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The Damned Emperors #3
Domitian
Rome, AD 52. The Julio-Claudian dynasty is in its death throes. Over the next twenty years, chaos descends as Claudius then Nero are killed. The whole empire bucks and heaves with conspiracy, rebellion and civil war.
Out of the ashes and discord, a new imperial family emerges: the Flavians. Vespasian is crowned emperor, with his sons, Titus and Domitian, next in line.
Domitian, still only a teenager, has known only fear, death and treachery for as long as he has been alive. Suspicious of the senate as a breeding ground for treachery, and fiercely protective of his surviving family members, he uses a network of spies to stay one step ahead of any would-be conspirators.
When Titus unexpectedly falls gravely ill, the throne beckons for Domitian, something he never wanted or prepared for. As in all his darkest moments, Domitian’s childhood guardian, Nerva, is the man he turns to with his fears, and his secrets…
Out of the ashes and discord, a new imperial family emerges: the Flavians. Vespasian is crowned emperor, with his sons, Titus and Domitian, next in line.
Domitian, still only a teenager, has known only fear, death and treachery for as long as he has been alive. Suspicious of the senate as a breeding ground for treachery, and fiercely protective of his surviving family members, he uses a network of spies to stay one step ahead of any would-be conspirators.
When Titus unexpectedly falls gravely ill, the throne beckons for Domitian, something he never wanted or prepared for. As in all his darkest moments, Domitian’s childhood guardian, Nerva, is the man he turns to with his fears, and his secrets…
386 pages, Paperback
Published May 4, 2023
49 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
S.J.A. Turney
93 books495 followersSimon lives with his wife and children and a menagerie of animals in rural North Yorkshire, where he sits in an office, wired on coffee and digestive biscuits, and attempts to spin engrossing tales out of strands of imagination while his children drive toys across his desk and two dogs howl as they try to share a brain cell.
A born and bred Yorkshireman with a love of country, history and architecture, Simon spends most of his rare free time travelling around ancient sites, writing, researching the ancient world and reading voraciously.
Following an arcane and eclectic career path that wound through everything from sheep to Microsoft networks and from paint to car sales, Simon wrote Marius’ Mules and, with help and support, made a success of it. Now, with in excess of 20 novels under his belt, Simon writes full time and is represented by MMB Creative literary agents.
Simon writes Roman military novels in the form of the bestselling Marius’ Mules series based on Julius Caesar’s campaigns, Roman thrillers in the Praetorian series, set during the troubled reign of Commodus, medieval adventures in the Ottoman Cycle, following a young Greek thief around the 15th century world, and a series of Historical Fantasy novels with a Roman flavour, called the Tales of the Empire.
Simon can be found on Twitter as @SJATurney and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SJATurney/ as well as on his website http://www.sjaturney.co.uk
A born and bred Yorkshireman with a love of country, history and architecture, Simon spends most of his rare free time travelling around ancient sites, writing, researching the ancient world and reading voraciously.
Following an arcane and eclectic career path that wound through everything from sheep to Microsoft networks and from paint to car sales, Simon wrote Marius’ Mules and, with help and support, made a success of it. Now, with in excess of 20 novels under his belt, Simon writes full time and is represented by MMB Creative literary agents.
Simon writes Roman military novels in the form of the bestselling Marius’ Mules series based on Julius Caesar’s campaigns, Roman thrillers in the Praetorian series, set during the troubled reign of Commodus, medieval adventures in the Ottoman Cycle, following a young Greek thief around the 15th century world, and a series of Historical Fantasy novels with a Roman flavour, called the Tales of the Empire.
Simon can be found on Twitter as @SJATurney and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SJATurney/ as well as on his website http://www.sjaturney.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 2, 2023
Turney does it again. Brilliant storytelling.
September 22, 2022
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book is about the rise Domitian under the care of Nerva. It’s a book focused on what kneads and influences an emperor but with a fictional story interwoven.
This is the first book I’ve ever read by this author so I can’t compare it to his other novels.
The good: It’s well written, easy to follow and the characters are believable. It’s also clear that the author does a lot of historical research. Passages of the book are useful to use in class.
The bad: I wish the pacing was a bit faster. The overall storyline wasn’t my cup of tea!
Definitely worth a read if you’re into this genre!
The book is about the rise Domitian under the care of Nerva. It’s a book focused on what kneads and influences an emperor but with a fictional story interwoven.
This is the first book I’ve ever read by this author so I can’t compare it to his other novels.
The good: It’s well written, easy to follow and the characters are believable. It’s also clear that the author does a lot of historical research. Passages of the book are useful to use in class.
The bad: I wish the pacing was a bit faster. The overall storyline wasn’t my cup of tea!
Definitely worth a read if you’re into this genre!
October 20, 2022
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
Domitian is a good read with enough historical research and accuracy to make the time well spent. For this third in the series, we see through the eyes of Marcus Nerva - the man who would help raise and then eventually succeed Domitian as emperor. Domitian is represented as a precocious and almost fey child who is preternaturally observant but also implacable. He comes to power in the year of four emperors - all of whom we see perish through the eyes of Nerva. The read is easy though in keeping with historical accuracy, the pacing can be choppy and disenfranchising owing to large time skips.Story: Young Marcus Nerve returns home from being oversees to find his family had fallen out of favor and were subsequently murdered by the imperial house. Taken under the wing of the Flavius clan, he grows up under the mentorship of Sabinus and Vespasian - and acts as an older brother to the youngest child of the Flavii, Domitian. They will see Claudius, Nero, Vespasian, and then Domitian's brother Titus all fall, leading to Domitian's very unlikely and unexpected rise to power.
This was a very interesting time in Rome since it saw the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty (which included Caligula, Claudius, and of course, the founding and first emperor Augustus). It also features the incredibly ugly battles between Agrippina - mother of one emperor and wife to another - as she sought to control the men in her life. Nerva and Domitian were young when she was pulling the strings but both had experienced losses at her hand.
The author chose to focus on known points in the lives of the characters. As such, a time period of some 50 years is covered quickly and in chunks. From Nerva returning to the slaughter of his family, then coming under the wing of the Flavii, and finally becoming entangled with the raising of a motherless Domitian (while Domitian's older brother Titus is away winning battles). We get to experience life in Rome, great civil wars and upheavals, and even travel abroad as Domitian makes a name for himself.
At its heart, this is a novel about betrayals and politics. Most especially, the viciousness in the Senate and military - and the power shift and balance an emperor created and maintained. One wrong step and a family found themselves all executed in their homes by the praetorian guards (even emperors weren't excluded from this fate).
In all, I did enjoy this fictional biography of Nerva and appreciate that it flowed easily and wasn't bland or slavish to the history. Yes, it can seem like time passes too fast and it can be hard to reconcile a Nerve that is now 60 from the Nerva of 30. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided from the publisher.
August 7, 2023
Despite having done A-Level Classical Studies, I knew very little about Domitian, so this book was a welcome addition to my Roman historical collection. As per usual with Turney, this is a well-written and incredibly researched book. They say every day is a school day, and it certainly is with books of this calibre. However, as educational as it may be, it never ceases to be highly entertaining - I particularly enjoyed the chapter about the destruction of Pompeii.
I very rarely give books 5 stars, but this deserves it. Recommended to all fans of historical novels.
I very rarely give books 5 stars, but this deserves it. Recommended to all fans of historical novels.
November 15, 2022
This is such a good series and I think this one is my favourite. Domitian has a reputation and this novel finds extra layers in his personality that I wasn't expecting. Yet again, I thank my blessed stars that I wasn't around at the time! But so fascinating.
December 24, 2022
What a fantastic book. Loved every second of it.
Best in the series of the damned Emperors
Best in the series of the damned Emperors
January 15, 2025
I enjoyed this one much more than I did Commodus. In truth it follows a very similar flow and theme. I appreciated the underlying dark humor. There was alot of history thrown at you. I knew a bit more about this part of history so perhaps that made it easier to follow and that much more enjoyable. Granted I was interest in the history surrounding Commodus as well but it was executed in a very boring light. That one was very drug out.
The series is like those historical documentaries that are acted out and given a bit more life. So at times it really does feel like it’s non fiction with some dialogue thrown in. Like the novel before it doesn’t just focus on Domitian. It focuses on so much more than him. Lots of historical individuals made their appearance and paved the way into Domitian’s ruled which only encompassed maybe a third of the novel.
All in all it was a good novel. Some slow parts here and there and I have some of the same complaints as last time. The constant not knowing why they’re having a bad feeling or why they don’t like a person, etc. It just wasn’t as glaring because I enjoyed the overall story. Not even story but historical journey. As usual the authors historical integrity and dedication to gettin down to the fact and probable is noted and appreciated. The authors note was intriguing and informative.
The series is like those historical documentaries that are acted out and given a bit more life. So at times it really does feel like it’s non fiction with some dialogue thrown in. Like the novel before it doesn’t just focus on Domitian. It focuses on so much more than him. Lots of historical individuals made their appearance and paved the way into Domitian’s ruled which only encompassed maybe a third of the novel.
All in all it was a good novel. Some slow parts here and there and I have some of the same complaints as last time. The constant not knowing why they’re having a bad feeling or why they don’t like a person, etc. It just wasn’t as glaring because I enjoyed the overall story. Not even story but historical journey. As usual the authors historical integrity and dedication to gettin down to the fact and probable is noted and appreciated. The authors note was intriguing and informative.
October 20, 2022
Seen through the eyes of Marcus Cocceius Nerva, we are told the story of Domitian - from a boy to Roman emperor. A life of a very intelligent and paranoid man.
This novel takes you through his early life and the fated year of the four Emperor’s. From the downfall of the Julio-Claudian dynasty to the most incredible rise of the Flavian family and it’s dramatic demise .
This is a novel that is sensitively written and has a real in-depth insight into one of the lesser talked about Emperors of Rome.
A highly intriguing and compelling piece of literature, this is as good as any book I’ve read about the Roman Empire.
I’ve read all three of The Damned-Emperor books and crave more. A truly outstanding book and one I highly recommend.
This novel takes you through his early life and the fated year of the four Emperor’s. From the downfall of the Julio-Claudian dynasty to the most incredible rise of the Flavian family and it’s dramatic demise .
This is a novel that is sensitively written and has a real in-depth insight into one of the lesser talked about Emperors of Rome.
A highly intriguing and compelling piece of literature, this is as good as any book I’ve read about the Roman Empire.
I’ve read all three of The Damned-Emperor books and crave more. A truly outstanding book and one I highly recommend.
October 30, 2022
Domitian by S J A Turney is an engrossing story of political shenanigans in first-century AD Rome.
I'm not hugely well-read on Roman history, but through reading Turney's books, I've come to appreciate just what a rich tapestry there is to weave tales of corruption, war and politics. And cor, doesn't Domitian have it all? The narrative starts during the reign of Nero, and takes us through the year of the four emperors, when Vespasian comes out on top, through the brief rule of his son, and then onto Domitian. It's not quite as whistlestop as it sounds, but the viewpoint Turney adopts, through the eyes of Nerva, allows the reader to stand back and watch it all happen, perhaps, like me, with an increasingly open mouth of disbelief.
This isn't a fast read, as perhaps others of Turney's more martial Roman stories might be, but it is absorbing. There isn't a cast of thousands, but there are still many men who rise and fall (not so many women, but they are still included in the story), and events that we all might know more about, such as the eruption of Vesuvius and the continuing invasion of Britannia under Agricola (I see what you did there Mr Turney:)).
This is a story of politics, spies and corruption; of men who don't want to fall into the same traps as those who went before. It is a fabulous story, and I highly, highly recommend it.
I'm not hugely well-read on Roman history, but through reading Turney's books, I've come to appreciate just what a rich tapestry there is to weave tales of corruption, war and politics. And cor, doesn't Domitian have it all? The narrative starts during the reign of Nero, and takes us through the year of the four emperors, when Vespasian comes out on top, through the brief rule of his son, and then onto Domitian. It's not quite as whistlestop as it sounds, but the viewpoint Turney adopts, through the eyes of Nerva, allows the reader to stand back and watch it all happen, perhaps, like me, with an increasingly open mouth of disbelief.
This isn't a fast read, as perhaps others of Turney's more martial Roman stories might be, but it is absorbing. There isn't a cast of thousands, but there are still many men who rise and fall (not so many women, but they are still included in the story), and events that we all might know more about, such as the eruption of Vesuvius and the continuing invasion of Britannia under Agricola (I see what you did there Mr Turney:)).
This is a story of politics, spies and corruption; of men who don't want to fall into the same traps as those who went before. It is a fabulous story, and I highly, highly recommend it.
December 9, 2024
A riveting journey through 50 years of Roman history with a focus on one of the possibly lesser known emperors. Whilst by the author's own admission there is a significant element of guesswork, conjecture, conflation of events and outright creative licence, this has to be accepted given the limited primary sources. This is especially an issue for Domitian given the historical context of his damnation and in turn that the very primary sources we are reliant upon would have a strong motive to cover him negatively.
Overall a very enjoyable piece of historical fiction that does a good job of trimming down a cast of thousands to a few core characters, ultimately making it more straightforward for the reader to keep track of so many unfamiliar (and sometimes similar) names. There is a strong sense of characterisation of the principal cast and to the author's credit even the pieces of creative license seem fairly grounded in plausibility. This book could easily have been another 200 pages with more detail on Domitian's period of rule (which only covers less than half of the book) and I would have been happy to read that, which speaks to the quality of the 400 or so pages that were given to us.
Overall a very enjoyable piece of historical fiction that does a good job of trimming down a cast of thousands to a few core characters, ultimately making it more straightforward for the reader to keep track of so many unfamiliar (and sometimes similar) names. There is a strong sense of characterisation of the principal cast and to the author's credit even the pieces of creative license seem fairly grounded in plausibility. This book could easily have been another 200 pages with more detail on Domitian's period of rule (which only covers less than half of the book) and I would have been happy to read that, which speaks to the quality of the 400 or so pages that were given to us.
January 24, 2023
I have to admit I had fallen for the bad press that Domitian has received from historians and novelists over the years. Could any emperor, much less one who appears to have accomplished a great deal, really spend an inordinate amount of time killing flies? Probably not.
This fascinating novel is told from the point of view of his close friend and successor, Nerva, who knew the man for forty years. The Domitian we see on these pages is intelligent, loyal to his family and friends, hard-working, and capable. Domitian must have had first class abilities to maneuver through the cut-throat politics and amoral ambition in the imperial Roman world in the first century, so the man was no saint. The Roman senate damned Domitian's memory since he was so relentless in his prosecution of those senators conspiring against him. It says something about their true importance that few if any of them made it into the history books, but 2,000 years later, we're still talking about Domitian.
A novel that brings to light a ruler's strengths and weaknesses, and still manages to leave the reader sympathetic to that ruler, is exceptional. This is that kind of novel.
Highly recommended.
This fascinating novel is told from the point of view of his close friend and successor, Nerva, who knew the man for forty years. The Domitian we see on these pages is intelligent, loyal to his family and friends, hard-working, and capable. Domitian must have had first class abilities to maneuver through the cut-throat politics and amoral ambition in the imperial Roman world in the first century, so the man was no saint. The Roman senate damned Domitian's memory since he was so relentless in his prosecution of those senators conspiring against him. It says something about their true importance that few if any of them made it into the history books, but 2,000 years later, we're still talking about Domitian.
A novel that brings to light a ruler's strengths and weaknesses, and still manages to leave the reader sympathetic to that ruler, is exceptional. This is that kind of novel.
Highly recommended.
March 16, 2024
I loved Caligula -the first installment in this series- so I was expecting to really like this book too, but unfortunately it fell a bit short and it was just a mere "meh" for me.
In the historical notes the author explains how he decided to gloss over quite a few events for lack of space and because he didn't want the book to be overly long. The way I see it, this is exactly what impoverished the book: it felt at times like I was reading a wikipedia entry; I think I'd prefer to have a book twice as long but also more engrossing and deep. I don't understand very well what he meant with "lack of space"...maybe his publishers have instructed him not to exceed a certain length in his novels? or he might be afraid readers will run the other way when faced with a 700 or 800 page book?
Anyway, be that as it may, I'll probably give Commodus a chance, in the hope it will be better than this one.
3/5
In the historical notes the author explains how he decided to gloss over quite a few events for lack of space and because he didn't want the book to be overly long. The way I see it, this is exactly what impoverished the book: it felt at times like I was reading a wikipedia entry; I think I'd prefer to have a book twice as long but also more engrossing and deep. I don't understand very well what he meant with "lack of space"...maybe his publishers have instructed him not to exceed a certain length in his novels? or he might be afraid readers will run the other way when faced with a 700 or 800 page book?
Anyway, be that as it may, I'll probably give Commodus a chance, in the hope it will be better than this one.
3/5
October 27, 2022
This is the first book that I have read in this series and although it was book 3 I felt that I was able to understand enough to read it as a standalone, however, it has made me want to go and check out the first two books and then reread this one.
