Review: Daughter of Exile by Tana Rebellis

Title: Daughter of Exile
Author Tana Rebellis
Series: The Exile Duology #2
Publication: September 24, 2024 by Little Piggy Publishing
Genre: Historical Fiction
Find it on: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Waterstones
Rating: 4/5★

Aemilia Lepida was closer to becoming empress than anyone knew when she was betrothed to Claudius—but her parents’ disgrace leads to the dissolution of her engagement, and her life changes forever.

Aemilia comes of age in Rome at a dangerous time, one in which her heritage makes her a desirable pawn in the schemes of others. Her own efforts to restore her family’s honor place her on a treacherous path of vengeance and intrigue that will consume her life even as it ultimately reveals a strength she never knew she possessed.

Meanwhile, Titus begins a journey harder and longer than he could have imagined, spanning from Rome to Dacia and back again. He will sacrifice more than he bargained for as he struggles to accept his new identity: a deserter in hiding, shielding a secret that could disrupt the empire, not knowing if he will ever again see the woman for whom he has upended his life.

Aemilia and Titus, and those around them, must decide whether their differences will keep them apart, or if Julia and her exile—their sole unifying connection—will be enough to bind them together, perhaps saving all their lives.

Daughter of Exile was a great conclusion to The Exile Duology by Tana Rebellis. I'd highly recommend both if you enjoy books set in ancient Rome, especially if you like reading about the Julio-Claudian dynasty.

In this sequel the focus is more set on Aemilia Lepida, the daughter of Julia the Younger who is still in exile. It also still follows Titus and Rufus from the first book who are both on their own journeys. Eventually all their lives come together again as the book reaches its ending.

This second book heavily featured themes of vengeance and political intrigue. They are explored through the actions of the main characters and the conflicts they faced. And just like in the first the book I highly enjoy the way the author wrote the descriptions of the Roman Empire which was still in its early stages.

I think fans of HBO's Rome tv series would absolutely love this duology as it shares a similar historical tone, political intrigue and compelling characters.

About the author:

Tana Rebellis is a pen name of Kasey Morris, who also writes romantic comedies (www.kaseymorris.com). She studied Classics at Princeton University, then Classical Archaeology at Oxford. When not reading, writing, or working, she and her husband spend time with their animals on their farm in Virginia.

The Exile Duology stems from her research on the phenomenon of Julio-Claudian island exile, a project for which she won the 2014 Princeton University Department of Classics John J. Keaney Prize for Best Senior Thesis.

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