The Heir of Venus
On sale
15th August 2024
Price: £20
FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR COMES A NEW SPELLBINDING RETELLING SET AT THE DAWN OF THE ROMAN WORLD
‘Enthralling’ Luna McNamara
‘Sweeping’ Rosie Andrews
‘Gripping’ Caroline Lea
‘Immensely stylish’ Naomi Kelsey
‘Fascinating’ Sarah Burton
‘Passionate‘ Elyse John
‘Unique’ Susan C Wilson
‘Compelling’ Katie Lumsden
‘Richly drawn’ Elizabeth Lee
________
Aeneas, the son of Venus, is destined for greatness, prophesised to father a people who will one day rule the world.
But behind every great man are the women the prophecies forget.
Creusa, Dido and Lavinia will never meet, yet they are united by the ambitions of one man whose life is pre-ordained to collide irreparably with theirs.
But if their destiny remains unwritten, can they determine the future for themselves?
This is the story of Rome’s origins as it’s never been told before, through the eyes of three women whose choices changed history.
________
PRAISE FOR LAURA SHEPPERSON’S PREVIOUS WORK
A deft and clever retelling full of intrigue, rage and pathos’ JENNIFER SAINT
‘An intelligent, highly crafted and necessary book’ CLAIRE NORTH
‘Urgent and furious’ ROSIE ANDREWS
‘Audacious and spirited’ SARAH BURTON
‘A timely and labyrinthian retelling of the trial of Phaedra: breaking down the old walls and illuminating the true monsters’ CARI THOMAS
‘The Heroines subverts the most enduring myth of all. That women are to blame’ JOANNE BURN
‘A mesmerizing read’ ELIZABETH LEE
‘Fiercely compelling’ CAROLINE LEA
‘Enthralling’ Luna McNamara
‘Sweeping’ Rosie Andrews
‘Gripping’ Caroline Lea
‘Immensely stylish’ Naomi Kelsey
‘Fascinating’ Sarah Burton
‘Passionate‘ Elyse John
‘Unique’ Susan C Wilson
‘Compelling’ Katie Lumsden
‘Richly drawn’ Elizabeth Lee
________
Aeneas, the son of Venus, is destined for greatness, prophesised to father a people who will one day rule the world.
But behind every great man are the women the prophecies forget.
Creusa, Dido and Lavinia will never meet, yet they are united by the ambitions of one man whose life is pre-ordained to collide irreparably with theirs.
But if their destiny remains unwritten, can they determine the future for themselves?
This is the story of Rome’s origins as it’s never been told before, through the eyes of three women whose choices changed history.
________
PRAISE FOR LAURA SHEPPERSON’S PREVIOUS WORK
A deft and clever retelling full of intrigue, rage and pathos’ JENNIFER SAINT
‘An intelligent, highly crafted and necessary book’ CLAIRE NORTH
‘Urgent and furious’ ROSIE ANDREWS
‘Audacious and spirited’ SARAH BURTON
‘A timely and labyrinthian retelling of the trial of Phaedra: breaking down the old walls and illuminating the true monsters’ CARI THOMAS
‘The Heroines subverts the most enduring myth of all. That women are to blame’ JOANNE BURN
‘A mesmerizing read’ ELIZABETH LEE
‘Fiercely compelling’ CAROLINE LEA
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Reviews
An immensely stylish and compelling retelling of the Aeneid . . . an unflinching and poignant re-examination of the ancient world, told in elegant prose.
Like Shepperson's previous novel, The Heir of Venus focuses firmly on the heroines. The women who hover in the background of the Aeneid take centre stage in this engaging and unique retelling. A thoughtful, intelligent read.
Shepperson follows up her masterful debut with an engaging and enjoyable retelling of Aeneas, hero of the Aeneid, who becomes somewhat less heroic from the perspective of his three wives. Shepperson deftly weaves the stories of Creusa, Dido and Lavinia to create a fast-paced, compelling narrative of the events surrounding Aeneas's legendary foundation of Rome.
A compelling, powerful and hugely readable novel, exploring the myth of Aeneas from the perspective of the women his life collided with. I just adore the way Laura Shepperson writes.
The Heir of Venus is a wonderful read: a sweeping story and gripping narrative, with such thoughtful characterisation. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Intense and emotional, The Heir of Venus gives voice to the women connected to Aeneas's story, raising up characters who have long deserved more of the spotlight. From Creusa and Lavinia to Dido, female perspectives shape this complex, blended narrative. Shepperson has crafted a feminist tale of power and vulnerability, showing the tragedy of war alongside the enduring power of love in its many forms - tender, passionate, desperate
The Heir of Venus is a richly drawn and deeply engaging book. The intricately woven stories of Creusa, Dido and Lavinia are a moving exploration of the struggle to exert control over our own fate, and the drive to protect those we love.
Shepperson weaves an enthralling narrative written from the perspective of the women of the Aeneid. Intricate and poetic, The Heir of Venus is a thought-provoking meditation on the conflict between love and destiny, not to mention the silent sacrifices necessary to put a great man on the throne.
A gripping feminist retelling, which, like The Heroines, places the women firmly at the centre of the narrative. This reframing raises compelling new questions from familiar stories. Brava!
While the story of the demigod Aeneas is the thread which binds them, the primary perspectives and concerns are those of his three all-too-human wives. Once again Shepperson breathes life into the heroines of Greek myth, in a fascinating re-imagining of their roles as prizes, possessions and casualties.