The Twelve Tasks of Flavia Gemina (The Roman Mysteries)

Again I've downloaded this book for my thirteen-year-old to read. She is really into the series and she found this to be a good read. She feels that the content is age appropriate and she recommends the story to any young teen who is interested in this time period and this type of story.For parents interested in reading any of these books, I will admit to have sat down and read one of them, 'The Beggar of Volubilis' to see what they were like. The story was okay and I certainly didn't see anything wrong with the content, however the book did not hold my interest. As a reader of the 'Falco' series of books I found the 'Roman Mysteries' to be a little tame. Still I do encourage parents interested in seeing what their kids are reading to give the book a try. You might not like it, but if your child does, let them read it with the knowledge that they are enjoying reading and that the content is certainly appropriate for their age.

Every time we finish a book in the Roman Mysteries series we say "that was the best one yet" - but they are all fantastic! I read them with my 11 yr old son & both enjoy them immensely (& I love that they help me pass along my love of classical history)

Two intersecting aspects form this book; tracking down the escaped animals from a Roman circus, and the romance between Flavia's father, a widowed sea-captain, and a mature lady from a well-to-do family, a romance which Flavia dreads will end in marriage.The time is the winter after the eruption of Vesuvius, during the heady Saturnalia festival, today's Christmas. That's a lot to compress into one slim adventure.While the focus is on kids under twelve, who have reasonable freedom to run around the port of Ostia, some mature themes are introduced.The twelve tasks are incidental except as pointers to where information may be found, because little has to be done in the way of stable sweeping. They serve to demonstrate how Ostia was filled with murals, statues, temples, references to mythology. And of course, they teach young readers about Hercules.There are so many twists that a reader too young will just keep going to see what happens next, without fully appreciating the background. Adults and readers from twelve up will get a great deal from the work.I read a paperback. This is an unbiased review.

I loved this book! Although it was sad i think it was awesome just like all of Caroline Lawrence`s books in the Roman mysteries series. I can't wait to read the next book!

I have raved about all the books thus far in Caroline Lawrence's "The Roman Mysteries" series, but this is the first one that's left me a little cold. It's not bad by any means, but is simply not up to the same excellent standard of previous and subsequent books. Dealing with unrequited love, escaped animals, and a plot that is based loosely on the twelve tasks of Hercules, it is though Lawrence had a lot of disparate ideas that she wanted to use but couldn't quite piece together properly. Although the research (particularly on the Roman festivals and lifestyle) and her rich, clear prose is as impeccable as ever, the plot is rather haywire. The unclear mystery has an unsatisfactory resolution, and Flavia unfortunately comes across as a bit shrewish.Ostia in the year 79AD is preparing for the Saturnalia festival, and our four young protagonists are looking forward to the celebrations: introspective Jonathan, wise Nubia, fearless Lupus and headstrong Flavia, who (as the title would suggest) takes centre-stage for this particular story. As an only child with a doting father who gives her the freedom to solve mysteries whenever they crop up, Flavia is conscious and grateful for her charmed life. But changes are on the horizon. Captain Marcus Flavius Gemina suddenly feels that his daughter is dangerously independent and informs her that she's not to leave the house without his permission. It's time that she starts thinking about the prospect of marriage, despite the fact that Flavia believes herself in love with a much older friend of the family. The final blow comes when her father brings home a beautiful young widow. Cartilia Poplica is clearly interested in Marcus, and Flavia is certain that this potential step-mother is the one responsible for the new restrictions on her carefree lifestyle.Flavia is determined to prove that Cartilia is bewitching her father, and after a strange dream in which she is told by the legendary Hercules that she must complete his twelve tasks, the investigation begins. Using Hercules' tasks as a guide, the clues that it provides leads the friends on a treasure hunt that is so remarkably specific that coincidence borders on the supernatural.Desire and intrigue is in the air for more than just Flavia's father, as the young detectives uncover the infatuations and love affairs of other lovesick characters, including their tutor, their tutor's friend, Jonathan's betrothed sister, Flavia's uncle, Cartilia's sister, and Nubia herself. Even Lupus fosters a little crush on a fierce warrior-woman, and what the book lacks in clear plot, it tries to make up for in the fact that the youngsters are growing up fast. Flavia in particular gets some long-anticipated character development as she makes her first steps toward womanhood and all that it requires of her.As other reviews have mentioned, the death of a significant character at the end of the story is a disappointment. There's nothing wrong with a children's story that involves the stark reality of death, but that it happens after an entire book's worth of character development and which is literally squeezed into the final four pages of the book with little foreshadowing makes it feel like a slap in the face. It's as though Lawrence simply lost interest and didn't want to deal with the ramifications of this character's inclusion in future books. It's a pity, as the character in question could have enriched certain aspects of the protagonists' lives.Though this review may seem largely negative, it's only because the quality of this series as a whole is so high. It's necessary reading in the context of the overarching story at work, and entertaining throughout. On its own terms it is a bittersweet look at first love and begins several important plotlines that will be explored further in later books (as well as wrapping up the long-time tension surrounding Miriam's wedding). Certainly a worthy read, though I suspect most will be happy to move on to  The Enemies of Jupiter .

I liked how the characters learn how to say, "sorry".

Love all the books from the series .

I've been enjoying this series, and have read seven of the books in the last week or so. On the whole, the series has been fun, educational, and largely harmless.This book, however, is my least favorite of the ones I've read. I'm sure this is largely personal preference...I didn't like the feminist themes in this book, nor the reliance on pagan mysticism. Certainly, all the books in the series (of the ones I've read) contain information on Greco Roman "gods", but they are functionally portrayed as powerless. In this book, however, they seem to actually be "helping" the main character. As a Christian myself, I'm not so interested in that.Additionally, two of the young girls in the book (10 and 11) fall "in love" with much older men (one of whom is married). Both crushes are unrequited, but conservative parents may want to be aware of this subject matter.My purpose in reading these books is to preview them for my 10yo, who easily demolishes a book in an afternoon. I'm going to have her skip this particular title, though I'm sure she'll enjoy several other titles in the series.

The twelve tasks of Flavia Gemina is a very good book that I really enjoyed. This book is the 6th of the wonderful Roman Mysteries Series . If you are considering buying this book I would say it would be a good idea to read the series in order.

I liked it but there was more romance than being a detective but overall it was a good book by stef

A real page turner I. Would suggests this book to anyone!!!!!!!!a story of love and hate and mystery can't wait to read the next one

An amazing series!!!