欧宝娱乐

Whenever I go home I "steal" the books my mom has recently read. She hands them over to me giving me a brief summary of them and then her opinion. This one came with only the same summary and opinion of, "It's pretty much what it looks like." Basically, a classier, slightly better written version of your dime store romance novel. And it was that. There's nothing really to rave about with Mistress of Rome but there's nothing to criticise either.

Quinn does a good job of transporting the reader to Rome and keeping them there. I didn't feel at all her writing was pushing too modern of an edge at all. And for the most part her writing was well done and polished, but again nothing to rave about. The characters were all right, most of them developed enough to keep you intrigued. The only character I did have a problem with, and also what I found to be the biggest problem with the book was our main villianess Lepida Pollia. She was one demensional and just mean to be mean and cruel. A main character thrown in there to create conflict and no other reason why. There were superficial reasons given for her cruelty, but no deeper meaning behind the characters drive for destruction. I like my villians to be well-developed, it always makes for a much, much more interesting story.

I applaud Quinn for keeping the writing and tone of the novel classy. There were many situations presented that could take the story down a vulgar rode, both with sexual exploits and gratuitous violence, but she confronts each with sensitivity for a reader that could be easily offended, but indulge the reader that wants a little more. A careful balance that proves Quinn does have plenty of skill as a writer, and I think she can really only grow in her future works (this was her first novel).

I'd consider Mistress of Rome a fun vacation read. Pack it in a suitcase, read a chapter or two on the beach or before going to bed after a busy day. It's not a book that requires a lot of attention or focus. Characters flit in and out, the writing is solid enough to follow, but not so intricate as to force you to think a lot. It is a generally good read, thus the C+ grade. Like I said, just nothing to really rave about. I will probably check out Kate Quinn again though. Maybe on a trip to Italy?