Reviews

I love how when you read historical fiction you actually learn a whole lot about history. I never knew that Cleopatra had a daughter and that that daughter grew up to be a well respected Queen.

I have this thing about women who desperately seach power. I always want it, but when I get it... I don't like it so much. I think this is especially prominent in this book because Selene doesn't really want the power for her self: its for every one else .

But still. I greatly enjoed Song of the Nile and kinda wish I could have read more about Selene's rule!!

Spoiler

I AM SO HAPPY SHE DIDN'T SLEEP WITH AUGUSTUS IN THE END. I WOULD HAVE BEEN SO ANGRRRYY GRRRR

mgagermeier's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Content Warnings

vidhi26p's review against another edition

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3.0

“If I cannot have you, then I will have the world.”

3.5 stars

I enjoyed this immensely. It wasn’t the best historical fiction I’ve read, but I’m always a sucker for anything Rome, and bringing Cleopatra’s children & legacy into the mix is an immediate MUST READ for me.

I wasn’t a huge fan of how fantasy-esque the author made this story, but that being said, I’m so glad I picked this up. An intriguing account of Augustus’ relationship with Cleopatra Selene, and her relationship with Egypt & its conquerors.

For anyone interested in what happened after Cleopatra, this is for you! Also love the author’s note at the end tying together all the historical loose ends :)

bluestjuice's review against another edition

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4.0

Following on the heels of Lily of the Nile, this was a more mature book in every sense - the writing seemed more polished and immersive, and Selene's character grew up considerably over the 6+ years the story spanned and brought the story from the personal realm of a young girl to the world stage of a queen. With little historical background on the details of this extraordinary woman's life, I came to the novel with few expectations, and was struck by the richness of the setting and the way the historical record was embellished and embroidered to create a plausible tale of intrigue and politics. Dray lets Selene behave in unidealized ways without becoming irredeemable, and while the motivations of the men who want here are never perfectly understood, it seems clear that that's because Selene herself does not always understand them. She's a proud, ruthless champion for her goddess, and I was rather blown away. I can't wait to see how her story concludes.

abigailhoo's review against another edition

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challenging informative mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

missywinesalot's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

sabregirl's review against another edition

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4.0

As much as I want to give this book five stars I really can't. Selene was just that annoying as a narrator in this book. While I can understand her focus about wanting to gain back Egypt it kinda became TOO much in this book to really bear. I mean would someone really stoop to the level that she did and try to sleep with Caesar after he raped her? That just doesn't even logical, but I suppose Selene wasn't all that logical mostly driven by her magic. This book had a different feel than the first one. This felt more grown up rather than a childish touch like the first one did. I enjoyed it more because of that. There were more adult themes in this one and helped the plot move along. I had to read the authors note at the end to get more of a meaning in the story because for most of the part it had me gritting my teeth to get through some parts of it. And I'm glad to hear that there will be a next part in the series. Especially if she still reigns/lives for 14 years.

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