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    The Daughters of Palatine Hill: A Novel
    The Daughters of Palatine Hill: A Novel
    The Daughters of Palatine Hill: A Novel
    Audiobook11 hours

    The Daughters of Palatine Hill: A Novel

    Written by Phyllis T. Smith

    Narrated by Cristina Panfilio, Joyce Bean and Amy McFadden

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Two years after Emperor Augustus’s bloody defeat of Mark Antony and Cleopatra, he triumphantly returns to Rome. To his only child, Julia, he brings an unlikely companion—Selene, the daughter of the conquered Egyptian queen and her lover.

    Under the watchful eye of Augustus’s wife, Livia, Selene struggles to accept her new home among her parents’ enemies. Bound together by kinship and spilled blood, these three women—Livia, Selene, and Julia—navigate the dangerous world of Rome’s ruling elite, their every move a political strategy, their most intimate decisions in the emperor’s hands.

    Always suppressing their own desires for the good of Rome, each must fulfill her role. For astute Livia, this means unwavering fidelity to her all-powerful husband; for sensual Julia, surrender to an arranged marriage and denial of her craving for love and the pleasures of the flesh; for orphaned Selene, choosing between loyalty to her family’s killers and her wish for revenge.

    Can they survive Rome’s deadly intrigues, or will they be swept away by the perilous currents of the world’s most powerful empire?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateFeb 16, 2016
    ISBN9781511342803
    The Daughters of Palatine Hill: A Novel
    Author

    Phyllis T. Smith

    Phyllis T. Smith was born and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College and a master’s degree from New York University, Phyllis pursued a practical career in computer applications training, yet she found herself drawn to writing fiction and to the history, literature, and art of the ancient world. Her first novel, I Am Livia, was a #1 Kindle and Digital Book World bestseller. She plans to write more novels set in ancient Rome.

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    Reviews for The Daughters of Palatine Hill

    4/5

    38 ratings8 reviews

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    • 3/5
      Like the book itself, but the narration made me cringe in some parts with an almost robotic feel.
    • 3/5
      A disappointing sequel to the excellent I Am Livia which I thoroughly enjoyed. Featuring 3 prominent Roman Women, the author never fully develops them into realistic characters. The storyline starts off well, but ends up more like a mediocre romance novel. It could have been so much better.
    • 1/5
      Did not finish. The writing was quite simplistic. I can understand that for young Julia but not for adult Livia. The anachronisms were SO grating. A Roman soldier would not have popped off a "thanks" at the First Kid of Rome. I seriously doubt that Roman fathers walked their daughters down an aisle. And there was no Spain and no Italy at the time. Any amateur historian or fan of history would know that so one does assume that the author knows it, also, and is talking down to her modern audience.
    • 4/5
      I read and enjoyed I Am Livia so as soon as I saw this second offering by Phyllis T. Smith, I jumped at the chance to read it. I'm still a fan. I wanted more of Livia's voice when the last book ended and I got it here. What drew me in was the fact that Cleopatra Selene was featured. I so rarely run into books that feature her that I tore through the story and very much enjoyed her voice here. Julia was the third POV character and I felt she was rendered well and it shone through that she was captive to her fate. That Selene is ultimately the freer and successful one and Julia not is like Cleopatra reached out of her grave to curse her child's captor's child. Julia couldn't catch a break and so deeply & longing sought love it consumed her. It made for an engaging read. While I've no idea to the historical accuracy, I also very much enjoyed Livia relating that she saw herself in Selene and the similarities their young lives held.

      I'd definitely recommend this one to fans of I Am Livia and also fans of historical fiction. It's a quick read that's time well spent.

      I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
    • 4/5
      This was an interesting read about three Roman women connected by their position in the First Citizen's life. There are the typical Roman cliches of sex, plotting, and power hungry individuals, but there is also a softer side and one filled with historical information. The book was a little slow at times, but the last 15% was a real page turner.
    • 3/5
      This book alternates between the lives of Livia, Selene and Julia, all tied to Augustus Caesar. Livia, Augustus’ wife, tries to guide the women in her household to be proper Roman women. Selene, the daughter of Cleopatra, is basically a captive, subject to the whims of politics. Julia, Augustus’ daughter, tries to become her own person, growing up under strict rules and scrutiny.Part 1 of this book was exciting and adventurous. The women were dynamic, their story fascinating. Part 2 and 3 didn’t have the same excitement or interest that Part 1 had. Those parts were just rote. Even though this book didn’t really work, I would be interested to read more from this author.
    • 5/5
      Livia, wife of Augustus, Selene Daughter of Cleopatra and Julia, daughter of Augustus recount their narratives of life in Rome with its intrigue. The overriding value is what is good for the empire. Delicately written with historical insights. A surprisingly good read.An electronic copy was provided in return for an honest review.
    • 5/5
      Ancient Rome is one of my favorite historical eras so I was pretty excited to see THE DAUGHTERS OF PALATINE HILL. This is how I prefer my historical fiction when it involves actual historical figures. These are the qualities I look for: -It should transport me to another time and place. The story should have an excellent grasp of the period and culture. I neither expect, nor want, characters from ancient Rome to have the same mores or feelings about issues, social or otherwise. I want them to be an honest reflection of their times. This is especially true when it involves actual historical figures.-My preference is to become intimately involved with at least one of the characters. To be able to put myself in their shoes, see things from their perspective.-Make me think, rethink, wonder, speculate…..THE DAUGHTERS OF PALATINE HILL did all these things. Ms. Smith brought Livia, Julia, and Selene to life. Focus is on the characters and their motivations. Emphasis is placed on the political intricacies and aspects of their situations, rather than the decadence and lewdness that many stories highlight. Livia was a far cry from the cruel, manipulative woman driven by greed and ambition for her son that I’d met before.Julia was more than the selfish, spoiled, petulant woman who had everything, without it ever being enough, that I thought I knew. Though she certainly displayed those traits; she was rather sad, looking for love, recognition, and validation in all the wrong ways and places.Selene, I confess to knowing almost nothing about her. However, the portrayal of the tightrope she navigated so brilliantly was fascinating. She’s definitely snagged my interest and I’ll be looking for more information about her.If you’re looking for historical fiction that not only takes you “there”, but into the hearts, minds, and lives of the characters, your search is over. THE DAUGHTERS OF PALATINE HILL does all that and more. Reviewed for Novels Alive TV