Review by Booklist Review
In this alternate history, the Roman Empire never fell and there's only one thing on everyone's mind: Truckus Maximus, a high-octane racing event (in the Colosseum, no less), in which teams compete for survival and the rules of each race change on a whim. Hot-shot veteran racer Axl takes on edgy newcomer Piston to help his team rise through the ranks and possibly gain his freedom. With nearly 300 pages to work with, author Peterson is not afraid to pump the brakes in order to develop his characters and flesh out his bizarre world, helpfully sandwiching such scenes between daredevil races and huge car pile ups. In artwork resembling a mash-up of Speed Racer and Mad Max: Fury Road, García compellingly pairs anime-inspired character designs, complete with over-the-top expressions, with heavily detailed cars and in-depth racing action, bringing lively, dynamic motion to the scenes. He also makes clever use of space, switching nimbly between full-page spreads and short runs of panels. Boisterous fun for manga or racing fans.--Peter Blenski Copyright 2019 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 6 Up--Welcome to a futuristic world that never saw the collapse of the Roman Empire. There are enormous disparities among social classes, with the rich cloistered away in temples with plenty to consume and the poor working themselves to death for a meager existence. One of the few things that unites everyone is watching Truckus Maximus, the ultimate car race. However, the drivers and crew are indentured servants who must race to keep themselves and their families from the mines. The most popular driver, Axl, on the most popular team, Team Apollo, will soon win his 100th race, earning both the title of Centurion and, according to rumor, his freedom. Axl's forthcoming achievement is endangered when a brash young driver, Piston, totals another Team Apollo car and injures its driver, Tank. Instead of leaving Piston to her fate in the mines, Axl brings her onto Team Apollo as Tank's replacement. García's art owes much to traditional manga--characters have large, expressive eyes and artfully spiked hair. Creative paneling and great use of fumes, fire, and smoke capture the frenetic action. Peterson effectively conveys Piston's journey as an underdog and Team Apollo banding together when facing obstacles. But the story fails to contextualize and capitalize on many narrative possibilities of a world where the Roman Empire never fell, and character development and story cohesiveness often take a backseat to the thrills of the race. VERDICT Despite some flaws, this high-octane adventure will appeal to fans of manga or racing.--Jennie Law, Georgia State University, Atlanta
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
In a near-futuristic Roman Empire, scores of subjugated drivers compete and survive in a cruel, destructive game known as Truckus Maximus. Overseen by the Dominus, an omnipresent gamemaster that bends and twists the rules in an instant, the game dangles the promise of freedom to whichever driver can win 100 races and achieve the coveted rank of Centurion. Enter Axl, lead driver of Team Apollo, who's racking up win after win in an impressive feat of ambition. When Axl recruits a headstrong young driver named Piston, it seems as if he's courting disaster. The girl's impressive string of damaging losses hurtles her toward the bottom of the rankings despite Axl's training efforts. Piston's unorthodox driving style, however, soon proves advantageous. Axl, meanwhile, scores his 99th win. As his final race approaches, the honor-bound hero must contend with the attention of the whole Roman Empire, including the malevolent Caesar. Thanks to the incisive probing of the crushing power of spectacle via a focus on the game and its toll on the drivers, the story evokes oppressive regimes. The gritty artwork overflows with frenetic action, using colors that evoke a dystopian world. Ample use of close-ups, irregular panel layouts, and other techniques sharpen the story's emotional resonance and stakes. Diversity in the multiethnic cast presents mainly via skin color; Axl has brown skin and hair, and Piston is light-skinned and blonde.A truly marvelous tribute to underdogs. (Graphic fantasy. 12-18) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
