Empress of Rome by Kate Quinn (Headline Review)

Vix comes to Rome from the far-flung provinces, determined to find fortune and a more exciting destiny in the world’s most powerful city.

Instead he meets Sabina, the headstrong daughter of a senator, and the sparks fly between them immediately.

Divided by an almost uncrossable social chasm, they share an unshakeable devotion to Emperor Trajan - although not to his scheming Empress, whose only desire is to see her protégée Hadrian rise to the top.

Part of her plan is to marry Sabina off to Hadrian, but even this marriage won’t keep Sabina from her twin aims: to see the world, and follow her heart.

She is a pleasingly complex character – no wilting, acquiescent chattel, she is nevertheless influenced and driven by the ambition of her family.

Vix, on the other hand, is manly and loyal, but becomes cynical and toughened by his years as a soldier.

With a flair for romance and a colloquial twist that makes her historical setting very accessible for modern audiences, it’s no wonder Kate Quinn has a passionate following.

Sure to find favour with fans of the Philippa Gregory genre, this offers a light read that won’t disappoint when it comes to historical detail about the lives of a Roman army on the move and the women who are its camp followers.

The Empress of Rome is as sweeping and romantic as any lover of historical romance could wish.

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