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tiredenglishteacher's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is a classic Kate Quinn in that it has a very lengthy exposition, takes a long time to get going, and feels at times confused about the ultimate plot BUT the last 100 pages were very exciting and engaging. Unfortunately you have to plow through a lot of seemingly random exposition to get there. Middle dragged on forever. Gory.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, and Antisemitism
b0rn_2_read's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Sexual violence
snowsnakes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death
sea_tea_books's review against another edition
I was looking for more historical information to learn something about ancient Rome. This focuses too much on gore and rape .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, and Sexual harassment
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
auggieval's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
not the worst book i’ve read this year but it leaves a lot to be desired in character development, historical accuracy, and attention to detail.
the plot mostly happens to the characters and none of them really change values or have them seriously challenged, with the possible exception of some of the side-ish characters (paulinus, the empress, etc.) i didn’t really notice this till i finished and went, “did anyone like… grow? are they better people now or just storied people?” and the answer is that they are storied people.
the author herself has a page devoted to her errors but there’s several i noticed in this book she really should add to her list.
i really enjoyed the setting, the saga framing, and inclusion of smaller details, but GOD does the author just drill them into your head. i can’t look at the word “russet” or hear someone talk about hair care again, ever, i don’t think.
lastly, literally no one here is talking about how grossly and persistently antisemitism is harped upon in this book! like!!! it’s so unnecessary especially after the 10th slur! keep in mind the author could have used any defunct ancient culture and went for this one.
thea’s jewish heritage (and many other characters’) could have been so much more interesting as a lens if the author knew what she was talking about and if her characters interacted with their (apparently deeply held) beliefs at all.
i was gonna give this 3 stars but sigh :/ it’s enjoyable as long as you don’t write a storygraph review and think about it
the plot mostly happens to the characters and none of them really change values or have them seriously challenged, with the possible exception of some of the side-ish characters (paulinus, the empress, etc.) i didn’t really notice this till i finished and went, “did anyone like… grow? are they better people now or just storied people?” and the answer is that they are storied people.
the author herself has a page devoted to her errors but there’s several i noticed in this book she really should add to her list.
i really enjoyed the setting, the saga framing, and inclusion of smaller details, but GOD does the author just drill them into your head. i can’t look at the word “russet” or hear someone talk about hair care again, ever, i don’t think.
lastly, literally no one here is talking about how grossly and persistently antisemitism is harped upon in this book! like!!! it’s so unnecessary especially after the 10th slur! keep in mind the author could have used any defunct ancient culture and went for this one.
thea’s jewish heritage (and many other characters’) could have been so much more interesting as a lens if the author knew what she was talking about and if her characters interacted with their (apparently deeply held) beliefs at all.
i was gonna give this 3 stars but sigh :/ it’s enjoyable as long as you don’t write a storygraph review and think about it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Antisemitism
vesper93's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A bit of a slow start as you wonder how all the separate characters are going to intertwine, but then becomes gripping. I didn't want to put it down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual violence
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, and Murder
katelyn11's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Sexual violence
megan_mac_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
3.25
Whew, this book is way more violent than I'm use to reading. I could have done without the violence and gore, and there were some characters I abs lutely hated, but still was invested in the story and some characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Incest and Suicide
Minor: Homophobia, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy