Fire in the Year of Four Emperors

Deragon weaves an expansive tapestry as four generals vie to become the next Roman emperor just before the beginning of the Christian era. Political corruption is nothing new in this novel, which vividly explores the historical influences-and brutalities-on the modern psyche. Gay Courter (The Midwife, Flowers in the Blood) In 69 AD, as four Roman generals vie to become the next emperor, Batavian prince Julius Civilis, called Rokus by his tribesmen, journeys from Rome to his homeland under the escort of Marius, a former comrade from the wars in Britannia. The sweetness of liberty is soured when Rokus realizes corrupt senators employ Marius, and that their plan for him means more suppression for the northern tribes. On the road, Rokus, inspired by the people, the land, the soothsayer Veleda, and Ulla, a resilient little orphan girl, experiences a transformation from a valiant warrior to a shrewd leader of his people.