Young Roman Marcus is headed for an island at the edge of the known world - Britannia. Flashbacks offer dramatic stories set in key moments in history.

Tony Bradman is an award-winning author who has been involved in children's books for 35 years. He has written for all ages - poetry, picture books, young fiction, novels - and for many reading schemes. Tony has edited many anthologies of poetry and short stories, has been a judge on several major book prizes, and is a regular reviewer of children's and young adult fiction for The Guardian books pages. Tony has three children, three grandchildren, and lives in London with his wife and Betty the Border Terrier - which makes him the third most important person in the house.