The love story of Marc Antony and Cleopatra is legendary. The question asked less often is what happened to their children after they killed themselves? Michelle Moran tackles this question by exploring the lives of the three children who were taken by Octavian and the rest of the Romans through the eyes of the one of the twins, and the only girl, Kleopatra Selene. Practically stranded in a totally new world, twelve-year-old Selene and her brother Alexander must learn how to live in ancient Rome while watching every step, perpetually in danger of losing their lives.
I don’t know how high my expectations for Michelle Moran are going to have to be set for her to fail to match and surpass them, but she has done so in this book. Cleopatra’s Daughter is a great read and proves that the author can portray Rome with just as much skill as she has applied to Egypt. The novel starts out in Egypt with a bang as Octavian and his warriors invade, causing Cleopatra and Antony to kill themselves in desperation. Selene, Alexander, and Ptolemy are whisked away on a boat, on which Ptolemy dies. Selene already knew her life was never going to be the same, and the loss of not only her parents but her baby brother causes her to both fear and gather her strength. She vows that she and her brother will regain Egypt.
In Rome, the already great characters of Selene and Alexander are matched with teenage Roman children as their friends. These kids are nice, well-rounded secondary characters, especially Selene’s friend Julia, who has plenty of her own problems to deal with. Moreover, they are figures from history, and reading about them as they might have been as children is exciting.
The twins interact with the highest levels of Roman society, but Selene in particular still feels like a young teenager, albeit an intelligent one. She experiences her first crush and develops her interest in architecture, while coping with Octavian’s horrible wife Livia, who is determined to thwart her and humiliate her at every turn. It’s easy to relate to Selene in the midst of a great deal of foreignness and danger, which is why this book also works as a fantasy YA novel. Plus, I adored the way the love story angle wound up. I knew it was one based on the dedication, but it took a good long time for me to figure out who Selene loved exactly. When the pieces fell into place, I realized I had seen it all along without really thinking about it.
These are not only dangerous times for Selene and Alexander but for Rome as well, which experiences the beginnings of a slave rebellion, and a mystery as to who the ringleader is. No one is safe from suspicion. This mystery definitely powers the plot along since Selene herself doesn’t have all that much to do. Luckily, her voice is strong enough that she is still an ideal choice for narrator; she has inside information and she is by far the most interesting character.
I’m happy to be able to say that I definitely recommend Cleopatra’s Daughter. This is a very solid historical fiction novel with enchanting characters, a richly described setting, and an enthralling plot.
The Moran books sound so good. I have no clue when I’m going to find the time to read everything I want to read….
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday (September 9) =-.
Great review. I wish I had more time to read YA, and this one sounds lie something worth reading. Interesting subject to write about as well. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
.-= Stacy ~´s last blog ..So pretty….new cover for Julie James next book…. =-.
I love it when a book I’ve been looking forward to turns out to be even better than I anticipated. This really sounds great – I have to read Michelle Moran!
.-= Nymeth´s last blog ..The Princess Tales by Gail Carson Levine (and BBAW) =-.
I still haven’t manage to read any Michelle Moran, but this one sounds quite good. I don’t know if I ever realized that Cleopatra and Antony had children
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Time of My Life, by Allison Winn Scotch =-.
So glad to hear that! I can’t wait to read it.
.-= Julie P.´s last blog ..September 2009 Book Club Meeting =-.
I am glad to hear you enjoyed this one, Meghan. I have this and The Heretic Queen sitting in my immediate TBR pile. I’m looking forward to reading both of them.
.-= Literary Feline´s last blog ..Not So Wordless Wednesday: Stuck Outside =-.
I haven’t read any of Moran’s work yet, but everyone raves about it. I didn’t even know Antony and Cleopatra had children, so I should learn lots with this book. I’m looking forward to reading it.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Wondrous Words Wednesday =-.
Great review! I am also interested in reading this book. It looks very interesting and has gotten a ton of great reviews. I have never seen the alternate cover you posted though. I am not sure which one I like best.
.-= zibilee´s last blog ..The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield – 432 pgs =-.
It sounds really good. I love plots where you don’t know who the love interest is until later in the story. Plus there really aren’t that many historical novels that take place in Ancient Rome. I will have to keep an eye out for this one at my library!
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..Music to Die For =-.
I started reading this at dinner. I’m really enjoying it.
.-= Susan Higginbotham´s last blog ..A Giveaway Winner, and Some Splendidly Purple Prose =-.
I’m very excited to read this! I’m glad it lived up to your expectations.
.-= Elizabeth´s last blog ..The Nonfiction Files =-.
Excellent review.
Thank you for sharing.
@RKCharron
xoxo
I have the first two or Moran waiting for me on my TBR pile; this review makes me want to buy the third one even though I haven’t read her previous works. I have a huge interest in ancient history, especially ancient Rome and ancient Egypt, so that’s sure I’ll read it. Glad to read you enjoyed this one too!
.-= Kay´s last blog ..Review : Chester and Chester’s Back! =-.
I am working on my review of Nefertiti right now, which has nothing at all to do with your review other than really, really, really make me want to read more of Michelle’s work. Currently my review uses one really only. LOL! I’ll be reading The Heretic Queen in November with my Facebook book club and I’ll have to read this one right afterwards. What I like most about Michelle’s work is that she takes me some place new. I haven’t read anything set in Ancient Egypt prior to Nefertiti and the same can be said of Ancient Rome – unless you count parts of the Bible for both places.
Great review, Meghan!
.-= Literate Housewife´s last blog ..#198 ~ Time of My Life ~ Book Tour and Review =-.
SO glad you loved this one – cannot wait to read it!
.-= S. Krishna´s last blog ..BBAW: My Posts =-.
I’ll be reading this one soon. I loved Moran’s first two books, and I’m confident I’ll love this one, too.
.-= Anna´s last blog ..Interview With Susan Higginbotham, Author of HUGH AND BESS =-.
Great review! I enjoyed this book immensely.I have linked your review with mine. Here is my review of Cleopatra’s Daughter.
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