Happy Tuesday! Up next, I have a review of The Splendor Before the Dark, publishing today via Berkley! Thanks to Berkley for the invitation to participate in the blog tour.
My Thoughts:
Historical fiction is one of my favorites, but until the last month, Margaret George, a prolific author in this genre, was new-to-me. No longer because after reading and enjoying The Confessions of Young Nero, part one of this duology, I was prepared to be mesmerized and astounded with the second half of Nero’s story told through George’s impeccable research.
I had a history teacher in high school who held a doctorate and when attending his lectures, it was easy to tell how passionate he was about ancient world history. I remember him sharing what he knew about Nero, and I’d love to be able to tell him I read two books about his life.
In The Confessions of Young Nero, he ascends to the throne as emperor of Rome. In The Splendor Before the Dark, we find out everything that follows.
Nero’s first years as emperor are defined by his lovely and astute wife, Poppaea, and the cultural and artistic renaissance for which Nero is credited. Everything is off to a grand start, and Rome is in splendor.
All that comes to pass when, ten years into Nero’s reign, Rome is set aflame. Large sections of the city are lost. Rumors name Nero as complicit.
Nero makes a solemn vow to repair Rome and rebuild bigger and better than it was before. Nonetheless, rumors still spread, and there are many who doubt Nero’s ambitions. It’s hard to know if Nero will survive his time as emperorship. The unsteadiness, unhappiness, and distrust at court is deep.
Margaret George’s writing is absolutely superb. We hear from three narrators- Nero, Locusta (an herbal medicine doctor), and Acte (a woman Nero loves). The different voices allow us to pan around and see the whole Nero, both his good and not-so-good qualities.
THIS is precisely why we read historical fiction. George’s effort is polished and epic in scope and quality. Nero, just like any other human, was not all good or all bad; but instead a complex leader with fierce strengths and underlying abhorrent and fallible weaknesses.
Thank you to Berkley for the invitation to participate on the blog tour, as well as for the physical copy. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
Ascending to the throne was only the beginning… Now Margaret George, the author of The Confessions of Young Nero, weaves a web of politics and passion, as ancient Rome’s most infamous emperor cements his place in history.
With the beautiful and cunning Poppaea at his side, Nero Augustus commands the Roman empire, ushering in an unprecedented era of artistic and cultural splendor. Although he has yet to produce an heir, his power is unquestioned.
But in the tenth year of his reign, a terrifying prophecy comes to pass and a fire engulfs Rome, reducing entire swaths of the city to rubble. Rumors of Nero’s complicity in the blaze start to sow unrest among the populace–and the politicians…
For better or worse, Nero knows that his fate is now tied to Rome’s–and he vows to rebuild it as a city that will stun the world. But there are those who find his rampant quest for glory dangerous. Throughout the empire, false friends and spies conspire against him, not understanding what drives him to undertake the impossible.
Nero will either survive and be the first in his family to escape the web of betrayals that is the Roman court, or be ensnared and remembered as the last radiance of the greatest dynasty the world had ever known.
Have you read The Splendor Before the Dark, or is it on your TBR? Have you read any other books by Margaret George? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
I love Margaret George and can highly recommend Helen of Troy! I loved this and was the first book to introduce me to her. I’ve got a few other works as well but they are on the never ending TBR pile!
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Yay, Kim! That’s great to know! I’ll check out Helen of Troy! I think you’ll enjoy these two Nero books. Very well done!
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I’ve got one with cleopatra in, Henry the 8th and Mary queen of Scots. I’m yet to read those 3, they are big beasties lol 😂 xx
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They all sound so good! I’ve loved every Mary Queen of Scots book I’ve read, and I definitely want to read that one. Yes, her books take some commitment!
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They really do! But well worth the arm aches of carrying them about 😁 xx
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Great review 💟
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Thank you, Priyasha! ♥️
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Awesome review. I enjoy historical fiction and added both Nero books to my tbr list. Thanks. Happy Tuesday.💕📚🌺
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Thank you, Virginia! It was a terrific read! ♥️ Hope your Tuesday was wonderful!
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Hmm I don’t know this author. 🤔Will have to check her out!
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She’s been very busy, Jaymi! Quite the backlist for us to check out! ♥️
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This sounds fantastic! I’m really into historical fiction right now so I will add this one to the list!
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It’s wonderful, Mackey! I think this can stand alone, but for the full effect, make sure to check out the first Nero book!
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Wonderful review! I’m not familiar with Margaret George, but these sound like good books.
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Thank you, Darinda! They really are well-written and well-researched books. I enjoyed them.
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I love historical fiction and I don’t know why I haven’t read Margaret George before! I think maybe the size of her books intimidates me!
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I felt the same way, Angela! They don’t feel overly long when reading them, though, which really speaks to the writing. I guess they are just “complete.”
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You know me…I love historical fiction so of course I am adding this one. Super review!
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Thanks, Marialyce! Make sure to check out the first book first, even though I feel like this one can stand alone. It will give the perspective on Nero’s early life. I hope you enjoy and that we both found a new author to love! ♥️
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Yay, historical fiction!! I love when they give different insights into a real historical figure. Great review!!
