Romanitas Series by Sophia McDougall

In 2756 AC, magnetic railways span Roman territory from Persia to Terranova, and mechanised crucifixes are ranked along the banks of the Thames. As the story opens, Marcus Novius Faustus Leo, heir apparent to the Imperial throne, is mourning the death of his parents.

Rome Burning is the second book of Sophia McDougall's projected trilogy, following her debut novel, Romanitas, set in a world where the Roman Empire has survived to contemporary times.Three years after the events of Romanitas, the Empire is on the brink of war with Nionia (Japan), and plagued by a sequence of mysterious wildfires. Marcus Novius, the young heir to the Roman throne is forced to take charge as Regent when the Emperor Faustus falls suddenly ill... moreRome Burning is the second book of Sophia McDougall's projected trilogy, following her debut novel, Romanitas, set in a world where the Roman Empire has survived to contemporary times.Three years after the events of Romanitas, the Empire is on the brink of war with Nionia (Japan), and plagued by a sequence of mysterious wildfires. Marcus Novius, the young heir to the Roman throne is forced to take charge as Regent when the Emperor Faustus falls suddenly ill. Marcus attempts to recruit Varius as his advisor, but Varius, who is still haunted by the events of the first book (in which he lost his wife and was framed for murder and treason), refuses. While Marcus works to avoid a world war, his lover Una is intent on discovering the truth about his ambitious cousin Drusus's involvement in a conspiracy that almost claimed Marcus's life. less

An explosion rips through the Colosseum, and as the smoke clears the world is changed forever. A new Emperor, spurred on by a riddling prophecy and armed with a devastating superweapon, stands ready to make his mark on history. Una, Sulien, and a desperate alliance of slaves, refugees and criminals, must resist the full power of the Roman Empire at its most ruthless, or lose everything they have fought for.