Travel to the heart of a Roman dynasty beset by power struggles and betrayal in this latest chapter of the tale of Nero__________A MARRIAGE BLESSED IN BLOOD . . . Emperor Claudius is to wed his niece Agrippina. Her elevation will change so many things. Claudius will name her son Nero as heir. And any who dare cross her will live to regret it. Yet Nero – still a boy – is vulnerable. He vies for favour with his brother Britannicus. He learns to fight. He learns to love. Marry your sister-cousin Octavia,says his mother. Never mind the scandal. But those who have survived Agrippina,have long memories and short knives. To rise in Rome, others must fall. How long before Claudius realises his adopted son is a threat?And Nero stops seeing his mother as an ally?__________PRAISE FOR CONN IGGULDEN'Breathtakingly good’ Bernard Cornwell‘Deft and robust storytelling, that whips through the history with plenty of blood, guts and plot-twists’ The Times'Pacy and propulsive, cracking with energy, violence and stirring speeches, Iggulden chronicles power struggles, political machinations and the bloodthirsty ravages of up-close combat' Daily Mail‘A master of the historical novel’ Washington PostReaders love Nero'Iggulden draws you into Rome, its brutality and its glory, and brings it back to life with such seamless ease' ***** Reader Review'Absolute quality from first to last page, atmospheric with a real feel for time and place' ***** Reader Review'It was fascinating to see the seeds being planted that will lead to the Nero becoming the tyrant we know through the ancient historians, but told in such a contemporary and accessible way' ***** Reader Review'An absolutely immersive experience throughoutthat throws you into the politics of Ancient Rome' ***** Reader Review‘Another gripping page turner from the peerless master of historical fiction.’ ***** Reader ReviewConn Iggulden, Sunday Times bestseller, June 2024