Flu Review - Brides of Rome by Debra Macleod

Posted on Jun 20, 2022 by Anna Jackson  | Comments (0)

The Brides of Rome focuses on the world of the Vestal Virgins, primarily Pomponia. The book had a slow start and a confusing prologue because we never circled back to the events in the prologue. However, the book did pick up speed as we navigated the ins and outs of Roman drama. Pomponia lives through the death of Caesar, the rise of Octavian, she witnessed the love affair between Julius Caesar and Cleopatra, then reads about Cleopatra's new life with Marc Antony. While the Vestal Virgins dedicated their lives to celibacy, Pomponia does fall in love with one of Caesar's allies named Quintus. While she never breaks her vow to the goddess, she does wonder about a life with Quintus.

Through the drama, Debra Macleod paints a picture of the life of the higher class Roman women who must navigate through unfaithful husbands, changing dictatorships, developing wars, and the fear that one wrong step could end with your death.

Overall, I found the book to be a quick read and an enjoyable read if you can make it past the third chapter. I would recommend this to someone who wants a weekend read, likes the drama of the elite, loves history, or is simply interested in Roman times.

By Erica