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Thanks, Nicole! It was a wonderful story to get lost in and you are so right about the different perspectives. It adds a lot to the story!
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Absolutely stunning review, Jennifer! I think that teacher would be thrilled you read, loved, and wrote such a great review of this book. I’m so glad you’ve opened my heart to historical fiction!! 💕
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Thank you, Mack! Aw. ♥️ I find the best storytellers in this genre, and it doesn’t matter if the story is entirely fact, entirely fiction, or somewhere in between, as long as the storytelling is remarkable.
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Beautifully written review, Jennifer! I totally agree with you about complex characters where the author explores both their strengths and weaknesses. I feel it’s absolutely crucial in Historical Fiction. Sounds like this book was great!
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Thank you, Darina! It was brilliant, and you are absolutely right- it’s important to get a balanced perspective.
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Sounds like an excellent book! Wonderful review.
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Thank you, Chrissi! I really enjoyed it! ♥️
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Sounds great – I do like well written historical fiction! I’m currently working through Robert Harris’s trilogy about Cicero, so I might get to these after that. But… splendoUr!!! What have you Americans got against the poor “U” – you’re always leaving it out! Imagine how the poor little thing feels! U U U U U – there! It’s happy again now… 😉
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I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Cicero! I listened to an audiobook explaining where the “u” went, among other things…I am blanking on the name, but it is due to Noah Webster. Since we parted ways before anyone was spelling well, he took it upon himself to choose spellings and unnecessary (and sometimes confusing) “u”s were dropped. I found a tidbit that should make you happy though. 😊 We (mostly- because there are two options; one more widely accepted) retained the U in glamour, which happens to be a Scot word. There is still the option to use “glamor,” and “glamorous” is always spelled without it. ♥️
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Oh, I am glad to hear you’ve kept the “u” in glamour – I don’t think “glamor” looks nearly as glamorous! How interesting – is that the Webster of Webster’s dictionary?
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Yes, it sure is! Quite the character, he was!
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I love Historical Fiction too, but really haven’t read any in a while. This seems pretty intriguing. Thanks for the review!
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You’re welcome! This is one to get lost in fully. Wonderful storytelling and an epic “character.” 😊
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Beautiful review Jen! Happy Election Day!!🇺🇸🇺🇸💕💕
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Thanks, Sus! Happy Election Day to you! I hope it’s been wonderful! ♥️
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This book is new to me and it sounds fantastic. I’ve been slacking on my historical fiction reads so I might just have to pick up a copy of this one. Great review!
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Thanks, Suzanne! This author weaves a story well. I hope you enjoy it if you end up reading it. It’s part of a duology, and while I think this can stand alone, it will be much richer with the first book, too. 😊
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Beautiful beautiful review!💕
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Thanks! ♥️
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Enjoyed your review as always. Margaret George is an author I was meaning to try (like you I’ve only come across her recently), and the book I’d noticed by her is the Autobiography of Henry VIII. But this duology sounds excellent as well.
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Thank you, Mallika! I’m extra fascinated by the Tudors, so I’ll have to check out the Autobiography. I’m happy to know you are a hist fic fan, too. ♥️
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🙂 I enjoy reading fiction set in the Tudor era, and around the Tudors too. The Romans are also interesting to read about but sometimes one wonders how some of them let power get to their head quite so much.
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Great review, Jennifer. I like what you said about having learned about Nero in school and then getting to read about him now. How awesome is that! Seems like this book checked all the boxed.
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Thanks so much, Diana! It really did. What a wonderful book and beautifully told.
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Outstanding review, Jennifer. This does seem to epitomize the best of historical fiction.
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Thanks, Jonetta! It really does- a story to get lost in.
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Fantastic review Jenni! Now I need to read both of these haha! 😂
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Thanks, Beth! Yes, you do! 😂 I can already promise you, you will love this author. ♥️
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Wow I want to check her out… I love historical fiction so much! I feel like I tend to read more “modern” historical fiction, so this book duo will be unique to me!
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Oh, yes, I’d love to hear what you think going back to reading books set in ancient times. It’s definitely a different experience!
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I do enjoy Historical Fiction, but not sure if I want to go that far back in history. Wonderful review Jennifer, you do have me tempted.
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Thank you, Carla! Margaret George does it well! You could always just start with the first one and see if you enjoy ancient history. She tells a complete story, and many times with histories this old, there are gaps (that’s the great thing about historical fiction- they can fill in! 😊).
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I will have to see if my library carries her books.
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I’ve missed your reviews (and you of course)! I’m catching up on your posts. Excellent review, J ❤
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Thanks, Dee! Guess what?! I was just thinking about you a couple days ago because someone named “Deesreadsbooks” or similar followed me on Instagram, and I paused and looked at it and then went to check on your blog. ♥️ I’m so happy to see you. I have missed you, too, and hope all is well. 💗 xoxo
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Thanks, Jennifer! I hope to get caught up on Instagram too. I hope you have a great week ❤
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