I will be honest Roman history is not something I know a great deal about, because I simply haven't chosen too. But, it is coming to my attention that I enjoy reading books set during the Roman era and so I think that will be changing soon.
The book is well written with a good level of research so I felt like I knew what I needed to know but it also made me want to learn more.
I was hooked right from the start and couldn't put it down.
I will be honest Roman history is not something I know a great deal about, because I simply haven't chosen too. But, it is coming to my attention that I enjoy reading books set during the Roman era and so I think that will be changing soon.
The book is well written with a good level of research so I felt like I knew what I needed to know but it also made me want to learn more.
I was hooked right from the start and couldn't put it down.
October 3, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own. AD 52 in Rome- the third in the Damned Emperor's series. The Empire is in extreme chaos as Claudius then Nero fall. The Flavii family emerges with Vespasian as Emperor, with his sons Titus and Domitian following. There is of course much violence, politics, natural disasters, wars and intrigues. This book is clearly well researched and written. It's interesting, engaging and clever. I'm a big fan of Roman history and this book, this author, does not disappoint.
December 4, 2022
Roman emperor are usually complex characters and some are more complex and crazy than others. Domitian is not one of the worst but he surely was different from the other emperors of his family.
This a well researched and compelling book, a fascinating portrait of the last of the Flavian dinasty featuring some very interesting characters like the other members of this dinasty and Nervia.
I like S.J.A. Turney style of writing and loved this one.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
This a well researched and compelling book, a fascinating portrait of the last of the Flavian dinasty featuring some very interesting characters like the other members of this dinasty and Nervia.
I like S.J.A. Turney style of writing and loved this one.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
October 24, 2022
An intriguing, well researched work with historical fiction. Beautiful transition from today's world. With history in the picture there is much violence, betrayals, wars and calamities. I enjoy reading a good historical fiction and this one sure is one of them. Deep and dark secrets of Roman empire in times of Domitian, his journey from a boy to a ruler exploring the city and niti gritty surrounded it.
October 29, 2022
Really enjoyed the third book in Simon’s Damned Emperors series. This was a fascinating read including some of the most well known characters in ancient Roman history including Agrippina, Nero, Claudius, Vespasian, Trajan and of course the titular character Domitian.
It was interesting learning of Domitian’s life and the treachery and power plays occurring during this period of history.
The book provides a clear insight into the Flavian dynasty and I believe this series is a must read for historical fiction fans
It was interesting learning of Domitian’s life and the treachery and power plays occurring during this period of history.
The book provides a clear insight into the Flavian dynasty and I believe this series is a must read for historical fiction fans
February 27, 2023
2 ⭐️⭐️
Thank you so much to Head of Zeus and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book.
Ugh.
I really wanted to like this. Unfortunately it just falls so, so, so very flat.
The author clearly knows their stuff-and I really appreciated the knowledge that went into this.
Regrettably the story telling and characterisation just weren’t there. The story plodded along, and the prose felt amateurish at best.
Thank you so much to Head of Zeus and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book.
Ugh.
I really wanted to like this. Unfortunately it just falls so, so, so very flat.
The author clearly knows their stuff-and I really appreciated the knowledge that went into this.
Regrettably the story telling and characterisation just weren’t there. The story plodded along, and the prose felt amateurish at best.
July 29, 2023
A really outstanding fictional account of Domitian and indeed of the emperors from Claudius, told by Nerva his successor. The afterword reveals how careful the author has been. I was relieved that there was no attempt to idealise Domitian but a very interesting attempt to understand him. The very best aspect is the picture of Rome and the various factions and the presence of the imperial establishment. Highly recommended.
March 4, 2023
Mr Turney you have surpassed yourself. What a brilliant, amazing book. Not only did it cover the rule of Domitian, it also showed how he lived through the reign of previous Emperors and how events during those times shaped him. As usual at the end of one of your dammed emperor books, I am in two minds!
July 15, 2023
Richly and gloriously detailed, this is intelligent and well researched historical fiction. This is my first SJA Turney book and I’m already looking forward to diving into the next.
August 27, 2023
Interesting and novel view of Domitian. I'll have to pick up the rest of the series now!
sff-ok-r
April 3, 2025Rokp
December 16, 2025
Really good book. Four star review. No spoilers review. Enjoy!.
July 18, 2023
Simply unputdownable !
September 17, 2023
Great story! The writing is wonderful! The characters are believable and the book shows how much time and effort was put into the research! A great book!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews