The Seed of Fury: Zolia's Revenge

Zolia's Revenge
By: Joe Antony


Zolia’s Revenge is Joe Antony’s first volume in his epic four-part Your Seed series. This highly creative 70,000-word historical-fantasy novel (ISBN 978-0-9898675-0-4) revolves around two Sabine sisters and events occurring during the founding years of the Roman Empire.

Told through the eyes of the older sister, this poignant story pits two virginal sisters, Zolia the Crusader and Ronica the Revolter, against King Romulus and his collaborators--Malocanis, the witch of witches, and a grave-digging pirate, Proculus--in a gut wrenching depiction of the Rape of the Sabine Women and the ensuing aftermath.

Marked by historical events that intermingle tragedy, love, romance and unforgettable fantasy characters (think wolves, vultures, gods, goddesses and witches), this compelling story paves the way for Christianity in a world of non-believers.

In this painful era in women’s history, Zolia’s Revenge tracks the sisters, prophesied by Sabine goddess Minerva to become warriors for the people during the founding years of the Roman Empire.

Abducted as teens, the sisters undergo numerous indignities including abuse and torture before they undertake a daring escape, only to discover they are pregnant and unwelcome in their hometown. Forced to live in hiding, the sisters are befriended by a she-wolf who helps them survive life in the woods for 25 years, during which time, Romulus, Malocanis and Proculus are in hot pursuit. 
 
Zolia’s births a son, Silvestro, and Ronica a daughter, Vittoria; the sisters prepare to exact revenge upon Romulus and Roma. The family finally returns to their hometown in triumph. However, during the time they were in hiding, it had fallen under the control of the Roman Empire. To avoid further conflicts, the Romans and townspeople burn Silvestro and Vittoria alive.

The sisters are distraught by the loss of their children, but they begin new lives. Ronica’s suitor, Gracian, who waited so long for her to return, marries her. Unfortunately, Zolia’s former suitor is now married to someone else. Regardless, as abused and “shamed” women, the sisters are constantly insulted by the townspeople and are eventually exiled.
They set out for a new Sabine town called Reate. There, Zolia becomes very sick, and after few years, she dies. As Ronica and her family mourn in Reate, they are reunited with characters they have met along the way in their journey, their stories giving the sisters’ suffering a sense of purpose. And after moving to Reate, they meet Silvestro’s lost love, Axia, and discover that she has been raising Silvestro’s son. This new grandson (who resembles Zolia) gives Ronica and her family a new reason to rejoice.

Intriguing twists and turns and fascinating characters navigating a world of fantasy, romance, war, religion and mysticism will keep readers engrossed in Zolia’s Revenge.
The author’s expertise in the roots of Christianity, the founding of the Roman Empire and the relationship between Romulus and Remus allows him to present historic events as never before portrayed. Concurrent themes of women’s rights, the family unit, women coming of age and the founding blocks of the Roman Catholic Church dominate this gripping story.

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