Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran

Title: Cleopatra's Daughter
Author: Michelle Moran
Pages: 448
Publisher: Crown

Publication Date: September 15, 2009

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 vengeful rival, Octavian, sweep into Egypt. Their three orphaned children are taken in chains to Rome, but only two—the ten-year-old twins Selene and Alexander—survive the journey. Delivered to the household of Octavian’s sister, the siblings cling to each other and to the hope that they will return one day to their rightful place on the throne of Egypt. As they come of age, they are buffeted by the personal ambitions of Octavian’s family and court, by the ever-present threat of slave rebellion, and by the longings and desires deep within their own hearts.

The fateful tale of Selene and Alexander is brought brilliantly to life in Cleopatra’s Daughter. Recounted in Selene’s youthful and engaging voice, it introduces a compelling cast of historical characters.

Selene has lost everything; her parents, her kingdom, and her brother. Octavian brings her and her twin, Alexander from Egypt to Rome and provides them with enough adventure to last a lifetime. Selene struggles to stay and behave as she is introduced to rebellion, first love, and the great empire of Imperial Rome. She goes through many sufferings, but will she ultimately overcome them all?

Woven with immense clarity and diversity, Michelle Moran writes a novel full of rich history and adventure. Selene's narrative is mature and original. Her character is solid from the very start and only grew as the novel progressed. And unlike many other protagonists, Selene is headstrong and knows what she wants.

The mystery in Cleopatra's Daughter is captivating and suspenseful. The Red Eagle is rebellious and nobody can catch him. Selene admires him and doesn't know that he's actually closer to her than she thinks...

Architecture and art plays a big role in Cleopatra's Daughter. It is described vividly and beautifully. Selene finds solace in her work and defies tradition and insists in doing what she loves. She never gives up as people try to stop her from achieving her goals. A+ =)

The Bottom Line: Cleopatra's Daughter is the perfect historical fiction read. It's full of suspense, mystery, and, of course, romance. The ending is my favorite; it's sweet and completely unpredictable! Just like the book!

---Report Card---
Originality: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Characters: 9/10
Plot: 10/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 9.5/10
Theme: 9.5/10
Imagery: 10/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 8/10
Total Score: 96/100 (A+)