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Curses and Smoke: A Novel of Pompeii: A Novel of Pompeii Audiobook
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TAG is a medical slave, doomed to spend his life healing his master's injured gladiators. But his warrior's heart yearns to fight in the gladiator ring himself and earn enough money to win his freedom.
LUCIA is the daughter of Tag's owner, doomed by her father's greed to marry a much older Roman man. But she loves studying the natural world around her home in Pompeii, and lately she's been noticing some odd occurrences in the landscape: small lakes disappearing; a sulfurous smell in the air. . . .
When the two childhood friends reconnect, each with their own longings, they fall passionately in love. But as they plot their escape from the city, a patrician fighter reveals his own plans for them -- to Lucia's father, who imprisons Tag as punishment. Then an earthquake shakes Pompeii, in the first sign of the chaos to come. Will they be able to find each other again before the volcano destroys their whole world?
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“A YA historical fiction tale of forbidden love set amidst one of the most fascinating tragedies of all time. Shecter does her part in painting a very intriguing picture of life in Pompeii for Tag, a medical slave, and Lucia, the privileged daughter of Tag’s owner. The writing is compelling enough that readers will feel as if they are witnessing firsthand the gradual destruction of the lost ancient city. Though knowing the eventual outcome, can there be a happy ending? No doubt readers will not see the finale coming, as Shecter throws in some interesting twists and turns throughout—and then a major curveball.”
— RT Book Reviews (4½ stars)
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“Shecter returns to the ancient world, following star-crossed lovers in shadow of Mt. Vesuvius…Including detailed descriptions of ancient medicine, religious practices, and gladiatorial combat, Shecter explores Roman society from the perspective of the oppressed…Shecter makes clever use of the historical eruption to give her tragic climax a bitterly ironic twist.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Convincing performances by Marisol Ramirez and Zach Villa make listeners care about Tag, the medical slave, and Lucia, the aristocratic daughter of his brutal master…Speaking in alternating chapters as the would-be lovers, Ramirez sounds bright and intelligent as Lucia, while Villa’s Tag sounds noble and brave. Listeners will want to know how (or whether) the couple escapes the fury of the mountain, even as the countdown to disaster continues…Well-developed characters, careful period research, and two appealing narrations make this worthwhile listening for older teens.”
— AudioFile -
“This plot-driven historical novel is a quick read, with enough Latin vocabulary and accurate descriptions of ancient Roman culture to keep readers interested, enlightened, and entertained.”
— Booklist -
“the book’s focus on daily life in ancient Pompeii rings true. Their firm belief in various gods and goddesses and other superstitions comes across strongly, as does the author’s examination of slavery in ancient times.”
— Kirkus Reviews
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About Vicky Alvear Shecter
Vicky Alvear Shecter wishes she had a time machine to go back to the glory days of ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Until she can find one, she writes about the famous and fabulous lives of the ancients and their gods instead. She is also a docent at the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Antiquities at Emory University.
About the Narrators
Marisol Ramirez is an audio narrator and actress who has appeared on numerous television shows, including ER, The Mentalist, Without a Trace, and Dallas. Among her film credits are Right at Your Door and Just Cause.
Zach Villa is a stage, film, and television performer. Classically trained in acting, Villa’s audiobook work includes The World without You by Joshua Henkin and Butterfly Winter by W. P. Kinsella.