Mistress Of Rome
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Review
`What a great book!...one of the best things I've read in months and months. Full of great characters... So gripping your hands are glued to the book, and so vivid it burns itself into your mind's eye and stays with you long after you turn the final page' --Diana Gabaldon
`Kate Quinn is a mistress of storytelling. She gives us a wonderful and intensely emotional spectacle, full of sound and fury. A deeply passionate love story, tender and touching, in the heat and danger of the brutal arena that was Ancient Rome. An exhilarating read. Quinn is a remarkable new talent' --Kate Furnivall
`A great, sprawling epic, very much rooted in the human dramas. The politics and cultural stuff is commuted beautifully through the adventures of these people we come to care about deeply' --Paul Magrs
`A heady and exciting rollercoaster of a tale set in the reign of Emperor Domitian. Based on actual events, the brutality and decadence of the times is brought powerfully to life in a gripping and entertaining way'
--Bookseller
In this epic debut, Kate Quinn gives us a gripping version of 1st-century Rome...what seems at first to have all the earmarks of a straightforward romance expands to encompass greater themes, offering the intrigue of a political thriller and the depth of great literary fiction... Overall, Mistress of Rome is impeccably researched and beautifully executed. Such an accomplished debut can only augur many more impressive historical novels to come!
--Historical Novels Review, Issue 52, May 2010
`Fans of Philippa Gregory's books who have had enough of Elizabethan times will be entranced by this Rome-set debut....Awash with historical detail, this is a violent, passionate, compelling read.' --Elle Magazine
'a rollicking account...Thea's story rattles along with such infectious relish that the most pedantic classicist would be beguiled by it in the end.' --Daily Mail, July 2, 2010
`A riveting tale...glamorous and brutal, a heady mix of intrigue and combat, with added decadence and depravity...An exhilarating read.' MARIE CLAIRE --Marie Claire, July issue
`A wildly entertaining read, this vivid tale of scandal and romance will have you holding your breath with excitement.' --Now Magazine
`Kate Quinn is a mistress of storytelling. She gives us a wonderful and intensely emotional spectacle, full of sound and fury. A deeply passionate love story, tender and touching, in the heat and danger of the brutal arena that was Ancient Rome. An exhilarating read. Quinn is a remarkable new talent' --Kate Furnivall
`A great, sprawling epic, very much rooted in the human dramas. The politics and cultural stuff is commuted beautifully through the adventures of these people we come to care about deeply' --Paul Magrs
`A heady and exciting rollercoaster of a tale set in the reign of Emperor Domitian. Based on actual events, the brutality and decadence of the times is brought powerfully to life in a gripping and entertaining way'
--Bookseller
In this epic debut, Kate Quinn gives us a gripping version of 1st-century Rome...what seems at first to have all the earmarks of a straightforward romance expands to encompass greater themes, offering the intrigue of a political thriller and the depth of great literary fiction... Overall, Mistress of Rome is impeccably researched and beautifully executed. Such an accomplished debut can only augur many more impressive historical novels to come!
--Historical Novels Review, Issue 52, May 2010
`Fans of Philippa Gregory's books who have had enough of Elizabethan times will be entranced by this Rome-set debut....Awash with historical detail, this is a violent, passionate, compelling read.' --Elle Magazine
'a rollicking account...Thea's story rattles along with such infectious relish that the most pedantic classicist would be beguiled by it in the end.' --Daily Mail, July 2, 2010
`A riveting tale...glamorous and brutal, a heady mix of intrigue and combat, with added decadence and depravity...An exhilarating read.' MARIE CLAIRE --Marie Claire, July issue
`A wildly entertaining read, this vivid tale of scandal and romance will have you holding your breath with excitement.' --Now Magazine
Product Description
Passion. Treachery. Murder... A heart-stopping epic about a Jewish slave girl and Rome's greatest gladiator, who become involved in a plot to assassinate an emperor
Orphaned byRome 's savage legions, Thea, a slave girl from Judaea , has learned what it takes to survive. She knows only violence until a chance meeting with gladiator Arius offers a shred of tenderness. But their bond is severed when Thea is sold again, condemned to rot in squalor. Years later, a singer known as Athena betrays no hint of her troubled past. Catching the eye of the Emperor himself, she is swept into a world of decadence and depravity. But although Domitian fears betrayal from every side, he is unaware that the greatest threat lies next to him - a slave girl who has come to be called the Mistress of Rome
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
I wasn't sure whether or not I would enjoy this book because I have never read anything based on this period in time but by page 20, I was hooked! A real page turner with adventure on every page.
