by Vicky Alvear Shecter
Publication Date: August 1, 2011
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
368p
SYNOPSIS
"The Luxe" meets the ancient world in the extraordinary story of Cleopatra's daughter.
Selene
has grown up in a palace on the Nile with her parents, Cleopatra and
Mark Antony--the most brilliant, powerful rulers on earth. But the
jealous Roman Emperor Octavianus wants Egypt for himself, and when war
finally comes, Selene faces the loss of all she's ever loved. Forced to
build a new life in Octavianus's household in Rome, she finds herself
torn between two young men and two possible destinies--until she reaches
out to claim her own.
This stunning novel brings to life
the personalities and passions of one of the greatest dramas in
history, and offers a wonderful new heroine in Selene.
REVIEW
While I don’t normally read YA, I love anything set in Egypt and anything Cleopatra, so it was with no hesitation that I signed up to review Cleopatra’s Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter and I am so glad I did!
Selene has lead an idyllic life in her short years…she is in complete awe of her mother, Queen Cleopatra, the apple of her father, Marcus Antonius’ eye and their family is at the height of power in Egypt. Yet, all of this is shattered when war comes to Egypt, lead by their enemy, Octavianus. Selene loses both parents traumatically, and along with her two brothers is shuffled off to Rome, where they are tormented for their heritage and paraded as spoils of war. But Selene is her mother’s daughter and will not sit idly by until she finds a way to return to Egypt and claim her birthright.
Selene is a fabulous heroine… strong, intelligent, resourceful and audacious. I loved the descriptions of both Egypt and Rome and the scenes with the Goddess Isis were truly intriguing. For a YA book it didn’t read too young for me, but nor did was it too adult for a YA audience, in fact my 15-year-old daughter is reading it at the moment and also enjoying it. Highly recommended!
Please check back on Thursday for a guest post by author Vicky Alvear Shecter!
REVIEW
While I don’t normally read YA, I love anything set in Egypt and anything Cleopatra, so it was with no hesitation that I signed up to review Cleopatra’s Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter and I am so glad I did!
Selene has lead an idyllic life in her short years…she is in complete awe of her mother, Queen Cleopatra, the apple of her father, Marcus Antonius’ eye and their family is at the height of power in Egypt. Yet, all of this is shattered when war comes to Egypt, lead by their enemy, Octavianus. Selene loses both parents traumatically, and along with her two brothers is shuffled off to Rome, where they are tormented for their heritage and paraded as spoils of war. But Selene is her mother’s daughter and will not sit idly by until she finds a way to return to Egypt and claim her birthright.
Selene is a fabulous heroine… strong, intelligent, resourceful and audacious. I loved the descriptions of both Egypt and Rome and the scenes with the Goddess Isis were truly intriguing. For a YA book it didn’t read too young for me, but nor did was it too adult for a YA audience, in fact my 15-year-old daughter is reading it at the moment and also enjoying it. Highly recommended!
Please check back on Thursday for a guest post by author Vicky Alvear Shecter!
FTC DISCLOSURE: A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThis truly sounds great. I like some YA novels and this one sounds as though it would be appealing to YA and adults alike. Cleopatra was an strong person in history and if her daughter is like her, I'm sure the reader would be in for a great read. Thank you for the review. I look forward to getting this book.
ReplyDeleteConnie Fischer
conniecape@aol.com
I love all things Cleopatra! And I'm hoping to read this book. Its nice that its not too YA, but still young enough that you can share! Love that!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you reviewing YA books :)
ReplyDeleteI am currently reading this now. I'm only on page 60 but I am enjoying it.
I'm unsure what some people mean when they say it isn't too "adult." If you saw some of the books in my library that are YA I think many would rethink their definition of YA books and their content. :)
This sounds really good. I haven't read a lot of books about Cleopatra, but I have been seeing some new ones around that sound particularly good.
ReplyDeleteI love stories set in this era
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely looking forward to this one and hoping I can recommend it to my students!
ReplyDelete