The Ruby Ring: The Sequel to The Viper Amulet

by Martha Marks

The Ruby Ring, the sequel to The Viper Amulet… AD 67 — Exhausted, grieving, and ready for something like a normal life again, Theodosia Varro sets off on what she hopes will be a journey home. However, as usual, things don't go the way she expects. Even as the younger members of her family grow into adulthood, other important events are happening around the Roman world. Theodosia finally finds peace, but not in a way that she ever anticipated.

PLEASE NOTE: The author's website — marthamarks dot com — includes a *map* for all three books and a *glossary* of names and terms, plus other information to enhance your enjoyment and understanding.

THE RUBY-VIPER TRILOGY is meant for adults. These books contain period-appropriate themes, violent incidents, and language that may disturb some readers.

MARTHA MARKS has won two gold medals and one silver medal in international book contests and is the author of two #1 top-sellers in their categories on Amazon.

405 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 19, 2025

About the author

Martha is the Readers' Favorite and Global Book Awards Gold Medal award-winning and top-selling author of BETTING ON BERNIE, A MEMOIR OF A MARRIAGE, plus three novels: RUBIES OF THE VIPER, THE VIPER AMULET and THE RUBY RING

Reviews

[Noha Badawi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concluding the trilogy, the author chose to do it in a more quiet closure and reckoning with everything that came before leaning more into resolution rather than regret. In this final conclusion, we’re asking ourselves and learning how to live with choices and what’s truly left for us once the illusion of power is pealed away. The political intrigue is still present, but it’s more subdued, right in between personal choices rather than leading them, giving the story a reflective tone that lingers on consequence rather than conflict.

Theodosia’s journey comes full circle as questions of identity, loyalty, and belonging finally settle into clear, grounded and self-defined presence in life with a sense of acceptance. I believe it’s a thoughtful conclusion to a trilogy that has valued nuance over noise.

[John DuBois · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy reading ancient history,especially Roman emperor type biography books. This particular book is a story entertwined within historical record during the 1st century bce Rome.
The author does an incredible job of hooking pieces together in a way that may leave the reader wondering where recorded history stops and the made up story begins.
As she has mentioned in photo captions at her info site,the author says that when visiting Pompeii with her parents,as a young girl,she told her folks that the place was familar to her.
Perhaps Theadosa spoke to us,across the ages,after all.

[Donna Roxey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martha Marks' Ruby-Viper Trilogy series is unlike anything I've ever read. Martha tells the life story of Theodosia Varro, a Roman from a well-to-do family, who goes through unexpected, harsh years as a young woman, then more drama with family and Roman royalty, and finally into her later years, told in The Ruby Ring. A few major historical events occur in the book--but I can't reveal them, of course. One thing that impresses me so much is the unfathomable extent to which Martha researched Roman history and society. The realistic conversations and narrative made me feel as if I were living in the first century on the Mediterranean. She provides Historical Notes near the end of Book 3. Wow! So enlightening--about the real characters she included and how she handled them in the text. She also includes a fascinating list, as she puts it, "details that may seem made up but are true.' I also frequently referenced the map she provided in marthmarks.com. Definitely recommend the entire series.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

great ending to trilogy

Loved all 3 of these books. Brought that period to life and the characters were surprising and beautifully drawn. Highly recommend them all

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book, The Ruby Ring, written in such beautiful prose with sensorial descriptions, is an intriguing story following the family of independent Theodosia, and the many changing relationships encountered by her and her young child Doros, and the slave Myrine. Splendidly portrayed characters add to the journey, while surviving conflict, receiving grace, and experiencing acceptance from the kindness of strangers.

The descriptive historical cultural references throughout the book examine the generational shifts within one’s own family relationships as each discovers power, love, and commitment. The author’s understanding of Roman history and society invites us along through beautiful descriptions of palaces, clothing attire, food and art - all so vivid with perfectly chosen words. One of my favorites, sad but hopeful words from Theodosia, “Juno, if you can hear me, please send help.”, allowed me a moment to reflect on the previous two books, and recall the struggles and joys this very honorable woman had experienced.

The author’s contribution in the Epilogue and Historical Notes, plus a map of the geographical area all rise above reader’s expectations. The author’s love of learning uses that history to provide the reader a sense of closure to the trilogy that is authentic and real to the time.

I have never been to Italy, but after the many brilliant descriptive pictures of cobblestone walks, fields of golden and green countrysides, and a view the sun setting beyond a quaint port city, I have booked my first trip. I have enjoyed the trilogy journey and want to experience it in real time. Thank you for the adventure.

[thresher g. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theodosia Varro has fought long and hard to see the sun rise each day, looking for rest and a chance to mourn, she finally starts the long journey home. Making the slow journey home, she watches her family and the world around her change into something she never imagined. The awaited conclusion to the Viper of the Rubies trilogy has arrived.
With the conclusion of the trilogy, Theodosia finds herself right back where she started, which made for a disappointing end. After all the hardship she faces, I was hoping she would have grown more as a person. Instead, she ends up taking slaves and upholding the expected master/slave dynamic, even in private. The story as a whole was beginning to grow on me, but this became a thorn in my side. While it was likely true to the time period, after all the liberties the author took, why not this one? While the dedication to research and accuracy remains until the last page, this truth was a bummer.
This small facet should not be the end-all deterrent for other readers. Martha Marks has painted a rich world of love, war, and history from the first book to the last. Whether the mystery and hardship of the protagonist is appealing or the chance to learn about ancient history, this trilogy is an epic journey to read.

[Alice Douthwaite · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a powerful finish to a fascinating trilogy!

I love reading fiction that entertains me and also teaches me interesting stuff. In The Ruby Ring, Martha Marks skillfully blends the struggles of her fictional characters with tons of research about life in the Roman Empire in the first century. The book is almost 400 pages, but it’s a pretty quick read.

The series follows the adventures of the heroine, Theodosia Varro, a well-educated Roman. Here’s a thumbnail sketch (the way I remember it) of some of the drama she lives through. An impulsive young woman in Rubies of the Viper, she inherits and then loses her family fortune. In The Viper Amulet she flees Italia, gets married, raises a kid, and battles to rescue her husband from being unfairly enslaved. Widowed early in The Ruby Ring, she returns to Italia and struggles to survive as her brilliant young son takes center stage.

I’m betting that in a few years this trilogy is going to be the basis for a mini-series on Netflix or Prime or something. But don’t wait for that version; read the books first!

[Melodie Coulter-Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

"isn't love enough for the people of Rome?"

The Greco-Roman refusal to let love win endures.

Theodosia's story comes .. full circle, following Doros' and (unfortunately...good grief why could he not have diedddddd) Niko's journeys into manhood. I found little redemption for Niko. His suffering bored me a bit.

For all the grace and kindness that proceeds Theo on her reputation, it is maddening that she still takes slaves and that they act SO subservient in private. That's my one major run with Marks' tale....it feels as though our star never quite grows in this regard.

Doros' journey has been my favorite of the Ruby tales. I quite enjoyed the final third of the story, even if my heart did quicken with fear when he found the ring again.

A satisfying end to the trilogy.