Sign in with Facebook
Minni Mouse's Reviews > Mistress of Rome
Mistress of Rome (The Empress of Rome, #1)
by
by
Minni Mouse's review
bookshelves: here-take-my-heart, fiction-historical, pleasantly-surprised, stars-4, forbidden-lurve, 2016, era-ancient, romance-historical
Nov 27, 2016
bookshelves: here-take-my-heart, fiction-historical, pleasantly-surprised, stars-4, forbidden-lurve, 2016, era-ancient, romance-historical
#2.) Mistress of Rome: ★★★★�
#3.) Empress of the Seven Hills: ★★★★�
#4.) Lady of the Eternal City: ★★★★
That moment when you go in expecting a Roman version of a Regency-era historical romance...but instead you get a Gladiator-level storyline meets Game of Thrones-level cruelty and wickedness.
It's an understatement to say that this book took me by surprise. Given the pretty cover, the title, the genre listings, and the book description I was expecting either a corny historical romance novel or a silly, light-hearted story like Curses and Smoke. What smacked me in the face instead was a whole lot of perverse corruption and a crazy amount of slapping my hand over my eyes as I took a few shuddering breaths to compose myself.
You think politics and morals are shaky today? Well, true, they are...but this book will remind you that Ancient Rome--the greatest military power and unrivaled leader of thought in the world--used to also be the pinnacle of violence and corruption and barbarism and perversion.
Needless to say, I refuse to shelve this as "romance" and I sure ain't shelving this as "light entertainment," either.
THE STORY
I'd say the book synopsis is starkly misleading because it makes it seem like the focus is on one woman struggling with her relationship with two powerful men. You make that mistake and you're in for a nasty shock like me because this book is so much darker and broader than a pithy romantic triangle.
This story takes place from A.D. 81 - A.D. 96 and follows the perspectives of four main characters through the last years of the rule of Roman Emperor Titus Flavius Domitianus, a real historical figure.
1) Thea: a Jewish slave who falls in love with a gladiator, is sold into prostitution, becomes a celebrated singer, and ensnares the obsession of the Emperor of Rome
2) Lepida Pollia: wife of a Roman Senator; ruthless and ambitious in her lust for power
3) Arius: Rome's most celebrated and cunning gladiator
4) Paulinus: Lepida's tortured stepson and eventual right-hand man to the Emperor
I can't expand more without spoiling the many plot twists, but essentially there's political corruption, violence, death, adultery, orgies, rape, incest, and torture. (Ah, Rome.) The saving grace is that none of these are gratuitous or graphically described to titillate. Apart from the corruption and fighting, the blood & gore are restrained and matter-of-factly stated, the sex is either implied or offscreen, and the torture is offscreen.
THE GOOD
1) I love stories around Ancient Rome, so natural book chemistry right there.
2) Props to the author for crafting such a thick, convoluted story. Again, this book spans fifteen years of history so we have an entire arsenal of secondary characters and intersecting storylines. When we started, I almost waved this book off as a predictable forbidden romance between a young slave girl and a gladiator who wanted nothing more than their freedom. Part Two jumps forward six years, however, and we quickly learn the broad scale this book plans to take us.
3) Hardly any of our characters are wholly likeable (or even partly likeable), but one could argue that this is more realistic than if we portrayed them as gold-hearted heroes from a young adult series. Our protagonists aren't Herculean leaders or Chosen One heroes, after all -- they're a prostitute, a man who disembowels others for a living, a feeble pushover politician, an incest-driven Praetorian war hero, and a bastard child.
May the odds be ever in your favor.
4) The Emperor was so sadistic and mentally twisted that I wanted to reach through the pages and smash his face in. Minus point for this sicko but plus points to the author for creating such a strong antagonist.
The moment when he secures his newest mistress had me flipping tables and howling.
5) I hated Lepida even more, though. This woman was probably the sickest and cruelest female literary antagonist that I've read. And I don't usually like using this word...but homegirl was the textbook definition of a slut:
Which was why it was so refreshing to watch this woman get told.
Well said.
6) Vix! I didn't think I'd like this kid so much but I was impressed by the distinct characterization that the author gave him in the form of physical energy and a fearless mouth.
THE BAD
1) This book was LONG (longer than this review, if you can believe it).
2) The writing style was extremely matter-of-fact with very little richness in its descriptions or narratives. Most of the text was dialogue, which came in handy when it came to glossing over the violent scenes, but it was frustrating during important scenes when I wished there was more context of what was happening.
THE VERDICT
This book was emotionally draining due to its dark and evil nature. What kept me going was the need to see our characters find happiness or justice or peace, but that was hard-pressed to find.
Would I recommend it? Yes, I would. The writing style was extremely direct and straight forward--which I found difficult and distracting in its simplicity--and the characterizations lacked a richness...but this seems like one of those books where the plot elements themselves are supposed to carry the weight and pacing of the book. If that's the case then well done - there's certainly a lot that transpires in this book. As a result, I found this book to be a thick mix of drama, action, suspense, scheming, romance, and heartache.
Would I read the sequels? Yes, but preferably after a giant cookie.
#3.) Empress of the Seven Hills: ★★★★�
#4.) Lady of the Eternal City: ★★★★
That moment when you go in expecting a Roman version of a Regency-era historical romance...but instead you get a Gladiator-level storyline meets Game of Thrones-level cruelty and wickedness.
It's an understatement to say that this book took me by surprise. Given the pretty cover, the title, the genre listings, and the book description I was expecting either a corny historical romance novel or a silly, light-hearted story like Curses and Smoke. What smacked me in the face instead was a whole lot of perverse corruption and a crazy amount of slapping my hand over my eyes as I took a few shuddering breaths to compose myself.
You think politics and morals are shaky today? Well, true, they are...but this book will remind you that Ancient Rome--the greatest military power and unrivaled leader of thought in the world--used to also be the pinnacle of violence and corruption and barbarism and perversion.
Needless to say, I refuse to shelve this as "romance" and I sure ain't shelving this as "light entertainment," either.
THE STORY
I'd say the book synopsis is starkly misleading because it makes it seem like the focus is on one woman struggling with her relationship with two powerful men. You make that mistake and you're in for a nasty shock like me because this book is so much darker and broader than a pithy romantic triangle.
This story takes place from A.D. 81 - A.D. 96 and follows the perspectives of four main characters through the last years of the rule of Roman Emperor Titus Flavius Domitianus, a real historical figure.
1) Thea: a Jewish slave who falls in love with a gladiator, is sold into prostitution, becomes a celebrated singer, and ensnares the obsession of the Emperor of Rome
2) Lepida Pollia: wife of a Roman Senator; ruthless and ambitious in her lust for power
3) Arius: Rome's most celebrated and cunning gladiator
4) Paulinus: Lepida's tortured stepson and eventual right-hand man to the Emperor
I can't expand more without spoiling the many plot twists, but essentially there's political corruption, violence, death, adultery, orgies, rape, incest, and torture. (Ah, Rome.) The saving grace is that none of these are gratuitous or graphically described to titillate. Apart from the corruption and fighting, the blood & gore are restrained and matter-of-factly stated, the sex is either implied or offscreen, and the torture is offscreen.
THE GOOD
1) I love stories around Ancient Rome, so natural book chemistry right there.
2) Props to the author for crafting such a thick, convoluted story. Again, this book spans fifteen years of history so we have an entire arsenal of secondary characters and intersecting storylines. When we started, I almost waved this book off as a predictable forbidden romance between a young slave girl and a gladiator who wanted nothing more than their freedom. Part Two jumps forward six years, however, and we quickly learn the broad scale this book plans to take us.
3) Hardly any of our characters are wholly likeable (or even partly likeable), but one could argue that this is more realistic than if we portrayed them as gold-hearted heroes from a young adult series. Our protagonists aren't Herculean leaders or Chosen One heroes, after all -- they're a prostitute, a man who disembowels others for a living, a feeble pushover politician, an incest-driven Praetorian war hero, and a bastard child.
May the odds be ever in your favor.
4) The Emperor was so sadistic and mentally twisted that I wanted to reach through the pages and smash his face in. Minus point for this sicko but plus points to the author for creating such a strong antagonist.
The moment when he secures his newest mistress had me flipping tables and howling.
“Yes. I didn’t think I’d find you so interesting, not after three months. But there’s something in you I seem to like, and on a long-term basis I prefer to own rather than rent. You’ll return to Rome with me in a week.
"You know I’ve built a new palace? Nearly completed. I’ll use it for public functions . . . and for the Empress’s quarters. You’ll move into her old rooms next to mine in the Domus Augustana—that’s my private palace. You know, I had a statue of Minerva carved with your face for my private temple? Perhaps you really are a goddess. It would be foolish to let my very own goddess slip away from me, wouldn’t it? And I’ve never been a fool."
Domitian traced my neck, his eyes turning blank and absent. “I like to play games, you know. With my chamberlains, my senators, my guards. It’s easy to make them afraid of me. Even my wife’s afraid under that marble face of hers. But you aren’t."
