Six days into the new year and I have finished one book and started the second. I chose Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn for the prompt, “set in an ancient civilization.” This is the second  Quinn book that I have read.  Much like her other book, The Phoenix Crown,  that was the California book in last year’s challenge, Quinn spends a lot of time building the setting and characterization early in her book.  As a result, the first 40% of the book is a little slow. However, after that, the action gets going, and I was surprised by one particular character’s role in the over-arching story. It’s not a totally HEA book though. Tragedy and fate have their ways with a few characters.

This novel gets 4 stars for me. I liked the protagonist and wanted her to find a path to the life she deserved.  There were also characters who were unlikable, and when some got their just rewards, I was not sad.  If we are talking spice, this is a 5 jalapeno book because of consent issues. Consider this a trigger warning. It also gets 3 red balloons because there are violent events that one might expect in a book set in ancient Rome.  (If you want to know more about my rating systems, see previous post.)

Here’s what Goodreads has to say about this book, “First-century Rome: A ruthless emperor watches over all–and fixes his gaze on one young woman…

Thea is a slave girl from Judaea, purchased as a toy for the spiteful heiress Lepida Pollia. Now she has infuriated her mistress by capturing the attention of Rome’s newest and most savage gladiator–and though his love brings Thea the first happiness of her life, their affair ends quickly when a jealous Lepida tears them apart.

Remaking herself as a singer for Rome’s aristocrats, Thea unwittingly attracts another admirer: the charismatic Emperor of Rome. But the passions of an all-powerful man come with a heavy price, and Thea finds herself fighting for both her soul and her sanity. Many have tried to destroy the Emperor: a vengeful gladiator, an upright senator, a tormented soldier, a Vestal Virgin. But in the end, the life of Domitian lies in the hands of one woman: the Emperor’s mistress.”

I would recommend this book if you are up for something a little intense but with a romantic story that will leave you feeling good (for the most part).