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Book Review: Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn

April 6, 2010 by Darlene

Every once in a while you get one of those books that is absolutlely impossible to put down until you turn that last page.  Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn was that book for me!  I swear I was in Ancient Rome because every word and every page took me there!  This book has it all:  emperors, slaves, gladiators, betrayal, lust, love, jealousy, romance and the list could go on and could the cover be any more gorgeous! 

The story begins by introducing us to Thea, a young slave girl from Judaea, who was bought for the very spoiled heiress Lepida Pollia.  The story really is based on the rivalry of these two throughout the novel.  It begins when Lepida, only fourteen herself, takes a shine to the gladiator, The Barbarian.  The problem of course is that eventually he has eyes only for Thea and she for him.  Lepida, enraged, sells Thea back into slavery.

Thea ends up working in a brothel but catches the eye of a good and kind master who helps her succeed as a singer while also protecting her son, Vix.  However for Thea, now Athena, peace is not to be hers.  She catches the eye of Emperor Domitian who decides he wants her for his very own plaything and what he wants, he gets.  Emperor Domitian, unknown to most, has a darker side and he takes much pleasure in bringing Athena to the edge of madness.  Her time with him is a struggle just to survive; to not lose herself in the craziness.  The author takes us to the limits of a world caught up in the evil of the Emperor.  There is scheming, back stabbing and killing.  What will ultimately be the fate of the Roman Empire?

There are a lot of characters in this novel although I had no trouble following their lives.  At times though I was a little confused as to whose point of view I was getting as it’s written in first and third person but as you get used to the story this becomes much easier to follow.  They are all well developed enough that you feel invested in their lives in one way or another.

Thea by far was my favorite character.  She’s passionate, strong, and loyal; willing to fight for what she wants and who she loves.  By far the most colorful, evil and conniving character is Lepida – you will hate her.  She has absolutely no redeeming qualities whatsoever and my blood pressure would rise every time she came on the scene.  The hate these two feel for each other sparks many of the ways their lives end up unfolding.  But then there is Arius who I adored and his and Thea’s son Vix who had me laughing out loud.  He’s described as an appalling child but really I found him quite charming. 

Kate Quinn has created a rich and wonderful world in Mistress of Rome.  She writes in such a vivid and descriptive way that when she portrays the gladiator fights you’ll think you’re in the thick of it.  Then there are the descriptions of the clothing, jewels, the places they live, the Emperor’s parties – it’s all so well crafted.  I found myself really caring about the people in this story  – practically holding my breath to find out their fate.

Kate Quinn has mixed fact with fiction in Mistress of Rome, her wonderful debut novel.  As I came to the end of the story I was happy with how it ended and even more happy that she left the storyline wide open to continue.  Mistress of Rome releases today and you can purchase your copy here in the US and here in Canada.  Check out Kate Quinn’s website and blog as well!  Be sure to pop by tomorrow as Kate shares a guest post with all of us. 

My thanks… to Kaitlyn with Berkley (Penguin Group USA) for my review copy of Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn.

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Filed Under: 2010 ARC Challenge, 2010 Book Reviews, 2010 Chunkster Challenge, 2010 Historical Fiction, 2010-100+ Challenge

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. carolsnotebook says

    April 6, 2010 at 4:34 pm

    This seems like one of the stories that I could totally get absorbed in. Thanks for the review.

  2. tweezle says

    April 6, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    Excellent review! I MUST put this one on my wish list. Thanks 🙂

  3. Anna says

    April 6, 2010 at 4:47 pm

    Sold! Sounds like an exciting book. I'll keep it in mind.

    –Anna
    Diary of an Eccentric

  4. Kate says

    April 6, 2010 at 4:50 pm

    I heard about this book a week or so ago, and I've been really looking forward to it. Your review makes me even more excited. Thanks! 🙂

  5. Blodeuedd says

    April 6, 2010 at 4:55 pm

    Sounds like a great story and one that I sure would like to read

  6. Beth(bookaholicmom) says

    April 6, 2010 at 5:30 pm

    Great review Dar! I just read another wonderful review for this book. I have it on my wish list but I think I will move it up the list. I think it's a book I would enjoy!

  7. mountie9 says

    April 6, 2010 at 5:37 pm

    Great review and I love the cover!

  8. Hannah Stoneham says

    April 6, 2010 at 6:17 pm

    Wow – any book that actually takes you to ancient Rome has got to be good (provided that you are on the right side of course).

    Thank you for a splendid review.

    Hannah

  9. Mary says

    April 6, 2010 at 6:29 pm

    Oh my gosh, Dar. I read your first line and then linked over to amazon to see if it is hardback or paperback. So glad to see it is pb. I'm going to buy this today! I know at least one of my daughters will want to read it as soon as I finish. I'll be back to finish reading your review at a later date 😀

  10. Nise' says

    April 6, 2010 at 6:52 pm

    One that will definitely be going on my TBR list! Thank Dar.

  11. bermudaonion says

    April 6, 2010 at 8:03 pm

    Wow! I love ancient Rome, so I bet I'd love this one too.

  12. Zibilee says

    April 6, 2010 at 8:27 pm

    What a wonderful review, Dar! I love it when I reach reading perfection in a book, so I am glad this was such a good read for you. I have read quite a few books on ancient Rome in the last six moths or so, but it sounds as though I shouldn't pass this one up! I will be on the lookout for it!

  13. dolleygurl says

    April 6, 2010 at 9:48 pm

    Oh I am SOOOO excited about this book! Great review!

  14. Staci says

    April 6, 2010 at 10:56 pm

    You've got me wanting to learn about Rome for sure!!

  15. Nikola says

    April 7, 2010 at 12:02 am

    I have Cleopatra's Daughter on the shelf waiting for me to read it, but this one looks fantastic as well! If I end up spending all my money on Egypt-inspired books, you and your reviews will be the ones to blame! 🙂

  16. Yvonne says

    April 7, 2010 at 12:46 am

    Wow, sounds like a great book! Excellent review!

  17. Toni says

    April 7, 2010 at 3:08 am

    Great Review Dar. It sounds good from beginning to end!

  18. Veens says

    April 7, 2010 at 7:24 am

    This sounds so good! I am sure I want to read this one. Thanks for a great review!

  19. Lezlie says

    April 7, 2010 at 12:21 pm

    I'm so glad you liked this one! It had been on my radar for a while now, and I can't wait to read it!

    Lezlie

    PS Hug the Budster for me! And yourself, too. 🙂

  20. Andreea says

    April 7, 2010 at 2:00 pm

    I am glad you liked it. Sounds perfect!

  21. carla says

    April 7, 2010 at 6:58 pm

    Sounds like a real adventure with a strong intelligent woman lead.
    Glad you enjoyed it so much.
    Hope you get the mini series!

  22. Serena says

    April 8, 2010 at 1:43 pm

    I haven't heard of this book before! I love books that you can't put down or rush to get back to after interruptions.

    My favorite part of your review was this "By far the most colorful, evil and conniving character is Lepida – you will hate her. She has absolutely no redeeming qualities whatsoever and my blood pressure would rise every time she came on the scene." LOL don't you just love when authors can evoke such strong emotions in their readers?!

  23. naida says

    April 10, 2010 at 10:46 pm

    wow, I have to read this one! sounds fantastic.
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

  24. Kate Quinn says

    April 12, 2010 at 5:09 pm

    Darlene, thank you for a wonderful review. I'm so glad you enjoyed "Mistress of Rome." Readers like you make my job fun.

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