Fulvia
15 July 2025Imprint: Manilla Press
Synopsis
A STORY ABOUT FEMALE AMBITION, LEARNING WHERE TRUE POWER LIES, AND EXACTLY WHAT IT COSTS.
'A whirlpool of politics and intrigue' LUNA MCNAMARA, author of Psyche and Eros
'Compelling, relatable characters and a brilliant voice' CONN IGGULDEN, author of the Emperor and Conqueror series
'A tale of power-play, political hope and women's inner strength' ELYSE JOHN, author of Orphia and Eurydicius
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Fulvia is the daughter of a wealthy but unimportant Roman family. Raised in the countryside, she longs for a life of intrigue and influence. When her father dies and her inheritance is threatened, Fulvia makes her way to the city of Rome to secure her future.
There she marries a young aristocrat named Clodius, who is more interested in partying with his hedonistic friends than politics. Fulvia is drawn into their world of debauchery, and learns just how precarious the balance of power in the Republic is. Her ambition drives them both to political power that draws the attention of the senate, and more seedy underworld opponents. But Rome is a dangerous place, and power can become notoriety overnight. Fulvia soon learns just how high the stakes really are, and that her ambitions may come at a terrible cost.
'A whirlpool of politics and intrigue' LUNA MCNAMARA, author of Psyche and Eros
'Compelling, relatable characters and a brilliant voice' CONN IGGULDEN, author of the Emperor and Conqueror series
'A tale of power-play, political hope and women's inner strength' ELYSE JOHN, author of Orphia and Eurydicius
_
Fulvia is the daughter of a wealthy but unimportant Roman family. Raised in the countryside, she longs for a life of intrigue and influence. When her father dies and her inheritance is threatened, Fulvia makes her way to the city of Rome to secure her future.
There she marries a young aristocrat named Clodius, who is more interested in partying with his hedonistic friends than politics. Fulvia is drawn into their world of debauchery, and learns just how precarious the balance of power in the Republic is. Her ambition drives them both to political power that draws the attention of the senate, and more seedy underworld opponents. But Rome is a dangerous place, and power can become notoriety overnight. Fulvia soon learns just how high the stakes really are, and that her ambitions may come at a terrible cost.
Details
15 July 2025288 pages
9781786585196Imprint: Manilla Press
Reviews
A triumph! Parker deftly draws the reader into a whirlpool of politics and intrigue, bringing the sights and sounds of ancient Rome to life in lush detail. A timely meditation on the power of the people versus a small cadre of conservative elites, and an engaging tale about a woman who refuses to play by any rules except her own.Luna McNamara, author of Psyche and Eros
A dramatic tale from an exciting new storyteller, Fulvia shines a light on the women behind the forces and factions in Ancient Rome. Taking us on a turbulent ride, Kaarina Parker delves into the personal and political world of a strong-minded woman who shapes the fortunes of the men around her - and perhaps even the future of Rome itself. Beneath Fulvia's veneer of machinations, a push for social change beats a steady and dangerous drum. This bold novel grabbed me with its tale of power-play, political hope, and women's inner strength.Elyse John, author of Orphia and Eurydicius
Compelling, relatable characters and a brilliant voice. Fulvia is a fascinating insight into an extraordinary woman of ancient Rome. Some stories, some lives, cry out to be told. This is one of them.Conn Iggulden, author of the Emperor and Conqueror series
Fulvia is an alchemical triumph, a golden combination of gorgeous prose and immersive storytelling. Both fast-paced and intricately detailed, Kaarina Parker's debut is a glorious tribute to the wily women who ran the Roman world.Lauren J.A. Bear, author of Medusa's Sisters