A plot against Julius Caesar. A city full of secrets. And two friends racing against time to change history.
When Aria and Liam arrive in Rome, they discover a dangerous conspiracy brewing at the heart of the Republic. Julius Caesar plans to give more power to the citizens, but someone wants to stop him before that happens. The conspirators’ plan is clear: Caesar must die. And if he does, the Roman Republic itself will fall into ruin.
With the help of their allies, Gaia and Titus, Aria and Liam begin searching for the truth. But nothing about ancient Rome feels right to them: power struggles are constant, political alliances change without warning, and the city’s values clash with everything they believe in. Even Aria, who knows Roman history by heart, soon realizes that living it is far harsher than reading about it.
The mission becomes even more difficult when the group is separated, and survival takes priority. Fighting to stay alive leaves Aria and Liam with less time to uncover the culprit, and every delay brings the plot closer to success.
If they fail, Rome will fall under the control of a ruthless ruler, and Aria and Liam will be forced to live under his rule, unable to return to their own time.
Can Aria and Liam uncover the conspiracy and change the course of history before it’s too late?
Blending mystery, action, history, and humor, this adventure is perfect for readers aged 8 to 12.
Book Details
Author: Coline Monsarrat
Publisher: Apicem Publishing
Series: Aria & Liam
Age range: 8 to 12 years old
Genre: middle-grade, adventure, historical
Time-period: Roman Empire (100-44 BCE)
ISBN (paperback): 978-1-959814-26-9
ISBN (ebook): 978-1-959814-17-7
Format: paperback and e-book
❝ This adventure felt like a rollercoaster, and I learned so many things along the way. What struck me the most was how important it is to stand up for your values and do what’s right. Even when it feels scary, living in peace with your heart allows you to achieve so much. I also learned how to fight in the arena like a real gladiator and survive. Cool, right? ❞
❝ Wow, this adventure taught me some really hard lessons, like how reading about history is very different from actually living it. The lesson that helped me the most was understanding why our classmate Oliver was such a bully. I used to get really mad when he was mean to me, but learning the reasons behind his behavior helped me understand him better and not take it personally. And I also got to see ancient Rome, which was really cool!! ❞
There is a side of Julius Caesar that is not well known. By today’s standards, and rightly so, he is often seen as a ruthless dictator. However, what we sometimes overlook is that Caesar was one of the rare Roman senators who believed power should be shared with citizens and that helping the poorest should be a priority of the Republic. It was important for me to show this side of him while also raising a broader philosophical question: should we judge historical figures by today’s standards? To explore this, the story shows how, when certain beliefs and systems are deeply embedded in daily life, even “good” people can commit atrocious acts simply because society accepts them as normal.
Through Liam’s and Aria’s experiences, I wanted to show how deeply unequal the ancient world was—how power, wealth, and rights were concentrated in the hands of a few, while many others had little or no control over their own lives. Liam, who is not especially interested in history, is shocked as he discovers this reality firsthand. Aria, though more familiar with history, is also challenged when she witnesses these injustices happening in front of her. Their different reactions reflect how confronting lived reality can be far more unsettling than reading about it.
Another timeless topic discussed in the book is bullying, and why children can become bullies.
History does not have to repeat itself if we choose to learn from it.
Coline Monsarrat
More Books in the series
Coline Monsarrat grew up believing books were gateways to magical realms where anything was possible. Her love for history and her endless curiosity shaped her belief that life is an adventure waiting to be written—and we are the authors of our own stories.