The Heir of Venus

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR COMES A BRAND NEW ENTHRALLING RETELLING SET AT THE DAWN OF THE ROMAN WORLD

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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.

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PRAISE FOR LAURA SHEPPERSON

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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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. -- Luna McNamara, author of PSYCHE AND EROS
The Heir of Venus is a wonderful read: a sweeping story and gripping narrative, with such thoughtful characterisation. I thoroughly enjoyed it. -- ROSIE ANDREWS, author of THE LEVIATHAN
An immensely stylish and compelling retelling of the Aeneid . . . an unflinching and poignant re-examination of the ancient world, told in elegant prose. -- NAOMI KELSEY, author of THE BURNINGS
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'. -- SARAH BURTON, author of THE STRANGE ADVENTURES OF H
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. -- SUSAN C WILSON, author of CLYTEMNESTRA'S BIND
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 -- Elyse John, author of ORPHIA AND EURYDICIUS
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! -- CAROLINE LEA, author of THE GLASS WOMAN
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. -- KATIE LUMSDEN, author of THE SECRETS OF HARTWOOD HALL
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. -- ELIZABETH LEE, author of CUNNING WOMEN
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. -- NIKKI MARMERY, author of LILITH

Laura Shepperson was born in the UK and has always been fascinated by myths and myth retellings, studying Classical Studies at the University of Auckland. Her first novel, The Heroines, was a Sunday Times bestseller. In 2017 she was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Prize for Fiction. Laura holds a Master of Studies in Creative Writing from the University of Cambridge. Laura lives outside London with her husband and two children.

She can be found on Twitter and Instagram @LauraShepperson.

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