Title: Tiberius Bound
Author: Walter Signorelli
Publisher: Quantum Discovery
ISBN: 978-1958690291
Pages: 308
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reviewed by: Christina Avina
Hollywood Book Reviews
As we get older and need to find our destiny in life, it becomes clearer and clearer, one of the hardest decisions to make is whether to follow the path set for us by others, or follow the hard path we desire for ourselves. The majority of people are forced to take on jobs and roles in society which are either necessary or something which their parents or other authority figures have set out for them. However, the rare few individuals who choose their own path must not only prove to others their decision was sound, but to themselves as well as endure trial after trial.
A path chosen for us by others versus one chosen by ourselves is a decision which has affected most everyone throughout time – from the common citizens of an ancient civilization to the rulers forced to govern an empire. That is the idea author Walter Signorelli presents to the world in the book Tiberius Bound. The book explores the life of Tiberius Claudius Nero, the step-son of Augustus Caesar and the second emperor of Rome. The book’s history and fiction storylines converge to explore the historical figure in a whole new light, from his military victories and his troubled marriage to Caesar’s daughter Julia, to the self-imposed exile which led him to rule Rome from the Island of Capri and more, this book melds historical fiction and heart with the history of one of the world’s most powerful empires.
The first thing I noticed about the author’s work was just how much detail went into the world-building and character development. The amount of knowledge the reader can gain from this work, as they are transported to ancient Rome in the aftermath and chaos of Caesar’s assassination made this so compelling. Even the opening chapter showcases the customs and beliefs around the birth of a child, from leaving the child to die if they are deformed to the acceptance of the child by the father and the political ramifications, highlighting the unique culture and shocking incidents which made up the life of Tiberius Claudius Nero.
This is the perfect read for those who enjoy historical fiction, especially the writing which captures the terminology, the atmosphere, and the heart of this particular era of history; Ancient Rome. The tragedy behind the trauma Tiberius faced in his life, from the separation he faced from his mother to his struggles as the stepson of Caesar and so much more, kept the historical figure both human and relatable, even in spite of the larger-than-life historical events and political power he amassed throughout his life. The emotional weight of his journey kept the protagonist a compelling figure, and the book overall a must-read.