The story is fictitious although based on the way the romans lived at that time. I won't go through the plot of the story as others have done this before me but it is based on the lives of a few people; Thea, Arius, Lepida Pollia, Marcus, Paulinus and Domitian.
Such a brilliant debut novel, I can't wait for the next installment if there is to be one! More please!!!!!!!!!!!
The story is fictitious although based on the way the romans lived at that time. I won't go through the plot of the story as others have done this before me but it is based on the lives of a few people; Thea, Arius, Lepida Pollia, Marcus, Paulinus and Domitian.
Such a brilliant debut novel, I can't wait for the next installment if there is to be one! More please!!!!!!!!!!!
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Orphaned by Rome's savage legions, Thea, a slave girl from Judaea, has learned what it takes to survive. She knows only violence until a chance meeting with gladiator Arius offers a shred of tenderness. But their bond is severed when Thea is sold again, condemned to rot in squalor.
Years later, a singer known as Athena betrays no hint of her troubled past. Catching the eye of the Emperor himself, she is swept into a world of decadence and depravity. But althought Domitian fears betrayal from every side, he is unaware that the greatest threat lies next to him - a slave girl who has come to be called the Mistress of Rome...
It's hard to know how to review Mistress of Rome. On the one hand, I swept through it in one day, finding the prose to be simple yet effective and the historical details vivid. On the other hand, I felt that it came across much as a soap opera programme or chick lit novel would - light, easy-to-read, with larger than life characters and ultimately forgettable. Although I enjoyed the novel, I don't honestly see it staying with me for very long.
One factor that struck me while reading Mistress of Rome is how fantastical it seemed - when I thought on this, I believe it might be because of how long ago the time period being represented was. We know sweeping details of the Roman Empire - who ruled when, military campaigns, political machinations - but the real nitty gritty details and the secondary historical figures (those that didn't impact on history) have been lost, and hence the novelist needs to flesh out the missing elements.
The fantastical side to Mistress of Rome was not helped by Quinn including a character who could supposedly see the future.
However, my knowledge of ancient Rome and the period of Domitian is confined to historical fiction rather than solid research of my own, so I am definitely not an authority on whether Quinn's novel is historically accurate or not.
I did love the character of Thea/Athena - she was strong, righteous and very readable. Equally I detested the character of Lepida (Thea's mistress when we are first introduced to the slave, and her ongoing nemesis) - Quinn's writing here was extremely effective, since we are supposed to despise the decadent and spiteful woman. In fact, all of the characters leapt off of the page, and were a massive strength in Quinn's debut novel. She wrote them with great assurance, and, if some of them were a little too black and white at times, they were never less than entertaining.
I marvelled at the attitudes and actions of Emperor Domitian - he was marvellously complex: dignified and despicable by turn. If Quinn's tale truly revealed any part of the truth of his life, then he was a man to be feared by those close to him.
The representation of the gladiatorial games was rich with detail and very enjoyable to read. These were my favourite parts of the novel - well, that and the fabulous descriptions of Lepida's wardrobe!
Mistress of Rome is gossipy, with scandal, glamour and plenty of action. At its heart is a love story with depth and passion. As you can see, it is a mixed up novel that I genuinely enjoyed it and would recommend the novel to others - but only as a fun read, as opposed to something that will stay with you past the last page.
Years later, a singer known as Athena betrays no hint of her troubled past. Catching the eye of the Emperor himself, she is swept into a world of decadence and depravity. But althought Domitian fears betrayal from every side, he is unaware that the greatest threat lies next to him - a slave girl who has come to be called the Mistress of Rome...
It's hard to know how to review Mistress of Rome. On the one hand, I swept through it in one day, finding the prose to be simple yet effective and the historical details vivid. On the other hand, I felt that it came across much as a soap opera programme or chick lit novel would - light, easy-to-read, with larger than life characters and ultimately forgettable. Although I enjoyed the novel, I don't honestly see it staying with me for very long.
One factor that struck me while reading Mistress of Rome is how fantastical it seemed - when I thought on this, I believe it might be because of how long ago the time period being represented was. We know sweeping details of the Roman Empire - who ruled when, military campaigns, political machinations - but the real nitty gritty details and the secondary historical figures (those that didn't impact on history) have been lost, and hence the novelist needs to flesh out the missing elements.
The fantastical side to Mistress of Rome was not helped by Quinn including a character who could supposedly see the future.
However, my knowledge of ancient Rome and the period of Domitian is confined to historical fiction rather than solid research of my own, so I am definitely not an authority on whether Quinn's novel is historically accurate or not.
