About the book

A heart-stopping love story about a Jewish slave girl and Rome's greatest gladiator, who become involved in a plot to assassinate the Emperor of Rome... Orphaned by Rome's savage legions, Thea, a slave girl from Judaea, has learned what it takes to survive. She knows only violence until a chance meeting with gladiator Arius offers a shred of tenderness. But their bond is severed when Thea is sold again, condemned to rot in squalor. Years later, a singer known as Athena betrays no hint of her troubled past. Catching the eye of the Emperor himself, she is swept into a world of decadence and depravity. But although Domitian fears betrayal from every side, he is unaware that the greatest threat lies next to him - a slave girl who has come to be called the Mistress of Rome... From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of THE ALICE NETWORK and THE HUNTRESS comes a powerful Roman epic, perfect for those who loved the HBO mini-series ROME. Readers LOVE Kate Quinn: 'One of my absolute all-time favourite books ever!! Read it four times now and I still can't get enough of it.' ***** Reader Review 'I would recommend it to anyone.' ***** Reader Review 'One of my favourites!!! I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys Roman history.' ***** Reader Review 'Wow! What a book! This is the best book I have read for a really long time. I couldn't put it down. WOW WOW WOW!!' ***** Reader Review 'A spellbinding novel that gripped me from the start and I really can't wait to read the sequel.' ***** Reader Review 'I love reading novels set in Roman times and this was certainly one of the best I have read in a very long time.' ***** Reader Review