Rome Burning is the second book of Sophia McDougall's 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 Roman Empire is on the brink of war with Nionia (Japan), and plagued by a sequence of mysterious wildfires.

Drusus, who has hitherto never felt much personal resentment of those who have stood in his way, has conceived a passionate hatred of Una, and tries to convince Faustus that she, Sulien, and Varius are a dangerous influence on Marcus.

Una accompanies Marcus to peace talks hosted by the Sinoan (Chinese) Empress in the Song capital of Bianjing (Kaifeng).

Before he is forced to leave, Marcus hands over Una and Varius as hostages to the Nionians, partly as a sign of good faith, but primarily in the hope of keeping them away from Drusus, who would almost certainly have them tortured or killed.