One woman battles the coming Dark Ages.
Twilight Empress tells the little-known story of a remarkable woman: Placidia, sister to one of the last Roman Emperors. As Gothic Queen then Roman Empress, Placidia does the unthinkable: she hold together the failing Western Roman Empire. A life of ambition, power, and intrigue she doesn’t seek, but can’t refuse; her actions shape the face of Western Europe for centuries. A passionate woman as well as an empress, Placidia suffers love, loss, and betrayal. Can her intelligence, tenacity, and ambition help her survive and triumph over scheming generals, rebellious children, and Attila the Hun?
- Title: Twilight Empress: The Theodosian Women Book One
- Author: Faith L. Justice
- Audio narrator: Kathleen France
- Publisher: Raggedy Moon Books (May 2017)
- Library of Congress Control Number: 2016931966
- Hardback: (348 pages) $22.00, ISBN: 978-0917053221
- Trade paperback (348 pages) $12.99, ISBN: 978-06922460511
- eBook (Kindle, epub) $4.99
- Audio book (13 hrs, 34 min) $24.95 (FREE with 30-day trial)
Link to full reviews on Author’s site
Twilight Empress Audio Supplemental PDF
- Dedication/Epigram
- Genealogy
- Note on Titles and Place Names
- Character List
- Author’s Note
- Glossary
- Acknowledgments
- About the Author
Amazon.com (worldwide) US, UK, Canada, Australia
Barnes&Noble (print and ebook)
Audible (audio only)
iBooks (eBook only) and iTunes (audiobook)
Kobo (eBook only)
Smashwords (eBook only)
Click on links to read full reviews:
- Historical Novel Society (February 2018)
“This is solid historical fiction, with full marks for a little-used time period and setting. It totally gets extra points for giving us a female lead character who’s not written about to death (I’m looking at you, Anne Boleyn!)”
- Kirkus Reviews (November 24, 2017)
“An addictive, fun, fast read…The author does a fine job of delicately underlining the limits of female governance during the period, creating sympathy for the heroine, whose only option is to rule through men.”
- Midwest Book Review (April 22, 2021)
“Twilight Empress is the kind of historical novel that dedicated fans of historical fiction will find satisfying and impressive. With exquisite attention to political and military history, this novel weaves together many of the important political events of the fifth century…It is a rich tapestry of both historical research and vivid imagination.”
“A thrilling and enjoyable read…I couldn’t get enough!!…Justice is an author that is new to me, and I am very impressed. She weaves her words like tapestry, revealing the story and events of Placidia’s life bit by glorious bit until a full and rich image of this great woman is revealed.”
- Rolopolo Book Blog (July 8, 2019)
“This was my first Faith L. Justice read and it certainly will not be my last… I found myself completely entranced and loving the heavily fictionalized portion of this solid The historical fiction. I found every aspect of this book to be well-researched, well-written, and woven together (the history with the fiction) is a most pleasing manner.”
- The Roaming Librarian (June 17, 2019)
“A fascinating novel…The pacing in this book is excellent! I could not put it down.”
- Bookfever (May 17, 2018)
“It’s been a long time since I stayed up late to finish a book…I just couldn’t stop reading and had this intense need to know how it all would end.”
- A Bookish Affair (October 5, 2017)
“A promising start to a new series!”
- History from a Woman’s Perspective (October 2, 2017)
“Twilight Empress is a fast-paced historical novel that is filled with romance, political and courtly intrigue, and drama that will keep you turning the pages…”
- Bookramblings (September 29, 2017)
“There was enough action so there was no dull moment…I can’t wait to read the next one.”
- What Cathy Read Next (September 27, 2017)
“In three words: Intriguing, dramatic, well-researched”
- Pursuing Stacie (September 27, 2017)
“I absolutely loved this book!…The author’s writing is superb, and she did a wonderful job of bringing Placida to life for her readers.”
- So Many Books So Little Time (September 25, 2017)
“Twilight Empress is an utterly captivating read…I’m excited to read more by this author.”
- Locks, Hooks and Books (September 25, 2017)
“…the author had a way of keeping my interest and want to keep reading.”
- Clarissa Reads It All (September 15, 2017)
“This is truly a sumptuous treat for bookworms and historical fiction lovers…I would recommend this to a friend. 100%!”
- Book Drunkard (September 13, 2017)
“TWILIGHT EMPRESS by Faith L. Justice is exactly the type of book I mention when people ask me why I love Historical Fiction so much.”
- 100 Pages a Day (September 11, 2017)
“Overall, a breathtaking and immense journey through one inspirational and impactful woman’s life in Rome.”
- Story Circle Book Reviews (May 7, 2018) Spoiler Alert! This reviewer reveals the entire story from beginning to end. I’m providing the link as a matter of transparency, but if you don’t know Placidia’s story and want to read Twilight Empress, I recommend you not read this review. What are reviewers thinking when they do such things?
“[Twilight Empress] is well researched and written with twisted plot developments and great characters…an excellent novel.”
- “In Conversation with Faith L. Justice” at Bookpleasures.com (July 22, 2019)
- “In the Time of the Theodosians” at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots (September 12, 2017)