Mother of Rome by Lauren J. A. Bear

A powerful and fierce reimagining of the earliest Roman legends: the twins Romulus and Remus, mythical founders of history’s greatest empire, and the woman whose sacrifice made it all possible. The names Romulus and Remus may be immortalized in map and stone and chronicle, but their mother exists only as a preface to her sons’ journey, the princess turned oath-breaking priestess, condemned to death alongside her children. Except she did not die; she survived. And so does her story. Beautiful, royal, rich: Rhea has it all—until her father loses his kingdom in a treacherous coup, and she is sent to the Order of the Vestal Virgins to ensure she will never produce an heir. But when mortals scheme, gods laugh. Rhea becomes pregnant, and human society turns against her. Abandoned, ostracized, and facing the gravest punishment, Rhea forges a dangerous deal with the divine, one that will forever change the trajectory of her life . . . and her beloved land. To save her sons and reclaim their birthright, Rhea must summon nature’s mightiest force—a mother’s love—and fight. All roads may lead to Rome, but they began with Rhea Silvia. Read more