I am delighted to share my review today for Nero by Conn Iggulden. This is the first book in the Nero Trilogy and it is a fabulous introduction to his family and his childhood. I have had this on my Kindle for far too long and it should have been read much sooner. At least I have now read it and now I can’t wait till next year for the 2nd book!
My huge thanks to Michael Joseph and Penguin UK Books for accepting my requests to read this title via NetGalley.
TYRANTS AREN’T BORN. THEY’RE RAISED.
ANCIENT ROME, AD 37
It begins with a man’s hand curled around another’s throat.
Emperor Tiberius first dispatches a traitor.
Then his whole family.
Next all his friends. It is as if he never existed.
THIS IS ROMAN JUSTICE.
Into this fevered forum, a child is born.
His mother is Agrippina, granddaughter of Emperor Augustus. But their imperial blood is no protection. The closer you are to the heart of the empire, the closer you are to power, intrigue, and danger.
She faces soldiers, senators, rivals, silver-tongued pretenders, each vying for position. One mistake risks exile, incarceration, execution. Or, worst of all, the loss of her infant son.
For Agrippina knows that opportunity waits, even in your darkest moments. Her son is everything. She can make this boy, shape him into Rome itself – the one all must kneel before.
BUT FIRST, THEY MUST SURVIVE . . .
MY REVIEW
This is a book that I have had sat on my Kindle for far too long, I do adore this author and I have read several of his books. Nero is the first book in the trilogy and it is a great introduction to his family and how he became known as Nero.
Set in AD 37 in Ancient Rome, the author uses historical facts to create a sense of time, the politics and the people that were of influence at the time. Ancient Rome is not a place for those in line to the throne to be, brothers killed, parents poisoned and people exiled are quite common in this book. Marriages for those within influential families are arranged to provide the best positions in the senate or to be closer to becoming Emperor.
Nero is the name of the book, but it is not until the end that he is mentioned by name. A child was given a name but could then be renamed, this is what happened to the child that was to become Nero. Before all this happened though there is a lot of background to be given, this is done brilliantly and gives a solid foundation for the story that is to come.
Having a solid base is essential for a book of this kind as the characters that precede as well as those present give a bigger picture of the country, politics, beliefs and culture of the time. Preceded by Claudius, Caligula, Tiberius and Augustus, Nero was to become the 5th Emperor of the Julius Claudian Dynasty.
His mother Agrippina was a mother who would have known her son’s rights and what could potentially stand in the way of him becoming Emperor one day. She comes across as protective but also scheming and deceptively clever. Not only in looking after her son but also her potential future.
This is a brilliant introduction to Nero, although the main focus is on Agrippina and the steps she takes to secure her son’s future. That being said, towards the latter section of the book, the focus does change to her son and his actions.
I am looking forward to reading the next book which will be published around May 2025.
If you are a fan of historical fact blended skillfully with fiction to give a very addictive and readable account of historical figures, then this author is a must. There is bloodshed, scheming, murder, treason, poisoning, and so much more of those delightful human traits that have altered historical bloodlines. This is a great first book in the trilogy and I would definitely recommend it.
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