Synopses & Reviews
Where Theodora went, trouble followed
.
In sixth-century Constantinople, one woman, Theodora, defied every convention and all the odds and rose from common theater tart to empress of a great kingdom, the most powerful woman the Roman Empire would ever know. The woman whose image was later immortalized in glittering mosaic was a scrappy, clever, conniving, flesh-and-blood woman full of sensuality and spirit whose real story is as surprising as any ever told
.
After her father dies suddenly, Theodora and her sisters face starvation and a life on the streets. Determined to survive, Theodora makes a living any way she canfirst on her back with every man who will have her, then on the stage in a scandalous dramatization of her own invention. When her daring performance grants her a backdoor entry into the halls of power, she seizes the chance to win a wealthy protectoronly to face heartbreak and betrayal.
Ever resilient, Theodora rises above such trials and, by a twist of fate, meets her most passionate admirer yet: the emperors nephew. She thrives as his confidant and courtesan, but many challenges lie ahead. For one day this man will hand her a crown. And all the empire will wonderis she bold enough, shrewd enough, and strong enough to keep it?
READERS GUIDE INCLUDED
Review
“What a great book...One of the best things I’ve read in months and months.”—
Diana Gabaldon “Sheer entertainment…page-turning storytelling…well worth reading.”—Library Journal
“Unique and compelling.”—John Shors, author of Beneath a Marble Sky
“Stunning…a novel that is both literary and a page-turner.”—Margaret George, author of Elizabeth I
Review
“Stephanie Thorntons Theodora is tough and intelligent, spitting defiance against the cruel world of the Byzantine Empire. Her rise from street urchin to emperors consort made me want to stand up and cheer. Her later years as empress are great fun to read, but it was her early struggle as actress and courtesan that really had me roaring: either with rage at the misfortunes heaped on this poor girl, or with delight as she once more picked herself up with a steely glint in her eye and kept on going.”—Kate Quinn, author of
Empress of the Seven Hills
"Loss, ambition and lust keep this rich story moving at top speed. Stephanie Thornton writes a remarkable first novel that brings a little known woman to full, vibrant life...A sprawling and irresistible story."—Jeane Westin, author of The Spymaster's Daughter
Review
and#8220;A masterful storyteller.and#8221; and#8212;Margaret George
The novels of Kate Quinn areand#8230;
and#8220;Full of great characters.and#8221;and#8212;Diana Gabaldon, #1 New York Times bestselling author
and#8220;Epic, sexy.and#8221;and#8212;Publishers Weekly (starred review)
and#8220;Deeply passionate.and#8221;and#8212;Kate Furnivall, author of The White Pearl
and#8220;A riveting plunge into an ancient world.and#8221;and#8212;C. W. Gortner, author of The Queenand#8217;s Vow
Review
Praise for Kate Quinn and her novels:
and#8220;A riveting plunge into an ancient world.and#8221;and#8212;C. W. Gortner
and#8220;No other author brings history alive like Quinn.and#8221;and#8212;Michelle Moran
and#8220;Equal parts intrigue and drama, action and good old-fashioned storytelling.and#8221;and#8212;John Shors
and#8220;A masterful storyteller.and#8221;and#8212;Margaret Georgeand#160;
and#160;
Review
“A soap opera of biblical proportions . . . [Quinn] juggles protagonists with ease and nicely traces the evolution of Marcella—her most compelling character—from innocuous historian to manipulator. Readers will become thoroughly immersed in this chaotic period of Roman history.”—
Publishers Weekly
“Touches on every factor during this time: politics, war, extravagant parties, greed, and love. I definitely would recommend this book to those who love ancient Rome.”—All Things Historical Fiction
“Daughters of Rome has an appealing symmetry—the succession of four emperors, the alternating narratives of the four cousins—and strikes an authentic balance between poetic justice and harsh reality. . . . This second book stands on its own two feet, and offers a compelling experience of one of the most turbulent years of the Roman Empire.”—Historical Novel Society
“A fascinating view of four women during the year of the four emperors. . . . Regardless of whether you already have an interest in Roman history, Daughters of Rome will fascinate you from beginning to end.”—BookLoons
“Quinn elegantly captures the Ancient Roman world and the collective undercurrent of panic felt by the populace during the ‘Year of Four Emperors. Her characters are alluring and her understanding of Ancient Rome insightful.”—Luxury Reading
“The two sisters are fascinating protagonists . . . Ancient historical fiction fans will enjoy this intriguing look at the disorderly first year after Neros death.”—Midwest Book Review
Review
Kate Quinnand#8217;s Empress of Rome saga isand#8230; and#160;
and#8220;Gorgeously wrought.and#8221;and#8212; C. W. Gortner, author of The Queenand#8217;s Vow
and#160;
and#8220;Deeply passionate.and#8221;and#8212;Kate Furnivall, author of Shadows on the Nile
and#160;
and#8220;[An] epic, sexy romp.and#8221;and#8212;Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Synopsis
A.D. 69. The Roman Empire is up for the taking. The Year of Four Emperors will change everything-especially the lives of two sisters with a very personal stake in the outcome. Elegant and ambitious, Cornelia embodies the essence of the perfect Roman wife. She lives to one day see her loyal husband as Emperor. Her sister Marcella is more aloof, content to witness history rather than make it. But when a bloody coup turns their world upside-down, both women must maneuver carefully just to stay alive. As Cornelia tries to pick up the pieces of her shattered dreams, Marcella discovers a hidden talent for influencing the most powerful men in Rome. In the end, though, there can only be one Emperor...and one Empress.
