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Rivals of the Republic: A Blood of Rome Novel

Review

Rivals of the Republic: A Blood of Rome Novel

Currently, ancient Roman historical mysteries pepper the market with a variety of sleuths in different time periods: Lindsey Davis’ dryly witty Flavia Albia, who solves crimes in the reign of Domitian; Steven Saylor’s dependable Gordianus, a late Republican detective; Ruth Downie’s dourly funny medic Ruso, who faces payment dodgers in the imperial era; and David Wishart’s snarky Marcus Corvinus, centered in the reign of Augustus.

"The real-life Hortensia did serve as a lawyer now and then, and our heroine stands out in her legal scenes."

Now, British classicist Annelise Freisenbruch adds a new gumshoe to the mix in RIVALS OF THE REPUBLIC. Her heroine is privileged teenager Hortensia, daughter of the great lawyer Hortensius Hortalus, who rivaled Cicero in the 70s and 60s B.C.E. But far from Flavia’s years of experience as an informer or Ruso’s medical expertise, Hortensia brings few skills to the table. She’s an inexperienced, impulsive and entitled young woman who is unrelatable in most things except her love for her family and her insatiable curiosity.

As RIVALS OF THE REPUBLIC opens, Hortensia is living as her father’s pet, a young woman living in the lap of luxury. But as she returns to Rome and gets married, Hortensia discovers that the world --- and the ones she loves --- isn’t as perfect as she might have imagined. Her lofty republican ideals are exposed as unrealistic as she rescues a hunky young gladiator, who becomes her loyal slave, and gets embroiled in a scandal that threatens to shake all of Rome to its core. And, of course, it’s only a newlywed teenager who can save the city she loves.

Hortensia isn’t a particularly well-rounded or realistic character, but she does shine in one place --- the courtroom. The real-life Hortensia did serve as a lawyer now and then, and our heroine stands out in her legal scenes. She proves herself worthy of any ancient advocate as she rocks the defense of a divorcée, the ex of one of her husband’s clients. Going forward, perhaps Hortensia should spend more time as a defender and less time solving mysteries by virtue of pure luck and annoying perseverance. This detective needs more of a skill set and fewer earnest ideals to be engaging.

Reviewed by Carly Silver on October 21, 2016

Rivals of the Republic: A Blood of Rome Novel
by Annelise Freisenbruch