Review: Sulla: The Good Man Who Doomed Rome by in60Learning

Title: Sulla: The Good Man Who Doomed Rome 
Author: in60Learning
Publication: June 9th 2019 by in60Learning
Genre: Nonfiction, History, Ancient History
Purchase it on: Amazon
Rating: 4/5★

Smarter in sixty minutes. Get smarter in just 60 minutes with in60Learning. Concise and elegantly written non-fiction books and audiobooks help you learn the core subject matter in 20% of the time that it takes to read a typical book. Life is short, so explore a multitude of fascinating historical, biographical, scientific, political, and financial topics in only an hour each. Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix was a Roman general and statesmen who would become dictator of Rome. Dictatorship in the ancient world was very different than how it is thought of today - a single man was elected to take charge to pull the country back from the precipice. And that is exactly what Sulla did, fighting for both the interests of the rich and poor and leading Rome to military victory. However, his choices would destabilize Roman power and inspire other up and coming politicians - most notably, Julius Caesar, ultimately leading to the downfall of the Republic he so loved.

First of all I want to say how much I love in60Learning. I've already read a couple of their books and so far I haven't been disappointed. I have highly enjoyed all their informative yet entertaining books that I have read and Sulla: The Good Man Who Doomed Rome is yet another one that ended up as a favorite of mine.

Books, no matter how short or long they are, about ancient Rome is definitely my kind of thing. I didn't hesitate one second when I saw this book was free to read. Knowing the topic and who the book was about I already had a feeling I was going to like it a lot. And I was right! 

I already knew some basic things about Sulla that I had learned from other books and podcasts but this book just went deeper into his life and how his actions inspired future Roman policitians like Julius Caesar. Without Sulla we definitely wouldn't know ancient Rome as we know it to be. He even has the chance to execute Julius Caesar but in the end didn't do it so who knows how this could've shaped not only the ancient world but also our modern one. 

Overall, I thought this short biography about Sulla's life was extremely fascinating. I couldn't get enough of reading it. It's only about 36 pages so it's a quick read and on top of that also very interesting if you're interested in the Roman republic before it became the Roman empire.  

5 interesting facts I learned:

• Sulla's full name was Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix

• Sulla was told by a mystic seer from Chaldea that he "would die at the height of his fame and fortune". This impacted him greatly.

• Dictatorships in the ancient world were often different than we think of them today, as it was usually an elected position.

• Julius Caesar, later, would ridicule Sulla for resigning the dictatorship; he could not understand how a man would hand absolute power away.

• Sulla retired to his family's country villa in Puteoli with his wife and his long-time lover, the actor Metrobius.

Some pictures related to the book:

Apparent bust of Sulla in the Munich Glyptothek

Ruins of the town Aeclanum, conquered in 89 BC by Sulla.

Lucius Cornelius Sulla - a denarius portrait issued by his grandson.

Check out my other in60Learning reviews:

The Neolithic Revolution: A Watershed Moment in Human History

Hatshepsut: The Pharaoh-Queen of Egypt

Alexander the Great: Student of Aristotle, Descendant of Heroes

The Battle of Thermopylae: 300 Spartans and the Forgotten Citizen-Soldiers Who Fought with Them

Kublai Khan: Khan of Mongol, Emperor of China

The Pawnee Indians: Proud Yet Peaceful People

Review: Rise of Princes by Janell Rhiannon

Title: Rise of Princes
Author: Janell Rhiannon
Series: Homeric Chronicles #2
Publication: March 1st 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Mythology, Retelling
Purchase it on: Amazon
Rating: 4/5★

As the Trojan War continues, the gods pit their chosen heroes against each other, fighting alongside them on blood-slick battlefields. Amid the carnage and chaos, Achilles and Hektor rise to fame, conquering and defending; enslaving and freeing the people of the Troad. 

While the glory of war belongs to the men…the heart of the Trojan War belongs to the women.

Clytemnestra claims Mycenae as her own and vows to make Agamemnon pay. Helen’s gift of beauty tangles with a dark truth in Troy. Briseis fears she’ll forget her past in Lyrnessus, as she adapts to life as Achilles’ war prize. Andromache despairs Hektor will cast her aside, when she fails to produce an heir for Troy. Penelope turns to Anticlea, Odysseus’ mother, for guidance in ruling Ithaka. Hecuba’s heart breaks, as she mourns yet another Trojan son murdered at Achilles’ hands.

A terrible shadow stretches over the land, and heroines must embrace their true strength becoming…unstoppable.

