Bardot provides us with an entertaining story that more than adequately fits in with what I call the "rehabilitation genre" - whereby - mostly - historical women with a less than pristine pasts are given a dusting off and are having their stories told from a slightly different perspective (history being written by the victors, etc etc). It is an enthralling tale, and the reader certainly finds empathy with the character of Locusta, which is the ultimate aim of the author. It is also a tale of the cesspit that was ancient Rome - the salacious scandals, the sex and violence, the notoriety of its citizens, murder, greed, envy, social position.

If you are looking for a "new" historical heroine, then you have found her in Locusta. ( )

We meet the heroine of The Emperor’s Assasin when she is just a young girl living on her father’s estate. He grows grapes but is a little addled, as is her older brother. Locusta is anxious to meet the man she is going to marry. She prepares for this momentous ocassion with her servant/friend/mentor, Pricilla. Since her mother died it has been Pricilla to whom Locusta has turned for just about everything and the two share a love of botany. Soon Locusta is respected as a healer in the surrounding villages.

Her marriage does not work out and her brother is not capable of running the vineyard. Soon her father’s decline has her heading to Rome to deal with his forgetfulness. This also sets her on the path to her future – for better or worse. Her knowledge of plants brings her to the attention of the greatest of Romans – the Emperor, Nero. He enlists her and her skills for his nefarious purposes and soon she is forced to poison people for him.

Her life situation changes markedly for the better but her position as the Emperor’s poisoner doesn’t exactly make her the most popular woman in the city. She does have one champion though – a Centurian she met while he and and his soldiers were passing by her father’s vineyard. Marcus loves her and feels she is the woman he is prophesized to marry. But the fates are not kind to them.

It’s really hard to get behind a heroine that is a killer. And a killer of so many people. But there is something about Locusta that somehow makes you forgive her for all of her murder. She is a child thrust into an adult world, a woman with little power in a man’s world who is forced to used her knowledge by a very evil and manipulative man.

Nero, as history tells us, did not have an over long nor popular reign. Staying in power can be difficult if you rule more by fear than by gaining the respect of your subjects. Some sources are coming forward to perhaps show that Nero was as bad as written but the fact remains that he did have a poisoner and that poisoner was a woman.

Ms. Bardot writes her heroine in such a way as to make her interesting, sympathetic and compelling. Despite her horrific deeds I really wanted the fates to turn for Locusta and give her a future free of Nero and his machinations. Did that happen? I’m not going to tell you! I will tell you that if you choose to read this book you will not be disappointed; it’s well researched, well written and full of great characters. I was lost in time and taken away to the Rome of Nero – for better or worse. It wasn’t a good time to be a woman but I was glad for the opportunity to go there with such a skilled tour guide. ( )

Locusta of Gaul grew up in a sprawling vineyard outside of Ancient Rome. When she was of age, her father sent up an advantageous match for her to an elderly and harsh man. Locusta learns of her betrothed's true nature and is horrified. Pricilla, Locusta's servant uses her knowledge of herbs to make sure Locusta will not be bothered by him again. Locusta is intrigued by Pricilla knowledge of herbs and becomes a student of plants, both helpful and deadly. Locusta's knowledge soon surpasses Pricilla's and her herbs help many around her, including a servant of a handsome Centurion, Marcus. Locusta is soon sent to Rome to petition for a tax extension as well as find her match. The longer Locusta stays in Rome, her reputation for her knowledge of healing and pleasure grows. Soon, her skills travel to Emperor Nero's ears and Locusta is asked to use her knowledge for murder. Locusta's fate is now Nero's to toy with.
Locusta of Gaul has been painted by history as the world's first female serial killer. However, Autumn Bardot knows that there must be more to Locusta's story. Locusta's story is one of survival, heartache and love. From her time growing up in Gaul, Locusta learned compassion, however, the poor match for her betrothal left her changed. I loved Locusta and Pricilla's relationship and how it grew over time. I was amazed by all of the herbal concoctions that Pricilla and Locusta came up with. The descriptions of Rome under Claudius and Nero were very detailed and historically accurate. The treachery, deception, excess and political intrigue was all deliciously shown, especially once Locusta became involved. Nero's taste for the extravagant was showcased with his Domus Aurea that I had no problem imagining from the descriptions. The religious upheaval of the time was also captured in the writing without getting in the way of the plot. One of my favorite parts of the story was between Locusta and Marcus, a steamy and passionate romance that began quickly and never lost fervor. As always, the erotic parts of the story are woven together to fit in seamlessly with the plot. Overall, The Emperor's Assassin is an intriguing historical fiction that brings to life one of history's overlooked women, Locusta of Gaul.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review. ( )