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jhbandcats's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If my 8th grade Ancient History class had featured this instead of the dull textbook, I’d remember more about this period than just learning the vocabulary word “triumvirate.” Instead, no. I remember dates: 800, 1066, 1215, and not much else.
The author brings this period to life from the very first page, showing us the intelligent and inquisitive teenage Livia as she overhears plans of Julius Caesar’s assassination. Soon there’s civil war, factions fighting, regrouping, then more fighting with Roman pitted against Roman.
All is told in the first person by Livia as she endures an arranged marriage, loses her parents in the wars, and comes to marry her love Octavianus. She is always a voice of reason who advocates peace and mercy as Octavianus sets off on campaign after campaign, coming home bloody and wounded each time. The wars are, as wars everywhere, a result of politics and differing views of what constitutes the best government and rulers.
Much of this deals with the complexities of Roman politics. The author deftly describes situations and motivations so clearly that I understood it all, and I would ordinarily find it all bewildering. As is plain from my first sentence, I have learned far more history since I left school. Why aren’t students taught with these history books?
The author brings this period to life from the very first page, showing us the intelligent and inquisitive teenage Livia as she overhears plans of Julius Caesar’s assassination. Soon there’s civil war, factions fighting, regrouping, then more fighting with Roman pitted against Roman.
All is told in the first person by Livia as she endures an arranged marriage, loses her parents in the wars, and comes to marry her love Octavianus. She is always a voice of reason who advocates peace and mercy as Octavianus sets off on campaign after campaign, coming home bloody and wounded each time. The wars are, as wars everywhere, a result of politics and differing views of what constitutes the best government and rulers.
Much of this deals with the complexities of Roman politics. The author deftly describes situations and motivations so clearly that I understood it all, and I would ordinarily find it all bewildering. As is plain from my first sentence, I have learned far more history since I left school. Why aren’t students taught with these history books?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Gore, Slavery, Grief, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, War, Abandonment, Animal death, Blood, Classism, Infidelity, Suicide, and Violence
ashhearddwrites's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Suicide, and Murder
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