I’ve been meaning to read Conn Iggulden for years so I was delighted to get an ARC of Nero.

I don’t tend to read as many books about Ancient Rome, but this book has definitely left me hungering for more. Iggulden captures the splendor and brutality of Rome in a horrifying and glorious way, balancing the two to create a real sense of what was an immensely powerful empire.

This first book isn’t so much about Nero, but about the world and the people he grew up with. It was full of new history and insights that were fascinating to learn. Of course, reading the historical note, gaps have been filled in with imagination and some things omitted, but the history is there and has been well-researched and implemented.

Iggulden focuses on the people who form Nero’s world, crafting their stories and charting their journeys. One of the main characters is Agrippina, who becomes a force to be reckoned with as she forges her and her son’s future.

Then there are smaller characters who still deliver, like Italius who is a genuinely decent guy, but who has to navigate his relationships with those more powerful than him.

Although we only see Nero’s first five or so years of his life in this book, Iggulden builds and layers his story, giving the reader an understanding of who he was and paving the path to the infamous emperor he is to become.

The novel is fast paced, punchy and energetic. Despite the politics, war and history, it is an addictive read.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC.

This is a highly selective and sanitised version of events. I have just finished reading a book, The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius, and I found it difficult to reconcile the two Neros in my mind.
The stand out person is Agrippina, his mother, loyal to a fault, and doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Ruthless in both love and war, a force to be reckoned with.
A sense of fear permeates this book. When you are dealing with such highly strung and duplicitous characters, you were never sure of your chances of survival from one day to the next. The right to rule was protected at all times, even if it meant killing off weaker members of the family and engaging in incestuous relations with brothers, sisters and in this case, uncles. Such powerful dynasties were created by these means and that probably underpinned episodes of madness and insanity, not to mention the effects upon children born from such liaisons.
The battle scenes are well described, that is always a feature of books from this author. The day to day scenes are well imagined, you can almost feel the oppressive heat, and experience the dirt and the smells of Rome.
The Romans were not kind either, to those they enslaved, those who fought for them, either in the Army or the Colosseum, but they seemed to treat their own people far worse than any others.
A great civilisation was founded upon really loose and crude morals. A fascinating story and I hope to be able to read the next instalment. I have given this a five star read. I appreciated the notes in the concluding pages, they had really complicated naming systems!!
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers, Michael Joseph for my advanced copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review. I will leave copies to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.

A story that focuses more on the era background and very early years of Nero with the central character being Agrippina and how she shapes her destiny to both survive and enhance her and her son’s destiny. Politics, patricide and praetorians shape the world she lives in and she doesn’t let the odd husband or two get in the way as she seeks to secure the one thing she craves - Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus - but that’s another story! Grateful for the the advance copy and very much enjoyed the book.

I have enjoyed several of Iggulden's book but not so much this one. This book is mainly about Nero's early life under his ambitious mother, Agrippina's strive for power and wealth. Agrippina is not a likable character which makes the book less entertaining. Hopefully the next books in the series will draw on the stage already set in this book.

I’ve enjoyed three books by Conn Iggulden and Nero is no exception. It is excellent. It’s the first in a new trilogy and having read it I’m eagerly looking forward to reading the next two books about Nero. This is the story of his birth and early years up to his 10th year. But it’s more about his mother, Agrippina than about him. She was ruthless, scheming and ambitious for her son, allowing no one to stand in her way.

My interest in historical fiction about the Romans really began in 1976 when I watched the BBC adaptation of I, Claudius and Claudius the God by Robert Graves, starring Derek Jacobi as Claudius. Later on I read the books, which I loved (I’m tempted to re-read them). Nero brought it back to me as it covers the reigns of Tiberius (the end of his reign), Nero’s uncle, Caligula, and then his great-uncle, Claudius.

Iggulden writes well, bringing life during this period vividly to life. He doesn’t hold back on describing the cruelty and brutality of the times. – he states in his Historical Note: ‘Tiberius was a horror of ancient Rome, who tainted or destroyed anything he touched. … Details of Tiberius’ parties on Capri are too grim to relate …’ There are episodes where, if I’d been watching on TV I would have been covering my eyes, and peeping through my fingers – but I am rather squeamish!

The Historical Note at the end of the book gives further details about the characters, their lives and relationships; and about the ad 43 invasion of Britain, about trade between the empire and Britain before the invasion, and the battle of Medway that took place in Kent.

Despite the gory and bloody scenes I thoroughly enjoyed Nero. Iggulden is a great storyteller.

I have read a couple of books by this author and really enjoyed them. As this is the first part of a three part series I came to it with an open mind and I loved it.
The character progression and descriptive writing of the location really does transport you to AD37, the time of Roman emperors who ruled the world with their massive armies.
The only negative I can make about this book is the title. Really the series should be called Nero as it is fictionally telling his life story, however in this first book the main character is his mother, Agrippina,
It is fiction based on handed down facts so the author has changed certain elements but the author explains where and why things have been changed in the Historical Notes at the back of the book.
If you love fiction based on the Roman Empire then you need this book on your bookshelf.
I am already looking forward to Book 2.
Many thanks to Michael Joseph, NetGalley and the author for providing me with an advanced electronic copy of the book in return for a honest and unbiased review
The book is released on 23rd May in audiobook, e-book and hardback formats.

This is the first in Iggulden’s new series. Though titled Nero it is very much set in his youngest years and features more on his mother than the eponymous man himself.

Nonetheless it contains all the intrigue, politics and murderous intentions that you would expect from the period - and some! Nero’s mother wanted to protect her only son and would stop at nothing to do so…

Thanks to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest opinion.

In this first book of the Nero trilogy we meet the future leader of Rome as a child.
Born into the family line of Augustus on his mother’s side, the ever ambitious Agrippina. We see she will do anything she can to mould her son into the future emperor of Rome.
She deals with a group of cut-throat people from soldiers to senators and even emperors, but nothing will stop her from putting her son and her dreams first.
Conn Iggulden has always been the gold standard of historical writers and Nero is a perfect example of it.
Filled with his ability to immerse the reader into the period of history he writes about. You can’t help but be charmed by his wonderful writing style and his unique storytelling.
I’m a massive fan of his work and can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Nero by Conn Iggulden is a must read for fans of the movie Gladiator. Atmospheric and tense, you will feel like you are in ancient rome as you race through this novel. Can't wait for the second instalment

I used to read a lot of historical fiction and, for some reason, lost interest in the genre. As such, I was keen to give a straightforward historical novel another try and really enjoyed this first in a trilogy about the life of Nero, by Conn Iggulden.

This sees Nero’s early life and, indeed, he is still a child at the end of this volume. Much is about his mother, Agrippina, who begins the novel married to a drunken ex-charioteer, by whom she has finally had a child after several years. She loves her son fiercely, but he is a danger to many as she is related to the Imperial family. Indeed, on the death Tiberius, her brother, Caligula, becomes Emperor. The author tells the story of Caligula’s increasing violent, out of control behaviour, and the fear that Agrippina correctly feels for him.

We then see the unlikely Claudius become Emperor and Agrippina’s manipulations to try to keep her son safe. Overall, a very interesting account with a realistic portrayal of the times and characters. I would definitely read more by Iggulden who is obviously a master of his craft. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

This is the first of three books detailing the life of Nero. This one focuses on his very early life. If I’m honest, this was essentially a book about Agrippina and I sort of wish it was titled accordingly too. A ruthless woman positioning herself to control Rome through her son is surely a worthy title subject for a novel! I enjoyed this but it was nothing new if you’re already well versed in Tiberius/Caligula/Claudius’s reign.

Definitely worth picking up if you’re an Ancient Rome fan! 3.5 stars 🌟 thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

Nero by Conn Iggulden

I love many books by Con Iggulden but, unfortunately, this was one of those I didn't get along with, perhaps I'm too familiar with the history. This is well-trodden ground and I didn't find much that was new in it but it certainly doesn't shy away from the brutality and cruelty of the era it portrays. I think it might have proven too much for me and so I did struggle. These people have few redeeming features! If you're less familiar with the history of Nero and his equally reprehensible relatives, then this may well be for you.

I'm not sure this book should be called 'Nero', as the young Lucius as he was known, is a secondary character. For me this seemed like Conn Iggulden going back to doing what he did so well with his Caesar and Ghengis books, and that is taking a character from their very beginnings and telling their story in full.

This book then, is more of Agripinna, Nero's mother, rather than the future emperor himself. I have read countless novels based on this era, and I have to admit I was indifferent coming to this one. What would another book on Rome's classical era bring? Surely there would be nothing covered here that Manda Scott, Simon Scarrow or Robert Fabbri etc haven't already done to death.

