Scan barcode
gillothen's review against another edition
4.0
Good fun, and with lots of intriguing detail about actual political conspiracies during Domitian's reign. Cameo references to the older generation, too.
judenoseinabook's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Another Roman romp with Flavia Albia. Interesting story but the plotters all got a bit jumbled up in my head especially as several had similar names.
knightwood's review against another edition
2.0
A book which I have only read because I want to finish my reading goal of this year... No real connection with the protagonist Flavia Albia. In my opinion way too much explaining of things which do not always matter. The only thing I must comment to the writer is that the accuracy as to when the time is set is quite well researched!
laurel_e's review against another edition
3.0
I am the biggest Lindsey Davis fan there is, but I feel that she dropped the ball on this one. Too much history, too little interaction between Albia and her male partner.
I've read the author's comments that an ongoing problem with the Falco series was contriving ways to get Helena involved, since women had so little power in imperial Rome. Presumably that's why she launched this second series with a female detective. Great. So why, then, did she marry Albia off in the fourth novel, so that again, Davis now had to contrive a way to keep Albia's husband Tiberius out of the action? (Struck by lightning? Seriously?)
Anyway, this series started off strongly. I hope that in future novels, Lindsey focuses more on Albia's relationships and less on historical exposition.
I've read the author's comments that an ongoing problem with the Falco series was contriving ways to get Helena involved, since women had so little power in imperial Rome. Presumably that's why she launched this second series with a female detective. Great. So why, then, did she marry Albia off in the fourth novel, so that again, Davis now had to contrive a way to keep Albia's husband Tiberius out of the action? (Struck by lightning? Seriously?)
Anyway, this series started off strongly. I hope that in future novels, Lindsey focuses more on Albia's relationships and less on historical exposition.
tome15's review against another edition
4.0
Like all Davis novels, this one is cleverly plotted, and it teaches you a little history on the sly. I am a fan of Flavia Albia.
tessaf's review against another edition
2.0
Not sure if this is just because I went from reading the series in audiobook to physical format, but I didn't enjoy this one as much as the previous books.
avidreadergirl1's review against another edition
4.0
Great book! This starts right were the previous book left us as Faustus had been hit by lightning. Once again, Flavia Albia saved the day while her eadile of a husband is getting back on his feet.
veronica87's review against another edition
3.0
It's Rome 89 A.D., just three days after the end of the previous book which saw Flavia Albia wed Tiberius Manlius Faustus, the man she loves. Of course the groom just happened to get struck by lightning on his wedding day so he's still not feeling 100%. This is a source of worry for Albia who is also faced with the task of setting up a new household. Then, to top things off, she soon finds herself drawn into the frustrating and dangerous world of imperial palace politics, a place she never wanted to be, but when the stability of the government (already a train wreck in Albia's eyes) is at stake there isn't much choice.
This book had more history on the politics of ancient Rome's dealings with neighboring countries/provinces than previous books. Since I'm not very knowledgeable about this particular time period I found myself losing the story thread at times. I also felt the loss of Faustus who was understandably less active this time around. The combination of these two things made this not my favorite book in the series. Still, Albia's wit is ever present and that's always fun.
This book had more history on the politics of ancient Rome's dealings with neighboring countries/provinces than previous books. Since I'm not very knowledgeable about this particular time period I found myself losing the story thread at times. I also felt the loss of Faustus who was understandably less active this time around. The combination of these two things made this not my favorite book in the series. Still, Albia's wit is ever present and that's always fun.
rhodered's review
3.0
Simultaneously loved it and was bored. The problem in this one is way too many characters and too much backstory. I couldn’t relax into the story easily.
The backstory became ridiculous after awhile, with the author inventing increasingly tortured reasons for characters to be telling each other histories of various regions that anyone in that time would have already known. (At one point the reason was mansplaining, which at least gave me a laugh.)
As for the characters, many are drop-ins from past books in the series, ranging from slaves to extended family members to spies, politicians and musicians. Others are new, including yet more slaves, spies, foreigners (and their extended households), musicians, soldiers, torturers, poisoners, emperors, etc. I love how full Rome feels, but it’s too many people to keep track of and I can’t imagine how anyone new to the series could handle it.
But then this is Lindsey Davis. Even at her worst, she shines. The way she details people’s foibles.... over the years her cynically humorous worldview has very much influenced my own IRL. (Especially every time I have the workmen in to do a bit of renovation.)
Plus, yet again, she uses Flavia Albia’s gender to show us a side of Rome Falco could never see — the woman’s perspective. This book feels very current in that awareness. Flavia deals with near continual sexual harassment for example, while a talented female assassin is infuriated by the glass ceiling.
If you are a fan of the series, you’ll enjoy this despite its flaws, mainly a story that stumbles to pull you in, because it’s Lindsey Davis and Flavia Albia and they’re a good deal more than most books have got.
The backstory became ridiculous after awhile, with the author inventing increasingly tortured reasons for characters to be telling each other histories of various regions that anyone in that time would have already known. (At one point the reason was mansplaining, which at least gave me a laugh.)
As for the characters, many are drop-ins from past books in the series, ranging from slaves to extended family members to spies, politicians and musicians. Others are new, including yet more slaves, spies, foreigners (and their extended households), musicians, soldiers, torturers, poisoners, emperors, etc. I love how full Rome feels, but it’s too many people to keep track of and I can’t imagine how anyone new to the series could handle it.
But then this is Lindsey Davis. Even at her worst, she shines. The way she details people’s foibles.... over the years her cynically humorous worldview has very much influenced my own IRL. (Especially every time I have the workmen in to do a bit of renovation.)
Plus, yet again, she uses Flavia Albia’s gender to show us a side of Rome Falco could never see — the woman’s perspective. This book feels very current in that awareness. Flavia deals with near continual sexual harassment for example, while a talented female assassin is infuriated by the glass ceiling.
If you are a fan of the series, you’ll enjoy this despite its flaws, mainly a story that stumbles to pull you in, because it’s Lindsey Davis and Flavia Albia and they’re a good deal more than most books have got.