Daughters of Rome
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Product Description
Product Description
This sweeping, powerful epic tells the story of one of the bloodiest years in Rome's history through the eyes of two remarkable women fighting for survival
A.D. 69. The Roman Empire is up for the taking. The Year of the Four Emperors will change everything - especially the lives of two sisters with a very personal stake in the outcome. Elegant and ambitious, Cornelia embodies the essence of the perfect Roman wife. She lives to one day see her loyal husband as Emperor. Her sister Marcella is more aloof, content to witness history rather than make it. But when a bloody coup turns their world upside down, both women must manoeuvre carefully just to stay alive. As Cornelia tries to pick up the pieces of her shattered dreams, Marcella discovers a hidden talent for influencing the most powerful men in Rome. In the end, though, there can only be one Emperor...and one Empress.
About the Author
Kate Quinn is a native of southern California. She attended Boston University, where she earned a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Classical Voice. A lifelong history buff, she first got hooked on ancient Rome while watching "I, Claudius" at the age of seven. She wrote her first book during her freshman year in college, retreating from a Boston winter into ancient Rome, and it was later published as "Mistress of Rome." A prequel followed, titled "Daughters of Rome," and then a sequel written while her husband was deployed to the Middle East.
"I realized that my Roman legionary hero in `Empress of the Seven Hills' was fighting in the same part of the world where my US Navy husband was deployed. Life imitating art, or art imitating life? I have no idea!"
Kate is currently working on her fourth novel, set in the Italian Renaissance. She also has succumbed to the blogging bug, and keeps a blog filled with trivia, pet peeves, and interesting facts about historical fiction. She and her husband now live in Maryland with a small black dog named Caesar, and her interests include opera, action movies, cooking, and the Boston Red Sox.
"I realized that my Roman legionary hero in `Empress of the Seven Hills' was fighting in the same part of the world where my US Navy husband was deployed. Life imitating art, or art imitating life? I have no idea!"
Kate is currently working on her fourth novel, set in the Italian Renaissance. She also has succumbed to the blogging bug, and keeps a blog filled with trivia, pet peeves, and interesting facts about historical fiction. She and her husband now live in Maryland with a small black dog named Caesar, and her interests include opera, action movies, cooking, and the Boston Red Sox.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
I read Kate Quinn's debut, Mistress of Rome, last year and found it an extremely enjoyable read, so I'd been looking forward to her follow-up ever since and snapped it up as soon as it was released. Daughters of Rome is based on real events (in this case the Year of Four Emperors), but unlike Mistress, which had a single central character, it takes a more sweeping, politically orientated view of the time it depicts, with the focus on four cousins who become entangled in these events. These women are Cornelia, a devoted wife with ambitions to become the next Empress; Marcella, a scheming writer who records the lives of the emperors and becomes increasingly preoccupied with the idea of making history; Lollia, a rich, party-loving heiress who nevertheless has the biggest heart of all the cousins; and Diana, who is young and beautiful but cares for nothing but horses, racing and her dream of becoming a charioteer.
The book was as exciting, involving and action-packed as I expected. It races along at a cracking pace, taking in everything from secret affairs, decadent banquets and true love to war, suicide and political intrigue. As I know little about the era, I can't comment on how accurate Quinn's portrayal of Rome in AD 69 actually is, but it certainly feels very well-researched and is full of entertaining details; many of the characters are embellished versions of real-life historical figures, which certainly adds interest. There's plenty of sex and violence, but the characters are well-developed too and you really come to care about what happens to them. Only Diana seems a bit two-dimensional - is anyone actually this obsessed with horses?! - but she gets a great ending, and Lollia in particular progresses wonderfully from a seemingly unpleasant spoilt girl to a warm, delightful character.
If you liked the author's debut, you will LOVE this book. Some of the characters overlap, and there are bits of foreshadowing which will be enjoyable for anyone who's read Mistress (it made me want to go back and read it again immediately!) I did miss having a variety of narrative voices - I'm kind of surprised at the absence of this, as the author pulled it off so well in her first book - but perhaps it would have been confusing in a story with four main characters. I also didn't think Marcella really deserved her fate and felt quite sorry for her in the end, however meddlesome she may have been! However, overall I think Daughters has the edge over its predecessor; it feels more accomplished and less like something destined mainly for the chick-lit end of the market. In a word, this book is JUICY. This is historical fiction, but never dry or boring; it's also romantic and full of action, but never comes off like poorly written genre rubbish. Quinn's books are huge fun to read and I am already looking forward to the next.
The book was as exciting, involving and action-packed as I expected. It races along at a cracking pace, taking in everything from secret affairs, decadent banquets and true love to war, suicide and political intrigue. As I know little about the era, I can't comment on how accurate Quinn's portrayal of Rome in AD 69 actually is, but it certainly feels very well-researched and is full of entertaining details; many of the characters are embellished versions of real-life historical figures, which certainly adds interest. There's plenty of sex and violence, but the characters are well-developed too and you really come to care about what happens to them. Only Diana seems a bit two-dimensional - is anyone actually this obsessed with horses?! - but she gets a great ending, and Lollia in particular progresses wonderfully from a seemingly unpleasant spoilt girl to a warm, delightful character.
If you liked the author's debut, you will LOVE this book. Some of the characters overlap, and there are bits of foreshadowing which will be enjoyable for anyone who's read Mistress (it made me want to go back and read it again immediately!) I did miss having a variety of narrative voices - I'm kind of surprised at the absence of this, as the author pulled it off so well in her first book - but perhaps it would have been confusing in a story with four main characters. I also didn't think Marcella really deserved her fate and felt quite sorry for her in the end, however meddlesome she may have been! However, overall I think Daughters has the edge over its predecessor; it feels more accomplished and less like something destined mainly for the chick-lit end of the market. In a word, this book is JUICY. This is historical fiction, but never dry or boring; it's also romantic and full of action, but never comes off like poorly written genre rubbish. Quinn's books are huge fun to read and I am already looking forward to the next.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
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Let me start out by saying that I read this in about three sittings (it's a decent size book of c. 400 pages) and I found it rather enjoyable. It's a tale of 4 young women living in Rome in AD69 and it has plenty of colour. Think maybe Georgette Heyer mixed with Judith Krantz... or Jean Plaidy meets Jackie Collins... we're talking historical fiction with some decent research behind it, relatively well put together, and rather a lot of sex and violence. It's disgustingly moreish! I can't really justify why I liked it so much - it's essentially a potboiler - but in one way I really and truly enjoyed reading it.
On the other hand, Anya Seaton it isn't! I found that I didn't actually care much about what happened to the main characters. Perhaps they're drawn with too broad a brush, perhaps it's that the author is trying to give depth to pretty much all of the characters she mentions, I'm not really sure, but I know that about two thirds of the way through I realised I didn't give a damn. I think it may be that the characters are subjected to so much by the author that you begin to see them as no more than plot mechanisms / cyphers. So I'm in a strange position now in that I quite fancy reading her other novel, despite feeling vaguely unfulfilled by this one!
All in all I think if you're a fan of historical romance and you fancy an easy read for a plane journey then this is spot on.... a moreish confection that I feel guilty for recommending somehow!
On the other hand, Anya Seaton it isn't! I found that I didn't actually care much about what happened to the main characters. Perhaps they're drawn with too broad a brush, perhaps it's that the author is trying to give depth to pretty much all of the characters she mentions, I'm not really sure, but I know that about two thirds of the way through I realised I didn't give a damn. I think it may be that the characters are subjected to so much by the author that you begin to see them as no more than plot mechanisms / cyphers. So I'm in a strange position now in that I quite fancy reading her other novel, despite feeling vaguely unfulfilled by this one!
All in all I think if you're a fan of historical romance and you fancy an easy read for a plane journey then this is spot on.... a moreish confection that I feel guilty for recommending somehow!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
`What successful astrologer told anybody there was enough blood in their hand to soak all Rome?'
23 May 2012
Format:Paperback
Daughters of Rome covers the turbulent year of the four emperors and the lives of four cousins who become dangerously enmeshed in the various coups over the twelve months. The four central characters are Marcella, a historian who becomes seduced by the notion of making history instead of writing it, her sister Cornelia, who cherishes the idea of her beloved husband becoming Emperor, with Lollia, their fun-loving heiress cousin, rounded up by another cousin, the horse-mad Diana. I was really intrigued by Domitian's empress who was a shadowy figure in the previous book so I was very excited to read this book in which she was one of the main characters.
The novel started really strong for me, remaining that way for the rest of the book. I was hooked from the prologue - I loved trying to work out who would have what whilst racing through the novel. The Four Cornelias are separated after the prologue by three nicknames so I didn't find it confusing and as for the rest of the characters, there is a very useful list at the back telling the reader who is who and who was a real historical figure along with an authors note, which is always useful. Who will become the Empress of Rome was a strong theme in the novel. I liked the glimpses of the political games and influence woman could have over emperors as Marcella slowly becomes aware of her power. I enjoyed the hints from Nessus about the characters future in Mistress of Rome. When rereading Mistress of Rome, the read felt richer for knowing more of the back-story of certain characters like Marcus and picking up on the throwaway references to Lollia and Diana in Mistress of Rome. I felt that the crumbling relationship between Marcella and the other three ladies was portrayed extremely well there was a good sense of female relations and one-upmanship, whilst also portraying the strong affection. I also really liked that each woman has a turn at being the first woman in Rome in one way or another in the reign of the different emperors.
I felt it could have been a bit longer as the novel felt slightly stretched across the lives of the four women at times as the year passed. Additionally it lacked some of the grit that worked so wonderfully in Mistress of Rome, but this was because all the main characters were high born patrician woman, there was no Arius or Thea to bring a better sense of Rome's dark underbelly. Consequently I think that Mistress of Rome is the stronger novel but I still really enjoyed this book.
It was very good and enjoyable to read. I would recommend this as a engrossing read and a good prelude to Mistress of Rome - I will be definitely be getting the next novel Empress of Rome!
The novel started really strong for me, remaining that way for the rest of the book. I was hooked from the prologue - I loved trying to work out who would have what whilst racing through the novel. The Four Cornelias are separated after the prologue by three nicknames so I didn't find it confusing and as for the rest of the characters, there is a very useful list at the back telling the reader who is who and who was a real historical figure along with an authors note, which is always useful. Who will become the Empress of Rome was a strong theme in the novel. I liked the glimpses of the political games and influence woman could have over emperors as Marcella slowly becomes aware of her power. I enjoyed the hints from Nessus about the characters future in Mistress of Rome. When rereading Mistress of Rome, the read felt richer for knowing more of the back-story of certain characters like Marcus and picking up on the throwaway references to Lollia and Diana in Mistress of Rome. I felt that the crumbling relationship between Marcella and the other three ladies was portrayed extremely well there was a good sense of female relations and one-upmanship, whilst also portraying the strong affection. I also really liked that each woman has a turn at being the first woman in Rome in one way or another in the reign of the different emperors.
I felt it could have been a bit longer as the novel felt slightly stretched across the lives of the four women at times as the year passed. Additionally it lacked some of the grit that worked so wonderfully in Mistress of Rome, but this was because all the main characters were high born patrician woman, there was no Arius or Thea to bring a better sense of Rome's dark underbelly. Consequently I think that Mistress of Rome is the stronger novel but I still really enjoyed this book.
It was very good and enjoyable to read. I would recommend this as a engrossing read and a good prelude to Mistress of Rome - I will be definitely be getting the next novel Empress of Rome!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Chick-Lit in Ancient Rome
I picked up this book in my local library, by the end of the first chapter it was obvious that it was going to be more a Roman Sex In The City, than Rosemary Sutcliff. Read more
Published 15 days ago by Dignitas
daughters of rome
the daughters of rome book arrived on time as stated
it was well packed but has not been read yet
it was well packed but has not been read yet
Published 25 days ago by bob the builder
Great Read!
I do have to say that I prefer Mistress of Rome but I still think this book is fantastic - I thought it was really clever how some of the characters blended into her Mistress of... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Miss Fox
Fabulous
Fantastic read ... Love Kate Quinns writing it makes you feel like you are actually there with the characters. Captures the essence of aincient Rome perfectly
Published 1 month ago by Alexa
A Bloody Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum...
This is the second book in Quinn's Rome series, but confusingly the action here takes place chronologically before the first one. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. D. J. Smith
A great historical girly read
I really enjoyed this book. It focuses on 4 women, sisters and cousins, in ancient rome at the same time as detailing the rise and fall of multiple emperors. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Anon
Captivating
Once started you can't stop. This book is every thing you could want from a historical novel; interesting characters, drama, romance and not a perfect story . Read more
Published 4 months ago by beef93
A good read
I read the 'Mistress of Rome' first, which I thought was outstanding, so had great expectations for this book. Read more
Published 4 months ago by GBreview
Doesn't Disappoint
Regardless of what quite a few other reviews say, this book has it all.
We begin with meeting the four heroines, the Cornelia's, who each have their own individual personality... Read more
We begin with meeting the four heroines, the Cornelia's, who each have their own individual personality... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Anon
It's a tired storyline, but...
On the surface, this isn't the most original storyline. Four young girls, blood relaives and all very close to each other, are living in a time of political turmoil which they... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Jo Bunt
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