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Product Description
Review
"...for sheer entertainment, drama, and page-turning storytelling, this tumultuous debut novel is well worth reading.
-Library Journal
-Library Journal
Book Description
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.
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.
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Most helpful customer reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mistress of Rome, by Kate Quinn,
By Lucy's Reviews- Enchanted By Josephine (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Mistress of Rome (Paperback)
This book can empirically claim its place alongside the magna 'grand scale productions such as Marc Antony and Cleopatra, Caesar, Samson and Delilah...you see where I'm going with this- The Big Screen. I was completely enraptured. Paramount are you reading this?I don't think I've ever read a book where the story manages to clench my insides and get to that part of my gut where just a tad more would be enough to... and then stops- to just about where I've had as much as I can take. Mistress of Rome takes you there. Kate Quinn knows exactly how much we can handle-right upto that very point where you must exhale, to then weave the story into bliss. In this grand novel, the crude is mirrored and diminished by the grand and triumphant splendour of love and tenderness. That being said, Mistress of Rome is also about power, vice, history, raw times and treachery. There's struggle with moral issues, psychological afflictions and disturbances, scheming ascensions, spectacular gladiator triumphs- and yes, along with it all, as expected in decadent and barbaric Rome, alot of gore, as well. Too much to handle? No, everything is given in just the right dose and is not focal to the magnitude of the story itself. Quinn is spectacular at her craft. The story is told through the perspective of important characters - principally, Thea, the unattainably invincible Jewish slave (gentleness and sorrow behind a stony facade- I loved her!); the harsh and brutally scheming Lepida (I'm still disgusted...), and Julia, the vestal virgin (my soul cried out for her...). I know that the shifting character perspective is not a favourite with many- but for me, I believe that this actually enhanced the plot, helping to render an excellent story. I loved getting into their heads. Quinn did an all-around amazing job with this superb novel. And so what about gladiators? In this book you'll meet Arius-an indestructible powerhouse who bows down to no one-not even the Emperor. The 'Barbarian', they called him- He lives up magnificently to the legend rather than the name. As for the Emperor, who delighted in taunting in his sick pathetic and torturing ways, well, let's just say that all those worthy of time spent serving him for pleasure and for vice, would ultimately reach their time for vengeance... Ahhh, there is so much to this novel that I just cannot do it justice with one simple review. If you love all that is of the ancient world- you need to read this. Mistress of Rome gets as crudely descriptive (though in good taste- yes in this novel it's possible!) as you'd imagine; while being as tender as you'd dream it could be- all that and more. One word: Colossal
5.0 out of 5 stars
5 Stars,
This review is from: Mistress of Rome (Paperback)
Amazing book! One of my favourites :)I would recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction. Had a hard time putting the book down.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic book on Ancient Rome,
By
This review is from: Mistress of Rome (Paperback)
It's been a while since I've read a very good historical fiction This is one of the best I've read so far. There is lots of fighting action (gladiator fights), romance, and lots of drama. Just the way I like it in historical fiction. However, what I love about this book is, that it moved me in many ways. The emotions in this book was like a roller coaster. You were happy one minute, the next you were sad, and then you were boiling in rage (usually because Lepida is such a ...witch..to say the least). The plot was well done and well written. It's been broken into several point of views of different characters so you get to see the story in different angles which is certainly nice to see and adds more to the book.The characters in this novel were excellent. The chemistry between potential pairings were really well done and well written. Of all the characters, I liked Thea and Vix. Marcus also held a soft spot for me too. I was glad Thea wasn't written out as a damsel in distress type of heroine. I noticed as the story progressed, she became stronger and I admired her even more for standing up to Domitian and to not to give in to what he wants. What I also enjoyed reading was, every female in this book had their strengths (and of course weaknesses) but their strengths were much more prominent and focused in the book. Vix made me laugh, because although he was a brat, he had the best insults and comebacks I have ever read. I liked how he wasn't afraid of Lepida, even though she had the means to get back at him and potentially kill him. I hated Lepida. Oh wow did I ever hate her. I've hated some characters in the past but Lepida wins all the medals for being villain of the year. She's scheming, cruel, nasty, evil, vile, all the names you can think of that are negative. In fact, Calpurnia sums it up by saying that she's 'the most criminal wife in Rome'. Calpurnia actually calls her several colorful names which I enjoyed reading and laughing at. (Lepida gets what's due to her in time so reading the book and seeing her fall is quite a treat). The only criticism I find in this book is it shifts from first person to third person quickly and I'm not sure why it's been done this way. It's a little strange but it's not enough to distract the reader from reading and enjoying the story. Some readers might find that a little irksome - however it didn't bother me. So far, I think this is one of the best historical fiction novels I have read in 2010. It'll be hard to top this one off. Fans of Ancient Rome will love this novel and will become attached to this story as I am. I think this book is definitely a keeper. From the historical note at the end, there maybe another story coming featuring some characters from Mistress of Rome. I can hardly wait to see the next one if it does come out!
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