Margaret George has done it again and produced yet another triumph of historical fiction. This one follows the much maligned Nero from his humble beginnings in a lower branch of the imperial family tree to the prize itself, Roman emperor. Then, it ends on an epic cliff hanger, but I forgive her because it is so awesome. If you can't handle that kind of wait, you may want to hold off on reading this until the next installment is out.

Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, ancient Rome, or people who want to get lost in a story. Margaret George is amazing. I own four of her books and, when this is published, I just may have to pick it up too. Coming from a (former) librarian, this is really one of the highest compliments I can give to an author. Do yourself a favor, if you like this genre and haven't tried her yet, pick up Margaret George.

Thanks Berkley Publishing Group and netgalley for this ARC.

I love books set in ancient Rome so this was a treat for me. I can't wait for the next book- this novel was heaven for me. It's everything I love in a novel plus new insights into Nero. One of the best novels I've read in a long time.

Esteemed author Margaret George reveals the intricate backstory of a historical figure long known only through the phrase “Nero fiddled while Rome burned.”

Ms. George does her usual phenomenal work here as well, bringing us into young Nero’s life while he was just a child, albeit a child in a family where relatives were poisoned on a regular basis. We develop a real sympathy for young Nero, only to lose it as he becomes more and more jaded, as he loses touch with the musically talented youngster he once was.

About halfway through, I decided to do some history research myself, and found that all the pivotal events explored in the novel are considered historically accurate. Knowing that made the book even more enjoyable. Definitely a must for fans of historical novels, and fans of ancient Rome.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.