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bookthra's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
npjones23's review against another edition
Too slow of a start and struggled to go for it
stacydodds's review
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
suzemo's review against another edition
4.0
Far better than the first book, in my opinion, and if you cut out the two women 'narrators' (the poisoner Locusta and former slave-lover Acte) and gave a little back ground information, the first book could have been cut altogether and this could have been a standalone (it really nearly could be).
I'm still not entirely sure why George added the Locusta and Acte viewpoints, other than to give some frame of reference for other tidbits and atmosphere that she wanted to add to the story. I just didn't feel like they were needed.
George clearly researched her novel well, and obviously adheres to the "Nero wasn't that bad, propaganda is written by the successors" school of thought (which, me too, to be fair). It was an OK historical novel. Nothing amazing, but nothing bad, either.
If you're a sucker for Roman historical fiction, I'd definitely recommend it. If you know enough about Nero and can use context clues, I'd skip the first book and just read this one.
I'm still not entirely sure why George added the Locusta and Acte viewpoints, other than to give some frame of reference for other tidbits and atmosphere that she wanted to add to the story. I just didn't feel like they were needed.
George clearly researched her novel well, and obviously adheres to the "Nero wasn't that bad, propaganda is written by the successors" school of thought (which, me too, to be fair). It was an OK historical novel. Nothing amazing, but nothing bad, either.
If you're a sucker for Roman historical fiction, I'd definitely recommend it. If you know enough about Nero and can use context clues, I'd skip the first book and just read this one.
rosietomyn's review against another edition
5.0
Margaret George is a phenomenal storyteller. In both The Confessions of Young Nero and this sequel, The Splendor Before the Dark, the reader encounters a Nero who is not only multi-dimensional, educated, and self reflective -- but also painfully naive.
Acte and Locasta, as additional narrators, compel the reader to view Nero through a lens of compassion and understanding.
As archaeological discoveries and refined historical review continue to compel historians to look at Nero in a different light (acknowledging that close-to-contemporary writers like Seutonius and Dio were writing from a place of extreme bias), this series does an excellent job of balancing what little we know to be true, what we know to be propoganda, and what is most likely to have happened.
Like Steven Saylor in his Roma series, Margaret George also weaves both the archaeological record and discovered artifacts into her novels expertly, making the history feel that much more attainable for the modern reader.
Many modern historians have posited that Nero was likely not the tyrant he has been historically painted as (see Rome is Burning by Anthony Barrett). Margaret George makes that argument real and tackles each violent claim against him with more plausible realities (ie, the claim he killed Poppaea).
This is a great series that balances historical facts well, explores the realities of Nero's reign, and breathes new, sympathetic life into characters that history attempted to close the book on long ago.
Acte and Locasta, as additional narrators, compel the reader to view Nero through a lens of compassion and understanding.
As archaeological discoveries and refined historical review continue to compel historians to look at Nero in a different light (acknowledging that close-to-contemporary writers like Seutonius and Dio were writing from a place of extreme bias), this series does an excellent job of balancing what little we know to be true, what we know to be propoganda, and what is most likely to have happened.
Like Steven Saylor in his Roma series, Margaret George also weaves both the archaeological record and discovered artifacts into her novels expertly, making the history feel that much more attainable for the modern reader.
Many modern historians have posited that Nero was likely not the tyrant he has been historically painted as (see Rome is Burning by Anthony Barrett). Margaret George makes that argument real and tackles each violent claim against him with more plausible realities (ie, the claim he killed Poppaea).
This is a great series that balances historical facts well, explores the realities of Nero's reign, and breathes new, sympathetic life into characters that history attempted to close the book on long ago.
soundy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
3.5
dwcofer's review against another edition
5.0
As I said in my Review of Margaet George’s first book on Nero, I typically do not read historical fiction, but this book was a great example of historical fiction well done. This book picks up the story at the Great Fire in Rome in 64 A.D. As with her first book, this one is also extensively well researched and historically accurate. Margaret George conducted a great deal of research prior to writing this book. Much of her research and sources are detailed in an Afterword. The narrative flowed well, and is easy to read. Like the first book, this one is also long, almost 600 pages, so reading it took a while, but was time well spent.
Like in the first book, the story is told in the first person POV, mostly from Nero’s perspective, with a few chapters told from the point of view of other characters, such as Locusta, a poisoner, and Acte, one of Nero’s lovers.
This book shows a side of Nero not often seen. Nero is often portrayed as the emperor who “fiddled while Rome burned.” But George shows several other perspectives of the great emperor. Nero was a visionary in engineering, architecture, and urban planning. He was exceedingly generous and identified with the common man more than he did with the aristocrats of the day. Nero was blessed with artistic talent and culture. He was a poet, musician, athlete, and chariot racer, who had a passion for the arts and performing on stage.
As with the first book, I cannot recommend this book highly enough, especially for fans of ancient Rome and those who love a great historical fiction novel. Even though I do not normally read historical fiction, this book may make me change my mind about that.
Like in the first book, the story is told in the first person POV, mostly from Nero’s perspective, with a few chapters told from the point of view of other characters, such as Locusta, a poisoner, and Acte, one of Nero’s lovers.
This book shows a side of Nero not often seen. Nero is often portrayed as the emperor who “fiddled while Rome burned.” But George shows several other perspectives of the great emperor. Nero was a visionary in engineering, architecture, and urban planning. He was exceedingly generous and identified with the common man more than he did with the aristocrats of the day. Nero was blessed with artistic talent and culture. He was a poet, musician, athlete, and chariot racer, who had a passion for the arts and performing on stage.
As with the first book, I cannot recommend this book highly enough, especially for fans of ancient Rome and those who love a great historical fiction novel. Even though I do not normally read historical fiction, this book may make me change my mind about that.
larobb01's review
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
finocchio's review against another edition
4.0
This book was not as exciting as Nero, #1.
I love Margaret George's commentaries at the end of each. (I listened to the audiobooks.)
I love Margaret George's commentaries at the end of each. (I listened to the audiobooks.)
katejeminhizer's review against another edition
4.0
I received an advanced reading copy of this title via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Margaret George once again provides us with a comprehensive yet easy to absorb biography of one of history's great enigmas. George succeeds brilliantly with giving Nero a place in modern historical fiction. Her prose is effective in its ability to manipulate the reader through the emotional turmoil of Nero while also providing intense descriptions of events that overpower the reader's ability to resist. The first half of the book is fast paced and riveting. There is a distinct falling off of the intensity of the story after the mid-way point. This is not due to any fault on George's part but reflects the lack of sources available on the later life of Nero. Overall the book provides wonderful insight on Nero and should not be passed over.
Margaret George once again provides us with a comprehensive yet easy to absorb biography of one of history's great enigmas. George succeeds brilliantly with giving Nero a place in modern historical fiction. Her prose is effective in its ability to manipulate the reader through the emotional turmoil of Nero while also providing intense descriptions of events that overpower the reader's ability to resist. The first half of the book is fast paced and riveting. There is a distinct falling off of the intensity of the story after the mid-way point. This is not due to any fault on George's part but reflects the lack of sources available on the later life of Nero. Overall the book provides wonderful insight on Nero and should not be passed over.