3.5⭐️ for the story, 5⭐️ for the audiobook.
I think the narrator was excellent, i really enjoyed the way she brought the story and characters to life. She did a great job conveying the emotion from the text, and making this a great listening experience.
This is the story of Locusta, the poisoner of Rome, and it follows her journey from childhood to adulthood, from Gaul to Rome.
The first half of the book was great, it was my favorite part, but after that it lost momentum, and i lost some of the interest. The romance was not convincing enough for me, and Locusta’s actions and reactions didn’t make much sense to me.
There was a lot of telling and not showing, and a lot less poisoning than i was expecting (most of it happens off page).
Overall a good book that had a lot of potential, I hope that the second book will deliver what i hoped this first one would.

I wish I could wipe my memory and listen to Locusta again for the first time. I knew nothing about Locusta before beginning this book, and I was completely absorbed by both her story and the world Emily Dexter builds around her.

The novel begins in Roman-occupied Gaul, where magic, indigenous belief and traditional knowledge are being crushed beneath the weight of empire. From the opening chapters, the atmosphere is foreboding and immersive. Locusta grows up learning the uses of plants from her mother, but while healing and poison come from the same knowledge, she is increasingly drawn towards the latter. That contrast remains important throughout the novel as she learns to survive within systems built on violence, coercion and control.

Locusta is an exceptionally well-developed protagonist. Her growth feels naturally paced, and even when her decisions lead to death, her reasoning is clear and credible without ever being over-explained. She is morally complex, but the narrative never reduces her to either victim or villain.

Death also appears as a character, and this could easily have felt like a gimmick. Instead, Death is rich, limited, occasionally amusing and often frustratingly unhelpful. Most importantly, the relationship never removes Locusta’s agency. She is warned about the likely consequences of her choices, but the decision of whether and how to use Death’s gifts always remains hers.

At the heart of the novel is also a complicated love story, beginning between a slave and a member of the imperial family. As the balance of power shifts, the book explores how status, gender and legal freedom intersect. A freed former slave may possess more agency than a high-status Roman woman, and the novel repeatedly asks what freedom actually means within such a rigid society.

More broadly, Locusta is a novel about power: physical force, poison, fear, leverage, social position and coercion. Its stifling atmosphere becomes the setting for a story about how women in both Gaul and Rome wielded whatever control was available to them. These are women whose lives were often lost to history, despite the possibility that their choices helped alter its course.

The final twist was brilliant and genuinely surprised me. The audiobook narration was also perfectly suited to the story and sustained the atmosphere throughout.

This is historical fiction with mythic elements, moral complexity, political tension and a strong focus on female agency. An exceptional read.

As a certified man hater, I absolutely loved this story from start to finish and learned a lot while listening too?? It was so freaking good and I can't wait for the second book!

#Locusta #ThePoisonedEmpire Duology Book 1 by #EmilyDexter is a richly imagined Sapphic Historical Fantasy. Read wonderfully by #HannahCurtis on audio. Thank you #HayHouseAudiobooks & #NetGalley for the opportunity to review the e-audio ALC. #BookSky

10/10, blew my socks off. I devoured this so fast because I could not put it down. Locusta's relationships with her mentors and her enslavers was well thought out. The enemies to lovers sapphic pipeline was exquisite. Overall this was just a wonderful expose on Roman history and women's roles at that time. The narrator did a beautiful job as well.

✨Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this audiobook ✨

Having not much knowledge of the politics of Ancient Rome, I went into this tale of a female poisoner completely blind and unbiased. As such, I can’t comment on whether anything was historically accurate and if that will annoy other readers. Note; there is an authors note at the end of the audiobook about this.

