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jennymock's review against another edition
4.0
I've been meaning to read this for several years in order to determine if it was worth book talking to my middle grade readers. My younger readers may have trouble with the story due to the large number of characters and the rapid pace of the story. My advanced and older students who enjoy adventurous, historical fiction and/or the diary format will enjoy this novel. It'll definitely increase their background knowledge of this time period, but stress that they read the historical notes at the end that explain just how much we don't know of Cleopatra's life then recommend nonfiction books that pair with this story (there are a ton).
carolineinthelibrary's review against another edition
2.0
This was probably one of the more "meh" Dear America: The Royal Diaries books I've read. I'm not sure if Cleopatra was just an odd pick for a kid's story or if the timing in history was weird, but considering all that Cleopatra did in her later teen and early adult years, this seemed super uneventful. The epilogue covered more of what she did in a short bit than the entire book did.
meaganmart's review
3.0
I loved these books as a child and I've been going through my bookshelves deciding what to keep and what I'm ready to donate. I will keep this novel for my nieces or for any future kids I might have. I was interested in how they represented the different cultures who called Alexandria (and all of Egypt) home, I was also glad they emphasized Cleopatra's Macedonian heritage and the fact that her family were not native Egyptians. This isn't a groundbreaking novel by any means, but it is interesting and would be a good stepping stone read for a child interested in ancient Egypt.
amyinthewind's review against another edition
1.0
Well, I had to mark this book as "read" to get it out of my "currently reading" list, but I didn't finish it. It was simply too boring. Maybe I'm just in the wrong frame of mind right now. It bothers me too much that we don't actually know anything about Cleopatra's thoughts and feelings, but that's basically all this book is. I am interested in Cleopatra's story, but there's too much fiction in this historical fiction.
sailormarz's review
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nicolepiermanwriter's review against another edition
5.0
I was absolutely obsessed with this book as a pre-teen so much so that I read it 4 times. So many good memories from this book! I definitely recommend this to parents for children 11+ years old.
kaylaiscool321's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
They were insane back then god damn
competencefantasy's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.5
A very important text to me growing up.
Does have some anachronism when it comes to focus on things that tie into monotheism
Does have some anachronism when it comes to focus on things that tie into monotheism