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The Rise of Caesarion's Rome #1
Ave, Caesarion
Fifteen years ago, Caesar escaped assassination, and went on to be crowned Emperor of Rome. His son by Cleopatra, Caesarion, carries the blood of Mars, Venus, Isis, and Osiris in his veins—but will the power that the gods have granted him, be enough to secure his hold on Rome after his father’s death?
What of the powers his sister, Eurydice Julia, has begun to manifest, and her puzzling visions that hint at the sacrifices that the gods of both Rome and Egypt will demand of them?
Will they, together, be strong enough to forge a better world than the one their ancestors built?
Return to the world of Edda-Earth, where magic and science coexist and all the gods are real. Join Caesarion, Eurydice, their brother Alexander Julius, and their friends, Tiberius Claudius Nero and Marcus Antonius Antyllus, as they struggle to hold the world that they've inherited.
And remember this truth: The end was only the beginning . . . .
What of the powers his sister, Eurydice Julia, has begun to manifest, and her puzzling visions that hint at the sacrifices that the gods of both Rome and Egypt will demand of them?
Will they, together, be strong enough to forge a better world than the one their ancestors built?
Return to the world of Edda-Earth, where magic and science coexist and all the gods are real. Join Caesarion, Eurydice, their brother Alexander Julius, and their friends, Tiberius Claudius Nero and Marcus Antonius Antyllus, as they struggle to hold the world that they've inherited.
And remember this truth: The end was only the beginning . . . .
659 pages, Paperback
First published October 21, 2016
6 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Deborah L. Davitt
85 books35 followersDeborah L. Davitt was born at an Army hospital in Washington state, but spent the first twenty-two years of her life in Reno, Nevada.
She graduated first in her class from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 1997, and took her BA in English Literature with a strong focus on medieval and Renaissance literature. In 1999, she received an MA in English from Penn State.
Since then, she has taught composition, rhetoric, and technical writing, and created technical documentation on topics ranging from nuclear submarines to NASA’s return to flight to computer hardware and software.
Her poetry has garnered her Pushcart and Rhysling nominations, and has appeared in over twenty journals; her short fiction has earned a finalist showing for the Jim Baen Adventure Fantasy Award (2018) and has appeared in InterGalactic Medicine Show, Compelling Science Fiction, Galaxy’s Edge, and Pseudopod.
Her critically-acclaimed Edda-Earth novels are available through Amazon. She's also known for the well-received, 3.5 million word fanfic called Spirit of Redemption that exposed her to a global audience.
In 2019, her first full-length poetry collection, The Gates of Never, will be available from Finishing Line Press.
She currently lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and son.
She graduated first in her class from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 1997, and took her BA in English Literature with a strong focus on medieval and Renaissance literature. In 1999, she received an MA in English from Penn State.
Since then, she has taught composition, rhetoric, and technical writing, and created technical documentation on topics ranging from nuclear submarines to NASA’s return to flight to computer hardware and software.
Her poetry has garnered her Pushcart and Rhysling nominations, and has appeared in over twenty journals; her short fiction has earned a finalist showing for the Jim Baen Adventure Fantasy Award (2018) and has appeared in InterGalactic Medicine Show, Compelling Science Fiction, Galaxy’s Edge, and Pseudopod.
Her critically-acclaimed Edda-Earth novels are available through Amazon. She's also known for the well-received, 3.5 million word fanfic called Spirit of Redemption that exposed her to a global audience.
In 2019, her first full-length poetry collection, The Gates of Never, will be available from Finishing Line Press.
She currently lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and son.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 6, 2016
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I chose this book because I have been fascinated with Cleopatra for a long time, and one thing that I hardly found anything about was her children. So when I found out that this book is about her children in an alternate-timeline I had to read it. Before you start reading the story the author gives some warnings about things that might be disturbing to readers. This book is supposed to be taking place during a time where things that are taboo now, was simply normal practice back then. Like incest between the royal family, and people getting married YOUNG. This book is filled with amazing characters each strong in their own way, in an intriguing setting.
I have to say that I enjoyed this book a lot even though there were some things in here that were a little out of my comfort zone, but I knew that before I started reading. In this book Julius Cesar was crowned Emperor and Cleopatra his Empress. The book starts with Cesar’s death and how this throws a very young Caesarion onto the throne trying to maneuver through all the political intrigue and backstabbing/poisoning with minimal death. Caesarion has an especially difficult task ahead of him since in the eyes of many he is the bastard son of Cleopatra and Julius Cesar, and in this book supposedly god-born. Each member in his family has a key role to play, and each child has a special skill and spirit guides that helps keep them safe.
I can only imagine how strong Cleopatra was making the decisions she did, and how she was able to make two of the most powerful men fall in love with her to keep her country safe according to history. In this book Ms. Davitt does a phenomenal job in showing how difficult her life must have been especially if she became the Empress as she did in this story. Then there are the royal children who have grown up with the brilliance of both of their parents plus their supernatural abilities that they are keeping secret from everyone outside their family. They need both of these to survive, and thrive in such a hostile environment where you don’t know who you can trust, or if the next thing you eat or drink just might kill you.
I have to say that I enjoyed this book a lot even though there were some things in here that were a little out of my comfort zone, but I knew that before I started reading. In this book Julius Cesar was crowned Emperor and Cleopatra his Empress. The book starts with Cesar’s death and how this throws a very young Caesarion onto the throne trying to maneuver through all the political intrigue and backstabbing/poisoning with minimal death. Caesarion has an especially difficult task ahead of him since in the eyes of many he is the bastard son of Cleopatra and Julius Cesar, and in this book supposedly god-born. Each member in his family has a key role to play, and each child has a special skill and spirit guides that helps keep them safe.
I can only imagine how strong Cleopatra was making the decisions she did, and how she was able to make two of the most powerful men fall in love with her to keep her country safe according to history. In this book Ms. Davitt does a phenomenal job in showing how difficult her life must have been especially if she became the Empress as she did in this story. Then there are the royal children who have grown up with the brilliance of both of their parents plus their supernatural abilities that they are keeping secret from everyone outside their family. They need both of these to survive, and thrive in such a hostile environment where you don’t know who you can trust, or if the next thing you eat or drink just might kill you.
August 22, 2017
What if, instead of dying, Julius Caesar and Cleopatra had gotten married and produced magical children? That is the premise of "Ave, Caesarion," a prequel to the Edda-Earth saga, in which we find out how, instead of falling, Rome continued to rule for another two thousand years.
If you enjoyed the Edda-Earth books, then "Ave, Caesarion" is a necessary read. If you haven't read the Edda-Earth books yet, then "Ave, Caesarion" is a good place to start, since it sets up the backstory for the later books.
Like them, its biggest strength is its worldbuilding, which is truly impressive. The life of ancient Rome is depicted in minute detail that still manages to feel alive and immediate, as do the characters, whether they are real historical people such as Cleopatra or Mark Anthony, or fictional, like Cleopatra and Caesar's children. The alternative world and alternative history that has been created feels as real as the real thing, maybe more so, as does the magic that they wield.
The characters themselves are also compelling, although WARNING! This is not a book for the prudish! The sex is not exceptionally graphic, but there are Hellenes involved. And Egyptians. The unusual arrangements that some of the characters end up in feel natural and relatable and not at all perverse, but...they are unusual.
Like the other books in the series, this one features a powerful female character (although Eurydice is very different from Sigrun) in the highly masculine world of Rome, and like the other books, this one flirts with different approaches and understanding of the problem of female empowerment against a masculine backdrop. Eurydice is not a warrior, but a sorceress, something the other Romans are very uncomfortable with, just as they are alarmed by the magic, often wielded by women, that the "barbarians" they are attempting to conquer use against them. Eurydice thus walks a very fine line: she can only be accepted by Roman society by proving her worth in the masculine sphere of the army, fighting against women whose rage against Rome is well-founded, and she is by and large happy to do so, and to scorn the other Roman women as well, whom she considers (largely correctly) to be narrow-minded, shallow, and lacking in the bonds of sisterhood that would parallel the bonds of brotherhood that the men who serve together forge. The books ends just as she is coming into her true power, so what will happen next is yet to be revealed.
"Ave, Caesarion" is not a short read, and while it's quite a cracking story, it's dense with worldbuilding detail, as well as thought-provoking issues of empire-building (its Rome deals with many of the same things that modern-day America does--unfortunately, I fear our current leader may not be as thoughtful as Caesarion). So if you're looking for a quick, light read, this is probably not the book for you, but if you enjoy thoughtful, intriguing fantasy or alternative histories, you should definitely check it out.
If you enjoyed the Edda-Earth books, then "Ave, Caesarion" is a necessary read. If you haven't read the Edda-Earth books yet, then "Ave, Caesarion" is a good place to start, since it sets up the backstory for the later books.
Like them, its biggest strength is its worldbuilding, which is truly impressive. The life of ancient Rome is depicted in minute detail that still manages to feel alive and immediate, as do the characters, whether they are real historical people such as Cleopatra or Mark Anthony, or fictional, like Cleopatra and Caesar's children. The alternative world and alternative history that has been created feels as real as the real thing, maybe more so, as does the magic that they wield.
The characters themselves are also compelling, although WARNING! This is not a book for the prudish! The sex is not exceptionally graphic, but there are Hellenes involved. And Egyptians. The unusual arrangements that some of the characters end up in feel natural and relatable and not at all perverse, but...they are unusual.
Like the other books in the series, this one features a powerful female character (although Eurydice is very different from Sigrun) in the highly masculine world of Rome, and like the other books, this one flirts with different approaches and understanding of the problem of female empowerment against a masculine backdrop. Eurydice is not a warrior, but a sorceress, something the other Romans are very uncomfortable with, just as they are alarmed by the magic, often wielded by women, that the "barbarians" they are attempting to conquer use against them. Eurydice thus walks a very fine line: she can only be accepted by Roman society by proving her worth in the masculine sphere of the army, fighting against women whose rage against Rome is well-founded, and she is by and large happy to do so, and to scorn the other Roman women as well, whom she considers (largely correctly) to be narrow-minded, shallow, and lacking in the bonds of sisterhood that would parallel the bonds of brotherhood that the men who serve together forge. The books ends just as she is coming into her true power, so what will happen next is yet to be revealed.
"Ave, Caesarion" is not a short read, and while it's quite a cracking story, it's dense with worldbuilding detail, as well as thought-provoking issues of empire-building (its Rome deals with many of the same things that modern-day America does--unfortunately, I fear our current leader may not be as thoughtful as Caesarion). So if you're looking for a quick, light read, this is probably not the book for you, but if you enjoy thoughtful, intriguing fantasy or alternative histories, you should definitely check it out.
December 2, 2016
Title: Ave, Caesarion
Author: Deborah Davitt
Genre: Fantasy
Publication Date: October 20, 2016
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 534
This product was given to Black Fox Book Review in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Amazon Book Blurb:
"A single event can reshape a world—or shatter it forever.
Fifteen years ago, Caesar escaped assassination, and went on to be crowned Emperor of Rome. His son by Cleopatra, Caesarion, carries the blood of Mars, Venus, Isis, and Osiris in his veins—but will the power that the gods have granted him, be enough to secure his hold on Rome after his father’s death?
What of the powers his sister, Eurydice Julia, has begun to manifest, and her puzzling visions that hint at the sacrifices that the gods of both Rome and Egypt will demand of them?
Will they, together, be strong enough to forge a better world than the one their ancestors built?
Return to the world of Edda-Earth, where magic and science coexist and all the gods are real.
And always remember this truth: The end of all things . . . was just the beginning."
Review: This review is somewhat limited in scope. The copy I received for my kindle had some strange formatting issues that I verified are not found in the digital retail copy on Amazon. As a result, I'm not sure what formatting and sentence structure issues are unique to my copy. Thus, I am forced to keep this review limited to an evaluation of its story elements.
Mixed in with the nonfiction backdrop of a recently imperialized Rome is a healthy dose of magic and mythology that gives the setting a relatively unique setting akin to Stiger's Tigers, the review of which you can find here.
I should say upfront that this book contains adult content and some nearly universal taboo themes. The author tries to keep this from being a surprise to the reader in the Foreword where she encourages readers to keep an open mind by not projecting current day morals on a very different time and culture.
Those who read bodice rippers will probably find it pretty tame. While Ave, Caesarion contained many references to male and female arousal and the occasional blanket hornpipe, I felt it was still subtle and tastefully done and it served to further specific plotlines. Still, there was far, far more sexual tension and sexual content than I'm used to. So if you avoid books containing green gowns, you've been warned and you're welcome. If that sort of thing is your bag, you're just plain welcome.
The plot pacing was a little off at the beginning, but improved as the story progressed. Near the start, a key character is giving a eulogy one moment at a beloved's funeral, then the reader is whisked suddenly and without so much as a section break to an attempt on his life which is also brushed over. These scenes would have been wonderful storytelling opportunities; the assassination attempt could've been a very exciting conflict, but received only a cursory treatment which I found disappointing. Again, this sort of scene-skipping was only prevalent in the beginning. There were also instances of head-hopping throughout. This kind of third-person omniscience within a single scene has to be treated carefully, and many, myself included, prefer to avoid it altogether. It wasn't confusing, however, and as such is acceptable by literary standards.
