Reviews

Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn

jennaw's review against another edition

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

elysahenegar's review against another edition

4.0

This is SUCH a page turner! In this novel, Kate Quinn has crafted some powerful love stories and an engaging, often suspenseful plot, all set against the backdrop of the Roman empire and the historically documented, often horrid personality of Emperor Domitian. Quinn has written real villains and heroes that had me invested and pulling for good the whole way. I couldn't put it down!

jesspaige17's review against another edition

adventurous challenging informative tense medium-paced

3.25

kathy_m_arriola's review against another edition

5.0

OMG I loved this book, from the characters to the setting! It is a must read!

becs_l's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 stars

justiceofkalr's review against another edition

4.0

A historical fiction set in Rome during the rule of Emperor Domitian. Who, for those of you who don't know your Roman emperors (tsk tsk), was assassinated and then one of only three emperors to be be given damnatio memoriae, which means that he sucked so much that the Romans tried to erase all memory of him. So you can bet living during his reign was interesting... though probably in an unfortunate kind of way. Actually living in Rome at all was probably pretty crazy. Those Romans... Anyways, several of the characters in the novel, including the emperor are to one degree or another based on historical characters, which was kind of cool. I really liked all the main characters in the book, even Lepida and her scheming ways I liked in a "like to hate" sort of way.

The only part I was kind of iffy about was also one of the least historically accurate, which the author talks about at the end of the book. When

Spoiler

Lady Julia was revealed to actually be the Vestal Justina and saved Flavia before being condemned to death anyways

. It just felt out of place and a bit too much of a deus ex machina.

kimberly_b's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this read. Quinn's characters are interesting and polarizing. Lepida is one of the most villainous characters I've ever come across; reading her POV is a bit like watching a train wreck--you can't tear your eyes away. Although I liked reading the different POV's, I don't think there needed to be as many as there was. All in all it was a very enjoyable read and the plot twists at the end were unexpected and interesting. 4/5 stars.

michaela29's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

riseclare's review against another edition

4.0

Fantastic! Very interesting storyline. One of my rare 4 star books.

weaverh's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0