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The Empress of Rome #2
Daughters of Rome
This sweeping, powerful epic tells the story of one of the bloodiest years in Rome's history through the eyes of two remarkable women fighting for survival
A.D. 69. The Roman Empire is up for the taking. The Year of the 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 manoeuvre 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.
A.D. 69. The Roman Empire is up for the taking. The Year of the 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 manoeuvre 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.
404 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2011
1261 people are currently reading
18083 people want to read
About the author
Kate Quinn
30 books40.7k followers--I use Goodreads to track and rate my current reading. Most of my reads are 4 stars, meaning I enjoyed it hugely and would absolutely recommend. 5 stars is blew-my-socks-off; reserved for rare reads. 3 stars is "enjoyed it, but something fell a bit short." I very rarely rate lower because I DNF books I'm not enjoying, and don't rate books I don't finish.--
Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of southern California, she attended Boston University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. She has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in the Italian Renaissance, before turning to the 20th century with “The Alice Network”, “The Huntress,” "The Rose Code," "The Diamond Eye," and "The Briar Club." She is also a co-author in several collaborative novels including "The Phoenix Crown" with Janie Chang and "Ribbons of Scarlet" with Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, Eliza Knight, Sophie Perinot, and Heather Webb. All have been translated into multiple languages. Kate and her husband now live in Maryland with their two rescue dogs.
Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of southern California, she attended Boston University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. She has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in the Italian Renaissance, before turning to the 20th century with “The Alice Network”, “The Huntress,” "The Rose Code," "The Diamond Eye," and "The Briar Club." She is also a co-author in several collaborative novels including "The Phoenix Crown" with Janie Chang and "Ribbons of Scarlet" with Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, Eliza Knight, Sophie Perinot, and Heather Webb. All have been translated into multiple languages. Kate and her husband now live in Maryland with their two rescue dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 945 reviews
May 3, 2011
I must admit, I'm a sucker for almost anything set in ancient Rome. The tumult, the marble, the breastplates, the decadence - it all fascinates me. And when I started reading Kate Quinn's DAUGHTERS OF ROME, I expected to be drawn right in; after all, it doesn't take much for me.
What I did not expect to be as enthralled as I am; not only does Ms Quinn's second novel (her first is the bestselling MISTRESS OF ROME) brim with witty dialogue and marvelous descriptions, but her four women protagonists - cousins, all, and each immersed in the deadly struggles of the epoch known as the Year of the Four Emperors - are vivid, true to their time, yet very much identifiable to us. It's sexy, transporting, addictive fiction. Highly recommended!
What I did not expect to be as enthralled as I am; not only does Ms Quinn's second novel (her first is the bestselling MISTRESS OF ROME) brim with witty dialogue and marvelous descriptions, but her four women protagonists - cousins, all, and each immersed in the deadly struggles of the epoch known as the Year of the Four Emperors - are vivid, true to their time, yet very much identifiable to us. It's sexy, transporting, addictive fiction. Highly recommended!
February 5, 2023
This wasn't my cup of tea. For being historical fiction, it was very light. This isn't particularly a bad thing for me, but it felt so cheesy and cheap. It felt like 'National Enquirer' for this time period. That didn't work for me. The words "slut" and "whore" were completely overused. It was like an episode of the Jerry Springer show. These 'historical' women felt way too contemporary (with their attitudes and speech) for this time period. They could have been teleported from the world today.
This was a miss for me. So 2 stars.
This was a miss for me. So 2 stars.
July 6, 2015
As I expected, this was a great read. I simply couldn't put it down, it got me hooked at the opening line and I really enjoyed every minute of reading this amazing book. I liked everything about Daughters of Rome, just as I liked everything about Mistress of Rome.
Daughters of Rome is a wonderful mix of well-developed characters, very interesting plot, historical events in ''The Year of Four Emperors'', political intrigue, romance, fights, great descriptions of life in ancient Rome and really, really good writing. It goes on my favorite shelf, right next to Mistress of Rome.
(I must confess that I liked Mistress a little more than Daughters, but just a little :)
While following the story of four Cornelias (which was exciting), it was nice to renew my knowledge of Roman history and to learn and take mental notes about details such as clothes, interior of the houses, very interesting food selection and eating habits and many other small sections of life in ancient Rome.
All the emperors I learned about in History class back in school are not just names anymore and Daughters of Rome made them more real, more alive to me.
Noone in this book is flawless, and that makes it easier to be aware that most of the characters really existed so many years ago and that events that took place really happened.
This is a story about real people who are neither just good or just bad, but only human. I really liked that.
To those who were not fortunate in real life (like centurion Densus and Llyn), Kate Quinn gave another chance for life and she did a great job doing it. I wish their reality was more like the one she gave them in this book instead of what really happened to them.
Kate Quinn is a wonderful author and after two of her books I know I can't go wrong with her. I can't wait to put my hands on her next book, Empress of the Seven Hills.
5 stars!
September 4, 2012
I read this after reading Lindsey Davis's wonderful book, The Course of Honor, which covers similar territory. Compared to that book this one was just okay.
The author is a good story teller--after the first few chapters which seemed dull and left me wondering what the book was going to be about. But the real problem for me was how anachronistic so much of it felt.
The characters' language is full of very recent slang--slang that if you read it in a contemporary novel would define a character as having grown up in the late 1990s and suggest that they watched certain popular TV shows. It pulled me right out of the story when it came out of the mouths of ancient roman matrons.
The interpersonal dynamics of the characters were even more difficult to believe. The only "love" relationships in the story develop entirely on the basis of animalistic sex. There is almost no conversation and precious little interaction of any other type between the upperclass women and the men of much lower status they lust for.
The plotline built around the chariot racing cousin is totally unbelievable and since it plays such a major role in the story I had a lot of trouble suspending my disbelief.
I'm glad to see a book about Ancient Rome doing so well in the marketplace. But reading it, I felt more like I was watching Real Housewives of Ancient Rome than time traveling into the Rome I've come to know by reading Lindsey Davis, Gillian Bradshaw, and Colleen McCullough (novel goddesses all of them. If you haven't read their Roman books yet you are in for a treat!)
UPDATE: I read the other two books in this series which were both brilliant. Don't let the quality of this book keep you from reading the rest.
The author is a good story teller--after the first few chapters which seemed dull and left me wondering what the book was going to be about. But the real problem for me was how anachronistic so much of it felt.
The characters' language is full of very recent slang--slang that if you read it in a contemporary novel would define a character as having grown up in the late 1990s and suggest that they watched certain popular TV shows. It pulled me right out of the story when it came out of the mouths of ancient roman matrons.
The interpersonal dynamics of the characters were even more difficult to believe. The only "love" relationships in the story develop entirely on the basis of animalistic sex. There is almost no conversation and precious little interaction of any other type between the upperclass women and the men of much lower status they lust for.
The plotline built around the chariot racing cousin is totally unbelievable and since it plays such a major role in the story I had a lot of trouble suspending my disbelief.
I'm glad to see a book about Ancient Rome doing so well in the marketplace. But reading it, I felt more like I was watching Real Housewives of Ancient Rome than time traveling into the Rome I've come to know by reading Lindsey Davis, Gillian Bradshaw, and Colleen McCullough (novel goddesses all of them. If you haven't read their Roman books yet you are in for a treat!)
UPDATE: I read the other two books in this series which were both brilliant. Don't let the quality of this book keep you from reading the rest.
June 10, 2022
I absolutely loved Mistress of Rome, but Daughters of Rome is actually my favorite novel by Kate Quinn. None of the characters are what they initially seem, and of course, Quinn is a master at writing amazing villains. The details in this book, set during the tumultuous "Year of the Four Emperors" meant that I could see and smell ancient Rome as it might have been. While the story focuses on perfect Cornelia and aloof Marcella, my favorites among the women were poor Lollia--always married off to the next influential man--and especially Diana, the carefree girl who loves chariot races and makes some surprising sacrifices.
This one kept me flipping pages long into the night--a wonderful prequel to Mistress of Rome!
This one kept me flipping pages long into the night--a wonderful prequel to Mistress of Rome!
July 19, 2017
How does one remain strong when the world and the life that you have built falls apart around you? Daughters of Rome answered this question in the simplest way possible; one just keeps on living. In the "Year of the Four Emperors in Ancient Rome" it would appear that the turmoil was a constant factor of life, but the four main characters in this book; Cornelia, Marcella, Lollia and Diana not only overcome adversity but prove themselves in their own unique way that they are strong women who will not be silenced or held back. As the reader you are placed in the head of these four women as Kate Quinn switches protagonists expertly making this turbulent period come alive. Rich in detail not just about the politics of the day but also about the food, architecture, sports, entertainment and daily etiquette, this book grabbed my attention from the beginning and held it to the very end.
What I found most interesting was the character development of each of the four women. I found my self empathizing with all of them and at times switching which among the four women I liked the best. I think out of all of them I was most affected by Cornelia and Lollia. Their stories resonated with me as being the most real for the time period, especially the idea of romantic relationships and what was expected of a woman in ancient Rome. After finishing this book I even went and read up on the four emperors as well as some of the other characters that were in this book, and then I ordered the next two books in the series from Amazon! I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in ancient history, intrigue, love or relationships.
What I found most interesting was the character development of each of the four women. I found my self empathizing with all of them and at times switching which among the four women I liked the best. I think out of all of them I was most affected by Cornelia and Lollia. Their stories resonated with me as being the most real for the time period, especially the idea of romantic relationships and what was expected of a woman in ancient Rome. After finishing this book I even went and read up on the four emperors as well as some of the other characters that were in this book, and then I ordered the next two books in the series from Amazon! I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in ancient history, intrigue, love or relationships.
March 13, 2024
Роман за жени. В смисъл - написан от жена, с главни героини жени (цели 4 броя), за читателки жени с вкус към древния Рим. Много леко, увлекателно и сладко поднесено.
Четири млади римлянки във времената на тримата императори в течение на по-малко от десетилетие. Палава хедонистка, традиционалистка, историчка, спортистка. На една от тях е съдено да стане императрица, докато другата се е подготвяла за трона, за да види очакванията си на прах. Две остават вдовици, две се развеждат, две си хващат любовник, две кроят интриги срещу настоящия император, а една печели конни надбягвания. И ако сметката не излиза със само четири героини, то всичко е точно - просто събитията се струпват накуп често при една и съща кандидатка.
Много хумор, драма, точно предаден исторически фон. Фонът хич не е за подценяване - Куин описва историческата въртележка за периода с пестелива точност и акцент. Роби, гладиатори, аристократи, плебеи, преторианци, императори населяват пъстрия свят на Кейт Куин, и нито за момент не оставят читателката (защото книгата наистина не е за читатели) да се отпусне и да и доскучае, а трима императори са си трима императори!
Четири млади римлянки във времената на тримата императори в течение на по-малко от десетилетие. Палава хедонистка, традиционалистка, историчка, спортистка. На една от тях е съдено да стане императрица, докато другата се е подготвяла за трона, за да види очакванията си на прах. Две остават вдовици, две се развеждат, две си хващат любовник, две кроят интриги срещу настоящия император, а една печели конни надбягвания. И ако сметката не излиза със само четири героини, то всичко е точно - просто събитията се струпват накуп често при една и съща кандидатка.
Много хумор, драма, точно предаден исторически фон. Фонът хич не е за подценяване - Куин описва историческата въртележка за периода с пестелива точност и акцент. Роби, гладиатори, аристократи, плебеи, преторианци, императори населяват пъстрия свят на Кейт Куин, и нито за момент не оставят читателката (защото книгата наистина не е за читатели) да се отпусне и да и доскучае, а трима императори са си трима императори!
August 7, 2014
I read Kate Quinn's debut, Mistress of Rome, last year and found it an extremely enjoyable read, so I'd been looking forward to her follow-up ever since and snapped it up as soon as it was released. Daughters of Rome is based on real events (in this case the Year of Four Emperors), but unlike Mistress, which had one central character, it takes a more sweeping, politically orientated view of the time it depicts, with the focus on four cousins who become entangled in these events. These women are Cornelia, a devoted wife with ambitions to become the next Empress; Marcella, a scheming writer who records the lives of the emperors and becomes increasingly preoccupied with making history; Lollia, a rich, party-loving heiress who nevertheless has the biggest heart of all the cousins; and Diana, who is young and beautiful but cares for nothing but horses, racing and her dream of becoming a charioteer.
The book was as exciting, involving and action-packed as I expected. It races along at a cracking pace, taking in everything from secret affairs, decadent banquets and true love to war, suicide and political intrigue. As I know little about the era, I can't comment on how accurate Quinn's portrayal of Rome in AD 69 actually is, but it certainly feels very well-researched and is full of entertaining details; many of the characters are embellished versions of real-life historical figures, which certainly adds interest. There's plenty of sex and violence, but the characters are well-developed too and you really come to care about what happens to them. Only Diana seems a bit two-dimensional - is anyone actually this obsessed with horses?! - but she gets a great ending, and Lollia in particular progresses wonderfully from a seemingly unpleasant spoilt girl to a warm, delightful character.
If you liked the author's debut, you will LOVE this book. Some of the characters overlap, and there are bits of foreshadowing which will be enjoyable for anyone who's read Mistress (it made me want to go back and read it again immediately!) I did miss having a variety of narrative voices - I'm kind of surprised at the absence of this, as the author pulled it off so well in her first book - but perhaps it would have been confusing in a story with four main characters. I also didn't think Marcella really deserved her fate and felt quite sorry for her in the end, however meddlesome she may have been! However, overall I think Daughters has the edge over its predecessor; it feels more accomplished and less like something destined mainly for the chick-lit end of the market.
In a word, this book is JUICY. This is historical fiction, but never dry or boring; it's also romantic and full of action, but never comes off like poorly written genre rubbish. Quinn's books are huge fun to read and I am already looking forward to the next. (As an added bonus, at the time of writing I am about to set off for a holiday in Rome, and enjoying this story has really whetted my appetite for exploring the city and its history!)
The book was as exciting, involving and action-packed as I expected. It races along at a cracking pace, taking in everything from secret affairs, decadent banquets and true love to war, suicide and political intrigue. As I know little about the era, I can't comment on how accurate Quinn's portrayal of Rome in AD 69 actually is, but it certainly feels very well-researched and is full of entertaining details; many of the characters are embellished versions of real-life historical figures, which certainly adds interest. There's plenty of sex and violence, but the characters are well-developed too and you really come to care about what happens to them. Only Diana seems a bit two-dimensional - is anyone actually this obsessed with horses?! - but she gets a great ending, and Lollia in particular progresses wonderfully from a seemingly unpleasant spoilt girl to a warm, delightful character.
If you liked the author's debut, you will LOVE this book. Some of the characters overlap, and there are bits of foreshadowing which will be enjoyable for anyone who's read Mistress (it made me want to go back and read it again immediately!) I did miss having a variety of narrative voices - I'm kind of surprised at the absence of this, as the author pulled it off so well in her first book - but perhaps it would have been confusing in a story with four main characters. I also didn't think Marcella really deserved her fate and felt quite sorry for her in the end, however meddlesome she may have been! However, overall I think Daughters has the edge over its predecessor; it feels more accomplished and less like something destined mainly for the chick-lit end of the market.
In a word, this book is JUICY. This is historical fiction, but never dry or boring; it's also romantic and full of action, but never comes off like poorly written genre rubbish. Quinn's books are huge fun to read and I am already looking forward to the next. (As an added bonus, at the time of writing I am about to set off for a holiday in Rome, and enjoying this story has really whetted my appetite for exploring the city and its history!)
April 4, 2011
Won as a Goodreads First Read. First off, I was a history major, so I love fiction based in ancient history. This novel does a great job of immersing the reader in the nuances of daily Roman life without coming across as grandstanding (I hate when authors throw nifty facts at me for the sake of showing off their research skills). The casual references to menu, dress and customs are seamlessly incorporated into the flow of the narrative and don't feel forced at all.
Quinn maintains an energetic pace with a detailed plot full of suspense; I constantly wanted to flip the page to find out what happened next. Basically, four female relatives, called the Cornelias, try to survive one of the most turbulent years in Roman history (Year of 4 Emperors). To do so, each one follows a different path. While the four heroines share a name and a (largely) patrician family history, they are not carbon copies of each other and are fleshed out with vibrant personalities and singular coping mechanisms. All four of them undergo changes to their outlooks on life, love and duty. It was a fascinating journey to watch how Rome's upheaval affected each of their destinies, desires and personalities.
The only cons to the book are more a reflection of my personal tastes (i.e., my laziness as a reader) than of the writer's skill. I like the point of view to be utterly clear. This book's narrative flows around the four Cornelias, sometimes switching POV from one paragraph to the next. I'm getting old, because I find it exhausting to have to stop and think about which voice I'm reading now. A related issue is the writer's tendency to jump time frames. I'd have to stop, go back and re-read a passage to figure out that the 2 or 3 conversations portrayed actually took place at different times. Again, that's my personal preference; I'm too lazy to enjoy intellectually challenging narrative styles.
Overall, I'd recommend if you like historical fiction that offers a slice-of-life perspective of an era, have a fondness for Roman times or like to read about strong women battling for their place in the world with whatever tools society allows them. And if you like gorgeous, golden Gaul body slaves, well, that's an added bonus.
Quinn maintains an energetic pace with a detailed plot full of suspense; I constantly wanted to flip the page to find out what happened next. Basically, four female relatives, called the Cornelias, try to survive one of the most turbulent years in Roman history (Year of 4 Emperors). To do so, each one follows a different path. While the four heroines share a name and a (largely) patrician family history, they are not carbon copies of each other and are fleshed out with vibrant personalities and singular coping mechanisms. All four of them undergo changes to their outlooks on life, love and duty. It was a fascinating journey to watch how Rome's upheaval affected each of their destinies, desires and personalities.
The only cons to the book are more a reflection of my personal tastes (i.e., my laziness as a reader) than of the writer's skill. I like the point of view to be utterly clear. This book's narrative flows around the four Cornelias, sometimes switching POV from one paragraph to the next. I'm getting old, because I find it exhausting to have to stop and think about which voice I'm reading now. A related issue is the writer's tendency to jump time frames. I'd have to stop, go back and re-read a passage to figure out that the 2 or 3 conversations portrayed actually took place at different times. Again, that's my personal preference; I'm too lazy to enjoy intellectually challenging narrative styles.
Overall, I'd recommend if you like historical fiction that offers a slice-of-life perspective of an era, have a fondness for Roman times or like to read about strong women battling for their place in the world with whatever tools society allows them. And if you like gorgeous, golden Gaul body slaves, well, that's an added bonus.
August 6, 2023
Some of you know, that Kate Quinn is my author of the year for 2023. Having read and loved just about all of her more recent novels, I wanted to look back into her Canon of works. This Rome series is her debut as an author. And I have the delight of getting to share the series with my PBT friend, consummate reader, and consummate historical fiction reader, Hannah. Hannah and I decided long ago, and again just before starting the book, that although Mistress of Rome is listed as #1 in the series on Goodreads, that is is Daughters of Rome that is first. And this turned out to be correct, although Goodreads does not list it right. But, Mistress of Rome is her first book that she wrote, and that appears to be next or soon in the queue.
I liked it. I liked the opening, and how that played out through the book. This was set in the time where there were four emperors in under a year, and the plot is devised around four close cousins, two sisters and two more cousins, who grew up as a tight foursome. With 11 husbands eventually weaving between the four of them, and each and all flirting with the potential to be Empress, and marrying into the vying sides, this was a complicated and intriguing tale. And all four daughters, named Cornelia, known together as the Cornellii,
As often is the case with first books, it isn't her best work, but displays some of her great writing style and flourish. In my opinion, she is getting better and better, and I look forward to the Phoenix Crown. I had the opportunity to meet her in an online book group for the Diamond Eye, and I just loved her. Like other authors we love, she takes someone from obscurity in history and raises her potential story. Like our author, our four women were feminists of the time, in a time when women held absolutely no power. Even then, these women were each brazen in their own way, sometimes, even by choosing love, instead of the power alliance marriages that were arranged for them. I do think I am going to enjoy the series. Kate Quinn was a great author to pick.
I liked it. I liked the opening, and how that played out through the book. This was set in the time where there were four emperors in under a year, and the plot is devised around four close cousins, two sisters and two more cousins, who grew up as a tight foursome. With 11 husbands eventually weaving between the four of them, and each and all flirting with the potential to be Empress, and marrying into the vying sides, this was a complicated and intriguing tale. And all four daughters, named Cornelia, known together as the Cornellii,
As often is the case with first books, it isn't her best work, but displays some of her great writing style and flourish. In my opinion, she is getting better and better, and I look forward to the Phoenix Crown. I had the opportunity to meet her in an online book group for the Diamond Eye, and I just loved her. Like other authors we love, she takes someone from obscurity in history and raises her potential story. Like our author, our four women were feminists of the time, in a time when women held absolutely no power. Even then, these women were each brazen in their own way, sometimes, even by choosing love, instead of the power alliance marriages that were arranged for them. I do think I am going to enjoy the series. Kate Quinn was a great author to pick.
March 30, 2012
Another great and well researched read by Kate Quinn. I did find this one a little hard to get into at first, but what things got rolling it picks up! It is set again in Rome, about 20 or so years ahead of Mistress of Rome, and involving many of the character we meet there, and setting up different events and experiences. It's placed in a tumultuous period of Roman history where in a 12 month period 4 emperors came into power, with 3 loosing their life in the struggle.
Again we're greeted with a spattering of well placed, carefully groomed characters that are both actual, factual historical figures and fictional creations, but the perfectly fleshed out imitations are hard to flush out. We follow 4 cousins from the clan Corneliaii (all named Cornealia, but with nicknames for clarity), out of them one pair are full sisters. While the sisters are the more prominent characters, we hear from everyone with regularity, that combined with their differences of personality and interests gives us a much broader view of The Year of Four Emperors.
The settings are equally as lush and well described as the characters are well rounded, you can tell the amazing research that was put into the writing of both Kate Quinn's novels.
The only issues I had at certain points, is the way the grils (who start out so close) act towards each other. There are different things that happen throughout the novel, love, war, death, marriage, divorce and wild life styles. But at somethings I just did not understand how they reacted. There were times that in my mind what two girls had done was practically the same in 'not greatness' and yet the latter of the girls they stopped talking to, wanted nothing to do with her.
I would recommend Kate's novels to anyone and everyone who loves historical fiction or Ancient Rome, they're great and sometimes the characters are so real, they can annoy you like real people!!
Definitly a good read. This is a prequel to Mistress of Rome (which did come out first) but you can read either book as a stand alone with out the other, though it does round out a more clearer vision of Roman life through a generation or two.
Again we're greeted with a spattering of well placed, carefully groomed characters that are both actual, factual historical figures and fictional creations, but the perfectly fleshed out imitations are hard to flush out. We follow 4 cousins from the clan Corneliaii (all named Cornealia, but with nicknames for clarity), out of them one pair are full sisters. While the sisters are the more prominent characters, we hear from everyone with regularity, that combined with their differences of personality and interests gives us a much broader view of The Year of Four Emperors.
The settings are equally as lush and well described as the characters are well rounded, you can tell the amazing research that was put into the writing of both Kate Quinn's novels.
The only issues I had at certain points, is the way the grils (who start out so close) act towards each other. There are different things that happen throughout the novel, love, war, death, marriage, divorce and wild life styles. But at somethings I just did not understand how they reacted. There were times that in my mind what two girls had done was practically the same in 'not greatness' and yet the latter of the girls they stopped talking to, wanted nothing to do with her.
I would recommend Kate's novels to anyone and everyone who loves historical fiction or Ancient Rome, they're great and sometimes the characters are so real, they can annoy you like real people!!
Definitly a good read. This is a prequel to Mistress of Rome (which did come out first) but you can read either book as a stand alone with out the other, though it does round out a more clearer vision of Roman life through a generation or two.
October 28, 2011
I have had Kate Quinn’s debut novel, Mistress of Rome, on my to-read shelf since January 2010! And I totally forgot about it—this is why I love my to-read shelf. I don’t remember how I learned about it, so it’s serendipitous that I found Daughters of Rome, which has whet my appetite even more for Mistress. I saw this book on the “New Books” shelf at my library and decided to “give it a chance”. That’s a code phrase for “I’m not really sure I’ll enjoy this, but it is within my sphere of interest”—in this case, fiction set in ancient Rome. Rome, like Tudor England, is a setting for which I have some affinity—in particular, I like the Roman Empire in its early years. So Daughters of Rome went home with me. The title and some of its packaging make it seem like it’s aiming at the romance audience, or at least at whoever decided “chick lit” is a viable genre label. Don’t be fooled: Daughters of Rome is 100% grade-A straight up historical fiction, and it is awesome.
I have a friend who is a classics/archaeology expert, my go-to Rome expert, and who has also read this book. And I said to her, “I can see why you liked this book. The women are lascivious, but in a self-possessed way, not merely in a way that involves words like turgid….” Yeah, there are romantic aspects to this book (some of which are my least favourite things about it), but the four female main characters pursue these relationships for their own reasons, not merely because they are there for a male lead or leads to conquer. Roman patrician (upper class) women were subject to the will of the paterfamilias, or male family head of the household—but as Quinn demonstrates, they often found interesting ways to subvert or rebel against such rule.
Daughters of Rome is set during the tumultous Year of the Four Emperors, and Quinn sensibly divides the book into sections covering each emperor’s reign. Following Nero’s death in AD 68, the Senate put Galba on the throne. But after Galba chooses Cornelia’s husband as his heir, Senator Otho successfully carries off a coup, killing Galba and Cornelia’s husband and seizing the throne for himself. Cornelia is grief-stricken and even, at one point, suicidal. Her cousin Lollia, who has had a revolving door of marriages made by her grandfather for their advantage, finds herself divorced—again—and married to Otho’s odious right-hand man. Marcella, Cornelia’s sister, undergoes a metamorphosis from writer of histories to chronicler of history to a shadowy manipulator of history. Finally, my favourite, Diana: another cousin who eschews political machinations for an obsession with the chariot races, their horses, and a radical lack of giving a shit. She is a honey badger, and it is awesome.
Quinn sets herself an ambitious task. Not only does she have four main characters, but she tells their story in less than 400 pages. Some authors write thousand-page epics following two or three characters, and they still don’t pull it off. Somehow Quinn manages to create four different women who all have their own obsessions, foibles, and goals. Together they give us an excellent picture of the diversity among a single patrician family in the Roman Empire, all set against the backdrop of the tremendous political change happening in Rome.
And if political intrigue is your thing, then Daughters of Rome delivers on that too. In general, all four sisters are very aware of the tension in Rome following Galba’s assassination. Associated as they were with his heir, they worry about their status under Otho—hence Lollia’s hasty remarriage. This pattern repeats itself when Vitellius takes the throne, and so on with Vespasian. As the tides turn, all of Rome scrambles to find favour, and this family is no exception.
Marcella’s plot follows her awakening, if you will, as she realizes the inadvertent role she might have played in the deaths of two emperors. This motivates her to plot the downfall of a third and fourth. She becomes very withdrawn and almost secretive, and watching her hubris and subsequent fall is simultaneously one of the most satisfying and most tragic parts of this book. I loved that Diana, whom Marcella dismisses as “stupid but observant”, is the one who connects all the dots for her cousins when it comes to Marcella’s actions. I loved the conversation Marcella has with Marcus Norbanus, who earlier in the book implied some interest in her and her scholarly endeavours. He essentially rejects any notion of further association with her, saying outright, “I find I don’t like you anymore.” That change perfectly captures Marcella’s turn toward the dark side.
Cornelia dabbles in political plotting as well, determined to obtain revenge for Otho’s role in her husband’s death. However, she eventually becomes focused on a new lover. I kind of wish Quinn didn’t go for the “patrician girl falls for the centurion” story, because it seems trite and clichéd. Indeed, there isn’t much I can say in favour of this particular plot. I recognize that Quinn is placing Cornelia in a situation that her former self would have condemned for its lack of propriety. But this consumes her character so completely that it’s difficult not to describe it as anything other than the “romance” label I so emphatically discarded earlier in this review. Daughters of Rome is a complex book, and I think it will appeal to different people for many different reasons.
I haven’t said much about Lollia. She’s a source of those “romance novel” vibes as well, because Quinn describes her sexual affairs and proclivities in great detail. However, it’s not all fun and games. There is a heartfelt moment where we learn that Lollia trusts her grandfather, a former slave who has risen to a position of wealth, above all else, and she tolerates the way he manages her marriages because she knows he has always acted like it’s “them against the world”. Lollia and Marcella’s domestic situations illustrate the brutality that could easily spoil the seemingly-placid lifestyle of the patrician woman. Lollia treats her marriage to Fabius Valens like all her others, some kind of game, and happily continues having sex with her man-slave—until Fabius has him whipped and then backhands Lollia’s three-year-old daughter. Quinn has this ability to turn the tone of a scene on a dime, and she uses it to great effect. Daughters of Rome has lots of romance-like aspects to it, but there are deeper moments that explore the social situation and the role of women in the Roman Empire, and it’s awesome.
For the most part, Quinn seems to adhere to the history as we know it fairly well. I am not familiar enough with the history of this period to spot any but the most egregious errors, but Wikipedia does help. And Quinn is rather open in her historical note about what she changed—for instance, Lollia and Diana are both fictitious characters. With Diana, this seems rather obvious, because I question whether such a rebellious girl would be allowed in a patrician household—and even if she had existed, I doubt she would have driven in a chariot race and been so celebrated. Diana is the character who almost transforms Daughters of Rome into one of those larger-than-life “we made a movie set in ancient Rome” movies, the kind where men are real men and women wear diaphonous garments and all the dialogue makes you want to cringe because it seems so desperate to communicate that it is “ancient times”. She is over the top. And I can’t help but love her.
Diana does not let anyone push her around. She mouths off to emperors and ignores imprecations and opprobria. She does not care about finding a husband. At one point her cousins question her about her relationship with a British horse-breeder (he has secretly been teaching her to drive chariots). They ask, “Do you love him?”, and Diana replies something along the lines of, “At one point I thought I might, but now I don’t think so.” And that’s just such a refreshing, believable sentiment: she doesn’t meet this mysterious foreigner who shares her affinity for horses and fall into his arms. They become friends, but it’s not the type of magnetic romance that ruined my enjoyment of Cordelia. Diana is just a marvelous, fun character, even if she might be somewhat unrealistic.
That’s OK: Quinn has earned her creative license with everything else that Daughters of Rome delivers. This is the type of historical fiction I like, and this is the quality of fiction I demand.
I have a friend who is a classics/archaeology expert, my go-to Rome expert, and who has also read this book. And I said to her, “I can see why you liked this book. The women are lascivious, but in a self-possessed way, not merely in a way that involves words like turgid….” Yeah, there are romantic aspects to this book (some of which are my least favourite things about it), but the four female main characters pursue these relationships for their own reasons, not merely because they are there for a male lead or leads to conquer. Roman patrician (upper class) women were subject to the will of the paterfamilias, or male family head of the household—but as Quinn demonstrates, they often found interesting ways to subvert or rebel against such rule.
Daughters of Rome is set during the tumultous Year of the Four Emperors, and Quinn sensibly divides the book into sections covering each emperor’s reign. Following Nero’s death in AD 68, the Senate put Galba on the throne. But after Galba chooses Cornelia’s husband as his heir, Senator Otho successfully carries off a coup, killing Galba and Cornelia’s husband and seizing the throne for himself. Cornelia is grief-stricken and even, at one point, suicidal. Her cousin Lollia, who has had a revolving door of marriages made by her grandfather for their advantage, finds herself divorced—again—and married to Otho’s odious right-hand man. Marcella, Cornelia’s sister, undergoes a metamorphosis from writer of histories to chronicler of history to a shadowy manipulator of history. Finally, my favourite, Diana: another cousin who eschews political machinations for an obsession with the chariot races, their horses, and a radical lack of giving a shit. She is a honey badger, and it is awesome.
Quinn sets herself an ambitious task. Not only does she have four main characters, but she tells their story in less than 400 pages. Some authors write thousand-page epics following two or three characters, and they still don’t pull it off. Somehow Quinn manages to create four different women who all have their own obsessions, foibles, and goals. Together they give us an excellent picture of the diversity among a single patrician family in the Roman Empire, all set against the backdrop of the tremendous political change happening in Rome.
And if political intrigue is your thing, then Daughters of Rome delivers on that too. In general, all four sisters are very aware of the tension in Rome following Galba’s assassination. Associated as they were with his heir, they worry about their status under Otho—hence Lollia’s hasty remarriage. This pattern repeats itself when Vitellius takes the throne, and so on with Vespasian. As the tides turn, all of Rome scrambles to find favour, and this family is no exception.
Marcella’s plot follows her awakening, if you will, as she realizes the inadvertent role she might have played in the deaths of two emperors. This motivates her to plot the downfall of a third and fourth. She becomes very withdrawn and almost secretive, and watching her hubris and subsequent fall is simultaneously one of the most satisfying and most tragic parts of this book. I loved that Diana, whom Marcella dismisses as “stupid but observant”, is the one who connects all the dots for her cousins when it comes to Marcella’s actions. I loved the conversation Marcella has with Marcus Norbanus, who earlier in the book implied some interest in her and her scholarly endeavours. He essentially rejects any notion of further association with her, saying outright, “I find I don’t like you anymore.” That change perfectly captures Marcella’s turn toward the dark side.
Cornelia dabbles in political plotting as well, determined to obtain revenge for Otho’s role in her husband’s death. However, she eventually becomes focused on a new lover. I kind of wish Quinn didn’t go for the “patrician girl falls for the centurion” story, because it seems trite and clichéd. Indeed, there isn’t much I can say in favour of this particular plot. I recognize that Quinn is placing Cornelia in a situation that her former self would have condemned for its lack of propriety. But this consumes her character so completely that it’s difficult not to describe it as anything other than the “romance” label I so emphatically discarded earlier in this review. Daughters of Rome is a complex book, and I think it will appeal to different people for many different reasons.
I haven’t said much about Lollia. She’s a source of those “romance novel” vibes as well, because Quinn describes her sexual affairs and proclivities in great detail. However, it’s not all fun and games. There is a heartfelt moment where we learn that Lollia trusts her grandfather, a former slave who has risen to a position of wealth, above all else, and she tolerates the way he manages her marriages because she knows he has always acted like it’s “them against the world”. Lollia and Marcella’s domestic situations illustrate the brutality that could easily spoil the seemingly-placid lifestyle of the patrician woman. Lollia treats her marriage to Fabius Valens like all her others, some kind of game, and happily continues having sex with her man-slave—until Fabius has him whipped and then backhands Lollia’s three-year-old daughter. Quinn has this ability to turn the tone of a scene on a dime, and she uses it to great effect. Daughters of Rome has lots of romance-like aspects to it, but there are deeper moments that explore the social situation and the role of women in the Roman Empire, and it’s awesome.
For the most part, Quinn seems to adhere to the history as we know it fairly well. I am not familiar enough with the history of this period to spot any but the most egregious errors, but Wikipedia does help. And Quinn is rather open in her historical note about what she changed—for instance, Lollia and Diana are both fictitious characters. With Diana, this seems rather obvious, because I question whether such a rebellious girl would be allowed in a patrician household—and even if she had existed, I doubt she would have driven in a chariot race and been so celebrated. Diana is the character who almost transforms Daughters of Rome into one of those larger-than-life “we made a movie set in ancient Rome” movies, the kind where men are real men and women wear diaphonous garments and all the dialogue makes you want to cringe because it seems so desperate to communicate that it is “ancient times”. She is over the top. And I can’t help but love her.
Diana does not let anyone push her around. She mouths off to emperors and ignores imprecations and opprobria. She does not care about finding a husband. At one point her cousins question her about her relationship with a British horse-breeder (he has secretly been teaching her to drive chariots). They ask, “Do you love him?”, and Diana replies something along the lines of, “At one point I thought I might, but now I don’t think so.” And that’s just such a refreshing, believable sentiment: she doesn’t meet this mysterious foreigner who shares her affinity for horses and fall into his arms. They become friends, but it’s not the type of magnetic romance that ruined my enjoyment of Cordelia. Diana is just a marvelous, fun character, even if she might be somewhat unrealistic.
That’s OK: Quinn has earned her creative license with everything else that Daughters of Rome delivers. This is the type of historical fiction I like, and this is the quality of fiction I demand.
July 3, 2012
This was a surprisingly good read for me...I am not a big fan of historical fiction set in ancient civilizations as I often get confused by all of the, well, history. Author Kate Quinn did a wonderful job of telling her story about the Year of Four Emperors, which I knew nothing about, without getting too bogged down in the politics.
The story is told through the voices of the Cornelias - two sisters and two cousins - and the effects of the turmoil on all of them. Cornelia the eldest is married to Piso, who is about to be named heir to the ruling Emperor. When a coup takes place, Piso is removed from his place of honor and Cornelia, along with her sister Marcella and cousins Lollia and Diana barely escape from the riots with their lives. In order to curry favor with the new Emperor Otho, Lollia is married off to his brother, which brings Marcella in a position to influence the fate of her husband. Marcella is a witness to the history of Rome and records it religiously until she finds that she can also influence history, not just record it. When yet another Emperor, Vitellius, is crowned after defeating Otho's legions on the battlefield, Diana find herself a favorite of the horse-mad Emperor and Lollia finds herself married to another Emperor's advisor.
