REBEL EMPRESS

A Roman empress fights to influence her emperor husband in this third installment of Justice’s series.

Shortly after losing her beloved father, Greek-born adolescent scholar Athenais leaves for Constantinople to live with an uncle and aunt. They treat her like a daughter, but her uncle and her two older brothers have another reason for wanting her in the imperial capital: The men hope Athenais will marry 19-year-old emperor Theodosius. His older sister, Pulcheria, an Augusta (empress), effectively ruled when Theo was a minor and maintains an “iron grip” that Athenais, as the emperor’s wife, may be able to soften. After Theo and Athenais wed and celebrate their first child’s birth, Athenais is elevated to Augusta. But despite her imperial power, she can’t overcome Pulcheria’s influence, as Theo rarely makes a decision without his sister’s advice (“You can whisper in his ear in bed, but if Pulcheria has breath, she will fight you for his love”). Soon, Theo’s stubbornness and devout Christianity (he believes lust for his wife is sinful) adversely affects the couple. Athenais struggles to lead any sort of life, personal or political, free from Pulcheria’s interference. Justice’s follow-up to the Pulcheria-centric Dawn Empress (2020) centers around an admirable, engrossing historical figure; Athenais bravely endures hardships and confronts moral dilemmas (as a pagan, she reluctantly converts to Christianity for her marriage; as a noble, she isn’t allowed to breastfeed her own child). The female characters truly shine, from Placidia, another Augusta whom Athenais befriends, to Pulcheria, who (from Athenais’ perspective) comes across as both a vindictive in-law and a protective sister. This story, which smoothly transitions the protagonist through passing years, effectively details her increasingly dire circumstances as Theo seemingly pushes her away and others threaten her life and her loved ones. But even as Pulcheria thwarts many of her attempts at political maneuvering, devoted mother and empress Athenais reveals her strength in myriad ways.

This absorbing historical novel showcases a real-life female hero braving hostility and oppression.