I loved the style of writing and the performance of the audiobook. The voice artist was a great choice for Locusta! (I would have died if they went with an American narrator for a Gaul in Ancient Rome)

Sometimes I will read other reviews before I decide on what I’m going to write— just to see if there’s any part of the book that I’ve forgotten. I did see one reviewer write as if it were a school essay, arguing over the points of where they found the writing clunky. I can report that none of the writing was like that for me. Sentences flowed perfectly fine. Is that reviewer pretentious or just not used to this type of prose? Hard to tell. I loved it.

The elements of magic in this world were subtle and I enjoyed that it was more based on politics and history than anything else. When I choose fantasy books it’s usually to escape the modern world. ‘Locusta’ did a brilliant job of that without technically being a fantasy book.

This was an easy listen and I found that I was closer to the end than I realised (Me: wait, how can I only have 23 minutes left?).

I will definitely be continuing with book 2 when it is released. I will also be recommending this book to friends who have similar tastes to me.

3.75 ⭐️

This is a bit of a slow build, but the first 40-50% were my favorite. I really loved getting to know Locusta, her world, her life and this new connection with the god of death.

I love how women centered this book is-kicking my feet. Once Locusta is forced into slavery in Rome we really get to see her use the poisons she creates-loved that as well. Her rage is so refreshing, but I do think it gets muddled once she starts falling in love(they are so cute though). She just keeps saying over and over again that she will “destroy, kill, get rid of” anyone who comes after the woman she loves… and while I do love this, it got a bit repetitive when it came to her dialogue and inner thoughts. Enough so I kept noticing it.

We have a lot of great conversations here-esp anti colonialism and I’m hoping to see more of that in book 2.

This is a duology-yay!

The narrator did a great job and I think it is a strong debut.

Thank you NetGalley and Hay House for the ALC.

I was so excited to listen to this audiobook and it did not disappoint. The narration was great and the story was also well-written and paced. Dexter gave life to Locusta’s story, whom I knew nothing about before reading this. I will be impatiently waiting for the second installment!

This book is perfect for fans of Lilith by Nikki Marmery.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hay House Audiobooks for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I went into Locusta knowing absolutely nothing about the historical figure behind the story, which honestly made discovering her world all the more fascinating. This fictional retelling of Locusta, the infamous poisoner of Ancient Rome, takes us from her beginnings as a young Gaul woman and druid to her brutal capture, enslavement, and eventual place within the dangerous political world of Rome.

Locusta is a character shaped by immense trauma, loss, and survival. After her village is destroyed and she is taken into slavery, she is forced to navigate a world completely unlike the one she knew. Claimed by Arawn, the god of death, Locusta’s connection to magic, nature, and poison grows as she learns to understand both her abilities and the power they hold. When she is placed in the household of Rome’s elite, she finds herself caught between two lives: a lady-in-waiting by day and a secret poisoner by night.

What I loved most about this book was the way it explored power and the limited choices available to women in Ancient Rome. The politics, scheming, social hierarchy, and constant danger of Roman society were woven together with mythology and magic in a way that kept me invested. While I’m not usually someone who gravitates towards political intrigue, I found myself genuinely interested in the games being played and the way Locusta had to learn how to survive within them.

Locusta herself is a complicated protagonist. At times she could be frustrating, reckless, and driven by emotion, but I also found that to be a realistic portrayal of someone who was only nineteen years old, had lost everything she knew, and was trying to survive in an entirely unfamiliar world. She is a young woman dealing with unimaginable circumstances, and watching her grow, adapt, and begin to understand her own power was one of the strongest parts of the story.

The relationship between Locusta and Livia was a highlight for me. Their romance is tender, secretive, and filled with genuine affection, and I appreciated that their closeness developed naturally considering how much time they spent together. I’m always happy to see a queer historical retelling, and their relationship added another layer to the exploration of women trying to find agency in a world determined to take it from them.

Arawn was also one of my favourite elements of the story. The portrayal of Death as an actual character was such an interesting choice, and I loved the dynamic between him and Locusta. Their relationship wasn’t simply one of power or ownership, but rather one built around guidance, frustration, and choice.