But, it is a Conn Iggulden book. Written with the staple authoritative, clean prose that never veers from the characters' thoughts. I learnt about Nero's father (I won't try and spell his name here) and that he was a charioteer and raced for the Greens. I learned that Nero spent part of his childhood living in the slums of Rome, when his father was killed and his uncle sent his mother to prison.

Iggulden draws you into Rome, its brutality and its glory, and brings it back to life with such seemless ease. Agripinna's story is fascinating. She survived so much, with nothing but a family name and her own wits and beauty. Hers is a story that deserves to be told. I note other reviews on Goodreads stating the book has a rather abrupt ending. And that is true enough. We leave Agripinna on the shores of Britannia, Emperor Claudius having just proposed. The wild isles of Britain are still to be conquered, but I feel the meat of this tale will take place far away from the white cliffs of England, and in the melting pot that was Rome in its pomp. I can't wait to see what happens next!

My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
All we have come to expect from this Master Author of this genre, excellent research and writing. Absolute quality from first to last page, atmospheric with a real feel for time and place, superb characterisation.
Completely and totally recommended.

Conn Iggulden brings ancient Rome to life in his new series Nero.
This book covers the reign of Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius, but mainly focuses on Agrippina - Nero's mother - her deadly ambition and scheming in the most brutal of times.
This is a great read, full of power games and political intrigue, and it builds the scene up well for the next book.
Conn Iggulden is a master storyteller when it comes to historical fiction. If you haven't read any of his books, I highly recommend them.
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for the ARC

This is an engaging historical fiction novel of the early Roman emperors. The story revolves around Agrippina, the sister of the infamous Caligula. While Women had no financial independence or power, Agrippina continues to survive and rise in the brutal, treacherous world of Roman politics. Her focus is the survival of her only son Lucius. This is a wonderfully gripping read that creates a vivid portrayal of the political intrigue and power struggles in Ancient Rome.
Looking forward to the next instalment.

Commencing in ad37 this is a fast running retelling of a period in Roman history where Agrippina, niece of Claudius begins her calculating and cold blooded journey into a place in Roman history as the infamous catalyst for murder of anyone and everyone in her path to power. Given at the age of 13 to Gnaeus, a wealthy military Roman she is now maturing into full blown beauty enhanced by a Machiavellian temperament for deceit and scheming which will lead to a rip roaring adventure through numerous betrayals, poisoning of adversaries , massacres and butchery without conscience or regret. Although a story told on numerous previous occasions , this book holds its own in terms of research, familial drama and disloyalty . The final battle between Emperor Claudius taking an army to conquer Britain is a bloodthirsty carnage in a conclusion that delivers the bravery and foolishness of that period and changed the face and culture of Britain permanently. Many thanks to Author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I knew from reading Tacitus and Suetonius during my Ancient History degree that the Julio-Claudian dynasty were a pretty nasty bunch on the whole, but this first instalment of the “Nero Trilogy” brings the historical figures to life in a way that reveals the true brutality of the period in glorious technicolour.

Although called “Nero”, this title mainly focuses on the exploits of Nero’s mother Agrippina during the last few months of the reign of Tiberius, followed by her brother Caligula, and then by her uncle Claudius. During the reigns of these powerful men, Agrippina is manipulative and scheming, certainly, but is above all a survivor who realises the tenuous position that herself and her son hold in the ruthless Roman Empire.

The author takes artistic license with a fair few details, but the bulk of the story is true to historical sources and obviously very meticulously researched. It was fascinating to see the seeds being planted that will lead to the Nero becoming the tyrant we know through the ancient historians, but told in such a contemporary and accessible way. The pacing was perfect and I’m very excited for the next in the series!

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

The story flowed well enough, the characters were built well but I found the story a far cry from Nero. His name was hardly mentioned and it seemed to be set after he had died.
The story came across as believable and well written and well thought out. Diving through history to get potential storylines is obviously one of the authors forte’s, the crimes and punishments feel realistic when dealing with an emperor and his elite guards.
Not the author’s greatest piece of work but a decent read

Iggulden’s narrative style isn’t my usual cup of tea, and I was aware of this going into this book but I had hoped (as a classicist, working in academic classics publishing, and with a specialism in Roman history) that my opinion could be changed for Nero. Unfortunately, I just wasn’t quite gripped enough. I think a general enthusiast of ancient history would enjoy this, but I couldn’t bear to read about Gnaeus, and I also agree with other reviewers that ‘Agrippina’ (not Nero) should have been the selling point or title of the novel. I’m not sure why she has been sidelined in this way when this is essentially her story, and that’s a shame.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph for this ARC.