Blog Archives
Damnatio Memoriae
Somtow’s Damnatio Memoriae is the final, emotionally raw, and beautifully written chapter of the Nero and Sporus saga. It’s a deeply personal journey told through the voice of Sporus, a former slave and imperial concubine, who relives his (and her) rise and fall at the edges of empire, identity, and power. This isn’t your average Roman epic—it’s visceral, surreal, darkly poetic, and hauntingly queer. With Nero’s collapse and Rome’s chaos as the backdrop, Sporus reflects on life, gender, betrayal, and the myth of love, all while waiting to be executed in a packed arena. It’s intense.
What hit me first was how lyrical the writing is. It reads like a fever dream soaked in garum and incense. Somtow doesn’t hold back—there’s real pain here, but also twisted humor and staggering beauty. The opening monologue, for example, where Sporus describes the reek of sand, blood, and beast dung in the arena, while cracking dry jokes about makeup and waiting for a death scene, felt like Oscar Wilde doing Gladiator cosplay. And yet, it’s achingly tragic. And then there’s the ring scene in the marketplace, where a carved image of Persephone triggers a spiritual collapse and sparks an impromptu imperial crucifixion crisis. Absolutely brilliant and brutal.
That said, this book isn’t an easy read. It expects a lot from you—emotionally, intellectually, even morally. Nero is magnetic and monstrous, sometimes at the same time, and the dynamics between him and Sporus swing from disturbing to tender. Somtow nails this complexity. But the heartbreak really comes from how aware Sporus is of their own powerlessness, even while being dressed up as a goddess or cherished as a boy. In “Clipped Wings,” the metaphor of the clipped doves—meant to be freed in a religious ritual but secretly recaptured—just gutted me.
If you like your historical fiction brutal and beautiful, if you’re into mythology reimagined through a queer lens, if you can handle morally messy characters and poetic trauma—this is for you. Fans of Mary Renault, Madeline Miller, or even Game of Thrones at its sharpest will probably find something to love here. But it’s also for people who want to feel something deep and uncomfortable. I’m not gonna lie, it’s sometimes hard to stomach—but I didn’t want to look away.
Pages: 232 | ASIN : B0F2YZ1HRH
The Dog Roses: Na Feirdhriseacha
David H. Millar’s The Dog Roses: Na Feirdhriseacha is an exhilarating historical fantasy that plunges the reader into a world of ancient Gaelic warfare, mysticism, and political intrigue. The novel follows the twin sisters, Brighid and Danu, as they navigate their birthright, destiny, and the brutal conflicts that define their world. From the stormy shores of Ériu to the blood-soaked battlegrounds of their homeland, the sisters must harness their strength, wit, and the mystical bond of the feirdhriseacha—the dog roses—imprinted on their chests. Their journey is one of leadership, betrayal, and resilience, all set against the backdrop of Celtic mythology and the harsh realities of Iron Age survival.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its ability to immerse readers in a richly detailed and authentic world. Millar’s grasp of ancient Gaelic culture, from its warrior code to the complexities of clan politics, is impressive. The descriptions of battle are visceral, and the political maneuvering is sharp and unforgiving. The scene where Danu and Brighid are confronted with the weight of leadership at Ráth Na Conall is particularly compelling. The tension between personal desires and duty is palpable. The author builds an entire realm that feels as real as the history it is inspired by.
The dynamic between the twin protagonists is another element I liked. Their relationship is raw and full of conflict. Brighid’s impulsiveness and fiery spirit contrast beautifully with Danu’s calculated and strategic mind. Their clash in the Great Hall, where Draighean, their Sidhe mentor, berates them for their discord, is one of the novel’s most powerful moments. This moment, more than any other, encapsulates the novel’s emotional depth.
Millar’s writing style is both poetic and brutal, a balance that suits the novel’s tone perfectly. The action scenes are unflinchingly graphic, bringing the horrors of war to life in a way that is both mesmerizing and unsettling. The passage where Maolán faces off against the alpha wolf, Silverback, is a perfect example—nature and man, predator and prey, all locked in a desperate fight for survival. At times, the descriptions of violence and suffering push the boundaries of comfort, but they also serve a purpose, reinforcing the novel’s themes of endurance and the unrelenting nature of conflict.
The Dog Roses: Na Feirdhriseacha is a gripping read that will appeal to fans of historical fantasy, especially those with an interest in Celtic mythology and ancient warrior cultures. The depth of world-building, the complexity of the characters, and the sheer intensity of the storytelling make this a novel worth savoring. If you enjoy books like The Mists of Avalon or The Last Kingdom, this one should be on your list.
Pages: 365 | ASIN : B0BDT3ZC72
Vengeance of the Vanished Ones, Book One
Vengeance of the Vanished Ones, Book One by Lee Orlich Bertram, is a thrilling tale that masterfully weaves mystery, suspense, and adventure. The story centers on Marcos Andersson, an archaeologist in Mexico determined to uncover the truth behind his best friend Dave’s mysterious death. Dave had claimed to have discovered something groundbreaking before his demise. What could it have been, and did it cost him his life? Marcos’s journey becomes even more complex when he crosses paths with Susan Cohen, an intelligent and alluring woman with secrets of her own. As the layers of deception unravel, the stakes rise. Can Susan’s revelations bring them closer together, or will they drive them apart? And what about Marcos’s own hidden truths? Their adventure takes a perilous turn, propelling them into a deadly dance with forces beyond their control.
Marcos stands out as a sharply drawn, captivating protagonist. His charisma and intellect make him an instant favorite, pulling readers into his journey. Susan, his enigmatic love interest, matches his intrigue with her own blend of brilliance and cunning. Their chemistry crackles on the page, with each interaction a highlight of the narrative. The story’s tone strikes a perfect balance—upbeat yet tinged with darkness, always keeping the reader on edge. The pacing is precise, propelling the plot forward while allowing moments of rich character development. Lee Orlich Bertram’s world-building is exceptional, immersing the reader in a vivid, pulse-pounding adventure.
Several moments shine in this gripping tale. The instant connection between Marcos and Susan adds a spark to their partnership. Marcos’s internal struggle over Susan’s ties to the spirit world raises intriguing questions about trust and belief. Their perilous trek through Mexico, punctuated by breathtaking landscapes and looming threats, brims with tension. The mystery surrounding Dave’s death unfolds with masterful precision, and the danger posed by the spirits heightens the stakes to electrifying levels.
This story is flawless. It’s one of the most compelling narratives I’ve read in recent memory. From its dynamic characters to its intricate plot, every element resonates with excitement and intrigue. Lee Orlich Bertram has crafted a mesmerizing, action-packed, and character-driven adventure. Vengeance of the Vanished Ones, Book One is a triumph, and I eagerly anticipate more stories featuring the unforgettable Marcos Andersson.
Pages: 237 | ISBN : 978-1685135188
Delphi
In Delphi, by Karen Martin, the reader is invited into a world where the boundaries between myth and reality blur as the protagonist, Cressida, embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Torn between her love for Gorgios and her reluctance to accept his marriage proposal, she grapples with a profound dilemma: how to shape her future while navigating the complexities of her present, including a secret pregnancy that weighs heavily on her mind. To find clarity, Cressida seeks out the wisdom of an oracle, hoping for a vision of her destiny and a deeper understanding of herself. Her path takes her to Delphi, where ancient stories come alive, supernatural forces intervene, and myths unravel in unexpected ways.
Martin masterfully intertwines history and fantasy, creating a narrative rich in detail and imagination. The novel’s vibrant depictions of gods and legendary creatures, from tales of Artemis and Apollo to encounters with the Minoans and matriarchal societies, captivate the reader. These elements are woven seamlessly into Cressida’s transformative journey, where even familiar myths, like the tale of the Minotaur and the labyrinth, are imbued with new meaning. The labyrinth serves as a compelling metaphor for the shadows we all carry, embodying both light and darkness, and it enriches the book’s thematic depth. The fantastical elements shine brilliantly. Each mythical encounter and supernatural event is vividly described, capturing the wonder of ancient legends and drawing in lovers of fantasy. Particularly striking is Cressida’s meeting with the oracle, a pivotal moment that illuminates her internal struggles and propels her forward on her quest for truth.
The narrative skillfully portrays Cressida’s turmoil and introspection, presenting her inner voice with an authenticity that resonates, even though it is written in the third person. Her fears and hopes are palpable, and her contemplation of how her choices impact those around her, especially concerning her pregnancy and her feelings for Gorgios, is compelling and deeply relatable.
I do feel that the storyline feels like it has many characters and events introduced in rapid succession. This lack of narrative focus occasionally detracts from the central arc of Cressida’s emotional and spiritual growth. For example, I believe that the relationship between Cressida and Aunt Margaret, which holds significant potential, could have benefited from more development.
Delphi is undeniably a unique and magical book. Its lush and engaging characters, along with its intricate tapestry of myths and legends, paint a world that fantasy enthusiasts will find hard to resist. The novel’s rich imagery and imaginative storytelling transport readers into a realm of sirens, oracles, and Greek deities. Karen Martin’s Delphi is a celebration of myth and self-discovery, offering a rewarding experience filled with beauty, complexity, and wonder.
Pages: 261 | ASIN : B0DHQLMXTB
Underwater Archaeology
Set in Atlantis, The Power of Water follows two men–one fighting for his people’s freedom and the other battling to keep the upper hand against his nemesis. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I enjoy reading and watching shows about alternative history, or, as some would call it, pseudo-science. When I started writing, I thought about Atlantis and how the downfall would have occurred. Plato talks about the people angering the gods, but could that have been future generations sent back to hunter-gatherers, trying to make sense of something they did not understand? Like how do the Sentinelese natives or any other primitive natives today describe a helicopter coming near them? Is it an animal? Do they understand it is a machine or just the amount of strange people?
So, I tried to build a story around an advanced civilization that used a power source we would not understand, but that gave them many of today’s conveniences. The story would then progress through their downfall and attempt to survive.
Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing, or did it come out organically as you were writing?
Mostly organically. I knew the direction I wanted to go in but would stop occasionally to read what I wrote (some correcting, but mostly just to make sure it flowed to me). Usually, I would then ask myself how this got here or what if that happened first. Then, I would try to add that into the story, and if I liked it, I would flesh it out.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I guess the biggest thing is I wanted to write a story about how I thought a prior level of civilization could have been here and disappeared. Plato states Atlantis was a naval power, so I believe that means they would have been on the coasts. The coasts in many parts of the Ice Age world are hundreds of feet underwater now. And I think the current state of our underwater archaeology is still in the beginner phase.
Many like to think that we are the apex of human history, but I wonder if that is correct. I mean, we have been at our biological level for over 100,000 years, and only in the last 10,000 years have we gone from picking berries to rockets, nanites, quantum physics, and the like. Our long-ago ancestors seemed to be as inquisitive as we are, so why now and not before?
Can you give us a peek inside book 2 of The Doom of the Gods series? Where will it take your characters?
Book Two, The Power of Blood, will concentrate on the chaos of the Atlantean empire and the struggle between the parties. Jana will once again go after Risor. Rogat and Demetri will have a “come to the gods” moment. Shandar will struggle to keep his people together, and Lena, poor Lena, will find herself thrust into a power vacuum that forces her further away from finding her love, Tilor. Indrajit and Zhen will find themselves on a secret mission that turns into making friends from enemies.
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Now, Atlantis wants to use WMDs…
But can civilization survive it?
During the last Ice Age, the clash of steel and the roar of aircraft echo through the land as the empires of Atlantis and Rama wage a desperate war.
There are many stories to tell the tale.
Risor sees the trap closing. But Jana, the mission commander, refuses to withdraw. She fears the consequences of failure. Threatening mutiny, he forces her to order the retreat. That Risor is right makes matters only worse, turning the rivalry personal.
Rogat is not sure what he did to offend the gods. Because the demi-god hero constantly chasing him doesn’t seem fair.
With Atlantis suffering, the empire falls apart.
Fleeing from a vengeful Jana, Risor must lead his people to freedom. Meanwhile, leading another band of survivors, Rogat tries to stay one step ahead of his nemesis. Read about Risor and Rogat in a gripping tale of war and survival that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Because revenge is such a satisfying reason to destroy a civilization.
The Power of Water
James Grimm’s The Power of Water is an exhilarating dive into a richly imagined historical world where Atlantis, blessed with Aether-powered weapons from the gods, has flourished for millennia. The Aether’s gifts have granted the Atlanteans immense wealth, knowledge, and power, but they have also sown seeds of arrogance and envy among rival empires. These tensions set the stage for a high-stakes narrative as the Rama empire devises a plan that threatens to upend the balance of power. The Atlanteans, facing existential threats, must grapple with the sacrifices and duties required to preserve their once-great empire.