That being said, the pacing was a little uneven for me. The beginning was incredibly strong and immediately pulled me into Locusta’s story, but the middle section slowed down considerably. There were moments where the narrative felt a little repetitive, and I found myself wishing we spent more time seeing Locusta actively creating and using her poisons rather than hearing about them after the fact. The story had such an intriguing premise that I would have loved even more focus on the craft, ingredients, and consequences of her abilities.

I also found some of the storytelling leaned more towards telling rather than showing at times. There were moments where I felt pulled away from scenes just as I was becoming invested, with significant amounts of time passing between chapters. While this makes sense when covering such a large portion of Locusta’s life, it occasionally made the story feel less immersive than it could have been.

Despite those pacing issues, I really enjoyed Locusta. Emily Dexter has created a fascinating, atmospheric retelling that blends history, mythology, magic, politics, and a sapphic romance into a story about survival, power, and the lengths women will go to reclaim control over their own lives. The ending has left me very curious about where Locusta’s story will go next, and I’ll definitely be picking up the second book when it releases.

Thank you to Emily Dexter, Hay House LLC, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I don’t do star ratings, every review is rated 5 stars for transparency

Locusta is an exploration of the women of ancient rome and the part they have always played in history. It’s clear that this book is a love letter to those forgotten stories and the powerful women behind them. I found it to be a well written historical fiction with beautiful writing and queer representation. The storyline was engaging and the characters remained interesting throughout the entire book. I was lucky to have gotten my hands on the advanced listeners copy of the audiobook and the narration was incredibly well done. Not every audiobook is built the same but this one was engaging.

My only real concern with this book was the way it approached slavery. I understand that it’s historically accurate and that Locusta was a slave before being freed but this book really brushes aside those implications. Locusta is strangely fast to adapt and accept her life as a slave and is even hesitant about gaining her freedom. As a free woman she inherits slaves herself that she never shows any real issues about having. It’s just a little weird how it’s all presented. Also the romance I feel could’ve been established when she was freed instead of when it was with her owner.

5 stars

I just couldn't stop listening to Locusta all through the weekend I spent listening to it.

I've always been interested in history, but the way Emily Dexter told Locusta's story is nothing short of wonderful. I loved the way Locusta saw the world. She was the underdog of underdogs, so full of hate with this big, delicate part reserved just for Livia, it was fascinating to read.

And the thing that made this an even better experience was the narration. Thank you Hannah Curtis and the producers for delivering the best narration performance I have experienced in my life. I couldn't even bring out the amount of emotion Hannah had for Locusta when I talk about myself. I loved the parts where Locusta had so much venom in her heart that Hannah brought to my ears, the joy, the sorrows, the anger, the amount of times I had goosebumps while reading this book are lost on me.

There's this reverence for women which is so tangible, whether it was Antonia or other female characters, that I've never read in other books. It gives well-deserved respect to the women forgotten over time, and I loved this book even more for it.

And I know that this is a work of fiction, but because I loved this book so much, I'm going to believe the author's note at the end, and that this is a part of history.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hay House LLC for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

~Thank you to NetGalley and Hay House Audiobooks for the ARC of Locusta!~

I quite enjoyed this tale of a queer assassin chosen by the non-binary god of death to be blessed with special poison sight. In a world of powerful men, we explore the (usually) more subtle strings pulled by the women who made power for themselves.

There is an almost memoir-like quality to this story, following Locusta from her early life through her defining moments and finally into the meat of the story with Locusta as a secret poisoner and protector.

I felt engaged the whole time, though sometimes I got a little lost in the sauce of the politics of it all. I think that's okay because Locusta was as well.

I'm looking forward to the second book. I don't know if the author will lead us to a happy ending or tragedy, but either way I think it's going to be satisfying.

Thank you NetGalley, Hay House Audiobooks, and the author for the audiobook ARC!

