Reviewer: Amy Lignor
Title: Cleopatra's Daughter
Author: Michelle Moran
Publisher: Crown Publishers
ISBN-13: 978-0-307-40912-6
Release Date: September 2009
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Fiction
Year/Setting: 40-36 BC; Ancient Greece & Rome
Overall Rating: 5.0
Sexual Content Rating: Subtle
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None/Mild
Violent Content Rating: Minimal/Moderate (ie. Gladiators, etc.)
Michelle's Website: www.michellemoran.com
Dear Readers:
I was beyond excited to recive Ms. Moran's book. I absolutely loved her amazing account of Nefertiti, which I was honored to read about a year ago. As a historical fiction fan, I have to tell you this woman does her research. I was immediately transported into the world of Kleopatra and her children as they struggled to face a Roman world without their famous mother and father by their side.
We begin as Cleopatra and Antony are leaving this world, and their three children: Alexander and Selene, who are twins - and the younger boy, Ptolemy, are taken by Octavian - the conquering Roman hero - and brought back on a ship to exist in the empire that has destroyed all the things they knew and loved in the great city of Alexandria.
Selene is a fantastic character. She is a beauty like her mother, and has that hard-edge about her that will allow her to hold her head up high in a world that wishes to tear her down. Extremely astute, she knows that, to survive, she must find a way to make Octavian believe she is indispensable, so that she won't meet the same fate as her parents. Selene is skilled with a pen and can draw some of the most beautiful tombs and buildings for the Romans to enjoy. She quickly ties her hope to a teacher who will help her become a much-loved builder in the sprawling empire. Her brother, Alexander, must fight harder. After all, he is the reigning heir to all that Alexandria held and loved. He could stand up and begin where Anthony left off someday - and Octavian knows that.
The characters here are absolutely wonderful. We are introduced to so many from history that I felt like I was sucked into the past through a black hole and was, literally, standing in these places and speaking with these actual people in person. Yes, I gush, but you have to read this book. The adapting that the twins must go through to their new Roman culture, and the treatment of them by the Romans - which is at once strangely helpful while dangerous at all times, is amazing. I couldn't put this down. Also, not to spoil anything, but there is a man/guard/heir of another realm in this who's absolutely the Mr. Darcy of any Egyptian girl's dream - not to mention the rest of us.
Have your teenagers read this, too, by the way. They will not only learn an exciting past - they will come to love a world that found a way to exist without PDA's or cell phones. :) Enjoy.
Until Next Time, Amy
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