✊🏻Fulvia✊🏻
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫

This is an arc review and this book releases July 15th.

'In my life I walked among titans, emperors, generals - men whose feuds and desires shaped the landscape of Rome... Some were my friends, some of them I loved, others loathed me, and others still grew to fear me.'

Fulvia is a historical novel set in the Roman Republic and is a feminist retelling of the life of Fulvia, a woman born into a wealthy but politically insignificant family, who refuses to be confined by the limitations placed on her by her gender. After her father’s death threatens her inheritance, Fulvia moves to Rome and marries Clodius, a charismatic and rebellious senator. Together, they become a formidable political force who challenge the status quo and champion the common people.

Fulvia is a woman who walks strong and unphased among emperors and generals and she is determined to shape history and we love us a badass FMC. I loved everything about this, I always love a Roman / Greek feminist retelling and Fulvia was so compelling and such an interesting character to follow.

I went into this book knowing almost nothing about Fulvia, mostly just that she was somehow tied to Cleopatra. But wow, was I in for a surprise. This story puts her front and centre, and she is fierce.

After her dad dies and her inheritance is on shaky ground, Fulvia heads to Rome determined to make something of herself. She ends up marrying Clodius, this young noble who's more into partying than politics, but she doesn’t let that hold her back. Instead, she dives into that world of luxury and chaos, and starts playing the game better than most of the men around her.

What I loved most is that it’s told from her perspective. You’re not just watching history happen through Caesar or some other famous guy’s eyes. You’re seeing it through Fulvia, through the dinners, the alliances, the power plays. And it’s not just about politics; it’s about survival, ambition, and the cost of wanting more. I won’t lie, there are some heartbreaking moments. Fulvia goes through a lot, and by the end I was totally wrecked. She deserved better...but wow, did she make an impression. She’s strong, ruthless when she needs to be, and refuses to be sidelined.

If you’re into stories about strong women who’ve been overlooked by history, or you just love a good political drama with a sharp, smart heroine, this one’s for you. I was completely hooked and now I need more from this author.

A solid four stars for Kaarina Parker’s debut novel which has reignited my interest in the Ancient Roman world. This novel tells the story of Fulvia, an intelligent young woman for whom marriage is the only path available. Shortly after arriving in Rome, she draws the attention of Publius Clodius Pulcher, a member of a prestigious patrician family, and through marriage to him she elevates her own position, influence and prominence in Roman society. The interest she shares in her husband’s work becomes one of her greatest strengths. But when Clodius makes a terrible error of judgement and becomes embroiled in an explosive scandal, it could cost her everything.

The political rivalries and associated unrest in Ancient Rome formed a key part of the novel and Parker demonstrated her skill as a writer in navigating Rome’s political landscape without detracting from the story. Rome of the Late Republic was convincingly depicted as a volatile place where revolutionary ideas were gaining momentum and threatened to topple accepted societal structures.

A glossary would be a welcome addition to this book as a reference for readers to look up words used in the novel that are associated with the Roman political structure, for example, plebeians, praetorship, consul.

Thank you so much to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for sharing this eARC with me in exchange for an honest review. I’m looking forward to reading part two in this series to find out more about Fulvia’s rising ambition in her later life.

Thank you @manilla_press for the ARC!

I really really enjoyed this, but to give context to this review (which will be very positive, so keep reading), I'll open with my biggest criticism, and it's not even about the book but the way it's marketed: I had no idea this wasn't going to be a standalone. Therefore I was looking forward to reading about her whole life, including, as you can guess if you've been following me a while, her marriage to Antonius. When I reached the halfway point and she was still in the early days of her marriage to Clodius, I realised there was no way this would cover her whole life and I was disappointed. In the end, it's fine; Parker did a fantastic job painting this first part of her life and I'm sure she'll do the same with the next book(s?). I just wish I'd known; I'd have read it anyway, but without the anticipation of events that would not happen in this book, which led to completely unnecessary disappointment.

Now that's out of the way, let's get into what IS in this book, and that's a fantastic story! Parker did a phenomenal job at recreating ancient Rome with its vivid atmosphere, ruthless politics and quietly ambitious women. Fulvia's relationship with first husband Clodius is beautifully written. We also see her relationships with other Roman women, so that she's not the only overlooked character getting her chance to shine. This is a young Fulvia, who's not yet the masterful politician we know she became, but we see her grow towards it. And I loved that the book is narrated by the experienced Fulvia looking back on her life rather than telling it as she lives it: it created a wonderful sense of anticipation.

Plus, if you are anything like me and weirdly obsessed with Rome circa 1BCE/1CE, this is a delight. Every time a new major player was mentioned for the first time it was like unlocking a new level in a game. Here's Marcus Antonius! Here's Julius Caesar! Here's Servilia!

Now, I didn't necessarily like the inclusion of some gossip as fact, the relationship between Curio and Antonius for example. I understand why it made for a compelling plotline but slander was very much a political tool in Rome as Parker shows admirably so giving some of it credit rubbed me the wrong way a bit. Not that it couldn't conceivably have been true, but we have no proof. Also, boo to using the word triumvirate, a fairly modern term and not one that was used at the time to describe what we now know as the First Triumvirate, although many scholars are moving away from calling it that and rightly so. No I'm kidding we're not booing of course but I simply must live up to my reputation as an extremely picky reviewer 😬 But! Antonius is called Antonius!! And that alone made my heart happy (if you're a recent follower: I hate seeing him called Mark Antony with every fiber of my being).

Overall, setting aside these minor points I wasn't a fan of, I had a great time reading Fulvia and I'm so excited to see her story continue through Parker's words. I absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction and ambitious women! ❤️

I was completely swept up in the story of Fulvia, my gosh what a phenomenal woman she is. I have so much love for her & all that she went through, so much so I can’t stop googling everything about her life & political career. I’m an official Fulvia stan at this point hahah.

There are dark themes at play & we experience some terribly sad moments with Fulvia, all I can say is that she deserved better 😭

I loved every second of it even if I was ripping my hair out from all the twists & turns this story took.

An outstanding debut & an ending I’m still completely broken by. I will definitely be picking up more from this author!!

Parker creates a compelling and authentic dive into the life of a fascinating woman of Ancient Rome I hadn't come across before.

The novel's strength for me lay in the presentation of life in Ancient Rome and the complex and corrupt political system that governed its streets and its people. Parker creates an extremely authentic step back into the Ancient city, and brings to life its scents, sights, and customs, such as the ceremonies and traditions, and the role of women. I really enjoyed this historical aspect and learning more about the politics and legal side.

However I do think Fulvia's character faded a little to the sidelines. There were moments of ferocity, shrewdness and cunning that defined her character and showed her as multi-faceted, and these moments were defining. However, It did feel like she was narrating from the sidelines as a bystander for a lot of the book and didn't have a huge amount of influence, or if she did it was in a passive role. I do understand she had limited power as a woman but I think I was expecting more from her. The novel was written from her perspective which also felt limited at times as a lot of the narrative was second hand narrative of events that occurred outside her perspective.

I do think the next in the series will perhaps be more defining for her as she steps into her own power, so I would be interested to see where her story goes next.

Overall, this book did have moments of beauty, and showed Fulvia as a fierce and fascinating woman, and her life in a vivid Ancient Rome. But I don't think her character quite gripped me in the way I had hoped.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

“𝐼 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝑅𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃. 𝒲𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝐼 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔, 𝐼 𝓉𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒾𝓉.”

Fulvia certainly lives up to that and has taken her place as one of the most compelling women I’ve read about in historical fiction.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and wow, did it deliver. From the very first chapters, I knew I was in for something special. Kaarina Parker’s debut is powerful, immersive, and sent me into a full-on spiral Googling everything I could about Fulvia.

