‘Heroica’ by Alison Morton

Published by Pulcheria Press,
10 May 2026.
ISBN: 9791097310424 (PB)

Heroica is the latest book in the alternative history series based on the concept that when the Roman Empire was crumbling a group of the foremost families fled and established a new country, Roma Nova. This small but prosperous country has always been ruled along traditional Roman lines by the women who are the heads of the founding families and this method of government has continued until the present day. Roma Nova has become a blend of the past and present as they practise traditional religious rites alongside utilising their groundbreaking technology and ruthless military and espionage abilities.

Heroica consists of three short stories, all dealing with different aspects of challenges to the political integrity of Roma Nova. The first story is set in 2020 and is titled Revolution? The protagonist is Carina Mitela, an officer in the Praetorian Guard, who is also heir to one of the most influential families in the country. Carina is sent to Brancadorum, an agricultural backwater, to investigate reports that a rabble rouser is creating dissatisfaction among the people by playing on their weaknesses and spreading the belief that the government is using the poor workers to enrich themselves. Carina knows that this narrative is false but she is also aware that it could lead to riots, and even to revolution. Carina goes to Brancadorum in the guise of a market researcher, a persona she finds hard to maintain when a thug acting as an enforcer for the main agitator threatens her and she has pretend to be afraid, even though her military training has prepared her to deal with far tougher opponents than this ruffian. Despite getting caught up in a riot, Carina manages to bring her mission to a successful conclusion, but in doing so she comes by a piece of information that could have disquieting implications for her family. 

The second story Honoria’s Battle is set in 1683 when Honoria Mitela, the chief of intelligencers, is summoned to interrogate a spy who is believed to work for an ally of the Ottoman Empire, which is threatening to overrun much of Europe. This is a meeting that will change Honoria’s life. A few months later Honoria is leading troops to help defend Vienna from the Ottomans, utilising the innovations that Roma Nova have developed. 

The third and final story is called The Idealist and it begins in the present day with Carina as the protagonist. Carina has succeeded her grandmother as the head of the Mitela family when a discovery in the archives threatens everything that she and her family have built up over the generations. The story moves to the outskirts of Rome in 1849 and features a second protagonist, Statia Mitela, who is the head of the family. In this story, Statia makes a courageous decision that is rooted more in idealism than in political expediency, which could have grave implications for not only for Statia herself but for the Mitela family right through to the twenty-first century. 

Heroica is a fascinating trilogy of stories in which the political framework of the past has relevance to present times. The protagonists are not merely strong courageous women, but also women who are accustomed to wielding power and making hard choices and who accept accountability for their decisions. The three stories form into a fast-paced political thriller because there is a central theme that links the stories. Heroica is the latest addition to the books featuring Roma Nova and the Mitela family. It is a great addition to the series for those who are familiar with the earlier Roma Nova books, and enjoyable as a stand-alone for those who have that pleasure yet to come. I recommend Heroica to any reader who is looking for an enjoyable and exciting read that explores some important and recurring political themes in the setting of alternative history.
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Reviewer: Carol Westron

Alison Morton writes award-winning thrillers featuring tough but compassionate heroines. She lives in Poitou in France, the home of Mélisende, the heroine of her latest three contemporary thrillers, Double Identity, Double Pursuit and Double Stakes. Her eleven-book Roma Nova thriller series is set in an imaginary European country where a remnant of the ancient Roman Empire has survived into the 21st century and is ruled by women who face conspiracy, revolution and heartache but with a sharp line in dialogue. Six years’ military service, a fascinating with ancient Rome and a life of reading crime, historical and thriller fiction have inspired her writing. On the way, she collected a BA in modern languages and an MA in history. For the latest news, subscribe to her newsletter at

 https://www.alison-morton.com/newsletter

Carol Westron is a Golden Age expert who has written many articles on the subject and given papers at several conferences. She is the author of several series: contemporary detective stories and police procedurals, comedy crime and Victorian Murder Mysteries. Her most recent publications are Paddling in the Dead Sea and Delivering Lazarus, books 2 and 3 of the Galmouth Mysteries, the series which began with The Fragility of Poppies. 

www.carolwestron.com