huge and fierce warrior who wants to steal their ability to time travel, Romans who would enslave them and more.
The fictional action is nicely woven with factual history and readers will learn about gladiators, slavery and some of the politics of the Roman empire. The series is sometimes referred to as being for graduates of Magic Tree House and that certainly makes sense, but it deserves praise in its own right.
John and Sarah's mission is even more difficult than in book one. There are a number of great action scenes as the siblings have to figure out how they will manage to unite warring peoples, learn how to get back home and not bicker like the pre-teens that they are. Nice to find another fast paced, historical adventure for my grade five and six readers.
They arrive into a battle scene inside a gladiator arena and this is a sign of how dangerous the Roman Empire will be for them. They encounter animals in the arena, a huge and fierce warrior who wants to steal their ability to time travel, Romans who would enslave them and more.
The fictional action is nicely woven with factual history and readers will learn about gladiators, slavery and some of the politics of the Roman empire. The series is sometimes referred to as being for graduates of Magic Tree House and that certainly makes sense, but it deserves praise in its own right.
John and Sarah's mission is even more difficult than in book one. There are a number of great action scenes as the siblings have to figure out how they will manage to unite warring peoples, learn how to get back home and not bicker like the pre-teens that they are. Nice to find another fast paced, historical adventure for my grade five and six readers.
April 16, 2021
Read and reviewed by 10yo Ayan.
When I first read 'The Eye of Ra,' I thought this story of Sarah and John couldn’t get any better, but with 'Sol Invictus,' the author, Ben Gartner has outdone himself. The plot is really intriguing and is sure to capture any reader in minutes.
In 'Sol Invictus,' Sarah and John are exploring a history museum when a notorious criminal from ancient Egypt confronts them with the fact that they have to go to ancient Rome to unite two warring kings. They don’t believe him but are forced to take on the mission. Can they survive the dangers they face, complete the assignment, and find the portal back home—all before it’s too late? Read this exciting adventure to find out!
All the characters are very well developed. Crocus is an avid warrior, John is a witty boy, Sarah is an instinctive girl, Constantius is a kind emperor—the relationships between these characters create a lifelike experience.
I recommend this book as a read-aloud for 6+ and a reader for 9+.
I give this book 5/5 stars as it’s definitely a must-read.
Happy reading!
- Ayan
P.S. Even though this can be read as a stand-alone, I highly suggest reading the first book in this series, 'The Eye of Ra,' before this one, to fully appreciate the story.
When I first read 'The Eye of Ra,' I thought this story of Sarah and John couldn’t get any better, but with 'Sol Invictus,' the author, Ben Gartner has outdone himself. The plot is really intriguing and is sure to capture any reader in minutes.
In 'Sol Invictus,' Sarah and John are exploring a history museum when a notorious criminal from ancient Egypt confronts them with the fact that they have to go to ancient Rome to unite two warring kings. They don’t believe him but are forced to take on the mission. Can they survive the dangers they face, complete the assignment, and find the portal back home—all before it’s too late? Read this exciting adventure to find out!
All the characters are very well developed. Crocus is an avid warrior, John is a witty boy, Sarah is an instinctive girl, Constantius is a kind emperor—the relationships between these characters create a lifelike experience.
I recommend this book as a read-aloud for 6+ and a reader for 9+.
I give this book 5/5 stars as it’s definitely a must-read.
Happy reading!
- Ayan
P.S. Even though this can be read as a stand-alone, I highly suggest reading the first book in this series, 'The Eye of Ra,' before this one, to fully appreciate the story.
February 4, 2021
Being long past middle grade age I expected to be bored and talked down to but was reading based on a recommendation. Really glad I took the time.
The book reads like a Dan Brown novel but with a purpose larger than entertainment. The author has found a great vehicle for sharing history. I got tired of highlighting all the facts I didn’t know (I thought there would be only a handful) and just enjoyed the ride.
How an adult male can portray a young girl in such realistic fashion amazes me.
“The power of a pre-teen’s frustration was nothing to underestimate.”
“Nobody look at me.”
“She wanted to go back to how she was before.”
“I’m tired of not being able to make my own choices.”
Besides making history intriguing and characters that are compelling, there is even advice for our own time. “Google it.”
If I had this kind of book when I was that age I might have actually enjoyed and learned a little history. If I were a teacher I’d be grabbing Gartner’s books off the shelf. Time to step back and learn a little Egyptology in the “Eye of Ra”. Reading out of order didn’t really make a difference. Any spoilers are just enticement.
I appreciate the recommendation and a chance to see the growth in quality and understanding of writing for this age group (assuming Gartner isn’t unique). Young or old, you’ll enjoy this adventure.
The book reads like a Dan Brown novel but with a purpose larger than entertainment. The author has found a great vehicle for sharing history. I got tired of highlighting all the facts I didn’t know (I thought there would be only a handful) and just enjoyed the ride.
How an adult male can portray a young girl in such realistic fashion amazes me.
“The power of a pre-teen’s frustration was nothing to underestimate.”
“Nobody look at me.”
“She wanted to go back to how she was before.”
“I’m tired of not being able to make my own choices.”
Besides making history intriguing and characters that are compelling, there is even advice for our own time. “Google it.”
If I had this kind of book when I was that age I might have actually enjoyed and learned a little history. If I were a teacher I’d be grabbing Gartner’s books off the shelf. Time to step back and learn a little Egyptology in the “Eye of Ra”. Reading out of order didn’t really make a difference. Any spoilers are just enticement.
I appreciate the recommendation and a chance to see the growth in quality and understanding of writing for this age group (assuming Gartner isn’t unique). Young or old, you’ll enjoy this adventure.
