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** Shortlisted for the Historical Association's Young Quills Prize 2024 **
The first book in a brand new series charting the extraordinary rise to power of Irini of Athens, Empress of the Byzantine Empire.
Betrothal & Betrayal
Seventeen-year-old Thekla needs her quick wits and knife to track down her betrothed, a soldier who has left her at the altar for the third time. Elias the monk travels with her to Constantinople where she meets Irini of Athens, an extraordinarily beautiful orphan who has been brought by powerful Emperor Constantine to marry his son, Co-Emperor Leon. The two women join forces to survive this vigorous, glittering capital of the Roman Empire of the East, rocked by division and strife. But will Thekla help the ambitious and ruthless Irini of Athens find the power that she craves?
The Empress Irini Series
History tells us that Irini of Athens, a young orphan, married into the Byzantine royal household in 769 AD. History also tells us that within eleven years, two Emperors died suddenly and in quick succession, making Irini Empress and ruler of Byzantium. In this series, Janet McGiffin unearths what history forgot — the complete, unabridged story of Irini of Athens: her vulnerabilities, her pursuit of power, and her revenge.
** Shortlisted for the Historical Association's Young Quills Prize 2024 **
The first book in a brand new series charting the extraordinary rise to power of Irini of Athens, Empress of the Byzantine Empire.
Betrothal & Betrayal
Seventeen-year-old Thekla needs her quick wits and knife to track down her betrothed, a soldier who has left her at the altar for the third time. Elias the monk travels with her to Constantinople where she meets Irini of Athens, an extraordinarily beautiful orphan who has been brought by powerful Emperor Constantine to marry his son, Co-Emperor Leon. The two women join forces to survive this vigorous, glittering capital of the Roman Empire of the East, rocked by division and strife. But will Thekla help the ambitious and ruthless Irini of Athens find the power that she craves?
The Empress Irini Series
History tells us that Irini of Athens, a young orphan, married into the Byzantine royal household in 769 AD. History also tells us that within eleven years, two Emperors died suddenly and in quick succession, making Irini Empress and ruler of Byzantium. In this series, Janet McGiffin unearths what history forgot — the complete, unabridged story of Irini of Athens: her vulnerabilities, her pursuit of power, and her revenge.
A stunning YA historical read set in 8th century Byzantium Empire... I would binge all the sequels if I had them in my possession.
A strong feminine story that packs a punch.
Empress Irini of Athens is perhaps one of the most fascinating women from the Byzantine era, if not all of medieval history... I look forward to reading the next in the series, “Poison is a Woman’s Weapon’.
Oh I absolutely adored this one! It sucked me in from the very first page... The book really immerses you in Thekla’s world, it reads a bit like a fantasy in some ways, the mentions of the old Roman empire etc are very evocative.
Janet really had me hooked from the start... With vivid descriptions of what the characters were wearing to the scenes that surrounded them you can feel yourself going back in time while devouring this story.
Thekla is an absolute gem of a character and I loved her spirit and attitude to life... I would definitely recommend [Betrothal and Betrayal] to history enthusiasts of all ages.
Full of mystery, intrigue, political shenanigans... the descriptions are often so vivid you can almost see and smell the places.
I love the setting... It’s really well researched, focusing on the daily life of people in the eastern Roman Empire.
Never before have I had such a beautiful detailed book, well besides a Tolkien book... totally immersive reading.
As someone who loves reading about other ancient cultures this ticked all the boxes... Janet is a wordsmith when it comes to really elevating your surroundings.
