Fulvia by Kaarina Parker

A woman only known in the footnotes of history, Fulvia is brought powerfully to life in this engrossing historical novel set during the Roman Empire. Raised in the countryside by a wealthy but unimportant Roman family, she yearns for power and influence, so she seizes the chance to escape to Rome when her father dies. There, Fulvia marries the aristocrat Clodius, but at first, he seems more interested in partying than politics, and he almost derails their lives when a prank goes terribly wrong, causing great scandal.

It's perilous times for people in Rome, with intrigue swirling around the city constantly, as different factions compete for power.  Fulvia is determined to forge her own path, her status linked to Clodius, but as time passes, she is emerging as the real power behind her husband. But Rome is a brutal, dangerous place, and Fulvia soon finds out that the stakes are deadly and her ambition won’t be without a cost.

Fulvia is meticulously researched, and the writing grabs you and doesn’t let go with its pace, but Kaarina Parker also expertly brings this era and location to life. Fulvia is an unforgettable heroine, rightfully centre-stage in this exceptional novel. I am delighted to learn the author is working on the sequel.

Reviewer: Karen McMillan

Echo Publishing