I did love the character of Thea/Athena - she was strong, righteous and very readable. Equally I detested the character of Lepida (Thea's mistress when we are first introduced to the slave, and her ongoing nemesis) - Quinn's writing here was extremely effective, since we are supposed to despise the decadent and spiteful woman. In fact, all of the characters leapt off of the page, and were a massive strength in Quinn's debut novel. She wrote them with great assurance, and, if some of them were a little too black and white at times, they were never less than entertaining.
I marvelled at the attitudes and actions of Emperor Domitian - he was marvellously complex: dignified and despicable by turn. If Quinn's tale truly revealed any part of the truth of his life, then he was a man to be feared by those close to him.
The representation of the gladiatorial games was rich with detail and very enjoyable to read. These were my favourite parts of the novel - well, that and the fabulous descriptions of Lepida's wardrobe!
Mistress of Rome is gossipy, with scandal, glamour and plenty of action. At its heart is a love story with depth and passion. As you can see, it is a mixed up novel that I genuinely enjoyed it and would recommend the novel to others - but only as a fun read, as opposed to something that will stay with you past the last page.
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Historical fiction is a crowded genre, particularly if Ancient Rome is it's location. It's all been done before, and in some instances, very well, so for an author there will be nothing new to present. Which makes it doubly important that you have a good story to tell, and you tell it well. Kate Quinn has taken that on board and she tells a tale intertwining an Imperial family and it's sycophants, and 2 slaves, which neatly combines the major aspects of Roman society.
The story unfolds though the eyes of the major characters, which allows the opportunity for some real depth, and it is to Quinn's credit that she handles fight scenes and Imperial banquets with equal aplomb, while also leaving much to the imagination of the reader. The Romans present plenty of opportunity for graphic detail with their brutal way of life, love and death, and rather than fall into the trap of detailing everything, Quinn prefers to hint and infer, other than some for the fight scenes.
As to the story itself, the detail of Roman life never overwhelms the pace, which is satisfyingly brisk and even some of the more unlikely elements seem believable, such is the skill of the author. There's everything here, from romance to depravity, from politic intrigue to the Arena and that makes this a book with very wide appeal. I liked it.
The story unfolds though the eyes of the major characters, which allows the opportunity for some real depth, and it is to Quinn's credit that she handles fight scenes and Imperial banquets with equal aplomb, while also leaving much to the imagination of the reader. The Romans present plenty of opportunity for graphic detail with their brutal way of life, love and death, and rather than fall into the trap of detailing everything, Quinn prefers to hint and infer, other than some for the fight scenes.
As to the story itself, the detail of Roman life never overwhelms the pace, which is satisfyingly brisk and even some of the more unlikely elements seem believable, such is the skill of the author. There's everything here, from romance to depravity, from politic intrigue to the Arena and that makes this a book with very wide appeal. I liked it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
`- what was the point of having an Emperor, if you couldn't cook up...
This novel set in first century Rome during the reign of the Emperor Domitian is both a political thriller and a love story with a heavy dose of humour and gore. Read more
Published 8 days ago by C. M. Carragher
Wonderful
This is a great read, a powerful and passionate love story intertwined with dramatic spectacle. It grabbed me on the first page, raced on at a cracking pace and never let up. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kate
Dynasty in Togas
If you're looking for a well-written piece of fiction...no, it isn't. If you want a bodice, well toga, ripping yarn, then it is. Read more
Published 1 month ago by London Matron
just read this extract
I'm only basing this review on the extract I have just read on Amazon and I was horrified by how juvenile the writing is. It was like reading an 11-year old's diary. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Fiona
Amazing!
I loved this book!! I generally enjoy books set in the ancient world and this one definiftely did not disappoint, and I would recommend it to anyone. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Miss Fox
Vivid, compelling rollercoaster!
If you are a fan of the Marcus Didius Falco books you will recognise Kate Quinn's Rome. She has a similar talent for bringing the place to life in all its barbarity and colour. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Dr. Sarah Jordan
Gripping
this is by far the best book i read from this gender. well written, bit historical and just like a fairy tale. main characters r well built and very believable. a must read
Published 4 months ago by Daniela Spanu
bit of everything!
I found this story really had a bit of everytimg you want in a story from romance, action, gore, sadness etc! Read more
Published 5 months ago by Ande
WOW!!
Wow! What a book! This is the best book i have read for a really long time. I coudn't put it down. WOW WOW WOW!!
Published 8 months ago by Hamstermadgirl
A bit of a page turner
This book is primarily about Thea, a Jewish slave girl living in ancient Rome, but also has a cast of characters that includes the Emporer of Rome, Thea's previous owner, the... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Nicola
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