Jd Smith

I was thrilled to read this novel and highly recommend it! Since I'm reading the Agent of Rome series which occurs in the 270s, in the same geographical area more or less, from the Roman viewpoint, I was hoping to read something from 'the other side': i.e., Palmyra and Syria. I am so glad I was fortunate enough to win this novel in a Historical Fictionista giveaway. It did not disappoint! The story moves back and forth from the 'present' [290's] to 250's; Zabdas is documenting his history of the Palmyran campaign so people will remember. His granddaughter, Samira, reads it piecemeal as he writes each section, and has many questions about her father and those years.

Zabdas, a slave, is found in Yemen by his uncle Julius Aurelius Zabdilas, taken from a cruel master, and brought back to Julius' family in Palmyra and freed. One of Julius' daughters is the irrepressible Zenobia and we get a feel for her personality. Strong, stubborn, and self-willed, she shows herself a match for the political jockeying going on at the time by convincing two [2!] Roman emperors [both East and West] to send military aid to the Palmyrans against Shapur of Persia. She succeeds where others have failed heretofore. Julius, a retired general, goes off to fight the Tanukh tribe in the south and Zabdas trains for the Palmyran army. Eastern Roman emperor Valerian brings relief forces. The book closes with Zenobia marrying the Palmyran king, Odenathus. She has it in her mind to declare independence from Rome and set up a free Palmyra, like her father before. But she wants to do it now, not some vague time in the future, as he had thought. She feels Palmyra gets no advantage from Rome as overlord; Odenathus is blinded by his loyalty to Rome. Rome has no feeling for the Palmyrans; all they want is to protect their border.

The writing was excellent, I liked characterization [especially of Zenobia and of the fascinating Zabdas] and felt the author conveyed the period and fight scenes realistically. This novel is only 'the Rise of Zenobia' as the title tells us; her story will continue in a sequel, which I assume will treat of Zenobia as warrior-queen. Although I know the outcome of Zenobia's revolt from history I am eager to continue and to read the author's portrayal.… (meer)