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suzemo's review against another edition
2.0
I give this book a "meh" rating. I read Michelle Moran's version of Cleopatra Selene not long ago, and while I had issues with it, I honestly think I prefer it of the two.
This book is about Cleopatra Selene and her life from the death of her parents, Marc Antony and Cleopatra to just about her marriage to Juba (the same timeline as Moran's), but this one has a much heavier religious aspect to it, and delves far more into magic than I like my historical fantasies to go into.
This book is about Cleopatra Selene and her life from the death of her parents, Marc Antony and Cleopatra to just about her marriage to Juba (the same timeline as Moran's), but this one has a much heavier religious aspect to it, and delves far more into magic than I like my historical fantasies to go into.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
My thoughts:
This is book one about Princess Selene, but it is a novel that easily can stand on its own. One aspect of her life ends when the book ends, and it's a good solid ending. But she has more to experience, and that will come later.
This is then the story of Selene, daughter of Cleopatra and Marc Anthony. A girl who managed to stay more in the shadows of time than her famous mother. She, her twin Helios, and their younger brother was brought to Rome as prisoners and were taken in by Octavia, sister of Octavian. This time in Rome is what this book is about.
Again I must say that I am pretty appalled by the Romans. A woman had no real worth or say in things. Her only duty was to marry a man, and bear him a son. That's it. She should not speak or have ideas, and if the man said she was unfaithful she suffered while he could marry someone else. It was a man's world. And this is one of the things the novel does well, Selene is from another culture, one where woman has opinions, and it's a clash of cultures.
One thing about the book that makes it less historical fiction is the magic. There truly is magic and Selene is getting messages from the Goddess Isis, carved into her arms. At first I was not sure, about magic but I just had to adjust and think that who knows, maybe there was magic then. That way I could still feel it was historical fiction, and not something else.
And I just have to mention one thing about Octavian, Ceasar, what a self-righteous ass he was.
Recommendation and final thoughts:
It's a shame that Selene is not more known. She is getting her story told now, and that is good. Because it is fascinating and she lived at a thrilling time. The book is an interesting mix of facts, fiction, and fantasy.
This is book one about Princess Selene, but it is a novel that easily can stand on its own. One aspect of her life ends when the book ends, and it's a good solid ending. But she has more to experience, and that will come later.
This is then the story of Selene, daughter of Cleopatra and Marc Anthony. A girl who managed to stay more in the shadows of time than her famous mother. She, her twin Helios, and their younger brother was brought to Rome as prisoners and were taken in by Octavia, sister of Octavian. This time in Rome is what this book is about.
Again I must say that I am pretty appalled by the Romans. A woman had no real worth or say in things. Her only duty was to marry a man, and bear him a son. That's it. She should not speak or have ideas, and if the man said she was unfaithful she suffered while he could marry someone else. It was a man's world. And this is one of the things the novel does well, Selene is from another culture, one where woman has opinions, and it's a clash of cultures.
One thing about the book that makes it less historical fiction is the magic. There truly is magic and Selene is getting messages from the Goddess Isis, carved into her arms. At first I was not sure, about magic but I just had to adjust and think that who knows, maybe there was magic then. That way I could still feel it was historical fiction, and not something else.
And I just have to mention one thing about Octavian, Ceasar, what a self-righteous ass he was.
Recommendation and final thoughts:
It's a shame that Selene is not more known. She is getting her story told now, and that is good. Because it is fascinating and she lived at a thrilling time. The book is an interesting mix of facts, fiction, and fantasy.
angelarenea's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! I really liked the historical aspect of it and how it stuck very closely to real events. This book was a beautifully written, realistic novel about a fascinating historical character! I felt like I was being dragged along the streets of Rome right with Selene! I loved how realistic her thoughts and feelings were especially regarding her mother and father. I feel like I was able to share in her thoughts because they were so well laid out. I also liked the religious/spiritual undertone/theme and how in the story Isis says she is all goddesses which touches on pluralism. I feel like this should be on everyone's reading list and would recommend it to almost anyone! I can not wait to read the sequel!
sdmomof5boys's review against another edition
3.0
This is the second book I've read about Cleopatra's Daughter (the other was by Michelle Moran). The time period is fascinating to me and the war of empires and people fighting for their heritage. I thought the book was well written, but I disliked enough of the characters to not really love it. While learning more about some of their religious practices was interesting, I didn't really buy into all the magical workings included in the story. It was alright, and I haven't decided if I'll read the sequel or not.
brunettejnas's review against another edition
1.0
I just couldn't get into this book- maybe the next one will be more interesting since the protagonist is older - but I didn't find the narrative that interesting. This is a shame because the time period is so interesting. I am not sure if it was because the protagonist is so young (12 I think) that this really read as a YA novel, which wasn't what I was in the mood for. DNF.
bookfever's review against another edition
4.0
I've read several stories by Stephanie Dray but I hadn't actually picked up her debut novel, Lily of the Nile. I had some minor doubt about a story because a story about the daughter of Cleopatra is one I've read before and I was worried it would be too similar but I worried for nothing because it was actually really amazing. I ended up being instantly hooked by the story and I want the read the other books in the trilogy as soon as possible.
