The Daughter of Rome, by Angela Hunt, is a moving biblical fiction novel set during Nero’s reign and the first persecution of Christians by the Roman government.

This book has a huge cast of characters, but our main ones are Calandra and Hadrian. Calanda works with her father, Pericles, a sculptor, and she meets Hadrian when his father orders a bronze statue of Nero. Calandra and her father worship the gods of Rome, as did Hadrian. But both have encounters with Christians that will inevitably change their lives.

The author excels at vivid descriptions and research of the era. I feel like I have met the Apostle Peter and other early disciples through her words.

This book will keep readers engaged immediately. The fire that devastates Rome and the result of Nero blaming it on Christians is the event that resulted in their persecution. The author has done a brilliant job of capturing the anguish, despair and, yes, even hope of that time.

The Daughter of Rome is a compelling read for fans of Biblical Fiction. This is a book that will stay with you long after you finish it. I cannot recommend it enough! Fans of Jill Eileen Smith and Tessa Afshar will enjoy this look at a tumultuous time in history.

I received a complimentary eBook courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley for my honest review.