Synopsis
A fast-paced historical novel about two women with the power to sway an empire, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Alice Network.
A.D. 69. The Roman Empire is up for the taking. Everything will change--especially the lives of two sisters with a very personal stake in the outcome.
Elegant and ambitious, Cornelia embodies the essence of the perfect Roman wife. She lives to one day see her loyal husband as Emperor. Her sister Marcella is more aloof, content to witness history rather than make it. But when a bloody coup turns their world upside-down, both women must maneuver carefully just to stay alive. As Cornelia tries to pick up the pieces of her shattered dreams, Marcella discovers a hidden talent for influencing the most powerful men in Rome. In the end, though, there can only be one Emperor...and one Empress.
Synopsis
A fast-paced historical novel about two women with the power to sway an empire, from the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Alice Network and The Diamond Eye.
A.D. 69. The Roman Empire is up for the taking. Everything will change--especially the lives of two sisters with a very personal stake in the outcome.
Elegant and ambitious, Cornelia embodies the essence of the perfect Roman wife. She lives to one day see her loyal husband as Emperor. Her sister Marcella is more aloof, content to witness history rather than make it. But when a bloody coup turns their world upside-down, both women must maneuver carefully just to stay alive. As Cornelia tries to pick up the pieces of her shattered dreams, Marcella discovers a hidden talent for influencing the most powerful men in Rome. In the end, though, there can only be one Emperor...and one Empress.
Synopsis
First-century Rome: a world of depravity, blood, and secrets. The ruthless and enigmatic Emperor Domitian watches over all—and fixes his gaze on one humble 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.
Synopsis
More information to be announced soon on this forthcoming title from Penguin USA.
Synopsis
One powerful family holds a city, a faith, and a woman in its graspand#151;from the national bestselling author of Daughters of Rome and Mistress of Rome.
Rome, 1492. The Holy City is drenched with blood and teeming with secrets. A pope lies dying and the throne of God is left vacant, a prize awarded only to the most virtuousand#151;or the most ruthless. The Borgia family begins its legendary rise, chronicled by an innocent girl who finds herself drawn into their dangerous weband#133;
Vivacious Giulia Farnese has floor-length golden hair and the world at her feet: beauty, wealth, and a handsome young husband. But she is stunned to discover that her glittering marriage is a sham, and she is to be given as a concubine to the ruthless, charismatic Cardinal Borgia: Spaniard, sensualist, candidate for Popeand#151;and passionately in love with her.
Two trusted companions will follow her into the Pope's shadowy harem: Leonello, a cynical bodyguard bent on bloody revenge against a mysterious killer, and Carmelina, a fiery cook with a past full of secrets. But as corruption thickens in the Vatican and the enemies begin to circle, Giulia and her friends will need all their wits to survive in the world of the Borgias.
Synopsis
First-century Rome: a world of depravity, blood, and secrets. The ruthless and enigmatic Emperor Domitian watches over all—and fixes his gaze on one humble 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.
Synopsis
From the national bestselling author of The Serpent and the Pearl comes the continuing saga of the ruthless family that holds all of Rome in its grasp, and the three outsiders thrust into their twisted web of blood and deceit . . .
As the cherished concubine of the Borgia Pope Alexander VI, Giulia Farnese has Rome at her feet. But after narrowly escaping a sinister captor, she realizes that the danger she faces is far from overand#151;and now, it threatens from within. The Holy City of Rome is still under Alexanderand#8217;s thrall, but enemies of the Borgias are starting to circle. In need of trusted allies, Giulia turns to her sharp-tongued bodyguard, Leonello, and her fiery cook and confidante, Carmelina.
Caught in the deadly world of the Renaissanceand#8217;s most notorious family, Giulia, Leonello, and Carmelina must decide if they will flee the dangerous dream of power. But as the shadows of murder and corruption rise through the Vatican, they must learn who to trust when every face wears a mask . . .
Synopsis
Elegant, secretive Sabina may be Empress of Rome, but she still stands poised on a knifeand#8217;s edge. She must keep the peace between two deadly enemies: her husband Hadrian, Romeand#8217;s brilliant and sinister Emperor; and battered warrior Vix, who is her first love. But Sabina is guardian of a deadly secret: Vixand#8217;s beautiful son Antinous has become the Emperorand#8217;s latest obsession.
Empress and Emperor, father and son will spin in a deadly dance of passion, betrayal, conspiracy, and war. As tragedy sends Hadrian spiraling into madness, Vix and Sabina form a last desperate pact to save the Empire. But ultimately, the fate of Rome lies with an untried girl, a spirited redhead who may just be the next Lady of the Eternal City . . .
About the Author
Kate Quinn is a native of Southern California. She attended Boston University, where she earned a bachelorand#8217;s and masterand#8217;s degree in classical voice. A lifelong history buff, she first got hooked on ancient Rome while watching I, Claudius at the age of eight. Her first three novels, Mistress of Rome, Daughters of Rome, and Empress of the Seven Hills, have been translated into multiple languages. She is also the author of two novels about the Borgia family, The Serpent and the Pearl and The Lion and the Rose. Kate lives in Maryland with her husband and is currently at work on her next novel.and#160;