Nero

Nero Trilogy, Book 1

By: Conn Iggulden

Narrated by: Lydia Leonard

Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

From this New York Times bestselling author, the first novel in a new trilogy that finds Empress Agrippina and her young son, Nero, fending off ambitious rivals while shaping their own destiny—if Nero is to become the most feared and notorious emperor of them all.

The story begins with a hand curled around another man’s throat.

This is Roman justice: Emperor Tiberius first dispatches a traitor—a friend he once trusted with the city—then the man's whole family and all of his friends. It is as if he never existed.

Into this fevered forum, a child is born. His mother is Agrippina, granddaughter of Emperor Augustus. But their imperial blood is neither balm nor protection.

Rather, it is a liability. Blood is easily spilled or poisoned. So swiftly corrupted.

As the aging, paranoid Tiberius becomes blind to the ignoble end awaiting him, Agrippina sees the future. Her once-exiled brother Caligula is next in succession, which brings her another step closer to the heart of the empire—to power, ambition, and danger.

Every day she will face soldiers, senators, rivals, silver-tongued pretenders, each vying for position. One mistake risks exile, incarceration, execution. Or, worst of all, perhaps the loss of her infant son.

Because Agrippina knows that, even in your darkest moments, opportunity rises.

Her son is everything. She can make this boy, shape him into Rome itself—the man before whom all must kneel. But first, Agrippina and Nero must survive …

©2024 Conn Iggulden (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Engaging, Pre-Nero set up.

This story is fantastic. Perfect for fans of ancient history or Conn Iggulden. But really anyone can pick it up and enjoy it. It's ancient Rome, so you have spies, treachery, plotting and of course, killings. This showcases just how talented Iggulden is. Because all of these people are unlikable, but the story telling is so good, you will be invested in the tale. Not many writers can pull off that feat. But this is Conn Iggulden; master of historical fiction, so of course he can deliver a known story about unlikable people, LOL. . So don't second guess, just read this book and be entertained. Narrator does a great job. I am buying book 2 once it's released.

Iggulden is the best

I’ve read all or listened to all his books. The female narrator is amazing here. I don’t know if I hate Agripinna or love her. She draws passion from me.
I tackled this book in three days. It would’ve been much faster if it wasn’t for responsibilities.

The Narrator

I have been a Conn Iggulden fan since I first read Gates of Rome when I was 13. I have all of his book series’ on audible and have listened through them multiple times each. Now at 34 he is still my favourite author. This is the wrong choice of narrator.

Nero

Conn Iggulden is one of my favorite historical novelists, and he does not disappoint in this first book of his new trilogy. I can’t wait for books two and three. I love reading about Ancient Rome with all of its intrigue and savagery. This audiobook was expertly narrated, and Iggulden’s writing was top notch as always. I give it five stars all the way across.