A review by wellington299
The Secret History: A Novel of Empress Theodora by Stephanie Marie Thornton

5.0

From the opening chapters, Stephanie Thorton and Theodora grabbed me and I decided I would start following this author who gives life to forgotten women in history. It was a raw rags to riches story in which a lowly actress rose to become Empress. Back then, actresses were looked down upon and just one rank above prostitute.

I loved Theodora's fire and venomous tongue along with her friend Antonia. Frenemies to the end, their banter were some of my favorite passages in the book.

This book pulls no punches in describing 6th century hard scrabble life. This can be described as a historical romance book but life was in no way romantic by then.

I fully support Stephanie's mission to shed light on forgotten women in history and look forward to what else she will dig up in the future.