Review: Barbarian Mistress very good read - the title doesn't reflect the depth of story.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 4, 2013
To me this was a refreshing read of Roman society not long after the death of Christ.  There are not many romance/adventure stories from this era nowadays for some reason unless it's Christian fiction. I happen to love Christian fiction but it's nice to go outside the box to read about other events & people during those times.  There were so many different people & faiths during that era that are intriguing.  Don't get me wrong this is not a tale of Christianity by any means (Jesus was mentioned once very briefly) nor of Jewish enslavement at that time.  Rather, this is focused more on daily lives and interactions of Roman citizens, libertines, the lower classes and, of course, the diversified slaves - who were conquered by the Roman war machine at one time or another.  The one thing it doesn't do is overburden you with too many details of those daily lives but it's realistic in what it does show.  For example: traveling took weeks by cart & horse or even longer by foot and food wasn't easily available between towns or in towns, esp without funds.  There were citizen checkpoints for "papers" to see who the travelers were,  freed or not.  Boats were often used for faster travel but there were many perils involved.  Many things reminded me of how little has really changed in our society today when it comes to the treatment of our fellow humankind.  I find myself still thinking of them even now.  This may not have been the author's intention but I think it is a good aspect that a romance/adventure book can do that. These things are just as important today to deal with & we must do so.This IS a romance and an adventure, filled with danger, Roman politics with scheming factions, slaves whose stories are sad but are intricately relevant to the story. There are gladiators & reference to Roman debauchery that I used to read about in history class (it wasn't overly blatant but was there). I was caught up early in the story and quickly finished it.  Many have written good reviews about this so I won't say much more about the details. I would, however, rate it for age 17 & over due to violence and adult situations (especially how slaves were treated - awful) and sexual violence.  Some younger minds aren't ready for that kind of realism though it is historical and even happens today.  This author is very good at interweaving multiple characters into the story which enriched it for me.  I came to care for most of them as if they were real. In fact they were real while I read it.  I wanted the "bad" guys to get their just dues.  I really appreciate that it did have an hea and that it was not a "series" book with a major cliff hanger leading you into 2 or more books that you must get for the rest of the story. This is a full length novel that is worthy of your time and I thought it could be a movie or possibly a mini-series. I received this through the lending library but will buy my own copy for a future read. It was that good and I have already read it twice in June.The only negative I can think of is that some language used was too modern for the times including some cussing that I didn't expect.  The "F" word was not likely used back then and it took me slightly aback along with some other words. The daily modern language used did help with the flow for me but the cussing was not necessary nor needed for me to feel the moments. I don't know how they spoke back then but there was different I'm sure.There is some very hard stuff when it comes to slavery & sexual abuse but it wasn't in gory detail, but was very effective.  It was told as a memory with detail but not overly done. There was sexual content but not erotica and I was thankful for the difference in this book.  I would call it sensual for the love story parts and realistic, even brutal, for the other parts. Some books today are borderline porn but promoted as romance novels but this book is about love and facing those hurts. It is about finding healing and happiness within oneself and with the one you love despite the bad that has happened. It's about how the human spirit can overcome and even triumph despite the evils of the world.  Like I said this book made me think on many subjects, lol.I really liked this author. I am sure this was my first book of hers and won't be the last.  I am looking for the next one or others like it.  If this is any indication of her talent then I will enjoy them immensely.  Happy reading!