So rarely do you come across a book that you have heard nothing about and become so besotted by the story it weaves that you are mad to be dragged back into reality by finishing it. My gods. It’s incredible. I tore through 630 pages in less than 2.5 days.

For those you that genuinely think about the Roman Empire on a daily/weekly basis but also enjoy magic, dark academia and also spy thrillers, this is for you. And if you don’t, it’s also for you. I found no faults. Read this immediately so it can live in your head rent-free, too.