The Vesta Shadows is a historical fiction trilogy written by Debra May Macleod that is set against the backdrop of ancient Rome, spanning from 45 BCE to 14 CE. It covers a significant time period of Roman history where we not only witness the foundation of the Roman Empire being laid by Octavian, a.k.a. Augustus Caesar, but also learn about the role of the Vestal Priestesses in the politics of Rome.
Who were the Vestal Virgins?
Vestal Virgins were priestesses of Vesta who took a 30-year vow of chastity to serve Vesta (the Goddess of Home and Hearth). Once upon a time, the holy flame burning in the temple of Vesta was symbolic of the eternal existence of Rome. The priestesses who served the goddess were selected at an early age, and when they completed their service, they were free to marry if they wished to. But when a priestess was found guilty of breaking her sacred vow, she faced cruel punishment by being buried alive.
To learn more about the Vestal Virgins and their history, check out this article written by Debra May Macleod.
Pomponia thanked the goddess for making her a priestess and freeing her from the obligation to marry. As a Vestal, she would step down from the order, if she so wished, with wealth, property, and privilege. As a Vestal, even a retired one, she would never be forced to marry a man she didn’t want to, nor would she ever be subordinate to a husband’s will or whims.
The Vesta Shadows Trilogy
The Vesta Shadows Trilogy follows the story of Vestal priestess Pomponia Occia during times when Rome transitions from Republic to Empire. Her character, though fictional, is inspired by two real-life Vestal priestesses who served during that period of time. At the beginning of the series, Pomponia is a 17-year-old Vestal who is being prepared to become Chief Vestal as Rome enters the Augustan Age. When the time comes, the priestess steps into her new role and emerges to be a major power player amongst the likes of Caesar, Augustus, Antony, Cleopatra, and Livia.
Book 1: Brides of Rome
Brides of Rome introduces us to Pomponia Occia, a young priestess of Vesta. As the story begins, we learn about the events that unfolded after the assassination of Julius Caesar and the havoc it created among the people of Rome. When Octavian establishes himself as the emperor of Rome, we also see Pomponia rising to power. Both Octavian and Pomponia have formed a camaraderie for their mutual benefit and for the welfare and betterment of Rome. But as her friendship with the emperor strengthens, it often gets threatened by her enemies, who are hungry to gain power and bring her down. On the other hand, the story also deals with Pomponia’s conflicting emotions towards her lover. However, their forbidden romance isn’t the central focus of the story; rather, it focuses on the consequences of their actions. The first book certainly sets a solid foundation for the rest of the series.
Check out my spoiler-free review of Brides of Rome to learn more.
Book 2: To Be Wolves
The second book, To Be Wolves, gets even better and darker than before. Emperor Augustus faces a crisis as he falls sick when contagion affects the city of Rome. He finds himself in a tough situation as he deliberates who will be the next emperor of Rome after him. As Chief Vestal Virgin, Pomponia continues to fulfill her duties. But someone holding a grudge against her begins to create obstacles in her path. With the future of Rome at stake, she needs to stay alert now more than ever to potential threats, but she must act on time and seize every possible opportunity to beat the odds.
Check out my spoiler-free review of To Be Wolves to learn more.
Book 3: Empire of Iron
In Empire of Iron, Pomponia finds herself doomed as her mortal enemy succeeds in gaining more power by associating with the elites of Rome. Meanwhile, the Vestal Order finds itself dealing with an unexpected crisis, for which Pomponia is held accountable. With most of her loved ones now dead, she finds herself completely alone. But she has the support of her loyal slaves, who are willing to sacrifice their lives to protect her. As the series reaches its epic finale, Pomponia must ultimately become more ruthless against her foes to protect the Vestal Order and the lives of all Vestal priestesses under her tutelage.
Check out my spoiler-free review of Empire of Iron to learn more.
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Conclusion
For many years, I have been fascinated with ancient Rome and have always wanted to read books in this setting. So when I came across The Vesta Shadows, it was an impulsive decision to check it out, and I must say it was incredible! Although the series revolves around the Vestal Virgins and their influence over the politics of Rome, it also focuses on the journeys of other characters (both fictional and real-life figures) from time to time. Despite being familiar with the famous historical events that followed, I was curious to know about the circumstances that led to those events in this series. All the books in this trilogy have a compelling storyline with a strong female protagonist steering the history of Rome in a world where men possessed all the power.
If you enjoy reading historical fiction and love morally gray characters, I would recommend you check out these books. (Make sure to read the trigger warnings below.) The author has done meticulous research for her writings. Her books breathe life into famous historical figures, and presenting the story from the viewpoint of Vestals gives readers a fresh perspective. Her vivid descriptions will transport you back in time to the majestic yet brutal world of ancient Rome.
Shout-out to Esther Wane, who has done a marvelous job narrating the audiobooks for this series. I had a great time listening to them.
TW: animal abuse, brutality, death, gore and violence, sexual abuse, slavery, suicide, torture, women abuse.
About the author
Debra May Macleod is the author of historical fiction novels based on ancient Rome, with the Vestal Virgins playing a pivotal role in them. She has also published non-fiction books. Currently, she lives in Canada and often travels to Italy for research. She holds a B.A. in English and a Juris Doctor.
Check out the author’s website by clicking on the link below.
| 4/5 ★★★★☆ | Get “Brides of Rome” now! |
| 5/5 ★★★★★ | Get “To Be Wolves” now! |
| 5/5 ★★★★★ | Get “Empire of Iron” now! |
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