Waiting on Wednesday – Nero by Conn Iggulden

Welcome to my weekly segment, Waiting on Wednesday, where I look at upcoming books that I am planning to order and review in the next few months and which I think I will really enjoy. I run this segment in conjunction with the Can’t-Wait Wednesday meme that is currently running at Wishful Endings. Stay tuned to see reviews of these books when I get a copy of them. In this week’s Waiting on Wednesday, I highlight an outstanding upcoming historical fiction novel from one of the genre’s best authors with, Nero by Conn Iggulden.

Nero Cover

Amazon

There are some great historical fiction novels coming out in 2024, although one of the more intriguing ones that has caught my eye is the new upcoming release from Conn Iggulden. Iggulden is one of the better-known authors of the historical fiction genre, having writen several key series throughout his impressive career. Starting out with his Emperor series that perfectly captured the life of Julius Caesar, Iggulden has covered an awesome range of different historical periods through his key series, including his Conqueror and War of the Roses books. I have had a wonderful time reading several of these over the years, including the amazing standalone novel, The Falcon of Sparta, and his outstanding Athenian novels, The Gate of Athens and Protector. I am always intrigued to see what Iggulden is going to write next, and it looks like the author is going back to his Roman fiction roots with his next book.

This upcoming novel which is set for release in May 2024 is Nero, the first book in a trilogy that will follow the life of the infamous titular Emperor. I love the idea of a trilogy that provides a deep examination of this compelling historical figure, especially as most pieces of historical fiction tend to frame him solely as a monster. By basing a whole trilogy on Nero, it appears that Iggulden will provide a more nuanced portrayal of this notorious Emperor, and I look forward to seeing a whole different perspective to his life. This first book in the trilogy seems particularly intriguing, especially as Iggulden will look at the very early life of the character, and the machinations of his mother Agrippina.

I am honestly very excited for Nero, and I think it has a lot of potential. Not only does the plot sound extremely interesting, but Iggulden has such a great track record for bringing complex historical figures to life in his books. As such, I have high confidence that Nero will prove to be an awesome and epic read, and I cannot wait to see what unique spin Iggulden places on the life story of Rome’s most infamous Emperor.

Plot Synopsis:

TYRANTS AREN’T BORN. THEY’RE RAISED.

ANCIENT ROME, AD 37

It begins with a man’s hand curled around another’s throat.

Emperor Tiberius first dispatches a traitor.

Then his whole family.

Next all his friends. It is as if he never existed.

THIS IS ROMAN JUSTICE.

Into this fevered forum, a child is born.

His mother is Agrippina, granddaughter of Emperor Augustus. But their imperial blood is no protection. The closer you are to the heart of the empire, the closer you are to power, intrigue, and danger.

She faces soldiers, senators, rivals, silver-tongued pretenders, each vying for position. One mistake risks exile, incarceration, execution. Or, worst of all, the loss of her infant son.

For Agrippina knows that opportunity waits, even in your darkest moments. Her son is everything. She can make this boy, shape him into Rome itself – the one all must kneel before.

BUT FIRST, THEY MUST SURVIVE . . .

Also, a quick shoutout to that line on the cover “Rome wasn’t burned in a day….”. That was genius, and I love it so much.