This is a book that I have had sat on my Kindle for far too long, I do adore this author and I have read several of his books. Nero is the first book in the trilogy and it is a great introduction to his family and how he became known as Nero.

Set in AD 37 in Ancient Rome, the author uses historical facts to create a sense of time, the politics and the people that were of influence at the time. Ancient Rome is not a place for those in line to the throne to be, brothers killed, parents poisoned and people exiled are quite common in this book. Marriages for those within influential families are arranged to provide the best positions in the senate or to be closer to becoming Emperor.

Nero is the name of the book, but it is not until the end that he is mentioned by name. A child was given a name but could then be renamed, this is what happened to the child that was to become Nero. Before all this happened though there is a lot of background to be given, this is done brilliantly and gives a solid foundation for the story that is to come.

Having a solid base is essential for a book of this kind as the characters that precede as well as those present give a bigger picture of the country, politics, beliefs and culture of the time. Preceded by Claudius, Caligula, Tiberius and Augustus, Nero was to become the 5th Emperor of the Julius Claudian Dynasty.

His mother Agrippina was a mother who would have known her son's rights and what could potentially stand in the way of him becoming Emperor one day. She comes across as protective but also scheming and deceptively clever. Not only in looking after her son but also her potential future.

This is a brilliant introduction to Nero, although the main focus is on Agrippina and the steps she takes to secure her son's future. That being said, towards the latter section of the book, the focus does change to her son and his actions.

I am looking forward to reading the next book which will be published around May 2025.

If you are a fan of historical fact blended skillfully with fiction to give a very addictive and readable account of historical figures, then this author is a must. There is bloodshed, scheming, murder, treason, poisoning, and so much more of those delightful human traits that have altered historical bloodlines. This is a great first book in the trilogy and I would definitely recommend it.

Conn Iggulden's *Nero* invites readers on an intimate journey into the turbulent world of Ancient Rome, bringing the young emperor's formative years to life. While Nero is often remembered for his tyranny and excess, Iggulden compassionately explores the complex forces that molded him, revealing a young man striving to navigate a perilous court filled with danger and intrigue.

With prose that's sharp and engaging, Iggulden helps us immerse ourselves in the heart of the empire. The narrative is imbued with tension, vividly reflecting the political machinations and power struggles that characterized the era. While the story addresses the violence embedded in Roman society, it never feels excessive; instead, it serves to highlight the fragility of existence and the looming threat of betrayal.

Nero is at the forefront, yet it’s his ambitious mother, Agrippina, who truly captivates. Iggulden portrays her as a formidable presence, fiercely protective while skillfully maneuvering through the challenges of Roman politics. Their intricate relationship, filled with ambition and love, forms the emotional heartbeat of the novel.

*Nero* transcends being merely a historical novel; it’s a poignant character-driven drama that delves into enduring themes of power, ambition, and family ties. Iggulden's careful research echoes throughout, yet it never overshadows the deeply human story that lies at the core. Whether you have a passion for history or are simply seeking a compelling read, *Nero* will resonate with you from start to finish. This truly is historical fiction at its most resonant.

Nero: Delivers the unexpected. The story is not about the man who was Emperor
The book is a slow burner, delving deep into a historical narrative of Rome at its bloodiest as the turmoil of Emperors being overthrown, With the balance of power swinging back and forth as we wade through poison, gore and fire. Women are the threads that weave the story together. Aggripina is at the heart of the story as she uses all her feminine guile to protect herself and her son. Her story is of resilience finding the path to navigate every threat thrown at her. Once she has decided you are not on her side your days are numbered.
The reason the book is titled Nero is clarified by her voice decreeing Nero the name to be taken.
The downside is, at times, the names are confusing, and the changing of POV mid-chapter. There were too many chapters of blood and gore that repeated what the reader had read before. I would have liked some of the minor voices to have been heard, especially the Aunty, another female who shaped Aggripina sons life and character.
This is a slower read, but an enjoyable ride through Roman history and the conquering of Britain. The research by Conn Iggulden is deep and holds the reader's interest

This was an interesting look into the lives of people living before and during the time of Nero being born. It follows his mother Agrippina for the most part, and although I went in expecting a book about Nero as an adult, I found Agrippina’s story of betrayal and heartbreak to be incredibly gripping. Some names were hard to keep track of but I loved the setting and am a big fan of history so this was a very interesting read and I’d recommend it to any other ancient history fans.