I really enjoyed the audiobook experience of Locusta. It was incredibly immersive, particularly because of the intentional language and writing style. The poetic, almost theatrical quality really helped encapsulate the time period and atmosphere of Ancient Rome, making this a story that felt especially well suited to audio.

One element I found a little disappointing was the way Locusta’s knowledge of poisons was attributed largely to her connection with her druidic goddess. I would have loved to see more emphasis placed on Locusta herself as a learner, botanist and chemist. Given how fascinating her knowledge and abilities are, this felt like a missed opportunity to highlight her intelligence and curiosity.

There were also moments where the prose became a little long-winded. While this certainly contributed to the historical atmosphere and the way people of the period might speak, there were occasions where the lengthy, poetic dialogue pulled me slightly out of the moment.

Overall, though, this was a wonderful listening experience. The combination of historical fiction, fantasy, mythology, political intrigue and sapphic romance created a really compelling atmosphere and I’m definitely interested to see where Locusta’s story goes next.

When i saw the description for this book I knew I needed it. A fantasy where the main character is a gifted by the gods to poison and recognize poison. Set in the roman empire, sapphic and based on a real person, say less. I really enjoyed the story telling of this and absolutely flew through. Locusta has such great character growth from the meek girl we meet to the woman who is on a mission at the end. Loved this. I had the audio version and while I liked the narration I did have to really speed it up as the default speed was just too slow for me.

Locusta is a dark, myth‑touched descent into ancient Rome, carried by excellent narration and a fiercely compelling heroine.

Locusta reimagines one of history’s mostly forgotten women through a blend of myth, political danger, and feminine defiance. We follow Locusta as she’s dragged into Rome’s brutal world. The story traces her rise from enslaved outsider to a woman whose knowledge of poisons becomes both weapon and shield. The audiobook narration is genuinely amazing and makes the ancient world feel textured, real, and emotional.

While the book includes romance and intimacy, it never becomes the whole plot of the story. Instead, the focus stays on Locusta’s survival, her connections, and the shifting loyalties among Rome’s powerful women. The author’s note at the end adds a thoughtful, grounding touch that made the whole experience feel more intentional and resonant.

Trugger warnings:
- Attempted rape
- Sexual assault (off‑screen)
- War, death, grief
- Murder
- Slavery
- Political violence and coercion
- Overall heavy themes involving women’s limited autonomy in ancient Rome

Not a light read, but a rewarding one, especially if you enjoy stories about powerful women navigating dangerous worlds.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc.

Locusta by Emily Dexter is a captivating blend of historical fiction, mythology, and political intrigue that brings a fascinating figure from ancient Rome vividly to life. From the opening pages, the story immerses readers in a world of power struggles, betrayal, and survival, following Locusta's journey from enslaved outsider to a woman whose unique abilities make her both valuable and dangerous.
Dexter excels at creating a rich and atmospheric setting, balancing the grandeur of Rome with the constant threat lurking beneath its surface. Locusta is a compelling protagonist whose resilience, determination, and desire for justice make her easy to root for, even as she is drawn deeper into the empire's deadly schemes.
The novel's mix of historical detail and mythological elements adds depth and originality, while the political maneuvering and shifting alliances keep the tension high throughout. The relationships are thoughtfully developed, adding emotional weight to Locusta's struggle for freedom and identity.
While some sections move at a slower pace as the world-building unfolds, the strong characterization and dramatic twists make the story well worth the investment. Overall, Locusta is an engaging and imaginative historical novel filled with intrigue, danger, and unforgettable characters. A highly enjoyable read for fans of ancient Rome, powerful heroines, and richly layered historical fiction.

Actual Rating: 4.5 (rounded up); Narrator Rating: 5
"Lesbian druid killer-of-men chosen by a death god" is my ideal job description, so obviously I was drawn to Emily Dexter's historical fantasy about a little-known real historical figure from Ancient Rome! The real Locusta was a master poisoner responsible for the death of two emperors, and although we don't really have much information about her aside from that, I think Dexter's version does justice to an imagined Locusta - a woman excavated from a few lines here and there, recontextualized and revised within the popular framework of woman-centered, feminist retellings of legendary figures from the ancient world (Madeline Miller's Circe probably one of the most popular).

