Mistress of Rome: 1 (Empress of Rome)

**"Mistress of Rome"** by Kate Quinn is a captivating historical saga set in first-century Rome that intricately depicts the life of Thea, a resilient young woman whose fate becomes intertwined with the empire’s most powerful figures. Captured from Judaea and sold into slavery, Thea is initially at the mercy of her jealous mistress, Lepida Pollia. Behind her facade of a submissive slave, she conceals a fierce determination and a remarkable talent for music that could change her destiny. When she falls in love with a formidable gladiator, her dreams seem within reach until her mistress’s jealousy shatters their happiness, leaving Thea to navigate the treacherous waters of Roman society alone.As Thea transforms herself into a celebrated singer for the elite, she draws the attention of none other than the Emperor, a dangerous admirer whose desires threaten her newfound independence. Quinn expertly weaves themes of ambition, love, and survival against the backdrop of a vividly portrayed Roman world filled with intrigue and betrayal. With stakes escalating as various factions conspire against the Emperor, Thea’s story morphs into a thrilling tale of resilience where one woman holds the power to shape the course of the empire. **"Mistress of Rome"** is a mesmerizing debut that entices readers with rich historical detail and unforgettable characters, making it a must-read for fans of historical fiction and romance.

Love all Kate Quinn writes but particularly enjoyed this series. You run through so many emotions: laughing out loud, crying your eyes out in sadness, gasping in surprise, clenching your teeth in anger or annoyance, curiosity about history. I was balling my eyes out on a plane home with my family...no one noticed, not sure if that is good or bad. haha

A visit to Rome inspired me to read this book and I honestly could not put it down. Fabulous story intertwined with fact and fiction. Not my usual read but loved it.

Kate Quinn had already turned me into a true believer of her storytelling with her spy/wartime novels; her Siberian (soviet-era) pilot girl is one of the most enticing women I have ever found in literature.As I have read many of the best historical fiction books about Greece and Rome --think Mary Renault or McCullough, for example--, I was a bit wary of adventuring myself on the Rome of "another" writer that might disillusion me. Wrong: Kate Quinn has again shown her mastery in the Empress of Rome series -- which I have devoured in a blissful binge I can recommend to all and sundry!

Very entertaining, nice mix of characters, can get a little gory at times. Mix of seduction, love story, violence...overall entertaining.