As the events of the year unfold, each of the four women takes a stand on their own personal loyalities. Some of the women grow in strength, some relationships deepen while others become strained. I throughly enjoyed the lives of each of the four main characters and marvelled at the excesses of the times. For fans of ancient Rome, this is a wonderful read. For those who are not, it is still an excellent read for a beginner...like me.
The story is told through the voices of the Cornelias - two sisters and two cousins - and the effects of the turmoil on all of them. Cornelia the eldest is married to Piso, who is about to be named heir to the ruling Emperor. When a coup takes place, Piso is removed from his place of honor and Cornelia, along with her sister Marcella and cousins Lollia and Diana barely escape from the riots with their lives. In order to curry favor with the new Emperor Otho, Lollia is married off to his brother, which brings Marcella in a position to influence the fate of her husband. Marcella is a witness to the history of Rome and records it religiously until she finds that she can also influence history, not just record it. When yet another Emperor, Vitellius, is crowned after defeating Otho's legions on the battlefield, Diana find herself a favorite of the horse-mad Emperor and Lollia finds herself married to another Emperor's advisor.
As the events of the year unfold, each of the four women takes a stand on their own personal loyalities. Some of the women grow in strength, some relationships deepen while others become strained. I throughly enjoyed the lives of each of the four main characters and marvelled at the excesses of the times. For fans of ancient Rome, this is a wonderful read. For those who are not, it is still an excellent read for a beginner...like me.
February 21, 2022
Year of the Four Emperors was stressful for everyone (to say the least). It is interesting to see Domitian's Empress as a young woman. I am glad the author chose not to make her completely witless victim. Even in that time, when women had more rights than what we were led to believe, but still less than women today, how one woman can be the cause of the downfall of four emperors.
July 23, 2024
Genre: Historical Fiction
Type: Standalone book 2 of 4 from The Empress of Rome series
POV: Third Person
Rating:
Amidst the turmoil of the Roman Empire, two sisters, Cornelia and Marcella, found themselves at a crossroad. Little did they know, their decisions would shape the fate of the empire.
This book gripped me straight from the prologue to the very last sentence. Despite the whirlwind of events, I had no trouble keeping up with the fast-paced story.
I admired Cornelia’s poise and was drawn to Marcella’s can-do attitude. And I loved how Lollia and Diana (who was my favorite character) played significant roles in the story.
Daughters of Rome is a tale of ambition and consequences. It would appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of romance.
Books in the series:
🔸️👑🔸️. . . (F)BR with Twinsie CC . . . 🔸️👑🔸️
For more reviews/interviews/book talk/promo visit:
For graphics, trailers & author services visit Warhawke Design Studio.
Type: Standalone book 2 of 4 from The Empress of Rome series
POV: Third Person
Rating:
Amidst the turmoil of the Roman Empire, two sisters, Cornelia and Marcella, found themselves at a crossroad. Little did they know, their decisions would shape the fate of the empire.
This book gripped me straight from the prologue to the very last sentence. Despite the whirlwind of events, I had no trouble keeping up with the fast-paced story.
“Someone has to do it, after all. It’s what women are for: whoring themselves out to useful men. And who will do it in this family, if not me?”
I admired Cornelia’s poise and was drawn to Marcella’s can-do attitude. And I loved how Lollia and Diana (who was my favorite character) played significant roles in the story.
Daughters of Rome is a tale of ambition and consequences. It would appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of romance.
Books in the series:
🔸️👑🔸️. . . (F)BR with Twinsie CC . . . 🔸️👑🔸️
For more reviews/interviews/book talk/promo visit:
For graphics, trailers & author services visit Warhawke Design Studio.
December 11, 2025
This second installment in Kate Quinn's Rome series far outstrips its predecessor ("Mistress of Rome"), and that is saying a great deal! Once again the reader is immersed in the vivid color and life of ancient Rome as seen through the eyes of a group of people around whom the warped fate of the Empire revolves. As with the previous book, the language was occasionally too modern for the setting, but Quinn's style is so smooth that the mental speed bumps are easy to move on from.
If there is any single aspect of this book that really sets it apart more than any other, it is the dynamic characterization Quinn excels at. Characters I loved at the beginning of the story proved less-than-admirable by the end. Likewise, those I thought weak or unappealing in Chapter 1 became some of the more impressive individuals by the conclusion. Even so, each character had the ability to win both my affection and my resentment simultaneously. That is a rare feat for any author of any genre. Bravo!
If there is any single aspect of this book that really sets it apart more than any other, it is the dynamic characterization Quinn excels at. Characters I loved at the beginning of the story proved less-than-admirable by the end. Likewise, those I thought weak or unappealing in Chapter 1 became some of the more impressive individuals by the conclusion. Even so, each character had the ability to win both my affection and my resentment simultaneously. That is a rare feat for any author of any genre. Bravo!
May 12, 2020
I felt sorry for near everyone in this novel. Very few got a perfect happy ending except maybe Cornelia.
Marcella was the biggest surprise in this novel. She started off relatively powerless, became a power behind the throne and then went back to powerless. I felt bad for her that she couldn't just be happy writing her history scrolls.
Cornelia was one of the stiffer characters. She was very prideful and strict with how she viewed the world but she also ended up marrying someone much lower than her so... :)
Lollia was both pitiful and envied. She was very rich. But because of her love for her grandfather she was married about 10 times before she was 20!!!!!!! While at first she didn't seem like a very good mother towards the end of the book I think she was actually a very loving mother to little Flavia and I really liked her. She didn't care about status and even kept Thrax as her lover long after most would have probably gotten rid of him.
Diana was an enigma throughout the book. She definitely loved horses more than men despite so many loving her. She was at least the most consistent character though and the most compassionate.
There were too many Emperors to mention and remember in this novel. But I felt bad for every one of them. Felled by the boredom of a manipulative woman! -.-
Edit: May 2020
So I have less sympathy for Marcella this time I think. I honestly didn't really look over my previous review. She is very manipulative and basically deserves her ending. Maybe not as long as it was but definitely a bit of it.
It's always interesting to re-read a book because you pick up on so much more. There are a ton of characters so I still got lost but like I picked up who Flavia was and who the sisters/cousins were to other characters from the first book.
I found the war and gore part both boring and slightly interesting. I liked the gore at times and Marcella made some of the political and historical stuff interesting.
Also I just realized that it must have been Cornelia's husband Piso who was infertile. I'm glad she ended up with many beautiful children.
Marcella was the biggest surprise in this novel. She started off relatively powerless, became a power behind the throne and then went back to powerless. I felt bad for her that she couldn't just be happy writing her history scrolls.
Cornelia was one of the stiffer characters. She was very prideful and strict with how she viewed the world but she also ended up marrying someone much lower than her so... :)
Lollia was both pitiful and envied. She was very rich. But because of her love for her grandfather she was married about 10 times before she was 20!!!!!!! While at first she didn't seem like a very good mother towards the end of the book I think she was actually a very loving mother to little Flavia and I really liked her. She didn't care about status and even kept Thrax as her lover long after most would have probably gotten rid of him.
Diana was an enigma throughout the book. She definitely loved horses more than men despite so many loving her. She was at least the most consistent character though and the most compassionate.
There were too many Emperors to mention and remember in this novel. But I felt bad for every one of them. Felled by the boredom of a manipulative woman! -.-
Edit: May 2020
So I have less sympathy for Marcella this time I think. I honestly didn't really look over my previous review. She is very manipulative and basically deserves her ending. Maybe not as long as it was but definitely a bit of it.
It's always interesting to re-read a book because you pick up on so much more. There are a ton of characters so I still got lost but like I picked up who Flavia was and who the sisters/cousins were to other characters from the first book.
I found the war and gore part both boring and slightly interesting. I liked the gore at times and Marcella made some of the political and historical stuff interesting.