The story is told from Locusta's perspective, so the glimpses we see of Roman politics are all through the eyes of an outsider trying to survive while forced into the corrupt upper echelons of society. The focus is intrigue rather than specific political plays, those are done in the background by Augusta who is merely using Locusta to create the mechanisms of murder.

Livia and Locusta's relationship was charming, with a slow-roll development that didn't so much include pining as it included an awkward pull between domina and slave (a dynamic that isn't romanticized thank god) that morphs into a mutual devotion. And Livia joining Locusta in her adventures was just chef's kiss (unpoisoned) perfect, the imagery of them together in Locusta's rooms messing around with plants to create more effective poisons was almost sweet, like - aww hey babe, I see what you're doing there, but maybe do it this other way and it'll kill people faster! Perfect date activities.

This is overall another great entry into the canon of "what-if" retellings of legendary, mythic, and historical women written for a modern audience who want to imagine voices where there has been silence. The narrator does an incredible job bringing Dexter's work to life; rather than trying to do a special voice for each character it is generally the same voice throughout which makes it feel like this is Locusta telling us her story.

This book hits so many of my special interests that I was actually really worried that there was no way it could live up to the expectations I tend to have about these things, but I absolutely loved it! I listened to the whole audiobook in a single day because I just couldn't step away from it and wanted to know what was coming next. The sapphic romance was beautiful and layered and the deity work felt so real! The ending already has me anxiously awaiting the second half of this duology. Very, well worth the read! Fingers crossed this also comes out with a French and a German translation so I can also recommend it to friends in each of those countries that I know would really love it.

I love any sapphic reimagining of myths/history! I thought the Druid powers and connections to the gods were so interesting that I wish we (much like Locusta) could learn more from her mother. A child of a healer being claimed by the god of death is such an interesting concept and I think it was handled so well. I just wish we could hear more from the god of death in her head. Locusta and Livia's relationship starting from one of ownership to partnership was really beautiful to see progress.

This story was absolutely beautiful and I can’t wait for the second book. Not only is this a story about a badass woman in Ancient Rome with gods and wars, but also a beautifully tragic sapphic love story. The lengths someone will go for love, especially when in high positions of power and under the eye of many. Locusta has to lose so much of herself just to stay alive and I can’t wait to see what happens next

P.S I highly recommend not skipping the authors note

I received this as an audio arc from NetGalley

I had a really good time with this one. A sapphic historical fantasy set in Ancient Rome with poison, magic, political intrigue, and romance? Definitely my kind of book.

I really enjoyed the world building and the way Roman history and mythology were woven together. The sapphic romance was also a highlight for me, and I really liked the dynamic between Locusta and Livia.

The middle slowed down a little for me, especially once the political intrigue took over, and I occasionally found Locusta frustrating with some of her decisions. But overall, I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the combination of history, magic, and romance.

I do wish that the parts that focused on Locusta’s past and her magic were longer, I feel like there was so much left unexplored, but I did spend most of the book under the impression that this was a standalone for some reason. Until the end where there was a bunch of set up for the next book. I am excited to continue on with the story!

A very solid historical fiction. The story of Locusta is obviously well known, but I find what a good retelling does is it makes you care about the characters. This book did so well, through the addition of Locusta's childhood, her druidic gift and her god companion, and, of course, the love story, which was very sweet, building on the rather sparse historical sources from the time. I felt that the ancient Roman setting was well developed and well researched, and I liked the supernatural elements - I think they fit with what we know about both the Gaul and the Roman understanding of the world. I also liked the writing style and the narration, though I did find the narrator occasionally leaving pauses mid-sentence that made the narration feel a little choppy.