Author: Debra May Macleod
Series: The Vesta Shadows
Narrator: Esther Wane
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Publication Date: March 29, 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction
The Plot
Ever since Pomponia joined the Vestal Order, she has closely witnessed various political conspiracies, assassination attempts, and the rise of the Roman Empire. But since she became Vestalis Maxima, Pomponia has not been a mere spectator anymore but has actively involved herself in the politics of Rome, which has earned her the respect of Emperor Augustus Caesar and the people of Rome. However, she also ends up making enemies while doing the same. Despite being in an influential position, it doesn’t secure her safety, as one vengeful enemy elevates himself to a powerful position as he mingles and makes connections with the royals and elites of Rome to overthrow her.
The Vestal Order too finds itself dealing with an unexpected crisis that risks the lives of all the Vestal Priestesses, including Pomponia. As she finds herself surrounded by threats, she relies on the loyalty of her slaves and a rebel charioteer, who together seek revenge from their mutual enemy. She becomes more merciless, which questions her own conscience, to ensure the safety of herself and those around her, especially her protégé Quintina. But as dark secrets are unveiled, Pomponia is ultimately confronted for her actions.
My Thoughts
Empire of Iron finally concludes The Vesta Shadows Trilogy. I have been eager to read this book for some time now, so when I finally started reading it, I found myself so engrossed that I finished it in no time. The story remains intriguing, just like the previous books (Brides of Rome and To Be Wolves), and the unexpected plot twists make it not only an entertaining historical drama but also an engaging political thriller as well.
Pomponia’s life has reached a point where she has to fight back and destroy her enemies or get killed by them. The weight of her duty and its constant stress are finally beginning to take a toll on her. She has become desperate, and as time passes, her patience is waning. She is compelled to make a choice where she has to sacrifice the lives of those who have been loyal to her. There will be moments when her actions seem questionable yet understandable given the circumstances. She endures a lot in her journey, but no matter what, she never gives up without a fight.
As for the story, I loved the way the author wove the storylines of different characters and connected them to each other. Livia is constantly scheming against her husband, Augustus Caesar, and is willing to go to any length to secure her son Tiberius’ future as the only heir of the Emperor. But I was particularly curious to learn more about Soren and his background, as he holds a strong grudge against Pomponia, which never made sense to me. However, as the series reaches its conclusion, the author makes sure to give us a reasonable explanation and tie up all the loose ends.
This trilogy focused on a significant time period in the history of Rome that covered the journey of Vestal Priestess Pomponia and the rule of Augustus Caesar. Now that I have finished reading it, it feels like the end of an era. I’m really going to miss Pomponia and her spirit. Her journey was truly inspiring, but at the same time, it made me realize how unfair life was for women back then, irrespective of the background they came from. But unfortunately, that’s the reality of those times, which the author has realistically portrayed in the book. To sum up, I will say the book exceeded my expectations, and I highly recommend you check out this trilogy.
TW: animal abuse, death, gore and violence, physical and mental torture, slavery, women abuse.
| 5/5 ★★★★★ | Get “Empire of Iron” now! |
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