It's actually a little strange that I waited so long with purchasing this book because I adore anything related to ancient Egypt. Most of the book is set in Rome but it is about the daughter of Cleopatra and Mark Antony who's named Cleopatra Selene, so it did manage to sate my desire to read anything about the time it's set in.
The story starts in Egypt when Cleopatra famously commited suicide by snake bite. After that Selene, her twin brother Helios and younger brother Philadelphus are taken to Rome to be raised in Emperor Octavian's household. For the most part Selene struggled with coming to terms with being in Rome after losing her parents the way she did and taken away from her beloved Egypt, not wanting to lose her connection to her country and the goddess Isis. She eventually makes friends with the other children in the household and there's even a hint of romance forming with her tutor Juba. Hopefully there's a little more of that in the second book.
One thing I definitely hadn't expected and what was maybe my favorite thing was the magical aspect that the story and Selene had because of her connection to Isis. It mixed historical fiction with magic and myth. I loved every single part of it. I also loved how complicated most of the characters and their the relationships were. Especially the relationship between Octavian and Selene. There were hidden depths within everyone.
Overall, Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray was as fantastic as I thought it would be. The writing took me back to the fascinating time and political intrigue of ancient Rome. I would highly recommend it.
It's actually a little strange that I waited so long with purchasing this book because I adore anything related to ancient Egypt. Most of the book is set in Rome but it is about the daughter of Cleopatra and Mark Antony who's named Cleopatra Selene, so it did manage to sate my desire to read anything about the time it's set in.
The story starts in Egypt when Cleopatra famously commited suicide by snake bite. After that Selene, her twin brother Helios and younger brother Philadelphus are taken to Rome to be raised in Emperor Octavian's household. For the most part Selene struggled with coming to terms with being in Rome after losing her parents the way she did and taken away from her beloved Egypt, not wanting to lose her connection to her country and the goddess Isis. She eventually makes friends with the other children in the household and there's even a hint of romance forming with her tutor Juba. Hopefully there's a little more of that in the second book.
One thing I definitely hadn't expected and what was maybe my favorite thing was the magical aspect that the story and Selene had because of her connection to Isis. It mixed historical fiction with magic and myth. I loved every single part of it. I also loved how complicated most of the characters and their the relationships were. Especially the relationship between Octavian and Selene. There were hidden depths within everyone.
Overall, Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray was as fantastic as I thought it would be. The writing took me back to the fascinating time and political intrigue of ancient Rome. I would highly recommend it.
santaluna's review
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
missywinesalot's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
rosetyper9's review against another edition
5.0
I adored this new historical YA by Stephanie Dray. She takes the era of Cleopatra from dusty old roman tomes to a world full of intrigue and sensation that anyone can read, understand, and digest. Ms. Dray has the ability to pull you into a story like very few authors out today, she also can make an inherently YA read feel adult and full of sensuality. With her ability to roll a story across your palette and tether you to the pages of her books I see wonderful things coming from Ms. Dray.
So, more about the book. Selene, in my opinion, is a teenager. She is unpredictable, pouty, self-centered, prideful, and above all she loves her Goddess. This is a great place to start with a heroine, and some great attributes to instill in a character that could potentially become a teen's idol and friend. Selene's twin Helios is also just like a teen boy, he is full of pride, ego, and will do whatever it takes to protect the ones he loves. Above all, Helios is my favorite, he got on my nerves because he wouldn't see anything the way Selene saw things but he also had his reasons and I can more than understand them.
The historical accuracy of this book I can not vouch for but the author added her own notes to the book and everything in the book, minus the strictly fictional parts, felt real and right. I believe this look into Selene's life will open new doors for people who love this era and want to hop in head first.
The next book in this series is going to be even more dramatic, I can already feel it and I can't wait to read what Ms. Dray has in store for us.
So, more about the book. Selene, in my opinion, is a teenager. She is unpredictable, pouty, self-centered, prideful, and above all she loves her Goddess. This is a great place to start with a heroine, and some great attributes to instill in a character that could potentially become a teen's idol and friend. Selene's twin Helios is also just like a teen boy, he is full of pride, ego, and will do whatever it takes to protect the ones he loves. Above all, Helios is my favorite, he got on my nerves because he wouldn't see anything the way Selene saw things but he also had his reasons and I can more than understand them.
The historical accuracy of this book I can not vouch for but the author added her own notes to the book and everything in the book, minus the strictly fictional parts, felt real and right. I believe this look into Selene's life will open new doors for people who love this era and want to hop in head first.
The next book in this series is going to be even more dramatic, I can already feel it and I can't wait to read what Ms. Dray has in store for us.
sabregirl's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely LOVED this book. I never wanted to put it down, which was a bad thing I mostly read it between classes or before classes. Besides the point, this book was amazing. I wanted to read it as fast as possible to find out what was going to happen. I had read one other book about Selene Cleopatra and this was completely different. I loved that it stuck to certain historical aspects about Selene but still stuck with a fiction type genre. We got to see her with her mother for a short time, I would've liked to have seen more so we could see more how Octavian sees her as her mother. I liked that neither of her brothers will killed off because they were a nice support & brought out a different side to her. The Isiac hints of Selene's power was a nice touch, it gives her the other worldly nature that her mother seemed to possess. The end of the novel was a but surprising, especially with Octavian basically 'bowing down' to Selene essentially giving to her what she wanted. It'll be interesting to see their dynamic in the second book.