In Mark of the Thief, Jennifer A. Nielsen creates a hero to rival Sage, the star of her riveting Ascendance Trilogy. The protagonist of this first title in a planned Praetor War series shares with Sage a rebellious nature and a birthright that seems to dictate his path.
Nicolas Calva and his sister, Livia, were sold into slavery five years earlier and forced to work in the mines. After Nic and others discover a tunnel rumored to contain Julius Caesar's treasures, Nic is sent down to recover Caesar's bulla, a pendant purportedly containing magic and power--but not before overhearing General Radulf, head of Emperor Tacitus's army, speak of his plans to "crush this empire in my fist." Nic finds the bulla guarded by a griffin. Once Nic puts on the bulla, he seems bonded to the creature, which he names Caela. Caela helps Nic escape the tunnel, only to be sold to a Roman responsible for the venatio, the pre-gladiator entertainment. Nic worries he'll be killed whether he gives the bulla to the Emperor or to General Radulf. Can he save Livia and Caela first?
Nielsen's mix of realism and magic hits a few bumps. The author relies on some secondary characters to explain to Nic how things work (the significance of the bulla and the mark the griffin leaves). Still, few writers explore social strata and the struggle between fate and free will as well as Nielsen does. With this book she sets in motion another fast-paced adventure set during a fascinating time in the Roman Empire. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness