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The Four Emperors #3
Otho's Regret
Duplicity. Degeneracy. Destruction. One Empire. Two Emperors. Only one can survive.Rome, AD 69. Having spectacularly grabbed the imperial throne by way of a very bloody coup, new emperor Otho is horrified to discover another emperor already declared. Aulus Vitellius is relaxing in Germania, and his two generals, the twisted Valens and the handsome but dim Caecina, are marching colossal armies to Rome to claim his prize. Hopelessly outnumbered, all looks doomed for Otho, until a series of unexpected victories bring hope.Meanwhile, a former palace slave, Antonia Caenis, returns from Judaea with plans of her own...
- GenresHistorical Fiction
480 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2018
6 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Trafford
15 books61 followersL.J. Trafford studied Ancient History at the University of Reading after which she took a job as a Tour Guide in the Lake District.
Moving to London in 2000 she began writing ‘The Four Emperors’ series. The series comprises four books – Palatine, Galba’s Men, Otho’s Regret and Vitellius’ Feast – which cover the dramatic fall of Nero and the chaotic year of the four emperors that followed.
Palatine, published in 2015, received an Editor’s Choice Mark from the Historical Novel Society. Her first book for Pen and Sword, How to Survive in Ancient Rome was published in October 2020.
Sex and Sexuality in Ancient Rome was published in 2021
Moving to London in 2000 she began writing ‘The Four Emperors’ series. The series comprises four books – Palatine, Galba’s Men, Otho’s Regret and Vitellius’ Feast – which cover the dramatic fall of Nero and the chaotic year of the four emperors that followed.
Palatine, published in 2015, received an Editor’s Choice Mark from the Historical Novel Society. Her first book for Pen and Sword, How to Survive in Ancient Rome was published in October 2020.
Sex and Sexuality in Ancient Rome was published in 2021
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 27, 2018
Fast-paced, amusing look at Otho's short-lived reign, seen mostly through the eyes of palace staff [who have their own personal lives and problems.] Good descriptions of battles between Othonian forces--mostly the Keystone Kops-like Praetorians and Vitellian Germanic legions.
October 1, 2017
Another rollicking adventure through the year of the four emperors, this time with the short-lived Emperor Otho. Once again, we see the political twists and turns of this period through the eyes of the slaves and freedmen working in the imperial palace. These men and women, cynicism about the intentions and motives of their betters long bred into them, bear the brunt of rampaging Praetorian guards, poorly planned military forays, and unwanted sexual advances. Some of these slaves/freemen were actually mentioned in the contemporary histories of the period. Despite their low positions, they somehow often managed to influence events in unexpected ways.
Most of the story is seen through the eyes of the emperor's secretary, Epaphroditus, and his assistant, Philo, who work to keep Otho on the throne even though he lacks the military manpower to defeat a rival general, Vitellius. The freedwomen and female slaves do not slack off in their efforts with Nymphidia Sabina and Lysandria (met first in "Palatine" and "Galba's Men") contributing to the general mayhem that accompanies imperial successions. A great addition to this book was Caenis, Vespasian's long-term mistress and here portrayed as the grey eminence behind his eventual rise to emperor.
I won this book in a drawing the author had, having read her previous work. "Otho's Regret" did not disappoint - it was every bit as engaging has Trafford's other books and sheds light on this often overlooked period. Highly recommended!
Most of the story is seen through the eyes of the emperor's secretary, Epaphroditus, and his assistant, Philo, who work to keep Otho on the throne even though he lacks the military manpower to defeat a rival general, Vitellius. The freedwomen and female slaves do not slack off in their efforts with Nymphidia Sabina and Lysandria (met first in "Palatine" and "Galba's Men") contributing to the general mayhem that accompanies imperial successions. A great addition to this book was Caenis, Vespasian's long-term mistress and here portrayed as the grey eminence behind his eventual rise to emperor.
I won this book in a drawing the author had, having read her previous work. "Otho's Regret" did not disappoint - it was every bit as engaging has Trafford's other books and sheds light on this often overlooked period. Highly recommended!
May 22, 2017
Wow! Another wonderful, entertaining and thoroughly engaging read! Once you pick up one of LJ's books, you simply can't put it down. I'm beginning to wish she'd write a book about every single Roman emperor, as I'm now hooked on Ancient Rome and need to find out more.
The third book in the series takes you through Otho's brief reign. A likeable, caring Emperor this time, although a little feckless!
Again, the story's mainly told through the eyes of the slaves and employees, largely Epaphroditis and Philo, who I've grown very fond of. So fond, that I was genuinely upset by the events of Dice Night, and biting my fingernails when Philo was caught in a siege. Looking forward now to Vitellius' Feast. And wondering what's going on with Domitian!
I received a proof copy in return for an honest review.
The third book in the series takes you through Otho's brief reign. A likeable, caring Emperor this time, although a little feckless!
Again, the story's mainly told through the eyes of the slaves and employees, largely Epaphroditis and Philo, who I've grown very fond of. So fond, that I was genuinely upset by the events of Dice Night, and biting my fingernails when Philo was caught in a siege. Looking forward now to Vitellius' Feast. And wondering what's going on with Domitian!
I received a proof copy in return for an honest review.
February 21, 2017
I was sent an uncorrected proof copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Plenty of new characters to meet in this, the third of the Four Emperors series. (New characters to replace those who died at the end of the last installment.) Otho is Emperor, but Vitellius, unaware of Galba's death, has sent two armies to march on Rome. Back at the palace, the slaves are relieved to be working for someone as pleasant as Otho. He'll have to face the approaching Germanic legions at some point though. In the same way that Philo will have to face his fear of the Praetorians and return to the palace. Complex intrigue, machinations, spying and gossip all play their part in the dramatic events that unfold.
Plenty of new characters to meet in this, the third of the Four Emperors series. (New characters to replace those who died at the end of the last installment.) Otho is Emperor, but Vitellius, unaware of Galba's death, has sent two armies to march on Rome. Back at the palace, the slaves are relieved to be working for someone as pleasant as Otho. He'll have to face the approaching Germanic legions at some point though. In the same way that Philo will have to face his fear of the Praetorians and return to the palace. Complex intrigue, machinations, spying and gossip all play their part in the dramatic events that unfold.
August 30, 2017
This book made me laugh and cry. I really did not want it to end. The author does a wonderful job of making the characters real. She follows the real historical events, of course, but fills in the blanks with believable ideas and motivations. And there some literally laugh out loud parts, as well as some very poignant ones. This is the third book in the series about the year of four emperors. I don't want to give away any of the plot, so just buy it! (If you haven't read the first two books, you definitely should do that first. They are just as fantastic!)
July 10, 2017
Otho’s regret is the third book in The Four Emperors series.
So after the events of the last book Otho is now emperor. Now while he doesn’t seem to be the most natural at the role he does ooze charisma, he’s fair and likeable which people notice.. the issue is he’s not going to get much of a chance to prove himself.
Persuaded by his generals Vitellius decides he should be Emperor and they set out to take the throne by force if needs be.
Vitellius and his generals have very different reasons for their actions and the author did a great job of breathing life into each of them and developing them as much as she did. The two generals Valens and Caecina have to be my favourite additions to the series so far.
With armies on the march espionage is inevitable with both sides planting spies..the fun twist is there’s more than just two players in this tale…someone is lurking..someone has their own motivations to delay Valens and Caecina but you are kept waiting and wodering as the author builds this suspense keeping you hooked until the end.
One person who has made this series stand out for me is Philo. He’s trying to move on with his life after everything has happened to him.. he’s a little out of the loop with events in the palace but soon gets sucked back in.. he even ends up playing his part in the war that is coming. I can honestly say I don’t think I’ll ever love a character as much as Philo.
Epaphroditus surprised me this time around. I never really fell in love with him until now.. this tale shows a different edge to the character which I really enjoyed.
Trafford effortlessly manages to make the tale light-hearted and fun (especially when Sporus is around) but at the same time develops the uncertainty and fears that are brewing.. Building the suspense so much your heart pounds until everything starts to tumble-down around Otho.
I’ve had high expectations with The Four Emperors series which continues to deliver time and time again. It ticks all the right boxes for historical fiction. It’s descriptive but never too heavy, fun when needed but still deals with the serious side of events.
What Trafford has done superbly is make history fun and exciting with the perfect mix of fact and fiction. It’s books like this that keep my love of reading burning strongly, always stoking the furnace..pushing me further, raising that bar which each installment.
I can’t say I’m an expert.. I just know what I like.. and this book is a shining example of what a 5* star historical fiction book should be in my opinion.
My thanks go to Karnac Books for the uncorrected proof copy for review..This will have pride of place on my book shelf.
So after the events of the last book Otho is now emperor. Now while he doesn’t seem to be the most natural at the role he does ooze charisma, he’s fair and likeable which people notice.. the issue is he’s not going to get much of a chance to prove himself.
Persuaded by his generals Vitellius decides he should be Emperor and they set out to take the throne by force if needs be.
Vitellius and his generals have very different reasons for their actions and the author did a great job of breathing life into each of them and developing them as much as she did. The two generals Valens and Caecina have to be my favourite additions to the series so far.
With armies on the march espionage is inevitable with both sides planting spies..the fun twist is there’s more than just two players in this tale…someone is lurking..someone has their own motivations to delay Valens and Caecina but you are kept waiting and wodering as the author builds this suspense keeping you hooked until the end.
One person who has made this series stand out for me is Philo. He’s trying to move on with his life after everything has happened to him.. he’s a little out of the loop with events in the palace but soon gets sucked back in.. he even ends up playing his part in the war that is coming. I can honestly say I don’t think I’ll ever love a character as much as Philo.
Epaphroditus surprised me this time around. I never really fell in love with him until now.. this tale shows a different edge to the character which I really enjoyed.
Trafford effortlessly manages to make the tale light-hearted and fun (especially when Sporus is around) but at the same time develops the uncertainty and fears that are brewing.. Building the suspense so much your heart pounds until everything starts to tumble-down around Otho.
I’ve had high expectations with The Four Emperors series which continues to deliver time and time again. It ticks all the right boxes for historical fiction. It’s descriptive but never too heavy, fun when needed but still deals with the serious side of events.
What Trafford has done superbly is make history fun and exciting with the perfect mix of fact and fiction. It’s books like this that keep my love of reading burning strongly, always stoking the furnace..pushing me further, raising that bar which each installment.
I can’t say I’m an expert.. I just know what I like.. and this book is a shining example of what a 5* star historical fiction book should be in my opinion.
My thanks go to Karnac Books for the uncorrected proof copy for review..This will have pride of place on my book shelf.
May 24, 2021
Picking up right where we left off, Otho's crew is still wiping off the blood and trundling away the bodies from his violent little coup that put him on the imperial throne. Otho immediately enjoys himself, determined to get the 'Most Sophisticated Emperor' award, while everyone else starts to worry about the new challenge of this Vitellius guy in charge of the German legions who has just declared himself emperor.
And Vitellius isn't the only new player on the board. He is propped up by two generals who know how big the spoils are if they can get their guy on the throne, and he goes along with it, just as long as his wine cup is full and there is a roast chicken leg in easy reach.
As they march down to Rome from the Germanic lands, we have people arriving from Judaea, specially Antonia Caenis, the long time mistress of the governor down there, Vespasian. She is back in Rome to get the latest news, pass a few innocent notes to help her partner's career, and to look out for Vespasian's younger son, Domitian, who, in a fit of teenage angst, has taken to his bed to moan about how boring everything is and how nothing ever happens.
A main character is killed about halfway through the story before the major battle, reminding the reader just how brutal life in the Roman Empire - and that status does not always save you when people's blood is up. There are numerous events throughout so crazy that Trafford has to tell you in the author's note, yes, that actually happened. The fate of the empire turned quite a few times on, literally, a roll of the dice - not to mention a few flagons of wine.
Lots of spying in between lots of action between armies, as well as the every day events of ordinary people just trying to live their lives and continually being swept up in these big events.
An EXCELLANT installment in this series - off to Book 4!
June 6, 2017
Another rollicking read. Great characters - nice to see some of the favourites back again. Nail biting as ever! Loved it. Ancient Rome for the masses!
I received a proof copy in return for an honest review.
I received a proof copy in return for an honest review.
April 24, 2022
Otho’s Regret
Funny, dark, bright, hopeful, and hopeless, all in one. :) you know some people are terrible, and yet you want more. You mourn when others are dispatched.
Funny, dark, bright, hopeful, and hopeless, all in one. :) you know some people are terrible, and yet you want more. You mourn when others are dispatched.
February 27, 2017
Readers of Palatine and Galba's Men will have known what to expect of Otho's Regret - a rollicking, rip-snorting book that romps through Rome like a runaway goat.
Unlike most writers of historical fiction, Trafford's main characters are mostly slaves and freedmen, which gives her work a solid, broad-based feel, and makes it more relatable than tales concerned purely with crowned heads and people of that ilk.
Even more than in previous books, Trafford's earthy humour and finely-drawn characters make this new instalment in the series a pure delight. There is not a dull page in the whole thing, and I went short of sleep while I was reading it. I do not know of any writer of historical fiction whom I would rather read.
Not to be missed!
Unlike most writers of historical fiction, Trafford's main characters are mostly slaves and freedmen, which gives her work a solid, broad-based feel, and makes it more relatable than tales concerned purely with crowned heads and people of that ilk.
Even more than in previous books, Trafford's earthy humour and finely-drawn characters make this new instalment in the series a pure delight. There is not a dull page in the whole thing, and I went short of sleep while I was reading it. I do not know of any writer of historical fiction whom I would rather read.
Not to be missed!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews