Feedback requested

[TG]

Hi RiverOtter,
Not realy a criticism: In 1st paragraph, isn't the metal device already in production, and avaible to hiker. It sounds like a device used by skiers for use in avalances. Should the reference be updated.
I took Latin in H.S. and couldn't remember enough to make out the dialog, and it bothered me to miss out on what was happening story. Does it add to the dramtic affect of the story to have so much Latin?
On page 7 I loved the girls long, rambling monolog. It had me laughing 1/2 way through. Someplace between the 380th.-420th. thing Hailey said, I fell in love with her.
Julie's resentment of her slave status stired my curiousity about future plot developments. The two sisters seemed the most interesting characters, and I wanted to find out what actions flowed from Julie's resentment. And I wanted to find out the personality of the girl underneath the rambling because she was so endearing.
At the moment I found Marcus cardboard, but I suspect the character may be more fully develooped later. What I mean by cardboard is typical muscle bound hero. I'd like to see some things uniquely individual about him. I've read 813 fight scenes like that.
The manner in which Horatio's summons to Rome was introduced into the story didn't evoke enough drama to interest me. I was left feeling disinterested in his fate.
Overall, I found it interesting. If I had picked the book up at the library and read the 1st. chapter, I would have continued reading to find out the fate of the 2 slave girls. Not for lurid reasons, but because they sounded like interesting people caught in slightly conflictual situations. I wish them well.
And the story for that matter.
I hope that's of some use to you because I have no credible authority to critize anybody. I restrict my criticism to simply: I like; I don't like on a personal basis. Wish I could have been more substantive for you.
Good luck. TG