Another issue that occasionally presented was awkward sentence structuring. E.g.: "Was going to ask you to go to Athens for me. Will take three months, probably." Now, this being dialogue gives the author a lot of leeway given its usually casual nature. I've heard people drop the starting pronoun just like in the first sentence enough that it still works for me. It's rare in written dialogue, but it doesn't quite cross the line into awkward territory. The second sentence on the other hand, I do find awkward. And then there were cases similar to this that were not dialogue, internal or otherwise. Exposition that isn't internal dialogue really shouldn't ever be casual like this, and unfortunately, Ave, Caesarion contains a few instances.
I found the ending to be a tad anticlimactic. There came a point when our protagonists' military campaigning came to an end when their taboo activities became public knowledge. It's at this point that only the potential for political conflict is present, but no real political conflict really presents itself. There's some overheard backbiting, but nothing overly threatening. There's only the potential for threatening conflict, and that's not good conflict to rely on just before a climax. The book winds up with a very showy climax, but without a stronger conflict that actually manifests itself, this climax is wasted.
Now, after having pointed out the various flaws and weaknesses of the story, I come to the point where I broadly paint a picture of why the book is still a worthwhile read.
I'm generally reading several books at any given time, so it's noteworthy that while I slogged through the other books I was reading at the time which were all written by established and traditionally published authors, Ave, Caesarion was the book I kept falling back on when I was tired of trudging through these other books' frequent lulls. The premise, setting and characters all kept me interested and invested throughout the book. Ultimately, despite the detractions I outlined earlier, I enjoyed the book quite a bit. I fear that due to its imperfections, its appeal will be greatly limited to readers who have a preexisting interest in fantasy and the Roman Empire such as myself.
While I can't confirm the author's accuracy, it seemed apparent that Ms. Davitt really did her research on ancient Roman culture. There are a number of rituals and holiday traditions I'd never heard of before that helped tremendously with immersing me in the setting. There's also a considerably sized glossary of Roman terms at the back of the book that sheds additional light on the the unique aspects of the culture of the Roman Empire.
In all, Ave, Caesarion is an enjoyable read for those who enjoy fiction based in ancient Roma and don't mind a little horizontal mambo mixed in.
Author: Deborah Davitt
Genre: Fantasy
Publication Date: October 20, 2016
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 534
This product was given to Black Fox Book Review in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Amazon Book Blurb:
"A single event can reshape a world—or shatter it forever.
Fifteen years ago, Caesar escaped assassination, and went on to be crowned Emperor of Rome. His son by Cleopatra, Caesarion, carries the blood of Mars, Venus, Isis, and Osiris in his veins—but will the power that the gods have granted him, be enough to secure his hold on Rome after his father’s death?
What of the powers his sister, Eurydice Julia, has begun to manifest, and her puzzling visions that hint at the sacrifices that the gods of both Rome and Egypt will demand of them?
Will they, together, be strong enough to forge a better world than the one their ancestors built?
Return to the world of Edda-Earth, where magic and science coexist and all the gods are real.
And always remember this truth: The end of all things . . . was just the beginning."
Review: This review is somewhat limited in scope. The copy I received for my kindle had some strange formatting issues that I verified are not found in the digital retail copy on Amazon. As a result, I'm not sure what formatting and sentence structure issues are unique to my copy. Thus, I am forced to keep this review limited to an evaluation of its story elements.
Mixed in with the nonfiction backdrop of a recently imperialized Rome is a healthy dose of magic and mythology that gives the setting a relatively unique setting akin to Stiger's Tigers, the review of which you can find here.
I should say upfront that this book contains adult content and some nearly universal taboo themes. The author tries to keep this from being a surprise to the reader in the Foreword where she encourages readers to keep an open mind by not projecting current day morals on a very different time and culture.
Those who read bodice rippers will probably find it pretty tame. While Ave, Caesarion contained many references to male and female arousal and the occasional blanket hornpipe, I felt it was still subtle and tastefully done and it served to further specific plotlines. Still, there was far, far more sexual tension and sexual content than I'm used to. So if you avoid books containing green gowns, you've been warned and you're welcome. If that sort of thing is your bag, you're just plain welcome.
The plot pacing was a little off at the beginning, but improved as the story progressed. Near the start, a key character is giving a eulogy one moment at a beloved's funeral, then the reader is whisked suddenly and without so much as a section break to an attempt on his life which is also brushed over. These scenes would have been wonderful storytelling opportunities; the assassination attempt could've been a very exciting conflict, but received only a cursory treatment which I found disappointing. Again, this sort of scene-skipping was only prevalent in the beginning. There were also instances of head-hopping throughout. This kind of third-person omniscience within a single scene has to be treated carefully, and many, myself included, prefer to avoid it altogether. It wasn't confusing, however, and as such is acceptable by literary standards.
