The Ark and the Empire is the first book in the historical inspired fantasy series The Shards, written by Michael Livingston, published by Orbit Books. A proposal that transports the reader to the Civil War that followed Caesar's assassination, reflecting the fight for power between Octavian and Marc Antony, weaving together historical moments with fantastical elements, giving the story a new layer underneath.

Octavian, Caesar's nephew and adopted son, has taken control of Rome; but in the vacuum of power left by Caesar's death, Marc Antony is on the other side, backing the claims of Cesarion, Cleopatra and Caesar's son, to the throne of Rome. Alexandria and Rome are destined to go to war.
Juba, a former Numidian prince and adopted Caesar's son, is on his own quest, trying to find the relics that are believed to hold the power of God; he's seeking revenge against Rome with those treasures, but Octavian has other plans for him, using him for war. Juba must move with caution if he wants to fulfill his plan while finding the rest of the relics.

Livingston gives his own spin to the historical moments while going deep into the monomyth idea; the timelines are effortlessly woven together, composing a tapestry over the Civil War while the small actors are executing their movements on the gameboard. Those small actors, such as Pullo and Vorenus, often overshadow the rest of the cast, as at the end, while the war is in motion (and Livingston isn't shy of depicting the big clashes), their steps are marking our particular plot.

If you are a fan of Roman history and want a more fantastical spin on one of the moments that defined it, The Ark and the Empire is a great choice: a novel that blends together history and myth, an authentic pageturner. Really enjoyed reading it!