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difficultwomanreads's review against another edition
4.0
The difficult thing about Empress of the Seven Hills is that I can't decide whether or not I like it more than Mistress of Rome. I definitely like it just as much; I may like it more, which I can't say about the prequel to Mistress, the immensely enjoyable but slightly frustrating Daughters of Rome.
Empress is exactly the kind of book that I've always wanted. It has everything I like: flawed main characters; Women Who Do Not Please; multi-dimensional villains; and long, drawn-out drama. Long live the love/hate relationship of Vix and Sabina. (I can't say the same of his marriage, which while realistic and appealing, made me grind my teeth. And that has nothing to do with my preference of the former pairing.)
Much of our story takes place from the perspective of Vix, son of Arius and Thea from Mistress. He is our hero, moreso even than his love interest and counterpart Sabina. Of course Vix is likable. We as readers are already sentimental about him due to his many adventures as a child in the previous book. But Vix is also deeply, deeply flawed. And I've got to say that I feel that a lot of reviewers seem to miss that when critiquing Sabina's every move and decision? Sabina's lack of effort and sacrifice in their relationship is constantly criticized; in fact, the pair are two of a kind. Just as Sabina chooses duty to Rome over Vix, so Vix consistently chooses duty to Rome over his lovers and loved ones and later his wife and children. No matter how happy Vix becomes with Mirah (and really, they aren't that happy because she deserves better treatment and he's too practical for someone so tied to her Jewish heritage and the symbolism in Masada) he will ultimately leave her for orders from Rome--and the sickly loving arms of Sabina, who is Rome. Vix constantly made decisions that kind of disgusted me. He's really quite the asshole, which sort of surprises me considering the kind of mother he has. But at the same time, he made decisions that I admired and I loved him for being him. He loves blindly and is distracted by the next shiny sparkly thing that catches his eye. His only consistent loves are Trajan (and Trajan is Rome) and Sabina, who he also hates (and don't forget, Sabina, too, is Rome).
Sabina is an even more complex character. And she's a complex female character! Who, thus far, hasn't been raped! She controls her sexuality and she weaponizes it and she does what she wants because she wants to! How much do I love that Sabina can be in love and still choose to do something other than follow that man wherever he goes? Sabina accepts that she loves Vix. She also accepts that she can't be with him the way he wants her to be, not just because it's not in her nature, but because she, like him, has other duties. (And how much do I love that Vix is incapable of seeing his own hypocrisy, just as a real person would be?) Their relationship is just captivating to read about because it is so obviously doomed and yet so obviously the most important relationship, platonic and romantic, in their lives. For all the action and plot that happen in this book (and do they happen) the key of it is character and that particular relationship. The novel would be nothing if it didn't work. And oh, does it work.
The other characters are strong as well. Plotina is a sort of foil to Domitian's empress: a wannabe kingmaker who is as mad as "Domitia" was cool, as well-treated by her (admittedly sexually uninterested) husband as "Domitia" was abused. Hadrian, a man Vix hates as soon as he sees him (at first due to petty jealousy and then, slowly, because of much deeper and more founded reasons) is one of those lovely Quinn antagonists who is very. slowly. unveiled. He doesn't walk onto the stage cackling, though you know from the freaking summary of the book that he's the "bad guy". Hell, Hadrian is recorded as one of the Good Emperors, and the book certainly gives an explanation for that as well. The one thing I will say is that I didn't completely buy Vix and Sabina's devotion to Trajan. I understood it more from Sabina, who spent so much personal time with the man. I couldn't get why this very obviously flawed man so captured Vix's attention. Then again, perhaps that's a part of what makes Vix so wonderfully flawed. He clings to the flaws of people like Sabina, and is blind to many others (including his own). But hey, he grows up.
We see a lot of returning favorites like Marcus and Calpurnia, and a few (nicer than the others I mentioned) new darlings like Titus and Faustina. I am biting my nails on that one. As for Mirah--as I said before, I'm not crazy about her relationship with Vix, though I think it is necessary and at times likable enough. (It seems a bit plot device-y, and sometimes it reminds me of the Michael/Apollonia marriage in The Godfather.) I also found Mirah herself incredibly frustrating in her lack of practicality. Her religious fervor is admirable, but made me want to shake her by the shoulders sometimes. And a lot of her traits made me imagine that she's meant to be the "good woman" next to Sabina's "bad woman". Not that Quinn views one or the other as either. But it's there, nonetheless.
