What we thought: A read so painfully pertinent you could almost wish it were true. If you haven’t come across this alternative history series yet, I almost envy you. This is Roma Nova, what could have happened if the remnants of Roman empire was run by women.
But Roma Nova is now in trouble. One deceitful, vain and amoral man - Caius Tellus - has taken power and intends to ‘restore order’. In making Roma Nova great again, he reverses all the progress of decades and brings the land to its knees, driving a wedge between those loyal to the previous regime and his own macho cohort intent on rolling back progressive rights.
Aurelia Mitela, a senior government minister, is in exile in Vienna. But she is not alone. The people and ethics she defends are alive and well, and her supporters are legion. It’s time to get organised and fight to regain control of the country they love.
This is a love story for a country and its principles, as well as a relationship, a political and military adventure, a commitment to beliefs and a cast of unexpectedly detailed characters. Tension runs throughout as no one can be sure an ally is trustworthy until it’s too late. A page-turning pile-driver of a novel, it explores the nature of power, and those who use it for self-aggrandisement or common good.
Read it now, then go buy some horses.
You’ll enjoy this if you liked: The Roma Nova series, The Night Watch by Sarah Waters or Women Without Men: A Novel of Modern Iran by Shahrnush Parsipur
Avoid if you don’t like: Feminism, military strategy, contemporary echoes
Ideal accompaniments: Salmon with horseradish on brown bread, a mug of Gluhwein and Think, by Aretha Franklin
Genre: Historical fiction, alternative history
Available on Amazon
I nearly cried when I read this review. You completely 'get' the message I am trying to convey with RETALIO and the whole Roma Nova series along with delivering entertaining thrillers.
ReplyDeletePower and its control are fundamental issues in any historical period. Abuse of power is something we should guard against in our own time. The lessons of history are good ones. Alternative history gives us the luxury of exploring the 'what if'. Hopefully it remains in the 'never happened' department.