The Freedom Chain

by Shawn D. Smith, Raymon Mallari (illustrator)

Cassia, a young slave girl, has never known freedom. She has spent her life serving Mistress Helena, whose brutality has been increasingly fierce as she mourns the loss of her husband, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. With her son, Master Marius, away so much overseeing their shipping business, Helena has no one to tame her fury.But the streets of Ancient Rome aren’t safe for Cassia either. Christians are being found and taken to be executed by orders of Emperor Trajan and Pliny the Younger. When Cassia’s own mother, Livia, is taken to jail, Cassia is sure that all is lost.When Master Marius returns home, he finds his household in chaos and people he cares about taken away from him. As a leader in his community, how can Marius share the Good News that he has found for himself and make a difference in the lives of the people he loves? And can he ever bring his mother the peace that she longs for?In a time when Christianity is against the law, freedom is something that few can claim. But perhaps freedom is more easily obtained than any of them realize.

236 pages, Paperback

Published February 27, 2024

Reviews

[Shellee Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

While reading with my students for Independent reading day, I found myself tearing up at a particularly tense moment in the story. I love a book that can reach my emotions. I have put this book in my classroom library for my students to enjoy. Thankful for a book with a Christian worldview that also engages the mind and heart.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sat down and started and finished this book in one reading! I loved the characters and the story, I cringed at the details from the servants arrest and smiled at the ending! Shawn is a wonderful writer, drawing you in and keeping you engaged in the story!!

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book today after waiting for it to come out. So looking forward to reading it when it arrives!