I found this book very difficult to get into, but once I forced myself to continue, it turned out to be a good read. The build-up to the explosion is slightly long but will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The actual eruption does not take place until towards the end which is a bit of a disappointment. In the meantime, Harris rambles on about how the people of Pompeii and the other towns along the Bay of Neapolis find their water supply failing so the water engineer, Attilius, conducts an expedition to the foot of Mount Vesuvius to get to the root of the problem - only for Vesuvius to erupt in all her glory. As the people of Pompeii and other surrounding towns fight for their lives, can Attilius save himself and his love interest, Corelia? The eruption, effects of the eruption and aftermath are fantastically portrayed. Harris' mass research certainly does not go hidden in this book and the ending will leave the reader feeling satisfied.