Also I just realized that it must have been Cornelia's husband Piso who was infertile. I'm glad she ended up with many beautiful children.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2012
I loved this book. However on the issue of whether or not I liked it the same as I liked Mistress of Rome, or better, or not as much, the jury is still out.
The characters were very developed to the point where you could predict their actions. Not it a boring way though, the plot was in no way predictable.
I've heard many complaints about Marcella. Having read Mistress of Rome first, I know how her life turns out. My heart went out to her for the last few chapters of Daughters of Rome. So, she had a year of causing Emperor's downfalls....she's going to pay for it for year to come with verbal and mental abuse beyond compare.
I found Cornelia boring. For most of her parts of the book, I found myself saying, "I don't care. Get on with it!" Even towards the end when she was having the affair with Drusus, I still found her dull. Drusus, on the other hand, was dream worthy.
My favorite character was by far Lollia. I liked her plot the best: rich girl whose father used to be a slave, unwanted husbands this way and that way, a daughter whom she grows to realize is important, and a love affair with a sexy body slave whom she grows to love. She was the most realistic and the most interesting.
I want my own Thrax.
I cringed throughout the novel. I knew Domitian wasn't to be played with. He is no toy, no clay to mold. I screamed at Marcella in my head every time she was messing around with him. "Bow down now! Hide your children! This man is not going to be sane!" And look how it turned out!
I did NOT see that coming. Marcella was his wife? The connection was missed on me until the last chapter at the wedding, when Domitian announces her new name.
It was great seeing characters from Mistress of Rome, and I'm looking forward to reading Kate Quinn's next novel!
The characters were very developed to the point where you could predict their actions. Not it a boring way though, the plot was in no way predictable.
I've heard many complaints about Marcella. Having read Mistress of Rome first, I know how her life turns out. My heart went out to her for the last few chapters of Daughters of Rome. So, she had a year of causing Emperor's downfalls....she's going to pay for it for year to come with verbal and mental abuse beyond compare.
I found Cornelia boring. For most of her parts of the book, I found myself saying, "I don't care. Get on with it!" Even towards the end when she was having the affair with Drusus, I still found her dull. Drusus, on the other hand, was dream worthy.
My favorite character was by far Lollia. I liked her plot the best: rich girl whose father used to be a slave, unwanted husbands this way and that way, a daughter whom she grows to realize is important, and a love affair with a sexy body slave whom she grows to love. She was the most realistic and the most interesting.
I want my own Thrax.
I cringed throughout the novel. I knew Domitian wasn't to be played with. He is no toy, no clay to mold. I screamed at Marcella in my head every time she was messing around with him. "Bow down now! Hide your children! This man is not going to be sane!" And look how it turned out!
I did NOT see that coming. Marcella was his wife? The connection was missed on me until the last chapter at the wedding, when Domitian announces her new name.
It was great seeing characters from Mistress of Rome, and I'm looking forward to reading Kate Quinn's next novel!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2011
:P :( Okay, I said I finished it, but actually I stopped 1/2 way through. Let me back up...I won this book from goodreads.com. I love the cover and the plot sounded wonderful! I know a few of you have thought the same. Well, I think that the story would have been great. For that matter, I think it _was_ great, BUT unfortunately, the book is packed with kissing and, well, the step beyond kissing. The chapters were really long, which I don't mind, but I think it definitely could have been done with far less detail. Maybe, just maybe, I stopped right where it goes clean, but I highly doubt it. Not a Christian book, though I caught one cloaked reference to Christ.
Having said all that, I think that probably the book is historically accurate! In fact, I'm pretty sure it is. But I think that at times, certain things can and should be either left out or much more glossed over.
They do a lot of praying to the Roman gods, tons of innuendos and beyond...I hate to give a bad review, but I'm afraid it's not a book that a Christian should read.
If you have questions, feel free to ask and I'll probably do my best to answer. :P :)
Having said all that, I think that probably the book is historically accurate! In fact, I'm pretty sure it is. But I think that at times, certain things can and should be either left out or much more glossed over.
They do a lot of praying to the Roman gods, tons of innuendos and beyond...I hate to give a bad review, but I'm afraid it's not a book that a Christian should read.
If you have questions, feel free to ask and I'll probably do my best to answer. :P :)
November 16, 2014
Daughters of Rome is definitely a fun read with prose that flows so naturally you easily breeze through it. Once I got sucked into the lives of these four women I could not wait to read what happened next. Political upset, seduction, romance, betrayal..loved it!
November 27, 2021
Book 2 in Kate Quinn’s series. This one took a little longer to get into. But OH BOY once you’re invested, you’re INVESTED. I ended up loving it just as much as the first.
April 22, 2012
An astrologist reads into the future of each of the four Cornelii girls; sisters Marcella and Cornelia and their cousins Diana and Lollia. He envisions one of the young women to become the empress of Rome and to have blood on her hands, he also foresaw 11 marriages in total.
Set in Rome A.D 69, approximately 20 years prior to Kate Quinn’s first novel, Mistress of Rome, it delves into the year that four emperors ruled. Each of the sisters are well developed and I could relate to each of them in different ways.
Lollia is a flighty young woman on the surface, but rather intelligent underneath despite being married three times by the age of 19. Her grandfather marries her off to make alliances with various men associated with the current emperor, but as each emperor falls a new alliance must form. At times I felt sorry for her as she views herself as being ‘leased’ for marriage and acknowledges that the men marry her for her substantial dowry. Lollia has a sense of protectiveness for her family and accepts each marriage rather graciously for the sake of her family. It doesn’t stop her from frolicking with the slaves and making the most of her situation. Lollia has a mixed heritage of both slave and royalty and I found it interesting that she seemed to straddle these two worlds, but find most comfort in the lower class and even fell in love with a slave. Lollia grows as a character and loses her arrogance as she matures with the chaos of the city.
Diana is a character that is always sitting on the outskirts, she is a young woman who captures the interest of many suitors because of her beauty, but ironically she is not interested in marriage, her only interest is horses and horse racing. A strong young woman with a brash mouth and seems to get away with her eccentrics as she sparks the interest of one of the emperors.
Cornelia is one of those lucky young women who happened to fall madly in love with the man her father arranged for her to marry. She is destined to become the empress of Rome, but when her husband is brutally murdered her life falls apart. I sympathised with Cornelia’s mourning and grief and felt saddened by her isolation during this time as her family and social network were keen to have her married again. Cornelia grows as a character and her priority becomes love and happiness rather than success and status. She falls in love with an outcasted soldier and I became quite invested in the success of this secret relationship and hoped that Cornelia would dismiss the demands of her class and follow her heart.
Marcella is the younger, reserved sister who is always writing and happily lives in a world of words and stories while her husband travels. She dreams of running her own household but her husband has other things in mind. Initially, Marcella is happy to write about history and observe history in the making but as her desire for power and control surge she becomes less passive in the role of history and more active in the upheaval in Rome. Marcella becomes the catalyst for the rise and fall of four emperors in a twelve month period and it turns out that the power she seeks isn’t exactly what she hoped it would be.
It’s not all happy endings for each of the women, but as the prequel, Daughters of Rome certainly sets the scene for Mistress of Rome. Another wonderfully written historical story with suspense, complex characters and an intriguing setting- ancient Rome.
Set in Rome A.D 69, approximately 20 years prior to Kate Quinn’s first novel, Mistress of Rome, it delves into the year that four emperors ruled. Each of the sisters are well developed and I could relate to each of them in different ways.
