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michaela29's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
wildwolverine's review against another edition
4.0
I've loved everything I've read by Kate Quinn, but this one admittedly took some time for me to sink into. Normally, Quinn's characterization is on point. Everyone is fleshed out with their own quirks, attitudes, and motivations. In this one, Vix and Sabina in particular felt a little flat until about a third of the way into it. Vix was a little too naive for my taste and Sabina's desires didn't seem sincere for a while. Once I got past that third, the two filled out and became much more interesting. I don't necessarily want to read about characters I agree with. It's fun once in a while, but it's more entertaining reading about people I might not even be friends with and seeing how the author humanizes them. That, in my opinion, shows great skill in a writer, and Quinn did that for me yet again.
The only real drawback reading this book was the shifting perspectives. Quinn has always switched between character perspectives, and I've never minded because there are clear breaks so it doesn't get confusing. However, Vix's perspective was told retroactively. Every now and then, he made comments like "Little did I know then... If I only I knew then... That turned out to be..." etc. It was jarring because everyone else's sections were secured in the present. While it did peak my interest at times, I would've preferred coming to those conclusions myself and being surprised.
Overall, this is a fantastic book, and I recommend this to anyone interested in learning about the Roman Empire, anyone who loves a good romance as long as it doesn't dominate the story, and flawed but lovable characters. Because I certainly did.
The only real drawback reading this book was the shifting perspectives. Quinn has always switched between character perspectives, and I've never minded because there are clear breaks so it doesn't get confusing. However, Vix's perspective was told retroactively. Every now and then, he made comments like "Little did I know then... If I only I knew then... That turned out to be..." etc. It was jarring because everyone else's sections were secured in the present. While it did peak my interest at times, I would've preferred coming to those conclusions myself and being surprised.
Overall, this is a fantastic book, and I recommend this to anyone interested in learning about the Roman Empire, anyone who loves a good romance as long as it doesn't dominate the story, and flawed but lovable characters. Because I certainly did.
booksforbrooks's review
5.0
My days, Kate Quinn knows how to write a good yarn. I've read and loved both the predecessors to this book, and I'll be damned if Empress didn't just go and live up to (or possibly even beat) Mistress and Daughters. Phew!
Vix and Sabina are incredible main characters. They're interesting, flawed and loveable, and you root for both of them in different ways. The characters surrounding them, Titus in particular, are the cherry on the cake. Oh how I would like a Titus of my own in my life! There's just the perfect mix of battle, sex and scheming, with not one of those elements taking over the story like it could in the hands of a less skilled author. I now want to go away and read everything I can get my hands on about Rome, I found parts of this book utterly fascinating - particularly the bits about the organisation of the Roman army.
My only quibble is with the end, which to be fair I knew had to be historically accurate but still upset me. SEQUEL PLEASE, KATE!!!
Vix and Sabina are incredible main characters. They're interesting, flawed and loveable, and you root for both of them in different ways. The characters surrounding them, Titus in particular, are the cherry on the cake. Oh how I would like a Titus of my own in my life! There's just the perfect mix of battle, sex and scheming, with not one of those elements taking over the story like it could in the hands of a less skilled author. I now want to go away and read everything I can get my hands on about Rome, I found parts of this book utterly fascinating - particularly the bits about the organisation of the Roman army.
My only quibble is with the end, which to be fair I knew had to be historically accurate but still upset me. SEQUEL PLEASE, KATE!!!
sabregirl's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so mesmerizing. I tend not to read much about Rome after Julius Caesar but this was a great book to start doing just that. So many great Caesars have already come and gone and this is almost like a lull period. A time when the current Caesar Trajan is trying to win back all of the glory that was lost. He does that, but upon his death in the last sixty pages he loses it all and then the whole book seems for naught. Which was very irritating. I was hoping for something epic to turn the events but alas, nothing happened.
The book is full of twists and turns, and affairs and betrayals which makes it an easy read. I did have trouble in the first 150 pages however, it just wasn't picking up liked I had hoped. But then the action picked up and I finished it in a few days. The main thing that bothered me is that through all of the switching point of view's only Vix had the first person perspective. Which is a little odd. A lot of his comments just had me rolling my eyes and telling him to hurry the hell up.
I hope there is a sequel to this book. Because I would really like Plotina and Hadrian to have gruesome deaths that would have me cheering. Both of them is kinda what makes this book hard to get through. Especially Plotina's obsession, and her constant comparison through herself, of the goddess Juno. I kinda just wanted to reach into the book and slap the living hell out of her. Just when we thought they both were going to be put in their place they end up winning. I hope it's a shallow win in the end.
The book is full of twists and turns, and affairs and betrayals which makes it an easy read. I did have trouble in the first 150 pages however, it just wasn't picking up liked I had hoped. But then the action picked up and I finished it in a few days. The main thing that bothered me is that through all of the switching point of view's only Vix had the first person perspective. Which is a little odd. A lot of his comments just had me rolling my eyes and telling him to hurry the hell up.
I hope there is a sequel to this book. Because I would really like Plotina and Hadrian to have gruesome deaths that would have me cheering. Both of them is kinda what makes this book hard to get through. Especially Plotina's obsession, and her constant comparison through herself, of the goddess Juno. I kinda just wanted to reach into the book and slap the living hell out of her. Just when we thought they both were going to be put in their place they end up winning. I hope it's a shallow win in the end.
sm_almon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This was so lovely, so heart-wrenching - I actually had to stop periodically while reading because it was making me so tense! And now I'm immediately on to read the next book in the series...
aprajitasharmaa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
ljstrain28's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this one! Sabina and Titus were my favorites and Vix somehow won my heart too. I can't wait for the next one!
siren_of_the_stars's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It’s so slow and so boring at places, but I love seeing Vix and Sabina’s journey progress from book 1! All the callbacks to the first book were amazing.