Readers' Favorite

“A towering saga of love, loss, betrayal, and political machinations…This is a fantastic read and a candidate for my book of the year so far. I highly recommend it.”

“A truly remarkable heroine in a truly compelling story.” — Stephanie Cowell, American Book Award Recipient, author of The Boy in the Rain and Claude and Camille: a novel of Monet.

Twilight Empress cover

A beautiful pagan. A ruler searching for a wife. Can a marriage of expedience change the course of an empire?

Constantinople, AD 419. Athenais holds faint hope for her future. When the impoverished orphan’s male relatives offer her up as a consort for the emperor, she reluctantly agrees to study the philosophical arguments for the required conversion to Christianity. But while the accomplished scholar quickly falls for her imperial husband, she struggles with the court’s cutthroat political maneuvering and stubborn religious fanaticism.

Raised to Augusta after birthing her first daughter, Athenais consolidates her influence to build an entourage of skilled artists, writers, and thinkers, despite her jealous sister-in-law’s protests. But just when the protective philosopher thinks she’s won the fight for her spouse’s respect and affection, a series of catastrophes threatens to undermine her hard-earned position.

Can she withstand the storm and claim the throne she so rightly deserves?

Rebel Empress is the insightful third tale in the Theodosian Women biographical historical fiction series. If you like learning about forgotten heroines and immersing yourself in past times, you’ll love Faith L. Justice’s path through tragedies and triumphs.

  • 5* Review By Grant Leishman for Readers’ Favorite

    Rebel Empress by Faith L. Justice is a towering saga of love, loss, betrayal, and political machinations in the Imperial Court of principally the Eastern Roman Empire in the fifth century. Athenais is the beautiful daughter of an ordinary Athenian scholar. When her father dies and leaves his assets to her older brothers, Athenais not only loses her beloved father but also any chance of a dowry that might allow her to find a suitable marriage partner. She is shuffled off to Constantinople, to her uncle’s estate. Her uncle is a functionary in the court of the Eastern Emperor, Augustus Theodosius II. Although Theodosius was proclaimed Emperor as an infant, his older sister, Pulcheria, ruled the Eastern Empire as regent until he reached his majority. With Pulcheria closely advising and dominating Theodosius, even after his majority, certain societal elements sought to weaken her dominance by marrying Theodosius off to a suitable candidate of their choosing. Athenais was deemed the right choice and her elevation from commoner to Augusta would be swift and telling. 

    Rebel Empress is the third in a series by Faith L. Justice that highlights the powerful role of women in the Roman Empire. I love historical fiction that takes well-known historical data and characters and then melds them into a story that supports the known history. Judging by this novel, the author is an absolute master at this art. The depth of character development, personal interactions, political drama, and intrigue lift this above its competitors in the genre. The focus, not only on women, but also on intelligent, forthright, and fiercely independent thinkers, clearly highlights that these women were far more than just baby factories for the production of heirs. I appreciated the counterpoint with some of the leading male characters who were easily led by others into falsehoods, paranoia, or slaves to their libidos. I found it satisfying that even Athenais, who was often treated abominably, especially by Pulcheria, did find a deep respect and understanding for the other woman’s perspective and position. This highlighting of the differences between the women and the men who ruled the Roman Empire was as unexpected as it was rewarding. I always appreciate the extra knowledge of a time and culture different from today that historical novels give us. This novel will educate and inform as well as greatly entertain. I loved the backstabbing, betrayal, and political intrigue that is an integral part of this tale. Equally fascinating was the divisive aspect of early Christianity as differing Christian factions sought to impose their interpretations of the nature of God and their religion on others. This is a fantastic read and a candidate for my book of the year so far. I highly recommend it.”

  • “Absolutely riveting novel of a scholar’s orphaned daughter who marries the emperor of Constantinople in the year 409 AD. It is a love marriage, but the sweet, malleable emperor is pulled between her, his controlling sister, and the religious factions so rife at the period which gradually fill her life with danger. I fell utterly in love with Empress Athenais, so genuine and good and so alone in an increasingly unstable court and world. As remarkable is the author’s recreation of the everyday life of so long ago, the streets, the food, the palaces, the easily swayed mobs of people, the huge churches, the ornate uncomfortable regal garments and heavy jewelry mingled with scenes of informal family life and small, lovely gatherings. Athenais will remain with me for a very long time. A truly remarkable heroine in a truly compelling story.”  Stephanie Cowell, American Book Award Recipient, author of The Boy in the Rain and Claude and Camille: a novel of Monet.
  • “Faith Justice’s latest book, Rebel Empress, is the remarkable story of Athenais’ life as Augusta. Although she came from humble beginnings, her beauty allowed her to ascend to the highest position in her kingdom – wife of the Augustus and co-ruler of the empire.

    Although she suffers through terrible personal tragedies, she never compromises her duties to her people or her faith. Faith Justice has done an amazing job of transporting the reader into the very early days of the fifth century’s life and court intrigues. I was swept away by both the grandeur of the court and the scope of history covered in this book.

    Athenais is one of the most formidable women I have ever encountered in a fictional biography and her story will stay with me for a very long time. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about historical independent women who overcome all odds and adhere to their beliefs. A definite five-star read.”  Eileen Joyce-Donovan, author A Lady Newspaperman’s Dilemma

  • Title: Rebel Empress: A Novel of Imperial Rome (Theodosian Women Book Three)
  • Author: Faith L. Justice
  • Audio narrator: TBD
  • Publisher: Raggedy Moon Books (August 2024)
  • Library of Congress Control Number: 2024900937
  • Hardback: (384 pages) $22.95, ISBN: 978-0917053337
  • Trade paperback (384 pages) $14.95, ISBN: 978-0917053320
  • eBook (Kindle, epub) $4.99
  • Audio book (TBD)  ISBN: 978-0917053344

Sample Chapter TBD

Sample Audio TBD

Rebel Empress Audio Supplemental PDF TBD

Rebel Empress Research Bibliography TBD

On August 28, 2024, available in hardback, trade paperback, and eBooks wherever books are sold OR inquire at your local library.