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.

✨Fulvia by Kaarina Parker✨

Thank you so much to @manilla_press and @netgalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy!

SO this was my first Roman fiction and it did not disappoint!! I can say I thoroughly enjoyed this! Parker jumps straight in with some great, immersive descriptions of people and places, it really feels like you’re experiencing Fulvia’s life with her. I felt happy, I felt sad, I felt the shock that she went through. Parker has made me fall in love with Fulvia, and the world that Parker built around her. If you love historical fiction, I would HIGHLY recommend this book! And what a great first step into Ancient Rome, this was for me⚔️

I can’t wait to hear the next part of Fulvia’s story!!

Fulvia is the Daughter of a wealthy, but unimportant, Roman family. Raised in the countryside, she longs for a life filled with intrigue and influence, so when her Father dies and her inheritance is threatened, her ambition brings her to Rome to secure her own future.

What. A. Book. I adored it and I utterly devoured it, finding it almost impossible to put down! This is one of those books that, when I had to stop reading and do anything else, it still occupied a part of my brain and I couldn't wait to sit and continue reading again. I haven't been able to stop thinking about this book, and it's a debut novel too...WHAT?!

The book is written as if Fulvia is telling the story of her life, all the way from childhood, stepping into Rome for the first time, finding her place, and all of the things that happen throughout her life. Fulvia herself was entrancing, and I adored her strength, her intelligence and her thirst for power was really captured all the way through the story. The book was filled with history, political intrigue, pushes for power and plenty of personality, and I loved it.

Kaarina Parker's love for Fulvia really shone in this book, and all of her research and knowledge of Ancient Rome and our main character showed up in bucket-loads. She was able to put a spotlight on the women in history, the ones who make an impact but are kept in the background because of their gender. I cannot wait to read whatever she writes next!!

I love historical fiction!

The descriptions in the book were very rich, you could almost feel yourself there! Seriously, it was so interesting and so beautiful! I am honoured to have had the chance to read the book. Please, dear author, please, please don't stop writing and make sure I will always read your work.

This book reads like a fictionalized memoir, told from the perspective of Fulvia herself. I have only recently discovered Fulvia as a figure of interest, and I love the amount of care and research that clearly went into writing this novel.

This novel follows Fulvia's journey from a young girl who is new to Rome to a figure of immense power and influence. I found myself rooting for her the whole time. I would definitely recommend to anyone with an interest in ancient Rome and strong female figures!

Fulvia has quickly trumped Agrippina the Younger as my favourite woman in Roman history. Actually, I think that Fulvia might be my favourite woman ever - and this book has cemented this for me.

Occasionally, with historical fiction the plot can feel very formulaic - especially if you are familiar with the history. This book is not one of those books: the love that Kaarina has for Fulvia, and for the ancient world, radiates from each line.

If you want to go in blind - all I will say is that this book was incredible. Regardless of your knowledge of ancient history, or specifically of Roman history, you will find that this book tells a brilliant and captivating story.

—- Spoiler warning —-

“I was a Roman. This is my story.”

Fulvia was one of the most notorious women in the history of the Roman republic - most famously married to Marc Antony, but that is not where her story begins.

Extremely wealthy and ambitious, Fulvia was not content with the constraints of being a Roman woman. She knew that - in order to live the life she wanted - she needed to marry an ambitious man, or give birth to one. Not content to wait that long, Fulvia sets her sights on Clodius Pulcher - a man whose charisma was second only to his ambition.

They were a perfect match.

——

Upon opening this book, I never thought that I would fall in love with Clodius Pulcher of all historical figures but I did - Kaarina is just that brilliant.

The setting of this book was alive - I could see the opulent parties, taste the bitter wine, smell the bustle of Rome. I feared for Fulvia, her opponents felt as real to me as the people sitting next to me on the train while I devoured this novel.

I cannot express enough my delight in this book, it was everything I have been looking for in the genre of historical fiction - I hope that anyone fascinated by Fulvia will read this book and adore it as much as I have.

100/10 - Kaarina I am going to need like 20 more of these books please and thank you :)

If there is one thing I am guaranteed to read, it’s a book that tells the story of an ancient woman. I was so happy to get an eARC of Fulvia - usually my reading of the ancients skews Greek, but I love the Romans too. I knew very little about Fulvia, and mostly about her part in Cleopatra’s story, so this was a very education and entertaining read. We follow the life of Fulvia from her arrival in Rome through her first marriage, seeing events unfold through her eyes as she aspires for power and influence. While typically these stories focus on the powerful men - Caesar, Clodius, etc - it’s interesting to see things from the female point of view, especially through their social activities and events.

If, like me, you love books that focus on untold women’s perspectives, the ancient world, or just powerful women - this is a great book to pick up.

This book reads like a memoir of Fulvia, telling the story of her arrival in Rome as a young woman and how she came to grapple with the politics of the city through her marriage.

History comes to life through Fulvia's eyes and I was gripped along the way by the political drama and the characters' loves and feuds. I really enjoyed seeing Fulvia's acumen and influence develop as she played the games of power and politics.

Definitely one to read if you like to imagine the human lives behind famous figures.

This was written beautifully with an interesting plot and a strong female character at the forefront
The pacing was even and the story flowed well with lots of interesting characters and vivid descriptions of place and time. The length of the book was just right and I enjoyed this immensely

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc