Deposed: An epic thriller of power, treachery and revenge

In a darkened cell, a brutally deposed dictator lies crippled - deprived of his power, his freedom - and his eyes. On the edge of utter despair, his only companion is the young boy who brings him his meagre rations, a mere child who fears his own shadow. But to one who has held and lost the highest power, one thing alone is crystal clear: even emperors were mere children once. Ten years later, the new ruler's son watches uneasily over his father's empire. Wherever he looks rebellion is festering, and those closest to him have turned traitor once before. To this city in crisis comes a hugely wealthy senator from the very edge of the empire, a young and angry ward at his heels. He is witty but inscrutable, generous with his time and money to a leader in desperate need of a friend - and he wears a bandage over his blinded eyes. The fallen emperor's name is Nero. But this isn't his story.

About the Author :
David Barbaree is a lawyer and a graduate of the Curtis Brown Creative Writing School. He lives in Toronto with his wife and daughter.

Review :
I found the story an amazing recreation of Ancient Rome and what happened in that era utterly fascinating. I can't believe that this is David's first book as I found it brilliant. An author to look out for. A good debut novel from an interesting but complex era when historical fact is very hard to find or prove. We're back in the first century AD for this thriller set in Ancient Rome. It is a complex tale of political intrigue among the rulers of a restless and rebellious empire. A fallen emperor is locked in a cell, blinded. His only friend, a young boy, brings him food. A decade later, a new emperor is counselled by a wise but blindfolded senator who arrives with a young ward. The rebellious Barbaree has written a tale with a colourful Roman backdrop tainted with vengeance. Perhaps it could be badged 'toga noir' but there is no denying the epic scope to this ambitious thriller. Deposed is without doubt one of the most extraordinary and original novels I have read about ancient Rome. Deposed is brilliantly written and very cleverly done. It moves back and forth between the years and also between characters, always speaking in the first person in present tense. This is undoubtedly ambitious but it is wholly successful.The premise of Deposed is fantastic but its delivery is even better. It is remarkable that Deposed is a debut novel from David Barbaree. It is brilliantly accomplished and assured and I hung on to every word. I was just so sorry to finish it! I'm not sure if there will be a sequel. It's a complete novel with a fine and satisfying conclusion but I would dearly love to discover what happens next. This is a world I didn't want to leave. Extraordinary! It's a blinder Barbaree has delivered an extraordinary first novel, impressing with its complex plotting, powerful imagination, strong and authentic characters, and the author's gift for making fiction seem so palpably real. Politics, scheming, corruption, barbarity and betrayal... the best bits of Roman history but with an original new twist! Everything in this book felt real; the beautiful palaces, the crowded streets, the temples, and the prisons all belong to a world that existed long ago but they are brought to life within the pages of this book. The entire tone of the story is dark and melancholy; the intrigues and conspiracies that run throughout create a menacing feel that hangs over the story, giving it the weight that is so difficult to achieve in historical novels. Deposed is a fantastic debut and although it works wonderfully on its own, there is a hint that a sequel may follow in the future. David Barbaree is a new author worth looking out for and I highly recommend you check this one out if you're a lover of historical fiction. An absolute delight to read This marvellous debut moves backwards and forwards in time to tell the story of Nero's possible and astonishing fate... A direct and pacey read that will delight fans of high-stakes political drama 'a complex plot full of conspiracy and surprise. These characters feel so real, with their fear, triumph and even sadness or moments of genuine tenderness giving a feeling of Rome at its most uncertain. If the premise of Barbaree's story is fantastic, its delivery is accomplished and assured.'