That aside, Empress is a really, really great book. I loved it to pieces and am biting my nails until the next installment. (I need some kind of resolution to my Vix/Sabina relationship, though I can't imagine that it'll be good.)
Empress is exactly the kind of book that I've always wanted. It has everything I like: flawed main characters; Women Who Do Not Please; multi-dimensional villains; and long, drawn-out drama. Long live the love/hate relationship of Vix and Sabina. (I can't say the same of his marriage, which while realistic and appealing, made me grind my teeth. And that has nothing to do with my preference of the former pairing.)
Much of our story takes place from the perspective of Vix, son of Arius and Thea from Mistress. He is our hero, moreso even than his love interest and counterpart Sabina. Of course Vix is likable. We as readers are already sentimental about him due to his many adventures as a child in the previous book. But Vix is also deeply, deeply flawed. And I've got to say that I feel that a lot of reviewers seem to miss that when critiquing Sabina's every move and decision? Sabina's lack of effort and sacrifice in their relationship is constantly criticized; in fact, the pair are two of a kind. Just as Sabina chooses duty to Rome over Vix, so Vix consistently chooses duty to Rome over his lovers and loved ones and later his wife and children. No matter how happy Vix becomes with Mirah (and really, they aren't that happy because she deserves better treatment and he's too practical for someone so tied to her Jewish heritage and the symbolism in Masada) he will ultimately leave her for orders from Rome--and the sickly loving arms of Sabina, who is Rome. Vix constantly made decisions that kind of disgusted me. He's really quite the asshole, which sort of surprises me considering the kind of mother he has. But at the same time, he made decisions that I admired and I loved him for being him. He loves blindly and is distracted by the next shiny sparkly thing that catches his eye. His only consistent loves are Trajan (and Trajan is Rome) and Sabina, who he also hates (and don't forget, Sabina, too, is Rome).
Sabina is an even more complex character. And she's a complex female character! Who, thus far, hasn't been raped! She controls her sexuality and she weaponizes it and she does what she wants because she wants to! How much do I love that Sabina can be in love and still choose to do something other than follow that man wherever he goes? Sabina accepts that she loves Vix. She also accepts that she can't be with him the way he wants her to be, not just because it's not in her nature, but because she, like him, has other duties. (And how much do I love that Vix is incapable of seeing his own hypocrisy, just as a real person would be?) Their relationship is just captivating to read about because it is so obviously doomed and yet so obviously the most important relationship, platonic and romantic, in their lives. For all the action and plot that happen in this book (and do they happen) the key of it is character and that particular relationship. The novel would be nothing if it didn't work. And oh, does it work.
The other characters are strong as well. Plotina is a sort of foil to Domitian's empress: a wannabe kingmaker who is as mad as "Domitia" was cool, as well-treated by her (admittedly sexually uninterested) husband as "Domitia" was abused. Hadrian, a man Vix hates as soon as he sees him (at first due to petty jealousy and then, slowly, because of much deeper and more founded reasons) is one of those lovely Quinn antagonists who is very. slowly. unveiled. He doesn't walk onto the stage cackling, though you know from the freaking summary of the book that he's the "bad guy". Hell, Hadrian is recorded as one of the Good Emperors, and the book certainly gives an explanation for that as well. The one thing I will say is that I didn't completely buy Vix and Sabina's devotion to Trajan. I understood it more from Sabina, who spent so much personal time with the man. I couldn't get why this very obviously flawed man so captured Vix's attention. Then again, perhaps that's a part of what makes Vix so wonderfully flawed. He clings to the flaws of people like Sabina, and is blind to many others (including his own). But hey, he grows up.
We see a lot of returning favorites like Marcus and Calpurnia, and a few (nicer than the others I mentioned) new darlings like Titus and Faustina. I am biting my nails on that one. As for Mirah--as I said before, I'm not crazy about her relationship with Vix, though I think it is necessary and at times likable enough. (It seems a bit plot device-y, and sometimes it reminds me of the Michael/Apollonia marriage in The Godfather.) I also found Mirah herself incredibly frustrating in her lack of practicality. Her religious fervor is admirable, but made me want to shake her by the shoulders sometimes. And a lot of her traits made me imagine that she's meant to be the "good woman" next to Sabina's "bad woman". Not that Quinn views one or the other as either. But it's there, nonetheless.
That aside, Empress is a really, really great book. I loved it to pieces and am biting my nails until the next installment. (I need some kind of resolution to my Vix/Sabina relationship, though I can't imagine that it'll be good.)
lifebetweenwords's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a great series—solidifying my love for ancient HF. I love these characters! This one is not my favorite in the bunch, BUT, it ends on a cliffhanger so it almost can’t be judged without reading the fourth and final book in the series.
vanities's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book, love this author, I couldn't wait for this book & then I couldn't put it down. The ending is a tad disappointing but I know the next book will be just as good.
kcherry's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
raebooknerd's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
smpolisetti's review against another edition
5.0
Quinn's novels are never literally, but they are a damn good read. She consistently writes flawed, believable and human characters. Empress of the Seven Hills contains the best of them. When her protagonists are at their worst, I hate them. When they're at her best, I forgive their mistakes and root for them. Quinn handles the twists, turns and passage of time masterfully as well. I'm also impressed by how well researched the novels are. She paints a vivid and accurate picture of Ancient Rome. All in all, this series is such a delight. I've thoroughly enjoyed the books.
tanyarobinson's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a bit confused with Quinn's "Empress of Rome" series, because this third installment is a sort of sequel to #1, while the second book is completely separate. Whatever. That being said, I had a hard time getting involved in this story for awhile, but the second half was much better.
The biggest problem I had with Empress of the Seven Hills is that it dabbles in being historically based, in that many of its characters are real people, but ultimately resorts to fictionalizing everything. I believe if you're using historical people, you should be consistent with all available evidence, rather than invent lifelong lovers who have a huge influence on their thoughts and actions. I realize that this is a personal opinion of mine, but it greatly affected my enjoyment of this book.
3.5 stars.
The biggest problem I had with Empress of the Seven Hills is that it dabbles in being historically based, in that many of its characters are real people, but ultimately resorts to fictionalizing everything. I believe if you're using historical people, you should be consistent with all available evidence, rather than invent lifelong lovers who have a huge influence on their thoughts and actions. I realize that this is a personal opinion of mine, but it greatly affected my enjoyment of this book.
3.5 stars.
krisis86's review against another edition
4.0
Reader, beware. The ending of this book will stab you in the eye and giggle at your pain. Holy crud on a cracker.
I didn't even particularly like the characters. I wasn't interested in Vix while reading [b:Mistress of Rome|6581303|Mistress of Rome (The Empress of Rome, #1)|Kate Quinn|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1392172462s/6581303.jpg|6774744], and I didn't understand his decision to return to Rome at all. Vix kind of seems like a dingbat.
Dislike of fictional warriors aside, the book itself was very interesting. I was fascinated by all the goings-on and the plotting and treachery and holy crap the twisted ending of doom. Kate Quinn is a fantastic writer. I am bummed she hasn't written twenty more books for me to sink my teeth into, STAT.
I didn't even particularly like the characters. I wasn't interested in Vix while reading [b:Mistress of Rome|6581303|Mistress of Rome (The Empress of Rome, #1)|Kate Quinn|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1392172462s/6581303.jpg|6774744], and I didn't understand his decision to return to Rome at all. Vix kind of seems like a dingbat.
Dislike of fictional warriors aside, the book itself was very interesting. I was fascinated by all the goings-on and the plotting and treachery and holy crap the twisted ending of doom. Kate Quinn is a fantastic writer. I am bummed she hasn't written twenty more books for me to sink my teeth into, STAT.
amyetherington's review
5.0
Okay, I've waited a year for the release of this book. Two years really, considering it's a kind of sequel to Quinn's début 2010 novel, Mistress of Rome (which I loved). I've been hoping and praying since I'd heard about Empress... being written that it would match up to it's predecessors high standard. My God. This book is all kinds of awesome and gimme the next book now, please. Quinn is amazing - she has this genuine talent for writing historical fiction and the amazing ability to transport readers in to the brutal world that is Ancient Rome. It's vivid, enchanting, and it rocked my world.
I don't think you can help but love Vix. He was a favourite character of mine in Mistress of Rome, so cheeky and adventurous so it was wonderful to find out how his story continued. Sabina too of course, another character I'd been previously acquainted with. I loved how Sabina and Vix's story intertwined, and how she managed to soften Vix's character whenever they met. I felt they were the perfect balance for one another, even if their relationship did at times border on love/hate, particularly on Vix's part. I always felt they had one another's back, and despite differences and years going by that they always both cared for one another.
There was such an interesting blend of characters in this novel, and it was certainly nice to see other familiar names. Marcus Norbanus for one, whom has made an appearance in all three of the Rome books and someone I have a genuine soft spot for. Empress Marcella made a brief appearance, a character I found I rather liked by the end of Mistress... and of course Emperor Trajan. This is one of the reasons I love Quinn's books so much- the development of characters throughout the novels leaves you adoring them so much that you can't help but feel pleased when they reappear in another story. That doesn't of course mean there is no room left in my heart for newcomers, because I adored the socks off Titus. There's something so cute and clumsy about him that you can't help but love him, and his friendship with Vix borders on bromance. I practically punched the air when Titus had the guts to lay in to that scheming bitch Plotina. I was all "YOU GO TITUS!" in my inner monologue. As Sabina said, is there really no one more perfectly named than her? Plotting Plotina.
When I compare this novel to Mistress..., Plotina is a very different antagonist to Lepida. Apart from the odd rage, Plotina is a lot calmer and prefers to cause havoc more quietly and in a sense, more respectably. I felt everything was psychologically determined with Plotina, whereas Lepida was more about the physical. Having vast circles of lovers and going about things very openly, because she of course always wanted to be centre of attention. Plotina I felt was a more intellectual antagonist, whereas Lepida knew how to cause havoc by simply batting her eyelashes. Different, but both wonderfully evil.
The final paragraph of the novel left what I believe to be more than a hint that there was going to be a sequel to Empress... I wouldn't complain, let's say I'd be pretty okay with it and I'll just sit patiently and wait and see...
This is one of the fall backs of following an author from the beginning: you have to wait a year for the release of each new book. Seriously, I feel like I'm a 13 year old again waiting for the release of the next Harry Potter book.
Kate Quinn, I'm a loyal fan. Please continue the Rome series in the near future! Vix's final line of the story certainly sounded promising. Damn, what a gripping cliffhanger and a beauty of a book.
I don't think you can help but love Vix. He was a favourite character of mine in Mistress of Rome, so cheeky and adventurous so it was wonderful to find out how his story continued. Sabina too of course, another character I'd been previously acquainted with. I loved how Sabina and Vix's story intertwined, and how she managed to soften Vix's character whenever they met. I felt they were the perfect balance for one another, even if their relationship did at times border on love/hate, particularly on Vix's part. I always felt they had one another's back, and despite differences and years going by that they always both cared for one another.
There was such an interesting blend of characters in this novel, and it was certainly nice to see other familiar names. Marcus Norbanus for one, whom has made an appearance in all three of the Rome books and someone I have a genuine soft spot for. Empress Marcella made a brief appearance, a character I found I rather liked by the end of Mistress... and of course Emperor Trajan. This is one of the reasons I love Quinn's books so much- the development of characters throughout the novels leaves you adoring them so much that you can't help but feel pleased when they reappear in another story. That doesn't of course mean there is no room left in my heart for newcomers, because I adored the socks off Titus. There's something so cute and clumsy about him that you can't help but love him, and his friendship with Vix borders on bromance. I practically punched the air when Titus had the guts to lay in to that scheming bitch Plotina. I was all "YOU GO TITUS!" in my inner monologue. As Sabina said, is there really no one more perfectly named than her? Plotting Plotina.
When I compare this novel to Mistress..., Plotina is a very different antagonist to Lepida. Apart from the odd rage, Plotina is a lot calmer and prefers to cause havoc more quietly and in a sense, more respectably. I felt everything was psychologically determined with Plotina, whereas Lepida was more about the physical. Having vast circles of lovers and going about things very openly, because she of course always wanted to be centre of attention. Plotina I felt was a more intellectual antagonist, whereas Lepida knew how to cause havoc by simply batting her eyelashes. Different, but both wonderfully evil.
The final paragraph of the novel left what I believe to be more than a hint that there was going to be a sequel to Empress... I wouldn't complain, let's say I'd be pretty okay with it and I'll just sit patiently and wait and see...
This is one of the fall backs of following an author from the beginning: you have to wait a year for the release of each new book. Seriously, I feel like I'm a 13 year old again waiting for the release of the next Harry Potter book.
Kate Quinn, I'm a loyal fan. Please continue the Rome series in the near future! Vix's final line of the story certainly sounded promising. Damn, what a gripping cliffhanger and a beauty of a book.
little_miss_darkness's review against another edition
5.0
I love how the author didn't shy away from portraying one of the most powerful Roman Emperors as openly homosexual.
A thrilling tale of an Emperor, a senator's daughter and a former gladiator-turned-soldier.
A thrilling tale of an Emperor, a senator's daughter and a former gladiator-turned-soldier.