To Rule a Ruler by Kaarina Parker

Fulvia Flacca Bambula, a real-life woman who lived in a particularly turbulent time during the Roman Empire, is fictionalised and brought to life in this sweeping and compelling historical novel, the sequel to Kaarina Parker’s stunning debut novel, Fulvia, which was shortlisted for the NZ Booklovers Awards.

Fulvia was an ambitious and clever woman, and the true power behind the different men she married. When civil war erupts and Julius Caesar is assassinated, she marries Marcus Antonius, an old friend appointed by Caesar as his general. She is intent on him ruling Rome with her help, and they make a perilous decision to try to achieve ultimate power. They have many enemies: the men who killed Caesar, Cleopatra the Queen of Egypt, the great orator Cicero, and Julius Caesar’s named successor, Octavian.

Fulvia is determined to fight for her legacy, whatever the cost, even if it means risking her life.

This compelling historical novel plunges readers into a whirlpool of political alliances and intrigue, war, love and passion. And it is fascinating to see this period of history from a woman’s perspective, albeit with a woman centre stage who wasn’t opposed to violence, and a person who had links to the ancient criminal gangs, who was incredibly wealthy, resourceful, and willing to sacrifice everything for ultimate power. Brilliantly researched as well as being well-executed fiction.

Reviewer: Karen McMillan

Echo Publishing