Michelle Moran returns with another riveting and untold historical tale set against the backdrop of Egypt's demise. Following Cleopatra and Marc Antony's deaths, their three children - twins named Alexander and Selene plus a younger son named Ptolemy - are exiled from Egypt and sent to Rome in chains to be raised in one of the most fascinating (and dangerous) courts of all time. Cleopatra's Daughter is the remarkable true story of what happens to these three surviving children as seen through the eyes of Selene. Their adaptation to Roman culture, their treatment as both a curiosity and a threat, and Selene's perilous journey to adulthood, are all chronicled in the elegant detail and gripping pace for which Michelle Moran is celebrated.
Cleopatra's Daughter
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Hugely enjoyable - Daily Express.
Compulsively readable! - Diana Gabaldon.
Moran, a rising star in the world of historical fiction, has drawn a vivid picture of the horrors and glories of life in ancient Rome … this is an intelligent historical novel, which like Moran's previous two titles draws you in from the outset' Daily Express.
From the Back Cover
At the dawn of the Roman Empire, when tyranny ruled, a daughter of Egypt and a son of Rome found each other… Selene's legendary parents are gone, dead by their own hands. Her country taken from her, she has been brought to the city of Rome in chains, with only her twin brother, Alexander, to remind her of home and all she once had. Paraded as captives and brought to live under the watchful eyes of the ruling family, Selene and her brother must quickly learn how to be Roman - and where their new allegiances lie. Caesar will tolerate the twins only so long as they can be useful. Selene puts her artistry to work, in the hope of staying alive and someday being allowed to return to Egypt. Before long, however, she is distracted by the young and handsome heir to the empire, whose power might save her. Yet the imperial family's rule is far from secure. When the elusive 'Red Eagle' starts calling for the end of slavery, causing riots and murder, Selene and Alexander find their lives in grave danger. Will this mysterious figure bring about their liberation, or their demise?
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After her bestsellers "Nefertiti" and the "Heretic Queen" Michelle Moran presents now her third novel. She continues her Eyptian theme but makes a big jump time in time.
This is the story of the last Ptolemaic princess and prince: Cleopatra Selene and Alexander Helios - the Moon and the Sun.Their second names mean in Ancient Greek "Moon and "Sun". Both are the children of the famous Queen Cleopatra - actually the 7th Queen of this name - and Marc Antony, the Roman triumvir. After Marc Antony has been defeated and Cleopatra has committed sucide, the children are brought to Rome by Octavian, the first Roman Emperor, parade through Rome and given in the care of his sister Octavia.In typical Roman fashion sons and daughters are edcuated in Rome in order to turn them into good Romans and then use them as puppet rulers of their former states.
Michelle Moran describes the life and times of the Imperial family and the life in Rome at the time. Her descriptions are fantastic, engaging and vivid. The start of the book is espcially great - the death of Marc Antony and Cleopatra. The main story takes place at the heart of the Empire and the Imperial family, a family of much tensions and jealousy. These are power games of truly imperial impact and yet so human. Michelle Moran catches this to perfection. On the other hand she looks at the society at large - the fanatic developments of the time are balanced by the fate of the slaves and the corruption of the elite. She shows what slavery meant.And there is the mysery of the Red Eagle...
It is a real pleasure to read as Michelle Moran keeps her standards and style. If reading much is an indication of a gripping book maybe this is of interest for you: I got the book on a Friday and had read the first 300 pages by sunday.... Read more ›
This is the story of the last Ptolemaic princess and prince: Cleopatra Selene and Alexander Helios - the Moon and the Sun.Their second names mean in Ancient Greek "Moon and "Sun". Both are the children of the famous Queen Cleopatra - actually the 7th Queen of this name - and Marc Antony, the Roman triumvir. After Marc Antony has been defeated and Cleopatra has committed sucide, the children are brought to Rome by Octavian, the first Roman Emperor, parade through Rome and given in the care of his sister Octavia.In typical Roman fashion sons and daughters are edcuated in Rome in order to turn them into good Romans and then use them as puppet rulers of their former states.
Michelle Moran describes the life and times of the Imperial family and the life in Rome at the time. Her descriptions are fantastic, engaging and vivid. The start of the book is espcially great - the death of Marc Antony and Cleopatra. The main story takes place at the heart of the Empire and the Imperial family, a family of much tensions and jealousy. These are power games of truly imperial impact and yet so human. Michelle Moran catches this to perfection. On the other hand she looks at the society at large - the fanatic developments of the time are balanced by the fate of the slaves and the corruption of the elite. She shows what slavery meant.And there is the mysery of the Red Eagle...
It is a real pleasure to read as Michelle Moran keeps her standards and style. If reading much is an indication of a gripping book maybe this is of interest for you: I got the book on a Friday and had read the first 300 pages by sunday.... Read more ›
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Kleopatra Selene is the daughter of the famous Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, and her husband Marc Antony. When Antony's army is defeated by Octavian at the Battle of Actium and Cleopatra commits suicide, ten year-old Selene and her brothers are left orphaned. Octavian takes them back to Rome with him where they join the household of his sister Octavia. In this entertaining historical fiction novel by Michelle Moran, we find out what happens to Selene after her arrival in Rome.
I confess that I don't know very much at all about Ancient Rome. It's not one of my favourite periods of history to read about and although I know there are lots of historical fiction novels out there about the Romans, I've read very few of them. However, this was a good thing because it meant that a lot of the information in Cleopatra's Daughter was new to me and I learned a lot of interesting facts. For example, I had never heard about the Columna Lactaria (Milk Column), a monument in Rome where mothers left their unwanted babies in the hope that someone would come and feed them.
One thing that strikes me about the Romans is the huge difference between the sophistication and advancement of their culture and the barbarity of many of their customs. Michelle Moran does an excellent job of showing both the good side of Rome (the advanced technology, the architecture and the infrastructure of the city) and the bad side (the cruel treatment given to slaves by their masters, for example).
I did find it difficult to keep the relationships straight between the large cast of characters. This was partly because so many of them had similar names and also because most of the adults had been married at least two or three times each with several children from each marriage.... Read more ›
I confess that I don't know very much at all about Ancient Rome. It's not one of my favourite periods of history to read about and although I know there are lots of historical fiction novels out there about the Romans, I've read very few of them. However, this was a good thing because it meant that a lot of the information in Cleopatra's Daughter was new to me and I learned a lot of interesting facts. For example, I had never heard about the Columna Lactaria (Milk Column), a monument in Rome where mothers left their unwanted babies in the hope that someone would come and feed them.
One thing that strikes me about the Romans is the huge difference between the sophistication and advancement of their culture and the barbarity of many of their customs. Michelle Moran does an excellent job of showing both the good side of Rome (the advanced technology, the architecture and the infrastructure of the city) and the bad side (the cruel treatment given to slaves by their masters, for example).
I did find it difficult to keep the relationships straight between the large cast of characters. This was partly because so many of them had similar names and also because most of the adults had been married at least two or three times each with several children from each marriage.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By B. Robinson
Format:Paperback
I was sent this book to read as part of a Reading Circle that I'm in and put it to one side as I'm not a huge lover of Historical fiction but in the past I've read and enjoyed the Red Tent by Anita Diamant which is both Historical and Biblical fiction.
This book had me enthralled from the start and I thoroughly enjoyed it. One minor criticism is that there were a lot of Characters to acquaint ourselves with and I found it a little confusing at the start but once I knew who they all were in my head it was easy. The list of charcters at the start did help as a reference aid on more than one occasion. Selene was a great narrator and so much happened to her in such a short space of time, at times it was hard remembering that she was still so young. With real characters and an odd fictional name thrown in, the book portrayed Ancient Rome and the day to day life well without being to heavy going for the reader.
Well done Michelle Moran you've gained yourself a new fan and I will definitely be looking out for more of your books in the future.
This book had me enthralled from the start and I thoroughly enjoyed it. One minor criticism is that there were a lot of Characters to acquaint ourselves with and I found it a little confusing at the start but once I knew who they all were in my head it was easy. The list of charcters at the start did help as a reference aid on more than one occasion. Selene was a great narrator and so much happened to her in such a short space of time, at times it was hard remembering that she was still so young. With real characters and an odd fictional name thrown in, the book portrayed Ancient Rome and the day to day life well without being to heavy going for the reader.
Well done Michelle Moran you've gained yourself a new fan and I will definitely be looking out for more of your books in the future.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Eleni
TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
This is a great historical novel inspired by the life of Cleopatra's daughter, Cleopatra Selene in Rome. The story is narrated by Selene and it starts with the final moments of Queen Cleopatra and Mark Anthony in Egypt, after Octavian's victory. After Mark Anthony's death and Cleopatra's suicide, eleven year old Selene and her twin brother Alexander Helios are taken to Rome to live with their father's former wife Octavia, until they grow up and Octavian finds some use for them. The children there, are educated as future roman citizens and form strong relationships with Octavia's son Marcellus, Octavian's daughter Julia and the future emperor of Rome Tiberius. Selene and Helios observe Roman culture and as they are appalled by the way slaves are treated, they support the Red Eagle, a mysterious rebel who fights the injustice of Roman law. Selene, who is a very educated young girl with an exceptional talent for architecture, soon becomes Vitruvius apprentice and by working hard to become useful to Rome, she hopes that one day the emperor will eventually return her to Egypt.
The book is excellently written; the characters very well developed and the images of both Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome are fascinating and well researched. The descriptions of everyday life at Octavian's time and the social and political events described are so vivid, that it makes the readers feel as if they are really there. Moran, once again creates an amazingly vivid background enriched with details of everyday life, descriptions of theatrical performances, poetry readings by Ovid, and even real trials.... Read more ›
The book is excellently written; the characters very well developed and the images of both Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome are fascinating and well researched. The descriptions of everyday life at Octavian's time and the social and political events described are so vivid, that it makes the readers feel as if they are really there. Moran, once again creates an amazingly vivid background enriched with details of everyday life, descriptions of theatrical performances, poetry readings by Ovid, and even real trials.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Eye Opener
This book is a refreshing insight to Roman life, bringing the past very much to life. I love MM's writing style so cleverly incorporating history with historical fiction. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Landlady Sue
5.0 out of 5 stars
cleopatras daughter
fantastic book , the characters are written very well and as always michelle moran uses facts to develop a character and their surroundings
Published 1 month ago by CLAIR MARSLAND
5.0 out of 5 stars
another fantastic book from Michelle Moran
this is another great read by Michelle Moran, who obviously knows her stuff when it comes to the Egyptians. Read more
Published 3 months ago by clotty
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book details
22.02.13 - I have the book today all can I say is brilliant timely, book cover is neat and clear and the packaging is fit well with the book.
Published 3 months ago by artistry
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cleopatra's Daughter
My dog enjoyed the original book, it made good eating.!!!
The book was a library book that he ate. Read more
The book was a library book that he ate. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Dougal
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful
Having read Moran's previous books, I was doubtful as to whether this one would equal and continue the story on a similarly enticing level. Needless to say I was impressed. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Julianna
1.0 out of 5 stars
Can't believe it got so many good reviews - unless....
I can't believe this book got so many good reviews - unless people are regarding it as fantasy, rather than historic fiction. Read more
Published 13 months ago by psychothriller
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous Book
I was bought this as a present. I didn't know what to expect but as soon as I started reading it I couldn't put it down! Read more
Published 14 months ago by Elle.Marie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Exciting and fun read
Really enjoyed this book - Moran has excellent knack for creating great characters and putting her own twist on historical events. Also the premise of the book, i.e. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Epona
5.0 out of 5 stars
Glorious and Gripping
This is a delightful book and was an utter joy to read - I was hooked from the start because it makes you question what will happen next and encourages you to read on. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Anon
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