Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read.
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A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeiiby Kate Quinn, Stephanie Dray, Ben Kane, Eliza Knight, Sophie Perinot and Vicky Alvear Shecter
Expected publication: August 8, 2023 by William Morrow Paperbacks
From six bestselling authors, including New York Times bestseller Kate Quinn, comes a vividly imagined anthology of stories following the lives of those in ancient Pompeii on the fateful day Mount Vesuvius erupts.
Pompeii was a lively resort flourishing in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius at the height of the Roman Empire. When Vesuvius erupted in an explosion of flame and ash, the entire town would be destroyed. Some of its citizens died in the chaos, some escaped the mountain’s wrath . . . and these are their stories:
A boy loses his innocence in Pompeii’s flourishing streets.
An heiress dreads her wedding day, not knowing it will be swallowed by fire.
An ex-legionary stakes his entire future on a gladiator bout destined never to be finished.
A crippled senator welcomes death, until a tomboy on horseback comes to his rescue.
A young mother faces an impossible choice for her unborn child as the ash falls.
A priestess and a prostitute seek redemption and resurrection as the town is buried.
Six authors bring to life overlapping stories of patricians and slaves, warriors and politicians, villains and heroes who cross each other’s paths during Pompeii’s fiery end. But who will escape, and who will be buried for eternity?
This is kind of a special book to feature today because I’ve already read A Day of Fire back at the end of 2014 (it released on November 4th 2014). But I just learned it’s being rereleased in August with a brand new cover *cue fangirl screams*. It’s one of my all time favorite books so I would highly recommend it and I plan on reposting my review of it around the publishing date and maybe even buy the new paperback as well.
Your enthusiasm brings joy, Stephanie! No wonder you are also thinking of buying the new paperback if this is one of your all-time favourite books 😃
I never got the original version in a physical version so seems like it’s about time! 😀
How did I not know about this? Definitely adding to my TBR!
That was what I was thinking too when I found out about it!
That’s so cool that you’ve already read it. I love the new cover😁
I need it on my shelves!
I recall watching a TV programme about the poor souls who got caught in the searing pyroclaustic flow that engulfed Pompeii and it was heartbreaking to see these poor people caught in their death throes. What a clever idea to take a cast of characters and write a series of stories with the readers not knowing who makes it out… Thank you for the recommendation – I will make a note of it for when Life gets a tad kinder and I can cope with this sort of unhappy ending…
I do remember some of the characters’ ending being quite sad but it’s an amazing read nontheless!
This book sounds so good!!!
It is! 😀
Oh wow that sounds fabulous. Pompeii? Yes please 🙂
I love the topic of Pompeii!
Hold on, a book about Pompeii? I NEED THIS!!
If you’re interested in books about Pompeii I can also highly recommend Curses and Smoke by Vicky Alvear Shecter!
So far most of what I read is children’s non-fiction, I didn’t know there was so much more also for adults/older age groups! Pompeii is such an interesting point in history, so I am delighted there is a lot more to read about it. I will check out your suggestion, thanks!
Pompeii is definitely such a great topic! I love the sound of this book, even if some or most of these stories will have sad endings.