0451472004
Authors: Stephanie Thornton
PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS OF STEPHANIE THORNTON
THE CONQUEROR’S WIFE
“Thornton boldly goes where other historical novelists might fear to tread. In her recounting of Alexander the Great’s epic quest . . . she brings to life the treachery, glory, and intrigue of a fascinating ancient world.”
—C. W. Gortner, bestselling author of
Mademoiselle Chanel
“Through the eyes of the fascinating and fierce women in Alexander’s life, Thornton enchants the reader. . . . Her accessible and energetic writing brings [this] world to life while giving voice to the voiceless in this vivid tale of the women in the shadow of Alexander’s glory. What a talent!”
—Stephanie Dray, bestselling author of
Lily of the Nile
“A conqueror slices through the ancient world on pages that writhe with ambition and danger, yet the reader is swept in by unexpected heroines. This gritty epic is voiced by the tenacious women who surrounded Alexander the Great, proving he would’ve been nothing of the sort without them.”
—Marci Jefferson, author of
Girl on the Golden Coin
THE TIGER QUEENS
“A testament to Thornton’s writing prowess . . . a stunning achievement!”
—Barbara Wood,
New York Times
bestselling author of
The Serpent and the Staff
and
Rainbows on the Moon
“A gripping epic of sacrifice, revenge, and conquest . . . kept me riveted from beginning to end.”
—Michelle Moran, national bestselling author of
The Second Empress
“Beautiful, earthy, and completely accessible prose . . . classic historical fiction at its best.”
—Historical Novel Society
“An immersive, enlightening epic . . . intrigue, romance, and strong, willful heroines.”
—
Booklist
DAUGHTER OF THE GODS
“Stephanie Thornton’s heroines are bold, brave, and powerful.”
—Kate Quinn, author of
Lady of the Eternal City
“A wonderfully intimate and dramatic evocation of ancient Egypt, where one headstrong young woman dares to become pharaoh. Stephanie Thornton vividly portrays the heat and the danger, the passion and the heartbreak, of Hatshepsut’s struggle as she defies even the gods to ensure success on the throne of Egypt. A touching love story combines with a thrilling tale of death, courage, and political intrigue to produce a superbly researched and powerfully written novel. This is the kind of book that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. A remarkable story, remarkably told.”
—Kate Furnivall, national bestselling author of
The Russian Concubine
and
Shadows on the Nile
“An epic saga that brings ancient Egypt to life with vivid imagery and lovely prose. Stephanie Thornton is a rising star!”
—Stephanie Dray, bestselling author of
Daughters of the Nile
THE SECRET HISTORY
“What a heroine! Stephanie Thornton’s Theodora is tough and intelligent, spitting defiance against the cruel world of the Byzantine Empire. Her rise from street urchin to emperor’s consort made me want to stand up and cheer. Her later years as empress are great fun to read, but it was her early struggle as actress and courtesan that really had me roaring: either with rage at the misfortunes heaped on this poor girl or with delight as she once more picked herself up with a steely glint in her eye and kept on going.”
—Kate Quinn
“
The Secret History
tells the tangled but very human story of Empress Theodora. . . . This remarkable woman, beloved wife of Emperor Justinian, mastered the intrigue and politics of sixth-century Byzantium while keeping dark personal secrets that could bring her death. Loss, ambition, and lust keep this rich story moving at top speed. Stephanie Thornton writes a remarkable first novel that brings a little-known woman to full, vibrant life again. A sprawling and irresistible story.”
—Jeane Westin, author of
The Spymaster’s Daughter
“A fascinating and vivid account. . . . The life of the Empress Theodora leaps from the page, as colorful and complex as the woman herself.”
—Michelle Diener, author of
The Emperor’s Conspiracy
“A story of the strength of women . . . Thornton’s well-conceived and engrossing tale exalts a historical figure of ‘true grit.’”
—
Library Journal
“If there is one book you choose to read on ancient times, let it be
The Secret History
. Theodora is a true Byzantine icon, and her story is a timeless inspiration that needs to be heard.”
—Historical Novel Society
“You’ll feel for Theodora. You’ll want to scream, to save her, and to cheer for her bravery all at the same time. By a twist of fate, the outspoken and intelligent beauty meets the emperor’s nephew and steals his heart. She defies every challenge and becomes one of the most powerful women in the Roman Empire. Their love story is one for the ages. Theodora’s dramatic tale is exquisitely crafted in this can’t-miss summer read. I couldn’t put it down for a moment.”
—
San Francisco Book Review
ALSO BY STEPHANIE THORNTON
The Secret History
Daughter of the Gods
The Tiger Queens
NEW AMERICAN LIBRARY
Published by New American Library,
an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014
This book is an original publication of New American Library.
Copyright © Stephanie Thornton, 2015
Readers Guide copyright © Penguin Random House, 2015
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA:
Thornton, Stephanie, 1980–
The conqueror’s wife: a novel of Alexander the Great / Stephanie Thornton.
pages cm
ISBN 978-0-698-17652-2
1. Alexander, the Great, 356 B.C.–323 B.C.—Fiction. 2. Greece—History—Macedonian Expansion, 359–323 B.C.—Fiction. 3. Roxana, consort of Alexander the Great, approximately 310 B.C.—Fiction. 4. Macedonia—History—To 168 B.C.—Fiction. I. Title.
PS3620.H7847C66 2015
813'.6—dc23 2015019747
Designed by Laura K. Corless
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of
the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Contents
Further Reading on the Empire of Alexander the Great
Excerpt from
The Secret History
To Tim and Daine Crowley for being as tough as Alexander to champion all my writing
PROLOGUE