Wow what a good book, first time reading Conn Iggulden, but must read more. Wasn’t’ really sure why it’s called Nero almost to the end of the book, as there is a lot of background story. But as Romans seem to be able to change their name at will, I sort of guessed.
Of course once I finished it, I realised this is book one in a trilogy, hope he writes the next one soon

Very impressive .. I've always wanted to read Iggulden and I am blown away by this novel's grip on me from veryvstart, and his skillful portrayal of character thatc draws me into story (maybe tainted by some over-writing when the moment gets away from the people etc).. but he's worth all the plaudits. And readers .. wow .. I have some juicy reading to do now of his past work .. I also want to add that he brings the brutality of relationships and powerful figures in those early days to life, resonating with what we see now ..

This was a good read and a point of view of Rome that I hadn’t seen covered before. Easy to read albeit a little confusing

Brilliant story. It was exciting and full of life in ancient Rome. This is the first instalment of an exciting new series. This author never lets you down

This is the 1st in a new trilogy looking at the life of Nero. It starts at a time of his early childhood and focuses quite poignantly on the ruthless behaviour of his mother Agrippina.
The treachery within Rome is palpable. No one can ever truly be trusted, and life can be upturned most rapidly.
Nero’s father is an ex-chariot racer, who spends much of his time drunk. A man so well achieved that has withered, to become bitter and erstwhile. His mother, Agrippina, is a descendant of the Emperor Augustus and uses her wiliness to the fore.

When Tiberius returns from Capri to extinguish Rome of usurpers, he brings with him Agrippina’s brother, the next heir to the imperial throne. Agrippina turns to her brother for help, but it comes with a price.

However Agrippina’s brother, Caligula, dies with her uncle, Claudius becoming the next emperor. Driven by the need to protect herself and her own son she keeps close to her uncle to influence and manipulate matters, travelling with him on his campaign in Britannia.
This is a vivid telling of a time past. The characters are disturbingly good. Maybe it was because Agrippina is a woman in a very brutal political male world, but despite her deviance, I was at this juncture rooting for her, knowing she was a terrible woman, behind someone who would become a terrible tyrant also. But there were so many vile characters there were plenty whom you want to see their comeuppance too. Definitely a book to indulge in, to experience an authentic feeling escape to such a fascinating historical period in time.

this is basically a DNF but it's actually a DNM because I did not Middle. I read the first half and then skipped to the last 15%. I'm a very big Iggulden fan but this was a complete miss. It's his worst book out of the 17 I have read. *Nero* is boring, poorly written, generic...and not about Nero. 3.5/10 if I was rating it.

Overall, an interesting "look" at the way that Rome functioned in the days of the Caesars but I did find the tale to be somewhat disjointed; jumping from hither to yon and back again.

Having said that, it was fascinating to be reminded that almost everyone lived in fear of something or someone and that not even members of "the royal family" were above being dismembered on a whim or stripped of everything they owned and that was if Caesar was in a good mood!!

Certainly worth a read.

I always feel a thrill when I get my hands on historical fiction written by Conn Iggulden. No boring, staid stories of ancient times, here. It's all action, deceit, plotting and pure drama. If I'm honest, I have sparse knowledge of this time period beyond slim factoids of Caligula and Nero so was interested to understand how it all comes to pass in this, the first of a trilogy.

Nero takes us to tumultuous Rome where politics is a dangerous business. So much life and cunning trickery has been breathed into the characters that orbit those with power. At the heart is Agrippina, the great granddaughter of Augustus (the first Roman emperor), whose ambition drives much of the narrative. Tiberius rules at the opening of the novel but that moves swiftly on with no four-year cycles as Emperor. Things move at lightning pace in ancient Rome, where treachery hides behind every column, so no time to get too complacent.

It feels indulgent like a soap opera crossed with Game of Thrones. Rich descriptions of a by-gone time and way of life underpinning the brutality of the political arena at that time. Pure catnip in this taster with far more to come. I cannot wait!

A novel set during the reign of Gens Julia is usually full of intrigue, blood, and a lot of deads.
This is no exception ad i appreciated the well researched historical background and the gripping plot that kept me hooked.
I'm curious to read the next novels as Nero is a characters famous for his excess but also bad mouthed by the Roman historian who wrote about him during the reign of his successors.
This one is a good one and Nero is 10 at the end and still Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Nero sees Conn Iggulden return to Rome after an absence of many years. It’s a good book this one, one of Iggulden’s best for a while after a number of below average reads, however it doesn’t hit the heights of his Emperor books.

I found it hard to engage with the characters, and it felt too much like a prequal to be wholly gripping enough. Lets hope book 2 ups the ante a bit.

What's not to like here! I love Conn Iggulden as a writer and this was great. It doesn't seem to matter what era he covers, the stories are always rich and rewarding. Great characters and a real feel for the setting. It's nice to return to Rome, although I do love his Ancient Greece novels.
This was a great read from start to finish!

I have loved previous works by Conn Iggulden, and his writing style is vivid as usual in Nero. The characters are great and complex, and I love the way they interact. I may have put the book down for a while and forgotten about it, but it was so easy to slip back into the world of the book. He brings history to life in a way I thoroughly enjoy, as an avid history fan and a lover of fiction. Overall, this book was great to read and I'm excited for the next book in the series.
This review is shorter than usual because I took far too long to get around to writing it, but rest assured that I did thoroughly enjoy the book, and am always happy to read something by an old favourite.

Fantastic read, but then again I've come to expect nothing less from Iggulden. He brings ancient Rome to life in his new series and I cannot wait for the next instalment.

Emperor Tiberius has been 'retired' on the Isle of Caprae, indulging in the worst excesses as his health fails. When he hears that his interim, Sejanus, has killed two of his sons and abused the power left to him, Tiberius exacts a bloody revenge but he is killed soon afterwards by his only remaining son. Caligula starts well but when his wife and child die, Caligula becomes a tyrant and banishes his sister Agrippina to a lonely prison. Agrippina has had much to contend with, married at 13 to a violent but rich man she has a single child, Lucius, who is next in line to the throne so she ensures that she is close to the next Emperor, her uncle Claudius.
Despite being called 'Nero' the subject isn't really clear until the very end which may confuse readers not familiar with Roman emperors. However that is a minor quibble as this is another of Iggulden's fantastically enjoyable romps through history. He brings characters to life and explores events and personalities with verve. This is obviously the first in a new series and I look forward to the rest!

I have read many books by this author and i got this one through netgalley. The author's area of expertise is the Roman empire and it's warfare, bur more than that it is his ability to truly bring this period of history to life. This book combines the machinations of the leaders if the empire to achieve control - there are more deaths by poison or throat slitting per page than any book truly needs - and the plans of those leaders to claim Britain as part of the Roman Empire.

I think the author creates well defined characters although I can't say I really liked any of the MC's here. Although I will defeinitely read more from this author I am not sure this series will become one of my favourites

I've been meaning to read Conn Iggulden's book for a while now, so when I saw an ARC for Nero I immediately requested it.

Retelling the infamous tale of Nero and his family, enemies and people, Iggulden brings a new perspective on the rise and fall of the Roman Emperor who "played the lyre while Rome burned". Showing the politically charged and brutal Roman life, Iggulden still creates a compelling and interesting narrative to add to the long list of Nero retellings. I found it an interesting read with a writing style that is easy to read and keeps readers engaged. As the first novel in a new trilogy, it had me hooked and I can't wait to read the next one.

If you love Historical retellings, especially of the Roman Empire, then I recommend Nero to add to your reading list.

Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Random House for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.