Author: Debra May Macleod
Series: The Vesta Shadows
Narrator: Esther Wane
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
First Publication Date: August 6, 2015
Genre: Historical Fiction
The Plot
Brides of Rome is a gripping tale set in the world of ancient Rome. The Vestal Virgins are priestesses of Vesta who were entrusted with the task of protecting the eternal flame. The sacred flame symbolized that the Eternal City of Rome is protected. The priestesses take a dedicated vow of chastity for 30 years. But if any of the priestesses are found guilty of breaking their sacred vow, they face severe punishment by being buried alive in the “Evil Field.”
Pomponia is a priestess of Vesta who has taken a vow of chastity and has always been faithful in fulfilling her duties. However, she is conflicted as her feelings for a man she has known since her childhood grow stronger as time passes. Meanwhile, a political drama unfolds after the assassination of Julius Caesar, whose consequences will change the future of Rome and alter the course of her life.
My Thoughts
Brides of Rome is the first book in The Vesta Shadows Trilogy, which tells the story of the rise of the Roman Empire from the point of view of vestal virgin Pomponia Occia. As her story begins, we get introduced to women from different backgrounds in Rome and learn of the challenges they face to survive and live in a patriarchal society. The journey of these women reminded me of the women from Game of Thrones.
Cleopatra and Livia are fierce and ambitious women who might not come across as very likeable characters due to their actions. But I couldn’t help but feel a bit of sympathy for them when they showed their vulnerable side on a few occasions. As their names got immortalized in history, Medousa, a slave, represented the voice of countless women whose names were forgotten with the passage of time. For me, her bond with Pomponia was the most beautiful aspect of this book.
Speaking of the protagonist, I loved Pomponia, and it was nice to learn about the priestesses of Vesta and their influence in the politics of Rome from her perspective. Over the years, she only becomes wiser and stronger as a person, but her feelings for Quintus make her helpless at times. As a reader, I was anxious thinking about the consequences she would face if anyone found out her secret. I have become quite fond of her character, and I look forward to reading about her journey as she gradually rises to power in the books that follow.
Overall, the political drama was engaging, and the climax was good, but it slightly fell short of being epic. Still, it was an enjoyable and enlightening read, and I was thrilled to see famous historical figures like Julius Caesar, Antony, Cleopatra, Octavian, and Livia coming to life through this book.
TW: death, suicide, violence, women abuse.
Note
If you are not familiar with the Vestal Virgins and some important events that followed after Julius Caesar’s assassination, I would suggest you learn about them at a basic level. A lot of historical events are mentioned in this book, but the author has taken creative liberty in the interpretation of the way those events unfold.
| 4/5 ★★★★☆ | Get “Brides of Rome” now! |
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