The Immigrant Queen is a novel centred on Aspasia, partner of Athenian statesman Pericles.

Overall, this book was well written and I enjoyed how it was clearly well researched.  It worked to authentically integrate different personalities from the ancient world who existed and played an active part in the Greek world at the time.  I liked the references to ancient literature too.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite what I expected in regards to its narration.  From the blurb, I was expecting the book to be from the perspective of Aspasia herself, however it is told from the perspective of one of her slaves Limander.  It made Aspasia an unreachable character to me.  I’m not sure if it is because of this, that I found it hard to connect with Limander.  I found that while he shrewdly observed those around him in detail, his own feelings and inner thoughts were often absent.

 I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  These thoughts are all my own.