Roman Identity (The Legend Book 2) by J.U. Scribe

The college semester is officially over, which means that now I have time to read and work on my blog again!

Roman Identity is the YA historical fiction full-length sequel to the middle grade short story Before the Legend. This book takes place 10 years later than the first, and was sent to me by the author. Troy is now 14 years old, and is trying to find his place in the world. His father highly favors his brother, Barbarius, over him, and views Troy as weak. As Troy tries to live up to the expectations and values of his father, he is faced with moral conflict on the treatment of a stray dog and of his slaves that challenges what it means to be a man.

I was very surprised that Troy had to write an essay on how history still lives in the present, as the teacher should have known that a key part of PTSD and childhood trauma is how it never fully goes away and still impacts them as adults. It is, however, a great opening to a central theme of the story and plotline. The pain of losing his mother has shaped his perspective on life and who he is, and I liked Troy's character development of realizing his own potential and that running from his pain will not heal him. 

Troy struggles with the emotional neglect of his family and his empathy for others being viewed as a weakness. He is faced with great challenge of either being himself or being the man that his father expects. He sees that slaves are people too, and treats them with kindness and mercy, contrary to the beliefs his father and brother hold. Kindness and respect for all people and animals is a trait that should be a strength in not only a leader, but a human. As it is historical fiction, Roman Identity is also educational for Roman society. 

I recommend this book! See my review of the first book here. 

Title: Roman Identity
Author: J.U. Scribe
Publisher: J.U. Scribe
Pages: 331
Series: Yes, Book 2 of 2
Rating: 5 Stars
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