While Julius Caesar may reign supreme in the modern consciousness as Rome's most famous leader, it was his heir (Augustus, also known as Octavian) who founded the Roman Empire and led it into one of its most significant eras. In his historically inspired novel MASK OF ROMULUS, author Mark Jamilkowski seeks to dig deeper into the life of Octavian. From daily life in Rome to the society and spirituality of its trading partners, this novel dives deep into the many people and places that influenced the emperor's rule.

The narrative passes back and forth between Octavian and Kamala, a fictional oracle from India. Through both their experiences, the reader witnesses daily life for people in and beyond Rome. Both guided by auspicious signs of their own, Octavian and Kamala become close—with the latter using the visions in her dreams to guide the former. Octavian is nothing if not ambitious, and while his choices bring peace and prosperity to the newly minted Roman Empire, they fracture the family and friends around him. In the midst of these decisions, Kamala delivers stranger and darker prophecies (one of which foretells the rise of a power of literally Biblical proportions).

There is no straight-line plot in MASK OF ROMULUS; it is more of a series of character studies. Historically attributed to "carmen et error" ("a poem and a mistake"), this book cleverly ties the "error" to its own fiction. This is one of Jamilkowski's greatest skills: turning the fictional aspects of the story into something believable, linking them to holes in historical knowledge in a way that makes sense and is satisfying.

The research put into this book is impressive as well. The historical details included aren't simply accounts of battles or family lines (though these are also included). Little details such as common recipes, clothing styles, and even how Kamala might have spent her day in Rome are sprinkled throughout the narrative, bringing history to life.

If the book has one failing, it's that it can be a bit dry at times. There are moments of drama that are interesting to read (the falling-out between Octavian and his daughter Julia, for example); but tonally, it doesn't always hang together as a fictional narrative that reads smoothly. The aforementioned historical details, while a treat to learn about, feel a bit wedged in—almost as though the narrative were pausing for a footnote. On the technical side, there are a few issues early on with a character changing names between sentences (not counting Octavian, who notably went by a few names) and the repeated misspelling of "cavalry" as "calvary." However, these issues are minor in the grand scheme of things.

While the narrative can feel a bit stilted, the story it tells is fascinating. MASK OF ROMULUS not only traces Octavian's path as ruler and potential inspiration, but digs deep into who he was as a person. That, in and of itself, makes this a worthwhile read.

While feeling more academic than narrative at times, Mark Jamilkowski's MASK OF ROMULUS is still an extremely strong and clever "what if" that traces the life of one of Rome's most influential leaders.

~ Kara Dennison for IndieReader