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zozierose's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
serendipitysbooks's review
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
After reading Manifesto I wanted to pick up one of Evaristo’s two books that I hadn’t read. Since one of them isn’t her best work (her opinion not mine) I opted for The Emperor’s Babe. Set in Londinium in 211AD,It’s the story of a young Sudanese woman who married to a much older man, and goes on to have an affair with the visiting Emperor. It was a joyous delight to read. It’s a novel in verse - and the poetry really shines. I especially loved the combination of Latin and Cockney rhyming slang. Talk about a unique pairing yet it really highlighted Zuleika’s wit and verve. She was an unabashed and irrepressible character who really leapt off the page. Although ostensibly set 1800 years ago it feels fresh and relevant today. Power imbalances due to gender, wealth and race sadly did not decline with the Roman Empire.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Confinement
lucys_library's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
4.5
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Racial slurs, Violence, Body horror, Death, Blood, Rape, and Torture
lyktestolpe's review against another edition
challenging
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Death
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
katiersmart's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Sexual assault
hardcoverhearts's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Confinement, Death, Gore, Vomit, Violence, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Rape
This book takes place in London when Romans occupied it and it was called Londinium. There is a brutal and horrific coliseum scene of death for sport in all sorts of forms. It’s powerful and effective in how it impacts the narrator. But rough to read.
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