#TBT and Thursday Trailer
Title: Cleopatra's Daughter
Author: Michelle Moran
Genre: YA
Release Year: 2009 #TBT Review
Publisher: Random House
 |
| Swoon Worth Historical Details! |
Of course, I had a TFIOS related post planned for today, and of course, my day job got in the way as did my general life job with those I love and the house I can't keep clean. But, I do have my day planned around TFIOS tomorrow!
Not here on my blog, but out there at the movie theater with my 14 year old daughter. How cool that we now enjoy the same books and can bond over a John Green cry-fest. I reserved her for this since Divergent when she went to the premier with her friends instead of with me. And before Divergent, it was something else. So, this time, I was like no way. I am seeing TFIOS on the first day and she is going with me and she is going to wear the Okay, Okay shirt I ordered online.
So, today it is #TBT Review of Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran--currently at the awesomely amazing price of 1.99 on Kindle and Nook!
If you have not read much historical fiction or none at all, this is the perfect book to get you started--who has not heard of the clandestine affair of Cleopatra and Marc Antony? Who has not been awed by the Roman Empire when watching the movie "Gladiator"?
Summary from Publisher:
The marriage of Marc Antony and Cleopatra is one of the greatest love stories of
all time, a tale of unbridled passion with earth-shaking political consequences.
Feared and hunted by the powers in Rome, the lovers choose to die by their own
hands as the triumphant armies of Antony’s revengeful rival, Octavian, sweep
into Egypt. Their three orphaned children are taken in chains to Rome; only two–
the ten-year-old twins Selene and Alexander–survive the journey.
In Which I Attempt to Not Get All Wrapped Up in the History of Rome
Set against the demise of Egypt in 30 BC, the children of Queen Kleopatra VII and Mark Antony fear a sure death and are taken as orphans to the heart of the Roman Empire. Although forced to participate in a Roman parade bound by gold chains as prisoners, the twins, Alexander Helios and Kleopatra Selene, are treated as royalty while living with Octavia (sister to Caesar).
In reading Cleopatra's Daughter, you will be swept into the Roman Empire. No one can deny the size and power of the empire at its height. But there is another side to Rome. The side of narrow streets, smoke, mud, pungent smells, and riots. People die, slaves are guilty, girls marry old men, women belong to men, and anything said may be misconstrued as traitorous--all of these issues are relevant to the plot of Cleopatra's Daughter.
To Selene, Rome is nothing like Alexandria, her home in Egypt--a home of beauty, marble, exquisite design, and a great love affair. A home Selene hopes to return to, but whether she ever will depends on Augustus Caesar.
She can only hope to be seen as useful through her artistic and architectural skills and enter a love match with someone who is not older than her father at his own death.
I wouldn't call it a historical romance, although it does have that element making it all the better for a person like myself who thinks anything with even the slightest hint of romance is pretty great:
"Well?" Juba stood over me when we were finished.
"They're fine, " I said shortly, dusting my hands on my tunic and rising.
"A perfect job," Vitruvius complemented. "And very handsome sculptures, Juba. Are they all Roman?"
"Only the Venus is Greek. For some reason, I was drawn to her face."
I looked across the Pantheon to the statue of Venus. Perhaps it was my own vanity that made me think I reconginized her. But the nose and possibly the light, painted eyes were similar to mine. I caught Jubal looking at me.
"They're fine, " I said shortly, dusting my hands on my tunic and rising.
"A perfect job," Vitruvius complemented. "And very handsome sculptures, Juba. Are they all Roman?"
"Only the Venus is Greek. For some reason, I was drawn to her face."
I looked across the Pantheon to the statue of Venus. Perhaps it was my own vanity that made me think I reconginized her. But the nose and possibly the light, painted eyes were similar to mine. I caught Jubal looking at me.
I'm rooting for Juba. A broad-shouldered 20 something year old prince with the form of a Greek god from Numidia and who is one of Caesar's right hand men. The one who is always looking out for Selene and the one who may have a genuine interest in all the issues Selene is drawn to.
But Selene has fallen for a Roman, a young Apollo.
Will she marry either one? Will she be allowed to return to Egypt? Will she be accepted as an architect? Will she be able to help all other slaves and freedmen? Her fate, as well as the fate of an entire empire...well, it's in Caesar's hands.
Minerva
