SHORTLISTED FOR HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION 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.

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 East, rocked by division and strife. But will Thekla help the ambitious and ruthless Irini of Athens find the power that she craves?

More from the Empress Irini Series

Poison is a Woman's Weapon

Seizing Power

About the Author
Janet McGiffin divides her time between her apartment in Manhattan, her family in Washington State, and her friends in Athens, Greece. She was born in Fairfield, Iowa into a newspaper family and learned to write copy as a teenager by writing obituaries for the Ellensburg Daily Record in Washington state. After university, she worked for the Milwaukee Health Department where she gained first-hand knowledge for her best-selling mystery series published by Fawcett Press, NY, featuring Doctor Maxine St. Clair, an ER doctor in an inner-city hospital. She worked as a press officer for the Washington state senate, then moved to Athens, Greece where she wrote grant proposals for small non-profit women's organizations in Mediterranean countries. She also wrote a humor column for the Athens News newspaper with field archaeologist Adrian Vrettos, wrote two English language easy readers for Cambridge University Press, UK, and a series of hiking articles for greecetravel.com. She researched her Byzantine-era Empress Irini Series through extensive travel in Greece, followed by six months of research at the Bodleian libraries in Oxford, England. She enjoys hiking in Greece, England, Wales, and Scotland.

Reviews

'A stunning YA historical read set in 8th century Byzantium Empire... I would binge all the sequels if I had them in my possession.'

- Karla Black McClatchey, Reviewer and Great Reads Award 2023 panelist

'A strong feminine story that packs a punch.'

- Emma Hardy, Goodreads Reviewer

'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'.'

- Miriam Smith, Goodreads Reviewer

'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.'

- Lisa, Goodreads Reviewer

'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.'

- Tyler Marshall, Goodreads Reviewer

'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.'

- Mai Taylor, blogger

'I love the setting... It's really well researched, focusing on the daily life of people in the eastern Roman Empire.'

- Damien, Goodreads Reviewer

'Never before have I had such a beautiful detailed book, well besides a Tolkien book... totally immersive reading.'

- Debbie (Mystic Moon), blogger

'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.'

- Joe (South Sea Reads), blogger

Book Information
ISBN 9781910895788
Author Janet McGiffin
Format Paperback
Page Count 260
Imprint Scotland Street Press
Publisher Scotland Street Press
Weight(grams) 233g