Thriller, Science Fiction, Contemporary, Historical, Fiction
Description
Rome, 2036. The Republic has fallen, replaced by a new empire where vice is legal and virtue is controlled.
Drugs, prostitution, gambling, and euthanasia operate openly in massive state-regulated facilities. The ancient Colosseum has been restored for gladiatorial combat—real fights with lions and tigers, broadcast to millions. Now they're building the Maximus Amphitheater, an even grander arena.
Behind the spectacle: a secret society of mobsters and masons ruling through a clean-faced political party called Nuova Italia. They control everything—from what people consume to what they believe.
A man wakes in a clinic with no memory. As he searches for his identity, he uncovers a conspiracy that reaches into the highest levels of power. What happened to him? What happened to his brother? And what is the true design behind this dystopian Rome?
In a world where entertainment is bread and circuses, and freedom is an illusion, one man's quest for truth could shatter the empire—or cost him everything.
THE DAWN OF A LONG NIGHT is the first book in The Shadows Empire saga—a dark political thriller that blends 1984's surveillance state, The Hunger Games' brutal spectacle, and Black Mirror's technological dystopia, set against the haunting backdrop of a future Rome.
Tropes
Dystopian society, Surveillance state, Secret society, Amnesia protagonist, Political conspiracy, Bread and circuses, Restored Roman Empire, Gladiatorial combat, Legal vice, Memory manipulation, Brother's disappearance, Totalitarian government, Dark future, Organized crime, Masonic conspiracy
Content Warnings
Violence, Gladiatorial combat, Death, Organized crime, Drug use (in-world legal), Prostitution (in-world legal), Gambling, Euthanasia themes, Political manipulation, Surveillance, Dark themes, Mature content
Spice Level
2 - Spicy
Bonus Content Included
- 369 clickable cultural notes explaining Italian references
- Access to detailed notes page at alexmai.it/notes
- Character guide and Rome 2036 worldbuilding document
Special Instructions
Thank you for your interest in "The Dawn of a Long Night"!
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- This book contains 369 clickable footnotes explaining Italian cultural references, Roman history, and worldbuilding elements.
- The story is set in a dystopian future Rome (2036) and blends political thriller with speculative fiction.
- Content includes violence, gladiatorial combat, and mature themes (see content warnings).
- This is Book 1 of The Shadows Empire saga. Book 2 is already published in Italian.
REVIEW REQUESTS:
- Please post your honest review on Goodreads and/or Amazon.
- No specific deadline - read at your comfortable pace.
- Reviews can be positive, negative, or mixed - I value genuine feedback!
- If you DNF (did not finish), please let me know why via email.
FORMATS AVAILABLE:
- ePub (recommended for most e-readers)
- PDF (if needed)
Please specify your preferred format when requesting.
Thank you for supporting indie authors!
Alessandro Maiucchi (Alex Mai) info@alexmai.it
Preferred Review Sites
Amazon, Goodreads, everywhere on socials
Author Website
Details
Amazon KDP
Publisher:
Length:
398
Narrator(s):