Mark Jamilkowski's Blog

A New Standard for Historical Fiction Rome and India collide in an epic narrative Power, prophecy, and identity brilliantly entwined Mark Jamilkowski’s Mask of Romulus arrives at a moment when historical fiction is enjoying a renaissance, yet few novels in recent memory have so confidently bridged the gap between scholarly rigor and narrative propulsion. This is a work that not only reimagines the rise of Augustus but also dares to entwine the destinies of Rome and India, offering a...

Hello! Today we are meeting Mark Jamilkowski, an entrepreneur and an author, about his new book, Mask of Romulus. Mark, tell us a bit about yourself. Hi! My name is Mark Jamilkowski. I am a resident of New York City, a father and husband, with personal passions that inform and shape my literary style, including music, photography, cooking, and games of strategy. I am also a co-founder of a healthcare focused start-up. Being a founder of a healthcare start-up and being an author are very...

Filled with tension, cultural wonder, and mythic echoes Immersive and Elegant A rewarding and memorable read F eels fresh, ambitious, and meaningful In Mask of Romulus, Mark Jamilkowski stitches together the worlds of Rome and India with a precision that feels both unexpected and deeply immersive. The novel unfolds as a grand tapestry of historical fiction filled with tension, cultural wonder, and mythic echoes, drawing the reader in with its vivid detail and emotional richness. Set in the...

A strong piece of writing A [historic], strong addition to the epic genre An emotional, and spiritual journey Gives voices to individuals who have become mythic On the heels of Gladiator II, and before Christopher Nolan’s epic The Odyssey is unveiled in movie theaters on July 17, 2026, comes Mark Jamilkowski’s newest novel Mask of Romulus, a historical addition to a genre that never seems to lose its footing, whether it be represented on the silver screen or on the printed page. What makes...

A dense and cinematic journey that turns history into living, breathing drama Deeply emotional Builds toward something larger Hits deep ... there’s real heart here For fans of The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff or The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni For readers who want something immersive, thoughtful, and full of heart. Mask of Romulus, by Mark Jamilkowski, is a sweeping historical novel that bridges the grandeur of Rome with the mysticism of ancient India. The...

A dense and cinematic journey that turns history into living, breathing drama Deeply emotional Builds toward something larger Hits deep ... there’s real heart here For fans of The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff or The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni Mask of Romulus, by Mark Jamilkowski, is a sweeping historical novel that bridges the grandeur of Rome with the mysticism of ancient India. The story begins with the rise of Augustus and stretches across continents,...

"Mask of Romulus" is an ambitious fusion of grand historical narrative with intimate character study A significant work 4.5 / 5.0" "Mask of Romulus" by Mark Jamilkowski is a work of historical fiction set in the 1st century BC that weaves together the stories of two prominent figures from the ancient world: grand nephew of Julius Caesar- Imperator Caesar Augustus formerly known as Octavian and Kamala, the oracle and seer of Ujjain India whose visions are said to have led her to the courts of...

Mask of Romulus bridges scholarship and storytelling in a way that makes ancient history pulse again Sustains tension despite the familiarity of the topic Feels surprisingly modern and global Will appeal to fans of Conn Iggulden, Robert Graves, or Mary Beard Mark Jamilkowski’s Mask of Romulus hit me like the cinematic epic I didn’t know historical fiction could still deliver. From the first chapter, where nine-year-old Caius Octavius fights bullies on the Tiber’s banks, it’s clear this isn’t...

Deeply satisfying and compelling Intimate and tender humanizing of [historical] icons Combines cinematic vividness with classical restraint The kind of historical fiction that rewards a slow, contemplative reading Few historical novels manage to balance authenticity and imagination as deftly as Mark Jamilkowski’s Mask of Romulus. As a fan of Roman political history, I approached this book warily, expecting the usual dramatized distortions. Instead, I found a narrative both meticulously...

Extensively researched and compelling narrative A core strength is the difficulty to tell fact from fiction Elements of this [narrative... will] draw any reader’s attention Will resonate with lovers of historical fiction, especially Roman Empire period The assassination of Julius Caesar presented an opportunity that Octavian hadn’t envisioned. Caesar had left a majority of his wealth to Octavian. With this and support from Cicero, Octavian was elected consul at the age of 19—and would go on...