num_pages: 416
description: Set amongst the scandal wealth and upstairs-downstairs politics of a Roman family Crystal Kings seminal debut features the man who inspired the worlds oldest cookbook and the ambition that led to his destruction.On a blistering day in the twenty-sixth year of Augustus Caesars reign a young chef Thrasius is acquired for the exorbitant price of twenty thousand denarii. His purchaser is the infamous gourmet Marcus Gavius Apicius wealthy beyond measure obsessed with a taste for fine meals from exotic places and a singular ambition: to serve as culinary advisor to Caesar an honor that will cement his legacy as Rome's leading epicure.Apicius rightfully believes that Thrasius is the key to his culinary success and with Thrasiuss help he soon becomes known for his lavish parties and fantastic meals. Thrasius finds a family in Apiciuss household his daughter Apicata his wife Aelia and her handmaiden Passia whom Thrasius quickly falls in love with. But as Apicius draws closer to his ultimate goal his reckless disregard for any who might get in his way takes a dangerous turn that threatens his young family and places his entire household at the mercy of the most powerful forces in Rome.
language: English
title: Feast of Sorrow
publisher: Atria Books