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Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Cleopatra's Daughter


by Michelle Moran

I learned a lot from this enjoyable book.  In my way of thinking that's like icing on the cake.  It's obvious that Michelle knows her stuff but she doesn't force feed it to the reader.  Instead she tells an engaging story and the 'heavy' stuff just softly settles around it.

The story is told from Selena's point of view.  She is the daughter of Cleopatra and Marc Antony and twin sister to Alexander Helios.  At the beginning of the book the Roman army is overpowering Alexandria.  Octavian takes Selena, Helios and their younger brother Ptolemy as his prisoners and transports them back to Rome.

The rest of the book tells about the next several years as Selena goes from an 11-yr-old to sixteen, wishing all those years for her return to Egypt with Helios as the ruler.

Read more about Cleopatra's Daughter on Michelle Moran's website.
Watch the cool video trailer.

My daughter is looking forward to reading this one after she finishes a few that are already on her plate.  I think she's going to love it, too.

In addition to a wonderful story, at the beginning of the book Moran has included a Time Line that briefly reviews some major events prior to the book's setting.  There's also a map of  the Roman Empire during the age of Ocatvian (later known as Augustus).  I love maps in books.  There's also a map of Rome.  A much needed resource for me was the list of major characters.  I referred to it often to remind me of who was related to who.  Divorce and mixed families were as common as they are in America today.  A final resources is the glossary.  All these resources may make you think you'll be slogging through this book.  Not so.  The story is very readable and the resources are the additions made by a thorough and thoughtful person. 

12 comments:

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

I've seen this book around a lot. Your review makes me want to read it; thanks

Cackleberry Homestead said...

Great review. I loved this book too and you are right it is very readable and interesting.

Myke Weber said...

I've seen this on the self and not given it a second thought. Now, I think I just might ought to read it.

Thanks

Booklogged said...

Diane, I think you'll like it.

Crystal, it's fun to read a book that entertains and informs at the same time, isn't it?

Candleman, I look forward to your review.

Zibilee said...

I'm glad to hear you liked this book so much. I have been hearing such awesome things about it, and I have been wanting to grab a copy for the past few weeks. I think I am finally going to order one at the end of this week, and after I read it I will let you know what I thought. Great review, by the way!

Kailana said...

Wasn't this good? I love Michelle's books. :)

Staci said...

I am anxiously waiting for Cleopatra's Daughter which I won and this will be my first Moran book. Loved your review and I know that I will be reading this one too! And like you i love maps in my books too!

Iliana said...

I need to get caught up on Michelle's books! This sounds like a wonderful story and I, too, love maps in books and character lists. Especially when it's a book about history I'm not very familiar with, then those really help.

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karen! said...

This sounds like such a good book... off to add to wishlist ;)

Framed said...

I haven't read too many books from this era. Thbis sounds like a good one.

Thoughts of Joy said...

I have only heard great things about Michelle Moran's books. I'm not a history buff, but I still want to read one at some point.