Far Away Bird is an out and out good book. Theodora has always fascinated me with a slight air of mystery. The book tells the story of her life from a happy childhood, to growing up in an unfortunate situation due to unforeseen circumstances and is well written. One thing canked it for me. The author embraced modern tone and conversation which slightly took away from the authenticity of the story. Much of the conversation felt like it was taking place in the 21rst century and this in turn made the emotion dim a bit. This is not a deal breaker. Burton has some real talent to tell a great story. Much of the novel was disturbing and graphic in regard to sexual situations and such. Like most young writers, they grow into their stories. I would love to read more about Theodora, Justinian and the obstacles they faced together. ( )

*I was provided a copy of this book for free by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. The fact that this book was free does not alter my opinions in any way.*

Initial Thoughts:
> I really loved the arc of the main character, Theodora! She is so relatable and human. I really rooted for her in this book.
> This was my first time reading a book set in the Byzantine empire and it was very poignant.
> This is more like a biography that reads like a story. Not so much plot but a 1st person experience of life.
> I was shocked at the lack of vulgarity in a book about a prostitute.
> It does deal with rape but the scene is not overly graphic or described. Still, if you have a trigger or sensitivity to this type of thing it might be best to pass this one up.

Character:
My favorite character ended up being the main character, Theodora. It took me a while but about halfway through the book I really started to relate to her. Not because of similar life experiences but because of how human she is. Another character I adored was Palatina. I also liked Justinian and Macedonia. Characters I didn't care for were Comito, the main character's sister and a man called Magister Origen. The characters were all distinctly human, which is an aspect that really sells me on a book.

World:
I don't believe that I've yet read a book set back in time so far. Far Away Bird is set in the Byzantine empire in the mid 500s AD. It was very interesting to read and so colorful. It was also VERY different from modern life and I think that is was drew me in so well.

Plot:
The plot of this book was very straightforward but also vague. There isn't anything to figure out. It's more of a documentary or an autobiography that chronicles the life of Theodora. It starts out in her childhood and continues until she is 22 years old. It was NOT boring though. I loved learning more about Theodora and seeing her grow and mature as a person. This book will take you on her incredible journey from street prostitute to influential women's rights advocate.

Writing Style:
For this being a book about a prostitute, it's very PG-13. Sarah J Maas's books have more vulgar sex scenes than Far Away Bird does. It was refreshing because Theodora's being a prostitute was not the main focus of this book. If you are looking for smut, you won't find it here.

Enjoyment:
I really enjoyed reading this book. I felt like I really got to know Theodora well by the last page. I can't wait to read more works by Douglas and I hope to get more glimpses into Theodora's life.

**Rating: I gave Far Away Bird 4.4/5 stars based on my personal rating system.** ( )

I love ancient history, but back in college we almost exclusively learned about the powerful men and, only peripherally, the women whom they married. While I’ve since read about a few of the stronger women from early civilization, I knew nothing about Theodora before picking up this book. Far Away Bird is inspired by her story, and it’s a wild one. Theodora, by any standards, was one of the bravest, fiercest women to ever live.

What I loved about this book: everything.

Douglas Burton brings the people and the setting to life in a way that’s both real and accessible. The language is modernized so it’s comfortable to read, while still sounding true to the era.

The detail is perfection. All the nuances of a society are there on the pages. If I closed my eyes, I could place myself in the moment, with the smell of sweat in the air, the roar of a crowd surrounding me, and the constant undercurrent of fear. I can only imagine the amount of research Burton put in to writing this book, yet the story never feels weighted by minutiae.

I don’t think I can properly explain how much this book impacted me as a woman. Burton honors Theodora’s struggles and victories with a kind of grace not often seen in writing.

*I received a review copy of this fabulous book.* ( )

Douglas Burton’s evocative novel of 6th Century Constantinople brings to life the pomp and misery of a changing world. The Roman Empire and the Christian church are split into opposing factions, while emperors cling to power, popes cling to dogma, and streets fall to chaos. Young Theodora’s happy childhood is abruptly halted by the death of her father, and Far Away Bird tells the story of her growth into powerful womanhood. Readers will know she’s destined to be an Empress, but how does a helpless girl sold to the highest bidder reach such heights?

Vivid depictions of a city in chaos, rebellion, fire and smoke, draw the reader in. A fascinating heroine, who already knows “it was the will of the people that mattered… it was the Christian god who mattered most,” promises a fascinating future. And the novel is equally gripping and evocative in its descriptions of riot and violence as of music and monks, rich with sunsets and smoke, and filled with haunting scenes from the Hippodrome to the Hagia Sophia and across the world.

Unflinching in its depiction of cruelty and seduction, haunting in the trials of a girl who might prefer revenge to the forgiveness of a crucified “god,” and authentically relevant to the present day in its questions of social and personal control, the pages turn quickly, and great characters reveal great wisdom. “[I]n the end all battles are social battles,” says one character. “Kingdoms used to fight over territory… Now we fight over the definition of God,” says another. And a third, looking at relationships, describes how “real partnership requires no law.”

The novel stands alone, taking a child in a changing world to a place where she can cause change, and leading to a very satisfying ending. That said, I’m eager to read the sequel and see this woman achieve her destiny!

Disclosure: I was given a copy and I freely offer my honest review. I loved it! ( )

When historical fiction delves into the ancient past the written record is very limited. That record when it comes to women is even more scarce. Additionally when that woman is strong her record is often distorted. Then as I always note when it comes to the past - history is written by the victors and they are not always the most accurate nor honest of chroniclers.

I knew a bit about Empress Theodora due to having read a couple of novels about her in years past. Her story comes through history principally due to one source and even that source tells two tales so again, the truth probably lies in the middle. We do know that she rose from humble beginnings to a position of power in the Byzantine Empire. Her father was killed in riots and this left her mother alone to care for her children. In those days a woman without the protection of a man was exceptionally limited in how they could earn money. She and her daughters turned to "acting" which was more than likely prostitution.

She was intelligent and she was beautiful so this did help her in ways that these attributes have helped women for millenia for better or worse. This allowed her to catch the right eye so as to get herself out of her sorry way of life. And history shows that it is very good that she did.

The book is exceptionally well written. Mr. Burton drew me in from the first paragraphs and I found it hard to put the books down. It's well researched from the dress of the time to the foods of the era. I love when an author truly incorporates these little tidbits as it draws a reader in and then just doesn't let you go. This was an enthralling read about the start of this young woman's life and her story does deserve to be told. There are so many strong women in history that need to be brought forward and remembered. I look forward to more from Mr. Burton as he is certainly an author who gives his reader an involving experience. ( )