Historical fiction is not the only genre which suffers in terms of book covers, but it is a case in point. I would like to repeat that this book would be perfectly enjoyable for readers who prefer an easy read but I wish to use this opportunity now to confront the topic of book covers, genre, and audience. Instead, Lepida exists merely to make Thea’s life a misery, and has no greater role than to be a plot device and somebody for Thea to triumph over in the end. For the story to have any real meaning there should be more life in their rivalry, more tension, and more potential. Her foil, her previous mistress and rival in love, Lepida, is no more than a caricature, and is the real low-point of this novel.
The main character, Thea, has a few points of interest, notably her past as the sole survivor of a massacre/mass suicide pact, but the writing falls short of making her ‘real’.
The history is admittedly accurate, but remains a prop, suggestive of a dressing-up box. However, while it may be more complex than several romance novels, it makes no pretence to a great deal of sophistication. I hesitated to review this novel, as I think it is important that a reader should choose to read what they enjoy, and I am sure that there are many people out there who would enjoy this novel and find it sufficiently complex for a holiday read. It’s time to explore the don’t-judge-a-book-by-its-cover mantra a little bit more.
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