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piaac's review against another edition
4.0
Kept me engaged and wanting to find out more. I couldn’t put the book down. I closed my eyes as I listened and could see the characters. Looking forward to reading Book 2 and Book 3 in this series.
alisonkinkead's review
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tessasophiewillemsen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
miss_merna's review against another edition
4.0
I suppose many of us know Cleopatra's story. An Egyptian queen who seduced two Roman generals in order to keep Egypt an independent kingdom. Antony, the second Roman general, becomes so infatuated with Cleopatra that he starts to recklessly hand out Roman territory to her, such as Syria and Libya etc, and names Cleopatra's son as the true heir of Julius Caesar. All of this makes Octavian (Caesar's adopted son) displeased and furious at being challenged. He declares war on Cleopatra, but it's really Antony he wants defeated. Octavian wins and Antony and Cleopatra end up committing suicide. Octavian murders the son that Cleopatra had with Julius Caesar to eliminate all the rivals who threaten his throne to the Roman Empire. However, he does keep the children of Antony and Cleopatra alive and even sends them to be raised by his own sister.
Lily of the Nile follows the story of Selene, daughter of Antony and Cleopatra, as she attempts to fit into her new environment and make herself trustworthy among the Romans, especially Octavian, in the hopes that she will one day regain Egypt.
The story was very engrossing. However, the magic element added to the story was unnecessary. I thought the book would have been much more perfect if it wasn't for the fantasy aspect that was placed alongside historical fiction. I also thought Lily's strong hate for Octavian because he murdered those who opposed him, such as her parents, was hypocritical. I would think Selene would have known Antony and Cleopatra both followed the same murderous tactics as Octavian. The novel followed historical events pretty accurately while at the same time intervening fictional events together.
The book did have some kind of aspects that made it comparable to the HBO drama Rome. I remember learning about Cleopatra in my ancient history class. I remember reading that Octavian took her children and sent them to Rome, which left me curious about their life in Rome and their relationship to Octavian (the man responsible for the downfall of their parents). It seemed like it would make a very interesting story, so I searched on the internet for fictional stories related to Cleopatra's children and was glad I found this. It met my expectations.
Lily of the Nile follows the story of Selene, daughter of Antony and Cleopatra, as she attempts to fit into her new environment and make herself trustworthy among the Romans, especially Octavian, in the hopes that she will one day regain Egypt.
The story was very engrossing. However, the magic element added to the story was unnecessary. I thought the book would have been much more perfect if it wasn't for the fantasy aspect that was placed alongside historical fiction. I also thought Lily's strong hate for Octavian because he murdered those who opposed him, such as her parents, was hypocritical. I would think Selene would have known Antony and Cleopatra both followed the same murderous tactics as Octavian. The novel followed historical events pretty accurately while at the same time intervening fictional events together.
The book did have some kind of aspects that made it comparable to the HBO drama Rome. I remember learning about Cleopatra in my ancient history class. I remember reading that Octavian took her children and sent them to Rome, which left me curious about their life in Rome and their relationship to Octavian (the man responsible for the downfall of their parents). It seemed like it would make a very interesting story, so I searched on the internet for fictional stories related to Cleopatra's children and was glad I found this. It met my expectations.
telo's review
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
aliceboule's review against another edition
3.0
Lily of the Nile confused me. I wasn't sure whether the magic was real or if it was only in her mind.
I love historical fiction especially when it dates back to the old OLD ages. We have so little information of what happened then, that we can imagine all the details to go along with the bigger picture. After all, why couldn't there be magic in 50 B.C.?
I cannot wait to read the next and find out what happens what with all the intrigue and political maneuvering that Selene has to do!
I love historical fiction especially when it dates back to the old OLD ages. We have so little information of what happened then, that we can imagine all the details to go along with the bigger picture. After all, why couldn't there be magic in 50 B.C.?
I cannot wait to read the next and find out what happens what with all the intrigue and political maneuvering that Selene has to do!
vidhi26p's review against another edition
4.0
“This was a new Rome. Octavian’s Rome.”
The only thing that would have made this book better, is if it was perfect narrative nonfiction, rather than the author taking liberties. This is, of course, wishful thinking as there’s still so much from this period we haven’t unearthed yet.
That being said, an incredibly entertaining & well-written story, I can safely say I never have given thought to Cleopatra’s children before this. I was skeptical of the fantasy-like take on this, but it worked really well.
The only thing that would have made this book better, is if it was perfect narrative nonfiction, rather than the author taking liberties. This is, of course, wishful thinking as there’s still so much from this period we haven’t unearthed yet.
That being said, an incredibly entertaining & well-written story, I can safely say I never have given thought to Cleopatra’s children before this. I was skeptical of the fantasy-like take on this, but it worked really well.
darkcrystal1839's review against another edition
3.0
This book wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but it was good nevertheless. A great fictionalized biography of a pretty impressive woman - the daughter of Cleopatra. A woman not generally thought of or remembered by most, but she was pretty influential. I really enjoyed reading the author's note about Cleopatra Selene and her importance in history. The book itself is heavily imagined, but still extremely entertaining. It wasn't written like most teen books nowadays, but was full of substance and depth that really fleshed out the main character. She finds herself in an impossible situation and it's interesting to read through her thought processes about how to survive. Sometimes it was a little annoying to hear her seemingly give up at times, and she did seem to flip flop between defiant and subservient, but hearing her inner thoughts through the entire story really helped those moments along.
All in all, a good story. I'd read the sequel to find out more about the life of this interesting person.
All in all, a good story. I'd read the sequel to find out more about the life of this interesting person.