Cleopatra's Daughter

I remember exchanging emails with Michelle Moran after her first book came out. In it she mentioned that this book, "Cleopatra's Daughter" was in the works. I was so excited as I too wondered what happened to the famed Cleopatra's two surviving children, her twins Alexander and Kleopatra Selene.

I knew they had been taken back to Rome, but that was about it. Moran does an amazing job of fleshing out their stories and grounding her tale in the often very harsh realities of ancient Rome. She has such a knack for making the past come to life....things and people today aren't really all that different than they were then.

Selene and her brother wind up living in the household of Octavia, Marc Antony's last Roman wife. They are raised and educated alongside her other children as well as several extended family members. Far from their beloved Alexandria and Egypt, they both long to return home, but realize that their fates depend on the whims and political maneuverings of Rome's ruling family and Egypt's conqueror, Octavian.

Moran tells a great story and manages to weave in historical facts, events and people in a seamless manner. Although this book is categorized as adult fiction, I think YA readers would also enjoy the novel as the main characters are in their early teens for most of the book. Nothing better than being educated while you are being entertained.

Moran's next tale is going to be about Madame Tussaud....and I can't wait!