5) I hated Lepida even more, though. This woman was probably the sickest and cruelest female literary antagonist that I've read. And I don't usually like using this word...but homegirl was the textbook definition of a slut:
“The affair with my son when you were a bride of twenty-one. The affairs with, at my last count, twenty-two senators, nine praetors, three judges, and five provincial governors.�
“It’s—it’s not true, I never—�
“At least they were men of your own class,� [he] rode over me. “What about the affairs with the charioteers, and the masseurs at the public bathhouses, and the legionnaires—especially the two brothers from Gaul who took you at the same time, front and back? Governors and senators are one thing, Lepida, but trash from the gutters..."
Which was why it was so refreshing to watch this woman get told.
“Why?� Lepida drew back her silk skirts and kicked Arius in his injured ankle; he drew a breath through his teeth. “Why her? Why not me?�
He regarded her briefly. “Because you look like a ferret.�
Well said.
6) Vix! I didn't think I'd like this kid so much but I was impressed by the distinct characterization that the author gave him in the form of physical energy and a fearless mouth.
“So.� The Emperor settled back into the black cushions. “What shall I do with you?�
“You could let me walk out,� Vix suggested.
“No . . . I don’t think so.�
“Worth a try.�
“C´Ç°ù°ù±ð³¦³Ù.â€�
“All black, huh?� Vix looked around the black triclinium—chinking his wrist chains together, Paulinus noticed, to hide the fact his hands were trembling. “Scary.�
“I haven’t decided yet what to do with you, Vercingetorix,� the Emperor mused. “I could throw you to the lions in the arena. Or perhaps I’ll have you gelded. How would you like to sing as prettily as your mother?�
“I’m tone-deaf.�
“A man of the sword, then. Like your father, perhaps. Who was he?�
“Dunno.� Clink clink clink.
“Liar,� Domitian said pleasantly. “We’ll have to work on that.�
“Oh boy. Can’t wait.� Clink clink clink.
“Stop that.�
“Stop what?� Clink clink clink.
“That sound. It annoys me. A god’s ears are acute.�
“Well, we’ve all got problems.� Clink clink clink. “You’re going to kill me,� said Vix to the Emperor. “Aren’t you.�
“We’ll see.�
“We’ll see, nothing. I’ve heard the stories. Gods squish mortals like ants.�
“You believe me a god, then?�
“Well, I don’t know.� Another smile. “You sure bleed like a mortal, Caesar.�
THE BAD
1) This book was LONG (longer than this review, if you can believe it).
2) The writing style was extremely matter-of-fact with very little richness in its descriptions or narratives. Most of the text was dialogue, which came in handy when it came to glossing over the violent scenes, but it was frustrating during important scenes when I wished there was more context of what was happening.
“I’m not allowed to do anything anymore.�
“Except wait on the Emperor?�
�. . . Don’t.�
“Why can’t I touch you?�
“He’d smell you on me.�
“He’s not a god.�
“Arius, he’ll never release me. Once he puts his mark on something, it’s his forever.�
Silence. He reached for her.
“Arius—Arius, don’t.�
“Don’t what?�
“Don’t touch me.�
“What’s wrong? You’re shaking.�
“No, I—I—just don’t try to kiss me. Please.�
“I need to know you’re real. You look like a dream, and I’m old and ugly.�
“Never that. Never that.�
THE VERDICT
This book was emotionally draining due to its dark and evil nature. What kept me going was the need to see our characters find happiness or justice or peace, but that was hard-pressed to find.
Would I recommend it? Yes, I would. The writing style was extremely direct and straight forward--which I found difficult and distracting in its simplicity--and the characterizations lacked a richness...but this seems like one of those books where the plot elements themselves are supposed to carry the weight and pacing of the book. If that's the case then well done - there's certainly a lot that transpires in this book. As a result, I found this book to be a thick mix of drama, action, suspense, scheming, romance, and heartache.
Would I read the sequels? Yes, but preferably after a giant cookie.
Sign into Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ to see if any of your friends have read
Mistress of Rome.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
November 26, 2016
–
Started Reading
November 26, 2016
– Shelved
November 26, 2016
–
31.0%
"Never have I wanted to reach through a book and strangle a character like I do this Lepida chick. Evil, manipulative little...!"
November 26, 2016
–
51.0%
"And now I want to reach through the book and cut off this sicko Emperor's fingers. Did this author attend George R.R. Martin's School of How to Write Despicable Characters...?"
November 27, 2016
–
75.0%
"This book is seriously so dark and cruel and hopeless and evil...and I must keep reading."
November 27, 2016
–
Finished Reading
Lol, ah, Rome explains it all :D But if I am being serious, this book sounds brutal but intriguing. I don't think I've read enough books about ancient times, though I watched a couple of movies, really good once (strongly recommend Agora!).
Fantastic review, Minni! ))