Grimm crafts a story of mythic proportions, seamlessly blending action with the rise and fall of this legendary civilization. The narrative unfolds through various perspectives and battles, immersing readers in the dynamic world of Atlantis. This multifaceted approach provides a panoramic view of the empire and its adversaries, enriching the story with diverse viewpoints and experiences. To enhance the reader’s journey, I believe a glossary at the beginning could offer valuable context and deepen the understanding of the complex relationships and settings.
Grimm’s talent shines in his compelling battle scenes and engaging dialogue, creating a vivid and action-packed tale. I feel a bit more background development would further enrich the characters and their motivations, offering readers a more profound connection to the unfolding drama. Grimm’s organizational prowess shines through with a timeline-structured chapter layout that effectively tracks the ebb and flow of the plot.
James Grimm’s The Power of Water offers an exhilarating journey through the legendary world of Atlantis. With its dynamic storytelling, thrilling battles, and a richly imagined setting, the novel captures the essence of a mythic civilization in turmoil. The book’s strengths in action and intrigue make it a captivating read. Fans of historical fiction and epic tales will find much to enjoy in this engaging exploration of Atlantis’ rise and fall.
Pages: 292 | ISBN : 978-1963553017
“A Poem and a Mistake”
Poetic Justice follows a poet in Rome who is exiled by the emperor and winds up in a town plagued by a mysterious murder. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
It started with a question much asked by Classicists – why did the Emperor Augustus exile the poet Ovid? We still don’t really know though it hasn’t stopped people guessing. Ovid himself – the real poet Ovid, that is – hints that he offended the Emperor with “a poem and a mistake”. From there I started to wonder how Ovid would have coped living in a small Greek town on the edge of Empire. And when I discovered that, in his youth, the real Ovid possibly spent a year working in the world of law and order in Rome, that gave me the idea for him turning detective.
What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?
I read Ovid’s poems – the ones he wrote in exile – and was struck by how badly he seemed to be coping. Of course, this is a portrait of himself that he wanted to convey in the poems. Interesting that he wants us to see him constantly complaining and wailing. No Roman endurance here!
I also had to research the town of Tomis, now covered by the modern Romanian city of Constanta. I was fortunate in that Constanta has a wonderful Museum of History and Archaeology, and its website freely publishes many useful documents.
I read a lot about how witchcraft is depicted in Roman writers, and I discovered that Ovid stopped at Samothrace on the way to Tomis. It is likely that he was initiated into the mysteries of the Great Gods at the huge temple complex on the island. You know the famous Winged Victory statue in the Louvre? That comes from Samothrace. These cults from the east were embraced by the Romans quite readily, which I found interesting.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I always like to explore the difference between what the sources tell us and what common sense tells us. If you just read Ovid, then you would wonder why anyone ever lived in Tomis, so I wanted to show life here as normal, relatable. A small town like Tomis would have a long history but there would be none of the huge buildings we see in Rome, none of what I call the Hollywood element. There would be far fewer slaves than in Rome, and the population would be mixed – Greeks, some Romans, people who had settled from around the Black Sea, lots of locals from the tribes around the Danube, and traders from around the Mediterranean. And Ovid would have been the most famous person ever to live in Tomis – just imagine if your favourite writer came to live in your ordinary, nobody’s-heard-of-it small town!
When will book 2 be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
Book 2 should be available by the autumn, and it takes the reader away from Tomis to an extent, giving an Empire-wide view. It’s set around the death of Augustus, and this was important because an Emperor had never died before. Everyone was waiting to see what would happen. I’m afraid our hero is still in trouble – we find out what it was that was so terrible that Augustus could never forgive Ovid…
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Rome’s celebrated love poet Ovid finds himself in exile, courtesy of an irate Emperor, in the far-flung town of Tomis.
Appalled at being banished to a barbarous region at the very edge of the Empire, Ovid soon discovers that he has a far more urgent – and potentially perilous – issue to address. A killer is at large in Tomis.
Somebody is slaughtering animals in a parody of ritual, and the Governor’s advisor Marcus Avitius is under pressure to apprehend the perpetrator.
Romans are held in low esteem by the local populace, however, and assistance is hard to come by. When the killer progresses from animal to human victims, Avitius reluctantly allies himself to the mercurial, tipsy Ovid.
It seems that Ovid has an inexplicable link to the murderer too, with his poetry providing the timetable by which the killer works.
After a secret visit from the elite Praetorian Guard, Ovid realises he is in mortal danger in Tomis. If he doesn’t follow the Emperor’s line, more than just his freedom is at risk.
With Avitius distracted by the demands of the Governor, Ovid becomes a target for dark forces at work in Tomis – and in Rome.
Recommended for fans of Steven Saylor, Lindsey Davis and Simon Scarrow.
Fiona Forsyth studied Classics at Oxford before teaching the subject for 25 years. Fiona is also the author of the Lucius Sestius Mysteries.
The Core of Innocence
Imperatrix: The Empress Who Was Once a Slave follows a young slave thrust into the decadence and danger of Nero’s court as he strives to survive and find his place in a world ruled by an insane emperor. What inspired you to choose Nero’s Rome as the backdrop for Imperatrix?
Growing up in England in the 1960s, I was one of the last generation to receive a “classical education” in which subjects like Latin were compulsory. So, the history of imperial Rome was almost as familiar to me as real life — and, compared to real life in a British boarding school, almost as weird, too. I was surrounded by fictional depictions of Nero’s Rome, in literature and film, yet they generally are as much about the mores and culture of the time they were written in as about Rome. I wanted to try to achieve the real alienness of this pagan culture while at the same time showing that these people are clearly recognizable to us in the modern world. One important difference is the entire societal treatment of sexuality and sexual morality which was in many ways more permissive than today, but also more restrictive in other ways. Relationships today are seen as two-way; in Roman times “maleness” was about doing, and “femaleness” was about being done to. Everything has to be interpreted in that light. “Of course” one could do anything to a slave, no matter what their gender or age — they were owned. Yet a modern, two-way gay relationship where the partners were equal might have been seen as eccentric, somehow un-Roman. When this one pillar of modern moral discourse — the idea of relationships being equal, going both ways — is altered, every little thing in society is seen through a different lens. That was the challenge — not to allow a modern sensibility to be interjected into characters’ attitudes — while at the same time showing characters that modern people share common humanity with.
Sporus is a complex and captivating character. Can you share the process of developing his personality and how you balanced his vulnerability and resilience throughout the story?
So many bad things happened to Sporus that he could not have survived without a great deal of native wit and real intelligence. To survive in Nero’s court was tough even for people who had been raised and bred for it. To develop his character, I imagined him talking to me, letting me share his innermost, often contradictory thoughts. It’s the core of innocence that people around Sporus love — the thing they themselves do not possess. But that innocence is constantly besieged by the realities of his world. I think that making this a first-person narrative makes you constantly strive to understand the realities of that world. It’s an imaginative exercise in chanelling if you will.
How did you approach crafting Nero’s character, and what were the challenges in depicting his divine madness and capricious nature?
Of course, we know a lot more about Nero than we do about Sporus. This means not only that it’s easier to create a character people would recognize as Nero, but also harder to bring out qualities that might be concealed behind the very well-known persona. Nero was not raised to be an Emperor, so on some level, he must have been able to understand how ordinary people felt. The evil madman image is to some extent anti-Julio-Claudian propaganda — followed by Christian propaganda. He was, almost to the end, rather popular, but the mob was fickle.
Can you give us any insights into what we can expect in the next installment of this enthralling trilogy?
In a way, the big events are all in the third part, a large part of which is set during a single year in which four emperors came to the throne, and Sporus’s fortunes ping pong rapidly. Nymphidius “took” Sporus for a while but his bid to become emperor did not work out. Otho, like Nero, married Sporus (and of course both were Poppaea’s ex-husbands.). The first part of Book III, the Grecian tour, is also an immense spectacle. So I hope the third volume will be suitably climactic.
I didn’t mean to do this in three volumes. It’s just that at my age, I worry about not finishing big fat books, so breaking them up is a way that least parts of them reach the audience. At about 180,000 – 200,000 words the three volumes together are a pretty fat work, but they are continuous, so it may also be necessary to do an omnibus edition.
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Imperatrix, the second volume of the tale, takes us into the heart of the Imperial palace with all its intrigue, depravity, and splendor.
