Book Review: AUGUSTA: Volume Nine (Part 1 & 2) by G.G. MacLeod

AUGUSTA: Volume Nine (Part 1 & 2)
By G.G. MacLeod

Publication Date: 12th June 2023

Publisher: Independently Published

Page Length:

Part 1: 72 pages

Part 2: 92 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

"I will make you remember me and if I cannot reach Heaven, THEN I SHALL RAISE HELL."

As a child she was mentored by the only other woman to have become the Empress of the Roman Empire, her great-grandmother, the infamous power-broker, Livia Drusilla Caesar. In due course, she was destined to become the only Roman woman to ever openly rule as an Empress in her own name. Her lifelong war of all against all was going to include history's most notorious criminals, bar none, with eternally familiar names like Sejanus, Livilla, Caligula, Messalina, Claudius, Seneca, Tigellenius, and ultimately her own son, the "The Anti-Christ", "The Beast 666", more commonly known as the Emperor Nero.

She could have had every luxury possible to excess, and she could have lived out her string at the summit of the most obscene levels of wealth and decadence, but she only wanted one thing and no one was going to give that to her. She was going to have to kill for it until she had it, and ultimately she was going to have to die for it in order to keep it.

POWER

Her name was Julia Caesar Agrippina Germanicus and Hell followed after her.

Agrippina understood one thing: power. Though she was still a child, she was no ordinary child. She was a Caesar and a child prodigy. However, being so intelligent and being a Caesar came with its drawbacks. She was born with an insatiable craving for power, and as she grew older, that craving only intensified.

As tensions escalate, Agrippina is resolute in her quest to maintain control over the unfolding events. In her eyes, what’s a little murder if it remains within the confines of her family?

“AUGUSTA: Volume Nine (Parts 1 & 2)” by G.G. MacLeod is a riveting addition to the series that delves into the formative years of Julia Agrippina the Younger, the future mother of one of history’s most notorious emperors, Nero. This instalment not only illuminates Agrippina’s early years but also unravels the intricate factors that shaped her into the formidable figure she eventually became. This series will captivate readers, drawing them in and keeping them glued to the pages well into the night. Once experienced, this story lingers in the mind, making it truly unforgettable. MacLeod has breathed new life into Agrippina’s story, and what a story it is!

The setting is, as always, meticulously rendered, using descriptive language to paint a picture of the Roman palace and the discrepancy between its grandeur and the harsh realities of slavery. The historical context is integral to the story, enriching the characters’ motivations and the narrative’s emotional impact. Although the author employs a modern lexicon filled with contemporary idioms and slang, the writing bursts with excitement in every sentence, reflecting a keen sensitivity to the modern reader. This careful attention to word choice makes the series not only compelling but also remarkably accessible, drawing readers in even as it explores some very dark themes.

The author consistently depicts Agrippina as a “prodigy,” highlighting her remarkable intelligence and mature perspective on life, which set her apart from others her age. In stark contrast, Messalina, Agrippina’s partner in crime, is often referred to as a “little, little girl,” emphasising her seeming purity and youthful naivety. Oh, the irony! Although Agrippina is merely a few years older than Messalina, her keen intellect lends her an aura of wisdom that belies her age; yet, she too is still a child. 

Both girls are shaped by the families they were born into and the environments in which they were raised, factors that have a decidedly detrimental impact on their development. Nevertheless, the story reinforces the notion that Agrippina’s sisters are vastly different from her, lacking her uniquely evil characteristics, while her brothers are unable to match her exceptional intellect. This prompts readers to contemplate a profound question: can a child truly be born wicked, or is it their surroundings that cultivate such darkness?

This volume delves into a far darker tale than its predecessors in the series. The reader is already aware of Messalina’s violent inclinations, her chilling delight in hunting and dispatching rats for mere amusement, in a previous volume, unveils a deeply disturbed psyche. In contrast, Agrippina is embroiled in murder plots, but she exhibits a more calculating and subdued method compared to Messalina’s impulsive brutality. The fact that both characters are children intensifies the sense of dread for the reader, making their actions all the more unsettling. 

