Mother of Rome is a Roman myth retelling of the story of Rhea Silvia, mother to Romulus and Remus, the mythical founders of Rome.

I mainly read Greek myth retellings so have very little knowledge of Roman (other than the stories that they share with the Greeks) so this really piqued my interest (also getting bored of all the Troy retellings so this was a breath of fresh air). I was pleasantly surprised by how much I came to enjoy the story.

This book was filled with romance, politics, sisterhood, betrayal and did an amazing job of showing how much a mother will endure for her children. I think the author did such an amazing job developing the character arcs for both Rhea and Antho and we got to see them grow from being naive, sheltered girls to strong women who do everything to protect their family and get justice.

My only main issue was the writing style. It kind of felt like I was reading someone over narrate and over explain someone’s life whilst also feeling like I was reading a screenplay rather than book. But after a while, especially once the plot picked up, I just stopped noticing it.

This book also provides POVs from a number of different characters (with the majority being Rhea and Antho) which most of the time I though provided a really good insight to what was happening elsewhere in the story. It was nice to get a sense of the overall bigger picture.

Following the origin tale behind Romulus & Remus, and the daughter of Jocasta, this Greek mythology inspired retelling captured the cruelty, magic and mystique of the Greek tales we love and know.
There was complex character development, I loved the progression through time and seeing the impact this had on the core characters.
This story is a brutal one following the harsh times women suffered through; and our heroine Rhea depicted what a strong women looked like, I was gripped throughout and would highly recommend to any avid Greek retelling fans!

Beautiful, powerful and poignant, ’Mother Of Rome’ vividly brings Rhea’s story to life in all its grief and glory creating a tale that is sure to appeal to fellow fans of historical mythology based retellings. The blend of its more fantastical features with historic detail is perfectly balanced to create a truly addictive read; one that is only made more precious thanks to its gorgeous and often emotive prose.

First of all I should admit that although I’ve heard of Romulus and Remus, this story was more or less new to me. I’ve heard of the twins but don’t really recall any details about them and don’t remember seeing their mother mentioned previously at all. Back at school we covered the Romans a lot so it’s possible that there’s memories of this tale buried somewhere in my mind but honestly it felt utterly new to me. Even if you’re familiar with this tale I feel fairly confident – thanks to the author’s note confirming something I’d wondered about – in saying that this will manage to breathe new life into this tale and stand apart from the crowd. It does so in a way that I desperately long to gush about and which left me questioning whether this particular road was always depicted within the myths. Apparently not but goodness it fits beautifully.

Narrative wise, as that longing to gush likely suggests, there’s a lot that I long to say but to avoid spoilers I’ll let you discover the glorious road that this goes down yourself. What I will say is that, as the title suggests, this is the story of Romulus and Remus’ mother, not the twins themselves. This novel spans her lifespan but don’t expect to visit Rome; she brought about its birth but that legacy comes later. Woven into this narrative is the added bonus of her cousin, Antho’s story which was equally harrowing and immersive to explore. Neither of their stories are easy – this book does not shy away from the horrors in their lives – but both were beautifully written and utterly mesmerising. They made me feel for them deeply and moved me on many an occasion.

The characters and bonds between them are beautifully brought to life too. Everybody felt fleshed out and believable, with personalities and backstories of their own. From Numitor and his fall into grief, to Amulius’ scheming to Faustulus’ fatherly tendencies; everything was a wonder to behold. There were conversations that made me smile and scenes that caused a shudder to race down my spine. There were bonds that I cherished, figures I abhorred and a wondrous depiction of a variety of love. Needless to say I was hooked.

One final thing that I feel I should mention is how vividly this book depicts its birthing scene, as well as some of the violence that comes around this time. It’s not an easy segment to read and I believe some readers may appreciate the heads up.

Altogether I certainly recommend picking up ’Mother Of Rome’ to anyone whose remotely interested in these kind of retellings. It’s a poignant and moving narrative of one mother’s insurmountable struggles along with the tale of the princess who you’d imagine would have it all, given her father’s manoeuvring. It’s a glorious blend of history and mythology, including mentions – and the odd appearance – from a mixture of the gods believed in at this time (and given the mixed cultures in the landscape they’re not all the Roman ones you’d think of). It’s a beautiful delight that has left me longing to pick up more retellings surrounding Rome as well as more books by the author too. Needless to say I think I’ve found another author within the genre that could well become a favourite of mine.

Lauren J. A. Bear’s Mother of Rome breathes new life into the ancient Roman legend of Romulus and Remus by centring their mother, Rhea Silvia, as the heart of the story. Often relegated to a footnote in myth, Rhea is reimagined here as a fierce and determined woman whose love and sacrifices pave the way for the founding of Rome.

Rhea’s story begins with privilege and promise, but her world is turned upside down when her father’s kingdom is overthrown. Forced into the celibate life of a Vestal Virgin, Rhea’s fate seems sealed, but divine intervention and human ambition collide when she becomes pregnant with the twin boys destined for greatness. Faced with betrayal, abandonment, and a death sentence, Rhea emerges as a formidable figure, making daring choices and forging alliances—both mortal and divine—to protect her sons and reclaim her legacy.

Bear’s reimagining is both captivating and empowering. The prose is lush and evocative, vividly portraying ancient Rome and the divine forces at play. The author’s decision to expand Rhea’s role and rework elements of the original myth is done with thoughtful precision, creating a narrative that feels both timeless and fresh.

The novel excels in its portrayal of Rhea as a complex character. Her resilience, maternal strength, and determination to carve her own path make her an inspiring protagonist. The story is also steeped in themes of power, destiny, and sacrifice, adding depth to the mythological framework.

Mother of Rome is a compelling blend of historical fiction and mythology, perfect for readers who enjoy strong female leads and imaginative retellings. Bear’s thoughtful expansion of Rhea’s story ensures that she is no longer a mere prelude to her sons’ legacy but a legend in her own right.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I have quickly come to adore Lauren J.A. Bear's storytelling.

Until now, the only Historical Fiction I had read was Greek myths, along with a couple of Chinese myth inspired novels - I also did not know much about Romulus and Remus at all. However, this book has become one of my favourites of this year/next year. Telling the story of Romulus and Remus through the eyes of their mother, Rhea Silvia, and aunt was a brilliant idea. I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed it as much as I did if it was through their point of view, but getting to witness Rhea's incredible character development was incredible. The magical elements were well done and I learned some interesting things from this novel.

Bear's writing style is spot on for the Historical Fiction genre, and the pacing was perfect too; nothing felt rushed, and the story wasn't dragged out either. The characters were all fully fleshed out and easy to fall in love with or hate - I will admit that I cried a few times too!

Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for the ARC.

Prior to this retelling, I had little knowledge of the mythical figure that is the mother of Remus & Romulus. So of course, after finishing this, I went on to google Rhea Silvia to see how much of the myth this follows. "Mother of Rome" certainly had creative choices that I liked immediately; others raised more questions for me to consider. But overall, I did come away with enough enjoyment over reading about a woman's steadfast resilience and the many kinds of love she experiences: familial, sisterhood (with her cousin Antho), maternal of course, and unexpectedly, romance.

So. Multiple sites from the Internet tells me that Rhea was raped by Mars the god of war. One paper points out differing sources that it was either violent and deeply unpleasant for Rhea, or she was asleep at that time and perceived her sexual encounter with Mars as a dream, which doesn't exactly translate to permission on her behalf. Violent or not, the myth implied some sort of violation. And yet MoR rewrites it into a consensual encounter fueled by physical attraction ... twice in fact. Rhea is even the one who initiates it; the first time as a giant Fuck You to her usurper uncle Amulius who strongarmed her into becoming a virginal priestess. On its own, devoid of the original myth's inspiration, it's refreshing to read of a woman so in tune with her sexuality and desires. With the context though, it's basically erasure of a rape victim, in a possible but misguided attempt to perhaps give more agency to Rhea? She CHOSE to have sex with Mars, of course. But I don't think sanitizing and romanticizing the crime of a man (or male god in this case) is empowering. Rape victims are also survivors; the journey and choices she makes after could very well show agency on her part.

That glaring difference aside, MoR generally follows the similar beats of the original myth—Rhea being left for dead as punishment for her pregnancy, her twins being spared and left in a basket, a she-wolf protecting and suckling said babies, and their subsequent adoption by a shepherd and his wife—yet there is one twist that author Lauren Bear did that I found particularly brilliant. It re-centers Rhea back into the myth by elevating her role and importance. Her story does not end once she;d given birth to her sons. MoR also expands her story with a blossoming romance that I found very sweet and enjoyable to follow. The ending she got was perfect to me.

I wasn't sure about this book when I started reading it, some of the writing didn't align with what I was looking for. I also found this book quite slow in general. However, I ended up enjoying it! I haven't read much about Romulus and Remus and this story is a reimagining of their mother, all the sacrifices she had to endure for them to live and become great.

WOW! Lauren J.A. Bear’s Mother of Rome is a blazing triumph—a reimagining that not only fully reclaims but revolutionises an ancient tale. While the myth of Romulus and Remus is etched in stone, Bear chisels out the forgotten story of their mother, Rhea Silvia, and it’s nothing short of breathtaking. I thought Medusa’s Sisters was unbeatable, but Mother of Rome stole my heart with its masterful storytelling and fierce emotional depth.

Bear’s writing is exquisite—every sentence sings. The characters leap off the page, alive with their own ambitions, flaws, and dreams. Even the side characters are given vibrant life, their motivations intricately woven into the tapestry of the plot. Rhea, though, is the shining star: a princess turned Vestal Virgin, a mother cast out but unbroken, and a woman whose strength could shake empires. Her journey is equal parts harrowing and empowering, and I was utterly enthralled from the first page.

The magical realism adds a luminous, otherworldly touch—divine interventions and ancient forces are rendered with subtlety and grace, making the line between myth and history deliciously blurry. And the historical quotations threaded throughout? Genius. They ground the story while enriching its epic scope, making this tale feel timeless yet intimately fresh.

Bear reshapes the story, giving voice to a woman who was silenced for too long. Mother of Rome is a must-read for fans of feminist retellings, mythological epics, or anyone who loves stories that linger in the soul. This is historical fiction at its most magical and meaningful—and I will undoubtedly read anything Lauren J.A. Bear writes next!

After having lived this authors previous book I was very excited to receive this arc from NetGalley in return for my honest review
This story is absolutely beautiful and tragic whilst the lush prose and descriptions of time and place made for an immersive read
The pacing was perfect and all the characters felt alive and realistic
I loved this so much and read it within a couple of days and I can’t wait to read more from this author