Title: Perfiditas
Author: Alison Morton
A tidbit about the author
Alison Morton lives in southwest France and, according to one recent interview, writes “in a bat cave in the semi-basement of our house.” She was a captain in a special communications regiment in the Territorial Army.
The story
Baddies are conspiring to overthrow the Roma Nova government and implicating Captain Carina Mitela in the plot. Carina is a member of a high-placed family in Roma Nova and an officer in the Praetorian Guard Special Forces. “Betrayal and rebellion are in the air, threatening to topple Roma Nova and ruin Carina’s life.” –from the author’s website
The scene that made you laugh out loud or cheer
Morton writes so many vivid characters who will make you laugh, cry, and cheer. Carina, Conrad, Stern, Apollo, Aurelia – now that woman deserves a book – oh wait, that is book IV in the series – and, it has been shortlisted for the 2016 Historical Novel Society Indie novel of the year! Congrats, Alison!
But back to Perfiditas. It is always hard to pick out one scene that had me chuckling, but I could not resist sharing this one:
‘You know, this guy was very meticulous,’ he said. ‘His organisation and filing are immaculate. It’s also his weakness.’
‘He’s a librarian!’ I snorted.
‘Somebody has to be – my father was one.’
The place where you wanted to throw the book across the room
Ms. Morton, I really like Conrad and get a bit pissed when people aren’t nice to him. Just sayin’.
A memorable line (or two)
He could usually lift me out of the dumps, even though he irritated the hell out of me the other half of the time.
and this one:
I shivered at Apollo’s slow and deliberate delivery, radiating quiet menace. He could be so unpleasant so politely.
My verdict – ****4.5 stars****
Perfiditas is another winner for Alison Morton in this worthy sequel to Inceptio. The novel may be 2nd in the Roma Nova series, but it works as a stand-alone, too. It has everything I love in story: it is fast-paced, spine tingling, nerve-wracking, and has vivid characters, including the kick-ass Carina. Though the country Roma Nova is all in the author’s mind in this alternate historical, it feels very real. Morton’s knowledge of Roman history and culture shines in the little details. Morton keeps you guessing throughout, and just when you think all is well, she tosses in twists and turns that build to a satisfying conclusion.
Disclaimer: I met Ms. Morton at the 2015 Historical Novel Society Conference. She gave me a signed copy of Perfiditas in exchange for an honest review.
Alison’s website: http://alison-morton.com
Buy link: Amazon & elsewhere: http://alison-morton.com/books-2/perfiditas/where-to-buy-perfiditas/
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