Short Synopsis
From the national bestselling author Kate Quinn comes a tale of love, power, and intrigue spanning the wilds of the Empire to the seven hills of Rome.

Full Synopsis
Powerful, prosperous, and expanding ever farther into the untamed world, the Roman Empire has reached its zenith under the rule of the beloved Emperor Trajan. But neither Trajan nor his reign can last forever...

Brash and headstrong, Vix is a celebrated ex-gladiator returned to Rome to make his fortune. The sinuous, elusive Sabina is a senator's daughter who craves adventure. Sometimes lovers, sometimes enemies, Vix and Sabina are united by their devotion to Trajan. Trajan's ambitious Empress has her own plans for Sabina. And the aristocratic Hadrian—the Empress's ruthless protégé and Vix's mortal enemy—has ambitions he confesses to no one, ambitions rooted in a secret prophecy.

When Trajan falls, the hardened soldier, the enigmatic empress, the adventurous girl, and the scheming politician will all be caught in a deadly whirlwind of desire and death that may seal their fates, and that of the entire Roman Empire...

"Quinn handles Imperial Rome with panache." ---Kirkus

"Readers will delight in the depictions of historical figures like Hadrian and Trajan, as well as the engrossing and dramatic relationships that drive this entertaining story." ---Publishers Weekly Starred Review

"Quinn paints a vibrant and realistic portrait of Rome with solid, well-drawn characters whose political manipulations evoke the treachery of the era." ---RT Book Reviews

Publishers Weekly Review