Yet, the story spans beyond their individual madness. Agrippina, raised within the influential Caesar family, adopts a cold and strategic approach to murder, seeking power and dominance rather than the thrill of bloodshed. This environment moulds her moral compass, twisting it to prioritise ambition above all else. In stark contrast, Messalina thrives on the intoxicating excitement of the hunt, and her involvement in Agrippina’s schemes only magnifies the sinister desires festering within her innocent facade. Together, they create a volatile mix of innocence and malevolence, revealing the terrifying potential lurking beneath childhood innocence. Even while planning a murder, Agrippina is always two steps ahead of Messalina. Unbeknownst to Messalina, Agrippina has already decided that she will kill her as soon as she is no longer useful, and yet Messalina hero-worships Agrippina. Agrippina’s arrogance and self-importance create a terrifying combination. This is a child that is void of all empathy, and the reader can only imagine what Agrippina will be like as an adult. As a child, she is frightening enough.

The complex contrast between slave and master is powerfully explored in this volume, offering readers a compelling glimpse into the life of Luna, Agrippina’s slave. Luna, a strikingly beautiful woman, sees her world violently upended when she is torn from her homeland of Germania and thrust into the harsh reality of servitude. And yet, despite her suffering, her character embodies both remarkable resilience and loyalty to Agrippina, and although she bears the deep scars of her past with dignity, she also feels that she has earned Agrippina’s love and respect. However, the shadowy complexities of Agrippina’s character soon reveal themselves. Readers are left stunned, just as Luna is, when Agrippina suddenly strikes her in a fit of rage, adding a chilling layer to their relationship. The threat against Luna’s innocent six-year-old son further amplifies the tension, revealing the depths of Agrippina’s darkness. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that this brutal act is not merely a reflection of Luna’s worth but is intricately tied to Luna’s lover, Sejanus, whom Agrippina once considered an ally but is now a threat to her ambitious plans.

There are no heroes in this tale; instead, the main characters are driven solely by their insatiable hunger for power, willing to resort to any means to achieve their ambitions. Sejanus, though not a Caesar by blood, embodies the ruthless cunning of one. Like Agrippina, he has a voracious appetite for influence, and when Tiberius denies him the right to marry Livilla—an alliance that would have intricately linked him to the illustrious Julio-Claudian family—he remains undeterred. Sejanus, having taken the initiative, capitalises on Tiberius’s self-imposed isolation in Capri and begins to skilfully consolidate his own power. Yet, his path is fraught with obstacles, particularly from members of the Caesar family, including the formidable Agrippina. Despite her youth, she commands a surprising degree of influence, instilling a deep-seated fear in Sejanus about her potential to disrupt his plans. Throughout this intricate narrative, the dynamic between Agrippina and Sejanus is characterised by a precarious balance of tension and uneasy alliances. Both are keenly aware that, given the slightest opportunity, the other would not hesitate to betray them, further intensifying the atmosphere of treachery that permeates their relationship.

MacLeod has masterfully crafted a vivid portrayal of this historical era across the series. Engaging with each volume is an enriching experience, as the writing continually evolves and improves. Although the narrative features modern language and a frequent scattering of profanities, it retains an undeniable charm, captivating readers with its vibrant storytelling. The characters are not just memorable, they are intricately developed, leaving a lasting impression that draws the reader deeper into their world. Volume 10 cannot come soon enough.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde

Yarde Reviews & Book Promotion

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AUGUSTA: Volume Nine (Part 1 & 2)
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G. G. MacLeod

I'm a Canadian indie author who also has a straight job. I'm 54 years old and "Augusta" is my first major foray into the world of publishing my work. Otherwise, there's nothing particularly interesting to say about me. I'm a pretty boring person, really who enjoys living a quiet life of reading/writing and thinking up story ideas that no one has actually pursued. 

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