Mother of Rome

“Bear’s writing is pure magic. I was enchanted by Rhea’s story from beginning to end.”—Emily Rath, New York Times bestselling author of North is the Night

“Superb. . . .Themes of sisterhood and motherhood, nature and wildness, survival, and love in its many forms resonate throughout. Bear weaves a layered, captivating story of the two tenacious women behind the birth of Rome that will resonate with readers long after the final page. Highly recommended for readers who love mythological retellings like Madeline Miller’s Circe or those who enjoy tales of fierce women seizing control of their own destiny.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“Feminine rage in book form, Lauren J.A. Bear’s reimagining of Rhea Silvia and her cousin Antho is powerful, compelling, and absolutely unforgettable. Mother of Rome has become one of my all-time favorite books.”—Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch’s Heart

“Mother of Rome is the gripping, poignant, and thoroughly spellbinding tale of Rhea Silvia, the fierce and formidable woman who gave birth to Remus and Romulus. Lauren J. A. Bear brings the legend to life with elegant prose and emotional intelligence, merging myth with a powerful tale of womanhood in all its forms. This is a story that will stay with me for a long time. Utterly superb.”—Mimi Matthews, USA Today bestselling author of The Muse of Maiden Lane

“Bear brings her strong heroine to life with compassion and skill. The result is a must-read for fans of mythology retellings.”—Publishers Weekly

“A ferociously unapologetic tale like no other about a little known yet legendary woman of Roman myth that encapsulates all the feminist rage and mother’s love possible to feel, stunningly rendered in Lauren J. A. Bear’s signature, deeply profound and achingly poetic prose. Truly fierce and fearless. One of the very best retellings I’ve read in a long time.”—Olesya Salnikova Gilmore, author of The Haunting of Moscow House

“In Bear’s hands, women’s stories—and women’s rages, hopes and fears—matter. Cathartic and moving, Mother of Rome reimagines the founding myth of Rome in a way that transcends gods and empires, instead focusing on the humanity at the story’s core.”—BookPage (starred review)

“I loved Mother of Rome and the characters who peopled it. A beautiful novel about Rhea Silvia, a woman who refuses to go quietly, fighting until her last breath for her home and her children. A brilliant retelling that shows the power of a woman with nothing left to lose, this novel about the genesis of Rome will captivate readers from the first page.”—Megan Barnard, author of The Winter Goddess

“[A] spectacularly crafted, spellbinding, reimagined legend portraying a woman who refuses to go silently into the night. . . . A vibrantly written, vividly evoked novel of Rome’s mythic origins that deserves a place beside the classic sagas of Mary Renault and Robert Graves.”—Booklist

“Lauren J.A. Bear has swiftly risen to one of my must-buy authors. With masterful intention and lyricism, Bear has painted a vision of a book. Rhea is finally given the pages she has long deserved, in a story that perfectly blends history and mythology into a brilliant book that I will recommend to everyone.” —Claire M. Andrews, author of the Daughter of Sparta trilogy

“A lavish story about the connection between women and the power of motherhood. . . . passionate in its motivation and gut-wrenching in its misfortune. The historical setting and social structures are resplendent in detail. The prose is evocative and vivid, which wraps around the reader and doesn’t let go until the final pages. . . . It is a truly talented author who can create such a rich and stirring character that the reader is moved to tears in its final pages when their remarkable journey must come to its end. Mother of Rome is a breathtaking feminist tale about the founding of a nation and the everlasting and unsung power of women. Highly recommended.”—Historical Novel Society

“Mother of Rome is a work of pure page turning brilliance that cements Lauren J. A. Bear’s position at the top of the class. Bear goes right for the jugular with this innovative and evocative take on Rome’s foundational myth. By centering Rhea Silvia, the wronged and oft overlooked mother of Romulus and Remus, Bear shines a bright spotlight on female agency and the transformative power of a mother’s love. Rhea and Antho are the kind of heroines the world desperately needs. Gorgeously written and compulsively readable with an ending that will steal your breath, Mother of Rome is a rare gem and an instant favorite.”—A.D. Rhine, author of Daughters of Bronze

“Lauren J.A. Bear’s Mother of Rome had me spellbound from the beginning. I am a fan of mythology, folklore, and fairytale retellings. This story of Rhea Silvia, the mother of the twins founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, elevated the genre of retellings to a whole new level for me. It is an absolutely stunning book.”—LitBuzz