September 13, 2021
So if "Eye of Ra" felt like it took the Tidewell Siblings on a theme park ride through time, this sequel feels like it's constantly cranking you up to the top of the rollercoaster and hanging you there for an extra second before accelerating you into the action.
Sarah and John have just moved to Maryland when a trip to the Smithsonian catapults them back in time again, this time to the Roman Empire... except now, it's not a strange cosmic coincidence. They have a mission, and a sense that they have to do more than just survive and get back; this time, they have to bring enemies together.
This wonderful series melds history, adventure, sibling dynamics and century-hopping in a way that is perfect for curious readers who want to be totally engrossed in the action and the characters all at once. No sophomore slump here. The stakes are definitely raised in book two... and book three is just around the corner.
Sarah and John have just moved to Maryland when a trip to the Smithsonian catapults them back in time again, this time to the Roman Empire... except now, it's not a strange cosmic coincidence. They have a mission, and a sense that they have to do more than just survive and get back; this time, they have to bring enemies together.
This wonderful series melds history, adventure, sibling dynamics and century-hopping in a way that is perfect for curious readers who want to be totally engrossed in the action and the characters all at once. No sophomore slump here. The stakes are definitely raised in book two... and book three is just around the corner.
January 23, 2021
Fast paced adventure awaits in Ancient Rome with John and Sarah. With the dov they had me hooked from the beginning. They were relatable and had me feeling I was right next to them. Sword fights, ancient mystery, saving the day. For readers who like magic tree house and Indiana Jones.
Also as mother there a few things I really appreciated. The main characters being a brother and a sister. The bonus at the end with a cheesecake recipe, how great is that. The historical fact checking was a great add on. Now no time wasted fact checking, also pointed in the right direction to look up more historical facts.
Thank you to NetGalley and Independent Book Publishers Association, Members’ Titles for sending me an advanced copy of Sol Invictus.
***I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.***
Also as mother there a few things I really appreciated. The main characters being a brother and a sister. The bonus at the end with a cheesecake recipe, how great is that. The historical fact checking was a great add on. Now no time wasted fact checking, also pointed in the right direction to look up more historical facts.
Thank you to NetGalley and Independent Book Publishers Association, Members’ Titles for sending me an advanced copy of Sol Invictus.
***I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.***
January 12, 2021
Ben Gartner has hit another home run with Sol Invictus. I had the honor of reading an Advanced Copy, as I also did with Eye of Ra. Ben's writing is this great mixture of voice and knowledge. Historical fiction has perhaps never been more important for kids these dayS, in order to learn where we come from and where we NEED to go. HE makes me want to write about something I am passionate about!
Sol Invictus entertains and educates without an ounce of "hey kids you're learning" in his writing style. You just do! My daughter will read it next, and I know she will love it. Ben's books are full of charm, allure, and a deep passion for his subjects! So excited to have read it ahead of everyone!
Enjoy!
Sol Invictus entertains and educates without an ounce of "hey kids you're learning" in his writing style. You just do! My daughter will read it next, and I know she will love it. Ben's books are full of charm, allure, and a deep passion for his subjects! So excited to have read it ahead of everyone!
Enjoy!
March 5, 2021
I was scrolling through netgalley's available to read now section and the cover of this book caught my attention immediately because I have been fascinated with Egypt greek and roman anything since a very young age. I knew I had to read its synopsis upon reading it I clicked on read now instantly #sol invictis the eye of ra book 2 felt tailor made for me although I'am not in the target age group I had no problems picturing the scenes ben garner richly described with great detail. This book made me want to stay sitting and stay reading. This is a well thought out and researched book. I loved this book and will be going back to read book 1 in this series and awaiting book 3 coming soon. Thank you #netgalley and #bengartner for the experience.
January 13, 2021
Time-traveling siblings Sarah and John are back in Sol Invictus! Fans of The Eye of Ra will definitely be delighted by this adventurous quest through Ancient Rome. A couple of familiar faces from the first book return alongside a brand-new cast of historical friends, foes, and everything in between. There's even another historically-inspired recipe to keep the fun going long after the last page has been turned!
March 5, 2021
This second novel in the The Eye of Ra series has the perfect blend of satisfying reader expectations with character growth and well-drawn conclusions and keeping readers engaged by avoiding the formulaic and lots of twists. Gartner is not afraid to keep upping the ante with high stakes and intensifying action. A fantastic sequel!
January 22, 2021
Perfect for MG readers looking for action and adventure, along with characters full of heart. Ben Gartner immerses readers in history in this tightly woven narrative where Sarah and John must bring two enemies together in an effort to bring peace to the world. Prepare for chariot races and sword fights.
August 18, 2022
I kindly received a free copy in exchange for an honest review by Ben Gartner, and this was a truly enjoyable and accessible read!
January 29, 2021
What can I say, I’m a sucker for time travel! This book has it all—a high-stakes plot, a dose of Roman history, and a great sense of humor. Check it out.
October 27, 2021
I received this book from the author for an honest review,
I loved that the two main characters continued in this book, from "The Eye of Ra", as with that story, I was captivated and on the edge, I loved that the story held to some real history, I am looking forward to the next book in this series! Sarah and John are awesome characters and seem very real life in their actions,
I also love that the author includes a" period" recipe in the end of this book also!
I definitely recommend this book for young teens and seasoned readers the same !
I loved that the two main characters continued in this book, from "The Eye of Ra", as with that story, I was captivated and on the edge, I loved that the story held to some real history, I am looking forward to the next book in this series! Sarah and John are awesome characters and seem very real life in their actions,
I also love that the author includes a" period" recipe in the end of this book also!
I definitely recommend this book for young teens and seasoned readers the same !
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews