Romanitas is the first book of a projected trilogy set in a world where the Roman Empire was not destroyed in the 5th century by barbarians, but grew and thrived to the present day.

Rome's only rivals are Sina (China), and the Nionian (Japanese) Empire.

Roman technology is generally like ours. For example, the "longdictor" and "longviewer" are similar to our phones and television and cars are electric and differently shaped internally. Each town has forum and open-air markets fringed with small shops. Huge longviewer screens over the forums, as well as newssheets, convey information to the people.

The important differences are social. Painful divisions exist between privileged Roman citizens and non- Roman free people, and between the rich and commoners. A movement to free the slaves is in the air, and has even been taken up by some members of the Imperial family, but is savagely opposed by wealthy slave profiteers.

Romanitas is an exploration of the effects of slavery on a culture through the experiences of people from divergent classes, particularly the presumptive heir to the Imperial throne and two runaway slaves.

Sixteen-year-old Marcus, nephew of the Emperor, is orphaned by a murder plot in which his parents are killed. Marcus's father had been working towards the abolition of slavery. The teenager seeks refuge in a hidden sanctuary for escaped slaves.

Meanwhile in London, Una runs away from her masters and rescues her falsely imprisoned brother, Sulien, from crucifixion. Each has paranormal powers: Sulien is a healer, and Una can read minds, albeit reluctantly.

Inevitably, they meet Marcus and form a fragile working relationship.

Romanitas looks like a blockbuster, and the plot is fast-moving and compelling, but it is far superior to the normal run of airport novels. The characters have a pleasing solidity, and the language is unusually skillful and imaginative. This novel could work as well for young adults as for adults.