Another issue that occasionally presented was awkward sentence structuring. E.g.: "Was going to ask you to go to Athens for me. Will take three months, probably." Now, this being dialogue gives the author a lot of leeway given its usually casual nature. I've heard people drop the starting pronoun just like in the first sentence enough that it still works for me. It's rare in written dialogue, but it doesn't quite cross the line into awkward territory. The second sentence on the other hand, I do find awkward. And then there were cases similar to this that were not dialogue, internal or otherwise. Exposition that isn't internal dialogue really shouldn't ever be casual like this, and unfortunately, Ave, Caesarion contains a few instances.
I found the ending to be a tad anticlimactic. There came a point when our protagonists' military campaigning came to an end when their taboo activities became public knowledge. It's at this point that only the potential for political conflict is present, but no real political conflict really presents itself. There's some overheard backbiting, but nothing overly threatening. There's only the potential for threatening conflict, and that's not good conflict to rely on just before a climax. The book winds up with a very showy climax, but without a stronger conflict that actually manifests itself, this climax is wasted.
Now, after having pointed out the various flaws and weaknesses of the story, I come to the point where I broadly paint a picture of why the book is still a worthwhile read.
I'm generally reading several books at any given time, so it's noteworthy that while I slogged through the other books I was reading at the time which were all written by established and traditionally published authors, Ave, Caesarion was the book I kept falling back on when I was tired of trudging through these other books' frequent lulls. The premise, setting and characters all kept me interested and invested throughout the book. Ultimately, despite the detractions I outlined earlier, I enjoyed the book quite a bit. I fear that due to its imperfections, its appeal will be greatly limited to readers who have a preexisting interest in fantasy and the Roman Empire such as myself.
While I can't confirm the author's accuracy, it seemed apparent that Ms. Davitt really did her research on ancient Roman culture. There are a number of rituals and holiday traditions I'd never heard of before that helped tremendously with immersing me in the setting. There's also a considerably sized glossary of Roman terms at the back of the book that sheds additional light on the the unique aspects of the culture of the Roman Empire.
In all, Ave, Caesarion is an enjoyable read for those who enjoy fiction based in ancient Roma and don't mind a little horizontal mambo mixed in.
October 21, 2016
Well, that date there represents the date I *published* it. After. . . nine or ten drafts since December 2015, with two more in the can after it, and a still-in-progress fourth.
I go through many phases in writing. Loving what I've written. And, by the tenth pass, loathing it. And, eventually, years later, after studiously *not looking at it* again in the interim, I might smile and go "Hey. That was *me* who wrote that? That's . . . actually not bad."
Here's hoping everyone enjoys this blend of historical deep dive and fantasy action. After living in the Rome of my head, the Rome of the past, for so long, it often feels like I could walk out my front door and find myself there--the strange and alien alongside the startlingly familiar. I hope everyone else has something of that sensation as well.
I go through many phases in writing. Loving what I've written. And, by the tenth pass, loathing it. And, eventually, years later, after studiously *not looking at it* again in the interim, I might smile and go "Hey. That was *me* who wrote that? That's . . . actually not bad."
Here's hoping everyone enjoys this blend of historical deep dive and fantasy action. After living in the Rome of my head, the Rome of the past, for so long, it often feels like I could walk out my front door and find myself there--the strange and alien alongside the startlingly familiar. I hope everyone else has something of that sensation as well.
November 19, 2016
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I wanted to like this, I really did, but I'm about 50 pages in and I just don't care enough. The writing in this book is extremely clunky, it doesn't flow very well and the story doesn't unfold, the characters don't come alive very well. There are definitely moments where they do, but overall it's like I'm being shown where the story is and having everything pointed out. Another annoying part - which should be a plus but the execution fails here, is the history lesson of ancient Rome woven through, it makes my teeth hurt rather than enjoying myself.
There's a good base idea here, the alt-history take is definitely engaging - it's why I was interested in reading it. But it doesn't read well at this point, and it needs revision, rewriting and editing.
I wanted to like this, I really did, but I'm about 50 pages in and I just don't care enough. The writing in this book is extremely clunky, it doesn't flow very well and the story doesn't unfold, the characters don't come alive very well. There are definitely moments where they do, but overall it's like I'm being shown where the story is and having everything pointed out. Another annoying part - which should be a plus but the execution fails here, is the history lesson of ancient Rome woven through, it makes my teeth hurt rather than enjoying myself.
There's a good base idea here, the alt-history take is definitely engaging - it's why I was interested in reading it. But it doesn't read well at this point, and it needs revision, rewriting and editing.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews