Reviews tagging 'Murder'

Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn

9 reviews

halkid2's review against another edition

challenging informative sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

MISTRESS OF ROME turned out to be an unexpected and very pleasant surprise! Too often I gravitate to historical fiction about people and eras I know quite well. But the Roman Empire is not familiar territory and that made reading this novel a delightfully engaging experience. Awarded four stars but I'd probably go as high as 4.5. 

This is the first book in author Kate Quinn's five-novel series entitled The Empress of Rome -- about Rome during the first century of the Common Era. Drawing on a mix of actual historical figures and fictional creations, Quinn has crafted a completely absorbing story with all the elements you could want in a good read. Cruelty, corruption, and vexing moral conundrums. Old grudges, ambitious rivals, secret plots, Vestal Virgins, and sexual obsession. Superhuman gladiators, masters and slaves, spite, and illicit love affairs. 

Main characters include:

• Roman Emperor Domitian (51-96): a talented administration with a private cruel streak.

• Thea (fictitious): one of the few Jews to survive the mass suicide at Masada, now enslaved and considered a talented singer. 

• Arius (fictitious): a brutal gladiator forced to perform at the Colosseum games, whose success grows out of his ability to harness his deeply rooted anger.  

• Lepida Pollia (fictitious): a spoiled heiress whose older husband/Senator buys Thea to be his wife's personal attendant.

The book revolves around how all four of these characters (and a few others) interrelate over the years, as fate causes them to leave and return to each other's orbit. All of them wielding different levels of power at different moments in their lives. 

I loved this chance to become immersed in the complex politics of the Roman Empire. Now, having thoroughly enjoyed MISTRESS OF ROME, I do plan to continue with the other books in this series. And I look forward to them.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder

kduffy's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny informative 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? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, and Murder

lehughes19's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative fast-paced

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

4.5

Page turner. I actually picked it up previously and couldn’t get into it, but this time I couldn’t put it down! It was shocking, entertaining, and emotion provoking. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Self harm, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Classism

Minor: Body shaming, Drug use, and Mental illness

jamanji's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I love this author.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide and Murder

Minor: Pedophilia and Self harm

hunkydory's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Suicide attempt, Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

thefoxcharmer's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

I am on the fence about whether to give this two stars or three stars. 

I would not call the writing masterful but it's not entirely cheap either. The constant switching of voice didn't really do it for me. It switched frequently, and often without much reason, from first to third person and among different characters. When in third person it would be from a single character's perspective and the only character in first person was Thea. I was consumed by this choice. 

Pick a voice (first or third) and stick with it! 

It reminded me of a gas station book. You know when you're on a road trip and need something to read so you pick whatever book looks vaguely interesting from the rack beside state-themed souvenirs. 

It could have been a good 100 or 150 pages shorter. The story itself could have really benefited from being tightened up. 

And yet I didn't hate it. I'm didn't mind it. Didn't love it. Will probably continue reading the series. Gas station books don't have to be master pieces to still be entertaining.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder

its_van_vulpen's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.5

This book is not for anyone who is sensitive to most triggers. This book has most all of them. Be careful, take care

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

birkenstonk's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Murder

carolinebrooks's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Self harm, Slavery, Violence, and Blood

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Murder