Preview
  • Empire of Iron

  • A Novel of the Vestal Virgins (The Vesta Shadows Series, Book 3)
  • By: Debra May Macleod
  • Narrated by: Esther Wane
  • Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (5 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Empire of Iron

By: Debra May Macleod
Narrated by: Esther Wane
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $16.22

Buy for $16.22

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

For the heroes of Rome, and its enemies, it is a time of reckoning.

There is a saying in Rome: The Tarpeian Rock is near the Capitoline - meaning that even at the height of power, one is never far from a fall. As the Vestalis Maxima, Pomponia has guided her order through the collapse of Rome’s Republic and the rise of the empire. Her wit and piety have elevated the Vestals to a position of unprecedented prestige - and her friendship with Caesar Augustus has personally afforded her a life of political influence and privilege. She has been adored and untouchable.

Yet that illusion of safety has been shattered by a ruthless enemy who continues to menace her from the shadows, his vengeful nature escalating to terrifying new heights that threaten not just Pomponia, but all those she cares for - including the emperor himself.

Worse, it seems that the gods are also turning against her when the Vestal order suffers an unparalleled crisis that Pomponia must answer for. Struggling to maintain her position, Pomponia looks to her slaves and a renegade charioteer for support as her complex relationship with her protégé, Quintina, brings painful secrets to light.

Faced with threats from all directions, Pomponia must be willing to sacrifice everything - even her own morality - to protect her status, the Vestal order, and the lives of those around her.

In Empire of Iron, the unflinching conclusion to the Vesta Shadows trilogy, Pomponia realizes that, like Rome itself, she must become even more ruthless than her enemies if she is to survive.

The Vesta Shadows trilogy spans decades, from 45 BCE to 14 CE. It follows the life of the Vestal priestess Pomponia Occia, who is inspired by the real Vestal Occia who lived during this time, serving in the Temple of Vesta for more than 50 years. Set during the tumultuous years that saw the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire under Augustus - and beyond - it dramatizes some of the major historical events that occurred during her lifetime while simultaneously bringing ancient Rome to life with fast-paced, engrossing, and visceral storylines played out by a striking cast of characters.

©2022 Debra May Macleod (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Empire of Iron

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Oh well put together trilogy

I like historical fiction set in ancient Rome, especially one of the something other than a murder mystery. This trilogy deals with the chief Vestal Pomponio and her relation with the other vessels as well as Caesar Octavian Augustus there is plenty of intrigue, plotting, and outright skulduggery throughout the trilogy. This isn’t just a girl power story aimed at women, men will find this entertaining too.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!