Set during the earlier part of Fulvia’s life, the book paints a vivid portrait of a woman full of ambition, strength, and resilience. She goes through so much, and yet you can’t help but root for her at every turn.

I especially loved the relationship between Fulvia and Clodius. I fully expected him to be awful (Ancient Rome doesn’t exactly have the best track record with men), but I was genuinely surprised by the connection they shared.

The pacing was spot on. There’s always something happening, always a reason to keep reading. I also really liked the structure. It feels almost like Fulvia is writing her own memoir, with asides from her older self that add so much depth. It’s a clever and engaging way to tell her story, and it made her voice feel incredibly real.

Parker’s ability to evoke the atmosphere of Ancient Rome is next level. As someone with aphantasia, I usually struggle to visualise scenes, but this book truly transported me.

Honestly, I didn’t want this book to end. I stretched out the final chapters just to spend more time in Fulvia’s world. Kaarina Parker is now firmly on my auto-buy list.

If you love fierce women, immersive historical fiction, and stories that bring lesser-known figures to life, Fulvia is a must-read.

Huge thanks to the publisher for the eARC, it was an absolute privilege to read this book early.

A fantastic retelling of the Roman Republic as it starts to topple and sway.

Normally it's myths that are retold, but here we are, in the dying days of the Roman Republic, with some of the most famous Roman names in play - Cicero, Caesar, Mark Anthony and of course, Clodius, the first husband of our MFC. Fulvia is an amazing choice to have as our PoV, as she knew so many of these characters and was involved in so much of what happened despite her gender.

It isn't wholly historical accurate - Fulvia's grandfather is someone else entirely, the way the trials played out was different, there were children etc. etc - but as much as I adore history, I could look past it to enjoy the merits of the story.

This is fast paced, entertaining, dramatic, captivating. Fulvia comes across as a very likeable character, she knows what she wants and as time passes she learns the game of Rome, and how to handle all these powerful men around her. She warns us at the start that this tale ends in tragedy, and yet it is the journey that matters, as she takes her own destiny in hand. Enthralling.

I need book two immediately.

"I was born Fulvia Flacca Bambula. Though I had other names throughout my life. I was a daughter, a wife, a sister, a mother, a leader, a politician, a general. I was a Roman."

I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've been really getting back into my Roman historical fiction lately, and this one did not disappoint. Having read Cleopatra by Natasha Solomons a couple of months ago, Fulvia provided a different perspective on this period of history, and the intriguing women who navigated it.

Kaarina Parker's Fulvia is a woman who knows her worth - she is rich, intelligent, and as she arrives in Rome, she intends to make the most of all the advantages she has. While this ambition is perhaps her most defining feature, she still feels like a well-rounded and engaging protagonist, and I enjoyed watching her adapt and grow against the landscape of the Roman Republic.

While I'm still a fantasy girl at heart, I'm definitely keen to learn more about this figure, and what happens to her following the end of this novel!

Books with similar vibes - Cleopatra by Natasha Solomons, Ithaca by Claire North, Babylonia by Costanza Cosati, and The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper.

This book follows the life of Fulvia, a woman with political ambitions in Ancient Rome. I wasn't actually aware when I was reading this that Fulvia is in fact a real figure from history, which allowed me to go in with no idea of where the story was going. It was really interesting to read about the ways a woman at that time could leverage power, despite the official running of Rome being done by men. I loved getting to immerse myself in life as a Roman women, and really loved getting to see the aspects of day to day life in Ancient Rome.
I did at times feel the pacing was a bit off - sometimes it felt we were glossing over quite large periods of time, although this was probably necessary in order to keep the story moving throughout the book.
Overall I really enjoyed it, and learnt a lot about a character I wasn't previously aware of!

All hail the ultimate queenmaker! We love stories about women blazing through history and knowing what she wants!

Fulvia is a bold and vivacious retelling of our titular heroine and her rise to power and glory as a woman in ancient Rome. I loved her voice, and her boldness and fierce determination despite women's role being restricted to the feminine. I lapped up the gorgeous depictions of the Forum and the Palatine, her marriage to Clodius ignites into something more potent: a hunger for power and survival in a world that wants her invisible.

