**Book Review: The Longest Exile**

"The Longest Exile" is a riveting historical novel that brings to life the story of Julia the Younger, a figure often overshadowed by her famous ancestors in Roman history. This book is not just a compelling narrative but also a deeply informative journey into the complexities of Julia's life and the era she lived in.

The author masterfully intertwines historical accuracy with engaging storytelling, making the reader feel as though they are walking alongside Julia through her trials and triumphs. The depiction of Julia's exile and the political intrigues surrounding it is particularly well done, shedding light on the often brutal realities of ancient Roman society and the precarious position of women within it.

One of the standout aspects of the book is its attention to detail. The historical context is rich and well-researched, offering readers a nuanced understanding of Julia's world. This makes "The Longest Exile" not just a story about one woman's journey, but also a lens through which we can better understand the broader socio-political landscape of the time.

The character development is another strong suit of the novel. Julia the Younger emerges as a complex and sympathetic character, whose resilience and intelligence shine through despite her many challenges. Her relationship with her daughter is particularly poignant, adding a layer of emotional depth to the narrative that resonates strongly with readers.

The anticipation for the sequel, "Daughter of Exile," is well-deserved. The ending of "The Longest Exile" leaves readers eager to learn more about the continuation of Julia's legacy through her daughter. If the sequel promises the same level of historical insight and compelling storytelling, it is sure to be another fantastic addition to this series.

In conclusion, "The Longest Exile" is a fantastic and informative read that not only captivates but also educates. It brings a lesser-known historical figure into the spotlight and does so with elegance and depth. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Roman history, strong female protagonists, and well-crafted historical fiction.

'The Longest Exile' is meticulously researched and extremely compelling. It is an eventful, action-packed character study of Julia the Younger, her mother, her brother Agrippa Postumus, and the poet Ovid serving their respective exiles imposed by Emperor Augustus.

The story of Julia the Younger's eventful first year in exile had me turning the pages late into the night. The intrigue surrounding folks that would do her harm, the unraveling of the drama surrounding the adulterous pregnancy that sent her into exile, and her ongoing imprisonment are very well paced and highly engaging. I thought that the slave characters, particularly Aurelia and Aphrodite, were faithfully rendered, and the guards (Titus, Quintus, Martius, Publius, Gaius) uniquely compelling in their own rights. Her unlikely neighbour, Lucius, and his pet birds I also found a welcome addition to the plot. The setting is rendered vividly - I could picture the villa and its surrounding environs. This is primarily Julia's story, and her portion of the narrative absolutely brims with excitement.

Smaller portions of the book are devoted to her mother, Julia the Elder, living in less restrictive exile in Rhegium. Her attempts to free her children from exile and overthrow her own father, the emperor, made for an exciting undertone of danger running through the narrative, even though her plans eventually all come to naught. Agrippa Postumus's exile and his relative 'madness' were well-rendered, as was his untimely end. It would have been interesting to have seen the imposter angle worked into such a compelling narrative, but there is plenty else to focus the reader's attention.

Ovid's portions of the book are the smallest and ultimately least compelling, though I understand why his inclusion was made. The final portions of his chapters provide a window into events happening outside Julia's isolation on Trimerus and sets up the action that will follow in its sequel.

The food dishes mentioned are realistic and well-researched, as was most every detail included in this book. The only error I noticed was the mention of 'minutes' and 'seconds' passing, which Romans had no notion of at this time in history. Otherwise, the setting and characters were faithfully rendered. Livia's plotting from afar seems very plausible - there are several parts of this novel that play out like something right out of 'Domina,' after all, and that is a high compliment to the author. I appreciated her historical note at the end of the novel and am intrigued to see where the sequel takes this story.

Highly, highly recommended to all Romanophiles and those who love a forced-proximity romance! I will definitely be reading the sequel when it is released!

When I started The Longest Exile, I was unsure if this genre was for me - while I tend to love more 20th century historical fiction, I had not yet dipped my toes into any ancient civilizations. I am SO HAPPY that I did!

I found the writing and the story fast-moving, surprisingly easy to follow (especially for how many characters and relationships were introduced), and impossible to put down. I knew next to nothing about ancient Rome during this specific time period, but the author did a wonderful job of painting the lives of the characters and the conflicts of war in the area. I think this was also a unique focus to choose the close family of Augustus, as I have more typically seen stories in media regarding Caesar.

I would recommend this to anyone interested in ancient Rome, historical fiction, or even looking for a dramatic and shorter read. It's also a huge bonus that the second book will be released in a few months, completing the duology.

Huge thanks to Tana Rebellis and NetGalley for a copy of this e-ARC and a shipped, physical ARC in exchange for an honest review.