Sing, Muse, sing the song of princes…

It took me a while to get around to it but I finally read Rise of Princes. And I loved it! I've become a real fan of mythology retellings, especially when they revolve around the Trojan War, like this one. Just like with the first book, Song of Sascrifice, this was a fantastic read. It was definitely a worthy sequel and I can't wait to read book three.

I already mentioned this in my recent review of the first book but again I loved the writing so so so so much. It really was beautiful. The writing is just so detailed and wonderful to read. I couldn't get enough of it. I just can't say anything negative about it. 

I also loved reading about all the various characters, of course. There are quite a few but the author managed to write them all in such a uniquely way that it doesn't feel like too much like it sometimes can be with other books, if that makes sense. 

My favorite characters were Briseis and Achilles, especialy Briseis. In almost any retelling of this story I just can't help but ship them even though I know it won't end well for them. I absolutely loved how Janell Rhiannon wrote them. They make my heart ache so much. Seriously. I also continue to love Odyseuss because he's so clever and still devoted to his wife.

Aside from some romance (which can be very heartbreaking) there's also a lot of action and battles, obviously. This is omething that I also highly enjoy reading about. Give me all the battles! I also feel like I should mention there's also a lot of tragedy. There's definitely no shying away from the tough subjects in this book, which I love.

Like I said before I absolutely can't wait to read book three. I think it's coming out in December. This is perfect because that's actually my birthday month. I'm really looking forward to the next part of the story! 

About the author:
In graduate school, Janell focused on the ancient history of Greece and Rome. Hooked by the “sword and sandal” world, she studied everything she could about mythology and Alexander the Great.

The Homeric Chronicles series is dedicated to merging dozens of Greek myths, including Homer’s epics, with plays, history, and archaeology. Her intent is to raise the heroines’ voices equally alongside the heroes, opening up a traditionally male focused genre to a female audience.
She lives in CA and enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren. She has a pack of two big dogs and two cats.

Interested in knowing more about the Greek heroes and heroines of Greek myth? Listen to my podcast Greek Mythology Retold.
Click here for links to iTunes, iHeart, Spreaker, and more on.
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ARC Review: Below by Alexandria Warwick

Title: Below
Author: Alexandria Warwick
Series: Below #1
Publication: February 4th 2020 by Wolf Publishing
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Purchase it on: TBA
Rating: 3.5/5★

From the author of The Demon Race comes a dark YA fantasy series inspired by Inuit mythology.

In the heart of the frigid North, there lives a demon known as the Face Stealer. Eyes, nose, mouth—nothing and no one is safe. Once he returns to his lair, or wherever it is he dwells, no one ever sees those faces again.

When tragedy strikes, Apaay embarks on a perilous journey to find her sister's face—yet becomes trapped in a labyrinth ruled by a sinister girl named Yuki. The girl offers Apaay a deal: find her sister's face hidden within the labyrinth, and she will be set free. But the labyrinth, and those who inhabit it, is not as it seems. Especially Numiak: darkly beautiful, powerful, whose motives are not yet clear.

With time slipping, Apaay is determined to escape the deadly labyrinth with her sister's face in hand. But in Yuki's harsh world, Apaay will need all her strength to survive.

Yuki only plays the games she wins.

Wow, this book was certainly something. I do have to admit that the start was sort of slow for me, which is why I couldn't give it a full four star rating because I struggled a little to get really into it but once I reached the 50% mark in the story it was pretty hard to put down. The fact that the story was inspired by Inuit mythology is something I absolutely loved because it isn't something I've come across yet in any of the books I've read.

Below featured the very complex but fascinating world of the North with Apaay as its main character. When a demon who is known as the Face Stealer steals the face of her sister, Apaay is determined to find it and kill the demon for all the suffering he has caused to so many others before but instead she becomes trapped in a labyrinthine place by a cruel girl named Yuki where nothing really is what it seems.

I loved Apaay! I really do think she's one of the best main characters I've ever come across and I'm not saying this lightly. She was so determined in everything she did, especially in the search for her sister's face. She would simply not give up no matter what was thrown at her or how much they made her suffer. Her strenght was inspiring to say the least.

The writing style was probably one of my favorite things about this book as well. I'm a sucker for beautiful prose. It wasn't just a beautifully writting book but it was action packed as well. A lot happened in the story, it was actually funny at times but also very tragic and made me want to cry at one point. I'm pretty sure anyone else who has read the book will know what I mean. 

Overall, Below by Alexandria Warwick is an epic dark YA fantasy adventure about family, friendship, loss and determination. Inspired by Inuit mythology, it's quite the page turner that'll keep you hooked and make you root for Apaay to succeed in her mission.  

About the author:
Alexandria Warwick is the #1 fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender. She is the author of The Demon Race and the upcoming North series.
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