Book Review of Rebel Empress by Faith L Justice

 

Name of Book: Rebel Empress 

Author: Faith L Justice 

ISBN: 9780917053313

Publisher: Raggedy Moon Books

Part of a Series: Theodosian Women

Type of book: Byzantium, 418-468 ME, christianity, Jerusalem, beginning of pogroms, relationship with self, chaste marriage,  divisions in christianity, growing up, traveling, relatives, court politics, isolation  

Year it was published: 2024

Summary:

A beautiful pagan. A ruler searching for a wife. Can a marriage of expedience change the course of an empire?

Constantinople, AD 419. Athenais holds faint hope for her future. When the impoverished orphan’s male relatives offer her up as a consort for the emperor, she reluctantly agrees to study the philosophical arguments for the required conversion to Christianity. But while the accomplished scholar quickly falls for her imperial husband, she struggles with the court’s cutthroat political maneuvering and stubborn religious fanaticism.

Raised to Augusta after birthing her first daughter, Athenais consolidates her influence to build an entourage of skilled artists, writers, and thinkers, despite her jealous sister-in-law’s protests. But just when the protective philosopher thinks she’s won the fight for her spouse’s respect and affection, a series of catastrophes threatens to undermine her hard-earned position.

Can she withstand the storm and claim the throne she so rightly deserves?

Rebel Empress is the insightful third tale in the Theodosian Women biographical historical fiction series. If you like learning about forgotten heroines and immersing yourself in past times, you’ll love Faith L. Justice’s path through tragedies and triumphs.

Buy Rebel Empress today to remain proudly defiant!

Characters:

There are a lot of characters, but main ones would be Athenais, Theo, Paulinus, and Pulcheria. Athenais is an intellectual who seems meek in beginning and isn't confident in herself, in particular when it comes to Theo. Theo is very protective, very extreme in his beliefs and has his own insecurities. Paulinus is loyal friend to both Theo and Athenais and has his own secret. Pulcheria is Theos sister who gave up her chance of marrying and having kids to help Theo rule the Empire. She is a powerful and frightening woman but also loyal to family and is afraid of giving up power. 

Theme:

There is a path for everything 

Plot:

The story is written in third person narrative from Athenais, Theos and Paulinsus point of view. It's not really necessary to read previous two and a half books to understand what is going on, unless the reader DESIRES to get to know Placidia and Pulcheria. The book is good as a stand alone. The story begins in 418  with Athenais learning about her fathers death and eventually marrying and becoming an Augusta. The reader gets to watch Athenais and Theos relationship from early beginnings to eventual betrayal, and beyond that as Athenais finds her place in the world, becoming a formidable woman on her own. The story has plenty of heartbreaking and familiar moments ( especially frustration with Theo, in my opinion) and it challenges a lot about what to do when your dreams don't come true. 

Author Information:
(From goodreads)

Faith L. Justice is a science geek and history junkie who writes award-winning novels, short stories, and articles in her historic Brooklyn home. She’s published in venues such as Salon.com, Writer's Digest, Strange Horizons, The Copperfield Review and Circles in the Hair.

You can read her stories, interviews with famous authors, and sample chapters of her novels at her website . Check out her blog for historical fiction book reviews, interviews with HF authors, "History in the News" roundups and giveaways.

Faith lives with her husband, daughter and the required gaggle of cats. For fun, she likes to dig in the dirt—her garden and various archaeological sites.

Opinion:

Something I noticed in this trilogy is attention to particular relationships; first one is about Placidia and the focus on her relationship with her children; second one is Pulcheria and focus on her relationship with her siblings. I definitely thought the third one would focus on a husband/wife relationship. While there is that, most of it is relationship with self throughout tragedies and successes. While the court politics came alive in previous two books, I didn't sense the same from this one. Instead I enjoyed watching Athenais grow up and mature throughout her journey, eventually finding a different purpose than she thought would happen.  

This was given for review 

4 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)