Synopsis An exciting debut: a vivid, richly imagined saga of ancient Rome from a masterful new voice in historical fiction
Thea is a slave girl from Judaea, passionate, musical, and guarded. Purchased as a toy for the spiteful heiress Lepida Pollia, Thea will become her mistress's rival for the love of Arius the Barbarian, Rome's newest and most savage gladiator. His love brings Thea the first happiness of her life-that is quickly ended when a jealous Lepida tears them apart.
As Lepida goes on to wreak havoc in the life of a new husband and his family, Thea remakes herself as a polished singer for Rome's aristocrats. Unwittingly, she attracts another admirer in the charismatic Emperor of Rome. But Domitian's games have a darker side, and Thea finds herself fighting for both soul and sanity. Many have tried to destroy the Emperor: a vengeful gladiator, an upright senator, a tormented soldier, a Vestal Virgin. But in the end, the life of the brilliant and paranoid Domitian lies in the hands of one woman: the Emperor's mistress.
(Terra's Thoughts)
Mistress Of Rome is a wonderfully written historical account of what a Jewish slave girl could have possibly seen and experienced in her lifetime. A harsh life no less with more that it's share of injustice and horrors that could curdle milk at a hundred paces. Ugg!
I found this interesting and horrifying all at the same time. It's story is vibrant and starkly descriptive to play on your emotions and wring them out like a wet rag. I know this is fiction and very good fiction as far as I'm concerned. But, who is to say that one person's fiction doesn't have tons of historical reality inserted in it.
If you are of a type that doesn't like violence then don't read this.
You have to remember and understand that the Roman Empire was not kind especially to slaves and prisoners. The horrors of the Gladiator fights are vivid and descriptive. The overall lifestyle was colorful in every way possible.
The author has gone above and beyond in the telling of this historical piece of fiction. She has done her research of lifestyles, games, wars, sex, drugs and deceptions with an accuracy that will have you looking over your shoulder and jumping at the least little sound if you read at night. She has given us a quality of writing that makes this book an interesting read and one you hope to finish without hating all of Rome's Mighty Emperor's.
Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade; Original edition (April 6, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425232476
ISBN-13: 978-0425232477
3 comments:
Best of all there is a prequel to come soon. I think she also has another book in the works. I have heard many, many good things about this book. It is on the top of my list to get. One of the most amazing things is Kate Quinn wrote most of this book while a 19 year old college student. She definitely is someone to watch for more excellent historical fiction.
Great review. I've been wanting to read this book ever since i heard about it.
我們唯一需要恐懼的事，是恐懼本身........................................
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