There were plenty of comedic moments, which I really enjoyed in the face of tense political intrigue and constant assasination attempts (SOMEONE CALL THE DRAMA HOTLINE?!). A historical fiction that almost reads as an espionage novel, secret deals in the bathhouses and the devotion to gods in secret societies really brought to life was how society was for Fulvia and her contemporaries.

Oh the scents in the story - the oppresive heat of Roman summers to Fulvia and Clodius' exiled time in Sicilia made everything pulse with energy and ennui in each part of their lives together.... a real heady blend of history, feminine power and ruthlessness, I really enjoyed this and can't wait to read more.

A juicy historical fiction novel told from the pov of the aristocratic Roman woman Fulvia. Fulvia was an ambitious, intelligent woman and the story of her influence in politics is an absorbing read. I'm assuming there is going to be a second book based on where this one ended, and I look forward to it because this kept me interested from beginning to end.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bonnier Books UK for the arc.

This one was a DNF for me around the 10% mark. It was well written and engaging and I felt like I should have been drawn in, but I wasn't. I need a certain otherness to my historical fiction - something that makes it feel a bit alien. This felt like a book for a modern audience which is by no means a problem, but not something for me.

The second I finished this book, I immediately googled what else I could read and learn about Fulvia, which for me, is the absolute highest compliment I can give to a historical fiction novel. Kaarina Parker's well-anticipated novel about one of Ancient Rome's most powerful women was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint!

I wish I had known from the start that there will be two books in this series, because I kept panicking that I wouldn't learn enough in this one book. Luckily, there will be..!

This was such an intriguing and exhilarating journey into Ancient Rome - and though it only covers the early part of Fulvia's life, it really sets the tone for the political challenges during that period in Ancient Rome's history and really brings that era to life through the lens of a woman who rejected all the roles bestowed to her by Ancient Roman society, and instead learnt how to carefully pull the strings of Roman politics.

Parker's writing style is eloquent, descriptive and keeps a captive audience throughout, all the while remaining true to the historic period.

Thank you to Bonnier Books and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for a review.

First off I didn't realise we were only getting the first part and marriage of Fulvia here, so the pacing felt a bit off as I was expecting more of her life story. I was expecting the children mentioned at the beginning and lots more betrayal. However, I was totally engrossed in this story of one of the more prominent yet under represented female power houses of ancient Rome.
I really enjoy all the ancient Greek/Rome retellings, especially those of the woman often overlooked and made out as villains. Fulvia is a great example of this and I enjoyed learning about her and the way the women of the times employed themselves in politics through gossip and influence.
Atmospheric and well written, this was entertaining and heartfelt and I look forward to hopefully reading about the next stage of Fulvia's ambitions.
Thanks to Bonnier Books UK and Netgalley for the arc, all thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.

Fulvia was an absolutely addictive read from the very first page. I was immediately drawn in and couldn’t put it down. I loved learning about the history of Fulvia - such a powerful and often overlooked figure - and the way her story was told kept me fully engaged throughout.

The writing had that classic Mythology-inspired tone that I really enjoy, both poetic and grounded, making the historical context feel alive and vivid. It struck a perfect balance between fact and storytelling. Fulvia’s journey, her strength, and the challenges she faced were portrayed with depth and nuance, and I felt like I truly got to know her.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction with a mythological flair or love discovering stories of fierce women from the past, this book is a must-read.

You’re telling me that a book that focuses on a woman’s untold perspective doesn’t interest you? Liar, this was my first Roman fiction book and I LOVED IT!! Right from the start, Parker has you immersed in the world and it makes you feel like you’re walking alongside Fulvia throughout the story.

I had been looking forward to this one for ages and so was excited to receive an e-arc, but it didn't quite hit the top of my expectations.

It did have a very beautiful cover that drew me in, and an intriguing plot.

I hadn't heard about Fulvia before this book and so knew 3nothing about her, and whilst I've been up and down with historical and mythological retellings over the years, I was intrigued to learn about someone new.

I have been to Rome but admit I know hardly anything about the city, particularly in years way back then. But Kaarina's description of it, whilst I don't know if it's true, it feels it, it feels real, like you're breathing the same air as the characters.

I've always said I love reading books where women are strong and outspoken and powerful in a time where they should be subservient, and this is the ultimate story in that regard.

Whilst I enjoyed it and it's got a lot going for it, it is a bit slow. For the first quarter at least it's mostly description and the odd conversation, and so I found it a bit....not dull, that's too harsh a word. I just wanted something to happen a bit earlier.

Bear with me on this but it felt equally better as it went along, and worse as it went along. The first quarter or so was slow and it did pick up, so in that way it gets better. But I found the earlier pages more intimate, but once I hit the sort of midway point, I was looking to see how much longer I had left. But then with another...10-15% to go, it picked up again. So I think the middle just needs a bit more work to bring it up to the quality of the beginning and end.

I think overall it is a promising debut. Kaarina clearly has done her research and you can vividly see it in the description of everything. But it did have some issues. Firstly the pacing was off, slow in places but rushed through in others, and I also felt there was a lack of depth with the characters and their emotions. I felt they were very on the surface and I'd have liked them to have been explored a bit more. But I do admit Kaarina has a talent for getting to the heart of a story and it'll be interesting to see what she does next.

I have not read a great deal of Roman historical fiction apart from Elodie Harper's excellent Wolf Den trilogy, as Greek Myth is more my love. However, I was entirely captivated by this book, and can't wait to read more about Fulvia, as this book only deals with the early part of her life, specifically her marriage to Clodius. It did remind me of the Elodie Harper books in its ease of narration and pace, which made it hard to put down. An excellent dip into the life of a strong Roman woman. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review of the book.

Fulvia is a fascinating woman who lived during the period at the end of the Roman Republic. She married three times, each husband being a major player in the military and political events of the times. These husbands were Clodius Pulcher, the aristocratic champion of the People, Scribonius Curio, supporter of Julius Caesar and most famously, Mark Antony, Caesar's general, and later married to Cleopatra of Egypt. She nursed a personal hatred for one of the most famous Roman politicians and writers, Marcus Tullius Cicero, and exacted an exultant revenge on him after many years of plotting. Her actions throughout her life were passionate and intelligent. She scarcely needs a novel written about her as in her case, the truth is more dramatic than fiction.

I approached Kaarina Parker's novel with interest and some trepidation. The reader should understand, as I did not, that this novel only deals with the first part of Fulvia's life. Mark Antony does not appear, although clearly at least one sequel is intended. (There is material enough for two.) The novel finishes with the death of Clodius and his inflammatory funeral with Fulvia planning her revenge.

That much is fine. What is less so, are the very many liberties the author takes with the historical record, most of which given the dramatic life Fulvia actually led, are entirely unnecessary. Some examples: the novel tells us that neither Fulvia nor Clodius had ever heard of a member of her family who had been a leader of the people. In 122 BC a member of her family, Fulvius Flaccus, an ex-consul, was elected Tribune of the Plebs and supported the great reformer, Gaius Gracchus, and died along with him. Knowledge of this would actually have helped the narrative. Other problems: Terentia did not divorce Cicero during his exile; she looked after his interests in Rome with some courage. Curio did 'touch' Fulvia during their marriage; they had a son, later a supporter of his step-father, Mark Antony, and executed by Augustus Caesar. Titus Milo, Clodius' enemy, was not lynched after his trial for murder, but went into exile in Marseilles, where he lived a comfortable life for many years.

Alright, most readers will not care about all of these errors. I find them a great pity, though, as most of the narrative does keep to the historical record. I would have given the book a higher rating if there had not been such an accumulation of inaccuracies in the final section.