The Roman Empire never fell, but survived to this day as a world-dominating superstate.

That's the intriguing premise of the first of what will be a trilogy of novels.

It is the year 2757 after the founding of Rome - what we know as 2004. The heir to the Imperial throne dies in a car crash in the Alps. His son, fearing he was murdered and frightened for his own life, goes on the run.

Meanwhile, in London, a slave boy faces execution, and a haunted young woman with mysterious abilities walks the streets on a desperate mission. Fate brings all three together as the future of the Empire hangs in the balance.

McDougall's modern Roman Empire, with its execution by electronically-operated cross, slavery, jet planes and vicious court plotting, is horribly plausible. The pace is a little slow at first but builds to a satisfying climax, and the budding romance between the young heir to the throne and the slave girl he meets while on the run draws you in.

Good enough to make you look forward to the second book in the series.

Updated: 09:08 Saturday, April 22, 2006