Published by Independently Published on June 5, 2021
Genres: Fiction, Historical, Romance, Historical Romance, Ancient Rome
Pages: 189
Format: eBook
Source: ARC
Sabina is a young noblewoman who, based on her soothsayer aunt's prediction, believes her words are dangerous and will hurt those she loves. Following the death of her beloved husband, she takes a vow of silence to protect others from suffering the same fate. Ignored and scorned by those around her, who believe her to be cursed by the gods who took her voice, she is content to live in the shadow of her former life, avoiding society as best she can and staying away from the politics and drama of Rome's inner circles.
Lucius is an unwilling front-runner to inherit the title of Emperor from Rome's childless leader, Trajan. Although the soothsayer warns him to steer clear of a pretty face that hides a cursed soul, Lucius cannot help but be drawn to the silent and beautiful Sabina. After learning her secret, he is as determined to help her shed her cloak of silence as she is to keep him at a safe distance. But when Lucius becomes the target of a political plot, Sabina must decide whether breaking her silence will save his life or merely seal his fate.
Admonition was winner of the Georgia Romance Writers' 2020 Maggie Award for Excellence in the Unpublished Historical Romance category.
It is time again to throw on our palla and head for Ancient Rome courtesy of Amurra’s latest release! Readers of Soothsayer will be pleased to hear we are back at the governor’s engagement soiree partying it up. Here, Sabina and Lucius are mingling as guests tend to and just happen to meet and the rest is written in the stars. Or at least that’s the hope.
Readers should keep in mind that some soothsayer meddling makes this romance feel fated so there is a bit of insta-love, which isn’t truly my favorite trope. I am pleased that I enjoyed Lucius and Sabina enough both as a couple and as individuals so this fated-love pairing didn’t bother me.
This romance is sweet, slow burn with just a tantalizing hint of spice buried in that delicious tension simmering between Lucius and Sabina. Lucius’s adoration and respect for Sabina and her history made him absolutely swoon-worthy. I would love to break it down more but I don’t want to give away potential spoilers.
Odd as it may seem, I really enjoyed Priscilla’s part in this tale. At the start, her feather-brained boy-crazed antics irritated me but as the story progresses, we catch small glimpses that made me question how much of it is an act. She is delightfully complex it would seem and her bond with her sister was just as authentic and intricate as non-fiction sibling relationships tend to be.
Admonition boasts a rich, historical setting with a heartwarming romance. Sprinkle in a little bit of political intrigue and some a handful of smarmy, slimy side characters to add in some tension and you have the recipe for this delightful romance. If you are looking for a historical romance outside the usual regency reads, then give this series a whirl. Admonition reads as a standalone so don’t feel like you have to start with Soothsayer.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts an opinions are my own.
