Tiger, Tiger

Two tiger cubs are captured in the jungle and taken by ship to Rome. One is given to Caesar’s daughter, Princess Aurelia, and the other is destined to perform in the bloodthirsty Roman circus. The princess adores her new pet, which she names Boots, and a young slave, Julius, is employed as her tiger’s keeper. But while Boots is being pampered and tamed, his brother, Brute, is being trained to fight and kill.

Caesar insists that the princess attends the circus at the Coliseum on her 13th birthday, but she detests the violent spectacle and is comforted by Julius. Princess Aurelia falls in love with her slave, but when a childish prank goes wrong and Boots escapes, Julius faces certain death as Caesar orders that he fight for his life in the arena.

Starring a Roman emperor, gladiators, Christians and lions, the vivid depiction of ancient Rome makes this an ideal book for KS2 (7-11 year olds) history teachers to use in the classroom. The historical accuracy is impressive, but sadly the author’s research into the natural world is not so thorough – apparently third-century camels stored water in their humps! This faux pas aside, Tiger, Tiger is a riveting read. In the style of a true Roman epic it combines bloodthirsty violence with unrequited love, and the themes of loyalty and freedom are carefully explored as the princess struggles to be true to herself by standing up to her father.

At the end of such a powerful and exciting story, the book abruptly runs out of steam, and Reid Banks employs the use of an epilogue instead of writing the strong ending that this otherwise excellent novel deserves.