Review of MISTRESS OF ROME BY KATE QUINN
MISTRESS OF ROME BY KATE QUINN
What a wild twisting ride! The history major in me is screaming! Oh goodness, how this satisfied my brain. Something to note is that I went to school with an emphasis on antiquity and I volunteered, until recently (#covid-19) as a tour guide for a museum that focuses on antiquity as well. So my interest in this historical fiction is great. I loved every minute of this story from the twist and turns that happened at ever chapter, you really don't see anything coming in the best way possible. Quinn took factual historical points and breathes such a compelling story that had you rooting, gasping, and crying with every character. I really found myself on the edge of my seat (bed?) hoping that a character will survive. It's been a while since I read a truly good historical fiction and this did not disappoint. I will definitely be completing the series.
This book is a multi-character read but our main focus is centered around Thea, a young Jewish slave in the "greatest city" Rome during the 1st century. She has a nasty mistress Lepida who is the same age, but for the most part, Thea is in a good situation (as good as a slave can expect). When romance comes knocking everything Thea was changes and a series of events spin out. Spanning over almost two decades and gallons upon gallons of blood spilled, will Thea get a happy ending? Will Lepida? Paulinus? Arius? Domitian? Will anyone? Kate Quinn will have you guessing the entire book. This story is filled with so much drama you might think it's a soap opera rather than a creative novel based on very real events. But that's Roman history for you!
I have tons of quotes that I loved from this book but here are two that I feel like don't give any plot detail away!
This book is a multi-character read but our main focus is centered around Thea, a young Jewish slave in the "greatest city" Rome during the 1st century. She has a nasty mistress Lepida who is the same age, but for the most part, Thea is in a good situation (as good as a slave can expect). When romance comes knocking everything Thea was changes and a series of events spin out. Spanning over almost two decades and gallons upon gallons of blood spilled, will Thea get a happy ending? Will Lepida? Paulinus? Arius? Domitian? Will anyone? Kate Quinn will have you guessing the entire book. This story is filled with so much drama you might think it's a soap opera rather than a creative novel based on very real events. But that's Roman history for you!I have tons of quotes that I loved from this book but here are two that I feel like don't give any plot detail away!
"He was just, because I'd know all along that to love a man more than God is to play with fire." pg 160
"Hatred had always been the other side of the coin that was desire." page 320
Some questions to think about with your book club or just yourself!
- What do you think motivates each character? (Revenge, love, money, power, etc?)
- What was the real villain of this story? (Time, morals, class, etc?)
- In the middle of the book, there is a reunion, why do you think the author decided to exclude the POV of the involved characters? Do you think it served as a more powerful moment? (You will know what moment I talking about when you get to it!)
- Vix is such a character, do you think his attitude helped or hindered him?
Thanks for stopping in! You can definitely look forward to more reviews on this series as soon as they come in the mail! Hope you enjoy the book!
-MDB
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