What do you think?
Rate this book
Augusta
65 AD. The most powerful man in the world, the Roman emperor Nero, is weeping in the chamber of his beloved wife. Her golden curls are strewn on the mosaicked floor. Her bright eyes have stopped shining. At age 35, Pompeii's famous daughter is no more. This is the story of Poppaea Sabina - a woman who was hated and adored, praised and maligned, an extraordinary woman who suffered a terrible fate.
453 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2021
154 people are currently reading
712 people want to read
About the author
Dora Ilieva
7 books164 followersI am a Bulgarian-Canadian author. My first novel is "The Devil's Gorge" - a tale of mystery, love and betrayal. I grew up in Sofia, Bulgaria and moved to Canada with my family when I was twenty-eight. Reading is what I love best. I often read several books at a time. My time is split between reading, writing, family and work. Travelling, watching crime shows and observing people are also things that I like. My second book, the short story collection "Faces", deals with the all too human problems city dwellers encounter on a daily basis. In August, 2016, I published my third book "The Master" which takes the reader on a roller-coaster journey in search of an artefact that could change the fate of the world.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 30, 2021
This was a fast read for me because I love stories about Ancient Rome. The story takes us through the life of Poppaea. She is the daughter from a patrician family but her father was a traitor and therefore had to die. Her mother does what she has to do in order to give Poppaea a better life. She is a strong character who uses her brain in order to make the most of her difficult life in a world that gives all power to males. I thought this book was very accurate and the research into daily life in Rome was well done. I found this story very interesting and easy to read. I highly recommend it for anyone who loves historical fiction. My only wish would be there would have been more to the ending. There was an author’s note which I always appreciate I just wish there had been a little more to it. Thank you to Goodreads for the advanced copy.
June 30, 2021
Ancient Rome in the late Julio-Claudian dynasty is the setting for this novel, narrated in the first person by real historical figure Poppaea Sabina. The story chronicles her life, from A.D. 30 to her death in A.D. 65. Poppaea tells us of her modest upbringing, her controlling and manipulative mother, a step-father where disinterest is mutual. Then, her distasteful marriage at the age of 14 to Rufinius Crispinus, a man she finds revolting. After efforts to avoid pregnancy an epiphany over her safety and security, as dictated by Roman Law, leads her to actively pursue the birth of a son. But, more social climbing awaits, carefully orchestrated by the ambitious and scheming Poppaea. Along her path to glory, she meets a number of historical and religious figures, that, while likely an embellishment, add some interest to the story. While still married to Crispinus, she pursues marriage to a future Emperor of Rome (but not on the watch of this book). Crispinus of course makes a classic Roman Disappearing act. Then, she concedes to be the concubine and then second wife of the emperor of Rome, Nero. (Then-husband makes the classic Roman disappearing act). With Nero, Poppaea takes on the role of trusted advisor, Manipulator-in-Chief, benevolent protector of commoners and defender of all of religions. You can imagine how this ends.
History tells us this story, and the author follows relatively close the historical detail that is known. A few embellishments by the author add a touch of humanity to a brutal era of Roman history, and give Poppaea a more pristine glow than she likely deserves. The interactions with Nero are more in line with what we expect from this unpredictable and petulant emperor. And, thank you to the author for not repeating the thoroughly debunked myth of Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burned!
It is an interesting and simple read if you enjoy Roman History (and I do). But, the narration in the first person of Poppaea leaves a lot to be desired. It is so simple, like a child would speak, and flows in a flat monotone, more like a police incident report than a novel. The characters were not really developed and I came away knowing what happened in chronology, with little inkling of the motivations behind the players who populated the important events. Still, it was about ancient Rome, and it was generally accurate in its presentation.
History tells us this story, and the author follows relatively close the historical detail that is known. A few embellishments by the author add a touch of humanity to a brutal era of Roman history, and give Poppaea a more pristine glow than she likely deserves. The interactions with Nero are more in line with what we expect from this unpredictable and petulant emperor. And, thank you to the author for not repeating the thoroughly debunked myth of Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burned!
It is an interesting and simple read if you enjoy Roman History (and I do). But, the narration in the first person of Poppaea leaves a lot to be desired. It is so simple, like a child would speak, and flows in a flat monotone, more like a police incident report than a novel. The characters were not really developed and I came away knowing what happened in chronology, with little inkling of the motivations behind the players who populated the important events. Still, it was about ancient Rome, and it was generally accurate in its presentation.
October 30, 2021
Poppaea Sabina (Nero's second wife)'s story - her early childhood, forays with the Christians, her troubled relationship with her mother, and her marriages. This book traveled well enough but could probably have been better edited; it ends abruptly that I thought there were missing pages in my copy.
I am not being fair here, because I've already read Margaret George's books on Nero. After reading George's work, it's hard not to make the inevitable comparison.
I am not being fair here, because I've already read Margaret George's books on Nero. After reading George's work, it's hard not to make the inevitable comparison.
June 2, 2021
I am a historical fiction buff, although I haven't read much recently set in Ancient Rome.
I picked this one because it was 1) newly released, 2) free (that day) and 3) had no reviews (yet). I love helping out new authors/releases.
The novel didn't have a lot of depth to it -- it was kind of "flat", almost like a newspaper article as opposed to a story. I wasn't able to get immersed into the events being portrayed Poppaea lived in turbulent times: politics, religion, conflicts. Other than her curiosity about "Christos" and his followers, there was so much about the time period that was glossed over.
I like to be immersed in a story that calls me back into its pages when I have to set the book down and get on with my own life before I've finished. This wasn't that book.
I picked this one because it was 1) newly released, 2) free (that day) and 3) had no reviews (yet). I love helping out new authors/releases.
The novel didn't have a lot of depth to it -- it was kind of "flat", almost like a newspaper article as opposed to a story. I wasn't able to get immersed into the events being portrayed Poppaea lived in turbulent times: politics, religion, conflicts. Other than her curiosity about "Christos" and his followers, there was so much about the time period that was glossed over.
I like to be immersed in a story that calls me back into its pages when I have to set the book down and get on with my own life before I've finished. This wasn't that book.
September 15, 2021
Poppaea was Nero’s second wife. I knew about Nero, knew he was a nut, but knew nothing about his wives. Poor women!
October 30, 2021
This was my first time to read this author. I liked her diary style of writing, but the review of such a style tends to be choppy. So here is my choppy review. The action ends in 65 AD with the death of Poppaea, the wife of Nero, but the action starts with her childhood. She was a beautiful, kind, wealthy and smart woman. Women generally had few rights in that age, but she manipulated two powerful men to her advantage. Slavery was practiced in abundance, but the free people enjoyed many Civil liberties. At one point, Nero and Poppaea discussed lowering taxes on the middle class. Nero killed his mother and first wife so that he could marry Poppaea. No doubt Nero was insanely cruel, but he could be incredibly kind. His moods were so mercurial that Poppaea had to be quick to respond to what might be his mood of the moment. Paul of Tarsus came across the pages of the book. Nero did not like Jews or Christians. Poor Paul, he was both. Poppaea's star did shine for many years, but a flame can be smothered quickly.
Thank you, Ms. Ilieva, for a good read.
Thank you, Ms. Ilieva, for a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2024
3.5 but rounding up. Because there is a lack of ancient Roman historical fiction from the perspective of a female, in my opinion.
This book is about Poppaea Sabina, second wife of Nero. It starts from her childhood and ends at the inevitable… end. While there are many truths and facts in this book, Poppaea Sabina’s life history isn’t so well documented. Therefore a lot of possibilities become fictional truths.
The writing was easy to read, although there were several tense and punctuation errors. It wasn’t bad enough to be off putting, but still noticeable. There were a few terms that sounded rather modern to me, like ‘make-up’ (I would have used cosmetics or just mentioned the actual items). No one said ‘okay’ or ‘mom’, though, so it’s just me nitpicking.
The end was rather abrupt, but I guess it’s kind of appropriate.
A decent if not amazing read.
This book is about Poppaea Sabina, second wife of Nero. It starts from her childhood and ends at the inevitable… end. While there are many truths and facts in this book, Poppaea Sabina’s life history isn’t so well documented. Therefore a lot of possibilities become fictional truths.
The writing was easy to read, although there were several tense and punctuation errors. It wasn’t bad enough to be off putting, but still noticeable. There were a few terms that sounded rather modern to me, like ‘make-up’ (I would have used cosmetics or just mentioned the actual items). No one said ‘okay’ or ‘mom’, though, so it’s just me nitpicking.
The end was rather abrupt, but I guess it’s kind of appropriate.
A decent if not amazing read.
October 22, 2021
An account of the life of Poppaea Augusta--wife of Emperor Nero--in the mid first century of the Roman empire. A great beauty with flaming red hair who attracted men and gossip from the society of the time.
A story revealing Roman society and home life from a woman's perspective.
Married at about age 14 to a man old enough to be her father, she was expected to be a meek and obedient wife who produced an heir for her husband. But this kind of life chafed Poppaea who wanted to be an independent woman, making her own decisions. She wanted a loving relationship But this first husband was a boorish brute who had been selected for her. Her wishes were never taken into consideration.
This was the time of Messalina (wife of Emperor Claudius) and Agrippina (mother of Emperor Nero). Roman society was a game of politics--between both men and women. Ever striving to gain power and glory, the scheming created both joy and tragedy. Poppaea was the victim of both.
A story revealing Roman society and home life from a woman's perspective.
Married at about age 14 to a man old enough to be her father, she was expected to be a meek and obedient wife who produced an heir for her husband. But this kind of life chafed Poppaea who wanted to be an independent woman, making her own decisions. She wanted a loving relationship But this first husband was a boorish brute who had been selected for her. Her wishes were never taken into consideration.
This was the time of Messalina (wife of Emperor Claudius) and Agrippina (mother of Emperor Nero). Roman society was a game of politics--between both men and women. Ever striving to gain power and glory, the scheming created both joy and tragedy. Poppaea was the victim of both.
November 27, 2021
Living in fear
Immensely readable story based on the life of Poppaea the wife of Emperor Nero. This book gives some insight into the laws governing the behaviour of noble Roman women and how society expected them to act.
The story follows Poppaea from childhood through to her death. An intelligent and attractive woman she was at the mercy of men who controlled her life in order to improve their own status. Noble women in Rome it seems hard very little say in their own destiny. Set during a time when Christianity was seen as a threat to the Roman way of life and intrigue and conspiracy rife Poppaea is fully aware that one wrong word or action could spell death for her and her son.
Immensely readable story based on the life of Poppaea the wife of Emperor Nero. This book gives some insight into the laws governing the behaviour of noble Roman women and how society expected them to act.
The story follows Poppaea from childhood through to her death. An intelligent and attractive woman she was at the mercy of men who controlled her life in order to improve their own status. Noble women in Rome it seems hard very little say in their own destiny. Set during a time when Christianity was seen as a threat to the Roman way of life and intrigue and conspiracy rife Poppaea is fully aware that one wrong word or action could spell death for her and her son.
September 11, 2021
Great historical novel.
I loved this! I read all historical novels regarding ancient Rome. I was a bit hesitant about reading it because of a review that criticized the lack of dealing with important issues of the time. After reading it, I cannot imagine any issue even approaching the importance of the spread of Christianity at that time, which the book does treat rather vividly.
It was interesting that Nero was portrayed as a monster, but not as the monster that fiddled as Rome burned, and perhaps set the fires himself, but rather tried to help the common people. He still comes across as a monstrous psychopath but perhaps in a more complex way than popularly imagined.
I loved this! I read all historical novels regarding ancient Rome. I was a bit hesitant about reading it because of a review that criticized the lack of dealing with important issues of the time. After reading it, I cannot imagine any issue even approaching the importance of the spread of Christianity at that time, which the book does treat rather vividly.
It was interesting that Nero was portrayed as a monster, but not as the monster that fiddled as Rome burned, and perhaps set the fires himself, but rather tried to help the common people. He still comes across as a monstrous psychopath but perhaps in a more complex way than popularly imagined.
September 14, 2021
Taking the view point of Lady Poppaea as she rises in the world of 1st century Rome to become the intellect behind Nero was a brilliant idea for a novel. The book moves rapidly and I admired the fact that it was so well researched. I just wish that it had been a little longer though. I feel that there were parts that begged for a little more depth such as the fire in Rome and the deterioration of the mental state of Nero. At the end, the book finished quite suddenly and I think that there was a missed opportunity here.
However all things considered this was a good read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
However all things considered this was a good read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
December 3, 2024
Wife in Roman Times
Children and women were considered property of their fathers and husbands during the years when the Caesars of Rome ruled the known world. This is the story of the life of a beautiful little girl who was married at age 12 or 13 to a soldier for the benefit of her stepfather. She learns what she must do to stay alive and keep her son alive and does everything she can. The story is based on history at the time of the great fire in Rome, the Emperor Nero, and his blaming Christians for the fire to remove blame from himself.
Children and women were considered property of their fathers and husbands during the years when the Caesars of Rome ruled the known world. This is the story of the life of a beautiful little girl who was married at age 12 or 13 to a soldier for the benefit of her stepfather. She learns what she must do to stay alive and keep her son alive and does everything she can. The story is based on history at the time of the great fire in Rome, the Emperor Nero, and his blaming Christians for the fire to remove blame from himself.
April 2, 2022
Fascinating read
I ordered this book based on the description. It sat in my library for quite a while. The cover looks like a boring historical text. Once I got into it, I found it fascinating. I have visited Pompeii and the description of life in that city makes me want to go back again.
I knew little about Nero. This story makes me think he suffered from a mental illness. Good read!
I ordered this book based on the description. It sat in my library for quite a while. The cover looks like a boring historical text. Once I got into it, I found it fascinating. I have visited Pompeii and the description of life in that city makes me want to go back again.
I knew little about Nero. This story makes me think he suffered from a mental illness. Good read!
June 21, 2021
Wow! I learned so much from this novel!
Everyone knows the saying, "Nero fiddled while Rome burned," but the background story, even with poetic license, is facinating. I highly recommend this rendition of Nero, his second wife and his narcissistic opinion of himself and his theatrical gifts.
Everyone knows the saying, "Nero fiddled while Rome burned," but the background story, even with poetic license, is facinating. I highly recommend this rendition of Nero, his second wife and his narcissistic opinion of himself and his theatrical gifts.
September 22, 2021
Interesting read
I have enjoyed my brief introduction to Roman life. I have never really considered it such a dangerous environment before. Women were worth very little and could be replaced at a drop of a hat. Leaving them with nothing and often losing all rights to their male children. Astonishingly, some things haven't changed.
I have enjoyed my brief introduction to Roman life. I have never really considered it such a dangerous environment before. Women were worth very little and could be replaced at a drop of a hat. Leaving them with nothing and often losing all rights to their male children. Astonishingly, some things haven't changed.
January 3, 2022
fascinating
This is a well-researched recounting of the life of the woman who would become Augusta. Customs of Ancient Rome, persecution of early Christians, and morals in a far different time are described carefully and with great intelligence. Lovers of historical fiction will find themselves quickly engrossed in this book.
This is a well-researched recounting of the life of the woman who would become Augusta. Customs of Ancient Rome, persecution of early Christians, and morals in a far different time are described carefully and with great intelligence. Lovers of historical fiction will find themselves quickly engrossed in this book.
November 16, 2022
It wasn’t too bad really but I enjoyed reading all about the history of who had lived there …
It was well read and lots of new characters in this book so I really like the strong woman who doesn’t puts up with the husbands which she already did…
Did she died or alive? I’m about to find out on the next series soon…should be interesting..
It was well read and lots of new characters in this book so I really like the strong woman who doesn’t puts up with the husbands which she already did…
Did she died or alive? I’m about to find out on the next series soon…should be interesting..
May 12, 2021
Wonderful tale!
The book was very interesting and the writer is very viable if in her descriptions. The historical content of the book was fascinating. The ending was abrupt. It would have been better if it had been more detailed. Terrific work!
The book was very interesting and the writer is very viable if in her descriptions. The historical content of the book was fascinating. The ending was abrupt. It would have been better if it had been more detailed. Terrific work!
September 12, 2021
Historical Drama
A well written historical drama from the part of the wife of Nero. Colorful descriptions make you see and feel the plight and emotions of the characters. A great read.
A well written historical drama from the part of the wife of Nero. Colorful descriptions make you see and feel the plight and emotions of the characters. A great read.
December 4, 2021
Life
Not since finishing Colleen McCullogh series on Rome have I read something that brings history to life with such reality. The fact that a woman’s voice and experience is the focal point is refreshing and a delight.
Not since finishing Colleen McCullogh series on Rome have I read something that brings history to life with such reality. The fact that a woman’s voice and experience is the focal point is refreshing and a delight.
January 26, 2022
Not at all what I expected
when I started to read this book I didn't know what to expect. I have never read much about Nero. This was not what I expected. It puts a human face on Nero. Not a flattering one but human
when I started to read this book I didn't know what to expect. I have never read much about Nero. This was not what I expected. It puts a human face on Nero. Not a flattering one but human
January 31, 2022
This book tells the story of Nero’s second wife in Ancient Rome. It follows her from early childhood to her death. The author did a good job researching and creating an informative yet compelling story.
April 18, 2025
most impressive
Poppaea is brought to life in a practical and believable way. Written with much research and presented in a captivating narrative (instead of as a book report as is so often the case).
Poppaea is brought to life in a practical and believable way. Written with much research and presented in a captivating narrative (instead of as a book report as is so often the case).
December 17, 2025
This is a historical fiction book based on the life of the Empress of Rome, Augusta, who married Nero. It was an excellent read and gives perspective on Roman life during the turbulent political world that Rome was.
May 15, 2021
Worth Reading
The story is well paced. The ending is abrupt, however. Another chapter or an epilogue would have made a more satisfying ending.
The story is well paced. The ending is abrupt, however. Another chapter or an epilogue would have made a more satisfying ending.
September 11, 2021
Interesting time
I enjoyed the story and the time frame it was written in , made a interesting history lesson. A tribute to The never-ending quest for power.
I enjoyed the story and the time frame it was written in , made a interesting history lesson. A tribute to The never-ending quest for power.
September 20, 2021
I don't know what exactly hooked me but I could not stop reading
September 21, 2021
A different take on Rome
An interesting look at Nero by his wife. Excellent portrayal of historical characters. A great read about the era and the bizarre history of Rome
An interesting look at Nero by his wife. Excellent portrayal of historical characters. A great read about the era and the bizarre history of Rome
June 2, 2025
Good read
I found this an interesting and easy book to read. The story flowed well in my opinion. I enjoy any of the history of Rome.
I found this an interesting and easy book to read. The story flowed well in my opinion. I enjoy any of the history of Rome.
July 10, 2025
Interesting read. Features more like a personal story than a historical novel normally. Entertaining and a fast read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews