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Lucius Sestius Mysteries #2
The Emperor's Servant
Rome. 23 BCE.
In the depths of serious illness, the Emperor Augustus is forced to rethink how he governs the city. He calls upon an unlikely helper.
Lucius Sestius, one of those who fought against Augustus in the early days, desires nothing more than to drink himself happy in the Italian countryside. But the once Republican is called upon to serve the Empire.
To Lucius’ consternation, he is catapulted into office just at a time when a pestilence is sweeping through Italy. Thousands of people are dying and the River Tiber is riding dangerously high.
But Lucius finds himself not only fighting floods and an epidemic. A conspiracy is forming, centered on Lucius’ friend Aulus and the respected Primus, hero of the war in Macedonia. The Emperor feels threatened and Lucius is expected to choose sides.
Lucius tries to bury himself in private life once more, but when Aulus comes begging for help to escape Italy, Lucius cannot refuse.
It is a mistake that brings the Emperor’s wrath down upon him and Lucius’ must pay a heavy price to redeem himself in the eyes of Augustus.
In the depths of serious illness, the Emperor Augustus is forced to rethink how he governs the city. He calls upon an unlikely helper.
Lucius Sestius, one of those who fought against Augustus in the early days, desires nothing more than to drink himself happy in the Italian countryside. But the once Republican is called upon to serve the Empire.
To Lucius’ consternation, he is catapulted into office just at a time when a pestilence is sweeping through Italy. Thousands of people are dying and the River Tiber is riding dangerously high.
But Lucius finds himself not only fighting floods and an epidemic. A conspiracy is forming, centered on Lucius’ friend Aulus and the respected Primus, hero of the war in Macedonia. The Emperor feels threatened and Lucius is expected to choose sides.
Lucius tries to bury himself in private life once more, but when Aulus comes begging for help to escape Italy, Lucius cannot refuse.
It is a mistake that brings the Emperor’s wrath down upon him and Lucius’ must pay a heavy price to redeem himself in the eyes of Augustus.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 2, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 30, 2022
There is nothing like the secrets, subterfuge, and backroom machinations of Forsyth's ancient Rome.
Of course, immediately after starting this book, I began to wish I was more familiar with the history of Rome. Well-known historical figures feature prominently, and I know I missed getting some of the implications of certain conversations that I wouldn't have had a more intimate understanding of that time and place. However, this didn't detract from my pure enjoyment and satisfaction with the story. There is nothing like the secrets, subterfuge, and backroom machinations of Forsyth's ancient Rome. The Emperor's Servant vividly conveys all the complexities and totality of the scope and reach of these definitive puppet masters.
The book's main character is Lucius Sestius Quirinalis, and he has been a favorite of mine since his introduction in Rome's End. He seems like a regular guy, trying to do the right thing. He is always polite and conscientious of his family, retainers, and the people of Rome. I was sad that he had come to depend on wine to cope with his life, though he's been through plenty to need a drink. He is relatable, too. The scene of him weeping in relief after his election as consul made him seem even more real. A number of years have passed since the conclusion of book one, and at first, I thought Lucius was no longer the innocent he was then. However, even after all he's been through, he still has a natural innocence, which causes him to be surprised by what others around him do.The looming disaster, the insidious intrigue lurks, and you know that disaster is only a page away at any moment. I was so engrossed in the story that I felt myself holding my breath at times, the muscles in my shoulders tightening as the story's tension built. When the shoe finally dropped, I was stunned. I had become emotionally engaged with this man and his family and wondered how anyone could come back from that. But people do. All the time. The story concludes on a hopeful note, and I hope there are further adventures for Lucius in the future.
I want to note that the author's writing flowed so smoothly that I was immediately drawn in and immersed in Lucius's life. Small, everyday details enhanced that you-are-there feeling. Forsyth is incredibly skillful at weaving in little tidbits of information and history that had me itching to read about further. For example, Lucius remarks about the Greek physicians who never ceased attending Rome's citizens during a terrible pestilence that their devotion to their work all came down "to an oath that they have sworn" – the Hippocratic Oath.I recommend THE EMPEROR'S SERVANT to readers who enjoy historical fiction, especially those that like political intrigue and suspense-laden stories.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.
August 16, 2025
Another stunning entry in the Lucius Sestius series!
Set in 23 BCE, when plague was riddling Augustan Rome, staunch republican Sestius is called up to serve the remainder of an ill Augustus’s consulship. Sestius’s four months as Roman consul sees him having to deal with both controlling the pestilence and fighting a rising Tiber River.
The intrigue enters the plot when the former governor of Macedonia is brought to trial for supposedly disobeying Augustus’s orders. Sestius, despite his reluctance, soon finds himself embroiled in conspiracy that isn’t friendly to the Princeps.
I absolutely loved Sestius’s family, particularly his sisters Albinia and Tia. The poet Horace takes a starring role in this story, serving as a conduit connecting his friend Sestius to his patron Maecenas and the Princeps. There are some startling plot twists and a late occuring event that adds a somber poignancy to the story.
The frequent addition of odes - by Horace and others - were fun to read!
These are actual historical characters, with Forsyth reading between the lines of real historical events to give us a complex, brooding tale of sacrifice, duty, and love during the early Principate. Her Rome is so authentic, with Sestius the quintessential Roman.
Loved it - highly, highly recommended!
Set in 23 BCE, when plague was riddling Augustan Rome, staunch republican Sestius is called up to serve the remainder of an ill Augustus’s consulship. Sestius’s four months as Roman consul sees him having to deal with both controlling the pestilence and fighting a rising Tiber River.
The intrigue enters the plot when the former governor of Macedonia is brought to trial for supposedly disobeying Augustus’s orders. Sestius, despite his reluctance, soon finds himself embroiled in conspiracy that isn’t friendly to the Princeps.
I absolutely loved Sestius’s family, particularly his sisters Albinia and Tia. The poet Horace takes a starring role in this story, serving as a conduit connecting his friend Sestius to his patron Maecenas and the Princeps. There are some startling plot twists and a late occuring event that adds a somber poignancy to the story.
The frequent addition of odes - by Horace and others - were fun to read!
These are actual historical characters, with Forsyth reading between the lines of real historical events to give us a complex, brooding tale of sacrifice, duty, and love during the early Principate. Her Rome is so authentic, with Sestius the quintessential Roman.
Loved it - highly, highly recommended!
June 26, 2024
This is a very unusual book in that there is nothing much going on for most of it. We have Lucius giving us his thoughts on Rome and Augustus along with a lot of his home and family. Luciushas a wonderful family unusual for a Roman family Lucius father allowed his two sisters to remain single the elder was widowed young and the younger her fiancee was killed in the first book. So, Lucius is in the enviable position of having his sister's close all his life, luckily for all they love each other great deal. Lucius is happy spending his time at the farm in Cosa concentrating on his vinyards, it is in many ways an idyllic life. But alas he is not allowed to enjoy it as Augustus sends an emissary to bring him back to Rome. Augustus has been gravely ill and has decided died to the up the consulship it is his desire that Lucius complete the remainder of his term for him, an offer he can't refuse. Lucius resolves to just do as he's told and get through this time not making any waves, unfortunately for the whole family this consulship results in a catastrophic event from which the family is almost destroyed.....................
February 13, 2022
Totally immersive, this second novel by Fiona Forsyth based on the life of Lucius Sestius Quirinalis will delight and fascinate you, and maybe break your heart. Every aspect of life during the Augustan period is here, portrayed by a wonderfully believable cast of characters entwined in a chilling plot.
A great page-turning read.
A great page-turning read.
April 2, 2023
Boring
I read and waited,read some more and waited
For something to happen maybe a decent plot?
Finally got to the end to realise this is the most boring book I have ever read
No plot.no storyline just a big nothing
Sorry but seriously awful.
I read and waited,read some more and waited
For something to happen maybe a decent plot?
Finally got to the end to realise this is the most boring book I have ever read
No plot.no storyline just a big nothing
Sorry but seriously awful.
April 27, 2023
boring
It was a drag to get through this book and I skipped sections that were just filler and didn’t drive the plot or the story forwards. Lucius Sestus is a banal and uninspiring protagonist who evokes pity not reading any follow ups to this story.
It was a drag to get through this book and I skipped sections that were just filler and didn’t drive the plot or the story forwards. Lucius Sestus is a banal and uninspiring protagonist who evokes pity not reading any follow ups to this story.
September 26, 2024
Interesting sequel to the author's Rome's End. Following about 15 years after the first book, Lucius is involved indirectly with a possible murder plot against Augustus Caesar.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews