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Empire of Iron: A Novel of the Vestal Virgins (The Vesta Shadows Trilogy) Paperback – February 7, 2023

by Debra May Macleod (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 129 ratings
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For the heroes of Rome, and its enemies, it is a time of reckoning.

There is a saying in Rome: the Tarpeian Rock is near the Capitoline--meaning that even at the height of power, one is never far from a fall. As the Vestalis Maxima, Pomponia has guided her order through the collapse of Rome's Republic and the rise of the Empire. Her wit and piety have elevated the Vestals to a position of unprecedented prestige--and her friendship with Caesar Augustus has personally afforded her a life of political influence and privilege. She has been adored and untouchable.

Yet that illusion of safety has been shattered by a ruthless enemy who continues to menace her from the shadows, his vengeful nature escalating to terrifying new heights that threaten not just Pomponia, but all those she cares for--including the emperor himself.

Worse, it seems that the gods are also turning against her when the Vestal order suffers an unparalleled crisis that Pomponia must answer for. Struggling to maintain her position, Pomponia looks to her slaves and a renegade charioteer for support as her complex relationship with her protégé, Quintina, brings painful secrets to light.

Faced with threats from all directions, Pomponia must be willing to sacrifice everything--even her own morality--to protect her status, the Vestal order, and the lives of those around her.

In Empire of Iron, the unflinching conclusion to the Vesta Shadows trilogy, Pomponia realizes that, like Rome itself, she must become even more ruthless than her enemies if she is to survive.

The Vesta Shadows trilogy spans decades, from 45 BCE to 14 CE. It follows the life of the Vestal priestess Pomponia Occia, who is inspired by the real Vestal Occia who lived during this time, serving in the Temple of Vesta for more than fifty years. Set during the tumultuous years that saw the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire under Augustus--and beyond--it dramatizes some of the major historical events that occurred during her lifetime while simultaneously bringing ancient Rome to life with fast-paced, engrossing, and visceral storylines played out by a striking cast of characters.

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Previous page
  1. Book 3 of 3
    The Vesta Shadows Trilogy
  2. Print length
    350 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Blackstone Publishing
  5. Publication date
    February 7, 2023
  6. Dimensions
    5.25 x 1 x 8.25 inches
  7. ISBN-13
    979-8212184694
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The author does not shy away from the cruel and perverse nature of the Romans, but she handles those characters and situations with tact and skill. The overall result is that you are enjoying the plot more than feeling like it is a history lesson, which is the mark of a good historical novel."

--Historical Novels Review

About the Author

Debra May Macleod is an author of historical fiction focusing on the ancient Roman religion of Vesta and the Vestal Virgins. She is privileged to have been invited to participate in research excursions in the Forum Romanum, the Forum of Caesar and Imperial Fora, including places inaccessible to the general public, and informs her writing and work with this invaluable perspective. Debra has a bachelor of arts (English, classics) as well as a law degree. She lives in Canada with her husband and son, visiting Italy often for research (and sun).

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BCR2DFSV
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blackstone Publishing; Unabridged edition (February 7, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 350 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8212184694
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 1 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 129 ratings

About the author

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Debra May Macleod

Debra May Macleod

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Debra May Macleod is an author of action-packed, intelligent historical fiction featuring the Vestal Virgins of ancient Rome. Her novels dramatize major legendary and historical events while simultaneously bringing ancient Rome to life with engrossing, visceral storylines played out by a striking cast of characters.

Her trilogy The First Vestals of Rome is set in the 8th century BCE and dramatizes the legendary lives of the founding Vestal Virgins of ancient Rome.

Her trilogy The Vesta Shadows takes place from 45 BCE to 14 CE and follows the life of the Vestal priestess Pomponia Occia, who is inspired by the real Vestal Occia who lived during this time—the years that saw the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Empire, and beyond.

Debra has a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Juris Doctor. She welcomes readers to visit her website at DebraMayMacleod.com.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
129 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Vestals in the future of Rome
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
Quite an interesting book combining fiction & historical facts. Very hard to put down..
Beginning of Empire of Iron speaks of future of Rome centuries later..I would like to read more of that .
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M. Stivison
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Conclusion to the Vesta Shadows
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2023
Verified Purchase
... but I still wish there was another Vesta Shadows book after this one. I love reading ancient Roman fiction but there are almost never any women in the stories, especially not as developed complex characters like these.
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Leaaa
5.0 out of 5 stars Why does this series have to end?
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2022
Verified Purchase
I have read all 3 books & loved them all. I only wish this wasn’t the end! The books were fascinating & interesting & I found myself looking up many things that were mentioned. Not only did I love the book but got to learn some new things too. I definitely recommend this series to anyone.
One person found this helpful
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Cheryl
5.0 out of 5 stars Three of three in the series. All are excellent
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2022
Verified Purchase
Read all 3 of these and then bought another of her series on the vestal virgins. Describes the Roman times and goings on during this time very well
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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars book3
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 26, 2022
Verified Purchase
what a great trilogy and a good close to the series as it went through the lives of various people like the vestal virgins felt a bit sorry for pompania in the end it also made sense of books 1 and 2.
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Ludovica
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
Reviewed in Italy on May 1, 2022
Verified Purchase
I have just finished this third novel of the Vesta Trilogy and I'm in that emotional state you're in when you read the last page of a story that has touched your soul. I couldn't wait to read this third chapter so much that I didn't wait for the Italian translation to be released and it was the best decision ever. It leaves you wanting for more, in a good way! More stories about the Vestals, more about Rome, more about the Gods and Goddesses. I've studied ancient Rome and its stories for most of my life and this Trilogy will forever be a favorite of mine. To the author: Gratias tibi ago!
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M
5.0 out of 5 stars not to be missed
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 1, 2022
Verified Purchase
I have just finished the 3rd and final book in this fantastic series, I am sad that its the last book.
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