Death in the bay of Naples

This is the second of David Barbaree’s trilogy set at the end of the reign of Nero and running, I presume, to the accession of the emperor Trajan, through the period of the Flavian dynasty and also the featuring the so-called false Neros. The premise is that Nero did actually survive his overthrow in 68 AD and that while others claimed his name, he himself took another identity and quietly plotted his return to power, albeit behind the throne.

Like the first in the series, Deposed, this is a fast moving thriller, fairly well written and packing a number of major surprises. Here we have Parthian exiles, plotting senators and members of the imperial family, bustling around the Vesuvius eruption of 79 AD. I did feel that at times the story was rather forced, even implausible, but as an adventure story set in the Roman Empire it has an original theme and an ambitious plot, even if there is an air of inevitability about how it will all conclude.

It was always going to be a big task to produce a novel quite as good as Deposed (which was excellent and fully worthy of five stars.)
The Exiled does a good job of trying to be as good as the first book, but somehow, and despite, or perhaps because of, the sheer amount of political intrigue going on, it does not match up to the sheer audacity of Deposed. Indeed, for quite a large swathe of the book, I was wondering if it was a standalone novel and not at all related to Deposed. But, I pressed on, hopeful that it would improve.
And it did. From about 50% the book picks up and the seemingly disparate events begin to fall into place, and the careful plotting and planning of the book begin to reveal themselves.
While some of the characters remain underdeveloped, and some of the chapters feel 'too thin,' it can't be denied that the story is both clever and solidly told, and the ending is unexpected.
I hope that this series continues.
Thank you for my review copy.

Historical fiction can be hit or miss especially when its characters are from ancient periods or based on real figures. In this instance, however, it’s a total hit. I absolutely relished this political thriller and its twists and turns. Having all the plotting, fighting, and treachery set against such an infamous volcanic eruption made for a truly thrilling read.

As an archaeologist and historian with a soft spot for Pompeii, this book was right up my alley. Some of the history was tweaked, but the author had a disclaimer at the beginning advising he changed some historical events to fit his narrative. The alterations were so minor that it didn’t affect my enjoyment of this fantastic novel in the slightest. If anything, his changes made me enjoy it even more.

I didn’t realise when I started reading this that it’s the second novel in a series, but enough of the backstory was given in The Exiled that I didn’t feel lost. However, I’m definitely going to be purchasing myself a copy of the first book, The Deposed, because of how much I enjoyed this one. From what I gather, the previous book surrounds the False Nero legends. Whilst not the focus of The Exiled, the parts of the plot concerning the false Nero- and of Nero surviving after being deposed- were captivating. The actual history of this legend has always fascinated me, as has Nero himself. To imagine him surviving and going full Count of Monte Cristo on those who betrayed him is nothing short of delicious.

Even though there were a lot of characters in this tale, they were all fully fleshed out and believable. I became very attached to several of them, especially shrewd Domitilla and the larger than life Pliny the Elder. More than once they and the others elicited quite a bit of sympathy from me as they tried to survive in the tumultuous political climate of Rome- where not even the emperor is safe.

As for the devastation in Pompeii, the descriptions of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius were incredible. Of all the times I’ve been to Pompeii, I’ve never felt as fully immersed in the devastating chaos as I did whilst reading The Exiled. I pretty much held my breath during those chapters as our characters desperately tried to escape the ash and fire. We focus so much on Pompeii itself but the entire region was affected, the seas thrashing so much that no one in the bay could escape by boat. Instead, they had to crawl their way on land in the oppressive heat and darkness caused by the ash clouds. With the land around them erupting in such a violent, lethal way it’s not hard to imagine why everyone in the region thought the world was coming to an end. It must have been like the gates of Hell opening.

When the ash finally settled and the world was still there, all the rivalries and deception in Rome launched back into full force. Man, were those Romans a devious bunch. The reader is thrust right back into it all, right up until the dramatic ending that leaves itself open for further installments; installments I’ll be eagerly waiting for.

The Exiled by David Barbaree

The Exiled is the sequel to one of my very favourite books of 2017, the remarkable Deposed. What if Nero didn’t die in AD 68? What if he managed to get away, blinded, maimed, a different man, to somewhere distant from Rome where he could plot against the emperors who succeeded him? That is the premise of this fantastic series and I’m delighted (but not surprised) to say that The Exiled is every bit as good as its predecessor. I would urge you to read Deposed first, even though The Exiled stands well on its own. This review assumes you’ve done just that.

It is the summer of AD 79. Emperor Vespasian has just recently died and the new ruler is his son Titus, a man of action. Titus is also a superstitious man and he is troubled by the words of an oracle, which foretold a great disaster and, perhaps even more troubling, that a slave will rule. There is trouble in the East, yet again. Brothers compete, and murder, for the Parthian throne. There are Parthian hostages in Rome, pledged during an earlier war, and now they will be caught in the middle of a power struggle between Rome, which they hate, and Parthia, which they no longer know. As a Parthian embassy arrives in Rome, trouble stirs and plots are hatched.

Keenly observing it all, with senses other than his blind eyes, is the wealthy Spanish senator Lucius Ulpius, who is growing ever closer to the emperor Titus. Titus’ closest friend, Pliny, both admiral and scientist, is jealous but, more to the point, he is also suspicious, and he instructs his young nephew Gaius to observe. But there is something else to fascinate Pliny – the mountain of Vesuvius rumbles ominously and the ground shakes.

The Exiled is a very, very good book. As with its predecessor, this is such an original take on a very familiar period of Roman history. Here we have Nero as never presented before. He was brought to the very depths of despair, blinded, tortured and humiliated. But, thanks to Marcus (now passed off as the senator’s nephew) and men like him, Nero survived and he has forgotten nothing, despite the transformation undergone by his character due to what he has suffered. Nero, now Lucius Ulpius, has learned wisdom from his suffering. He wants revenge but he is prepared to wait for the right time and serve it cold.

The focus in this novel isn’t actually on Ulpius at all. He’s always there in the background. We can never forget him. But much of the narrative is told in the present tense by Gaius, the nephew of the extraordinary man we know as Pliny the Elder. This is fascinating! Gaius is the perfect witness to history. He’s been instructed by his uncle on how and what to observe and, although at times he is forced into social situations he hates, he learns and watches and records. And then everything is overshadowed by the eruption of Vesuvius.

The Exiled is such an exciting and riveting novel – a Roman political thriller with a disaster novel thrown in for our added enjoyment. I couldn’t take my eyes off the pages. We hear other voices and they resonate, especially Titus’s sister Domitilla, who is caught up in something way beyond her control. And then there’s the Parthian hostage, Barlaas. Each of these has a unique voice and plays such a central part in a brilliant story. We see so many aspects of Roman life, including the games. Here we meet gladiators as well as senators, servants, the inn keepers, the ordinary man and woman on the street, each of which has a significant part to play in what unfolds.

There is so much plot in The Exiled! There is clearly – thankfully – much more to come and in a future novel I’m sure we will see how Nero/Ulpius has manoeuvered himself. In The Exiled, he plays a quiet but significant part. Ironically, Titus is worried by the False Neros who threaten him in the East, never realising that the real Nero is right under his nose.

I could go on and on about how much I love The Exiled. Really, you just need to read it for yourself. It’s a story, a thriller, that works on so many levels as Nero works his way into the emperor’s court. But, on top of that, the chapters set in Pompeii are riveting. The Exiled, just like its predecessor Deposed, is original, clever, exciting and engrossing. I can’t praise it or its author enough.

Other review
Deposed