Review: The History Keepers: Circus Maximus - Damian Dibben

The History Keepers: Circus Maximus by Damian Dibben, published by Doubleday on 2nd August 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
The History Keepers are in terrible danger once more. Stocks of Atomium - the crucial ingredient which allows them to travel through time - are perilously low, and the agents must embark on a risky mission to find more. And now a new and even more evil member of the Zeldt family is planning a hideous take-over of the Ancient world, and they are forced to travel further back into history than ever before in order to save the day.

Review:
*There may be spoilers from the previous book in the series

Jake and the History Keepers are back in this thrilling new instalment by British author Damian Dibben. This time they are travelling back to AD27 and Ancient Rome to try and rescue Topaz.

What is so great about this series is the actual premise of being able to travel back to any period in time. The characters get to visit some amazing locations, enriched by fantastic details of all the historical events which actually took place.  The scenes in the book really come alive with such wonderfully descriptive writing and all of these things mean that the scope for the series is pretty much infinite.  There are so many exciting places and adventures which could lie in store for the History Keepers.

I really enjoyed the first in the series when I read it last year but I loved ‘Circus Maximus’ even more. The basic idea behind the secret organisation has already been explained and put in place, so Dibben can now simply concentrate on weaving a fabulous story with plenty of action for Jake and co as they attempt to save the world.

The characters grew on me even more too this time around. Jake is a brilliant hero (move over Percy Jackson!) but I also adore Nathan who is by Jake’s side throughout and my personal favourite. He’s funny and charming, obsessed with fashion but also loyal and brave and the right person to have by your side in times of need.

The History Keepers have to face Agata Zeldt and she makes a great baddie – the character that you love to hate. Every hero needs an enemy and Zeldt is it!  Every time she appeared I wanted to run and hide because she's just so scary.

The ending nicely plants the seeds for the next book in the series which promises to lead the group on yet another dangerous mission.  A sublime combination of fantasy and adventure, hold onto your seats as Dibben takes you on a rollercoaster ride through history, fraught with danger and excitement.