Lollia is a flighty young woman on the surface, but rather intelligent underneath despite being married three times by the age of 19. Her grandfather marries her off to make alliances with various men associated with the current emperor, but as each emperor falls a new alliance must form. At times I felt sorry for her as she views herself as being ‘leased’ for marriage and acknowledges that the men marry her for her substantial dowry. Lollia has a sense of protectiveness for her family and accepts each marriage rather graciously for the sake of her family. It doesn’t stop her from frolicking with the slaves and making the most of her situation. Lollia has a mixed heritage of both slave and royalty and I found it interesting that she seemed to straddle these two worlds, but find most comfort in the lower class and even fell in love with a slave. Lollia grows as a character and loses her arrogance as she matures with the chaos of the city.
Diana is a character that is always sitting on the outskirts, she is a young woman who captures the interest of many suitors because of her beauty, but ironically she is not interested in marriage, her only interest is horses and horse racing. A strong young woman with a brash mouth and seems to get away with her eccentrics as she sparks the interest of one of the emperors.
Cornelia is one of those lucky young women who happened to fall madly in love with the man her father arranged for her to marry. She is destined to become the empress of Rome, but when her husband is brutally murdered her life falls apart. I sympathised with Cornelia’s mourning and grief and felt saddened by her isolation during this time as her family and social network were keen to have her married again. Cornelia grows as a character and her priority becomes love and happiness rather than success and status. She falls in love with an outcasted soldier and I became quite invested in the success of this secret relationship and hoped that Cornelia would dismiss the demands of her class and follow her heart.
Marcella is the younger, reserved sister who is always writing and happily lives in a world of words and stories while her husband travels. She dreams of running her own household but her husband has other things in mind. Initially, Marcella is happy to write about history and observe history in the making but as her desire for power and control surge she becomes less passive in the role of history and more active in the upheaval in Rome. Marcella becomes the catalyst for the rise and fall of four emperors in a twelve month period and it turns out that the power she seeks isn’t exactly what she hoped it would be.
It’s not all happy endings for each of the women, but as the prequel, Daughters of Rome certainly sets the scene for Mistress of Rome. Another wonderfully written historical story with suspense, complex characters and an intriguing setting- ancient Rome.
July 12, 2015
Daughters of Rome was an excellent read. I'm a huge fan of books set in ancient Rome and Kate Quinn really captured my attention with this book.
This book is about four women all different from one another. They all intrigued me in their own way and nobody is really what she seems at first because due to events happening in this book they all quite change.
I liked all main characters and I found myself liking one character but disliking her in the next few chapters. But my favorite of the four was Diana. I suspect this is because she's also in A Day of Fire where Kate Quinn has a short story in. But really, I enjoyed reading about all of them because they evolved and changed so much through the book.
The story was also really action-packed, which surprised me in a good way. There were some brutal scenes that made me pause a little bit but I really liked this aspect of the book. Most historical fiction books I have read weren't quite like this. I loved it.
The writing was wonderful as well. It really took me to the age the book was set in and yet it read very easily. So yes, consider me a fan! And I'm also looking forward to reading the other books in this series soon!
This book is about four women all different from one another. They all intrigued me in their own way and nobody is really what she seems at first because due to events happening in this book they all quite change.
I liked all main characters and I found myself liking one character but disliking her in the next few chapters. But my favorite of the four was Diana. I suspect this is because she's also in A Day of Fire where Kate Quinn has a short story in. But really, I enjoyed reading about all of them because they evolved and changed so much through the book.
The story was also really action-packed, which surprised me in a good way. There were some brutal scenes that made me pause a little bit but I really liked this aspect of the book. Most historical fiction books I have read weren't quite like this. I loved it.
The writing was wonderful as well. It really took me to the age the book was set in and yet it read very easily. So yes, consider me a fan! And I'm also looking forward to reading the other books in this series soon!
July 10, 2011
Sadly, I ws very disappointed in this book, especially because I loved Mistress Of Rome. This book follows 4 girls all namd Cornelia. It was very confusing, even after they were given distinguishing nick names. It was hard to keep them all straight. And I was expecting this book to have Vix in it, but apparantly that is the third book, so I was completly confused, especially when Marcus Nobanus and Paulinus appeared in the story, only 30 years younger than in the previous book. It wasn't until halfway through the book that I realized this story is a prequel to Mistress Of Rome. I skipped a lot of pages, looking for names of characters whose story I was most interested in. The last 40 pagee or so were interesting because I could see how the two books tied together.
I'm still very interested in the final book of the trilogy since it seems to be a semi-continuation of the first book that I loved so much. This book just didn't resonate with me, but it happen sometimes and I am still interested in more books by this author.
I'm still very interested in the final book of the trilogy since it seems to be a semi-continuation of the first book that I loved so much. This book just didn't resonate with me, but it happen sometimes and I am still interested in more books by this author.
June 27, 2017
Iako smještena u okvir burnih zbivanja u Rimskom Carstvu u periodu poznatom kao godina Četiri cara, ovoj priči mi je nedostajalo stvarne historijske ubjedljivosti. Četiri glavne junakinje kao da su sad izašle iz serije "Seks i grad" i kao takve samo premještene u Anno Domini 69. Dramatična završnica ponudila je ipak odgovarajući rasplet, te mi izazvala interes za čitanje nastavaka ove trilogije. Sve u svemu, dobar početak serijala.
October 16, 2020
This didn't grab me at all and I often like a historical book.... Oh well.
Maybe because it was a little slow going. 😕
Maybe because it was a little slow going. 😕
March 6, 2023
Once again a fascinating and fast paced read, if you studied the Roman Empire and have visited Rome this will be the book for you to sit back and enjoy. Looking forward to the next one of the series
April 5, 2011
"Daughters of Rome" is a prequel to the fabulous "Mistress of Rome," but it's not necessary to have read one to enjoy the other. There are some overlapping characters but the stories are very different: whereas "Mistress" was a violence-driven whirlwind of a plot, "Daughters" is a more political, intrigue-laden story. The rise and fall of 4 Roman emperors is seen through the eyes of four upper-class young women, and their own fortunes rise and fall just as quickly and unexpectedly as their polical leaders in AD 69, the Year of the Four Emperors. As in "Mistress of Rome," Quinn's forte is character. These four patrician women of the Cornelii clan are all from the same class and background but are each completely different and complex in their own unique ways. The ways that they change through the course of one tumultuous year make for a fascinating read. Multiple weddings, shifting political alliances, psychopathic husbands, secret love affairs, meddling family members, a decapitation, and one hell of a chariot race make this second novel a terrific achievement for Quinn as she follows up last year's splendid debut.
May 26, 2011
I fell in love with how the author brings parts of Rome to life. I love Rome. It's enchanting. Ms.Quinn brought such life to my memory of the Forum and Circs Maximus and Palatine Hill. The way she wrote abut the vendors at the Forum was simple but made the memory of the ruins in my head spring to life-and I truly enjoyed the mental pictures.
The story is based a lot in fact, which I enjoyed.
As for the main characters some of them I liked, soe not so much. Not because they were villians (i love a great villain) but becauuse I thought that some parts were just not so believable.
all in all a fun and interesting romp through a time long ago in one of my most favorite cities.
The story is based a lot in fact, which I enjoyed.
As for the main characters some of them I liked, soe not so much. Not because they were villians (i love a great villain) but becauuse I thought that some parts were just not so believable.
all in all a fun and interesting romp through a time long ago in one of my most favorite cities.
April 18, 2011
Kate Quinn has succeed once again in bringing a time of great unrest to life. Chock full of historical nuances that titillate, I found that I could not put this book down. Furthermore, I loved the character development of four highly individual women. Not one of them felt the same as the other. I think what made this particularly fun was when I discovered that this was the precursor to Mistress of Rome. Now I find, I want to reread her first brilliant novel to see how the characters from this book play out.
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