This had that magical element that I was looking for and enjoyed the way the world worked and how everything flowed well. The characters felt like they belonged in this story and had that element that I was hoping for. Lucius Tarquinius was able to create a strong story and worked well in this genre. It left me wanting to read more in this series as this was wonderfully done.

compelling blend of historical fiction and fantasy, set in an intricately rendered ancient Rome where power is not just political—it’s supernatural. Tarquinius introduces a unique magic system based on ancient Roman religious practices. Characters gain abilities through intense rituals and offerings to gods, each deity conferring specific powers based on their domain. This magic system deepens the political intrigue, as wielding power means not only gaining divine favor but also risking wrath or losing oneself to ambition, and greed.

The protagonist’s journey, caught between political ambition and ethical dilemmas, is heightened by this mystical influence, forcing him to choose between the price of power and his own humanity. Tarquinius captures the era’s nuances with historical accuracy while weaving in fantasy elements that feel both natural and essential to the plot. Choice is a masterful story of loyalty, ambition, and the heavy cost of choices that linger in both the mortal and divine realms.