Dido by Adele Geras (David Fickling Books, £12.99) (From The Northern Echo)

Dido by Adele Geras (David Fickling Books, £12.99)

11:20am Tuesday 14th July 2009 in Children's

MOST classical myths portray the great heroes as monster-defying paragons of masculinity, but this wonderful novel shows one at least in a different light and introduces readers to a woman who was surely their equal.

Queen Dido is sole ruler of her own city state, Carthage.

When the Trojan Aeneas reaches her shores, the gods make her fall passionately in love with him.

But Aeneas turns out to be a cad who also seduces Dido’s favourite serving maid, before abandoning both of them in pursuit of his own destiny.

There are generous helpings of passion, romance and despair as the gods and goddesses meddle callously in human affairs.

A compelling read that creates a vivid picture of life in the ancient world, with an unforgettably powerful climax. (Age 12+)