Laura Shepperson Livres

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'A deft and clever retelling full of intrigue, rage and pathos' JENNIFER SAINT, author of Ariadne'An intelligent, highly crafted and necessary book' CLAIRE NORTH, author of Ithaca'Urgent and furious' ROSIE ANDREWS, author of The Leviathan _In Athens, crowds flock to witness the most shocking trial of the ancient world. The royal family is mired in scandal. Phaedra, young bride of King Theseus, has accused her stepson, Hippolytus of rape.He's a prince, a talented horseman, a promising noble with his whole life ahead of him. She's a young and neglected wife, the youngest in a long line of Cretan women with less than savoury reputations.The men of Athens must determine the truth. Who is guilty, and who is innocent?But the women know truth is a slippery thing. After all, this is the age of heroes and the age of monsters. There are two sides to every story, and theirs has gone unheard.Until now.

In Athens, crowds flock to the Agora, where the most shocking trial of the ancient world is about to shake the city to its very foundations . . . Theseus, King of Athens and legendary hero of the Greeks, is steering his people towards a radical new democracy. But when a shocking accusation plunges the royal family into scandal, he is faced with a decision that could bring his kingdom crumbling to the ground. Phaedra, Cretan Princess and Theseus's consort, has accused her stepson, Hippolytus, of rape. Phaedra is young and beautiful, but she is from a family of tainted women and the Athenian court is awash with rumours about her. Hippolytus is a man of honour, sworn to the service of the goddess Artemis. Now the men of Athens are gathering to determine the truth. Each man will cast his vote, and thus decide the fate of the queen. But what of the women of Athens? They have many stories to tell, about Hippolytus and the men like him. Stories that have gone unheard. Until now . . .

Set against the backdrop of the early Roman world, this novel follows the intertwined lives of three women as they navigate the challenges of fate and personal ambition. Each character grapples with societal expectations and their own desires, showcasing themes of empowerment and resilience. As they confront their destinies, the story unfolds with rich historical detail, bringing to life the struggles and triumphs of women in a transformative era.

The second novel from Sunday Times bestseller Laura Shepperson sees three women struggle to determine their destiny at the dawn of the Roman world.